Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Joe Biden's appearance at this week's NATO summit came with additional pressures ahead of the US election. Less than two weeks after Biden's shaky debate performance, Biden was under extra scrutiny on the world stage. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Biden sounded better during his first address - but he still has to contend with further global exposure. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council has confirmed the venue for next year's SailGP. It's hosting the start of the Australasian leg in January after Christchurch proved too problematic and it was moved. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave addressed some concerns ahead of the event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Otago University is signalling it has the backs of staff and students when it comes to free speech. The University Council has confirmed its new Free Speech Statement, which aims to enable diverse idea exploration and encourage open exchanges. Otago University Emeritus Professor James Maclaurin says this statement was 'absolutely essential'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 10 July 2024, a lawyer acting for some of the Aratere crew is refuting the suggestion they were getting coffee when the Interislander ferry ran aground. Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr tells Heather why he's so upbeat about the Reserve Bank's OCR statement. Will we actually see interest rates drop this year? Darleen Tana breaks her silence - saying the leaks of the report against her were designed to "pressure" her. Plus the Huddle debates whether all universities should adopt a free speech approach like Otago University's. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! NZ First has been making headlines over their claims the crew on the Interislander's Aratere ducked out to get coffee and didn't turn the auto-pilot off. Were these comments out of line? The University of Otago has been praised over their new Free Speech Statement, which aimed to enable diverse idea exploration and encourage open exchanges. Is this the right move? How ridiculous is the proposed closure of Manawatu's Country Kindy? Have regulations and red tape gone too far? How long do we think it will be until Darleen Tana quits Parliament for good? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has agreed New Zealand's dairy sector is 'capped out' - and investing in aquaculture is the way to go. In an interview with Newsroom, Jones claimed the aquaculture sector faced fewer barriers and offered more opportunities than other primary industries- including wool, dairy and meat. Mark Hopper from Federated Farmers says there's opportunity in aquaculture, but we shouldn't give up on the dairy sector. "We really want to get back into a position where we can see some positive growth happening across all the primary sub-sectors - they're critical for our economy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour says early childhood centres are being held back by 'extraordinary' regulatory compliance standards. The Associate Education Minister issued a 'please explain' to the Ministry of Education, after Manawatu's Country Kindy faced closure. It has since been granted a 12-week continuation of operations from the Ministry. Seymour says children weren't at danger. "There's no question here that any student is in any danger, there's no health or safety issue. It all relates effectively to paperwork and compliance around the curriculum." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's promised an extra financial boost to help Coromandel’s closed Cathedral Cove track open up by summer. The popular beach has been inaccessible by land since February last year, after being damaged by landslides caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. DOC has been allocated $5 million to plan, build, reopen and maintain walking access to the cove. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says they've done their due diligence to create the perfect short-term fix. "The first part is to get the short-term fix for Christmas this year, so we can be down there in December. The long-term fix might take a couple years to work through and figure out how to make it sustainable." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One legal expert is challenging Winston Peters' speculation about what happened to the Interislander's Aratere. The ferry ran aground near Picton in June, and its detention notice has officially lifted this afternoon. The Aratere has had inspections and tests and will make a graduated return to service - beginning with freight, then trucks, then passengers. This week, NZ First asked if someone left the ship on auto-pilot while getting a coffee - then couldn't turn it off. Maritime Union lawyer Troy Stade says the crew absolutely didn't duck out for a coffee. "And it astounds me that the acting Prime Minister would raise unsubstantiated rumour and conjecture in the middle of an active investigation." UPDATE- a leaked document revealed the autopilot button was mistakenly pressed by the crew. To learn more, click here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some potential light at the end of the tunnel for mortgage holders after today's Reserve Bank update. The OCR's been held in place at 5.5 percent - the eighth pause in a row. However, the Bank's tone has softened, with experts predicting inflation will make the one-to-three percent target by the end of this year. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr says his bank's sticking to its November forecast for an OCR reduction. "The commentary that we saw out of the Reserve Bank today suggests they're opening the door to a rate cut earlier than they had expected." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Woolworths is calling on the Government to implement tougher changes amid an increase in retail crime. The retailer says physical assaults on staff jumped 50 percent in the past year, with 329 incidents against 219 from the year before. Security Association Chief Executive Gary Morrison says the current trespass laws need updating to protect workers. "It's not just trespass rules, we're talking about citizen's arrest, we're talking about breach of the peace, etc. So there's other opportunities there... we're in discussion with Minister Mark Mitchell about the same issues." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thank goodness there is some common sense left in this country. Country Kindy has been given permission to stay open for another 12 weeks, at least. I’ve been fascinated by this story since we got wind of it at the end of last week. If you haven't been across it - last Thursday, it was announced that the Ministry of Education was going to close down Country Kindy from Monday. Then on Monday, it was announced that the kindy was taking court action to overturn the decision. And yesterday, it was announced that David Seymour had got involved in his capacity as an Education Minister, and the Ministry had agreed to allow it to stay open for the next 12 weeks while the court action takes place. Good. Because this situation is ridiculous. First of all, imagine the impact on the parents of those 22 kids who were told on a Thursday that from Monday - they need to find alternative care for their kids. Good luck trying to get kids into an early childhood centre with two days’ notice. Even in a place like Auckland with heaps of ECE’s on offer, it's hard. Never mind trying to find that in Manawatu, somewhere between Fielding and Hunterville - I don't think there's going to be a lot of kindies there. To give you an example, in Auckland I was on a waiting list for 18 months - until I cancelled it because I couldn't be bothered waiting anymore. Imagine what it's like somewhere between Fielding and Hunterville. Imagine the impact on those parents, imagine the impact on their workplaces because one of them won't be coming to work with a pre-schooler at home, and imagine the impact on those kids - who just want to go to kindy and see their friends. But worst of all of this is why the kindy was shut down. It was shut down because it failed to meet seven regulations. These include my personal favourite three: Condition 1- "a philosophy statement [that] guides the service's operation"; Condition 5- "demonstrate that adults providing education and care engage in meaningful, positive interactions to enhance children’s learning and nurture reciprocal relationships"; Condition 6 - "The practices of adults providing education and care demonstrate an understanding of children’s learning and development, and knowledge of relevant theories and practice in early childhood education". The teachers weren't beating the kids, they weren’t starving them or locking them outdoors all day, there wasn't a health and safety issue. They just didn’t write a philosophy statement, which means they need to get shut down. This is ridiculous. This is also a perfect example of A- why the early childhood sector desperately needs that red tape review that David Seymour's doing and B- what’s gone wrong with the Ministry of Education. Because apparently to them, paperwork and philosophy statements are more important than kids just being able to go to kindy. So thank goodness this place is still open, and here’s hoping the Ministry of Education gets a spanking in court. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to appear at this week's NATO summit, just days into his new role. It's widely expected the ongoing war in Ukraine will be top of the agenda, with growing calls for more aid coming from the region. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Starmer is expected to do well under these circumstances. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of South Island dairy company Synlait Milk is up in the air ahead of a crucial vote to ensure its survival. A special shareholders meeting will be held on Thursday to approve a $130 million loan from its biggest shareholder, China's Bright Dairy. The Country's Jamie Mackay speculates which direction the voters will go. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is set to release their latest update regarding the OCR tomorrow afternoon. New Zealand's Official Cash Rate has been held at 5.5 percent for over a year, and economists don't expect that to change. Infometrics chief economist Gareth Kiernan outlined his predictions - and speculated when the Reserve Bank might introduce cuts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and journalist Paddy Gower joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The new Three News bulletin has been out for a few days following Newshub's demise - what do we all think? What's our verdict? There's no word on whether or not Darleen Tana will resign from Parliament yet - do we think she should? Can the Greens justify letting her go with waka-jumping laws? There's speculation that Labour is considering an inheritance tax later down the line. Will people go for this? A Taranaki mother has launched a petition aimed at banning g-string bikinis at public pools. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 9 July 2024, Heather reveals parts of the Darleen Tana report after it was leaked to the show, and former Green MP Gareth Hughes makes a case why the Greens shouldn't force Darleen out of Parliament. Labour's considering advocating for an inheritance tax. Tax expert Geof Nightingale tells Heather who would have to pay and how much. Can you get cash out when you're with a digital bank? Dosh founder Shane Marsh tells Heather why they've applied to become NZ's first online-only bank. Plus, the Huddle debates whether G-string bikinis are acceptable at public pools after a mum started a petition to ban them. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award-winning finance app Dosh has launched a bid to become New Zealand's first locally-owned digital-only bank. The company has initiated an application to become a registered bank in New Zealand, with the goal of reducing costs for customers by cutting out physical branches. Dosh co-founder Shane Marsh says more and more users have switched over to using digital-only banking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government aims to make virtual inspections the default for building consents across the country. Some councils have expressed reluctance around remote inspections, while others have embraced it. Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says there are mitigations in place to avoid complications. "For example, there's a geolocator function in the app that says you can pinpoint the property that's being inspected." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legal expert says many employers struggle to deal with external threats and harassment risks. Auckland University microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles has been awarded $20,000 in damages over an employment dispute. She provided technical expertise as a commentator during the pandemic, and claims the university didn't protect her from resultant threats. Otago University Law Lecturer Dawn Duncan says the threats weren't coming from her employer, which hinders its ability to identify them and take action. "They needed to get better advice and they needed to implement it before the emergency situation happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert says there's a conversation to be had off the back of a proposed ban on g-string bikinis. A Taranaki mother is calling for the 'pornographic' swimwear to be barred from public pools and drew over 150 signatures in a petition. Sex and Relationship expert Jo Robertson says regardless of the outcome, it's a great conversation starter. "What do we do when our kids are seeing stuff that, maybe, we don't like? And we're all going to have different ideas about what we do and don't want our kids to see." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leaked report from the investigation into allegations former Green MP Darleen Tana was involved in migrant exploitation reveals the difficulties the investigator encountered and why it took more than 100 days to complete. The report also claims Tana’s husband, who is implicated in the allegations, gave evidence that “tended to obfuscate rather than elucidate”, which was one of the key difficulties holding up the investigation, and that Tana’s evidence “evidence shifted over the investigation”. It comes after Tana resigned from the party and Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says she feels “utterly betrayed” and lied to by Tana, claiming the report proves the MP’s actions fell short of expectations. Tana denies the report shows she was involved in migrant exploitation and claims the party had already made its decision regardless of the report’s content. The allegations relate to Tana’s husband Christian Hoff-Nielsen’s bicycle company, in which claims of missing pay formed a complaint to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA). Hoff-Nielsen has denied the allegations. A section of investigator Rachel Burt’s report, leaked to Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive show, outlined the objective to ascertain whether Tana – who was reportedly involved in her husband’s business – was “operationally involved in E-Cycles NZ when the breaches of employment standards or conditions are alleged to have taken place”. Burt admitted the investigation had been “complicated” as she could not compel witnesses to speak to her or direct what documents she could receive. “Consequently, in this investigation, I was presented by some witnesses with seemingly selective or partial information, and by others with information that was voluminous and relevance unclear,” the leaked report said. She identified key difficulties being the two complainants not wanting to meet her “at the outset” and only providing certain documents and people she deemed relevant not wanting to be interviewed. Burt also found Hoff-Nielsen had not provided a “coherent or consistent verbal account” and his evidence “tended to obfuscate rather than elucidate”. Christian Hoff-Nielsen, husband of Darleen Tana. Photo / Jason Oxenham “[Tana’s] evidence shifted over the investigation with different explanations as to why that was so, requiring significant cross-referencing to earlier accounts and documentation to come to findings.” She added that a representative of a complainant also sent her 500 pages of “new and relevant” information just as she was finalising her draft report. “Consequently the investigation process took longer than anticipated, and coming to findings as required time-consuming and considered analysis.” Both Swarbrick and co-leader Marama Davidson had previously expressed frustration that the investigation had dragged on, lasting 114 days before Swarbrick spoke to media on Monday. Tana has been contacted for comment. In a statement, Green Party whip Ricardo Menéndez March said he would not provide comment on the report’s contents until “all named parties have been consulted with”. Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Motor Industry Association is praising changes to the Clean Car Importer Standards. The Government is softening back targets for reducing vehicle emissions, which were being enforced by fining importers of 'dirty' cars. The Association says the targets will still be tough - but easier than they were. Motor Industry Association Chief Executive Aimee Whiley says it will make it easier for importers to manage their costs. "We get our mix of zero-emissions vehicles, and we can offset the credits we earn from those to gain some of the debit penalties." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Green MP says he's baffled the party hasn't ruled out using waka-jumping laws against Darleen Tana. The party has Tana to resign as an MP, after receiving a report on her knowledge of alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business. Tana has quit the Green Party, but says she doesn't accept the report findings. The Greens previously opposed laws that would now let them formally request Tana's removal from Parliament. Former MP Gareth Hughes says he'd be very surprised it they changed their stance. "It would be a huge departure for the Greens to use it, given their decades-long opposition to it under multiple leaders, multiple caucuses - they haven't used it in the past." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party is doubling down on their calls to encourage Darleen Tana to exit Parliament. A new report from an investigation into alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business has inspired Tana to quit the Greens. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's the right course of action for Tana should step down. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian outback town of Alice Springs has issued a three-night stay-at-home order after a weekend of violent incidents. These include a brawl involving 80 people and a knife attack on a 42-year-old woman. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the factors behind the crime wave are complicated - and it's unlikely the curfew will help. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NRL has ruled the Warriors should've received a penalty for a late tackle during their golden-point loss to the Bulldogs. Jaeman Salmon has received a two-match ban for dangerous contact on Te Maire Martin in an effort to pressure a field goal attempt. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains the issue further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's speculation that Labour is examining the possible benefits of an inheritance tax ahead of its next party conference. The party has reportedly taken inspiration from Ireland, where people are required to pay a 33 percent tax on gifts or inheritances worth more than €335,000 ($558,00 NZD). Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale says there's good arguments for the tax - but it's not without drawbacks. "It can get very complex to administer, because it's based on valuation. It can drive some really unwelcome economic behaviours, because you've got to find cash to pay it - therefore you might sell the family business or realise some assets." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The winners of France's snap election may be certain, but deep political divisions means what'll happen next isn't clear. People are celebrating in the streets of France, after left-wing coalition - the New Popular Front - has fended off the far-right National Rally. It's a surprise result, reversing the National Rally's lead in votes last week. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains the unprecedented final result. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synlait Milk's future is hanging in the balance ahead of an upcoming vote impacting the company. On Thursday, a shareholders meeting will take place to determine if a $130 million dollar loan from China's Bright Dairy will be approved. Synlait chair George Adams unpacks the significance of the upcoming vote. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is set to deliver its next Monetary Policy Statement regarding the OCR on Wednesday. It's expected the Bank will keep rates on hold for longer, but economists are divided on when the anticipated cuts will come. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says markets are pricing in cuts, which could come between November to next February. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop is standing up for the Government's new housing policy changes, amid concerns it'll create more problems. Bishop plans to fill urban areas with development land and remove council powers to mandate boundaries and standards. He acknowledges shoebox apartments aren't ideal for everybody, but more housing is better for Kiwis. "It's about housing choice. We need smaller apartments, we need bigger apartments, we need suburban houses, we need duplexes, we need terraced houses, we need townhouses, we need big mansions - we need everything." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 8 July 2024, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick speaks to Francesca Rudkin about THAT report into Darleen Tana, why the Greens wanted Darleen out of the Party and why they're calling on her to resign from Parliament. 40,000 Kiwis each year get their power cut off because they haven't paid their power bills, but Consumer NZ says that's not fair. NZ has a new tennis star! Lulu Sun, born in Te Anau, has made it to the quarter finals in Wimbledon - and the Te Anau Tennis Club is over the moon. Plus the Huddle debates Darleen Tana's future and how grocery producers are tricking shoppers by shrinking the size of your biscuits and increasing the air in your chippie bag. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Nick Leggett from Infrastructure NZ joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Green Party has been calling for disgraced ex-MP Darleen Tana to resign from Parliament altogether after a report detailing alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business was released on Friday. What do we make of this? Where can the Greens go from here? Consumer NZ has called for the nation's biggest power companies to ease up on struggling customers who can't pay their bills. Is there a solution to increased energy hardship? As the food prices go up, grocery suppliers appear to be shrinking their output. Do we agree biscuits are getting smaller and chip bags are getting emptier? Are we really paying more for less? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disgraced ex-Green MP Darleen Tana says she doesn't accept the findings of the report that's prompted calls for her resignation. Following a months-long investigation into her knowledge of alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business, Tana has resigned from the Greens. Political analyst Bryce Edwards says Tana's response today is the only one possible. He says if she wants to fight to stay in Parliament she has to contest what the Greens are saying. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tennis player Lulu Sun's hometown club is confident she'll go all the way at Wimbledon. She's beaten Britain's Emma Raducanu today, making her the first Kiwi woman to make Wimbledon's quarter-finals. Her Te Anau club pulled an all-nighter to watch her compete. Club president Gregory Sheppard says Sun had them on the edge of their seats. "It was quite emotional, actually, there was a few tears shed in the clubhouse there. We're all just super proud." Sun is ranked 123rd in the world, and will play number 37 - Donna Vekic on Wednesday, for a semi-final spot. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden is continuing to insist on staying in the presidential race, despite escalating calls for him to end his re-election campaign. Four more Democrats currently in Congress have voiced their belief that Biden needs to step down during a recent phone call. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's unclear who could replace Biden at this point in the campaign. "You have the other Democrats who are saying - okay, that would mean Kamala Harris would have to step up and slide into the role vacated by Biden. But she just doesn't have the it-factor." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says it's unclear what path the party will take if Darleen Tana won't resign from Parliament. The party was handed a report on Tana's knowledge of alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business on Friday. She's resigned from the party, and the caucus has unanimously requested she also quit Parliament. Tana's released a statement saying she does not accept the report's findings. Swarbrick says things are still up in the air. "Were Darleen to put us in the position where she was not to resign as a member of Parliament, then of course we would have to go back to having some sort of discussion about what comes next." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Greens are picking up the pieces of another public scandal, after Darleen Tana stepped down. Tana has resigned after a report was delivered discussing claims of migrant exploitation at her husband's business. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper has labelled this 'disgraceful'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian police believe the father of three children who died in a Sydney house fire on Sunday is responsible for the tragedy. Four children and their mother survived, but three died - including a 10-month-old. The blaze at Lalor Park is being investigated as domestic violence. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says police still need to follow correct processes. "It is being alleged that the father was holding the door shut, saying - I want to die here. It is going to be alleged, once they can talk to this bloke - who's in a coma - that he set the house on fire and was trying to kill his family." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surprise grand slam quarter-finalist Lulu Sun is exhausted and keen to recharge her batteries. The New Zealand left hander became the first female qualifier to make the final 8 at Wimbledon in 14 years when she overcame Emma Radacanu in three sets. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks this victory further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing calls for power companies to go easier on customers who can't pay their bills. Each year, around 40,000 New Zealanders are disconnected from the power supply for non-payment, according to new data. Consumer NZ's Paul Fuge says people genuinely struggling shouldn't have to ration an essential service. "There needs to be more protections around disconnections and more time for interventions - and other mechanisms need to be in place to stop those people who genuinely can't afford it and where there could be genuine harm caused." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday July 5 2024, we get the latest from the UK as the Labour Party sweeps to power in the general election. Heather speaks to both Auckland councillor Richard Hills and Mayor Wayne Brown after the council voted against the government's proposed speed limit changes. Kelly Martin from South Pacific Pictures speaks about Shortland Street being cut to three nights a week. And the Sports Huddle previews the All Blacks first test of the year against England in Dunedin. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's thought Shortland Street should make up a big part of TVNZ's new digital strategy. Our longest running soap will drop from airing five nights a week in February, to three. It will now continue with support from NZ On Air and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant. South Pacific Pictures Chief Executive, Kelly Martin told Heather du Plessis-Allan the show is streamed more 20-million times annually on TVNZ Plus. She says linear ratings also remain strong, as well as its engaged audience. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tories have been totally annihilated in the UK election with a colossal victory for Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party. It's won 392 seats, topping the amount needed to form a majority Government by more than 60 seats. Meanwhile, controversial Brexit champion Nigel Farage has proved eight times is the charm —finally getting a seat in Clacton— with his right-wing Reform Party scoring four seats. LBC presenter Henry Riley told Heather du Plessis-Allan the excitement was palpable at the Reform HQ. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is set to meet the UK’s new Prime Minister next week. He said in a media standup earlier today that he would work with “every leader the partner countries deliver” and was confident he would have a good relationship with whoever won the election. Labour’s Keir Starmer has won the election by a landslide, the party having taken over 360 seats. ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he has a busy first month, with diplomatic meetings with various world leaders in store. “For the first time now in 14 years, we’re going to see a change in government. Let's only hope that the Labour Party is better than the one that we saw here.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National pride in the US nears record lows. The most recent Gallup poll revealed that 41% of respondents considered themselves “extremely proud” to be an American, and an additional 26% said they were very proud. The downwards slope hit its lowest point in 2020, with only 63% of respondents saying they were very or extremely proud, compared to the years after 9/11, which peaked at 70% in 2003. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that while it is somewhat split on party lines, even for Republicans their pride levels are down. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plenty of excitement in Dunedin as the city prepares for tomorrow’s match. The All Blacks are facing off against England in their first test of 2024 - the first test of Scott Robertson’s tenure as coach. Jason Pine is broadcasting live from the stadium this weekend, and told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the team picked for this game was pretty predictable, designed to get Razor’s era as coach off to a good start. "I think it’s a good team, there’s probably not a lot that most people would have changed in the, in the 15 or the 23.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Labour Party has won county's election in a commanding fashion. The tally of Sir Keir Starmer's party's seats has now topped 360 seats —it needed 326 for a majority— and he will become Prime Minister. Starmer says they're here to return Britain to the service of working people. UK Correspondent Peter Anderson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they’re expecting, based on figures so far, for Labour to end up with about 410 seats in the 650 seat Parliament, giving them a majority of 170 seats. In comparison, he said, the Conservatives are looking to have shed more than 200 seats, and will likely have a rather lowly 140/150 MPs at most. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reluctantly, I think saving Shortland Street was the right thing for now. The news on Shorty today is that it’s been saved, but it will go down to three episodes a week. What's saved it is taxpayer money: $3 million from NZ On Air and then be eligible for a rebate from the Screen Production Grant which must be about $6 or $7 million. Which means we’re pumping in around about $10 million in taxpayer money to save a soap opera. I'm reluctant about this because I generally don't think we should prop up failing businesses. If they can’t make a buck it’s because not enough people like the product, in which case it should be allowed to die. But... I think there’s an exception this time. Because it might just be possible that Shorty may be able to pay its own way again... maybe. The reason I say that is because it’s not that Shorty is unpopular, it actually has a lot of people watching. The last figures that I can find are from last year, 79K people in their key demographic watched it on TV2, which doesn’t sound that impressive, but then you add in the streaming numbers of TVNZ+: 455K a week. And well, that is impressive. By comparison, at the same time TVNZ News only earned 180K streams, even though the news has got two extra episodes a week, Shorty was beating it by 2.5 times. The problem isn’t that it’s unpopular. The problem is that TVNZ hasn’t figured out how to actually make enough money from the people watching it on TVNZ+. It knows how to get money from TV2 ads, but it doesn’t know how to properly monetise online yet. So... Shorty street is only guaranteed for another year. I dunno if that's enough time for TVNZ to figure out how to earn more money on the app, but I hope it does. Because it would be a pity to lose a show that is still watched by that many kiwis, and that has trained some of our best acting talent: Temuera Morrison, KJ Apa, Thomasin McKenzie, Craig Parker, Martin Henderson, Robyn Malcolm. And which is, frankly, is one of the few shows left actually reflecting us back to ourselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.