Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Finance Minister Nicola Willis is still committed to giving Kiwis their promised tax cuts. Willis unveiled a preview of this year's Budget and promised 83 percent of New Zealanders will benefit from incoming tax relief. ZB political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks Willis' promise - and theorises on who stands to benefit and miss out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby have expressed a desire to bring Richie Mo’unga home early from his Japanese contract with Toshiba, which ends in mid-2026. Scott Robertson’s elevation to All Blacks coach and concern around depth at first-five have instigated the push. ZB sports commentator Elliott Smith outlines some of the strategies NZ Rugby might use to bring him back. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A petition's been handed to Parliament calling for an inquiry into Alan Hall's wrongful conviction. Hall spent 19 years in prison wrongly convicted of murdering Arthur Easton in 1985. He received $5 million and an apology. The petition asks for a Royal Commission Inquiry into the conviction and police investigation. Social Justice Aotearoa CEO Jackie Foster says the conviction was a travesty. "We believe so many questions have not been answered - and no one has been held accountable for what's happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airports across the UK were all impacted by an outage at passport e-gates, causing subsequent delays. The outage at e-gates left staff at several airports manually processing travellers to get them through. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this is the second high-profile airport issue since May 2023. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions are being raised about the future of the Port of Tauranga. This comes off the back of Auckland mayor Wayne Brown confirming the Port of Auckland's land, assets, and operations will be kept in council ownership. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explores a few potential outcomes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert has noticed New Zealand's biggest banks don't seem to be rushing to get more information about the insurability of the properties they lend against. The Reserve Bank wants banks to keep a closer eye on the long-term insurability of properties they lend against, amid concerns about natural risks. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the moves the banks could take to address these issues. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Cambridge scientist may have gotten us one step closer to discovering life on other planets. Professor Nikku Madhusudhan came across dimethyl sulphide gas on planet K2-18b during a routine scan - a gas mainly produced by living things. He says the planet is suspected to be an ocean world with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, meaning the gas could come from microorganisms. "Any discovery of life outside of any kind is a major advancement, because that tells us that the origin of life is not unique to Earth. And that is one of the central questions of science." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 8 May 2024, the man wanted in relation to the Ponsonby shooting has been found dead in Taupo. Detective Inspector Chris Barry tells Heather whether or not it's a gang related incident. Haeata Community Campus Principal Peggy Burrows responds to David Seymour's free school lunches revamp. RMA Minister Chris Bishop defends his decision to keep the dilapidated Gordon Wilson Flats. On the Huddle, Jack Tame and Clare De Lore discuss 'woke' food in schools. 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, journalist Clare de Lore 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! Authorities still claim Sunday's shooting on Auckland's Ponsonby Road is still a bit of a mystery following the death of the shooter today. Will we learn the truth? Is this a sign of escalating violence in New Zealand? The Government has today unveiled a new school lunch scheme that will give schoolkids free meals at a reduced cost. Was this the right decision? The Government is considering making some electoral law changes following yesterday's report into the complications and errors in the 2023 election. Is this the right call - or does it seem like gerrymandering? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Genesis Energy has confirmed they plan to resume buying coal amid reduced gas supplies and increased consumer demand. The company claims it needs to invest in a solid stockpile to ensure customers can access what they need for the time being. CEO Malcolm Johns warns the company will dip below the 350,000 tonne threshold by spring. "We're going to have to buy coal to top that stockpile up for next winter, and probably the winter after that as well." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dilapidated Gordon Wilson Flats in Wellington will keep their heritage label - for now. RMA Minister Chris Bishop has rejected a last-minute move to remove heritage listings for a number of buildings to make way for development. But he has given the green light to a range of housing recommendations, with hopes to encourage intensification in the city. Chris Bishop says there wasn't enough information at the table to remove the heritage listing. "If someone presented to me expert evidence as to why a variety of these buildings were not significant enough to be covered by a heritage listing, then I could do that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's reservations about the Government's new school lunch scheme. Associate Education Minister David Seymour has unveiled a programme he says will continue feeding kids already getting free school lunches. But he says they'll save $107 million a year by serving simple items and having a Government bulk-order for food. Haeata Community Campus Principal Peggy Burrows says it'll likely throw up challenges for kids unable to eat things like gluten, dairy and nuts. "I just worry that if the Government is going to be buying the food, how much flexibility are we going to be having for the children?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A constitutional law expert suggests changing rules on enrolling to vote could benefit the current Government. A report by the Auditor-General's found pressures on systems led to mistakes in the vote count, such as a rushed final check of the official results. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has proposed stopping people enrolling to vote on election day to slim down numbers of special votes. Otago University's Andrew Geddis says people showing up that way tend to vote left. "The special votes every election deliver more seats to the left parties than the right. So if you end election day enrolments, you'll help the right - which is why Paul Goldsmith is so keen to do it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police say Sunday's shooting on Auckland's Ponsonby Road is still a bit of a mystery. 33-year-old Robert Sidney Horne was killed by 31-year-old Killer Beez member, Hone Kay-Selwyn, after he and other got out of a car, about 10.15pm. Kay-Selwyn was found dead yesterday in a rural property near Taupō, hundreds of kilometres from Auckland. Detective Inspector Chris Barry says they may never have a complete explanation for what happened. "Perhaps we could surmise that the victim and his associate perhaps didn't appreciate the situation early in the piece and the risks that they were facing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says the country's low gas production is threatening our energy security. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show there was a 12.5 percent reduction in gas production last year and almost 30 percent less has been produced this year than projected. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says more people are getting desperate for gas energy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels has described her alleged affair with Donald Trump - in graphic detail. She's taken the stand today as a key witness in the former US President's ongoing criminal hush money trial in New York. Daniels walked the jury through a sexual encounter in 2006 - that Trump denies - and the $130,000 in hush money she received. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Daniels denied that she wanted Trump imprisoned, but she did want him held accountable. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ Rugby's entire board could be forced to reapply under a new governance proposal - regardless of how this month's general meeting plays out. On May 30, NZR will hold the meeting with its voting members to finalise a new governance structure after an investigation determined the current model was not fit for purpose. ZB sports commentator Elliott Smith unpacks what this means for the future of the organisation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research indicates manual cars will be phased out within the next five years. The number of new manual cars being manufactured has halved within the last six years - and companies like Volvo, Lexus, Jaguar have stopped producing showroom models of manual cars. AA's Roger Venn says it's likely we'll only be importing battery-powered electric vehicles, according to new regulations. "They don't come with any transmission that requires a clutch and a gearbox. So yes, new manual vehicles will be off the menu within very few years." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is determined to fight on after a poor showing in the UK local elections. The final votes were counted last weekend, and the Tories lost 10 councils and over 470 council seats. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's hard to see where Sunak goes from here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meat exporters are celebrating news the Government's negotiating a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates. Trade Minister Todd McClay says he hopes to get a deal over the line as soon as possible. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says it's good that we're striking when the iron's hot when it comes to demand from that part of the world. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The small town of Reefton, located in the West Coast, is sitting on a supply of a valuable mineral. An Australian mining company believes Reefton could have 5 percent of the world's supply of antimony. Siren Gold CEO Victor Rajasooriar says it's likely they'll find at least 50,000 to 100,000 tonnes of antimony if they keep drilling. "We're quite confident with the initial drilling that we've done... there's a lot sitting in that region. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has announced his idea of leasing out Port operations for 35 years is now off the table. A new agreement with unions and the Port will instead see the land, assets and operations retained by the Council. Mayor Brown says the Auckland ratepayers can't keep on subsidising Port operations. "I think it's worth keeping the Port. Because at the moment, the ratepayers are subsidising the importers and that can't go on." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 7 May 2024, an investigation into vote counting errors uncovered more mistakes at last year's election. Chief Electoral Commissioner Karl Le Quesne tells Heather why their checks weren't up to scratch. Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell fronts after his shambolic press conference yesterday telling Heather he "muddied the water". ANZ boss Antonia Watson defends the bank's huge profit while borrowers are struggling with higher interest rates. On the Huddle, Paddy Gower doubles down for his call on body cameras for MPs. Plus do you wash your wheelie bin? 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, broadcaster Paddy Gower and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni may or may not be one of the contestants on the upcoming season of Celebrity Treasure Island. Is this the right move for a politician to make? Did she take paid leave for this? What did we think of Mark Mitchell's blunder with the Corrections spending numbers? Did he embarrass anyone? Are the Greens taking Julie Anne Genter's behaviour seriously? The disgraced MP has been referred to the Privileges Committee over her behaviour in the House last week. She's off on MP business in the Chatham Islands - can she show her face in Parliament again? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A property manager is defending asking tenants to clean wheelie bins after backlash online. The Xclusive Property Management guide sets out end-of-tenancy expectations for renters. They include cleaning extractor fans, heat pump filters and wheelie bins. The Tenants' Protection Association says these terms are 'pathetic' and 'petty'. Xclusive director Carol Champ says such clean up is up to a person moving out. "It's not fair for an ingoing tenant to have to deal with that, so we kindly ask for them just to clean up and wash their wheelie bins." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Correction Minister's holding his hands up after mixing up new spending numbers. The Government's putting up $1.9 billion to add more than 800 beds at Waikeria Prison and deliver 685 more frontline Corrections staff, including 470 prison officers. Mark Mitchell's office has been forced to issue a correction, after several figures were confused at yesterday's press conference announcing the funding boost. He says it was his fault. "I muddied the waters on that, big time. That's on me." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-and-a-half-thousand junior doctors have been striking since 7 this morning over pay negotiations. The Resident Doctors Association says the latest offer meant about 600 registrars would have had pay freezes or cuts of up to 12 percent. Health NZ Chief People Officer Andrew Slater says no current resident medical officers would get a pay cut. "That's the reason we're going to facilitation that was granted by the ERA last night, so that we can get a facilitator to help us understand why they believe that's the case. This is a good offer on the table." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big numbers of special votes and enrolments took a toll on vote counters in last year's election. A report on the count by the Auditor-General has found the final check of the official result was done in a few hours, on the day it was announced. The rushed assessment failed to identify multiple errors. It normally takes two days. Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne says they're working at ways to better support staff in future. "We need to look at how we can use technology to identify potential errors - there might be some more staff needed. But we need check more robustly that the checks have been carried out as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party leadership says it's been made clear to Julie Anne Genter she can never repeat last week's behaviour in the House. Genter hasn't spoken publicly, since crossing the chamber and confronting Minister Matt Doocey during a transport debate. It's been confirmed today she'll face the Privileges Committee and a party disciplinary process is under way - but she won't lose her transport portfolio. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this update isn't surprising. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Reserve Bank has made the decision to leave the OCR in place at 4.35 percent. This decision is in line with predictions from economists, amid an uncertain financial outlook. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Reserve Bank hasn't ruled out more increases in order to tackle inflation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Security has become a focal point for the men's T20 cricket World Cup and the Black Caps next month in the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has confirmed a terrorism threat. ZB Wellington sports reader Adam Cooper explains the impact of this update. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's largest bank has increased its cash profit, despite falling interest margins. ANZ New Zealand's cash profit rose to $1.15 billion dollars in the six months to March. That's stable on the previous six months, and up four percent on the same period the previous year. Chief Executive Antonia Watson says the bank has taken on less provision for 'doubtful' debts this half. "Revenue is under pressure, costs are under pressure - just like every other business is seeing. But we have had an advantage from that credit provision." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's being reported the UK Government considered using Iraq to process asylum seekers - similar to the Rwanda scheme. This move could have seen people sent from the UK to a country the Government advises against travel to. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Iraq was willing to move forward without a formal or public agreement, according to leaked documents. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand universities are urging Immigration to figure out a quick solution to approving student visas. 18 percent of student visas remained unconfirmed by the time universities started for the 2024 year. Immigration NZ visa director Celia Coombes says a number of student visa applications were sent in too late to process. "We provided advice recommending people apply 3 or 4 months ahead of travel, but we were quite clear over the summer period to please allow for at least 8 weeks." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes Auckland's water deal with the Government can be replicated in the Wellington region. The Government and Auckland Council yesterday announced an agreement to help Aucklanders avoid a previously-signalled 25.8 percent water rates hike. Carterton mayor Ron Mark says they've agreed to working collaboratively to producing a regional water plan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is pumping $1.9 billion into bolstering prison capacity, staffing and criminal rehab programmes. The Budget investment will add more than 800 extra beds at Waikeria Prison and deliver 685 more frontline Corrections staff, including 470 prison officers. ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says it's unclear if the extra cash boost is all coming out of the Government's savings program. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qantas has been slapped with a hefty fine over flight cancellations. Australia's consumer watchdog sued the airline, claiming in 2022 it sold thousands of tickets for 'ghost flights'. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the airline will have to pay millions of dollars extra to the affected customers, beyond their $120 million dollar fine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors have been left lamenting another sloppy performance after their winless run in league's NRL extended to four matches. A lack-lustre effort in Newcastle has ended in a 14 to 8 defeat to the hometown Knights. Sportstalk's Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 6 May 2024, Detective Inspector Chris Barry tells Heather a manhunt is underway for the "extremely dangerous" man accused of fatally shooting another man on Ponsonby Road on Sunday night. The Resident Doctors Association says they will push ahead with their 24-hour strike in solidarity with at least 300 doctors facing a pay cut. The OECD has delivered a warning to the Finance Minister three weeks out from Budget Day, Nicola Willis tells Heather what she makes of it. The Huddle debates whether snobby dog owners need to pick up their dog's poo rather than leave it behind in protest. Plus, Heather's new, very surprising, and very questionable favourite song. 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 Auckland Councillor Richard Hills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has called out disgruntled residents of high-end Auckland suburbs who left poo bags scattered around local parks to protest the removal of the bins. Do we agree with this? Are we shocked by last night's fatal shooting in Ponsonby? Do we have to get used to more violent crime in the region? MP Jamie Arbuckle plans to also hang on to his role as a Marlborough councillor. Can a politician do two jobs at once? Can the Greens bounce back from the Julie Anne Genter controversy? The disgraced Green MP will be working from the Chatham Islands this week - will she get away with this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says today's OECD report reinforces what the nation needs ahead of the 2024 Budget. The OECD's biennial report has warned inflation is likely to be persistent - and the Government should set polices to reduce the deficit. Minister Nicola Willis says it's clear New Zealand needs to get spending under control and invest in crucial areas. "Get policies in place that will boost business, ensure that we sort out our education system, our planning system, our overseas investment regime so that we can grow our economy and go for wealth again." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pay increases for corrections staff from a $1.9 billion Budget boost. The Government says the funding will go into more than 800 extra beds at Waikeria Prison - and 685 more frontline Corrections staff, including 470 prison officers. Millions will go into rehab for the 45 percent of prisoners on remand. Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says this money will bolster frontline staff and keep Kiwis safe. "$442,000 of it is going to be transferred from back office and reprioritised to the front line. The other $1.5 billion is new money." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award-winning Māori musician Ria Hall has announced she's running for the Tauranga mayoralty. She's up against former deputy mayor Tina Salisbury, who announced her interest last week. Ria Hall says the Tauranga region desperately needs change - and she's ready to step up. "There's some real excitement on the ground - there's lots of murmurs happening in the community. Everyone's getting ready for this election coming up in July, so we're ready for it. I'm ready for it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The OECD has released its detailed biennial report on New Zealand's economy, ahead of the 2024 Budget. It lays out suggestions to improve productivity - highlighting competition. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says the OECD thinks the Government could more aggressively break up monopolies and duopolies, like supermarkets. "It did recognise that, in a small country like New Zealand, we have some of these big players dominating key sectors. They have such control over the market - that does stymie the innovation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police say there's no indication a deadly shooting on Auckland's Ponsonby Road last night is gang related. A man who was part of a group was killed after getting out of a car, shot by a man who'd reportedly been denied entry to a bar. He's described as dangerous, and is of a large build, with dark hair, a beard and moustache - and a large tattoo on his left forearm. Detective Inspector Chris Barry says it's difficult to explain the suspect's motivation behind the shooting. "At this stage, our priority is on locating this person - we believe he is dangerous, obviously he carried out this attack and our concern is to get him into custody." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2,500 resident doctors are striking across the country at 7am tomorrow, for 25 hours. Mediation with Health New Zealand did not result in a settlement last week. More than 2,000 doctors had been offered raises of up to 25 percent, but about 300 would have had a 12 percent pay cut. Resident Doctors Association President James Anderson says the offer would have reduced their hourly rates. "I think it's probably being used as a way to pay for the pay increases - I suspect they're trying to juggle the money around a little bit." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a young producer working on this show called Jack, who’s recently moved over from London. He asked us today why we're all so worked up about this one shooting on Ponsonby Road - and why if you open any of the local newspapers' websites today, it’s right there at the top of the front page.As Jack says, this happens all the time in London, it's no big deal. He even watched a guy get knifed in a park in front of him while he was out having a durry not long before he moved here. He then went back inside to work at the radio station - and the knifing wasn’t even worth putting in the bulletin.I can answer that question for Jack - the reason we are so worked up about this is because this is still new to us. We can all remember a time when this kind of thing didn’t happen in nice places like Ponsonby. And it wasn’t that long ago - five years ago, maybe?But then in the last few years, there was the shooting in Dr Rudi's on the Viaduct in Auckland, and the shooting in the Sofitel lobby in Wynyard Quarter, and there was the guy on the scooter who shot the other guy on Queen Street, and then the guy who took a gun to work and shot his co-workers on the construction site in Auckland CBD.And it's still rare enough that the significant shootings in Auckland can still be recalled and counted on a hand - but I think we suspect that those, by contrast, innocent days are over. We now have guys going out for a drink on a Sunday night with a firearm in a Guess manbag draped over their shoulder.And I think we know why this has happened - because the Australians have deported hundreds, if not thousands of criminals, that are way harder and way more trigger happy than the ones we’ve gotten used to. And unfortunately for us, they like going to the bars we go to. Nice people go to those bars - and so do these guys with the guns in their manbags. It's a bit freaky, isn’t it? And the most honest amongst us will admit it’s probably only a matter of years before we have the same reaction as Jack - and don't find it scary or interesting anymore. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Correspondent Barry Soper wraps the political week. The Deputy Prime Minister's facing defamation accusations from former Australia Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr, following comments Peters made about Carr's relationship with China. Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan ‘Winston has been terribly diplomatic overseas, and maybe the diplomacy has gotten too much for him. Peters says he was simply defending NZ’s foreign policy. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's Victoria University's controversial free speech debate is back on, with more speakers added. A panel discussion around the role of universities in free speech was meant to be held on Monday, but it was pushed to the end of May, after opposition from some students. Victoria University Vice Chancellor Nic Smith told Heather du Plessis-Allan they've added more people than anticipated. Smith said there’s now two debates - “People with a viewpoint, and people who are more interested in the principles and regulations of what speech is.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julie Anne Genter shouted at Wellington florist, Laura Newcombe about cycleways in Wellington. Newcombe told Heather du Plessis-Allan that she could tell Genter didn’t really want to buy flowers and came in with a big attitude. “It’s common knowledge that I was opposed every single car park removed from the shopping precinct.” Newcombe said “Perhaps she just wanted to come in, and sort me out.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.