Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A call for unity from both sides of the New Zealand Rugby governance divide. The special general meeting ballot saw proposal 2 passed, meaning three of NZR's nine board directors must have experience at the provincial level. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the issue further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Is this a transformational Budget - or a big letdown? The tax cuts were unveiled and new spending priorities were revealed, are they enough? Is it a bad look for the Government to stop funding cancer drugs? The provincial unions have voted against NZ Rugby's governance proposal - what do we think of this verdict? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 30 May 2024, a special Budget Day edition from Parliament. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has delivered her first Budget. She tells Heather how big your tax cut will be and how our economy will fare over the next three years. A tax expert tells Heather the tax cuts were well overdue, but cancer advocates are disappointed funding for new cancer drugs has been dropped. The rugby community is at war after provincial rugby unions voted against the NZ Rugby proposal to change the game's governance structure. Plus, Labour's Chris Hipkins, Associate Finance Minister David Seymour and the Huddle debate whether this Budget is transformational enough. 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.

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour was very vocal that ACT would have cut more in the 2024 Budget. Government spending is still set to continue at record levels, despite the current drive to reduce savings in the public sector. Seymour says ACT campaigned on cutting 'wasteful' spending - and would have liked to see more in this year's Budget. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The provincial unions believe the heart of rugby has been secured with the New Zealand Rugby governance vote going their way. A bid for fully independent governance has been rejected - the board will require three members holding experience as a provincial director. Provincial unions spokesperson Rowena Duncum says this verdict is a good decision for New Zealand rugby. "There's two things that rugby players love - they love playing rugby and they love getting paid to play the game they love. So they won't want to walk." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No arrests or issues of note for police at today's mass protests. Streets in towns and cities across the country were filled with the sounds of chanting and waiata, as thousands marched against the Government's stance on Māori issues. Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the protests were peaceful - and wrapped up relatively quickly. "They came along, they were peaceful, and they've left - so it seems to have gone well. There was a very good police presence there monitoring it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No praise from opposition leader Chris Hipkins, who claims this budget will only take New Zealand backwards. The Labour Party has unleashed a torrent of criticism over the Government's spending plans, including a lack of new cancer drugs, climate funding, and initiatives for Māori. Chris Hipkins says this Budget is a 'missed opportunity' to provide meaningful relief to struggling Kiwis. "The tax cuts that are being delivered for, say, someone on a minimum wage would be less than what they would have got if the Government had increased the minimum wage by the rate of inflation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister admits the Budget could have gone further on tax cuts, but it wouldn't have been responsible. Today's documents included the Government's long anticipated tax package, at a cost of $3.68 billion. Funded through a suite of scrapped spending initiatives, all workers on more than $14,000 a year will receive between $4 - $40 dollars a fortnight. Nicola Willis says she was determined that every dollar of tax relief would be fully funded. "But we also needed to find a lot of money for frontline services. For hospitals, for the Pharmac budget, for our police, for schools - this was the tax reduction that we felt was prudent." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB's Barry Soper says the 2024 Budget's unsurprising, as everyone was prepared for tax cuts. Although, he says it's more like attacking an unruly hedge with clippers rather than a chainsaw. "Further down the track, you'll see more cutting, there'll be many more people aggrieved - but when they look at tax and money in their pocket, then they'll be rather happy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was no room in today's Budget to fund the cancer drugs National promised during the election campaign. Patient Advocacy Aotearoa's Malcolm Mulholland says he's disappointed. "There are patients right now with terminal cancer who are waiting for these medicines to be funded - if they're not funded, to be perfectly blunt, some will die." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changes to tax thresholds will help deliver tax relief to three and a half million people from the end of July. Tax expert Robin Oliver says the brackets haven't moved enough. "They're nowhere near where they would be if the tax brackets were indexed for inflation - or for wages." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three police officers have been injured during a demonstration in Westminster organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and other groups. One officer suffered a serious facial injury, and 40 arrests related to assaults on emergency workers, obstruction of the highway and public order act breaches were made. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says investigations are still ongoing into the incident. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland University has released a draft policy regarding academic freedom and freedom of expression. As written, the policy will enable the university to establish regulations around the speech used by staff, students and visitors - if it's necessary to safeguard the well-being of others. Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart has expressed concern with this draft policy. "I think it's a backwards step, and it will kill the atmosphere when it comes to expressing contentious or unpopular views." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global logistics company Mainfreight is still meeting investor expectations, despite suffering drops in profit. It's been revealed the company posted a 33 per cent fall in profit before tax to $395.4 million for FY24. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains these figures further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr has stepped up his verbal war against the big four banks. It's been revealed Orr sent a letter using 'colourful' language to defend the amount of capital the Reserve Bank requires these banks to hold. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the issue further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MPs are pushing back against the Speaker's ruling on the treatment of a Maori elder in House. Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh demanded the Whakatohea kaumatua stop - as he tried to introduce a waiata. Speaker Gerry Brownlee has supported Pugh - but Labour leader Chris Hipkins says a karakia's often given before waiata - and he's never seen a Speaker interrupt. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the controversy here today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 29 May 2024, Te Kāhui Raraunga Chair, Rahui Papa unpacks the new Census data revealing nearly one million Kiwis identify as Māori. Flagship Auckland department store Smith and Caughey's is set to close in 2025, following a five-year rough patch. Chair Tony Caughey justifies the decisions he needed to make for the business. The Commerce Commission's Vhari McWha also warned that households could expect an increase in their power bills by next year. Plus, the Huddle debates what the closure of Smith and Caughey's means for the state of the economy - and Auckland's Queen Street. 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! It's been confirmed Smith & Caughey's will close for good by next year. Is this due to the ongoing economic downturn - or is it a sign of bigger problems for the retail sector? The Commerce Commission has revealed it plans to raise power bills to pay for work on the lines next year. Is this a necessity we have to accept? A lobby group has urged MPs to tighten their travel spending as many people are forced to cut costs in their own lives. Is this a fair call? It's Budget Day tomorrow - what are we looking out for? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's downturn and conflict in the Middle East remain front of mind for Fonterra. The dairy co-op is forecasting a Farmgate Milk Price midpoint of $8 next season, just up from its current season forecast of $7.80. It says global conditions remain volatile, and demand from China is taking a while to recover. Fonterra Chief Executive Miles Hurrell says Middle Eastern markets increased their stockpiles last year and won't be buying as much this year. "We're talking geopolitics here - things aren't getting any easier out there, you just read that in the headlines or any of the international press that's out there. We need to be mindful of that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opposition parties are calling on Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh to apologise for interrupting a rangatira in Parliament. Pugh faced backlash after she told Te Kahautu Maxwell to stop his brief speech ahead of the planned waiata. Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee says permission was given for a waiata - but not a karakia. "We can scramble round all the stuff all we like, but Maureen Pugh did what was right, according to the standing order." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asthma hospitalisations have fallen 20 percent in four years. Asthma affects one in eight New Zealanders - and more than 500,000 take medication for their symptoms. Asthma and Respiratory Foundation CEO Letitia Harding says the drop in hospitalisations is mostly due to a new medication. "This has actually really been down to a new type of inhaler, which is what we call your two-in-one combination inhaler." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Households can expect to pay an extra $15 per month for their power bills if a Commerce Commission proposal is confirmed. The commission regulates prices and performance standards for the national grid operator, and says these higher prices are necessary to fund investment in the electricity network. Commissioner Vhari McWha says they're being mindful of the possible effect this could have on consumers. "One of the things that we have done in order to try and mitigate that a little bit is to smooth the increase over a five-year period." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flagship Auckland department store Smith and Caughey's will close down next year, after 144 years. This closure comes off the back of a 40 percent drop in revenue drop across their Queen Street and Newmarket stores in the past five years. Chair Tony Caughey says they tried to find a way through the rough patch two years ago - but there was no solution. "We really turned over every stone we could find to see if we could see a way through it. We had independent professional advisors in, we really worked hard to find a solution - we couldn't find one." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions are being raised about the next steps after Donald Trump's hush money trial. After nearly five weeks, the prosecution and the defence have rested before the jury starts deliberations. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says if Trump is found guilty, he could face a large fine, house arrest or community service. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricanes hooker Raymond Tuputupu has been handed a three-week suspension for a high shot on Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i in the win over the Chiefs. His high shot connected with Tupou Vai'i's head - he was yellow-carded, which was upgraded to red. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Census data has revealed a surge in Kiwis identifying as Māori. Almost one million people says they're of Māori descent, up more than 12 percent on the 2018 Census. Te Kāhui Raraunga Chair, Rahui Papa, says it's a transformation shift. "I think there's been a groundswell of people who have not only identified as Māori, but have found their Māori whakapapa. And that's been one of the upturns that the latest Census data captured." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has denied the rumour that he plans to move to California if he loses the election. Ex-Tory Minister Zac Goldsmith had hinted Sunak aimed to leave the UK - and suggested the majority of his party's MPs will be out of a job by July. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Rishi Sunak hopes to stay in Parliament for the next five years, no matter what the election outcome is. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Budget 2024, there's concern the proposed tax cuts will contribute to existing inflationary pressures. The Government has confirmed they plan to deliver tax relief to most households - the details of which will be revealed on Thursday. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explains why people shouldn't be too concerned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank surprised economists by revealing they considered hiking the Official Cash Rate - and haven't ruled out further hikes either. Last week, the Reserve Bank confirmed they were keeping the OCR in place at 5.5 percent, in line with expectations. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said this was 'surprisingly hawkish', given the economy is weakening. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Budget 2024, the rural community is holding out hope for improvement. The Government has promised more tax cuts, but it's been hinted plenty of cuts will take place too. The Country's Jamie Mackay isn't feeling too hopeful - listen to him predict some outcomes ahead of the big day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 28 May 2024, Warriors coach Cameron George voiced disapproval with Hamilton Boys High School's approach to sport for their students. The Reserve Bank plans to to introduce debt-to-income ratios for prospective home buyers. Deputy Governor Christian Hawkesby explained why these restrictions will stop boom-bust cycles in the housing market. Later, Lady Tureiti Moxon defends Te Pāti Māori's proposed strike action planned for Budget Day. Plus, the Huddle debates if it's possible to get tech giants to pay for news, after the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill got rejected. 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, Ali Jones from Red PR and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The country's back to square one on getting Google and Meta to pay for news, after a select committee sent the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill back to Parliament recommending it not be passed. Where can they go from here? Te Pāti Māori are urging all Māori to go on strike on Budget day and participate in protest action across the country. Is it an unwise time to encourage employees to walk off the job illegally? The Great Walks booking system was yet again completely overloaded, and Milford tickets sold out within minutes. Should Kiwis get first dibs on bookings? There's been a debate surrounding emoji use in the office - is it a good or bad idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research from recruitment experts shows 90 percent of white-collar employees would look for another job if they had to come back to the office more often. A survey run by recruitment company Robert Walters, which interviewed over 2000 Kiwi workers, revealed a majority preferred their flexible working hours. CEO Shay Peters says it's unlikely employers would be demanding their staff to return en masse. "I do think employers are wanting a little more presence by their employees. I think everyone understands the benefits of people collaborating together, innovating together and bouncing ideas around." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Broadcasting Minister is assuring a law change to help fund news media is still on the table. A select committee today recommended the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, a bill designed to make Google and Meta pay for news, not be passed in its current state. Minister Paul Goldsmith says the bill is still being workshopped. "I accept it's a complicated issue, it's not a slam dunk - which is why I'm taking a bit of time to work out what's the best way through it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been more problems for the Great Walks booking system. The Department of Conservation website crashed this morning - when 11,000 people tried to access it this morning. By 11.15am, there were about 2800 bookings for the Milford Track and 400 for the Lake Waikaremoana. Federated Mountain Clubs Chief Executive, Megan Dimozantos says so many people will have missed out. "The most disappointing thing is that after last year's debacle, we would have hoped this would have been sorted out by this year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Māori leaders are defending calls for workers to strike and to join anti-Government protests on this week's Budget day. Multiple hīkoi are planned around the country, including rolling road blockages in Auckland and a rally outside the Beehive. The Prime Minister today said strike action could be illegal - and if people wish to protest, they could do so on the weekend. Lady Tureiti Moxon is leading one protest. She says if people want to strike, they can. "I think it's a way of our people expressing the fact that they are not happy with this Government - and what they're doing is not just in breach of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, but very disrespectful to Māori." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank has confirmed it will soon introduce debt-to-income ratios. From July, most owner-occupiers can't borrow more than six times their pre-tax income and investors can't borrow more than seven times their income. Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Christian Hawkesby says these restrictions have been a long time in the making. "What it's really about is filling a gap in the tools that we need to live up to our responsibility of avoiding boom-bust cycles in lending and house prices." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori have urged all Māori to go on strike on Thursday and participate in protest action across the country. The Toitū Te Tiriti National Day of Action protesters will be participating in 'carkois' - which entails driving slowly across the roads to disrupt traffic flow at peak times. The party have also encouraged all Māori to leave work and attend the hīkoi near their location. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper criticised the 'provocative' language behind the strike - and hopes the party will be held to account for their rhetoric. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A panel of experts is set to deliver their advice for preventing violence against women and children to the Australian Government. This comes as the Government has faced criticism from the violence response sector after releasing this year's federal budget. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Australians are sick of seeing the domestic violence stats soar - with at least one woman dying at the hand of a family member or former partner per week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The traditional rugby tours between New Zealand and South Africa could be set for a comeback. Reports out of South Africa say the All Blacks are set to tour The Republic for a three-test series in 2026, with the Springboks coming to New Zealand in 2030. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors coach Cameron George has voiced disapproval with Hamilton Boys High School's approach to sport for their students. The school has told students their opportunities to play rugby for the school’s champion first XV were at risk if they continued to play league as well. Cameron George says this pressure on students is 'disappointing'. "I think kids should be allowed to be kids and play sport and be happy - and make decisions later in life, if they find a path they wish to follow." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is standing up to ridicule over his plan to introduce mandatory National Service for 18-year-olds. Sunak claimed he would encourage employers to consider those who complete armed services training more prominently. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says critics from both sides of the political aisle have criticised Sunak's idea. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a few days to go until Budget Day, and experts have outlined their predictions. The Government has promised tax cuts will come, but speculation lingers over the kind of cuts needed to cover them. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says this Budget will be focused around financial recovery. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of New Zealand's smallest banks has posted significant earnings amid a boost in customers and lending. The Co-operative Bank today reported a 10 percent rise in full year profit, compared to last year's $11.5 million. CEO Mark Wilkshire says this comes on top of leading in customer satisfaction - which is a key priority for the company. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Luxon and Finance Minister Willis have fronted up to confirm the 2024 Budget will be more 'responsible' and 'careful' this time round. Nicola Willis says over the past six months ministers have evaluated hundreds of Government spending initiatives, line by line. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks the proposed tone of this Budget. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 27 May 2024, senior doctors are warning that NZ's cancer service is at the brink of collapse. It's Budget week! Heather asks Finance Minister Nicola Willis whether her first budget will be transformational. Labour MP Duncan Webb tells Heather du Plessis-Allan why he wants Wilson Parking to lose access to our personal information. Plus the Huddle debates the five most complained about ads of all time - and what they say about us. 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 Chris Wikaira, director of BRG, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Christchurch Labour MP Duncan Webb wants a crackdown on Wilson Parking over their use of customer data. Is this a fair call? What can we expect from this week's Budget? The narrative going on is that the Government will have to exercise restraint to ease the cost of living. What do we think? New data from the ASA has showed advertising standards have changed - is this a good thing? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says the current Government plans to exercise caution around spending ahead of Budget 2024. Thursday's Budget will still come with the promised tax cuts, but the main priorities for the Government are reducing inflation and interest rates. Minister Nicola Willis says the last six years of the Labour Government resulted in tougher financial conditions - so being careful is key. "The bit I'm always cautious about is anyone saying - the way to achieve greater growth is to just spend more Government money. We've had a Government who did that for six years, and it resulted in record inflation." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council has moved one step closer to determining the future of the city's stadiums. Quay Park and Eden Park 2.0 are in the running, as both will be recommended for further investigation and examined for feasibility. Shane Henderson, the stadium working group chair, says both options will be analysed in detail this coming Thursday. "Then we'll come back around the table in probably about nine months, but we'll see how that goes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Advertising Standards Authority released its latest annual report today - celebrating 50 years of complaints from the public. The medium has grown and changed over the past several decades, and so have the standards from audiences. ASA Chief Executive Hilary Souter says the areas that used to push buttons have changed, and certain topics have become less acceptable. "The things we don't see anymore are in an area we used to call - sexual appeal to sell an unrelated product. So cars, perhaps alcohol, there were the sexy images of women or men in terms of trying to sell the product." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.