Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

One Labour MP says Wilson Parking is abusing its rights - and wants the company's access to the personal information of customers revoked. Duncan Webb has written a letter to the Transport Minister urging NZTA to remove the ability for Wilson Parking to access the personal data they use to issue infringements. Webb says Wilson's ability to utilise the home address and number plate details of their customers is an 'abuse of power'. "They're claiming damages for you not paying your parking. That's the kind of language they use - an infringement, a breach notice, you can appeal it. That's the language of the courts, and that kind of misleading conduct just isn't on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Regional Cancer Treatment Service, caring for patients across the middle of the North Island, hasn't been allowed to recruit needed doctors. An internal report 18 months ago recommended hiring four senior doctors, one part time, but none have been. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director, Sarah Dalton says the report was never officially signed off. "Not only have they not appointed extra staff or approved the process to appoint extra staff, but they haven't put any mitigations in place to recognise the extra work being done by the remaining doctors." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The murder of a mother and daughter in Western Australia has pushed the region's Government to strengthen gun laws. On Friday afternoon, a man shot a 59-year-old woman and her 18-year-old daughter in their Floreat home while allegedly searching for his ex-wife. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the new laws will ensure limits are in place on the number of registered guns owned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors have once again overcome a plethora of missing players to beat the Dolphins 24-20 in their NRL contest. Trailing 16-12 at the break, two second-half tries gave the hosts a 24-16 lead ultimately holding on for the win. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks this weekend's victory here today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has embraced a report revealing the industry contributes over a billion dollars to the economy. In last year's season, almost 10,000 people worked in the industry - and race attendance was at under half a million. Chief executive Bruce Sharrock says the company has been experiencing rapid growth over the last 6 to 8 months. "There's certainly some green shoots appearing for continued growth, that's for sure." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 24 May 2024, Dunedin is reeling after a 16 year old was stabbed to death at a bus stop and a 13 year old charged with his murder. Mayor Jules Radich tells Heather security guards don't have enough powers to intervene. Where'd the $51 million go? Wellington Water's CEO Tonya Haskell says a "spreadsheet error" led to a massive budget hole. The Sports Huddle debates the big question that divides the rugby community. Plus step aside boomers and Gen-X...The Catholic church has named a Millennial as the first saint in 100 years. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s law to ban smoking for future generations could be dropped, after it was not fast-tracked in the lead up to the general election. The UK Labour Party has promised to bring in the ban if it wins the election in July. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis Allan “Both sides of the house are debating what they’ll managed to get done, before Parliament is put on hold for the general election.” Grey said “The problem is, every time a country gets near doing, something thwarts it.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China is encircling Taiwan in a series of military drills - just days after Taiwan’s president was elected. The Chinese military says the onslaught of planes, war ships and coast guard vessels is punishment for what it's calling "separatist actions". Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis Allan “This is a step up from what we've seen before.” Lewis said “For the first time ever, China has simulated a full-scale invasion of Taiwan.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper wraps the political week. National’s New Plymouth MP David MacLeod has been stood down from his select committee roles after failing to declare 19 candidate donations. MacLeod received $168,335 in donations in 2022 when he first became the National Party candidate. Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “To forget that is incredible. It’s pretty obvious from the electoral law.” Soper said “Chris Luxon wasted no time at all in removing him, as he has done in the past.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resource Minister Shane Jones has come under pressure from Labour and the Greens, over the Government's new plans for mining. Jones wants to bolster gold and coal mining across the country, and to have a renewed focus on value-add refining. Greenpeace NZ executive director Russell Norman told Heather du Plessis Allan “He’s getting rid of all environmental constraints expect one - mining in national parks – because that got him in trouble last time.” Norman says “There’ll be no environmental balance to his desire to put a commercial incinerator next to your house.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Blacks captains Richie McCaw and Ian Kirkpatrick have urged New Zealand Rugby to change their governance structure. Meanwhile, nearly 1.59 million New Zealanders have watched NRL matches on Sky Sport and free to air on Sky Open, a lift of 14 per cent from last season. Sports Journalist Lavina Good told Heather du Plessis Allan “The Warriors don’t even have to win for people to love it.” Good says “The game [rugby union] is in disarray. Everyone is watching rugby league.” Sports Journalist Jim Kayes says “Rugby is still rating as well as it has done in the past – there's no reason why you can’t watch both codes.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie McCaw is urging New Zealand Rugby to change the way they’re governed based on an independent review - emphasising long-term benefits over short-term interests. McCaw has warned that New Zealand rugby may lose the unity that has historically strengthened the sport from grassroots, to the professional level. Former All Blacks Captain Ian Kirkpatrick told Heather du Plessis Allan “It’s time for change. Changing administration will change the game too, we hope.” Kirkpatrick said “The game has become so gladiatorial, that mothers don’t want their kids to play.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another Defence Force evacuation flight from Noumea has landed in Auckland today - with 49 passengers. It's our third group to return - and it's understood 160 New Zealanders are still in the French Territory. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told Heather du Plessis Allan “We think we might have it resolved by the end of the week.” Peters said “We’ve got security issues, that those on the ground will better understand.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 13-year-old's been charged with murder over the death of another teen in Dunedin yesterday. Police say they've been aware for some time of anti-social behaviour at the city's Great King Street bus hub - and they arrived at the scene within one minute of the 16-year-old being stabbed. Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich told Heather du Plessis Allan “We instigated private security patrols, which have provided more eyes on the street.” Radich said that although private security don't have police powers, they are the eyes on the street, who provide pastoral care and give people someone to talk to. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council is removing almost a third of rubbish bins around the region to save $9.5 million over the next eight financial years. Meanwhile, the council spent almost $147,000 dollars on a sculpture at the Pakuranga Rotary Walkway in November last year, two months before removing a bin. Auckland Council chair of revenue expenditure Maurice Williamson told Heather du Plessis Allan “This has got to be the greatest example of a policy that was good in theory, and has been a disaster in practice.” Williamson said “About 30 percent of the bins weren’t being used, or had an alternative bin nearby.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry's budget appears to have increased under Winston Peters - despite its savings announcement today. Peters has revealed MFAT is cutting 60-million-dollars over four years. That's less than one percent, well below the Government's 6.5 percent savings target for most ministries. Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “Winston is the saviour of MFAT.” Soper said “You may remember in 2018, he had a big argument with Grant Robertson about how MFAT needed more money - and he got just under a billion dollars.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A top competition lawyer says the anti-trust lawsuit against music promoter Live Nation, is long overdue. The US Department of Justice is suing the Ticketmaster parent company - alleging it's holding a monopoly - as it's putting on the concerts, selling the tickets and owning the venues. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis Allan “This isn’t a surprise... I think they’ll be out a chunk of change somehow.” Mitchinson said “Ticketmaster will usually add another $30-$70 in fees and taxes.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors’ prop Addin Fonua-Blake has been stood down for breaching team standards. Fonua-Blake left the dressing room before the team address and song – and as a result will miss Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Heather du Plessis Allan “In terms of breaching protocol, it’s very low-end. In fact, I can’t think of anything lower.” Pine said “But, it’s a line in the sand that has been agreed on by all the players.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Water has made a $51 million dollar mistake, and is asking councils for a funding top-up. Wellington Water board members fronted up at a committee meeting this morning, saying there will be an independent investigation. Wellington Water CEO Tonya Haskell told Heather du Plessis Allan “In the process of coming up with those numbers, we missed our corporate overhead, which is six percent.” Haskell said “Part of that is due to the systems, we’re waiting for new systems and water reforms.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man alive. There is a family in Dunedin doing it tough today. I mean, these guys sent their 16-year-old boy to school yesterday and he didn't come home. He was stabbed at a notoriously dangerous bus stop by a 13-year-old. What the hell, by the way, as a 13-year-old doing with a knife? Now, that stabbing at the bus stop will have sent chills through parents up and down this country. Because the thing is: that is not just a Dunedin problem, it’s an every part of the country problem. And we have for a few years now been warning that kids are beating each other up at bus stops at places like Rotorua, Tauranga, New Lynn, Pukekohe, Albany, Dunedin....And now the worst thing that could possibly happen has happened. The warnings have clearly just not been taken seriously enough by authorities. Even that bus stop, by the way, there have been assaults on kids by kids since at least 2021, right? That's the last three years and we've been aware of that. And there have been calls for police to do something about it. And according to locals, they haven't. But today, the area commanders said that they were there within a minute, apparently, and now they've further increased our patrolling in the area. Well, it’s too late. I mean, the thing is, the kid is dead. The patrols are not going to help him now, are they? Now, I'm not blaming police for what happened here. They do have their hands full, but they are the solution. And this is why they need to step up and help us here. Every place in this country that is struggling with crime at the moment is calling for the same thing: more police on the beat. Auckland CBD, with a handbags getting nicked from people who are just sitting down for something to eat. Malls, where masked men are breaking into Michael Hill Jewellers. Point Chev in Auckland, where they're dealing with some really bad behaviour from people. Every single place that’s got a problem at the moment is saying that the solution is more police patrols. They need greater visibility. The Police Minister actually already knows this. I mean, just yesterday in an interview, he said that he wants more cops on the beat as well. Then he needs to make it happen. He needs to sit down with his mate Andy Coster and say: “I don't care what you do to sort this out, but your priority is the boys in blue hitting the streets.” People need to see them. They need to be there when some ruckus breaks out at a bus stop. They need to be sorting it out. In fact, they need to be there so the kids know that they are there, and no ruckus breaks out. I hate to make something like this political, but National has got the goodwill of this country at the moment, because they have told us time and time again, they're gonna sort out the crime. And at least, good for them, they acknowledge that there is this kind of crime. But they will run out of time. They need to get on to it, or they're gonna go exactly the same way as Labour in our estimations on this particular subject. A kid is dead. There is brazen crime all over the show. It's not my job, it's not your job to try to figure out how to get more police on the beat. It's their job and they need to get on with it. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Rishi Sunak has recently announced the UK will have a general election on July 4. Sunak has promised to earn voters' trust and prove to them only a Conservative government led by him will not put economic stability at risk. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains the collective outlook following Sunak's announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Copper prices have surged this year by 25 percent, according to new data. Copper has a broad level of demand, with plenty of industries relying on this commodity. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains how copper can be a barometer of the human economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwifruit producer Zespri’s profit has dropped 27 per cent but growers have been paid record prices for their output. Zespri reported a net profit after tax of $173.3 million for the 2023-24 financial year - down from $238.7m the year prior. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains what this means for the sector. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One week ahead of this year's Budget day, the Finance Minister has warned Kiwis shouldn't expect too much. Minister Nicola Willis warned the Government faces a significant structural deficit of $6 billion a year - and changes will need to be made to fix that. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains how this warning could potentially impact the upcoming budget reveal. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister turned up to readjust expectations ahead of this year's Budget. Addressing the Employers and Manufacturers Association in Auckland this afternoon, Nicola Willis has warned the Government faces a structural deficit. That's the fact Government spending has way exceeded tax revenue, and it's projected to continue without significant spending reforms. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains how this update will impact next week's Budget reveal. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns from epidemiologists as the threat of bird flu rears its head. Australia has recorded its first human case of the H5N1 strain, in a child returning to Victoria from India. Another case was later found in an egg farm within the region. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says both of these cases have been dealt with - but it's still a concern. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crusaders coach Rob Penney has found himself caught in a storm of backlash over a hot-mic comment. Penney was picked up using a derogatory term to describe a reporter after responding to questions about his performance and future with the side losing 10 out of 12 games this season. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 23 May 2024, the Government's unveiled its mining strategy and it sounds very much like "drill, baby, drill". Patrick Phelps from Minerals West Coast tells Heather about the opportunities that lie in the ground. Former defence advisor for French President Emmanuel Macron, General Dominique Trinquand, explains how the French President is trying to smooth the situation in New Caledonia. Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge apologises after his coach called a reporter the c-word. Plus the Huddle debates why teachers are so useless at math and science - and whether we should liberate the c-word? 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, Auckland Councillor Richard Hills and TV3 broadcaster Paddy Gower joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! More experts and advocates have voiced support for Minister Shane Jones' plan to boost mining efforts and remove red tape. Is this a good idea - or is it giving people false hope? Crusaders coach Rob Penney is under fire for using derogatory language to describe a sports reporter - what do we make of this? New data has revealed a quarter of primary teachers didn't achieve NCEA level one maths and over half failed level one science. How alarming are these statistics? What can we do to alleviate this? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr has called out the nation's biggest banks over their profit margins and lack of competition The banks have since claimed their margins in New Zealand are bigger than they are overseas - thanks to certain capital requirements. KPMG partner John Kensington says Orr's comments were a little harsh - but more competition is needed for the sector. "Think back five years ago - it was hard to change your telco or your power company. Now that's easy. So open banking, if people adopt it and people can be bothered changing their banks, will lead to more people changing their banks." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions are high in New Caledonia, as France's President meets officials in the region. The violence is over voting reforms that indigenous Kanaks say would dilute their vote - and undermine their struggle for independence. Six people have died and new barricades have been appearing across the capital. Emmanuel Macron's former Defence Advisor, Dominique Trinquand says things are still very tense. "The French President will spend 24 hours there, to try to sort out and calm down the situation. But until then, it will be very difficult to move from Noumea to the airport." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advocates and experts are supporting the resource minister's plan to cut barriers to mining. Shane Jones has outlined a draft strategy for the industry. He wants a stock-take of available minerals and to double export value in 10 years. Minerals West Coast manager Patrick Phelps says you could get a feel for New Zealand's resources within a year or two. "There's quite substantial gold mines being talked about in Otago, West Coast and Coromandel - which, if they're all up online within five or ten years, could double, if not triple New Zealand's gold production." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crusader chief executive Colin Mansbridge has offered a defence after their coach was scrutinised after their ten-loss Super Rugby season. Coach Rob Penney is in hot water after getting caught referring to a journalist in a derogatory manner after facing questions over his future in the role. Penney's apologised to Mansbridge - who in turn apologised to the reporter. Mansbridge says Penney's apology for his actions was satisfactory. "I'm not sure what Rob could say now - he's got a job and he's preparing athletes for a game, another one of those exciting clashes on Saturday." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concern over a quarter of new primary teachers not passing NCEA Level 1 maths. The Institute of Economic Research has analysed NCEA achievement of those starting between 2017 and 2022. It found more than half didn't pass Level 1 science. Deputy chief executive and principal economist, Sarah Hogan, says this confirms what other studies have claimed - that primary teachers are not equipped to teach maths. "I guess what's new about here is that it's even worse for science." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns over possible abuse and neglect at Tauranga Hospital. Associate Health Minister Casey Castello is asking for a report on the hospital - after a video's showed an elderly patient lying on the ground. It shows a patient in the mental health services for older people unit crying for help - as people walk past him. Ken Coull, the husband of one of the impacted patients, says he's complained multiple times about women in his wife's ward only being showered every five days. "We're not a third world country, the only thing I expect from this hospital is for my wife and these women to be kept clean, fed, and given their medication." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, inflation has dropped to 2.3 percent, the lowest in 3 years. It heaps pressure on the Bank of England to cut high interest rates - and gives the Government a welcome boost. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this drop is significant - but it's not as low as predicted. 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! Te Pati Māori managed to raise a few eyebrows over their comments about Children's Minister Karen Chhour, with the party accusing her of having disdain for her own people. Was this out of line? What can we do about Te Pati Māori's comments? The Government has announced the Budget will include $24 million going into Mike King's I Am Hope foundation over the next four years. What do we think of this? Kiri Allan has plead guilty on the day her court case was supposed to start. Is this bad form for a former Justice Minister to tie up all these resources? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts say Gentrack is well placed to capture the opportunities created by changes to the utilities and airport sectors. A surging Gentrack gave the New Zealand sharemarket and the company reporting season a positive tone with strong revenue growth and an earnings upgrade. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains Gentrack's financial growth. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank left the OCR unchanged today - but people may have to hold out for rate cuts. RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr revealed the bank considered hiking rates past 5.5 percent, and there's still scope for a potential hike this year. The committee also pushed out its projected timeframe for its first OCR cut from mid-2025 to around September 2025. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says today's update marked a change of tone from the bank. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pati Māori managed to raise a few eyebrows over their comments about the Children's Minister. Karen Chhour's bill to remove section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act passed its first reading yesterday. Responding to the Bill, Te Pati Māori has said since Chhour was raised by Pakeha, she has a disconnection and a disdain for her own people. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Te Pati Māori's behaviour towards Minister Chhour was 'out of hand'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fireworks as the defence wraps up in Donald Trump's hush money case. The former president is facing charges of falsifying business documents after allegedly paying off porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump's decided not to take the stand, and jurors will now prepare for deliberations. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says unless any significant news breaks, the jury will deliberate the verdict for a week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol has lambasted the provincial unions' proposal for governance reform, which will be voted on at next week's special general meeting. The body have threatened to divorce New Zealand Rugby if that option is selected. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 22 May 2024, the Reserve Bank has delivered a "hawkish shock" today. Kiwibank Chief Economist tells Heather the RBNZ even considered hiking the Official Cash Rate, with cuts now further into the distance. Children's Minister Karen Chhour is hitting back at Te Pati Maori which questioned her whakapapa. After another shocking incident of mid-flight turbulence, we're being told turbulence could in fact become much more common. Plus former International Criminal Court prosecutor Sir Geoffrey Nice tells Heather the United States are out of line attacking the ICC for seeking arrest warrants for Israel's PM Israel Netanyahu. 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.

One expert has warned flights with severe turbulence could become more common, due to climate change. Overnight, one person was killed and several were injured after a Singapore Airlines flight hit turbulence and descended 1,800 meters in three minutes. Former airline pilot and safety consultant Doug Moss says clear air turbulence is difficult to detect - and it often catches pilots by surprise. "For the passengers, it'll feel like hitting a speed bump on the road." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One former International Criminal Court prosecutor says the US was 'out of line' by attacking the court for seeking arrest warrants for Israel's PM. The ICC's is looking to get an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Sir Geoffrey Nice says the US is 'very unwise' to oppose the actions of the Court. "The US has been hostile to international criminal justice, for fear of it ultimately being used it as its own troops commit crimes anywhere in the world." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says scrapping the First Home Grant scheme is another example of tough decisions it has to make this Budget. It has also announced $140 million in new funding for 1500 new social housing places. Housing Minister Chris Bishop says everyone sympathises with first home buyers, but they have to focus on a more vulnerable group of people. "We are doing the right thing, but I'm not pretending to you it's going to be a popular decision. But this is a Budget in which we're having to make tough decisions - because we were left with a massive mess by Labour." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Children's Minister says the word racism is chucked around too much in Parliament. A Bill by Karen Chhour that removes some Treaty obligations from the Oranga Tamariki Act passed its first reading yesterday. It's prompted fiery and emotional speeches in the House, and Labour's Children's Spokesperson called Chhour a 'sell out'. On social media, Te Pati Māori's said Chhour's Pakeha upbringing has given her disdain for her own people. Chhour says it's a lazy argument. "Where it actually disrespects people who are the victims of racism - we need to get back to debating the policies and not the person." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The founder of I Am Hope says every cent of a funding boost will go into mental health counsellors. The Government has announced the Budget will include $24 million going into Mike King's Gumboot Friday initiative over four years. It gives under-25s free counselling. King says kids often take on the stress of adults around them. "It's huge for the mental health of the kids in New Zealand - they can get timely and quick service." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, on this decision by the Government to cut the First Home Buyers Grant in order to put the money into social housing instead- I've got to be honest, on principle, it's not the kind of thing I love. Because I'd personally much rather the Government give a helping hand to Kiwis trying to do the right thing rather than constantly bailing out the delinquents.But in this one respect, I think they’re prioritising the right thing.Because we have got a massive social housing crisis. And we cannot ignore this. We have 25,000 on the waiting list to get into a house, that's why we have people crammed into emergency housing in the middle of our biggest cities, it's why we had huge numbers of Rotorua's motels converted into emergency housing. We've got to fix that, as a priority. Because if we don't, it's only going to create a ripple effect of bigger and bigger social problems that come from people living in motels with other delinquents rather than houses.And also, the First Home Grant is actually a low value scheme. All it gives a person is $5,000. In the scheme of how big a deposit has to be, that's pretty small. I'm sure it helps, every little bit helps, but it’s not significant. Back in 2010, when it was first brought in, it was significant. According to Government figures, the lower quartile house price was $255,000. That same house is worth $580,000. What that means is, the grant has gone from nearly 10 percent of a standard deposit to just over 4 percent. That's pretty small.If we want this scheme to actually be significant, we’d have to at least double what we’re handing out, which means finding a lot of money we don't have. As it stands, first home buyers actually have the bets shot at buying a house right now - they have the least competition they’ve had in ages. And so right now, they probably need this money less than they have before.On the other hand, social housing is the worst it's been in ages, if not ever. So it's got to be the priority. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist says there's a risk the Reserve Bank won't cut the OCR until next year. It's kept the Official Cash Rate at 5.5 percent today, unchanged over a year with seven consecutive holds. Kiwibank's, Jarrod Kerr says there is worry it won't be cut until February. However, his bank's outlook remains the same. "Our forecast has inflation dropping below 3 percent by the end of the year, and I think that could still push them to cutting in November. But the risk is clearly that it's sometime next year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.