Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Over in the US, police are still out in full force at New York's Columbia University. Hundreds of officers have cleared a campus building occupied by students holding a pro-Palestinian protest. US correspondent, Dan Mitchinson, says police have been asked to stay through the middle of the month. He says it's sparked activism on dozens of campuses. "I don't think we've had demonstrations like these probably since the 60's - not since the Vietnam war protests." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kirk Penney has become just the second New Zealander to earn selection in international basketball's Hall of Fame. The Tall Blacks icon will join Pero Cameron - selected in 2017 - as a FIBA Hall of Famer. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's disappointment a Bill that would have regulated property managers more has been withdrawn. Housing Minister Chris Bishop has scrapped the Property Managers bill, saying the cost-benefit was marginal at best. He says it would have cost tenants and landlords. Real Estate Institute CEO Jen Baird says the figures involved were small. "Some of the numbers that I've seen have been 43 cents per property per week, up to about $2.50 per property per week." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry is set to visit the UK for the Invictus Games's 10-year anniversary - but he won't be meeting with his father. Reports suggest King Charles' diary is full and the monarch will be 'too busy' to see Prince Harry this time. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this shows tensions are still high between the rest of the royals and Harry. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey shows confidence is declining. Business confidence dropped 8 points to +15 in April, expected own activity fell 9 points to +14, and past own activity dropped 13 points to -20. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explains what this means for the state of the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian financial markets appear to be bracing themselves for bad news. They've made a sudden shift from pricing in rate cuts to pricing in potential rate hikes, and economists fear increases to the OCR are coming. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says interest rates aren't likely to be dropping any time this year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's farmers have been struggling under ongoing droughts and low rainfall. The unfavourable weather conditions have led to farmers de-stocking or selling their stock at a significant loss. The Country's Rowena Duncum warns it'll take more than one rainstorm to address this. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A newly-released report from the entity tasked with setting MPs' pay has recommended multiple pay rises over the coming three years. The Remuneration Authority's recommendation would see the Prime Minister's salary incrementally go from $471,000 a year now, to $520,000 a year in July 2026. ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says the perception is this is concerning, in light of recent cuts to the pay of medical workers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 17-year-old girl has shocked NSW authorities by stabbing her younger sister to death. Emergency services were called to a Boolaroo address to address a stabbing that occurred at 3:45pm on Monday. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police were mystified by this case - and haven't uncovered a motive. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 30 April 2024, the Prime Minister and all MPs are in for a significant pay rise. Remuneration Authority Chair Geoff Summers tells Heather how he determined how much more they should be paid. Exclusive revelations about the Christchurch Call. Whistleblower Milton Mueller from the Georgia Institute of Technology reveals how the Christchurch Call's independent advisory network was pressured to bury reports that were critical of how call members were implementing their commitments. The Huddle debates whether Air NZ is an embarrassment given that Jetstar is now more reliable than our national airline. And Qatar wants to host Rugby's Nations Championship. Heather argues we can't ignore $1.68 billion on offer despite Qatar's questionable human rights record. 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.

New anti-scam measures are on the way for online banking. The New Zealand Banking Association has today announced our banks will roll out a 'confirmation of payee' service by the end of the year. It will make direct cash transfers more secure, by cross checking names registered to accounts when transfers are made. Chief executive Roger Beaumont says this project has been in the works since September 2023. "This is something that takes time, it has been progressed since we announced that in September - and we're moving at that pace." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kaine Thompson and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we really need to keep funding the Christchurch Call? It's been revealed the Christchurch Call Secretariat pressured an independent advisory network not to publish critical reports into members of the Call. Should we scrap it? Despite the tough economic climate, it's been confirmed MPs are getting a pay rise. Do they deserve this? New reports have revealed Jetstar is now more reliable than Air New Zealand. Is this surprising? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB can reveal allegations the Christchurch Call has silenced members of its Advisory Network - and pressured them to not release critical reports of member countries. Because of that, a group called the Internet Governance Project, has quit. Project founder and Network reviewer, Milton Mueller says India wasn't honouring its commitments. "They really didn't seem to have much of an official commitment to go along with the Christchurch Call at all, so we simply wrote that up." Meanwhile, the Government says it will soon reveal whether it will keep paying Dame Jacinda Ardern to work on the Christchurch Call. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rugby could be headed to the Middle East for the new Nations Championship, according to new reports. Qatar has reportedly made a bid to host the three-day finals event - a bid that promises commercial returns of $1.68 billion (NZD). Former All Black Sir John Kirwan is hopeful the power of sport can create a platform to address the outside issues in Qatar. "You'd be hoping that our leadership across rugby - World Rugby and New Zealand Rugby - are putting some pressure on. They want the rugby to come there, they have oil money, but we also need to use that platform to ask serious questions." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's reliability has fallen - and it's trailing Jetstar in figures for last month as it grapples with engine problems. Only 77 percent of its domestic flights arrived within 15 minutes of scheduled times last month, down from 88 percent in January. Jetstar reported no domestic cancellations last month and almost 79 percent of flights were on time. Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy says it's good opportunity for Jetstar to boost their reputation. "It's a great opportunity for them to show that they're lifting their game - and become more of competitive threat to Air New Zealand." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Remuneration Authority says the Prime Minister's pay increase is fair. Chris Luxon's turned down the $50,000 salary boost over three years, and promises to donate it to charity. Chair Geoff Summers says a lot of work's gone into determining the figure - including job comparisons. He says our MP pay is relatively low internationally. "It's behind most other Westminster democracies - we had a good look at that, the tables are in the report. They're even behind most of the state MPs in Australia, except for Tasmania." Chris Luxon's salary would riss from $471,000 to $520,000 in 2026. Normal MPs' 163-thousand-dollar pay packets would rise to $181,000. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has shouldered arms to reports Qatar has offered up more than a billion-and-a-half dollars to host the finals of rugby's new Nations Championship from 2026. A new report claims the gulf state wants the rights to 'finals weekend' of the tournament across four editions spanning eight years. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains the situation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brace yourself, because it looks like we’re about to have another debate about whether sport should be taking money from Qatar. And this time, we’re probably going to care more about this as a nation, because this time - the sport is rugby. It's being reported that Qatar has made an offer to host the new upcoming Nations Championship, which is the tournament that basically combines the Six Nations up in Europe and the Rugby Championship down in the Southern Hemisphere - and then possibly adds in Fiji and Japan just to get to 12 nations. It’s supposed to happen every couple of years, played across the winter rugby window and then culminating in a finals weekend in November. This is what Qatar has offered to host, that finals weekend. They will bill it as a sort of 'Super Bowl of rugby' and they've promised commercial returns of $1.7 billion (NZD). Come on, the rugby bosses would be idiots to turn this down, wouldn't they? Unless they know that they can get better money elsewhere - and where are they going to get better money? Because they are short on cash. NZR is losing money fast, it's burning through its Silver Lake money, and Rugby Australia just posted a deficit yesterday. They've got seven days to decide if they’ll start exclusive negotiations with Qatar, and if they go ahead - you know what will happen. There will be years of angsting over whether they’re selling their souls to a state known for the abuse of migrants and the mistreatment of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people will rage about it and threaten to boycott. And it will carry on until the first whistle, but then it'll go quiet and we will love the tournament. We'll love the the seven world-class stadia within 55 km of Doha, the public transport and the luxurious six-star hotels - and we will declare it a success. Because that is what happened with the Football World Cup 2 years ago, it's probably what will happen with the World Aquatics Championships, the Basketball World Cup in three years time, the 2036 Olympics if Qatar wins the bid - and maybe even the rugby. As I say, unless rugby can get better money elsewhere, they’d be idiots to turn this one up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two out of three job applicants have admitted to 'rage-applying' to new roles out of frustration with their employers, according to new research. A survey carried out by recruitment specialist Robert Walters indicates over half of the 2000 respondents were motivated to leave a toxic work environment. Robert Walters commercial director Stuart Nash says this is proof workplace culture matters to employees - and leadership should pay attention. "Culture is so important - and good leaders create great culture. Culture is one of those things that's difficult to quantify, but we do know it makes a difference." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the UK's biggest retail groups has confirmed it plans to give job applicants their interview questions beforehand in an attempt to make the process fairer. John Lewis and Waitrose applicants across all skill levels will have access to these questions from the company's websites. UK correspondent Gavin Grey unpacks the mass reactions to this idea. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes will be on Foreign Minister Winston Peters ahead of his hotly-anticipated foreign policy speech. Peters is expected to deliver a notable, forward-looking address in Parliament this Wednesday to the Institute of International Affairs. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan suspects AUKUS will be a part of it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a big day for the Education Minister, as she's released more education priorities - and promised extra incentive for teachers. The Government's hotly-anticipated ban on cell phones also kicked in today, as students returned for Term Two. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Minister Erica Stanford still has plenty of obstacles ahead. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was heckled and dubbed a 'liar' at a weekend rally held outside Parliament House. Thousands of people attended the 'No More! National Rally Against Violence' march in protest of the multiple violent deaths of Australian women this year. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Albanese was asked not speak - and the optics of this aren't good. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmac has received a funding boost - but the Government says it's to cover a 'fiscal cliff' left by Labour. Associate Health Minister David Seymour revealed the drug-buying agency will be bolstered by more than $1.7 billion over four years, as part of the Budget. Medicines New Zealand CEO Graeme Jarvis says he was aware of this gap in funding. He says the Covid-19 pandemic created more fiscal cliffs to be dealt with than even Treasury considered. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 29 April 2024, Associate Health Minister David Seymour tells Heather why an extra $1.7 billion for Pharmac is merely keeping the lights on at our drug buying agency - but won't buy us more medicines. It's bad news for the coalition in the latest political poll as Labour closes the gap with National and NZ First slips below the 5% threshold. Finance Minister and Deputy National leader Nicola Willis tells Heather why she's not fazed. Police Minister Mark Mitchell responds to a wave of violent daylight burglaries in shopping malls. Mobile phones are officially off limits in NZ schools from today, Principals Association president Vaughan Couillault reveals how many phones he's confiscated so far. The Huddle debates whether Victoria University should have cancelled a free speech debate, and if handing out jobs to former MPs is "jobs for the boys". Plus would Heather drink breast milk like the Kardashians? 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, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Victoria University has copped plenty of backlash over their decision to postpone a free speech event after pushback from the students. Should they have left the event alone? Paula Bennett is the latest former National MP to get appointed into a Government role - she's the new chair for Pharmac. Is she the latest case of the Government handing out jobs to mates? Was the opposition just as guilty of this? Today marks the first day of the Government's cell phone ban in schools. It seems to have gone off without a hitch- what do we think of this? Should we bring back the fees to resit a drivers licence test? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister has brushed off a tough new poll result for the coalition. The latest 1News Verian poll shows a two percent fall for National to have them on 36 percent. Act is down one to 7 percent and New Zealand First is on 4 percent. Those numbers mean the left block of Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori could govern. Minister Nicola Willis says she isn't losing her head over it. "Oh well. We've had this conversation before - polls move up and down, and there is not an election tomorrow. So our job as a Government is to focus on getting on with business." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's Victoria University has hit pause on a controversial debate, after student backlash. A panel discussion around the role of universities in free speech has been pushed back to the end of May, following the opposition from students. The Free Speech Union's Jonathan Ayling, who was expected to attend, has expressed confusion at being included as part of the backlash. "I challenge anyone to find references to me spouting hate speech of any kind. It is simply the fact -and my opponents will admit this - that I have defended speech rights of those who they claim have expressed hate speech." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kāinga Ora has been fined $6,000 for being too slow to evict unruly tenants. Stuff reports Kāinga Ora was forced to pay a woman terrorised by neighbours and fellow social housing tenants. The antisocial tenants defecated outside her door, and it's alleged they threw a woman off a balcony. Lawyer Adina Thorn says any other landlord would've kicked them out much sooner. "It takes people a lot of time hassling Kāinga Ora - and they've got to basically be at a wits end before Kāinga Ora will step up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi kids have endured their first day of no cell phones at school. Students can no longer use or access their phone at school under new Government legislation. Many schools started phasing the rule in from Term One, before the ban came into force this term. Secondary Principals' Association president Vaughan Couillault says not many students were found breaking the rules at his school today. "Well, I've got three cell phones that have been confiscated in the front office, so you'd have to say out of 1800 students, it looks like three of them got busted." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour says the Prime Minister would have a tougher job sacking a minister from ACT than from National. Luxon stood down Melissa Lee and Penny Simmonds from portfolios last week. Seymour says it would take a bigger process if Luxon wanted to give the boot to one of his party's ministers. "What I did say is- if we were going to have that sort of action, then the coalition agreement requires good faith, it requires conversation - and it ultimately requires agreement on these sorts of things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps squad for the T20 cricket World Cup in the West Indies and United States has been named. The 15-strong squad features just two players - Matt Henry and Rachin Ravindra - who've never played at the tournament. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks today's reveal. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister says he's deeply concerned about the ages of robbers plundering Auckland jewellery stores. In the past two weeks, at least five aggravated robberies have spanned Auckland - at Westgate, Newmarket, Onehunga and Manurewa. Minister Mark Mitchell says in the most recent incident, the robbers were aged between nine and fourteen. He says plans for youth military academies are a big part of their response. "That's going to be targeted at those worst recidivist violent youth offenders, because at the end of the day, we want to invest in these young people and try to get them back on the right track." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you know, today is the official first day of the ban on cell phones in schools. For most parents and teachers and kids it's actually not a particularly special milestone, given that most schools started bringing in these bans at the start of the year. But today is the first day that it's actually in force. And you know what? The thing that I found most surprising about this is how overwhelmingly popular it is. One high school's principal even says they wished they'd done it five years ago, because the kids are interacting more in the playground. Waitara High's principal says the academic outcomes are improving, because they did it already at the start of last year. He says the change is the most important thing he has done in at least 20 years of teaching. Stratford High School's principal says the kids are talking more. He describes it as an 'overwhelming success'. Now, what makes this even better is that it has cost us nothing. We don't have to spend any money buying things or hiring people, we just changed a rule. How good is that? There's an outcome for absolutely no cost. I'm going to take a lesson from this- it's to ignore the naysayers. Because if you cast your mind back, you'll remember there were heaps of critics who were poo-pooing this idea when it was first mooted before the election. Even principals were saying - you can't ban the phones, kids need the phones for some projects in school, it's going to be a logistical nightmare, who's going to stand at the front gate collecting all the phones, etc. Even the Ministry of Education said there was only marginal evidence it would improve student achievement. Have a look at it now - now everybody loves it. Of course they were going to love it, it was always a smart idea. Because it's common sense, isn't it? Because phones are distracting. The fundamentals of this idea work, right? Phones are distracting, we all know this because we've all got one. And if they're distracting to adults, who have some degree of self-discipline, they're going to be much more distracting to kids. And distraction is bad for grades and it's bad for behaviour, so if we follow it through - obviously it's common sense to take the phones out of schools. There are too many naysayers on every suggestion nowadays, so the lesson I'm taking is - in the future, ignore them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders are staying in paid work longer in an effort to transition into retirement, according to a new study. The average age Kiwi’s are choosing to retire has risen to 67 from 61, since the mandatory retirement age was eliminated in 2000. Co-director of the Retirement Policy and Research Centre Michael Littlewood tells Jack Tame that New Zealand’s state pension is generous, but not enough to live on for some. But, the real reason people choose to transition from full-time work to full-time retirement is not known. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eden Park is reportedly set to win the battle of Auckland’s stadiums. The Sports Huddle discuss whether the stadium remains fit for purpose. Plus, are the Crusaders underperforming or were expectations too high? Is it time to panic for Warriors fans? And, could NZ hold a second Supercars round? Newshub Sport Presenter Andrew Gourdie and Newstalk ZB Deputy Sport News Director Elliott Smith join Jack Tame. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eden Park is reportedly about to win the battle of Auckland’s stadiums. On Monday, a working committee will make a recommendation to Auckland Council on whether to invest in Eden Park or one of the rival waterfront stadium bids. NZ Herald Sports Columnist Trevor Mckewen tells Jack Tame as an existing location, Eden Park could be a cheaper option than others starting from scratch. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A unique re-homing program has been set up for actual lab rats across New Zealand. The New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) are working with the scientific community to find former lab rats their forever homes, while pushing the Government to stop animal testing. Executive Director of NZAVS Tara Jackson tells Jack Tame NZ has nearly half a million animals who are bred for science, not used, and subsequently killed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has had his 2020 rape conviction overturned. The New York Court of Appeal found that Weinstein did not receive a fair trial, due to witness testimony including accusations that were not part of the case. Los Angeles KNX News Presenter Charles Feldman tells Jack Tame the next step will be for the New York District Attorney to decide whether to retry the case. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After hours clinics around the country are on the verge of collapse. New Official Information Act data shows that 24 practices and clinics had to reduce hours or close due to critical staff shortages and cost pressures in the first eight months of 2023. In Porirua, health officials are considering replacing overnight doctors with a telehealth service, which the local iwi says is unacceptable. Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists tells Jack Tame that deliberately casualised medical staffing is exaggerating the issue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ministers have a big weekend in store ahead of Monday’s Cabinet meeting, which will be one of the last major steps in signing off the 2024 budget. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls tells Jack Tame this budget is one of the most significant in recent years as the Government tries to balance the country’s fiscal position and balance between three coalition partners. And, Winston Peters used his speech at yesterday’s ANZAC Dawn Service in Turkey to reflect while taking a jab at the Russians. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court has weighed whether former presidents are immune from prosecution and what exactly it means if they are. The answer will determine whether former President Donald Trump can be tried on charges of trying to subvert the 2020 election. Trump believes he is entitled to absolute immunity from criminal charges for actions committed while in office. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson tells Jack Tame the Supreme Court appeared ready to reject Trump’s claims, but that a clear answer may not be given. The decision will shape US democracy for years to come. Meanwhile, Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction has been overturned, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era. New York’s highest court found the trial judge made a critical mistake allowing testimony based on allegations that were not part of the case. And, Madonna has been sued by fans again. A group of fans in Washington D.C. say the singer made them wait hours in a “hot, uncomfortable arena” before lip syncing her performance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors have suffered their third loss in a row, losing at home to the Gold Coast Titans in yesterday’s ANZAC clash. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine tells Jack Tame the team’s roster remains as strong as it did at the start of the season and fans shouldn’t worry just yet. Meanwhile, the Crusaders are at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table after just one victory in eight games. Piney places his bets that tonight’s match against the Melbourne Rebels may change the tide. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is set for a new player in the supermarket landscape. Residents of Nawton, Hamilton will soon be walking through the doors of the biggest, independent supermarket in NZ, FIFO – Fresh In Fresh Out. The suburb has been without a supermarket for eight months after losing its Countdown due to persistent retail crime. Owner Manish Thakkar tells Jack Tame the new supermarket will be financially viable in a way the location’s previous Countdown could not be due to its independence and ability to be stocked by a variety of suppliers, tailoring to residents specific needs. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two days on, it’s fair to say Christopher Luxon’s swift and brutal demotion of Penny Simmonds and Melissa Lee hasn’t met much opposition. I appreciate these are early days for the new government and all Ministers are bedding in, but I don’t think I’ve heard a single person publicly argue that Lee or Simmonds was doing a sufficiently good job. Not one. Of course, opposition MPs feel duty-bound to attack in these kinds of moments. Chris Hipkins said it showed the PM had terrible judgement in appointing his Ministers in the first place. But the co-leader of Te Pāti Māori found a different reason to criticise it. It wasn’t that Melissa Lee simply wasn’t cut out for Cabinet and that Penny Simmonds was lost at sea. It wasn’t that facing pressures in their portfolios, the new Ministers hadn’t adapted quickly enough. Apparently, it was misogyny. Based on what? Well, as Debbie Ngarewa-Packer noted, Luxon hasn’t been as forceful with male MPs in his Cabinet who’ve made public comments out of turn. But, of course, there’s a perfectly good non-gendered explanation for that. The reason Luxon hasn’t publicly hammered ACT and New Zealand First Ministers is that they are ACT and New Zealand First Ministers. Arguably... if competence and discipline were the only things concerning the Prime Minister when it comes to Ministerial portfolios and the make up of his Cabinet, Casey Costello might have had an awkward phone call several months ago. Some of what Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says is fair enough. She says the Ministers should have been offered more support before being cut, that other senior Ministers should have stepped in and helped. I disagree – Melissa Lee in particular had years to prepare for this moment. But even so... that’s a criticism of the process which doesn’t reflexively bounce to an identity extreme. Misogyny exists. Of course it does. It exists in the private sector. It certainly exists in politics. But crying misogyny when Ministers are demoted when there are far more obvious explanations – like incompetence - actually undermines the greater issue. It devalues legitimate misogyny criticisms. Most reasonable people can see Christopher Luxon didn’t demote his Ministers because they’re women. He demoted them because when the pressure came on, they weren’t up to it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rishi Sunak says UK military spending would rise to 2.5 percent of national income by 2030 in response to global threats. Sunak has also committed to giving the Ukraine £3 billion a year for as long as the current war goes on. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains why Sunak is committed to keeping the UK on a "war footing". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Business Mentors CEO Sarah Trotman joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Melissa Lee and Penny Simmonds have been unexpectedly stripped of their portfolios today - what do we think of this? Is this good leadership from Luxon? Elon Musk has been clashing with the Australian Government over the Sydney church stabbing videos appearing on X. Can a Government tell a company what content it can display online? Why is Elon doubling down? People are protesting Auckland Council's removal of rubbish bins by leaving their dog poo bags at the park. Should the council just put the bins back? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Netflix releases their results for first quarter, they've promised some new changes to the service. The company's shares have dropped by nine percent, and speculation indicates the company could introduce ads to the service. Milford Asset Management's Deborah Lambie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been more light shined on the conflicting coverage of public sector job growth. Labour's Chris Hipkins has justified the growth of the public sector under the previous Government- does he have a point? NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains both sides of the issue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has revealed surprise tweaks to Cabinet. Melissa Lee's lost her Media and Communications portfolio and been booted from Cabinet and Penny Simmonds' Disability role has gone to Louise Upston. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper dissects Luxon's reasons for the reshuffle. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.