Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Rugby Australia has confirmed the rule restricting how many overseas based players Wallabies coaches can pick has been scrapped. Rugby Australia has since claimed the rule hasn't been enforced for some time. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Conor English from Silvereye communications joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The latest report into our grocery sector found the duopoly continues to be highly lucrative, and Kiwis are paying the 5th highest prices in the OECD. Are we sick of all the talk about this? Can we expect the Government to do something?  The Government is set to scrap the fuel tax and replace it with road user charges for everyone. Will this change really make it fairer for all drivers? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 6 August 2025, Transport Minister Chris Bishop explains why he's replacing fuel taxes with road user charges for everyone - and how long it's going to take to actually happen. Unemployment has risen to 5.2% - the highest rate since 2020. So how much worse is it going to get? The Grocery Commissioner Pierre Van Heerden tells Heather supermarket competition is still a big problem looking for a big answer. Foodstuffs boss Chris Quin explains why New World is yet again running out on its most sought after promotional product. Plus, the Huddle on the surprising number of shots that police fired last year. 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.

So the Government just announced what they’re calling the biggest change to road funding in 50 years. Once these changes kick in, petrol taxes are out and RUCs - road user charges - are in, for everyone. Not just truckies, not just EV drivers, not just diesel users, every single one of us. This is not really a surprise, the Government flagged this two years ago. But now the work is starting and Cabinet has agreed to start changing the law on it. And generally, I think this is a good idea. It’s going to make it more transparent, as most of us have no idea how much we’re paying to use the road because it’s hidden in the petrol cost. But once it’s stripped out, it’s going to smack us in the face every month - or however often - we pay that bill. And it’s actually a lot, tax makes up almost half the cost of petrol. It’s also going to, if designed properly, change our behaviour for the better. Heavier cars should end up being charged more - as they should - because they do more damage to the roads. For example, electric vehicles, which are enormously heavy, will be pot-holing the road more than a lighter Suzuki Swift. That should, if we respond rationally to pricing, move us towards lighter vehicles and away from the trend of 'bigger is better' - which is better for road maintenance.  But everything hangs off on enforcement. Because this is ripe for gaming.  The same people who don't get a WOF and don't get a rego now won't get their RUCs. So if you’re going from a simple system where it gets taken at the pump to a more complex 'count the Ks and file the paperworks system',  how will you be sure everyone does it? In an announcement light on detail - that’s the question I have. But in theory, it's a good idea. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New World shoppers have been left disappointed by the supermarket's latest giveaway, as key items have been running out weeks into the promotion. The braiser is both the most sought after - and most expensive - item up for grabs, but many customers have reported a shortage of stock. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says 70,000 of these braisers were ordered, but the company didn't expect this level of demand. "Guessing what mix of the five or six items we have in this promotion would be desired and where they would sit - we get international advice, we get local advice, we give it our best shot." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Competition's lacking in the supermarket sector and Kiwis are struggling to put food on the table.  The Commerce Commission's Annual Grocery Report's revealed our grocery prices are the fifth-highest in the developed world.  It highlights the market isn't supportive of new players, and major supermarkets continue to wield power over smaller stores. Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden says extra competition is key to bringing prices down more. "That's why we're so focused on using all the tools we have available to ensure that we do get competition going in the market for the long term."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says the petrol tax needs replacing - to keep up revenue for maintaining roads. Chris Bishop's announced universal road user charges will be implemented for all vehicles, to be paid like a bill. The Government wants payments to reflect road-use, not a vehicle's fuel-efficiency. Bishop says with 350,000 hybrids on the road, fewer people are paying fuel taxes. He explained the national land transport fund's revenue is slowly diminishing - which is needed to maintain existing roads and build new ones. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand businesses owe more than $1.4 billion in unpaid GST and PAYE from the 2025 tax year, according to new reports. Of 2025's number, $432.9 million relates to employer activities and $1.047 billion to GST. IRD Customer Segment Manager Tony Morris says this data's in line with what's happening overseas - but it's an area they aim to put more focus on. "What we're seeing is a bit of an increase in the amount of companies getting in debt - and some of those are the ones that possibly would have failed earlier during Covid. So we're definitely seeing an increase." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sluggish job market is another bump in our road to economic recovery, according to some recent predictions. The unemployment rate's sitting at 5.2 percent - its highest point in five years.  In late 2021, it was just 3.2 percent.  Westpac senior economist, Michael Gordon, says it shows our economic slowdown's ongoing.  He says it's not too surprising, given the Reserve Bank's moves to control inflation.  "I think we're getting towards the end - we have seen economic activity picking up, but it's just not coming through in terms of businesses needing to hire just yet."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has unveiled a new plan designed to level the playing field for all motorists. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop's announced the Government plans to implement universal road user charges, to be paid like a bill. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this sounds like a good concept in theory, but there's some key flaws. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon Musk’s reputation has taken a noticeable dive, according to the most recent data. Gallup surveyed Americans about what they thought of  14 well-known U.S. and global figures, with 61 percent of respondents having an unfavourable opinion of Musk. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says that other people in Trump's inner circle also had negative net favourability ratings, with RFK Jr and JD Vance underperforming in the poll.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fishing practices are facing a major overhaul, on a scale not seen for decades.  Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says his new reforms remove obstacles to growth, for the $1.5 billion dollar industry.  The changes include simpler land and discard rules for fishers on monitored vessels - and the exclusion of on-board camera footage from the Official Information Act. Sport Fishing Council President Scott Macindoe says he doesn't approve of these proposed changes. "Anyone who takes these proposals seriously and takes them forward into legislation - we're staggered. Nothing of what we've offered has been taken seriously." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nigel Farage has called on the police to release the immigration status of the suspects charged with crimes following the arrest of two men in connection with an alleged rape in Warwickshire. The Reform UK leader said he 'absolutely' thinks such details should be released when asked about the matter at a news conference. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest unemployment statistics for New Zealand are due out tomorrow, and experts are divided ahead of the announcement. Many are projecting the market will have deteriorated further, but some are hoping things would have picked up. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump surprised New Zealand businesses with a new 15 percent tariff, and experts have crunched the numbers to find out what this could mean for our key sectors. The imposition of the new tariff on Kiwi exports is projected to cost the red meat sector an estimated $300 million and wine exporters $112 million. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour minister Stuart Nash joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Should NZ on Air fund reality TV? What about netball getting a boost? What do we think of all this? Another week, and more stories about small children being abused at the hands of their carers. Why do we not talk about this more? Can we change this? How do we feel about AI marking our kids' exams? Yet again, New World's run into some issues with their latest giveaway. Why does this keep happening? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I want to talk about kids being bashed by their families. We've had a really bad run of it - I don't know if you've realized - in the last few weeks. As far as I can see, just in the last 8 weeks, we've had the toddler in the suitcase, and we've had the baby in the bin in Auckland. We've also had a 2-month-old go to hospital with serious injuries that happened today, we've had a 3-month-old taken to hospital in Wellington in June, and we've had a 6-month-old critically injured at a Foxton Beach house in July. And we've hardly talked about this. I mean, we've talked about the toddler in the suitcase yesterday, world media talked about it too because it is so bizarre, it's hard to ignore. We also talked about the baby in the bin, that got about a day's worth of coverage, again, because that was pretty out there - putting a baby in a bin.  But everything else, almost no coverage. Now, do you know why that is? I mean, part of it is obviously that this is now not unusual anymore. We just bash our babies all the time in this country apparently - but also because you're not actually allowed to talk about it. I don't know if you realize this, but the moment that Oranga Tamariki, which is the new CYFS, uplifts a kid, the Family Court orders basically automatic blanket suppression on it. Which means the police can't say anything, it means OT itself can't say anything, it means the media can't say anything. So the news coverage just basically dies. We get: "baby's gone to hospital," and that's the end of it. No more coverage. It's actually only when the child dies that we can talk about it in detail because there is now no young person to protect anymore. Now, isn't that the opposite of what we want? I mean, I think this is doing our kids a disservice.  I understand why we did this in the first place, why we put these suppression orders in - the idea was to protect the privacy of these young people. But what it is also doing is protecting the privacy of the thugs in their families who put them in hospital or in the suitcase or in the bin. And what it also means is that no one then talks about what's going on. We're not horrified by the detail because there is no detail, so we don't talk about it, including politicians - and they should be the ones pitching solutions. At the rate that we're bashing our kids, this should be an election issue every single election - but it's not because we hardly talk about it because of the rules. So surely the rules should change. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 5 August 2025, the Education Minister wants AI to mark most school exams by 2028. Heather asks the teachers union's Chris Abercrombie whether that's a good idea. The software retailers use to report theft is so good, it's overwhelming police with 8000 reports just last month. Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says it's actually a good news story. New World is yet again running out of its promotion products, meaning shoppers are being left empty handed after collecting stickers for weeks. Is this the weirdest story of the week? The man who is running for mayor in two different towns on opposite ends of the South Island - and why he's running under two different names. Andrew Maxwell Clarke speaks to Heather. Plus, the Huddle debates why we speak so little about kids getting hurt by their parents and whether a law change could help. 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.

Rules are being slashed for homeowners building small garden sheds and sleep-outs.  The Government today announced there will soon be no boundary distance rules for detached buildings smaller than 10 square metres.  Currently, the distance must at least match their height. Construction Minister Chris Penk explained that the rules needed to be updated for people trying to do more with less space. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A candidate claims his running for two different mayoralties is not an issue. Andrew Maxwell Clark's put his hat in the ring to replace his brother, Nobby Clark, as Invercargill's mayor. But he's also campaigning in his hometown, Tasman. He's campaigning as Andrew in Invercargill - and as Maxwell in Tasman. Clark says he put his hand up for Tasman before he knew the incumbent was running again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New World customers are struggling to get their hands on Smeg kitchenware, available under a 12-week promotion. They can collect one sticker for every $20 spent. But the highest-value option, the braiser, is running out - and New World says there won't be any extra deliveries.  Consumer NZ, CEO Jon Duffy, says New World has specified this is 'while stocks last'. But he says it's also required by law to have appropriate stocks.  "With these promotions, this is not their first rodeo, they've done these over the years - so they do know that these promotions are popular." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police systems used to track crime may be struggling to cope, with a growing number of reports coming in. Auror is an Auckland intelligence platform used by retailers to give police information on potential offenders.  It shows retail theft reports have doubled from 4000 a month in 2022 - to 8000 a month this year.  Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says the volume gives a good idea of the total crime picture.  "We want to put together where there's prolific offenders, and deal with the other matters." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A secondary teachers' union is dubious AI could adequately grade almost all school assessments within three years. The Government plans to replace NCEA with a system emphasising literacy and numeracy more.  The Education Minister is also now saying AI is already partly in use for marking - and NZQA is confident it could do almost all assessments by 2028. PPTA President, Chris Abercrombie, says he isn't convinced. "Seeing how the students write, understanding, reading between the lines - sometimes you have to figure out what the students are trying to say and I just don't know if AI is quite there yet to be able to do those kinds of things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's unsure if foreshore and seabed changes will spark major backlash. It's going ahead with plans to make it more difficult for iwi to get customary marine titles, giving them rights over certain coastline activity. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper weighed in on the changes - and speculated about the possible reactions.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index shows Australian consumer confidence has reached the highest level in over three years. More Australian households have reported feeling better off financially, with levels expected to grow in the coming months. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the RBA is set to meet next week - and economists are hopeful a rate cut will come. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has revealed a State of Origin game in New Zealand could become a reality. Reports claim the NRL is in negotiations with New Zealand government and tourism officials to take Origin to either Auckland or Christchurch in 2027. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversial new foreshore and seabed legislation is expected to pass within months. The Government has confirmed it'll go ahead with changing the Marine and Coastal Areas Act. It follows a Supreme Court ruling, opposing an original Court of Appeal decision that could've made it easier for iwi to have ownership rights over coastlines. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says there will be a reasonable hurdle to get over if a group wants a customary marine title. "The Supreme Court dealt with some of the issues that we were concerned about, but not all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weather is set to take a turn in the UK, with storm warnings setting off travel alerts. Weather warnings have been upgraded for most of Scotland as Storm Floris bears down on the UK. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US markets cracked sharply last Friday, and experts are aiming to discover what happened.  Job market slumps, economic uncertainty and growing tariff tensions have been highlighted as key factors behind the drop. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! A pair of Aussie comedians have taken a satirical look at the annoying aspects of the workplace in their book 'Wankernomics'. Are we guilty of using annoying phrases and spending too much time on LinkedIn. Donald Trump surprised New Zealand with a 15 percent tariff last week - do we stand a chance at negotiating a better deal?  The Government is set to scrap NCEA and overhaul the whole educational system - what do we make of this? Were these changes needed?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Genesis Energy and the three other big power generators have signed agreements to establish a strategic energy reserve centred on Genesis’ Huntly Power Station. The deals - aimed at supporting national security of power supply - have been settled by Genesis, Meridian Energy, Mercury NZ and Contact Energy. The parties intend for the agreements to take effect from January 1, 2026. Genesis Energy chief executive Malcolm Johns says there's a clear case to keep the plant going - and Genesis couldn't do it on its own.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister reckons New Zealand will eventually be able to work out a better deal with the Trump administration following last week's shock announcement. President Donald Trump has unveiled a surprise 15 percent tariff on New Zealand - higher than that for both the UK and Australia.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says there's a possibility things could improve, given the changing trading relationship between both nations. "The question for us is - if it does change, does that mean we get better treatment?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 4 August 2025, Education Minister Erica Stanford explains why she's scrapping NCEA and how our school kids will be assessed in the future. Former top cop Jevon McSkimming appeared in the Wellington High Court today after being charged with possession of objectionable material. Herald Investigations Journalist Jared Savage tells Heather he allegedly had child exploitation and bestiality content on his devices. Can we really negotiate a better trade deal after the US slapped us with a surprise 15% tariff? Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hopeful. From "circling back", to cringe LinkedIn posts - two comedians have come up with the guide to mastering the corporate world and its "office wankery". Plus, the Huddle responds to the big changes to the NCEA regime and Trish and Josie confess to using some office jargon. 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.

You can't accuse Erica Stanford of mucking around, can you? NCEA is gone. Marks out of 100 are back, grades from A to E are back, needing to pass 4 subjects at least in order to get the qualification is back. Now, how long have we been talking about the need to do this? About the fact that NCEA is rubbish, that it's been gamed, that it's not respected by employers, that it's not understood by parents? How long have we talked about this?  And then within 18 months of Erica Stanford taking over the education portfolio, the changes are made.  This is absolutely, by the way, the right thing to do. Nowhere, in none of the assessments of what's happening at NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3, do you hear anyone say - hey, you know what, this is a good system. It's always criticism. The ERA had a look at NCEA Level 1 last year and they found such big problems with that they recommended getting rid of it. NZQA last year found only half of year 12 students actually finished 3 full subjects. They didn't even get to do 3 full subjects, but they somehow managed to pass NCEA. NZCER found that learning was not the focus of school at NCEA level anymore, assessment was. The OECD two years ago found what we always know is going on lately and our ability to read, write and do maths was slipping. It had now fallen below the OECD average. The NZQA Insights paper found a huge number of kids got Level 3 because it's easy, but UE, the old equivalent, they couldn't get it because it's not easy.  Now, none of this is news to us, right? Some of these reports actually date back to 2018, 7 years ago. Yet NCEA hasn't been scrapped until now. Now, this is brave, because any change this big is brave, but especially, it's brave right now at a time when secondary school teachers are already dealing with a lot. They have a curriculum refresh on the go. They've got new compulsory exams already now, they've got this. They are busy and they're about to get busier. And while I feel for them, and I do, our kids are too important and their education is too important to muck around. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

White-collar workers will be familiar with workplace annoyances - including unnecessary meetings, corporate acronyms and an overuse of LinkedIn - and it's all been observed by a pair of Aussie comedians. The duo put modern workplace culture under the microscope in their book - 'Wankernomics'. Co-author James Schloeffel says he's spent a long time in the corporate world and he's used this book to discuss the issues he's observed over the years. "But I think, also, it's a way for other people to have that therapy session too. It is quite cathartic, I think, reading this book." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has claimed it's 'unlikely' that New Zealand will be able to make Trump change his mind about the tariffs - and many experts agree with that sentiment. Trump recently raised New Zealand's tariff rate to 15 percent, while keeping Australia and the UK at 10 percent. Trade Minister Todd McClay will head to Washington in the coming weeks to argue our case, but Felicity Roxburgh from the International Business Forum agrees Trump is unlikely to budge. "We do believe it's still worth making an attempt to go and talk to them. The other thing to remember is that we have supported, more or less, the Government's approach." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's proposing to entirely phase out NCEA within five years - saying New Zealand needs a schooling system that sets students up for success. It wants to scrap NCEA over the next five years, in favour of a literacy and numeracy test in year 11 - and certificates the next two years. Education Minister Erica Stanford says it's worth creating something New Zealand can stand behind, rather than leaning on systems like the Cambridge Exams.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming might have struggled to hold on to his suppression order. He faces eight charges of possessing objectionable material containing child exploitation and bestiality.  A gag order lapsed today.  NZ Herald investigative reporter Jared Savage revealed major media companies had joined to oppose the order continuing. "Given the significant public interest in this, I think it would have been very hard for a judge to maintain the status quo." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's pushed forward in overhauling NCEA, and it's sparked debate among experts. The Government wants to phase out the school qualification system in five years, replacing level one with a literacy and numeracy test, and level two and three with Education Certificates.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks these changes - and reveals why a change to the system is overdue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Premier of the Australian state of Victoria has announced plans to enshrine working from home into law. Under Jacinta Allan’s plan, workers would be entitled to work from home at least two days per week - if the role allows for it. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says business groups have since hit out at this move - and claimed this would decimate CBD spending. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A glass half-full mindset from All Blacks coach Scott Robertson after naming a group of six players as injury cover for the start of their Rugby Championship campaign. Uncapped trio Kyle Preston, Leroy Carter and Tevita Mafileo - along with Finlay Christie, George Bower and Josh Lord - comprise the back-up unit in the 42-strong wider squad. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's North Shore Hospital has a 20-bed ward full of people, with no medical reason to be there. It was created in May for medically discharged patients who still require lower-level help from places like an aged-care facility, who have nowhere appropriate to go. Some stay for weeks, looked after by nurses and allied staff such as physiotherapists and social workers. Sarah Dalton from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says it's a sign of the nation's inability to properly resource community-based care. "We shouldn't just think about hospitals when we think about access to healthcare." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 1 August. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has increased New Zealand's tariff from 10% to 15%. This increase comes as Australia remains on the previous 10%, prompting questions around the New Zealand government's handling of negotiations.  Former trade negotiator Stephen Jacobi told Heather duPlessis-Allan that this increase could have a bigger impact than many people realise. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ on Air has its fingers crossed its financial support of Shortland St won't be forever.  New Zealand's longest-running drama's been granted 2.5 million in funding for its 2026 season, to help the show transition to the audience's preference of online viewing.  NZ on Air CEO Cam Harland told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they also provided funding last year, but hoped it would assist the show moving to a more financially sustainable place.   But he says the economic environment for ad funded media hasn't improved.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New South Wales is celebrating its new programme - poaching cops from other states - and abroad.  21 experienced, poached, officers are graduating in the Australian state today - seven of them from New Zealand.  The New South Wales Police Minister, Yasmin Catley, is attributing it to a historic pay rise last year - making them the best paid officers in Australia.  Catley told Heather du Plessis-Allan she makes no apologies for taking police from elsewhere.   She says the graduates are looking forward to the endless opportunities in New South Wales.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, was our government too relaxed about the tariffs then?   Cause this is a shock today – isn't it? To find out that we’ve just been bumped up to 15% while Australia and dozens of other countries have stayed on 10%.  Now, it seems to be related, most likely, to our balance of trade and that the US has a trade deficit with us. So we get 15%, but then a trade surplus with Australia, so they get 10%. So perhaps it was inevitable and unavoidable, as long as the balance of trade sat like that.  But then, on the other hand, Australia did kind of lock that in as well. They lifted their ban on US beef imports while we did nothing. Should we have done something similar Because if there's one thing that we know about Donald Trump, it's that he's a trader.  South Korea had their tariff dropped from 25% to 15% by promising to buy $100 million worth of LNG. Sir Keir Starmer sucked up to Trump with a letter from King Charles.   Now we don’t actually know what our diplomats were doing, because they were fairly guarded about it. But the vibe that we kept getting from ministers and officials every time we asked about it was, ‘not a lot going on, we’ll see how this goes, we’re on 10%, we’re no worse than anyone else’  That’s the trouble, though. We are now worse than other people. We export beef to the US, Australia exports beef to the US. Their beef now gets 10%, ours gets 15%.  Now, we can argue about whether US consumers are really going to switch up their $11.50 New Zealand steak if the Aussie steak is only 50 cents cheaper. I mean, what's really the difference between $11.50 and $11? But I chose a butter last night because it was $1 cheaper than the other butter, so maybe they will, which brings me to the question that I asked at the start of this.  Were we too relaxed?  Because we definitely and quite deliberately opted for Winston's head below the parapet approach. But maybe what we should have done was opted for the same approach that Albanese and Starmer took, which is to suck up instead. Given where we are and where they are - both their countries are now on 10% and we're sitting on 15%.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister's hitting the phones, as it's confirmed US tariffs on New Zealand will be higher than when they were first announced. The Trump administration has confirmed base tariffs will now be 15 percent -- up from 10, in a decision that impacts countries including New Zealand. It's believed the new rate applies to those with a trade deficit with the US. Todd McClay told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he's seeking an urgent call with American representatives on this. He says it's disappointing and challenging for exporters, and while there are opportunities, tariffs aren't good for trade. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is facing a shortage of school board members, as only 60% of the 10,000 required spots have been filled.  School Board Association President Meredith Kennett says that it’s up to community members to get involved.  She told Heather duPlessis-Allan that, ‘it's important that communities continue to get engaged in their school.’  Although the numbers look sub-par now, Kennett says she is expecting a boost in numbers over the weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump's flown back to the US after a brief visit to Scotland, but he's revealed he's not done with the region just yet. Trump expressed interest in leading Scotland after he's done with America - and said Scotland was full of 'fine people'. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's important not to underestimate Trump - given how the last 8-9 years have panned out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.