Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Dame Sophie Pascoe believes the time is right to hang up her swimming cap and goggles. The 32-year-old is retiring as New Zealand's greatest-ever Paralympian, having won 11 gold medals since her first Games in Beijing in 2008. She says she had to take a step back from the sport after welcoming her first son - and she's keen to carry on with her next venture. "It just really felt comfortable for me knowing that I was still there with my son and my family and we were still a family unit - so that definitely helped, I definitely had time over this break to really make a decision around this next four-year cycle."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party has been quick to criticise their political rivals over recent objectionable comments in the House. NZ First's Shane Jones yelled 'send the Mexicans home' during a debate - and has since refused to apologise - while Winston Peters has also copped some backlash for claiming foreign-born MPs were trying to impose foreign ideas upon Parliament. Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March says Prime Minister Chris Luxon needs to hold these MPs to account and ensure similar incidents don't happen again. "When politicians and people in positions of power make these comments, it emboldens those people outside of Parliament to hurl racist vitriol and abuse to migrant communities." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Children's Minister says saving Barnados' helpline for under-12s was a mutual decision reached with the Prime Minister.  The 0800 What's Up support line and multiple other services were at risk of closure after the Government directed Oranga Tamariki to find savings last year.  Now, Minister Karen Chhour has pressed pause on Oranga Tamariki reviewing such contracts.  She says she didn't act because Chris Luxon became involved - but because the agency contacted her with concerns.   "I'm glad they reached out, that's what I've been asking agencies to do over the last year - if you have a concern about something, reach out to me and I'll look into it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says he hasn't spoken to two Cabinet ministers over recent remarks that were labelled racist and xenophobic.  In the House, Shane Jones yelled 'send the Mexicans home' and Winston Peters told Green MPs they'd come with ideas 'foreign to our country' and suggested they show New Zealand some gratitude. Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez-March, who is Mexican, says the Prime Minister should call out such language.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Prime Minister Luxon claimed the comments 'weren't what he would say'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's discourse erupting in Sydney after a delay in publicising the discovery of a caravan full of explosives. A Dural resident made the discovery 10 days ago, along with a note listing Jewish targets.  Opposition leader Peter Dutton believes Australia's Government should've released details immediately. But NSW Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson says investigations have now been compromised, and police need to re-position the investigation. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says inquiries are still ongoing amid a string in anti-Semitic incidents. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dame Lisa Carrington's decision to commit to a fifth Olympic campaign has been met with elation at Canoe Racing New Zealand. It's been confirmed the eight-time gold medallist intends to be on the water at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks this announcement further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts are warning things are set to get 'very scary' for New Zealand's coffee and café industry. Global supply chain disruptions and worsening climate conditions have been driving up production costs - and one leading presence in the coffee world warns that these costs will be passed on to businesses. New reports show the average green coffee price had lifted from $3.76 a kilogram in 2020 to $10.18 a kilogram in 2024 and was at $13.97 so far in January. Richard Corney, the managing director of Flight Coffee, says consumers will need to be prepared to cover these costs. "We're looking at some pretty significant reductions in growth margins or operating profit for coffee roasters, and the fact of the matter is - they cannot afford to wear those costs and they will need to pass them on."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is looking to 'fight for growth' and expand the resources dedicating to funding major airports. British finance minister Rachel Reeves is expected to throw her support behind the expansion of Heathrow Airport in a bid to boost the economy.  UK correspondent Gail Downey explained what else people could expect ahead of the incoming update.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, tech stocks have picked up again after a 3 percent selloff after Chinese startup DeepSeek caused a storm in the AI industry. The stocks took a dive earlier in the week after DeepSeek stunned the tech world by revealing it could compete with US counterparts at a fraction of the cost. Milford Asset Management's Andrew Curtayne explains what this means for the wider world of AI. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank switching surged in December, as those with mortgages appear to have shopped around for cheaper debt at a record rate. Just over $2 billion of mortgage debt changed hands between banks and non-banks during the month - a record amount since at least 2017 when Reserve Bank records began. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson 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!  The Government is set to bump up some of the speed limits that were reduced under their Labour predecessors. Is this a good call?  What do we make of the newest White House Press Secretary? A true Gen Z - she's looking to open the press credentials to bloggers, podcasters and even influencers. What do we think? It's been a big week in Parliament, with one Te Pati Māori MP accusing Karen Chhour of not understanding the 'essence of being Maori'. How bad does this look? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists have moved their Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds to midnight. The clock symbolically illustrates how close humanity is to the end of the world. Canterbury University professor Jack Heinemann says escalating global tensions have increased the threat of nuclear war - and lack of action on climate change has raised concerns too. "What they've drawn particular attention to this year is the uncontrolled possibility of further disruptions to our biological ecosystems - not just through the spontaneous occurrence of a new kind of pathogen... but also because we are developing, very rapidly, our use of gene technology." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 29 January 2025, will higher speed limits make our roads unsafer? Ryan Bridge asks Transport Minister Chris Bishop if more road deaths as a result would be acceptable. Failing health infrastructure is at a crunch point, Auckland Hospital's main building, including the maternity ward, is without running water tonight. Taupo mayor Tania Tapsell hits back at anyone who's suggesting police has been unfairly targeting the homeless community with its crackdown on trolley thieves. Plus, the Huddle's hot take on Donald Trump's new Gen Z press secretary.   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.

Fonterra is investing $150 million into electrification over the next 18 months. The collective says the projects across the North Island are a significant step towards its climate goals and operational resilience.  It includes electric boilers at the Whareroa, Edgecumbe, and Waitoa sites - and more fleet decarbonisation.  Fonterra's Director of Global Engineering, Chris Kane, says the rising costs of gas and carbon made it an opportune time to make the switch.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patients in Auckland City Hospital's main building are without hot water. An issue with pipes emerged yesterday afternoon - and will take up to three days to fix.  Te Whatu Ora says it has contingency plans ensuring clinical care continues.   Patient Voice Aotearoa Chair Malcolm Mulholland says the maternity ward's in that building.  "They're going to have to be transported away from the maternity ward to another part of Auckland Hospital in order to have a shower - that's certainly not ideal for mothers who have just given birth." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A third major exhibition at Wellington's $180 million convention centre has failed to break even. The City Council is refusing to quantify the deficit for the Doctor Who event, which ran from last June to October. It also won't release specific visitor numbers, citing commercial sensitivity. Councillor Diane Calvert says ratepayers have a right to know the exhibition's actual cost against the budget. "Because if we don't deal with this openly, how can we look for improvements and how can we action those improvements that I'm sure we can do?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rotorua's mayor says cracking down on illegal trolley use is not an attack on homeless people. Police launched Operation Trolley last week, after complaints homeless people with shopping carts were intimidating the public. Officers arrested 13 people, gave out 19 trespass notices and returned 45 trolleys to stores. Te Pati Māori has called it an attack on impoverished people, but mayor Tania Tapsell says that's ridiculous.  "We are incredibly grateful for the police actioning this - and we've tried a lot as a council. By the way, that cost us $5000 per month when we were trying to fix it up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More roads could get faster - beyond the Government's planned changes to speed limits on 38 sections of road. The Government is reversing speed limit reductions on those stretches by July, with work set to start tonight. The Prime Minister believes it'll help people get to jobs faster, pushing economic growth. Transport Minister Chris Bishop says 49 roads deemed 'more complicated' will be consulted on. "There are some nasty sections of those roads - we're going to consult on them and it may be that NZTA says the default will go back up to 100, for example, but there will be bits where we keep the speed limit."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Te Pāti Māori MP is under fire after questioning the Children's Minister's Māori identity. Mariameno Kapa-Kingi made the remark to Karen Chhour in a Select Committee meeting this morning during heated discussion of boot camps, youth offending, and removing Treaty provisions from the Oranga Tamariki Act. Kapa-Kingi claimed Chhour had 'knowledge gaps' and didn't understand the essence of being Māori. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says David Seymour has been quick to lambast Te Pāti Māori over these comments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Google Maps is renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America - as ordered by Donald Trump within hours of becoming President last week. It'll appear once the name's officially updated in the US Geographic Names system. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the name will appear differently, depending on where a person is. "In the US, we're going to see it as what President Trump wants to call it - the Gulf of America. Around the rest of the world, you're going to see it as the name used by the country where you're accessing the maps." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NRL bosses will put their Australian broadcast rights up for grabs this year in a move that could spark interest from foreign streaming services. The sport's current deal with Fox Sports and Channel Nine across the ditch ends after the 2026 season. Reports from the Daily Telegraph claim the likes of Netflix and Prime Video could be interested. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a fiery start to 2025, with at least nine Auckland rubbish trucks bursting into flames in the first two weeks of the year. Auckland Council says it's likely due to ever-increasing numbers of batteries and battery-powered devices being dumped in bins. The Auckland recycling facility that sorts the region’s kerbside recycling, has two small fires a week - usually sparked by lithium-ion batteries. General Manager of Waste Solutions Justine Haves says there's been a significant uptake in lithium-ion batteries in the waste stream - and this is likely the cause of these fires. "We can't attribute them to the fires directly, but what we do know is that they're highly explosive material and there's many more of them in our waste stream than ever before." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pair of protestors from Just Stop Oil disrupted a performance of The Tempest, starring Sigourney Weaver on London's West End. The duo got up on stage as Weaver was performing - and unfurled a banner and delivered a speech before they were bundled off by authorities.  Weaver was also escorted off stage by a member of the theatre's staff. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the activists were met with booing - and also a few cheers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows more people are concerned about work, housing, and health, according to research by NZCTU. The council's annual Mood of the Workforce survey polled over 1900 people - and many of these respondents have voiced concern with the direction the Government has taken the country. NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff says there's been a significant shift in the last 12 months - as people believe the Government isn't looking out for the interests of workers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's speculation the Government may be looking to sell off Landcorp as the asset continues to underperform. Long-standing agricultural consultant Will Wilson has noted it's worth $1.6 billion - which is significantly less than it was a year ago. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's hopeful that digital nomads will help grow New Zealand's economy off the back of their recent visa change. Finance Minister Nicola Willis hasn't confirmed how many the nation can realistically expect to arrive - but she's got faith in this strategy. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen unpacks the current hotspots for digital nomads - and reveals what New Zealand can do to get ahead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and former Labour Minister Stuart Nash joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Prime Minister is pushing hard for asset sales - and he aims to seek a mandate for them in the next election. Do we think this is a good idea? New Zealand's diplomatic relations with Kiribati are on the rocks - and aid money has been put on pause. Given how close the region is with China, is it wise for Winston Peters to play hardball like this? Arnotts has convinced Woolworths supermarkets in Australia to move the Tim Tams to the fridge section. What to we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, Labour leader Chris Hipkins fires back at National's plan for asset sales after the next election.   Ryan Bridge grills activist John Minto about his hotline to dob in Israeli soldiers on holiday which has been slammed as antisemitic. Consumer NZ says it's been fielding heaps of complaints from Sky TV customers over its ageing satellite. Plus, the Huddle debates the diplomatic stoush that's developed between New Zealand and Kiribati. How risky is Winston Peters' threat to withhold aid funding? 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.

The Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa's launched what it calls a 'genocide hotline' - asking people to report sightings of Israeli Defence Force soldiers holidaying in New Zealand. It's part of their campaign against the war on Gaza, and it says the focus is not Israeli or Jewish people - but IDF soldiers.  National chair, John Minto, says now is a window of opportunity to pressure Israel more to continue with the ceasefire.  "There's been industrial-scale killing of Palestinians in Gaza - no one involved in that army should be allowed into New Zealand."  The post has prompted more than 100 complaints to the Human Rights Commission. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US stocks took a sharp drop - and experts are feeling wary - after a Chinese artificial intelligence startup posed a threat to America's technology industry. DeepSeek unveiled a new ChatGPT-like AI model called R1 that operated at a fraction of the cost of OpenAI’s, Google’s or Meta’s models, causing the Nasdaq to plunge by 3.1 percent.  US markets analyst Scott Shellady says the $5.6 million computing power cost will be concerning for investors, when compared to the hundreds of millions or billions US companies spent. "The idea that there was any competition would have probably surprised people, which it did." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A National MP wants to raise the age for mandatory jury duty.  Under current legislation, the court registrar must excuse anyone over the age of 65 who's been summoned for jury service if they request it. Whanganui MP Carl Bates has had his Member's Bill drawn today - proposing to raise automatic excusal from jury duty from 65 to 72. He says this would update a very old law.  "There's been a big shift in societal expectations and the way we work - and I trust our seniors to be able to fulfil jury duty." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government and Opposition have butted heads on the first day in Parliament. The Prime Minister boasted of the Government plans to boost economic growth - while Labour slammed its achievements and pointed to record departures from the country. Chris Luxon is calling it 'the party of no' - which said no to tax relief, gene technology, and backing farmers. Later, opposition leader Chris Hipkins claimed Luxon was in favour of saying no to delivering new ferries, a new Dunedin hospital, and affordable water reform. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Chris Luxon fired back at Hipkins' outfit choices and lack of organisation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour says it's nonsense to suggest the private sector does things better - after National has said it will campaign on asset sales next election. ACT has proposed health and education as starting points.  But Labour leader Chris Hipkins says we only need to look at electricity companies gouging New Zealand consumers for profit.  He says the companies stopped investing in new generation since becoming private.  "Every New Zealand household's paying higher power prices - when the National Party said that if we privatise them, power prices will come down." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the Australian election, opposition leader Peter Dutton has confirmed some political shakeups - and named David Coleman for the key shadow foreign affairs portfolio. The foreign affairs job was previously held by  Simon Birmingham, and a high number of frontbenchers were looking to claim the position for themselves. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Dutton is looking to make more key changes if he wins the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was an emotional scene at Karaka yesterday after the regally-bred full-sister to glamour mare Orchestral was sold for $2.4 million. After Orchestral was sold on Saturday, there was plenty of interest in her Savabeel full-sister (Lot 345), who was being offered through Haunui Farm’s draft at Karaka. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more Kiwi households have noticed an increase in broadcasting issues and disruptions - and the provider has offered up an explanation. In a recent update for investors, Sky confirmed it had accelerated plans to move from its current Optus D2 satellite to a new satellite after Optus revealed it would die earlier than previously thought. Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy says they've seen a significant number of customer complaints as a result of these disruptions. "What we're seeing causing frustration is - people are contacting Sky, they either can't get through or they can't get a reasonable answer to their questions, and that is just doubling down on the pain that they're feeling." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the UK moves to clean up the damage resulting from Storm Éowyn, a second major storm is set to hit the region. The Met Office is warning Storm Herminia, which first hit parts of Spain and France, is set to bring destruction and the possibility of injuries and 'danger to life'. UK correspondent Gail Downey says there are warnings in place to stay away from the coast. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's set to be a big week for the US' biggest tech companies. Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Tesla are all expected to report their results in the coming days - and it's likely these businesses will be expecting a boost from the new presidential administration.  Mark Lister from Craigs Investment Partners explains what we can expect. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the closure of the Tangiwai Mill in the Ruapehu District, forestry company Ernslaw One has found a new way to continue production and keep contractors in work. They've struck a deal with KiwiRail and Napier Port where log trains now run five days a week on the Napier-Palmerston North line, dropping off 600 tonnes of logs to Napier Port. It removes 21 logging trucks off the road. Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson and KiwiRail Executive Manager of Freight Markets Alan Piper unpacked the benefits of this deal.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani and Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! President Donald Trump is floating the idea of 'cleaning out' Gaza as the ongoing conflict continues. What's going on here? The Treaty Principles Bill submissions started today - how do we think it went? Was it a constructive day?  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed the Government will loosen visa requirements for digital nomads to help bump the tourism numbers up and grow the economy. Do we think this will work? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 27 January 2025, there were plenty of arguments for and against the Treaty Principles Bill at today's first oral submissions hearing. The Government's flinging the border open to digital nomads - but Finance Minister Nicola Willis can't say just how many might actually come here. Plus, the Huddle debates Donald Trump's call to 'clean out' Gaza, is this the beginning of some new negotiation? 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.

The Finance Minister is determined to get tourism figures back up to their pre-pandemic levels - and she hopes the newest batch of visa changes will speed that along. From today, visitors can work remotely for overseas companies while holidaying in New Zealand for up to nine months, but they may need to declare themselves New Zealand tax residents if they stay for over 90 days. Nicola Willis says there's capacity for growth officials will be tracking the number of visitor visas that come out of this change. "We think it will make an impact on economic growth, because every tourist that comes to New Zealand benefits our bottom line. That's what supports people who are working for tourism providers, who are working for accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes - the more people they have coming through their doors and spending, the better."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A war of words has erupted over the logistics of speaking slots during submission on the Treaty Principles Bill. The pro-bill lobby group Hobson's Pledge claimed they were left off the list of those allowed to front up to the committee of MPs considering the bill in person. Hobson's Pledge spokesman Elliot Iklei was quick to explain the group did request a speaking slot. "So whatever you've been hearing from over there is utterly inaccurate. It is incorrect."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump's push for Arab nations to take in Palestinians to 'clean out' Gaza could be a genuine suggestion. He's said Egypt and Jordan should take in Gazans - with the Strip extensively damaged and people dying. Greg Barton, a noted professor of global Islamic politics, says Trump is 'flying a kite' to see the response, and what he can away with. "Donald Trump will typically say things that are contradictory - and allow himself plausible deniability, so he can walk his way back from this one, but he's clearly got an interest in seeing if it's got traction." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mangawhai community is banding together to pick up the pieces from yesterday morning's tornado. Two people were seriously injured and nine buildings are yellow stickered - with another 26 white stickered as possibly damaged, but safe.  Restoring power is taking longer than first expected, with worse damage than first thought. All but 30 customers should have electricity by midnight. Kaipara mayor Craig Jepson says only one person has needed emergency accommodation through the welfare team. "Other than that, I think people relied on the generosity of friends and family and other people that stepped up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overseas visitors may need an extra nudge to come here, even with relaxed visa requirements aiming to attract digital nomads to spend more. From today, people on visitor visas can work remotely here for overseas companies. Accommodation provider LyLo director Tim Alpe says it'll suit foreign tourists - but the challenge is telling them about it.  "We've got to get out internationally, we've got to go to big trade shows, we've got to be telling people that actually - New Zealand is a great destination for that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The architect of the Treaty Principles Bill claims the legislation would improve outcomes for Māori.  Oral submissions were delivered in Parliament, including from ACT's David Seymour himself, experts from the New Zealand Māori Association and Hobson's Pledge members.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls said the bill was subject to plenty of backlash - with Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik labelling it a 'race-based dog whistle'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two historic Melbourne monuments were vandalised as tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest the controversial Australia Day holiday. A statue of John Batman, a founder of Australia's second largest city who was also involved in the deaths of indigenous people, was sawn in half and a monument commemorating Australian soldiers in World War One was covered in red paint. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says police have launched investigations into these incidents - as well as similar acts of vandalism across the country. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief within Auckland FC that they can win the A-League title in their maiden season. The inaugural side sits two points clear at the top of the table halfway through the campaign - they've conceded 11 goals in 14 games and only lost twice. Sportstalk host Jason Pine says the team's well on their way to making history - but they've got some fatal flaws holding them back. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the nation's new charter schools claim they are being 'swamped' with applications before they have even opened. Seven of the publicly funded, privately owned schools are scheduled to open their doors over the next two weeks - and they're seeing plenty of demand. Mastery School principal Rose McInerney says her school has 60 primary-aged children enrolled, with a further 40 wait-listed. "What we do with those children is - we have a longer school day as a starting point, we have two hours of maths and two hours of literacy. We are teaching with direct or explicit instruction, and that's quite a lot to go into." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.