Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Controversial US Commentator Candace Owens has been granted a visa to work in New Zealand. This comes as Owens initial visa denial was overturned by Associate Minister Chris Penk. Her visa was denied last month after the cancellation of her Australian work visa.  Owens began her career as a conservative activist.  Author and expert on far-right and alt-right extremism Byron Clark joins Ryan Bridge to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is back to brainstorming for the Holidays Act, after feedback on the initial plan revealed it could make things worse.  The legislation was set to be changed two years ago, but officials will now begin work on an hours-based accrual model for annual leave.  Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden said the law is so complicated that even government departments have got it wrong.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has agreed to new tolling in order to expedite investment in roads.  Three new roads now come with a toll, all in the North Island.  Transport Minister Simeon Brown has also set out a new plan to make it easier to set up new toll roads.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon gives his review of the parliamentary press gallery as he nears the end of his first year as Prime Minister. Luxon said his past year was ‘like driving a car, finding it in a ditch, writing it and then getting it back on the road’ Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there has been no buffer for national government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to shut down the Department of Education, a promise he made during his campaign. The President to be is also made Time’s person of the year. Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in the biggest single-day act of clemency. His son Hunter Biden is among those pardoned. Gen Z to the rescue? How malls are winning over a generation of in-person shoppers. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend’s cricket will see an end to Tim Southee’s career in his 107th match. The Black Cap’s ‘lost comfortably’ in both Wellington and Christchurch. Can Auckland FC make it seven from seven this weekend? Sportstalk host Jason Pine said it’ll be tough as they play Melbourne FC on Saturday night. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motorcyclists are calling the latest ACC levy increase “punitive and inequitable,” as they set to increase by 80% over the next three years. The levies will rise to $532. Motorbike Advocacy Group New Zealand spokesperson Terry Leach said the group has lodged a complaint to the human rights commission. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bowel cancer rates in England have soared among under-50s - leaving experts concerned. New studies suggest more adults are developing early-onset bowel cancer worldwide, with figures across New Zealand, Chile, and Puerto Rico spiking annually. UK correspondent Enda Brady puts this increase down to processed food and unhealthy diets becoming more common. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech giant Google has unveiled its third-generation quantum chip, 'Willow'. The chip can solve problems at remarkable speeds, and experts are considering it a significant leap forward. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what this means for investors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s primary sector export revenue is expected to jump by 7 percent to $56.9 billion in the June 2025 year after contracting in 2024, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.  MPI, in its Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report, also expects that growth to be sustained, with revenue forecast to hit $58.3b in the June 2026 year. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's set to update the country on the state of the books next week, and experts aren't feeling too optimistic. Nicola Willis will reveal whether or not the nation is still on track to reach surplus in 2027-2028.   NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains why he's not feeling too hopeful about this target. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 12 December 2024, Solicitor-General Una Jagose KC explains why she rewrote the much criticised prosecution guidelines - and why race doesn't feature in the new ones. ACT leader and Associate Finance Minister David Seymour talks about the new ferries - and how much exactly they will cost. Plus, the Huddle weighs in on news that Wellington's in for another crazy rate hike after the council failed to save enough money.   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, Infrastructure NZ's Nick Leggett and Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Solicitor-General has revised her prosecution guidelines - saying people misunderstood what she meant when she told prosecutors to 'think carefully' before charging a person who is Māori. Do we agree with this move? 24 hours on from the Government's infamous ferry announcement - what do we think?  Wellington City Council is in damage-control mode after the latest draft budget proposed a 15.9 percent rates rise for the next financial year. Mayor Tory Whanau says she wants to bring that down - does this seem believable? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of the Government's new Cook Strait ferries is still unknown - but ACT's David Seymour has offered up some clarity.  On social media, David Seymour said it'd cost 'approximately half' of Labour's proposal - which was projected to be between three and four billion dollars.  But Winston Peters says that's not accurate.  Seymour says people have taken his words too literally.  "When I said half, what I meant is - it's going to be a lot less, like when someone says it's half the price. Often, they don't literally mean half, they mean it's just a lot less, and that's what it will be." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A defence and security expert says the Kiwi 'bumbling jihadi' is New Zealand's problem, but it's difficult to get him.  Mark John Taylor is believed to still be in Syria - but has been charged in Wellington today under the Terrorism Suppression Act. Massey University security expert John Battersby says the ISIL supporter has no travel documents and New Zealand has no representation in Syria.  "The possibility of us being connected back with him is actually pretty remote." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Solicitor-General's spoken out over public pressure to change the prosecution guidelines.  Una Jagose had advised prosecutors to think carefully about particular decisions when a person is Māori. She's now scrapped any mention of race in the official guidelines.  In a rare media interview, Jagose says the previous version simply lacked clarity. "It led people to understand that I was saying there were two different approaches - one for Māori and one for everyone else. That was quite the opposite to what I was intending to say." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A city councillor says more can be done to stop Wellington's rates rising further. Draft council budget figures predict 15.9 percent rises for the 2025-26 financial year - with a portion for wastewater treatment included, dubbed the sludge levy. Councillor Tony Randle says there's still time to make cuts, or ratepayers will feel the pain. "This is just bad news for a council, really, that says it's trying to make hard decisions - but it hasn't made hard decisions." Mayor Tory Whanau is promising staff are aiming to reduce the increase. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has fired back at speculation about how much the new Cook Strait ferries. The Government won't reveal how much they'll pay to replace the service - but ACT's David Seymour claimed it would cost approximately half of the cost of Labour's proposal. Newstalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says this is an especially challenging time for Winston Peters.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being overweight or obese has overtaken smoking as the top risk factor contributing to health problems in 2024, new data shows. The Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 estimates that Australians lost 5.8m years of healthy life due to living with illness and injury - or premature death. While smoking has previously been the lead factor contributing to poor health later on in life - being overweight has since beaten it out. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says experts are calling for sugar taxes and less marketing of junk food to children. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Papua New Guinea will have an NRL team from 2028, becoming the first-non-Australian-based club since the Warriors were established in 1995. Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V'Landys says the majority of the $660 million investment into the PNG side will be spent on the development system. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas and New Year's leave has been cancelled for military personnel set to cover for striking from non-uniform staff. The Defence Minister last month invoked the Defence Act, letting uniformed servicemen and woman fill the gaps. Advocacy group Mission Homefront has written to Judith Collins - saying that's unprecedented and unacceptable. Co-founder Hayden Ricketts says uniformed staff already give so much. "You know, those uniformed staff have worked their butts off during the Covid-19 response, they occupied and looked after our country and MIQ and the managed isolation facilities, they've done their best through Cyclone Gabrielle." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing concern about a wave of newly-released British jihadists returning to the UK from Syrian prisons. The UK Government is keeping a close eye on the possibility of any of the British jihadists detained in camps returning to UK shores. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there were potentially 'dozens' of British jihadists that had been captured while fighting for the Islamic State group. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2024 is nearly over - so which companies did the best on the New Zealand stock exchange for the year? Tower Insurance leads the pack, off the back of a series of upgraded earnings and regained inclusion back in the NZX50 Index. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton unpacked the winners and the losers for the year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A significant decision from the Court of Appeal could see Gloriavale shut down its' operations for good. The court has thrown out an injunction that prevented BNZ from closing the West Coast Christian community's accounts. BNZ attempted to stop doing business with Gloriavale in 2022, after the community's child labour usage breached its human rights policy. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the wider implications of this verdict. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! What do we make of the the ferry announcement-for-an-announcement? There's still a lot of lingering questions following the Government's latest update - how much will they cost? What do we make of this process? And what does it mean for the coalition?  Labour's Chris Hipkins is inferring racism after noting only Māori MPs got sent to the Privileges Committee following the haka in Parliament? What do we think of this? Why do we think people are fawning over the alleged killer of the UnitedHealthcare CEO? Is this glorifying violence? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 11 December 2024, there's more questions than answers after the Government announced it will buy two new Cook Strait ferries. Newly appointed Minister for Rail Winston Peters tells Ryan Bridge why he's not saying how much they'll cost though. The PSA is taking legal action against the Government for limiting working from home for public servants, so what's it got to do with women? Plus, the Huddle talks about the hype and celebration around the man accused of murdering a health boss in broad daylight in New York. 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 latest card spending data from November indicates Kiwis are keeping their expenses down for another month. Kiwibank reports claim the value of spending dropped 2.5 percent in November and new ANZ data shows a drop of 1.2 percent year on year. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says there's hope for the economy - as we're seeing early green shoots ahead of the Christmas season. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concern among petrol station owners, following BNZ signalling its lending period for fossil fuels is ending. BNZ has informed one business lending to petrol store owners will end - and the bank needs all debt repaid by 2030.  The bank says it's an economic decision, as they're foreseeing people switching to electric vehicles.  An anonymous owner of multiple rural petrol stations says the decision hurts farmers, who will still need diesel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Airport has unveiled the scale of the delays today following an IT issue. A fault with a fibre network provider's domains cut the internet to a number of businesses, including international check-ins. It meant airlines had to manually check people in, causing several flights to be delayed. The airport's chief operating officer, Chloe Surridge, says it caused a lot of disruption, until switching providers fixed the issue. "There were 40 airlines running on delays in departures - and that kinda has a knock-on effect to probably about 20 arriving slightly delayed as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is tip-toeing around whether New Zealand First will get the rail-enabled Cook Strait ferries it campaigned for. The Government has announced it'll set up a new company to procure new Interislander vessels - and has made Peters the Minister for Rail.  It's almost a year since the coalition scrapped Labour's contract for buying two mega-ferries that would have joined up rail across the two islands. Nicola Willis says the new ferries will be smaller and rail-capable, but not fully rail enabled. Peters says he's conceded nothing. He says he's taken on railways in the past - and dramatically turned them around - and people should ask the Maritime Union if they have confidence in him. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are school prizegivings harmful or helpful? Discussions have surfaced as the school year comes to a close.  Auckland Grammar headmaster, Tim O'Connor, says prizegivings are an opportunity to celebrate student achievement. He says it doesn't mean everyone should get an award.  "It's a ritual or a trait of education where, actually, we should learn how to be a contributing member of our community - and that includes being able to respect high-level achievement." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has put on a brave face in the House today, deflecting question after question on a somewhat lacklustre announcement concerning the new ferries. The Government has revealed the next steps for replacing the ageing Interislander ships - but experts have raised a few questions. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it feels like the Government's gone completely off track. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man charged with allegedly shooting a top health insurance chief executive in New York carried a manifesto of grievances - indicating a possible motive behind the attack. Luigi Mangione, 26, has been accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson, triggering a nationwide manhunt. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Mangione yelled at the officers, media and other attendees ahead of a hearing on extraditing him to New York. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Crusaders playmaker - and former Wallaby - James O'Connor is calling for All Blacks to remain eligible for test selection while playing for Australian Super Rugby clubs. New Zealand Rugby are holding firm on their policy of only selecting players based at home, despite All Blacks coach Scott Robertson urging them to keep an open mind. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Association has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority to stop the Government restricting flexible workplace practices. The PSA has argued the new directives on working from home violate its existing agreement with the Government.  Fleur Fitzsimons, the acting National Secretary of the PSA, says the Government has failed to take the Gender Pay Principles into account. "One of them is that agencies normalise flexible and part-time working arrangements for all employees. So our concern, really, is that the recent Government directive has failed to take into account the commitments under the Gender Pay Principles." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain’s King Charles III is 'fighting very hard' in his battle with cancer, according to President-elect Donald Trump’s account of a conversation he had with Prince William. Trump told the New York Post that he had asked William about the health of his wife and his father, who both received treatment for undisclosed forms of cancer this year. UK correspondent Enda Brady said that the royals had to issue a clarification about King Charles' health following the sit-down. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's central bank has opted to keep rates on hold in its final meeting of 2024 - the same position it's held all year. The RBA did soften its language a bit, and revealed the board had 'some confidence' that inflation was heading back to target. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham predicted rates would come down by 2025. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a significant lift in September, farmer confidence has surged again to the highest level since 2017. According to Rabobank's final Rural Confidence Survey for 2024,  farmer confidence in the broader agri-economy has risen from 3 percent to 34 percent. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks the factors behind this lift. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Treaty Principles Bill - David's done polling for Hobson's Pledge looking into support for or against the bill. What did we make of the findings? Greyhound racing - what do we think of the Government's ban on the sport? Is this the right call? A Reserve Bank consultation has shown Kiwis are still keen on physical coins and banknotes. But do we like the idea more than the reality? Do we still carry cash? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most New Zealanders are still keen on using physical cash, a new Reserve Bank consultation has found.  Their online survey drew in over 18,000 respondents, with many worried digital money would replace banknotes and coins. The central bank's Director of Money and Cash, Ian Woolford, says people are worried about privacy and control when it comes to money. "It's a personal choice - money is quite a personal thing and it's quite natural for people to have concerns about people monitoring their use." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 10 December 2024, Racing Minister Winston Peters has called time on the Greyhound Racing Industry. Winston Peters tells Ryan Bridge why he decided to make the move now but Greyhound Racing CEO Edward Rennell says the industry has been blindsided.   Consumer NZ is celebrating news that the Commerce Commission will file charges against three supermarkets accusing them of displaying inaccurate pricing. Plus the Huddle debates news from the Reserve Bank that the vast majority of Kiwis still want to keep using cash. 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.

Supporters of New Zealand's greyhound racing industry are voicing their disapproval with the Government's latest decision. Racing Minister Winston Peters confirmed the sport will be phased out over the next 20 months - with the ban drawing cross-party support. Greyhound Racing NZ Chief Executive Edward Rennell says the industry is blindsided by this news - and they're looking to go through a select committee process.  "We will certainly go through a select committee process and outline why we believe there is a place for greyhound racing - and why we believe it should continue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's support for teaching Kiwi students about healthy relationships and consent as part of a refresh of school sex education standards. Gender and sexuality guidelines are being removed - and an expert group will rewrite the curriculum.  An Education Review Office report has found too much inconsistency in what's taught. Advocacy group Rape Prevention Education's Debbi Tohill says young people need to really understand what consent means.  "We can't begin early enough, I don't think, to be talking to our children about consent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several big summer music festivals will not have drug testing this year, according to New Zealand's main drug checking agency for events. KnowYourStuffNZ has confirmed seven upcoming festivals - which they had previously attended - had declined their services. Rhythm and Alps general manager Harry Gorringe says they're expecting about 10,000 people each day. He says it's a shame there'll be no testing - but they'll be working to make it as safe as possible. "We have medical staff, security staff, police on site to maintain and watch the intoxication levels of patrons." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer NZ says inaccurate pricing and misleading specials could collectively cost customers millions of dollars. The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ and two individual Pak’n Saves - accusing them of breaching the Fair Trading Act.  It says investigations are ongoing.  Consumer chief executive Jon Duffy says minor amounts for individual shoppers are significant when it's nationwide and happening every day.  "If every shopper's going to one of the other supermarkets that's been charged 50 cents extra that they shouldn't have been charged for their baked beans - actually, that really adds up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters says supporters of greyhound racing shouldn't be too shocked by the Government's ban on the industry.  The Racing Minister has revealed plans are in motion to wind it down over 20 months, giving time to rehome almost 3,000 racing dogs. Legislation has also passed in the house under urgency today to prevent the greyhounds being killed as a result.  Peters says there's been multiple reviews calling on authorities to act in the best interest of the dogs. "There've been three reviews - 2013, 2017 and 2021 - which all pointed to the need to act in the interests of the dogs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Speaker of the House has ruled on MPs from Te Pati Maori and Labour - for their role in the haka in the House protesting the Treaty Principles Bill. Gerry Brownlee has referred Labour’s Peeni Henare and Te Pāti Māori’s Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke to the Privileges Committee. Newstsalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says the group violated the 'sanctity' of Parliament - and the rules need to be upheld.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no Christmas gift for Australian mortgage holders - as the central bank has left rates unchanged again. The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the OCR in place at 4.35 percent, in line with expectations from economists. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this will come as a blow to Prime Minister Albanese - as the cost of living crisis is set to be a hot-button issue for voters ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legal expert leading the team representing Gloriavale leavers is calling on the Government to act now and protect the victims of the community. BNZ has been given clearance to close Gloriavale's bank accounts after the Employment Court found a number of former members had worked since the age of six - with many subjected to physical punishment. Lawyer Brian Henry says the residents of the community need to be freed from the 'tyranny' of the leaders and given a new start in society. "There are people inside there who need to be freed from the tyranny of what's going on there and re-set up in society where they get a decent education for their children - and they have the opportunity to live life as free people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Notre Dame Cathedral hosted its first mass over the weekend since the devastating fire of 2019. The event was attended by  2,500 people, including French President Emmanuel Macron - as well as dignitaries, clergy and a few lucky members of the general public.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says 170 bishops from around the world, were also in attendance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.