Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and motivational speaker David Letele joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's outrage and concern from rate-payers over a million-dollar Christmas tree set to be built in Auckland's city centre. Do we support this? Will this help bring more people in? The Government raised a few eyebrows after initially banning journalist Aaron Smale from Tuesday's Abuse in Care apology - and then reversing the ban. Is this a bad look? It's been a big week for president-elect Donald Trump - he's already expressed interest in pulling America of of the Paris climate agreement. What do we make of this? Does Liam Lawson have a point in suggesting the New Zealand national anthem be played for the McLaren victories? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 11 November, the Government's decision to ban journalist Aaron Smale from Tuesday's Abuse in Care apology - and then reverse the ban - raised a few eyebrows. Newsroom's Mark Jennings joined Heather to discuss. On the subject of Tuesday's apology, Minister-in-charge Erica Stanford unpacked the new measures the Government would be taking to ensure future abuse cases don't happen.  A million-dollar Christmas tree set to be built in Auckland's CBD has sparked concern and outrage from Auckland CBD's ratepayers. Heart of the City's Viv Beck explained why this move is good for the city. Plus, the Huddle takes a look at president-elect Donald Trump's first set of announcements following his return to power. 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 Local Government Minister says Wellington Council's new Crown observer will deal with relationship issues and help them get their long term plan over the line.  Former Chief Executive Officer of Tasman Gisborne District Councils, Lindsey McKenzie, has been appointed to the role.  Simeon Brown says he will be in place until July 31st, 2025. He says that will mean he's with them until the Long Term Plan is due.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says she's not jumping to conclusions on whether New Zealand will be affected by potential Donald Trump Administration tariffs.  The president-elect has proposed tariffs of up to 20 percent on imported goods from most trading partners.  Nicola Willis says the current trade settings with US seem to be working.  "It's clear the Americans like what we're selling. Equally, we import a heck of a lot from the Americans - it works for both sides. We have a close, positive relationship." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's outrage among taxpayers over the projected cost of downtown Auckland's Christmas tree. The Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance has raised concern about the 18 metre Komititanga Square tree, which reportedly costs $1.3 million. The council is stumping up $800,000 for it, with Heart of the City and Precinct Properties covering the rest. Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck says it's not being paid for out of general rates. "The council is putting in a contribution of the city centre-targeted rate, which is paid for by city centre property owners, businesses and residents." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hunt is on for ideas for shifting seagulls as a flock causes havoc on Christchurch's New Regent Street.  The protected birds are over-running the tourism hotspot. They're returning to nest after settling in the foundations of a demolished Armagh Street building.  Belle Cafe manager Casey Alderson says the seagulls dive-bomb for people's scraps without fear. "Small children don't freak them out that much, so they're not hesitant to swoop down in front of a small child and take whatever they have on their plates." Alderson says after failed attempts to deter the birds, ideas would be helpful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Organisers of a hīkoi making its way down the country to Wellington say it's about more than just opposing the Treaty Principles Bill.  Marchers are still north of Whangarei, and expect to be in the Capital between Monday and Tuesday next week.  Organiser Eru Kapa-Kīngi says the hīkoi's true purpose is to defend Te Tiriti of Waitangi - and he explained the bill was just part of a bigger ignorance about what the Treaty really means.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's taking steps towards preventing any more abuse in care going forward. It's introducing a bill tomorrow prompted by the Abuse in Care inquiry, after the Prime Minister's national apology. The bill includes a ban on strip-searching children - and stronger regulations on who can work with children.  Minister-in-Charge Erica Stanford says the Government is looking to utilise full-body scanners in the future to prevent young people from being strip-searched. "Instead, we'd be putting in place individual search plans  where young people knew what was going to happen and they had more control over how it happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says complexity has slowed the delivery of redress for Abuse in Care survivors, not cost.  Chris Luxon will apologise in Parliament tomorrow, after a Royal Commission report cast light on decades of harm in state and faith-based institutions. Legislation to improve protections for children and disabled adults - and improve Government record keeping - will then have its first reading.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says delivering financial redress for survivors will take more time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, opposition leader Peter Dutton is experiencing a boost in popularity with potential voters. According to a new Newspoll survey, 41 percent of respondents are likely to back Dutton as their preferred Prime Minister over Anthony Albanese. Albanese still leads with 45 percent of the vote, but disapproval for the Prime Minister is growing. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says people are getting sick of high interest rates and increased house prices with no sign of respite. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are hailing a 'next task' mentality as key to their statement victory over their Irish rivals in Dublin. The 23-13 win included just one try for each side - and was largely a hard fought, back-and-forth test match. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks the victory. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newsroom won't say why an investigative journalist was initially barred from tomorrow's state apology to survivors of Abuse in Care.  Speaker Gerry Brownlee initially declined Aaron Smale's accreditation application, citing undisclosed issues with his conduct on a prior occasion. But after pressure, Brownlee has allowed Smale to attend, if accompanied by a Newsroom journalist. Co-editor Mark Jennings says Brownlee probably didn't have the full story. "He hadn't witnessed any of it himself, he hadn't reviewed any tapes - he was going on the say of other people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 8 November 2024, Auckland public transport users are set to be hit with huge disruptions as KiwiRail is shutting the entire train network for almost 100 days over the course of the next year.Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the work has to be done. Will Kiwis care if our Government starts cuddling up to Donald Trump to gain trade and defence advantages? Heather reckons we should immediately copy Australia's social media ban for under 16s. Plus the Huddle debates whether the All Blacks can beat Ireland tomorrow morning and why Damien Mackenzie is just not convincing just yet. 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.

European leaders are meeting in Hungary for the European Political Community Summit – with the US election likely top of the agenda. Among the impacts of the election include Donald Trump’s lack of keenness to Europe, and talks of tariffs. But UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis-Allan the biggest concern is what he’ll do with donating to Ukraine, and whether Europe will need to step up even more. Meanwhile, UK Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been suspended from the party after video emerged of him appearing to punch a man to the ground with a court date looming. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia is bracing for tariffs from Donald Trump’s election victory. The President-elect is proposing adding up to 20 percent on import tariffs, but is also vowing to impose 60 percent on Chinese imports. But Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis-Allan Asia has been preparing for this for a couple of years now. He says some economists reckon this could knock 2.5 percentage points off of China’s GDP, and Japan and South Korea could also get dragged into the crosshairs. Lewis says there's also a lot of questions around security - as Trump calls for countries to pay more for Taiwan's defence. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions over how New Zealanders will be feeling when the Government starts getting cosy with US Presidential-elect Donald Trump. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark suggested on the radio this morning that it might want to rethink its moves to get closer to the US. She believes it wouldn’t be a popular thing to do to be seen to be strategically realigning with an administration which is volatile and unpredictable on foreign policy. Otago University geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports journalists Lavina Good and Nikki Styris joined Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle. The All Blacks are set to take on Ireland in Dublin in a rematch of last year’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal – but will be without Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett due to injury. Formula 1 drivers have lambasted the FIA over its clampdown on swearing, telling president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to treat them like adults and mind his own language. Former rugby league coach Sir Graham Lowe has launched a bid for an NRL license for Christchurch team Southern Orcas – one of three from the South Island trying to form part of an expanded league. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More details are coming to light around the death of ex-One Direction singer, Liam Payne. The 31-year-old died last month in a fall from the balcony of a hotel in Argentina. Three people have been charged in connection with his death – one with abandoning Payne in a vulnerable state before he died – the others with supplying him with drugs. Buenos Aires Herald editor Valen Iricbar told Heather du Plessis-Allan one of those charged didn't travel with him to Argentina. “It sounds, from the information that I received from the prosecutor, that it’s someone who accompanied him when he was in Buenos Aires during his stay.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says KiwiRail will be held accountable for any delays in fixing Auckland's rail network. The rail operator's being given $200 million in government funding to carry out the repairs – needed before the City Rail Link opens. There'll be 96 days of full network closures and 24 days of partial - from Christmas to January 2026. Simeon Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan KiwiRail's committed strongly to that, and there's no room for delays. “In terms of the timing, there is no more time other than what’s been provided.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Irish have a chance for revenge against the All Blacks for last year’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal. The All Blacks will go to Dublin missing Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor through injury, while Ethan de Groot has been omitted for failing to meet team standards. Ireland will also be looking to get one over Rieko Ioane, after the midfielder got into a social media spat with Irish legend Johnny Sexton over the fallout from the quarterfinal, which then stretched into his book. Former All Black Ant Strachan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says he's open to following Australia's lead in looking into banning social media for children. Law-makers across the Tasman will legislate a blanket a ban on social media for children under 16 – including the likes of TikTok, Facebook and X. Christopher Luxon says there's merit to the plan, especially given the incidence of cyber-bullying he's heard about in New Zealand. But Newstalk ZB senior political commentator Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan he has questions over how it’ll be implemented. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed veteran political advisor Susie Wiles as chief of staff for his return to the White House. The 67-year-old becomes the first woman appointed to the role, having been playing an active role behind the scenes in Republican politics. Wiles entered Trump's orbit in 2016 when she ran his campaign operations in Florida, who then used her to help Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott in their campaigns. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are getting ready for their biggest test of their end-of-year tour against Ireland. The All Blacks will be without Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor in Dublin, in a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal. Meanwhile, Formula 1 drivers have hit out at FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem over controversies about swearing in press conferences. Ben Sulaymen has come under fire for calling drivers ‘rappers’ after Max Verstappen was fined for swearing in Singapore to describe his car. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NCEA exams have been running for one week and already there have been complaints over being too hard. Teachers at Auckland’s Diocesan School for Girls have written to NZQA complaining about the Level 2 maths and biology papers. Its head of maths says the writer of the algebra paper was trying to be creative and was a ‘little too far removed from the classroom’. Diocesan principal Heather McCrae joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I reckon we might want to consider doing what Australia's planning to do and banning the kids from using social media until they’re 16. Now at the moment, we don’t have a huge amount of detail on what's being proposed, but we do know that the Australians are planning to put in the highest age limit in the world. And then put the onus on social media companies to make this work, not parents or kids, or even the Government. So there will be an age verification tool, either biometrics or government ID, and the social media companies have to use it. They have to keep the kids off. And if they don’t, they get penalised. And this is exactly how it should work. Because if they aren’t forced to take responsibility, they won’t take responsibility. They will simply blame someone else and so oh it's the parents, it's the Government, they're not doing enough, and if there's one thing we can say with certainty, it's that the social media companies are not taking responsibility now. They know their product is bad for kids, they say they don’t let kids under 13 on, and yet – there are kids under 13 with accounts. I have absolutely zero tolerance for any argument from these companies that they can’t do this. Yes, they can. They are extremely wealthy, they can pay the fines, they are – the founders and employers some of them, parents as well. They should care what is happening to kids. And they can threaten to leave if they don't like the rules, which is what they do. I’d say be my guest. If FaceBook or Instagram or TikTok pulled out of Australia or, should we do the same, New Zealand tomorrow, we’d be fine. Sure, businesses using social media would be impacted. But we would simply go back to finding other ways to advertise online and make a buck like through Google. So, the more I see what Australia is doing, the more I want us to do it too and I hope we do. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sent his congratulations to Donald Trump - and the pair will be looking to meet soon. After a close race, Trump beat out Harris for the US presidency, and Starmer is hopeful he and Trump can maintain the strong relationship between both regions. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the pair first met in New York in September and seemed to hit it off - but there's still lingering questions concerning the UK's interactions with the Harris campaign. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US dollar surged and bitcoin hit a record high after Donald Trump swept through the battleground states and won the presidency. Despite the race starting off too close to call, markets picked up after Trump was determined the winner of the election. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what happens next. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers have voiced their disapproval with Westpac over their emissions targets for New Zealand producers. The bank's new climate targets will require Kiwi farmers to get their climate targets down to 0.75 tons of carbon per ton of milk - while Australian farmers need to get emissions down to 0.85 tons of carbon. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is set to return to the White House - leaving economists everywhere to wonder what comes next. Trump won't take office until next January, but his proposed policies regarding business, trade and tariffs have people guessing. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains it could be an interesting four years. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, experts are wondering about the implications that come with a second Trump presidency. Donald Trump has won the US election after securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes he needed to win. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says there's concerns about his trade policy - and people are hoping he'll roll back the tariffs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 7 November 2024, Donald Trump's the new US president-elect, so what does this mean for NZ trade and world peace? A fascinating insight from Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. Democrats are waking up with a bad hangover - Barack Obama's former speechwriter David Litt hazards a guess where it all went wrong for Kamala Harris. Plus, law expert Randy Zelin on what happens now with Donald Trump's numerous convictions and criminal charges. In other news, the Treaty Principles Bill has been unveiled, the All Blacks team to take on Ireland has been revealed and Heather is feeling very very very smug. 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, Ali Jones from Red PR and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Donald Trump is going to be the next President of the United States. What do we make of it - is it the worst news ever or are people overreacting? Will the Democrats understand why they lost?  The Treaty Principles Bill got released today - how do we see this playing out? Will Luxon change his mind about killing off the bill?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi start-up Recorp, backed up by some of New Zealand's biggest names in business, has opened up its new aluminium facility. The company is promising to be the most innovative can producer in New Zealand - and a direct threat to Australian competitors. Chair Rob Fyfe says it's a huge relief to get the company up and running. "I've been going for three years, a lot of money - and it's just, in the last couple of months, finally taken shape." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is set to return to the White House - but the question remains over what will happen to his dozens of criminal charges. The former President will be the first person to take up the role while several criminal cases against him are pending. Cornell University law professor Randy Zelin says all criminal charges against Trump are likely to disappear. "The practical end of things wins out - and that is, you don't prosecute a sitting president, you don't prosecute an incoming president." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was controversy in Parliament today, following the introduction of ACT's Treaty Principles Bill.  If adopted, it would set out the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in law and require them to be used when interpreting legislation. It faced tough questioning from Te Pati Maori, who made several attempts to have it withdrawn.  Ngati Toa Iwi chief executive Helmut Modlik says he listened in the public gallery for an hour, then couldn't watch any longer.  "I gave him a direct look... and then turned on my heels and left." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves worrying about Donald Trump's trade agenda.  Trump has soared to victory in the US, nailing a historic second presidential term.  He campaigned on introducing up to 20 percent tariffs on global imports - and 60 percent on Chinese imports. Peters says we have a strong case to make ourselves an exception, due to the fairness of our market.  "We pay first-world wages in first-world conditions, we're not an exploitative country that you could bring those sorts of tariffs against without having evidence." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill has been introduced to Parliament today, sparking protests outside the Beehive. The Bill was introduced a full 11 days earlier than expected - and it proposed re-writing and codifying the key principals of the Treaty of Waitangi. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Seymour has launched an online campaign following the backlash and encouraged Kiwis to make their opinions heard. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An available-again Ethan de Groot has been unable to break into the All Blacks 23 for Saturday's test against Ireland. The loosehead specialist has been left out, despite having served his penance for failing to meet team standards last week. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what went wrong. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's uncertainty among the Democrats as Donald Trump prepares to take up the White House reins. The Republican Party has attained a decisive victory, winning the presidency with Donald Trump, majority in the Senate - and holding a strong lead in the House of Representatives.  David Litt, a former speechwriter for Barack Obama, says inflation and economic troubles contributed to a difficult environment for the Democrats. "It was really a full-scale shift compared to 2020. I think the biggest thing the Democrats faced was a headwind from inflation - that was a serious problem in the United States."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let me tell you, it was absolutely no surprise to me to see my Facebook friends going crazy over Trump winning the election last night - and there's been plenty of hysterical predictions now that he's won. My absolute favourite one was from my husband, who said that Trump would take us to the brink of war. Hello - the world is already at war, we don't need to be taken to the brink, we're already there.  We've got two significant wars under way in two of the most worrying parts of the world - Europe and the Middle East - and neither of them are because of Trump, they started under Biden. It's got me thinking - we need a bit of perspective here. People are really losing their minds over this. We cannot predict what is going to happen in the future, but we have the past to guide us. So why don't we compare the last time Trump was President with the most recent period under Biden and see who wins at being the real crazy one here. Because as far as I can see, Biden is the one who's been far worse for New Zealand. Sure, Trump introduced the steel tariffs on us and started a trade war with China - but last time I checked, Biden hasn't removed those tariffs and he hasn't ended the trade war with China.  So as far as I can see, they're basically the same as each other on that. Under Biden, two new wars have started, both of which have put prices that we pay in New Zealand up. Under Trump, no new wars were started. My husband was quick to point out North Korea and 'Rocket Man' and how they came close to staring a war - but they didn't. It might have nearly, but it didn't. Nothing happened, despite all the warnings. Trump is too much of a crazy-maker - and other world leaders don't know how far they can push it with him and they suspect they can't, so they don't try at all. That is why Putin invaded Georgia under Bush, Crimea over Obama and Ukraine under Biden - but there were no invasions under Trump. Under Biden - never mind the threat of North Korea maybe doing something, two wars actually did happen. And they are worse than anything North Korea might have done. Under Trump, the withdrawal from Afghanistan was orderly, and under Biden, it was an unmitigated disaster - which he was at the centre of - and it completely undermined America's credibility. So before we get too hysterical about all the bad things Trump could do, how about we remind ourselves about all the bad things Biden did do? Get a bit of a grip, and ask ourselves - what would Trump actually have to do in the next four years to be worse than Biden? Why weren't we as hysterical about Biden? Or is the hysteria just something we reserve for Donald Trump? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To the Treaty Principles Bill. Despite David Seymour's best efforts to pretend that there's absolutely nothing to see here, there is no doubt in my mind that the government is planning to introduce the Treaty Principles Bill tomorrow to try to hide it - because they know full well, we're all going to be completely obsessed and distracted by the US election. They know that if they get it out on Thursday, tomorrow, it's before the planned Hikoi even sets off on Monday. I think that indicates that they're trying to bury the thing and get ahead of everything and it shows how much they hating the heat that they're getting for this. Look, it's politics. I mean, it feels slightly underhand, it feels a little bit cowardly but it's politics. It's an option available to them and you can't really begrudge them for doing it. But I don't even think that's the most interesting thing that's going on here. I think the most interesting thing is that the Waitangi tribunal leaked the fact that the Government was going to do this -apparently within an hour of getting a heads up. How naïve can you possibly be? They are pretty much, at the Waitangi Tribunal, all by themselves making a case for why they should be reformed like New Zealand First wants to do. What they've done here is they have demonstrated just how unbelievably political they now are. They are not a neutral body, right? They're not just a neutral body sitting there doing their job making decisions. They are actively taking on the government of the day because they do not like the government of the day. Now, that is weird to me, especially when it comes to the Treaty Principles Bill because this is a Bill that's going nowhere. The Prime Minister's already said the thing is going to die. He's going to kill it. So why is the Waitangi Tribunal even wasting what credibility they have trying to kill a Bill that's already going to die? It feels like a really weird hill to die on. And if they carry on like this, they are going to die on a hill because they will get reformed by New Zealand First. There will be a point which we're all completely convinced that they're too political like ‘Yeah, it's about time they've already shown their political hand by doing weird things like taking cases to adjudicate on government policy, which is kind of outside their remit and that they're having a crack at the government over this bill before even seeing the bill.’ But I think that this particular leak takes the cake because there are few things more political than a political leak. And by doing this, they have convinced me that they actually do need to be reformed to put them back in their lane. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US election has taken over headlines worldwide, with the UK’s news cycle battling time zones to print the latest in their morning papers.  Meanwhile, the UK government is set to ditch plans to ban smoking in the gardens of pubs and restaurants in England.  And, Queen Camilla has cancelled engagements this week due to a chest infection.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey gives the latest.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kamala Harris will not speak tonight. Donald Trump is making his way towards his headquarters.  NZ Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan is at Harris’ HQ and tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the space has been largely empty throughout the night, and many campaign staff are heading out.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former US correspondent Tim Wilson of Maxim Institute and Auckland Councilor Maurice Williamson, former US Consul General join the Huddle to discuss the US presidential race, the Government’s change of schedule for the Treaty Principles Bill, and calls for a jetski ban at a holiday spot in the Bay of Plenty.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 6 November 2024, Donald Trump is on track to win the US election.   Heather speaks to Republican Scott Brown who has been US ambassador in NZ under Trump… but his Democrat counterpart Mark Gilbert is still positive.  Plus, is Jack Tame a bad omen for Democrat candidates?  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.

Trump is leading in swing states and pollster John Zogby tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the “path to victory” for Kamala Harris is narrowing.  Zogby says within her campaign Harris swung the female vote due to fear of abortion laws under a Trump presidency.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac has set tougher climate targets for Kiwi dairy farmers than it has for their Australian counterparts.  The bank wants to reduce the emissions of all dairy farms it finances by 10% by 2030.  To achieve this, the bank has told Australian farmers to get emissions down to 0.85 tons of carbon per ton of milk – but Kiwi farmers must get emissions down even further to 0.75 per ton of milk.  Banking spokesperson for Federated Farmers, Richard McIntyre questions the banks role in setting emissions targets for farmers.  “We’ve already got the Government setting targets for us and we’ve also got our processors, meat companies setting targets for us.”  McIntyre says Kiwi farmers are already ahead in their efficiency gains compared to Australia.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand business wait with bated breath to find out who will become president in the US.  It currently seems that Trump will take the win. He has promised big tariffs on goods from overseas.   Former Trade Minister and former NZ ambassador to the US Tim Groser tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the Democratic party’s cardinal mistake was fronting a candidate that was “never going to succeed in presenting herself as a candidate for change”.  Groser says Trump will try to move ahead with tariffs quickly, but there are problems he will be completely unaware of – like the pass-on effect of cost to American consumers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unemployment rose less than expected in the September quarter – from 4.6% to 4.8%.  This comes slightly below the financial market expectation of 5%.   Infometrics CEO and Principal Economist Brad Olsen tells Heather du Plessis-Allan there are still a lot of challenges.   Olsen believes this does not affect any hope of a 75 basis point cut but does create a significant dampener.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democrat and former US ambassador to New Zealand Mark Gilbert is at Howard University, Kamala Harris’ election night headquarters where she is expected to speak very soon.  Gilbert tells Heather du Plessis-Allan this is not to be a concession speech – instead it is scheduled to follow the polls called in the West Coast.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.