Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 1 November 2024, there's worry that police will stop attending some mental health callouts from Monday - but Health NZ doesn't have a plan to deal with the additional work. A Canterbury University professor says students literacy skills are shocking and he wants unis to become more elite again.   Rugby editor Elliot Smith speaks to Heather from London ahead of the All Blacks test against England.. and what do we do about that haka? And what did Heather learn about her sleep last night? 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.

Death toll rises while rescue efforts continue in Spain as it mops up following its worst flooding disaster in decades. At least 158 people are now confirmed dead and dozens more missing after huge rains swept the eastern province of Valencia and beyond. More than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward to lawyers over allegations of sexual misconduct against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed. One lawyer representing the Justice for Harrods Survivors group described it as the worst case of corporate abuse of women the world has ever seen and it took place at the world’s most famous department store in London. A purple tunic found in an ancient tomb in Greece is now thought to have belonged to Alexander the Great, experts say. The revered ceremonial garment – called 'mesoleuconsarapis' – was uncovered 47 years ago in one of three tombs at Vergina in northern Greece.  However, it was not found in the tomb of Alexander the Great himself, but rather his half-brother, Philip III of Macedon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China is said to be considering approving an additional $1.4 trillion in borrowing to boost the economy. Plus, Asia Business correspondent Peter Lewis shares how the US election is being discussed in China. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Industry groups are rejoicing at the news of a trade deal with several Middle Eastern countries. The deal concludes an almost two-decade effort by successive New Zealand governments and eliminates almost all tariffs on kiwi exports toBahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Chair of Beef + Lamb NZ Kate Acland tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the Gulf nations are a high value market for red meat and is forecast to be one of the fastest growing regions for cheap meat consumption. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB Sportsreader Andrew Alderson and Sport News Director Clay Wilson join Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle to discuss Joe Marler’s apology over his Haka comments, benching Damian McKenzie, the first A-League kiwi derby, and Liam Lawson’s nice guy persona. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra security has been added for Saturday’s derby between Wellington Phoenix and newcomers Auckland FC amid claims of threats of organised violence from visiting fans on social media. Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the claims of threats are absolute nonsense. “I’ve asked Wellington to send me their proof and they haven’t sent me anything.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks will face England at Twickenham on Sunday morning NZT. The kiwi side sees Beauden Barrett start at first five, Jordie Barrett return from injury and Ethan de Groot dropped for failing to meet ‘internal standards’. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith tells Heather du Plessis-Allan Beauden Barrett at 10 is the “right move” as a solid position to steer the All Blacks from. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Suicide Prevention fundraiser in Dunedin has been granted a liquor license at a special hearing, despite concerns from Police and others that it would be inappropriate at such an event. ‘More Than Just A Fashion Show’ will be held at Wall Street mall tomorrow night, with proceeds going towards the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust. Event organiser Tegan Vickery tells Heather du Plessis-Allan she’s disappointed that the light she was trying to shine on mental health awareness was overshadowed by liquor license issues. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mental health nurses are worried the public, patients and health workers will be put at risk when Police stop attending some mental health callouts. From Monday, Police won’t attend ‘low risk callouts’ where there is no immediate risk to life and safety. Instead, Health NZ is expected to pick up the work. Leaked documents show only interim standard operating procedures have been developed by Health NZ. Mental Health Section Chair of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Helen Garrick tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the plan is in its infancy but the industry does not have a sufficient workforce to manage the increase in workload. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A free-trade agreement has been struck with the six Gulf nations, after an almost two-decade effort by successive kiwi governments. Senior political correspondent Barry Soper tells Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealand should look forward to this deal with great enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Te Paati Māori is in trouble again as MP Takuta Ferris makes inappropriate remarks before the Justice Select Committee. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are both campaigning in Nevada tonight. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the Republicans have a stronghold on the state but that Harris is coming up. Meanwhile, Trump supporters are ramping up their ‘Stop the Steal’ campaign as they spread the belief that Trump can only lose the election through fraud. And, Donald Trump is suing CBS for $10 billion over the editing of a Kamala Harris interview, saying the network practiced deceptive conduct. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A university lecturer has fired shots at the education system, claiming the number of tertiary students who are “functionally illiterate” is at crisis level. Associate Professor of Sociology at Canterbury University Mike Grimshaw believes New Zealand is under-educating and over-qualifying. He tells Heather du Plessis-Allanit’s a wider societal issue of how we value education, fund it and what we want from the system. New Zealand pumps out around 45,000 tertiary graduates a year. Grimshaw says there is no increase in the societal, cultural and economic outcomes that degrees are said to provide. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Haka drama is back today, isn't it? Because Joe Marler has now backtracked completely on what he said and has apologised for it and specifically has apologised to New Zealand fans for, in his words, “my poorly articulated tweet earlier in the week, I meant no malice New Zealand”. What have you done? Are we honestly that sensitive about the haka that we can't handle it when a rugby prop - not known as the brains of the bunch -criticises the haka in a silly little social media post on X. Can we really not handle this? What did we do to him? What did we do? Did we bombard him on Twitter? Because I feel like that's what happened here and that's why he deleted his Twitter account for a while, isn't it? I think that we may have to get a little bit of a change going about how we perceive the All Blacks’ haka. Yes, it is special to us and it quite clearly is very special to the All Blacks as well, but it's not special to everybody, is it? I mean, the rest of the world just has to put up with it, don't they? And so maybe, instead of being so aggro at them when they tell us that they don't really like it, especially the British and especially Steven Jones, we should understand that. They don't have to like it. They don'thave to put up with this, but they do. We should actually be grateful that the rugby world indulges us the way that they do. They let us do the Haka for a start and then they let us have all these rules about how other teams have to respond to the haka, how close they can get stuff like that.They try to be respectful. They face the challenge, they apologise profusely when a plane accidentally flies over the top at the wrong time, they don't have to do any of this stuff, and they definitely do not have to like the thing and we shouldn't be so sensitive about it. So,let's be honest about this, right. We do the Haka a lot nowadays because there are a lot of international tests nowadays and it is frankly very nice that the rest of the world lets us do it. So maybe a little less sensitivity, a little bit more gratitude. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled her first Budget in the role. The budget will raise taxes by £40 billion, the capital gains and inheritance taxes have been increased, minimum wage will increase by 6.7 percent - and a new 10-year plan for the NHS has been unveiled. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this has been dubbed the 'shock and awe' budget - with plenty of short-term pain for long-term gain. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's green shoots emerging for New Zealand's struggling red meat sector, according to new reports. The Meat Industry Association claims exports to China in August were down 50 percent to $107 million compared with the same time last year. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plenty of celebrities have expressed their support for supplement giant AG1 - but an investigation has dug up some questionable details about the company's founder. Founder Chris Ashenden has resigned amid a Newsroom investigation that raised questions over his criminal history and unpaid fines and reparations by his now-defunct firms.  Newsroom Pro managing editor Jonathan Milne says Ashenden's refusal to be interviewed set off journalistic 'alarm bells'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's less than a week until voters in the US will cast their ballots and determine a new president - and experts are wondering about the economic impacts. No matter who wins, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have policies that could have implications regarding the future of international business. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what the candidates could do for New Zealand's economic future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gumboot Friday founder Mike King has come under fire following his recent comments about alcohol. In an interview with Newstalk ZB yesterday, King said alcohol can stop negative thoughts - and could be a solution to mental health.  ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says these comments missed the mark, but Labour is wrong to call for Gumboot Friday's funding to be pulled. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has continued to deny he called former head Alan Joyce up to seek free flight upgrades. Albanese has been engaging in a days-long back-and-fourth denial after allegations surfaced in a new book - and the opposition has been running with this ahead of the election. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this is still a bad look for the Prime Minister. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 31 October 2024, Interislander boss Duncan Roy speaks to Heather after an investigation found the people in charge of the Aratere ferry had no idea how to stop the autopilot when the ferry grounded in June.   Labour is calling for funding to Gumboot Friday to be paused after Mike King suggested on the show yesterday that alcohol is the solution for people with mental health problems. Consumer NZ wants a Government inquiry into Air New Zealand's prices. Plus, the Huddle weighs in on brawling fans at the Travis Scott concert. 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, journalist Clare de Lore and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Labour has called for funding to be pulled from Mike King's Gumboot Friday charity following King's comments that alcohol can be a solution for people struggling with depression. Is this a step too far? Consumer NZ is calling on the Commerce Commission to investigate New Zealand's aviation industry. Do we agree with this? Last night's Travis Scott concert broke out in huge brawls while fans waited for him to appear on stage. Is this the promoter's fault for not lining up more entertainment - or are the fans in the wrong? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has launched a bid to establish a direct flight from Auckland Airport to Brazil's Sao Paulo. He believes this could boost trade between New Zealand and Brazil by up to $1.5 billion a year. NZIER Principal Economist Chris Nixon says this is a good idea - and could open up new opportunities for New Zealand. "Given the mayhem which is happening in the United States at the moment and their incoherent economic policies - we've got to be innovative."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A professor of psychological medicine says mental health advocates shouldn't spout misinformation about alcohol.  I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday campaigner Mike King yesterday told Newstalk ZB alcohol could be a solution for people with mental health issues.  Labour has called on the Government to review its $24 million funding for his charity, which delivers youth counselling.  Otago University's Joseph Boden says although alcohol can temporarily help people think about fewer problems, it's far from a fix.  "The difficulty is - it is actually a nervous system depressant. So when misused, it can increase suicide risk." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horowhenua District Council is re-examining its decision to stop mowing roadside berms. It trimmed back the service in July in a decision that saved ratepayers nearly $250,00 annually - but prompted outcry. Councillors have now voted to compile a report on options for reinstating it. Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden says they want to look more closely at the impacts. "It does not mean that we are going to flip-flop, all it means is that we want to understand what has happened since we stopped mowing berms." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm not altogether surprised that Mike King’s comments on this show yesterday have sparked a debate. The reason I'm not surprised is because some of what he said is factually wrong. King claimed alcohol wasn't a problem for people with mental health issues - but rather, a solution. Remember, we are talking about suicide. For people with suicidal ideation, alcohol is a problem because it lowers inhibitions, meaning people are more likely to act on their feelings. And it’s a depressant, it lowers your mood, it makes you more unhappy. But some of what he said - to be fair to him - is also his own lived experience in trying to cope with his mental health issues. He said he's a drug addict and alcoholic and his whole life, he used drugs and alcohol to stop that little voice inside his head. You can’t argue with that as much, because that is his experience. And there is actually evidence that alcohol does provide a mental escape in the moment. What I'm a little surprised by is the strength of the reaction to Mike King today. I was expecting the anti-alcohol people to get wound up - but I wasn't expecting the Labour Party to go quite as far as they have. Labour have today called for Government funding of Gumboot Friday to be reconsidered. Let's be clear about what’s going on here, this is political. There was a time when everyone loved Mike King and thought he was a good guy doing good work for mental health. But then he became a political figure, because he took on Jacinda Ardern and had a public scrap with her, because her Government pulled funding from his charity and handed back his Order of Merit medal The Nats then adopted him and funded his charity in a way that the Auditor-General isn't totally happy with, and now people are split on whether they love Mike King or not - probably, in some cases, depending on how they vote. Now, I'm not saying Mike King is above criticism or scrutiny or that this isn’t a debate worth having. I'm just saying, bear in mind that when we do have it, that this isn’t just about mental health and alcohol - it’s also about politics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Optimism is rising among businesses - largely driven by construction.  ANZ's October business outlook has business confidence up five points on 66, in a 10-year high.  Meanwhile, the proportion of businesses feeling they're faring well, has climbed to -11 in the highest point since March.  Chief economist Sharon Zollner says it boils down to interest rates.  She says fewer construction firms say they're not busy than a year ago - and she explained conditions are tough, but things are starting to look up a little. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwirail says Aratere's auto-pilot button should never have been pressed. The ferry ran aground  in June as it headed out from Picton. An interim report from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission details how the crew didn't know how to turn off the auto-pilot as it steered the ferry towards land. InterIslander Executive General Manager Duncan Roy says it was pressed in error, then no one could flick it off. "They didn't know on the bridge, we didn't know on Interislander - working with the people that provided us this service right now, as we speak, to work out why we didn't know." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are Major League Baseball's 2024 champions. The team beat out the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to win the World Series four games to one. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A probe of aviation competition could bring New Zealanders better prices.  Consumer NZ has asked the Government to direct the Commerce Commission to investigate aviation in its next market study.  It says Air New Zealand has a virtual monopoly on many domestic routes - and it's affecting regional airfares.  Consumer CEO Jon Duffy says a probe would reveal why prices are so high, and how to change things. "It allows for a reasoned and evidence-based debate on what the next best options are, and then you can hand it back to the Government and say - alright, you know what you could do to fix things. It's up to you whether you do it or not." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to deliver her first Budget in the role, following weeks of speculation. Predictions indicate people can expect tax rises, a higher capital gains tax and a minimum wage increase. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this will hit business owners and a subset of working people hard.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spark has reduced its earnings and dividend guidance for the 2025 year, saying its financial performance 'falls short of what is acceptable'. The company said its operating earnings (Ebitdai) were expected to fall to around $1.12-$1.18 billion in 2025, down 4% from a previous forecast of $1.165-$1.22b. The company has reduced its dividend forecast from 27.5 cents to 25c, 75% imputed. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton unpacks the downturn. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Selwyn District Council welcomes proposed Government reforms to speed up building consents. The nation's fastest-growing region says any changes that could speed up progress are helpful, as building consents have always been a focus for the Selwyn District Council. Selwyn District Council Head of Building, Vanessa Mitchell, says this move will free up inspectors to focus on other areas. "We've been under enormous pressure over the past few years - and we really see advantages in the proposals that have come out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BNZ is set to head back to court tomorrow as part of their ongoing legal dispute with Gloriavale. If the hearing goes well, the bank could get approval to close the accounts Gloriavale has with BNZ. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny reveals what could come out of tomorrow's case. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett and former Health NZ chair Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Health NZ is under fire again for their spending - on top of the recent $60,000 catering bill, it's been revealed they spent $100,000 on catering costs last year. Can they really justify this? Jeff  Bezos has defended stopping the Washington Post's endorsement of Kamala Harris, saying it creates the 'perception of bias'. Is this a good argument or bad excuse? Police are opposed to a suicide prevention fundraiser in Dunedin distributing alcohol. Do they have a point - or is this a step too far? Is it time to ditch the haka - or is Joe Marler wrong about it? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 30 October 2024, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have delivered their closing arguments ahead of next week's US election. Jack Tame was at Kamala Harris' rally in Washington. Associate Education Minister David Seymour reveals what we need to do to improve chronic absenteeism for our school kids. Former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains reacts to England prop Joe Marler calling for the haka to be binned. Plus the Huddle debates whether another $100,000 catering bill for a Health NZ conference is completely out of order. 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.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the Government is open to discussing whether to ban language and symbols related to the Nazis. It comes after individuals involved in a Mongrel Mob tangi procession in Lower Hutt on Tuesday openly used the term ‘sieg heil’, commonly known as a Nazi chant meaning ‘hail victory’. Sociologist Paul Spoonley isn't sure a full ban would be enforceable.  "I think banning doesn't address underlying problems - and I would say the same about swastikas and Nazi salutes as I would about the gang patches." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Associate Education Minister says the key to fixing truancy is banding agencies together.  In Term 2 this year, one in 10 students was chronically absent - with more than 80,000 missing more than three weeks of the term.  Since 2015, chronic absence has doubled in secondary schools and almost tripled in primary schools.  David Seymour says his proposed solution ties in all the key players. "It has a role for everybody. Parents, critically, but also students and the school and the different Government agencies like the Attendance Service, Oranga Tamariki, police and so on."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's renewed debate about the haka's purpose after Joe Marler suggested it should be banned. The English prop labelled it 'ridiculous' in a post on social media ahead of this week's rugby test at Twickenham. Former All Blacks head coach Laurie Mains says the haka is a long-standing rugby tradition within the team - and Marler wouldn't understand its significance.  "Who would want to take any offence at what Joe Marler says? After all, he's a front-row prop and he wouldn't have a clue where the haka stands in New Zealand rugby." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Survivors of Lake Alice hospital, who battled the Crown in court, are now being urged to contact the Government for compensation.  A Royal Commission of Inquiry has acknowledged children at the Manawatu hospital endured torture in the 1970s.  The Government is offering to reimburse survivors who fought for redress in 2001, but lost a significant amount on legal costs.  Minister-in-Charge Erica Stanford says it's estimated about 70 people in this group are still alive.  "We don't have, unfortunately, all of their details. We've got many details - and some of them I've been in touch with myself - but we're relying on them to come forward." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kamala Harris has delivered her closing arguments to propel her presidential campaign over the line, with one week until Election Day.  The US Vice President's spoken from Washington DC - where she's painted a strong contrast between herself and rival Donald Trump.  Harris says Trump would open a floodgate of vengeance against his political rivals, while she would work for the American people.  Newstalk ZB's Jack Tame was there and says the symbolism of the setting was everything - and she looked presidential.  "Anyone tuning in on television would have seen Kamala Harris coming up beautifully lit with the White House directly behind her." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris gave her final pre-election speech to voters this afternoon. She delivered the address at the Ellipse in Washington DC - the site where Trump rallied supporters ahead of the January 6 Capitol riot. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this served as an effective reminder for voters ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The founder of Gumboot Friday has voiced his disapproval with authorities banning alcohol from a Dunedin event. Police are looking to stop a suicide prevention charity for applying for a temporary liquor license ahead of a fashion show designed to raise awareness. Mike King says this move is 'classic overreach'. "This is a bunch of young, polytech students who have a fashion show where they want to raise awareness and funds for a local suicide prevention trust. It has nothing to do with the trust - this is just an avenue for young people who care about the well-being of other people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Vice President Kamala Harris has called Donald Trump a wannabe dictator in her final major pre-election address.  She's delivered her pitch to more than 50 thousand people at the Ellipse in Washington DC, the site of Trump's rally before the Capitol riots. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson said Harris needed to convince voters the economy was in good hands - and she delivered in her speech. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

England prop Joe Marler has labelled the haka 'ridiculous' and claimed it needs to be scrapped altogether in a post on social media. Marler's not involved in this weekend’s test, sparing him the glare of an on-field response come Sunday at Twickenham. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacked the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turns out the people who want to shut other people up just do not learn from history, do they? I consider myself to be reasonably well informed, because I have to be for my job. I read the newspapers every day, I listen to the radio, I have a pretty good idea of what’s going on  - and yet even I had completely forgotten Candace Owens was coming to New Zealand. Until this week - mainly thanks to Young Labour, who are trying to stop her from coming to New Zealand. They published an open letting urging the Government to ban her, like Australia just did yesterday. Which only reminded me that I should probably go and read up on some of her controversial stuff so I know exactly what the problem is. So Young Labour can thank themselves for spreading her rhetoric even more widely. The reason they want to ban her is because we - 'have an obligation to be protecting our communities from that kind of rhetoric that empowers divisive movements.' Have they heard of the internet? Borders don't keep bad ideas out anymore. Young Labour then went on to say that if the Government doesn't listen and decides to let her in, then can they please at least make sure there's heaps of security at her events to - 'ensure that when those people do choose to counter protest her, they're also not met with violence'. The bloody cheek of it! Last time we had someone controversial here, being Posie Parker, it wasn't Parker's supporters in court for violence, was it? It was a young punk who turned up to protest her and punched a grandma in the face and another one who threw the tomato juice on Posie Parker. So let's at least be honest about who poses the greatest threat here. Here’s some simple advice for the next time someone controversial comes to New Zealand - just don't mention it. Because that way, the only people who will know and go to the event are the people who have already consumed the content. But now, a lot more people will go and read about Candace Owens. What an own goal. Again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 29 October 2024, trusted builders will soon be able to sign off on their own work without a council inspector. Building Minister Chris Penk tells Heather what happens if something goes wrong (a la leaky homes). Jack Tame speaks to Heather after spending the evening at a Donald Trump rally in Georgia - and why he thinks Kamala Harris has lost the momentum. Heather is outraged at senior political correspondent Barry Soper's take on King Charles' suit choice. Plus, the Huddle debates whether anybody still sends and receives mail and whether we could scrap postal deliveries all together.   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.

There's shock in the UK as thieves made off with over $650,000 worth of cheese from a London shop. Neal’s Yard Dairy said a con artist posing as a distributor for a major French retailer managed to steal a fortune's worth of cheddar before the company realised it was a scam and reported the crime. UK correspondent Enda Brady says authorities are looking to solve the crime and find out where the cheese went.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country's Jamie Mackay has returned to New Zealand after a trip to the US - and he's seen the mood of voters first-hand ahead of the US election. After one of the most turbulent election years in America's history, voters will choose their next president one week from today. Jamie Mackay says it's a close race - but he's got a theory about who will win. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  We've got a week to go until Election Day in the US - what do we think at this point? Between Trump and Harris, who's going to win? Labour's Ginny Andersen raised a few eyebrows after re-sharing a meme poking fun at King Charles over the weekend. What do we make of this? Is she a liability to Labour?  MBIE is proposing to cut back on services following a drop in mail volume? Is this the right move? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest employment numbers for September 2024 show the job market is still in a tough spot. Annual filled jobs were down 0.9 percent compared to this time last year. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says this is a tricky point for the economy - and things aren't expected to get better until mid-2025. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.