Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Far North District Council has issued a warning after a string of dog attacks in the region. An 8-year-old girl was hospitalised after being attacked by a dog on Wednesday at summer hotspot Taipā Beach - prompting calls for a solution. Far North Mayor Moko Tepania says dog owners need to handle their pets responsibly to prevent similar incidents. "If you have a dog in the Far North, you make s...

We're less than a week out from Christmas - and some key stocks could be well-placed for a Christmas charge-up. The 'Santa Rally' phenomenon refers to a strong share market over the last 5 trading sessions in December, and the first 2 trading sessions in the new year. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor unpacks the phenomenon. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

The surprisingly large uptick in the amount of debt the Treasury is expected to issue in coming years will come at a cost, S&P Global Ratings warns. On Tuesday, Treasury increased its forecast bond issuance programme by a whopping 16 percent. It now believes it’ll have to issue $146 billion of New Zealand Government Bonds (debt) in the four years to 2027/28 - $20b more than forecast at the Bud...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Green Party has proposed a new bill requiring people to chip and register their cats? Is this a practical idea? Parliament has voted to strike down a bill to legalise trading on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Sh...

Fresh drinking water is an ongoing worry for those in Vanuatu following yesterday's 7.3 magnitude earthquake.  Early reports estimate hundreds are injured and more than a dozen people have died. New Zealand search and rescue teams, equipment and supplies are currently on their way. The airport is only open to humanitarian assistance - and the port is out of action. Vanuatu-based journalist Da...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 18 December 2024, the hotly debated Fast-Track Approvals Bill has become law. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop tells Ryan Bridge what happens now and when we can actually expect shovels in the ground. The Greens want to get their hands on your cats... we'll find out what they want to do with them. Is Esports real sport? Esp...

Compulsory microchipping of pet cats could be on the cards with the introduction of a new Green Party bill.  The party is proposing a law obliging people to chip and register felines - to keep cats with owners and protect native wildlife.  MP Celia Wade-Brown says a lot of people will want it to include compulsory de-sexing, and this may come up during the select committee process. ...

There's expectations fast-tracked projects will kick in next year.  The controversial Fast Track Approvals Bill passed its final reading in the House last night - despite heated protest in the public gallery and from Opposition MPs.  It's being characterised as a one-stop shop, facilitating consents for large-scale development, infrastructure, and mining. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bi...

Drivers are being given the green-light to wear jandals behind the wheel. The Financial Services Ombudsman Karen Stevens has busted the myth insurance can't be claimed on a crash if the driver's wearing jandals. But she says people should still be careful. "If you know that your jandal's going to get stuck under the accelerator or there's a particular problem with the type of shoe you're wearing -...

There's disappointment that a bill has been voted down to remove trading restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The MP conscience vote landed on 74 to 49 against it. Retail NZ says it would have allowed better competition with online websites that still operate on both public holidays.  Chief executive Carolyn Young says it's sensible to let businesses be open if they want. "People th...

The ACT Party won't keep pushing to remove trading restrictions from Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Politicians have toppled a bill today in a conscience vote - 74 to 49. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's 'incredible' the bill was voted down - considering the impact it would have on retailers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been charged with murder as an 'act of terrorism'. Mangione received an 11-count indictment in connection to the December 4 shooting in Manhattan. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this case has divided the nation - with many young Americans seemingly voicing support with Thompson's killing. LISTEN ABOV...

Olympic medal-winning sports have been given a boost in funding heading into the Los Angeles Games - but not everyone got lucky. Rowing, Yachting, Athletics and Para Athletics, Cycling and Para Cycling, and Canoe Racing and Para Canoe are the Podium sports set for extra investment over the next four years. However, Hockey New Zealand is looking at cuts to personnel and a reduction in Black Sticks...

Esports New Zealand is feeling disappointment after being left out of a funding boost ahead of the next Olympics. High Performance Sport NZ has confirmed it will invest over $160 million into various Kiwi sporting organisations over the next four years - with rowing, cycling, speed climbing and tennis among the sports set to benefit. Conor English, the President of the New Zealand Esports Federati...

UK Sport has slashed UK Athletics' funding for the  Los Angeles Olympic cycle by nearly £1.75 million - and the organisation isn't happy. It's an 8 percent cut, and there's concerns it will impact funding for training camps and athletic coaches. UK correspondent Enda Brady unpacks the controversy further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's half-year fiscal update paints a bleak economic picture for the years ahead.  It revealed the Government's debt path is steeper than previously anticipated - and surplus won't be reached until the end of the decade. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains how things got to this point - and how the Government can redirect the economy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co...

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government books are deeper in the red than expected - and it's going to get worse. Should the Government make harsher cuts than it is already - or introduce more taxes? Wellington City Council has voted to make a submission on t...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 17 December 2024,  I see red, I see red, I see red! Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks to Ryan Bridge after revealing New Zealand's financial troubles are even worse than feared.   The Chief Ombudsman says we need to treat our most dangerous prisoners better. The Black Caps finally deliver a win against England. Plus,...

A new survey out of Massey University has sparked concerns surrounding the number of Kiwis using prescription drugs recreationally. One out of four survey respondents reported using pharmaceuticals for non-medicinal purposes in the previous six months. General Practice NZ chair Dr Bryan Betty says pain medications, sedatives like benzodiazepines, gabapentin and ADHD medications are most likely to...

Business advocates believe the latest minimum wage increase strikes the right balance during an economic downturn. The minimum wage will rise 1.5 percent - or 35 cents an hour - to $23.50. The Government says the moderate increase reflects the current economic climate and labour market.  Employers and Manufacturers Association Advocacy Head Alan McDonald says this won't cause businesses to cu...

The Government says changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa should make hiring migrants easier, and protect Kiwis in low-skilled jobs.  Amendments from March include altering the median wage threshold - and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower-skilled roles.  Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says previous settings skewed the market, as low-skilled immigrant workers...

Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park is moving forward, after two reviews into allegations of unreported animal deaths and an unsafe workplace.  Both found Orana lacked a clear core purpose and vision.  It's halting incoming animal transfers for six months, while it adopts all recommendations.  Board co-chair Ken Hughey says these reviews reveal what the zoo needs to do to improve con...

The Government's devised a new measure for counting its coins, which gives it a more positive look. Treasury reports the Government now won't hit surplus before 2030 at the earliest, rather than 2027. But the Finance Minister says the official measure will no longer consider the $4.1 billion ACC deficit, putting the books in the black mid-2029.  Nicola Willis says the Government inherited a t...

The Finance Minister's painting a grim picture of the economy - signalling the Government will further cut into the Public Service.  Treasury's opened its books for the half-year economic and fiscal update - showing the expected surplus has been pushed out from 2027 to beyond 2030. Nicola Willis has adjusted the way the surplus is calculated, but says come Budget Day next year, she'll be forc...

Two Australian families are receiving medical assistance after a group of tourists fell ill in Fiji from suspected alcohol poisoning. Seven Australians who stayed at the high-end Warwick Resort have been hospitalised, after drinking pina coladas. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Australian experts will be conducting further investigations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...