Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 9 September 2024, ACT leader David Seymour has agreed to a change in the draft Treaty Principles Bill. He tells Heather he hopes it will make the bill more palatable for its opponents. Porirua College has cancelled literacy exams for its NCEA students because the kids aren't prepared. Principal Ragne Maxwell tells Heather it's not...

The Health Minister is defending staff confidentiality agreements. Labour has complained to the Public Service Commission about the number of non-disclosure agreements gagging Health New Zealand staff from talking about work. It claims 67 staff have signed them since June - including senior leaders responsible for briefing media and members of Parliament. Minister Shane Reti says he has no concern...

New research has revealed Auckland eateries have the earliest closing times in the world. According to international food magazine Chef’s Pencil , it's unusual for Auckland restaurants to take bookings past 8:30pm, with many closing up between 9pm or 10.pm Restaurant Association NZ's Nicola Waldren says dining early is a key part of New Zealand's culture - and it's helpful for the restaurants.  "T...

Porirua College's principal is doubling down on the school's decision to cancel NCEA literacy tests. Students must pass the new online literacy and numeracy tests to receive their NCEA qualifications, but there are alternatives this year and the next year while the new curriculum is brought in. Ragne Maxwell says half of all students countrywide are failing the tests - and they're overloaded. "We...

The architect of the Treaty Principles Bill is still hopeful the Prime Minister could support it. David Seymour confirms Cabinet discussed his Bill today - and agreed its broad outline before it goes to Parliament's drafters. He says it'll change to acknowledge the rights of hapu and iwi at the time of the Treaty. Chris Luxon says he won't support it past first reading, but Seymour's optimistic th...

Hundreds of Christian organisations have questioned the Treaty Principles Bill. More than 400 groups penned an open letter to the Government, warning the ACT Party Bill to redefine te Tiriti principles is divisive. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the churches need to stick to preaching to their congregations - but they clearly don't see it that way.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio....

A search has gone global for a Brisbane man who poured a thermos of hot coffee on a baby. The nine-month-old had a third round of surgery last week for burns to his face and chest after the random attack in August. Australia correspondent Oliver Peterson says police are working with international investigators. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are determined to put the last couple of losses behind them and focus on the future ahead. New Zealand are homeward bound from South Africa, having lost both matches and now with three defeats in their last four tests. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A national Muslim spokesperson says threats that forced two Auckland Islamic schools to close today are shocking - but not surprising. Māngere's Al-Madinah School and Zayed College for Girls closed, and access is limited to New Lynn's Iqra primary school. Police are investigating a threatening email. Federation of Islamic Associations spokesperson, Abdur Razzaq says Government moves to relax natio...

Today, the 9th of September, is the start of a fortnight of NCEA pupils across the country sitting their exams for first time. They'll be doing reading, writing and numeracy exams. I would say this is happening everywhere across the country - except it isn’t, because Porirua College has decided to cancel their literacy exams because the kids won't pass. They're not ready, the principal says Poriru...

Hospitality sales are down up to 50 percent, according to member of Courtney Place Precinct Group and owner of Courtney Place businesses, Greig Wilson.   Cafe and bakery chain Pandoro is the latest to close it’s doors after 28 years - in a string of hospitality closures in the capital.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 6 September 2024, Act leader David Seymour says Government agencies will soon receive direction to prioritise services based on need - not race.   Hagley College in Christchurch is trialling letting students work from home two days a week.   Plus the Sports Huddle debates whether the All Blacks can beat the Springboks this weekend...

Newstalk ZB Canterbury Sports reader Nick Bewley and NZB Kiwi Head of Communications Andrew Gourdie join the huddle.   They discuss the AB’s v Springbok’s test, old school tours of South Africa, Israel Adesanya’s parking controversy, and Raygun’s first interview post-Olympic Games.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Springbok’s have made changes to their side ahead of the second test in Cape Town this weekend.   Chief Sports Writer at the Herald Liam Napier tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the All Blacks will be looking to play the game at pace.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women’s Refuge is in the spotlight following claims of unauthorised spending from a “wellbeing fund”.   Three women at Whare Manaaki Porirua Women’s Refuge have been suspended while a forensic accountant goes over expenditure.   Charities Law expert Sue Barker tells Heather du Plessis-Allan charities need public support and reputational controversies could damage Women’s Refuge’s ability to do wha...

Police are using force 9 percent more often and are facing increasing levels of violence.   The Annual Tactical Options Report provides an overview of what officers face and the tactics they use.   Nearly 1 in 10 events where force is used involves a gang member. The report reveals gang members are 25 percent more likely to be armed with a firearm than any other offender.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omny...

In Hawkes Bay, Health NZ has made GP visits for 14 to 24 year-olds free for Māori and Pasifika.   Health Minister Shane Reti has requested “further information”.   Associate Health Minister David Seymour tells Heather du Plessis-Allan Health NZ will soon face a directive that public services must be delivered on need not race – a party coalition commitment set to be released imminently.   LISTEN A...

China has issued a warning to New Zealand, following a report from the NZ Security Intelligence Services (NZSIS) that identified examples of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) influence here “smacks heavily of foreign interference”.   China warns Aotearoa’s interests may be in jeopardy if it pushes other countries’ agendas.   Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper tells Heather du Plessis-Al...

A 14-year old suspect has been put in custody following a fatal school shooting in Winder, Georgia, USA.   In a dramatic development, the teenager’s father has been arrested with police saying he is directly connected to the actions of his son by allowing him to possess a weapon.   US correspondent Mitch McCann tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the teenager was known to police over a year ago, for on...

Sportstalk host D’Arcy Waldegrave joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to consider how the country should react to an All Blacks loss.   “It’s how they lose that I’m interested in. Not the actual result, but how they got to that result.”   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Christchurch school is trialling letting students work from home two days a week, to address falling attendance rates.   Hagley College hopes to target students who struggle with attendance due to mental health concerns or sickness.   The hybrid learning model will be offered to 20 NCEA Level 2 students. Students will attend 16 hours of in-person maths, science and English classes a week, and th...

Survivors of London's Grenfell Tower Fire are urging swift change from the UK Government in the wake of a scathing report. The 1600-page report from the public inquiry, published seven years after the tragedy, says all 72 deaths were avoidable. UK correspondent Enda Brady says dishonest companies and political failings have been blamed for the disaster - and prosecutions will likely take place. LI...

The US housing market has been undergoing an unusual period. Various aspects of the sector have been found to be running at different speeds - with new builds selling at significant highs and older homes selling at record lows. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what's going on with the economy. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Famed rural broadcaster Jamie Mackay has been appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. He was recognised earlier this year as part of the King’s Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting and the rural community. Mackay joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to recap the ceremony. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global financial market turmoil overnight has come with a silver lining for motorists as oil prices have slumped to their lowest level this year. Cheaper petrol at the pump should follow in coming days after Brent Crude Oil fell 5 percent to US73.74 - a price not seen since mid-December 2023. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks the economic factors behind the slump. LISTEN ABOVE S...