Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Paris is about to see the biggest military deployment on its shores since World War II. Over 40,000 personnel have been sent over to monitor the Paris Olympics to ensure nothing goes wrong over the two-week timeframe. UK correspondent Kay Oliver says there's concern surrounding terrorism, cyber attack and foreign threats.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts have revealed how the market reacted to the proposed takeover of the Warehouse. An Australian private equity firm has made a formal takeover offer to The Warehouse Group - which would give founder Sir Stephen Tindall greater control. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains how this played out on the NZX. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legal experts and advocates have welcomed the Royal Commission's inquiry into the extent of abuse that occurred at care facilities. The long-awaited report of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission, six years in the making, has been released this afternoon. Cooper Legal Principal Partner Sonja Cooper says there were a lot of promises made after the release of this report - and she's hopeful that somet...

The Government has dropped further hints it isn’t opposed to diluting its 100% ownership of Kiwibank to enable it to grow. While Kiwibank is expanding, it needs a lot more capital to be the disrupter it was set up to be to challenge the big four Australian-owned banks. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny speculates about the Government's next steps. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co...

The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into historic abuse and neglect of New Zealanders in state and faith institutions has been branded it a national disgrace. It found children, young people and adults were exposed to extreme physical, emotional and sexual abuse, severe exploitation and neglect. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Prime Minister Luxon has made a statement...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 24 July 2024, the Royal Commission's report into abuse in care estimates 200,000 Kiwi kids, young people and adults were abused in care between 1950 and 2019. Minister Erica Stanford says the Government is committed to make things right and put in place a redress system. ACT says Health NZ staff shouldn't waste time saying a ka...

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Paddy Gower and David Farrar from Kiwiblog joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! A harrowing report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into historic abuse and neglect of New Zealanders in state and faith institutions has been branded a 'national disgrace'. What do we make of this?  A new report has revealed Health NZ is encour...

A new investigation has revealed Hawke's Bay Regional Council's flood protection infrastructure is not fit for purpose.  An independent review's found there was a lack of Regional Council planning and preparedness for a flood that breached stopbanks, like in Cyclone Gabrielle. Risk was underestimated in some areas, and historic large floods were not considered. Wairoa mayor Craig Little says this...

The ACT Party wants Health NZ to stop encouraging staff to incorporate a Karakia - or prayer - into their daily routine. A leaked email revealed the organisation wants staff to include more prayers into their work - and included instructional videos.  ACT health spokesperson Todd Stephenson has labelled this a 'distraction'. "We want a culturally and religiously neutral public service... and we be...

One former Football Fern is perplexed with Canada amid their attempts to spy on the team. New Zealand has made a formal complaint to the IOC after Canada was caught using a drone to keep tabs on a Football Ferns training session.  Maia Jackman says they need to be held accountable for this. "That's pretty bad. That's not what the Olympics are about." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

New data indicates the financial pressures are easing on renters. Rental prices have decreased for the first time since 2022, according to Trade Me’s Rental Price Index for June 2024. CoreLogic chief property economist Kelvin Davidson says this is a sign the rental market has shifted in favour of tenants. "There's a bit less demand out there and a bit more supply - so we have seen rents slow. They...

Survivors of harrowing abuse in New Zealand's care system have gathered in Parliament for the tabling of a report on their experiences. A Royal Commission of Inquiry has found about 200,000 people suffered in state and faith based institutions from 1950 to 2019. It recommends urgent redress, payment to whanau of survivors to recognise generational harm - and police investigation of the claims. The...

Kamala Harris has the edge over Donald Trump in a new nationwide poll. The Reuters / Ipsos poll puts Harris on 44 percent and Trump on 42. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's interesting the Republican National Convention didn't give Trump a bigger boost. He says what's most impressive is the record-breaking $81 million (USD) raised in donations in Harris's first 24 hours of campaigning. LIS...

The Football Ferns have been hit by a spying scandal ahead of the Paris Olympics. Ahead of Friday morning's match against Canada, a member of support staff for the Canadian team was caught flying a drone over a New Zealand training session. The NZOC has lodged a complaint - with Canada allegedly issuing an apology and starting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Sport...

Listen, I agree with the ACT Party that Health NZ needs to drop this nonsense of encouraging staff to incorporate a prayer into their daily routine. What is this? Are we living in the 6th century with the height of Christianity? This is very unmodern. Now, the reason we know about this is because the ACT Party's been leaked an email that was sent to staff that says:  "We encourage everyone to inco...

The Government is being urged to give up responsibility for care and protection, youth justice and disability services. A nearly six-year Royal Commission of Inquiry final report on the abuse and neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults in state and faith-based care has been released today. It makes 138 recommendations, including calling for apologies from the church and state and p...

One far-left French MP has attracted controversy after saying Israeli athletes were not welcome to the upcoming Olympics. With less than a week to go until the Games kick off, France Unbowed's Thomas Portes called for people to protest the appearance of Israeli athletes. UK correspondent Vincent McAviney says this has drawn in negative reactions from all sides. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

A Waikato-based sheep milk company has managed to gain brand registration for its infant milk formula in China. Spring Sheep will be able to directly import and distribute infant formula to China - and increase export volumes long-term. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains the significance of this deal. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert has voiced approval with the Commerce Commission's plan to regulate PayWave and online credit card fees. The watchdog says capped fees could save Kiwis $250 million dollars, from the $1 billion a year they spend in-store and online.   Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says these changes are neceesary. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home ownership rates have dropped below 60 percent, and data indicates this figure could get lower. New research commissioned by Westpac says home ownership figures will fall as low as 50 percent by 2050. The bank has since pledged to lend $1 billion over the next three years to fund affordable housing. CEO Catherine McGrath says it's critical to ensure home ownership becomes available to more New...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 23 July 2024, Commerce Commission chair John Small tells Heather why he wants to crack down on PayWave and credit card fees. Former Green MP Darleen Tana is back in Parliament - what's she saying about why she's decided to stay? Orana Park board member Ken Hughey defends the park's track on animal welfare. Plus the Huddle debates...

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! The Commerce Commission is making moves to regulate PayWave fees and online card payments to ensure Kiwis don't get ripped off. Do we agree with this? How do we feel about PayWave? Darleen Tana has made her first appearance in Parlia...

Details surrounding the Warehouse takeover offer have been revealed. Australian private equity firm Adamantem Capital Management has offered to buy the business for $1.50 to $1.70 a share, valuing it at a total of $590 million. Greg Smith from Devon Funds Management has labelled this move 'opportunistic' as the retail sector struggles. "They haven't even got a CEO - it does seem to be quite opport...

Orana Wildlife Park says it told MPI about all its animal deaths, after claims of poor welfare standards.  More than 20 current and former staff have detailed multiple animal deaths to 1News, some which went unreported. MPI is doing a rapid assessment of the zoo's conditions - due back tomorrow - but say it wasn't told about any deaths. Board member Ken Hughey says all deaths were notified, and th...

New Zealanders are being called to reclaim the official world record for the largest haka. It's currently held by 4028 men and women who performed it in France 10 years ago. The fundraising event for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre aims to draw 10,000 people to Eden Park in September. Centre co-founder and event cultural ambassador, Hinewehi Mohi, says anyone can participate. She says they'll...