Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Over in the UK, inflation has held steady at 2 percent - prompting calls for interest rate cuts. Prices across all sectors have taken a dive, with hotel stays being the lone exception. UK correspondent Gavin Grey outlines his prediction for when cuts will come. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ANZ is the latest major bank to bring their interest rate cut predictions forward as the mood towards the economy changes. The bank has forecasted a 25 basis point rate cut from the Reserve Bank by November of this year. ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner says today's dip in inflation shows the tide is turning.  "While it's true that domestic inflation is a smidge higher than the Reserve Bank expe...

Today's CPI data report prompted positive responses from experts - as it signalled a decline in inflation. CPI increased 3.3 percent in the year to June, down from 4 percent annually to March.  Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 17 July 2024, is the cost of living finally over? Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks whether the OCR could be cut after inflation falls to a three year low. The police have made it easier for people to become an officer on a restricted licence - Assistant Commissioner Jill Rogers joins Jack Tame to discuss why. Former Green M...

The Commerce Commission says Auckland Airport’s proposed charge increases to fund infrastructure are 'too high'. In a statement released this morning, the commission said the five year pricing path is not reasonable and the airport was on track for an excess profit of $200m. Air New Zealand Airports Association CEO Billie Moore says the airport will have to undergo an additional consultation proce...

Tonight on the Huddle, Phil O’Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Jack Black has cancelled the rest of Tenacious D's world tour after bandmate Kyle Gass made a joke about last weekend's near-fatal shooting of Donald Trump. Do we agree with this move? New data has confirmed the CPI inc...

The Greens have released the Executive Summary of their report into Darleen Tana, and it's pretty clear in asserting that Tana had much more involvement with her husband's bike business than she otherwise claimed. The question now is whether or she's going to decide to stay in Parliament. Tana said in her interview with Maiki Sherman that she'd take a little bit of time before deciding whether to...

One expert believes Jack Black's move to cancel his band's world tour was the right decision. Speaking at their Sydney show after Sunday's assassination attempt, Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass said: "Don't miss Trump next time". Gass has since apologised - but Jack Black has put all future creative projects on hold for the band. Sold-out shows were scheduled in Wellington and Auckland. Marketing e...

A former Green MP says it's possible the party will use contentious legislation to boot Darleen Tana from Parliament. The party has asked her to resign, after reports revealed she probably knew about worker exploitation at her husband's bike business. E Cycles NZ has entered liquidation and Tana's left the Greens, but she won't say whether she will remain an independent MP. In the past, the Greens...

The police have made some new changes to their recruitment eligibility criteria. Prospective applicants on their restricted drivers' license will be able to apply to become police officers under these new changes, in a bid to reduce recruitment numbers.  However, Assistant Commissioner Jill Rogers says successful applicants will need to obtain a full licence before they begin their training. "For...

The Finance Minister says the Government has a plan to tackle non-tradeable inflation. CPI increased 3.3 percent in the year to June, a fall from the 4 percent rise in the year to March. Nicola Willis says things like higher rents are sticking around. She says they want to help push that inflation down with more housing supply. "That's what will ultimately push rents lower - and we are conducting...

A report reveals MP Darleen Tana had continued involvement with her husband's troubled bike firm. The Green Party has released the executive summary of the investigation into what Tana knew about alleged exploitation at the business. A key plank of her defence that she didn't know about the allegations is she sold her company shareholding in 2019. But the report finds Tana was still involved - at...

US officials have confirmed threats from Iran to assassinate Donald Trump had prompted increased security around him in recent weeks. It appears unrelated to the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania over the weekend. However, this has raised questions surrounding the apparent lapses that led to the shooter getting close enough to fire at Trump in the first place. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson s...

Over in Australia, fans are getting excited ahead of tonight's State of Origin decider between New South Wales and Queensland in Brisbane. Forward Mitch Barnett will make his Origin debut for the Blues off the interchange, with Kurt Capewell starting in the second-row for the Maroons. ZB sports commentator Elliott Smith unpacks the fan excitement ahead of the  10:05pm kick-off. LISTEN ABOVE See om...

The cost of mentoring young offenders as part of the Government's military-style academies could go as high as $100,000 per teenager, new documents show. The Oranga Tamariki-run pilot - involving 10 hand-picked young offenders between the ages of 14-18 - will begin at the end of the month and continue for one year. Billy Graham Youth Foundation CEO David Graham says this program could get ahead of...

The UK Government is set to introduce new laws making drink spiking a specific criminal offence in the upcoming King's Speech. These law changes will be included within the 35 bills in the programme announced on Wednesday. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the existing legislation hasn't been updated since the 1800s - so this change is badly needed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The Government has confirmed it plans to roll back insulation standards amid concern about cost blowouts for new builds. The current standards, introduced in May 2023, have been estimated to save homes over 40 percent on heating. AUT construction professor John Tookey is sceptical about this idea. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country's Jamie Mackay is among thousands of fans and admirers paying tribute to the late Norm Hewitt. Hewitt died aged 55 after a battle with motor neurone disease, having played 23 games for New Zealand between 1993 and 1998. Jamie Mackay recalled past interviews and catch-ups with the deceased rugby great. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow's CPI announcement is set to reveal whether or not New Zealand is making headway with its war on inflation. Stats NZ will publish the Q2 consumers price inflation figures, helping the Reserve Bank determine future OCR decisions. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen outlines his predictions - and how they'll impact Kiwi households.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday,16 July 2024, Donald Trump has been officially confirmed as the Republican Presidential nominee, while also confirming J.D. Vance as his VP pick - US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi talks to Jack Tame about the latest from the states. David Seymour has written an open letter to Pharmac around expectations for improved medicines access...

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Donald Trump has confirmed Ohio senator JD Vance will be his Vice President at the Republican National Convention, his first public appearance since Sunday's shooting. What do we think of this, given Vance's political history? Former All Black...

There's growing calls from experts to reduce New Zealand's dangerously high use of antibiotics. The Public Health Communication Centre says the nation has some of the highest rates of antibiotic resistance, which makes bacterial infections difficult to treat. It's urging the Ministry of Health and College of Practitioners to set targets to reduce the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics. Aucklan...

There's questions whether a Christchurch Catholic order will continue, even after being stripped of its authority, over unauthorised exorcisms and abuse. The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer's priests have been banned from practicing and told to leave the diocese, after 17 people raised concerns. Its leaders deny they manipulated and controlled followers and interfered in families' lives. Massey Uni...

Former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains is touting the late Norm Hewitt as one of New Zealand rugby's greats. The nine-test hooker has died aged 55 after a battle with motor neurone disease, having played 23 games for New Zealand between 1993 and 1998. After issues with alcohol abuse, Hewitt became an anti-violence ambassador and public speaker. Mains says when he first selected Hewitt he was a bit o...

The Associate Health Minister wants patients involved in Pharmac decision making. David Seymour has outlined his expectations for the drug-buying agency in a letter to Board Chair Paula Bennett. It notes Pharmac should see itself as a partner with patient advocacy groups and clinicians and work together to bring treatments to those in need. Seymour says patients often have different views on treat...