Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The light at the end of the tunnel could be in sight for mortgage holders after today's OCR update. The Reserve Bank left rates unchanged at 5.5 percent - but the bank has hinted cuts could be coming sooner than initially predicted.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains how the Reserve Bank's change in tone could impact borrowers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

Joe Biden's appearance at this week's NATO summit came with additional pressures ahead of the US election. Less than two weeks after Biden's shaky debate performance, Biden was under extra scrutiny on the world stage. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Biden sounded better during his first address - but he still has to contend with further global exposure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listene...

Auckland Council has confirmed the venue for next year's SailGP. It's hosting the start of the Australasian leg in January after Christchurch proved too problematic and it was moved. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave addressed some concerns ahead of the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Otago University is signalling it has the backs of staff and students when it comes to free speech. The University Council has confirmed its new Free Speech Statement, which aims to enable diverse idea exploration and encourage open exchanges. Otago University Emeritus Professor James Maclaurin says this statement was 'absolutely essential'. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 10 July 2024, a lawyer acting for some of the Aratere crew is refuting the suggestion they were getting coffee when the Interislander ferry ran aground. Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr tells Heather why he's so upbeat about the Reserve Bank's OCR statement. Will we actually see interest rates drop this year? Darleen Tana b...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union 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! NZ First has been making headlines over their claims the crew on the Interislander's Aratere ducked out to get coffee and didn't turn the auto-pilot off. Were these comments out of line?  The University of...

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has agreed New Zealand's dairy sector is 'capped out' - and investing in aquaculture is the way to go. In an interview with Newsroom, Jones claimed the aquaculture sector faced fewer barriers and offered more opportunities than other primary industries- including wool, dairy and meat. Mark Hopper from Federated Farmers says there's opportunity in aquacultu...

David Seymour says early childhood centres are being held back by 'extraordinary' regulatory compliance standards. The Associate Education Minister issued a 'please explain' to the Ministry of Education, after Manawatu's Country Kindy faced closure. It has since been granted a 12-week continuation of operations from the Ministry. Seymour says children weren't at danger. "There's no question here t...

The Government's promised an extra financial boost to help Coromandel’s closed Cathedral Cove track open up by summer. The popular beach has been inaccessible by land since February last year, after being damaged by landslides caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. DOC has been allocated $5 million to plan, build, reopen and maintain walking access to the cove. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says they've...

One legal expert is challenging Winston Peters' speculation about what happened to the Interislander's Aratere. The ferry ran aground near Picton in June, and its detention notice has officially lifted this afternoon. The Aratere has had inspections and tests and will make a graduated return to service - beginning with freight, then trucks, then passengers. This week, NZ First asked if someone lef...

There's some potential light at the end of the tunnel for mortgage holders after today's Reserve Bank update. The OCR's been held in place at 5.5 percent - the eighth pause in a row. However, the Bank's tone has softened, with experts predicting inflation will make the one-to-three percent target by the end of this year. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr says his bank's sticking to its November...

Woolworths is calling on the Government to implement tougher changes amid an increase in retail crime. The retailer says physical assaults on staff jumped 50 percent in the past year, with 329 incidents against 219 from the year before. Security Association Chief Executive Gary Morrison says the current trespass laws need updating to protect workers. "It's not just trespass rules, we're talking ab...

Thank goodness there is some common sense left in this country. Country Kindy has been given permission to stay open for another 12 weeks, at least. I’ve been fascinated by this story since we got wind of it at the end of last week. If you haven't been across it - last Thursday, it was announced that the Ministry of Education was going to close down Country Kindy from Monday. Then on Monday, it wa...

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to appear at this week's NATO summit, just days into his new role. It's widely expected the ongoing war in Ukraine will be top of the agenda, with growing calls for more aid coming from the region.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says Starmer is expected to do well under these circumstances. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of South Island dairy company Synlait Milk is up in the air ahead of a crucial vote to ensure its survival. A special shareholders meeting will be held on Thursday to approve a $130 million loan from its biggest shareholder, China's Bright Dairy. The Country's Jamie Mackay speculates which direction the voters will go. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is set to release their latest update regarding the OCR tomorrow afternoon. New Zealand's Official Cash Rate has been held at 5.5 percent for over a year, and economists don't expect that to change. Infometrics chief economist Gareth Kiernan outlined his predictions - and speculated when the Reserve Bank might introduce cuts. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and journalist Paddy Gower joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The new Three News bulletin has been out for a few days following Newshub's demise - what do we all think? What's our verdict? There's no word on whether or not Darleen Tana will resign from Parliament yet - do we think she should? Can the Green...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 9 July 2024, Heather reveals parts of the Darleen Tana report after it was leaked to the show, and former Green MP Gareth Hughes makes a case why the Greens shouldn't force Darleen out of Parliament. Labour's considering advocating for an inheritance tax. Tax expert Geof Nightingale tells Heather who would have to pay and how muc...

Award-winning finance app Dosh has launched a bid to become New Zealand's first locally-owned digital-only bank. The company has initiated an application to become a registered bank in New Zealand, with the goal of reducing costs for customers by cutting out physical branches. Dosh co-founder Shane Marsh says more and more users have switched over to using digital-only banking. LISTEN ABOVE See om...

The Government aims to make virtual inspections the default for building consents across the country. Some councils have expressed reluctance around remote inspections, while others have embraced it. Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says there are mitigations in place to avoid complications.  "For example, there's a geolocator function in the app that says you can pinpoint the pro...

A legal expert says many employers struggle to deal with external threats and harassment risks. Auckland University microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles has been awarded $20,000 in damages over an employment dispute. She provided technical expertise as a commentator during the pandemic, and claims the university didn't protect her from resultant threats. Otago University Law Lecturer Dawn Duncan says the...

One expert says there's a conversation to be had off the back of a proposed ban on g-string bikinis. A Taranaki mother is calling for the 'pornographic' swimwear to be barred from public pools and drew over 150 signatures in a petition.   Sex and Relationship expert Jo Robertson says regardless of the outcome, it's a great conversation starter. "What do we do when our kids are seeing stuff that, m...

A leaked report from the investigation into allegations former Green MP Darleen Tana was involved in migrant exploitation reveals the difficulties the investigator encountered and why it took more than 100 days to complete. The report also claims Tana’s husband, who is implicated in the allegations, gave evidence that “tended to obfuscate rather than elucidate”, which was one of the key difficulti...

The Motor Industry Association is praising changes to the Clean Car Importer Standards. The Government is softening back targets for reducing vehicle emissions, which were being enforced by fining importers of 'dirty' cars. The Association says the targets will still be tough - but easier than they were. Motor Industry Association Chief Executive Aimee Whiley says it will make it easier for import...

A former Green MP says he's baffled the party hasn't ruled out using waka-jumping laws against Darleen Tana. The party has Tana to resign as an MP, after receiving a report on her knowledge of alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business. Tana has quit the Green Party, but says she doesn't accept the report findings. The Greens previously opposed laws that would now let them formally req...