Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Education Minister says many schools across the country welcome the idea of standardised testing in primary schools. Erica Stanford's announced next year, all children in their first year of schooling will do a phonics check to help teachers understand how well they read, by sounding out letters. Stanford says it's far from being controversial, despite criticism from Labour. "Look, I absolutel...

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council is defending not opening up the Wairoa river bar earlier. Last week's downpour damaged more than 100 properties in the district, where a state of emergency lifted this morning. The Government has launched a quickfire review, including assessing locals' claims the river should've been cleared sooner. Council Chief Executive Dr Nic Peet says calls were made on inform...

The Government is set to introduce standardised tests to ensure primary schoolers meet the right standards academically.  Phonics checks will start for new students as young as five next year, and become compulsory from 2026. Progress on reading, writing and maths progress for years 3 to 8 will also be monitored twice a year. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper voices his approval for th...

President Joe Biden has lined up his first full interview for ABC News following the fallout of last week's debate. Biden will speak to veteran broadcaster and former Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos on Friday, with the 'extended' version airing on Sunday. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this interview won't alleviate the fears from prospective Democrat voters. "You can't unsee what we saw...

A political collision looms within the Red Bull Formula One team concerning Liam Lawson. The Kiwi hopeful has the backing of the team's director of driver development, Dr Helmut Marko - but overall boss Christian Horner maintains loyalty to Daniel Ricciardo. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several former Gloriavale workers are planning to sue the Crown for negligence. Members of the group have accused public servants of knowing about the slave labour within the community - and refusing to do anything about it. Lawyer Brian Henry says these public servants knew about the witnesses who were interviewed and the allegations. "You just don't go to the potential criminal and say - did you...

Labour leader Keir Starmer has found himself the subject of mockery after claiming he wouldn't work past 6pm on Fridays if he was elected. Starmer has since been accused of planning to be a 'part-time' Prime Minister by detractors and the opposition. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's opened up a discussion about work-life balance. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

The Country's Jamie Mackay made an appearance at the Primary Industry Summit and Awards in Wellington. Listen to him unpack the highlights of day one here today. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House prices need to fall at least another 16 percent to become anything like affordable, one forecaster says. According to the Real Estate Institute, prices remain 15.9 percent below their 2021 peak - but Housing Minister Chris Bishop has indicated they need to drop down more. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

Despite the regulations on farmers being modified or scrapped by the coalition Government, Rabobank's CEO is urging farmers to watch their emissions. According to a new Rabobank research paper, the agriculture sector still needs to focus on reducing their output without restrictions.  Rabobank CEO Todd Charteris says the sector needs to keep moving forward. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

One expert says Paul Goldsmith's proposed new media bill could jump-start conversations about the future of news content in New Zealand. The Broadcasting Minister plans to implement an amended version of Labour's Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, forcing tech giants to pay for news content. News Publishers' Association Public Affairs Director Andrew Holden says it's worth discussing potential opt...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 2 July 2024, the Government has announced it's plan to help the struggling media industry. Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Heather why Facebook may boycott NZ media as a result and how he's trying to help Shortland Street. Wairoa mayor Craig Little is calling on Hawke's Bay Regional Council to apologise for its part in...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government has introduced a new bill to require social media giants to pay to use New Zealand news content. Is this good news for the media industry - or will it backfire? The outgoing boss of Kāinga Ora has been given a $365,000 pay-out t...

A historic Supreme Court ruling has expanded the scope of US presidential power. The United States' top court has ruled six to three that former presidents can be granted immunity from prosecution over acts done in office. This means Donald Trump's alleged role in the Capitol riots in January 2021 likely won't make it to trial before the election. But Cornell University law professor Randy Zelin s...

Now, onto the outgoing boss of Kāinga Ora and his $365,000 pay-out to leave - no surprise here, but the tone that’s been adopted on that is that it’s massive. Mega. Eye-watering. No it’s not, that's tiny for a CEO. That's only half his annual salary, that's not a lot. When Tony Gibson quit the Ports of Auckland, he was on $820,000 a year, which is not that much more than the boss of Kāinga Ora - h...

A coastal west Auckland community wants rules for driving on beaches tightened, after recent events. Auckland Council says the bylaws aren't fit for purpose. People who want to drive at Muriwai beach require a permit - but data indicated less than a quarter of drivers had obtained one. Muriwai Community Association co-chair, Clare Bradley, is unsure if  changing the bylaws would fix the wider issu...

AA has confirmed people have had to wait months to sit their driver's license test.  The Government is trying to cut the long wait time for tests, by allowing only one free resit. The last Government removed fees for resitting theory and practical tests, significantly increasing bookings. AA Chief Policy Officer Simon Douglas says they'll ease in the new rules over time. He says once the three mon...

The Media Minister says there is a risk digital platforms will retaliate if they're forced to pay to use New Zealand news content. Paul Goldsmith has confirmed the Government is pursuing an amended version of Labour's Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. It aims to ensure internet giants like Facebook and Google pay local media companies for using their work. Goldsmith says some platforms have been...

The Government's moves to force tech giants to support New Zealand-produced news have been met with scepticism. Fair Digital Bargaining Bill has been amended - in a bid to ensure Google and Meta pay to use news content on their platforms. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's unlikely Meta will respond well, considering the action they've taken against Australia and Canada. LISTE...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has drawn criticism from the opposition over his decision to skip a NATO summit.  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will attend the meeting in Washington in his place. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Albanese is in a no-win situation as tensions escalate. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

The stats keep coming on Lulu Sun's advance into the second round of Wimbledon by beating eighth seed Qinwen Zheng in three sets. The victory is the first in a grand slam main draw by a New Zealand woman since Marina Erakovic made the third round on grass in 2016. The win also marks the first over a top 10 player by one of her compatriots since Erakovic beat Victoria Azarenka in 2011. Sportstalk h...

Wairoa's Mayor is demanding an apology from the Hawke's Bay Regional Council after last week's flooding. The bill is expected to top $40 million, with more than 100 properties significantly damaged. The district is still recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle last year, and ratepayers are already facing a 20 percent rates rise. Mayor Craig Little says the council hasn't been able to pinpoint what went...

Ahead of the UK election, the Labour Party is pushing back against demand for a four-day working week. Unions have put pressure on the party to mandate shorter working weeks, as more UK workplaces adapt to unique working models. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this issue will be on the minds of voters ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building's shares have bounced back up after the business completed and handed over part of their NZ International Convention Centre project. The project is back in SkyCity's hands - with the project on track to reopen by the end of the year. Harbour Asset Management spokesperson Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is determined to grow the economy and ease the cost of living for struggling Kiwis as the Government outlines its next points of focus.  The Government today unveiled its third quarterly priorities - focusing on law and order, the economy, public services and infrastructure. Minister Nicola Willis says it's important for the Government to focus on making sustainable financial...