Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

NZ Rugby's entire board could be forced to reapply under a new governance proposal - regardless of how this month's general meeting plays out. On May 30, NZR will hold the meeting with its voting members to finalise a new governance structure after an investigation determined the current model was not fit for purpose. ZB sports commentator Elliott Smith unpacks what this means for the future of th...

New research indicates manual cars will be phased out within the next five years. The number of new manual cars being manufactured has halved within the last six years - and companies like Volvo, Lexus, Jaguar have stopped producing showroom models of manual cars. AA's Roger Venn says it's likely we'll only be importing battery-powered electric vehicles, according to new regulations. "They don't c...

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is determined to fight on after a poor showing in the UK local elections. The final votes were counted last weekend, and the Tories lost 10 councils and over 470 council seats. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's hard to see where Sunak goes from here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meat exporters are celebrating news the Government's negotiating a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates. Trade Minister Todd McClay says he hopes to get a deal over the line as soon as possible. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says it's good that we're striking when the iron's hot when it comes to demand from that part of the world. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

The small town of Reefton, located in the West Coast, is sitting on a supply of a valuable mineral. An Australian mining company believes Reefton could have 5 percent of the world's supply of antimony. Siren Gold CEO Victor Rajasooriar says it's likely they'll find at least 50,000 to 100,000 tonnes of antimony if they keep drilling. "We're quite confident with the initial drilling that we've done....

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has announced his idea of leasing out Port operations for 35 years is now off the table. A new agreement with unions and the Port will instead see the land, assets and operations retained by the Council. Mayor Brown says the Auckland ratepayers can't keep on subsidising Port operations. "I think it's worth keeping the Port. Because at the moment, the ratepayers are subsi...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 7 May 2024, an investigation into vote counting errors uncovered more mistakes at last year's election. Chief Electoral Commissioner Karl Le Quesne tells Heather why their checks weren't up to scratch. Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell fronts after his shambolic press conference yesterday telling Heather he "muddied the water"....

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Paddy Gower and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni may or may not be one of the contestants on the upcoming  season of Celebrity Treasure Island. Is this the right move for a politician to make? Did she take paid leave for this? What did we think of...

A property manager is defending asking tenants to clean wheelie bins after backlash online. The Xclusive Property Management guide sets out end-of-tenancy expectations for renters. They include cleaning extractor fans, heat pump filters and wheelie bins. The Tenants' Protection Association says these terms are 'pathetic' and 'petty'. Xclusive director Carol Champ says such clean up is up to a pers...

The Correction Minister's holding his hands up after mixing up new spending numbers. The Government's putting up $1.9 billion to add more than 800 beds at Waikeria Prison and deliver 685 more frontline Corrections staff, including 470 prison officers. Mark Mitchell's office has been forced to issue a correction, after several figures were confused at yesterday's press conference announcing the fun...

Two-and-a-half-thousand junior doctors have been striking since 7 this morning over pay negotiations. The Resident Doctors Association says the latest offer meant about 600 registrars would have had pay freezes or cuts of up to 12 percent. Health NZ Chief People Officer Andrew Slater says no current resident medical officers would get a pay cut. "That's the reason we're going to facilitation that...

Big numbers of special votes and enrolments took a toll on vote counters in last year's election. A report on the count by the Auditor-General has found the final check of the official result was done in a few hours, on the day it was announced. The rushed assessment failed to identify multiple errors. It normally takes two days. Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne says they're working at ways...

The Green Party leadership says it's been made clear to Julie Anne Genter she can never repeat last week's behaviour in the House. Genter hasn't spoken publicly, since crossing the chamber and confronting Minister Matt Doocey during a transport debate. It's been confirmed today she'll face the Privileges Committee and a party disciplinary process is under way - but she won't lose her transport por...

Australia's Reserve Bank has made the decision to leave the OCR in place at 4.35 percent. This decision is in line with predictions from economists, amid an uncertain financial outlook. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Reserve Bank hasn't ruled out more increases in order to tackle inflation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Security has become a focal point for the men's T20 cricket World Cup and the Black Caps next month in the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has confirmed a terrorism threat. ZB Wellington sports reader Adam Cooper explains the impact of this update. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's largest bank has increased its cash profit, despite falling interest margins. ANZ New Zealand's cash profit rose to $1.15 billion dollars in the six months to March. That's stable on the previous six months, and up four percent on the same period the previous year. Chief Executive Antonia Watson says the bank has taken on less provision for 'doubtful' debts this half. "Revenue is und...

It's being reported the UK Government considered using Iraq to process asylum seekers - similar to the Rwanda scheme. This move could have seen people sent from the UK to a country the Government advises against travel to. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Iraq was willing to move forward without a formal or public agreement, according to leaked documents. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener...

New Zealand universities are urging Immigration to figure out a quick solution to approving student visas. 18 percent of student visas remained unconfirmed by the time universities started for the 2024 year. Immigration NZ visa director Celia Coombes says a number of student visa applications were sent in too late to process. "We provided advice recommending people apply 3 or 4 months ahead of tra...

There's hopes Auckland's water deal with the Government can be replicated in the Wellington region. The Government and Auckland Council yesterday announced an agreement to help Aucklanders avoid a previously-signalled 25.8 percent water rates hike. Carterton mayor Ron Mark says they've agreed to working collaboratively to producing a regional water plan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

The Government is pumping $1.9 billion into bolstering prison capacity, staffing and criminal rehab programmes. The Budget investment will add more than 800 extra beds at Waikeria Prison and deliver 685 more frontline Corrections staff, including 470 prison officers. ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says it's unclear if the extra cash boost is all coming out of the Government's savings progr...

Qantas has been slapped with a hefty fine over flight cancellations. Australia's consumer watchdog sued the airline, claiming in 2022 it sold thousands of tickets for 'ghost flights'. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the airline will have to pay millions of dollars extra to the affected customers, beyond their $120 million dollar fine. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The Warriors have been left lamenting another sloppy performance after their winless run in league's NRL extended to four matches. A lack-lustre effort in Newcastle has ended in a 14 to 8 defeat to the hometown Knights. Sportstalk's Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 6 May 2024, Detective Inspector Chris Barry tells Heather a manhunt is underway for the "extremely dangerous" man accused of fatally shooting another man on Ponsonby Road on Sunday night. The Resident Doctors Association says they will push ahead with their 24-hour strike in solidarity with at least 300 doctors facing a pay cut. T...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has called out disgruntled residents of high-end Auckland suburbs who left poo bags scattered around local parks to protest the removal of the bins. Do we agree with this? Are we shocked by last nigh...

The Finance Minister says today's OECD report reinforces what the nation needs ahead of the 2024 Budget. The OECD's biennial report has warned inflation is likely to be persistent - and the Government should set polices to reduce the deficit. Minister Nicola Willis says it's clear New Zealand needs to get spending under control and invest in crucial areas. "Get policies in place that will boost bu...