Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Rugby could be headed to the Middle East for the new Nations Championship, according to new reports. Qatar has reportedly made a bid to host the three-day finals event - a bid that promises commercial returns of $1.68 billion (NZD). Former All Black Sir John Kirwan is hopeful the power of sport can create a platform to address the outside issues in Qatar. "You'd be hoping that our leadership acros...

Air New Zealand's reliability has fallen - and it's trailing Jetstar in figures for last month as it grapples with engine problems. Only 77 percent of its domestic flights arrived within 15 minutes of scheduled times last month, down from 88 percent in January. Jetstar reported no domestic cancellations last month and almost 79 percent of flights were on time. Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy says it's g...

The Remuneration Authority says the Prime Minister's pay increase is fair. Chris Luxon's turned down the $50,000 salary boost over three years, and promises to donate it to charity. Chair Geoff Summers says a lot of work's gone into determining the figure - including job comparisons. He says our MP pay is relatively low internationally. "It's behind most other Westminster democracies - we had a go...

New Zealand Rugby has shouldered arms to reports Qatar has offered up more than a billion-and-a-half dollars to host the finals of rugby's new Nations Championship from 2026. A new report claims the gulf state wants the rights to 'finals weekend' of the tournament across four editions spanning eight years. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains the situation further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

Brace yourself, because it looks like we’re about to have another debate about whether sport should be taking money from Qatar. And this time, we’re probably going to care more about this as a nation, because this time - the sport is rugby. It's being reported that Qatar has made an offer to host the new upcoming Nations Championship, which is the tournament that basically combines the Six Nations...

Two out of three job applicants have admitted to 'rage-applying' to new roles out of frustration with their employers, according to new research. A survey carried out by recruitment specialist Robert Walters indicates over half of the 2000 respondents were motivated to leave a toxic work environment. Robert Walters commercial director Stuart Nash says this is proof workplace culture matters to emp...

One of the UK's biggest retail groups has confirmed it plans to give job applicants their interview questions beforehand in an attempt to make the process fairer. John Lewis and Waitrose applicants across all skill levels will have access to these questions from the company's websites.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey unpacks the mass reactions to this idea. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

All eyes will be on Foreign Minister Winston Peters ahead of his hotly-anticipated foreign policy speech. Peters is expected to deliver a notable, forward-looking address in Parliament this Wednesday to the Institute of International Affairs. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan suspects AUKUS will be a part of it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a big day for the Education Minister, as she's released more education priorities - and promised extra incentive for teachers. The Government's hotly-anticipated ban on cell phones also kicked in today, as students returned for Term Two.  ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Minister Erica Stanford still has plenty of obstacles ahead. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listen...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was heckled and dubbed a 'liar' at a weekend rally held outside Parliament House. Thousands of people attended the 'No More! National Rally Against Violence' march in protest of the multiple violent deaths of Australian women this year. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Albanese was asked not speak - and the optics of this aren't good. LISTEN...

Pharmac has received a funding boost - but the Government says it's to cover a 'fiscal cliff' left by Labour. Associate Health Minister David Seymour revealed the drug-buying agency will be bolstered by more than $1.7 billion over four years, as part of the Budget. Medicines New Zealand CEO Graeme Jarvis says he was aware of this gap in funding. He says the Covid-19 pandemic created more fiscal cl...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 29 April 2024, Associate Health Minister David Seymour tells Heather why an extra $1.7 billion for Pharmac is merely keeping the lights on at our drug buying agency - but won't buy us more medicines. It's bad news for the coalition in the latest political poll as Labour closes the gap with National and NZ First slips below the 5% t...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Victoria University has copped plenty of backlash over their decision to postpone a free speech event after pushback from the students. Should they have left the event alone? Paula Bennett is the latest former National MP...

The Finance Minister has brushed off a tough new poll result for the coalition. The latest 1News Verian poll shows a two percent fall for National to have them on 36 percent. Act is down one to 7 percent and New Zealand First is on 4 percent. Those numbers mean the left block of Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori could govern. Minister Nicola Willis says she isn't losing her head over it. "Oh we...

Wellington's Victoria University has hit pause on a controversial debate, after student backlash. A panel discussion around the role of universities in free speech has been pushed back to the end of May, following the opposition from students. The Free Speech Union's Jonathan Ayling, who was expected to attend, has expressed confusion at being included as part of the backlash. "I challenge anyone...

Kāinga Ora has been fined $6,000 for being too slow to evict unruly tenants. Stuff reports Kāinga Ora was forced to pay a woman terrorised by neighbours and fellow social housing tenants. The antisocial tenants defecated outside her door, and it's alleged they threw a woman off a balcony. Lawyer Adina Thorn says any other landlord would've kicked them out much sooner. "It takes people a lot of tim...

Kiwi kids have endured their first day of no cell phones at school. Students can no longer use or access their phone at school under new Government legislation. Many schools started phasing the rule in from Term One, before the ban came into force this term. Secondary Principals' Association president Vaughan Couillault says not many students were found breaking the rules at his school today. "Wel...

David Seymour says the Prime Minister would have a tougher job sacking a minister from ACT than from National. Luxon stood down Melissa Lee and Penny Simmonds from portfolios last week. Seymour says it would take a bigger process if Luxon wanted to give the boot to one of his party's ministers. "What I did say is- if we were going to have that sort of action, then the coalition agreement requires...

The Black Caps squad for the T20 cricket World Cup in the West Indies and United States has been named. The 15-strong squad features just two players - Matt Henry and Rachin Ravindra - who've never played at the tournament. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks today's reveal. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister says he's deeply concerned about the ages of robbers plundering Auckland jewellery stores. In the past two weeks, at least five aggravated robberies have spanned Auckland - at Westgate, Newmarket, Onehunga and Manurewa. Minister Mark Mitchell says in the most recent incident, the robbers were aged between nine and fourteen. He says plans for youth military academies are a big p...

As you know, today is the official first day of the ban on cell phones in schools. For most parents and teachers and kids it's actually not a particularly special milestone, given that most schools started bringing in these bans at the start of the year. But today is the first day that it's actually in force. And you know what?  The thing that I found most surprising about this is how overwhelming...

New Zealanders are staying in paid work longer in an effort to transition into retirement, according to a new study.   The average age Kiwi’s are choosing to retire has risen to 67 from 61, since the mandatory retirement age was eliminated in 2000.   Co-director of the Retirement Policy and Research Centre Michael Littlewood tells Jack Tame that New Zealand’s state pension is generous, but not eno...

Eden Park is reportedly set to win the battle of Auckland’s stadiums. The Sports Huddle discuss whether the stadium remains fit for purpose.   Plus, are the Crusaders underperforming or were expectations too high? Is it time to panic for Warriors fans? And, could NZ hold a second Supercars round?   Newshub Sport Presenter Andrew Gourdie and Newstalk ZB Deputy Sport News Director Elliott Smith join...

Eden Park is reportedly about to win the battle of Auckland’s stadiums.   On Monday, a working committee will make a recommendation to Auckland Council on whether to invest in Eden Park or one of the rival waterfront stadium bids.   NZ Herald Sports Columnist Trevor Mckewen tells Jack Tame as an existing location, Eden Park could be a cheaper option than others starting from scratch.   LISTEN ABOV...

A unique re-homing program has been set up for actual lab rats across New Zealand.   The New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) are working with the scientific community to find former lab rats their forever homes, while pushing the Government to stop animal testing.   Executive Director of NZAVS Tara Jackson tells Jack Tame NZ has nearly half a million animals who are bred for science, not...