Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Finance Minister is confident the Government can meet all nine of their proposed targets by 2030. These include shortening emergency department stays and waits for planned care, increasing school attendance, reducing violent crime, and having fewer people on the Jobseeker Benefit. Minister Nicola Willis says they've picked nine things that will really make a difference to the lives of New Zeal...

Another blow for New Zealand's media sector, with new research showing overall trust is down. AUT's centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy reveals only 33 percent of Kiwis view the news as trustworthy, plummeting 20 percent from 2020. AUT researcher and report co-author Merja Myllylahti says more people believe the media has a political bias. "Quite a lot of comments there saying- the media se...

There's a good chance consumers might be wasting their money if they pay for high-speed internet without the right equipment.  The Commerce Commission's RealSpeed report revealed that broadband speed depends significantly on the strength of the router and devices as well. Commerce Commission spokesperson Ben Oakley says they're urging consumers to think about the quality and placement of their rou...

The Social Development Minister says the Government is determined to get more New Zealanders into work. The Government has set nine targets to complete by 2030. One is reducing numbers of people on the Jobseeker Support Benefit by 50,000. Minister Louise Upston says it's a worthy goal to get more people earning their own income. "I'm unwilling to write off people- whether they've been on the Jobse...

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union is ensuring a gang-related disorder that ruined a Hastings game doesn't happen again. Eight Young Maori Party players and their coach were inside a van peppered with shotgun pellets as they fled the match against Tamatea Arikinu on Saturday afternoon. No one was injured, and police say there's no ongoing risk to the public. Union chief executive, Jay Campbell, says Tamatea...

Over in Australia, there's growing concern users of older phones could be barred from making emergency calls in the coming months. Australia's 3G network will be shut off after 20 years, in order to free up room for more 4G and 5G technologies. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says there are still areas in the country that can't connect to 4G or 5G yet- and this puts people at risk. LISTEN...

Liam Lawson's hopes of a Formula One seat this year may have been boosted after RB Honda driver Daniel Ricciardo crashed out of the Japanese grand prix. Ricciardo is under pressure to improve or risk conceding his spot to Lawson. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christ Church Cathedral rebuild is at risk of being mothballed if an extra $30 million isn't found by August.  The total cost of the project is estimated to be at almost a quarter of a billion dollars, according to the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited chair Mark Stewart says they've turned to multiple sources to fill the financial gap. "...

Well, the news media has just been given a a massive wake up call. A report has just landed from AUT showing how much trouble the media is in. These guys talked to more than a 1000 people to find out what they think of the media and they found trust in the media has fallen from 53 percent in 2020 to 33 percent this year. That is big. Four years ago, half of us trusted the media. Today, only a thir...

The leadership shake-up at Fletcher Building continues with CFO Bevan McKenzie announcing he will quit later this year.   Earlier this year, Fletcher Building posted a 26.7% drop in earnings and an after-tax loss of $120 million.   Simplicity Founder and Fletcher shareholder Sam Stubbs tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the company has been poorly governed but that it is hard to know where exactly res...

Netball NZ has announced the re-appointment of Dame Noeline Taurua as Silver Ferns coach.   Dame Noeline has unmatched experience, though other strong contenders were likely to be in the running for the coaching position.   Meanwhile, the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association (NZRPA) has called for the New Zealand Rugby board to step down and Tiger Woods is apparently practicing abstinence to pre...

After a competitive interview process, Netball NZ has re-appointed Dame Noeline Taurua as Silver Ferns coach on a two-year contract.   Netball NZ CEO Jennie Wyllie tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the two year contract allows a check-in point before the next pinnacle event – the World Cup.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new jobs platform aims to match employers and potential employees based on their values.   Founder of Futureful Izzy Fenwick tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the concept allows employees to put their name in a pool for future jobs – not just those currently being advertised.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced a two-year delay to changes to NCEA.   Auckland Grammar Headmaster Tim O’Connor tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the delay comes as a relief after poorly communicated time frames previously caused confusion.   Five different websites must be visited to access information on the change rollouts.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT Party Leader and Associate Minister for Education David Seymour called today’s School Strike 4 Climate ‘unacceptable’.   He tells Heather du Plessis-Allan children’s absence from school for the strike is ‘not accepted as a justified reason’. Seymour believes education has fallen down the range of priorities.    LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey appeared blindsided by news that the Suicide Prevention Office was closing. Doocey insisted the office would remain open despite Deputy-Director General of Health announcing the office would merge into a wider directorate.   Labour health spokesperson Ayesa Verall weighed in that the closure was at the behest of the Government.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com...

US President Joe Biden has had his first phone call with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu since the strike that killed aid workers.   US correspondent Dan Mitchinson tells Heather du Plessis-Allan that Netanyahu admitted the Israeli defense forces were to blame and assured Biden that the Israeli government is going to announce measures to prevent a mistake like this happening again.   M...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the Government is currently looking into tax legislation for charitable entities, hinting that he wants charities who run like profitable businesses to pay tax.   Charity Researcher Dr Michael Gousmett tells Heather du Plessis-Allan that New Zealand has been a little slow on updating its legislation. Legislation introduced in 1891 never expected commercial ope...

My disagreement with David Seymour on truancy has been short-lived this week - because I could not agree more with him today.   Those kids out bunking school today so they can strike for the climate should be marked down as truant: Explained but unjustified absence.   I think I'm less tolerant of it today than I was when these shenanigans first started up because at least the ones who were strikin...

Over in the UK, the Sunak-led Conservative Party stands to face a historic defeat, according to new polls. The latest data predicts only 11 Conservative MPs will have seats in Parliament by the time the upcoming election wraps up. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the Party has plenty to be concerned about. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The Government is making local councils who introduced Māori Wards without public referendums in the last few years have a referendum at the next local body election - or scrap the wards. Is this good for democracy? There's less outrage at CEOs...

The first quarter of 2024 is in the books for global investors- what can that tell them going forward? Asset prices were strong all over the world, house prices have risen and oil and gold are enjoying an extra boost. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists and farming experts believe there are economic benefits to selling off Pāmu. The state-owned farming company runs runs 110 farms around the country- with a mix of dairy, sheep, beef, deer and forestry. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks the benefits of selling this land off to boost Government finances. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand faces a $1 trillion bill over the next three decades to improve infrastructure, ASB warns. This involves bringing existing infrastructure up to scratch and future-proofing it to meet new challenges -  including climate change. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains the likelihood of covering these costs. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is changing the Building Act to address a shortage of supplies and long wait times for new products to be approved. This will include green-lighting products with a reputable overseas certification and recognising approval schemes used in countries like Australia. NZ Construction Industry Council chair Malcolm Fleming is pleased the Government is working to address this problem. "In...