Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Jacinda Ardern has gone to Australia met with new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. There are positive signs the relationship between the two is more positive compared to Ardern’s relationship with Liberal Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison. The big topics of their meeting were 501 deportees and China. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Barry Soper joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN...

The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol laid the blame firmly on Donald Trump Thursday night, saying the assault was hardly spontaneous but an “attempted coup” and a direct result of the defeated president's effort to overturn the 2020 election. With a never-before-seen 12-minute video of extremist groups leading the deadly siege and startling testimony from Trump...

Auckland Transport has spent close to $10 million since 2013 on a barely-used Grey Lynn cycleway. It caused controversy when carparks were removed and bus stops relocated when it was built in 2017 and has since been re-designed and extended. The money's been spent with 50 different contractors and other parties and an unspecified number of third party suppliers. Bike Auckland chair Tony Mitchell t...

Historic day at UK petrol pumps... It now costs £100 pounds to fill your car.  Big housing policy announcement from PM as he "moves on".  UK correspondent Enda Brady joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheap land and pre-built subdivisions are attracting industrial companies away from Auckland City.   Saito Labels and Tags is following the likes of Sleepyhead and is looking to move its entire operation to the small Waikato town of Kerepehi near Paeroa.   Right now, fewer than 500 people live in Kerepehi and there's only one dairy.   Saito founder Gavin Hodder joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LI...

Here's a company that's had enough of the Gib shortage.  Simplicity Living is a building company owned by Kiwisaver provider Simplicity ... they're sick of waiting on Fletcher Building and paying $25 dollars a sheet.  So, they've cancelled their orders and are instead importing a bunch of plasterboard from Thailand.   Managing Director Shane Brealey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE S...

The OECD has delivered a warning for the global economy today in its latest Economic Growth Outlook.  It's slashed global growth forecasts from 4.5 % to 3%... And it had a warning for New Zealand too.   Liam Dann, NZ Herald's editor at large, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is touching down in Australia tonight for a flying visit to see the new Australian PM Anthony Albanese.   There's been plenty of talk around what we want from the Aussies... Fewer 501 deportees.. Better treatment for Kiwis in Australia...  But what are they going to want from us?  Andrew Bolt is the host of the Bolt Report on Sky TV, he joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN A...

The Government wants to give Ngai Tahu the power to appoint two members to Environment Canterbury that have the same powers as elected councillors. Is this undemocratic?  Police and the Crown have now launched their own reviews, after the Supreme Court quashed Alan Hall's murder conviction. Are you concerned people might lose trust in Police after such a blatant case of a miscarriage of justice? ...

Ngai Tahu is set to get two guaranteed seats on a major South Island Regional Council.  Ngai Tahu currently appoints two Mana Whenua Advisors to Environment Canterbury – but a bill upgrading those advisors to full councillors has passed its second reading in parliament.  Rino Tirikatene is the MP sponsoring the bill. He joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that we are being incredibly naive and frankly stupid in forcing farmers to pay for climate emissions. Or in fact, forcing anyone in this country to pay for climate emissions.  Let’s look at the facts:  New Zealand will not be able to stop climate change.  We only contribute (at last count) 0.17% of the world’s emissions.  We can stop emitting alt...

New Plymouth District Council is looking at expanding one of the city's iconic concert venues.  The Council is proposing making changes to the Bowl of Brookland's that would increase its capacity to 20000, up from 15000.  It's part of a discussion document looking at a number of possible changes to Pukekura Park.  Brent Eccles, president of the Promoters Association, joined Heather du Plessis-Alla...

A financial lender says upcoming changes probably won't make a dent .... in the current credit crunch. An MBIE letter sent to lenders and the finance industry says the responsible lending code is being updated in July.   The Ministry says it'll remove aspects of the tougher laws – including asking about living expenses.  Financial Advice NZ head, Katrina Shanks, told Heather du Plessis-Allan finan...

Criminal charges could be brought over a murder trial that sent an innocent man to jail for 19 years.  The Supreme Court has cleared Alan Hall's name, after he was convicted for the 1985 killing of 52-year-old Arthur Easton.  The Crown lawyers who put Hall behind bars will now be investigated – and police will review whether to re-open the case.  Marie Dyhrberg QC told Heather du Plessis-Allan it...

Nanaia Mahuta is back in the news defending Government contracts awarded to her family – is she in the wrong?  The Three Waters Debate has been heating up around the country... now it's finally before the House. What's the debate been like so far?  Jacinda Ardern's on a plane to Australia and will meet with Anthony Albanese – have you got high hopes for the trip?  Newstalk ZB chief political repor...

Sydney residents who want to stand up – still need to put the booze down.  The city's "vertical consumption" ban, making people sit to avoid mingling and spreading Covid, is under review.  The council says before it can be scrapped, they want to gauge locals' opinions.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds told Heather du Plessis-Allan its local government gone mad.  “The council says it’s not as...

All Blacks squad will be named on Monday, so tonight on Sportstalk D'Arcy will be asking – should Sam Cane be the captain?  The All Whites play Oman tomorrow morning.  Host of Sportstalk D’Arcy Waldegrave joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's announced attendance targets to try and improve our truancy rates.   Currently, fewer than 60 per cent of students attend school regularly, which is being there at least nine days a fortnight.   The strategy aims to get that to 70 per cent by 2024.   Associate Minister of Education Jan Tinetti joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Two Britons captured by Russian forces in Ukraine have appeared in court in territory held by pro-Russian rebels.   A British court has heard how white supremacists called for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's son Archie to be targeted "for being mixed race".    There are rumours that Pope Francis might retire.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystud...

A vegan diet may be the only thing that saves us all from climate change.   The Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change says a mass move to veganism is now a survival imperative.   Claire Insley from the Vegan Society Aotearoa joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just how much trouble is the construction sector in at the moment?  Residential house building prices are up 18 per cent on average over the last year.  Plus, new data from Stats NZ shows it's taking longer to build than it used to, adding to the pressure.   Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

Ports of Auckland have written off $65 million after dumping its container automation project.  The owner of a Huntly Four Square says we're becoming more and more like a third world country after he was ramraided three times in three months – and police have been slow off the mark.  Farmers have made their suggestions on their own emissions payment model – but environmentalists and the Green Part...

A quiet day in the markets today but some interesting news out on Fonterra. First, it has announced a $50m buyback scheme, why? And is spending $50m on buying shares in the best interests of farmers?  The other news was the climate proposal from He Waka Eke Noa, the agricultural industry partnership with the Government. What is in the proposal?  Is this helpful for farmers and ultimately Fonterra?...

Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the Government's committed to meeting its target of a budget surplus in 2025.   Speaking before this morning's Finance and Expenditure Committee, Robertson's now also warning supply chain issues could carry over into next year.   NZ Herald Wellington business editor, Jenée Tibshraeny joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

A vocal opponent of the Government's Three Waters changes has renewed his attack on the reforms calling it a "load of sewage".  The Three Waters Bill will have its first reading in parliament tomorrow... But Wairoa Mayor Craig Little says minor tweaks to the proposals have done nothing to address the real concerns and the Government needs to start to listen.   Craig Little joined Heather du Plessi...