Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Liam Dann is the Herald's business editor at large; he's been working his way through the budget this afternoon.  Liam joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACT Party is calling this budget the brain drain budget... Saying ambitious Kiwis are tired of being milked and will leave the country for greener pastures.   The Government has lifted caps for first home loans and grants... Something ACT says will only lift house prices further.   ACT's leader David Seymour joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Tauranga is grappling with a significant youth violence problem at some of its bus stops.  So much so, the head of NZ Bus says it's the worst anti-social and criminal behaviour he's seen in his 22 years in the bus industry.  The Regional Council has now voted to restrict free fares for under 18-year-olds, in the hope it will help ease the problem.  Council chair Doug Leeder joined Heather du Pless...

The Government has reacted to the cost-of-living crisis with a billion-dollar package targeting the so-called "squeezed middle".  But the boosts to transport costs and $27 for middle-income earners are temporary.  Meanwhile, Treasury is forecasting inflation will remain elevated until 2025.  ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listen...

COST OF LIVING PAYMENT – Is a temporary extra $27 going to cut it for those suffering from the cost-of-living crisis? What about those who are missing out?  TRANSPORT – half-price public transport and petrol tax reduction will continue for two months and then what? Were you expecting something more long-term?  CLIMATE CHANGE WAS BARELY MENTIONED TODAY – Did the Government realise it's just not app...

Addressing the cost-of-living crisis was the number one task for Grant Robertson today.  And while the middle class will welcome $27 a week for three months – a total of 350 bucks – beneficiaries and pensioners are asking what's in it for them.   Cost cuts to public transport and the fuel tax will continue for another couple of months  The Salvation Army's Ian Hutson told Heather du Plessis-Allan...

This is the “block of cheese and cup of coffee” budget.  Because that’s all you’re going to be able to buy with that extra $27 a week.  One block of $21 tasty cheese and one $6 cup of coffee.  And that’s only if you earn below $70K a year.  As I said earlier, I think the first reaction low-income Kiwis will have is to be pleasantly surprised but that will probably wear off pretty quickly.  Once yo...

There's big drama on the set of Dancing with the Stars.  Eric Murray and Rhys Mathewson have both got Covid and have had to bow out of the competition paving the way for Alex Vaz and Newstalk ZB’s very own Kerre Woodham to return.  Kerre joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Addressing the cost-of-living crisis was at the forefront of today's budget.  Anyone earning less than $70k will get a one-off $350 over three months from August – $27 a week.  But beneficiaries and pensioners miss out.   Public transport will stay half price and the fuel tax reduction will continue for another two months.  Finance Minister Grant Robertson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN...

The winners – the losers?   What's been the reaction?   How do you rate Robertson today and Luxon's response?  Chief political reporter Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National says the Government is taking New Zealanders backwards with its budget.  They say Grant Robertson spent too much money while Kiwis are continuing to fall behind every week. National Party leader Christopher Luxon joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Barrett is working with psychologists to avoid getting any more red cards.  What's in the budget for sport?  Sportstalk host D’Arcy Waldegrave joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health is at the forefront of this budget.  Billions are being put aside to wipe DHB debt, Pharmac’s getting almost 200 million dollars over two years and the new Māori Health Authority is up for 168 million over four years.  But what's in this budget for those on the front line?  I'm talking doctors, and nurses ... remember we've got 4,000 nursing vacancies right now.  Paul Goulter, CEO of the Ne...

In the UK, an unnamed Conservative MP (from the party of government) has been arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.  The UK government announces a new law will be introduced to change the post-Brexit trade deal for Northern Ireland.   Plus, a UK charity shop worker found a foreign banknote worth £140,000 – but he didn't keep a penny for himself.   UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Hea...

It's the eve of budget day and everyone's got their wishlist.   Whether it's health, cost-of-living relief or climate change. We'll find out the Government's priorities tomorrow.   NZ Herald’s Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The border is opening but there's concern international students aren't exactly queuing up to return to New Zealand.  International education used to be our fourth-biggest export earner, bringing in 5 billion dollars a year.  But it's feared new changes to post-study work rights for international students could be putting students off coming here.  Chris Whelan, chief executive of Universities New...

Is Act right to be upset with Anne Tolley for announcing what she thinks Tauranga's priorities are for the by-election candidates? She's not an elected official but she seems to be doing a good job for Tauranga – so shouldn't she be able to give her take?  Police this afternoon released a statement, saying they're concerned that apathy or acceptance of gun crime might be setting in in some communi...

Tauranga doesn't have a mayor at the moment as you know but Anne Tolley, the commission chair in charge of running the city, has penned a letter with some priorities for the city for the candidates of the by-election next month.    She said three infrastructure projects need to be top of mind for candidates... Hewletts Road/Hull Road/Totara Street improvements, State Highway 29 grade separation an...

Many people drive around in a sleep-deprived state.  Auckland University scientists are researching how much sleep people can go without before starting to lose control of their impulses.  They found even sleeping one hour less than usual immediately impacts reaction times.  Auckland University's Arne Niewenhuys told Heather Du Plessis Allan another issue is whether people can still halt inappropr...

Grant Robertson and Nicola Willis face off on the eve of budget day.  Jacinda Ardern is back and working from home.  When are we going to see pre-departure testing scrapped?  Chief political reporter Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katey Martin retires after nineteen years as a White Fern.  Two more All Black front-rowers are headed to France.  Tiger Woods has a crack at Phil Mickelson.  Sportstalk host D’Arcy Waldegrave joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US President has met grieving families of victims of the Buffalo shooting.  An 18-year-old gunman shot 13 people, and killed 10 in a racially motivated attack on Saturday.  He claimed to have been inspired by Christchurch's mosque shootings.  Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis Allan Joe Biden warned a "hateful minority" mustn't be allowed to distort the nation, whose diversit...

We will hear a raft of company profit announcements in the next two weeks. Is the New Zealand share market performance, down over 5% so far this month, telling us investors expect poor results?  We have results from a few retirement operators this week and this has been one of the weakest sectors this year with share prices all off over 20%. Is this the weak housing market and what are you expecti...

We've finally got to the bottom of how we’ve ended up in the ludicrous situation in last week’s immigration reset where nurses are not on the highest priority list for new migrants.  If you heard our interview with the Aged Care Association last night, you’ll already know this seems to be the result of a massive stuff up.  Turns out that – as suspected – the Aged Care Association asked the Governm...

Assurances removing Covid testing requirements for travel won't put New Zealand at risk.   Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins says pre-departure testing is now a lot less important in our protection framework.   He's indicated the requirement will go earlier than August – as had been announced.  Auckland Airport's chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui told Heather du Plessis-Allan other barriers...