Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Unease we're becoming a bit blasé about shootings.  Police are investigating two gang-related shootings within days of each other in Wairoa – including one where a child's bedroom window was destroyed by a shotgun blast.  They say several people had heard the gunshots and not reported them.  Police Association President Chris Cahill told Heather du Plessis-Allan he thinks it's because we're seeing...

Construction companies are falling over because they can't get supplies to finish projects.  Concerns have been growing over gib board shortages – but there are also delays with steel mesh and insulation.  Master Builders Association CEO David Kelly told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the operating environment is really difficult.  “If you can’t get those products then you have a delay and then tha...

Wayne Rooney is to give evidence today in the Wagatha Christie trial.  Bank of England governor warns of "apocalyptic" inflation this year.  Eurovision winners gave an incredible rendition of a song at the Polish border on their way home.  UK correspondent Enda Brady joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian election is just a few days away, and if you listen to the opinion polls, we're about to see a change in government.   Anthony Albanese's Labor Party looks set to take over from Scott Morrison in the middle of rising inflation and rising interest rates.  So, question is, what difference will a new government make to the economy?  Paul Bloxham is HSBC's chief economist, he joined Hea...

The farming response to the Emissions Reduction Plan.  Another crucial GDT auction tonight? Down another 2%??? after the last 8.5% tumble.  Will Westland Milk kick Gloriavale to touch? What will Hopeful Christian and Fervent Steadfast do with their milk?  Host of the Country Jamie Mackay joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infometrics is warning the NZ economy is red-lining and resource constraints are making growth almost impossible.  The latest quarterly economic monitor shows economic activity rose 2% per annum but underlying growth was flat from last quarter.  Brad Olsen, Infometrics principal economist, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last night, Grant Robertson was on the show talking about the immigration reset.  Heather asked him whether the Government will change the green list and allow nurses to qualify for residency like doctors and engineers... Rather than having to wait for two years.   The answer was no.  Now one of those who has been giving advice is the Aged Care Association.  Chief executive Simon Wallace joined He...

Last night, Grant Robertson was on the show talking about the immigration reset.  Heather asked him whether the Government will change the green list and allow nurses to qualify for residency like doctors and engineers... Rather than having to wait for two years.   The answer was no.  Now one of those who has been giving advice is the Aged Care Association.  Chief executive Simon Wallace joined He...

Former Foreign Minister Matt Robson has raised some eyebrows... speaking in support of Russia in an interview with Russian sponsored TV RT. What do you make of this?  Do you have a problem with NZ on Air funding a documentary on Chlöe Swarbrick? Apparently, it won't air until after the election if that makes a difference.  Should the Government step in to fund a new building for Hutt Hospital?  Is...

On the day when McDonalds has officially pulled out of Russia, our former Associate Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Robson is causing a stir for his involvement with state-controlled television network Russia Today.  The former minister under the Helen Clark Government has given a series of interviews. Labelling 'NATO' as a terrorist organisation and accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy...

So, North Korea are in the middle a major Covid-19 outbreak.  With more than a million people now sick with what officials are calling a 'fever'.  Limiting testing capacity has meant that only a few cases have been confirmed as actual Covid.  Kim Jong-Un has also imposed a strict lockdown and more than 600,000 people receiving medical treatment.  Josh Smith, Reuters senior correspondent covering N...

Doctors are warning urgent work needs to be done to understand the full impact of long Covid on people.   One in five Covid cases still have symptoms three months after they catch the virus... But there are no plans to support them.   Dr Rob Griffiths from the University of Otago joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a doubtful future for hospital care in the Wellington region.   Hutt Hospital's main building has been deemed earthquake-prone – meaning patients and services will have to move out.   The building houses the outpatient unit, maternity and post-natal services, the children’s ward, general surgery, gynaecology and the medical ward.  80 per cent of the hospital's beds are in the building.  Campb...

Are National looking to follow Seymour's lead on boosting defence spending to 2% of GDP?  Grant Robertson had a very good day in the House – wiping the floor with Luxon: What happened?  Act and National are still up and arms over NZ on Air's decision to fund a documentary about Chlöe Swarbrick.  Chief political reporter Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

The coalition promises to cut spending on a public service if re-elected.  Independent candidate in South Australia is in a bit of trouble over a carpark.  An Adelaide lawyer is facing court after 34 years on the run in Africa and Europe.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Whites squad has been named for the world cup playoff against Costa Rica.  Chiefs have been hit by a second wave of the Rona.  Research finds that 78% of Kiwis have witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport.  Sportstalk host D’Arcy Waldegrave joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced a hundred-million-dollar investment into mental health services ahead of Thursday's budget.  The money will go towards a number of mental health and addiction services over the next four years.  If you think this headline sounds familiar, it's because the Government already pumped 1.9 billion dollars into the mental health sector in the 2019 budget – but subsequent rev...

There is something that jumps out at you when you wake up to the news of all the overnight ram raids each morning: how many of these places have been targeted more than once?  The Takanini Bottle-O hit at 2 this morning, for the second time in three weeks.  The Kingsland dairy ram raided at 3 yesterday morning. The third attack this year.  The Mount Eden liquor store ram raided at 4:30 on Saturday...

Nothing quite like a NATO exercise on Russia's doorstep.  The Queen made a grand appearance at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.  Switzerland has voted to boost the availability of transplant organs by making everyone a potential donor after death unless they have expressly objected.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

The farming sector has welcomed today's Emissions Reduction Plan.  The Government wants to set up a new centre for climate action on agricultural emissions to find innovative ways to reduce emissions.  President of Federated Farmers Andrew Hoggard joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some sad news for the business community today... With the passing of Brian Gaynor.  The business commentator, co-founder of Milford Asset Management and backer of Businessdesk.   Someone who knew Brian for decades is NZME's business commentator Fran O'Sullivan.  Fran joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a big week for the Finance Minister as he gears up to budget day on Thursday.   Things were supposed to start big today with the release of the Government's Emissions Reduction Plan. But the lack of detail is what really stuck out.   Finance Minister Grant Robertson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was Wellington mayor Andy Foster right to pull the pin on plans to light up a Wellington landmark in Palestinian colours, after a warning he might upset Israel?  The big Emissions Reduction Plan – not many specifics, a lot more consultation – has the plan fallen flat?  A report into High Performance Sport has recommended the approach needs to be changed to people first – not medals first – after t...

Wellington's mayor is defending his move to put the brakes on a Palestinian commemoration event.   The Michael Fowler Centre was set to be lit up in the colours of the Palestinian flag tonight to mark Nakba Day ... which recognises the impact of a 1948 war with Israel.   However, the capital's mayor vetoed it after MFAT expressed concerns about Israeli sensitivities.  Andy Foster told Heather Du-P...

The findings of the Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport inquiry have been released, following the death of Olivia Podmore last August.  The report found that there is an inherent tension between well-being and the pursuit of medal success, and recommends cyclists be treated as "people first, athletes second".  Issues have also been raised around women's health and male networks in the c...