Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr was grilled by MPs today, telling them to “take a step back and just breathe” when it comes to inflation. He told MPs house prices should drop 5 to 20 percent from current levels to be sustainable. Orr was asked about recent homebuyers who may then face negative equity or stress from higher interest rates, and said the bank had warned them. Property Council chief e...

Christchurch City Council is refusing to provide a flagpole for a Sumner building because it’s worried about the Chinese Government. It had promised to give $10,000 towards a new flagpole for Sumner after it was lost in the earthquake. But now it has rescinded that. Sumner-Redcliffs Historical Society secretary Topsy Rule joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

One economist warns tax cuts may not be a good idea. The latest Newshub-Reid Research poll showed almost 69 percent of those polled want taxes slashed, but Grant Robertson has pushed back against such a policy. Economist Cameron Bagrie told Heather du Plessis-Allan there needs to be fiscal restraint in Government spending. “We’ve got an inflationary fire out there, and a fiscal policy, Government...

Trevor Mallard has been absent from Parliament for the third day in a row. Mallard was meeting with the US Ambassador, but meanwhile National MP Chris Bishop was publically planning a coup against the under fire Speaker. Mallard is also copping criticism for going to Europe along with a group of MPs from every other political party except Act. Act Deputy Leader Brooke van Valden said it’s an expen...

Nadia Lim isn't sweating the small stuff after a Kiwi richlister brought up her attire and race in an interview. DGL Group CEO Simon Henry claimed in an NBR interview that things including Lim's appearance, could explain why his business has outperformed hers on the NZX and ASX. Simplicity and Kiwi Wealth have chucked DGL Group on its exclusion list. Lim told Heather du Plessis-Allan his comments...

Anthony Albanese has stumbled over details of one of his party’s major policies before an adviser handed him notes in the middle of a press conference. The Opposition Leader – who on the first day of the campaign came under fire for not knowing the unemployment figure and official cash rate – faced a barrage of questions in Sydney on Thursday over Labor’s National Disability Insurance Scheme polic...

Kiwis could save more than $3000 a year on food by prioritising budget over brand. Branding expert Jill Brinsdon told Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealanders are not unique in their preference for bigger brands. “Any form of marketing that builds a brand’s reputation is there really just to try and layer up that sense of trust you have.” The biggest savings could be made on products like instant c...

There is fresh evidence in the Madeleine McCann case.  BP's profits for the first three months of this year have more than doubled after oil and gas prices soared.   A Police and Crime Commissioner in the UK who pledged to crack down on speeding was caught.... speeding.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business New Zealand has today launched a campaign to stop the government from implementing fair pay agreements.  In an opinion piece in the Herald today, Kirk Hope said employers and employees will lose control over the way they work calling it "not fair".  Kirk joins Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well known biscuit and cracker maker Arnott's is returning some of its production to NZ after 25 years away.   The company announced it is building a new multi-million-dollar factory in West Auckland.  It will ramp up production of high-end crackers that run under the 180 Degrees brand for sale in both NZ and Australia.  Mike Cullerne, Arnott's Group NZ lead joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTE...

The unemployment rate remains unchanged at 3.2% and wage growth is accelerating but is still well below inflation.  Gareth Kiernan from Infometrics joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up to now, because he’s a beginner, Luxon’s been given a relatively easy run on little slip ups and own goals.  But I suspect that’s going to start changing.  Three polls now, including last night’s, have put National in the lead.  Which means Luxon is now a possible or probable winner at the next election.  And he’s going to start facing the kind of scrutiny that comes with being a possible or pr...

First, he dished them out, then he's taken some back... Trevor Mallard's trespass notices have landed the Speaker in hot water.  It's led to outrage from around the traps. Including Alastair Boyce, owner of the Backbencher Pub.  Alastair Boyce joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a bit of uproar over some comments by an NZ business leader... CEO of DGL group Simon Henry.   Henry was interviewed by the NBR and was disparaging about My Food Bag's IPO last year when he said this:  "I can tell you, and you can quote me, when you've got Nadia Lim, when you've got a little bit of Eurasian fluff in the middle of your prospectus with a blouse unbuttoned showing some cleava...

There are warnings that we could see more construction companies collapse because of high costs and a lack of skilled labour.  Trevor Mallard's backdown took just 24 hours... but how much damage has he done and should the PM sack him?  Auckland Transport is looking to spend 2 billion dollars on cycleways over the next ten years... they're looking to get rid of carparks for teachers and get teacher...

The Construction Minister says she's working hard to fill skill shortages in the sector.   There's an estimated gap of more than 200 thousand construction workers.  Poto Williams says the government will be making changes to immigration settings to favour them.   She told Heather du Plessis-Allan the government has other measures in place.  “We have 43,000 apprentices in New Zealand in apprentices...

Anyone who has checked their Kiwisaver account recently will be aware that returns have slowed down somewhat recently, with losses across funds from conservative to growth. To provide an insight into what’s going on in the investment world at the moment, Mark Riggall from Wilford Asset Management joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An educator thinks removing teachers' carparks wouldn't be popular.   An Auckland cycling plan includes such ideas as mandatory bike training in schools and limiting staff parks.  It's also understood to include public subsidies to help people buy bikes .... and abolishing company car tax deductions.  Secondary Principals Association President Vaughan Couillault told Heather du Plessis Allan it's...

The Health Minister says private hospitals want to help slash dire hospital waiting lists – but it's unclear what capacity they have.   Andrew Little's today unveiled a plan to manage backlogs – saying a special task force will deliver a plan by September.   He told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's a distressing wait for Kiwis who need these procedures and appointments.  “Do we just let people linger...

National says it lost faith in the Speaker a long time ago.  Winston Peters is calling for a vote of No Confidence – after Trevor Mallard trespassed five former MPs from Parliament, then withdraw it just days later.   National MP Chris Bishop told Heather du Plessis-Allan his Party's wanted him gone for a while.  “We have a motion of No Confidence before the parliament but Labour will not let us d...

Trevor Mallard's U-turn.  Health Minister Andrew Little announces a plan to deal with hospital waitlists.  Simon Bridges will give his valedictory later tonight.  Political reporter Aaron Dahmen joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court looks to overturn abortion rights... But the fact that this is even public is a bit of a scandal in itself.  Some elections in Ohio and Indiana will give an idea of how well Donald Trump's influence is holding up.  And the concert so loud it registered as an earthquake.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Police are reportedly planning yet another crackdown on unlawful behaviour by gangs.  The New Zealand Herald is reporting that Operation Cobalt (not to be confused with Operation Tauwhiro) will monitor gang runs and tangi processions, and prioritise bail checks and arrest warrants for gang members.  A source says the objective is to put pressure on the gangs, so the public can see it.  Denis O'Rei...

Look I've got to agree with Winston Peters, I think Trevor Mallard has lost the plot.   I cannot actually believe that he believes that it's ok to trespass Winston Peters from parliament for two years.   It's not because it's Winston Peters – it's not because I have a soft spot for Winston Peters – and it's not even really about what we think about Winston Peters.   It's about the fact that he's a...

It's the 15 year anniversary of Madeleine McCann's disappearance.  A fake priest gets into Windsor Castle.  A legendary British runner has been beaten by an amateur who works in a sports shop.  UK correspondent Enda Brady joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.