Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Sports Journalist Nicky Styris and Newstalk ZB Rugby Commentator Paul Allison talk all things sport.  Does Tim Southee deserve to play in the Black Caps test against England in Hamilton tomorrow?  The FIFA World Cup is going to Saudi Arabia and Kiwi's are complaining about it.  This and more on The Huddle.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is making changes to get more capital flowing around the economy.  Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bailey says he is going to make it easier for KiwiSaver funds to invest in unlisted companies and assets.  Financial Services CEO Kirk Hope talks to Ryan Bridge.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ferry debacle, what a way to finish the year! The big four trade banks are being told to become more competitive while Kiwibank'sto get a $500 million cash injection. Greyhound racing gets the chop by Winston the dog lover. Opinion polls out this week, ACT the big winner in the Curia poll. The Māori Party leadership and the Haka leader sent to the Privileges committee along with Labour's Tau Henare. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It should come as no surprise to anyone, driving on our roads is about to get more expensive. Simeon Brown's come out this afternoon and whacked tolls on 3 new highways or expressways. Otaki to north of Levin -  $2.70 for a car. $5.40 for a truck. Takitimu North Link - that's the Tauranga to Te Puna. 4 lanes. $2.10 off peak. $3.10 peak. Double that for trucks. Penlink in Auckland - $2 off peak. $3 peak. Again.... trucks double. These prices will increase with inflation. This does not bother me at all, in fact, I welcome it. If we keep relying on governments to fund infrastructure off their balance sheet with borrowing, we'll keep getting the same woeful results we have thus far. Roads that are shoddy and unsafe. Roads that aren't big enough or wide enough. And not enough roads being built to drive regional economic growth. The last government cancelled a bunch of RONS and put some of that money into public transport instead. Hopefully if a road has a toll attached to it it'll be harder to justify them doing that when they get it next time. What we don't yet know is whether existing roads will be tolled, which I don't think is a fair thing to do. The government has changed the rules to allow tolling of existing roads if a new corridor or extension is being added. But it hasn't yet been specific - does that mean the whole road or just the new bit. They need to clarify that cause it's hardly fair if you've bought a house and commute you ran your sums on the basis it wasn't tolled... if they turn round and whack you with a charge then that's not on. On the whole I say build the roads. We'll pay for them. Just get it done.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday,13 December 2024, the Government has agreed to toll three new roads following public consultation - Transport Minister Simeon Brown explains the decision. Far-right expert Byron Clark talks about officials u-turn on allowing Candice Owens into New Zealand. Plus the Sports Huddle debates whether or not Papua New Guinea should have been given their NRL licence. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Yoon vowed to “fight until the last moment” on Thursday, in his second public appearance since his unsuccessful martial law gambit. Yoon lashed out at critics of his failed attempt last week to impose military rule on the country. Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power party, signalled he was preparing to support Yoon’s impeachment on Saturday. On Wednesday, South Korea’s corruption investigation office for high-ranking officials reportedly said it would seek the detention and arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol if conditions are met. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Ryan Bridge. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hospitals in England are being hit by a "tidal wave" of flu and other winter viruses, NHS bosses say. Data released showed there were an average of nearly 1,900 beds occupied by flu patients last week – up 70% on the week before. The service is running at near bed capacity and getting worse. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey joins the show to discuss this and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversial US Commentator Candace Owens has been granted a visa to work in New Zealand. This comes as Owens initial visa denial was overturned by Associate Minister Chris Penk. Her visa was denied last month after the cancellation of her Australian work visa.  Owens began her career as a conservative activist.  Author and expert on far-right and alt-right extremism Byron Clark joins Ryan Bridge to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is back to brainstorming for the Holidays Act, after feedback on the initial plan revealed it could make things worse.  The legislation was set to be changed two years ago, but officials will now begin work on an hours-based accrual model for annual leave.  Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden said the law is so complicated that even government departments have got it wrong.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has agreed to new tolling in order to expedite investment in roads.  Three new roads now come with a toll, all in the North Island.  Transport Minister Simeon Brown has also set out a new plan to make it easier to set up new toll roads.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon gives his review of the parliamentary press gallery as he nears the end of his first year as Prime Minister. Luxon said his past year was ‘like driving a car, finding it in a ditch, writing it and then getting it back on the road’ Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there has been no buffer for national government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to shut down the Department of Education, a promise he made during his campaign. The President to be is also made Time’s person of the year. Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in the biggest single-day act of clemency. His son Hunter Biden is among those pardoned. Gen Z to the rescue? How malls are winning over a generation of in-person shoppers. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend’s cricket will see an end to Tim Southee’s career in his 107th match. The Black Cap’s ‘lost comfortably’ in both Wellington and Christchurch. Can Auckland FC make it seven from seven this weekend? Sportstalk host Jason Pine said it’ll be tough as they play Melbourne FC on Saturday night. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motorcyclists are calling the latest ACC levy increase “punitive and inequitable,” as they set to increase by 80% over the next three years. The levies will rise to $532. Motorbike Advocacy Group New Zealand spokesperson Terry Leach said the group has lodged a complaint to the human rights commission. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bowel cancer rates in England have soared among under-50s - leaving experts concerned. New studies suggest more adults are developing early-onset bowel cancer worldwide, with figures across New Zealand, Chile, and Puerto Rico spiking annually. UK correspondent Enda Brady puts this increase down to processed food and unhealthy diets becoming more common. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech giant Google has unveiled its third-generation quantum chip, 'Willow'. The chip can solve problems at remarkable speeds, and experts are considering it a significant leap forward. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what this means for investors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s primary sector export revenue is expected to jump by 7 percent to $56.9 billion in the June 2025 year after contracting in 2024, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.  MPI, in its Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report, also expects that growth to be sustained, with revenue forecast to hit $58.3b in the June 2026 year. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's set to update the country on the state of the books next week, and experts aren't feeling too optimistic. Nicola Willis will reveal whether or not the nation is still on track to reach surplus in 2027-2028.   NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains why he's not feeling too hopeful about this target. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 12 December 2024, Solicitor-General Una Jagose KC explains why she rewrote the much criticised prosecution guidelines - and why race doesn't feature in the new ones. ACT leader and Associate Finance Minister David Seymour talks about the new ferries - and how much exactly they will cost. Plus, the Huddle weighs in on news that Wellington's in for another crazy rate hike after the council failed to save enough money.   Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Infrastructure NZ's Nick Leggett and Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Solicitor-General has revised her prosecution guidelines - saying people misunderstood what she meant when she told prosecutors to 'think carefully' before charging a person who is Māori. Do we agree with this move? 24 hours on from the Government's infamous ferry announcement - what do we think?  Wellington City Council is in damage-control mode after the latest draft budget proposed a 15.9 percent rates rise for the next financial year. Mayor Tory Whanau says she wants to bring that down - does this seem believable? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.