UK citizens are less than a day away from being able to head to the polls - and it's been predicted the opposition will dominate. Another respected pollster has predicted Labour will win a 318 seat majority, with the Conservatives only just holding on to second place. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Labour leader Keir Starmer will beat Tony Blair'…

New developments in the world of AI could make the discovery of medicines faster and cheaper for consumers. It's been found generative AI can be taught to process and examine new molecules - with the potential to unveil new treatments. Milford Asset Management's Deborah Lambie explains the benefits of these new developments. LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst…

Finance Minister Nicola Willis isn’t receptive to calls for the establishment of an independent unit to check Treasury’s forecasts and ensure Government spending is sustainable. The International Budget Partnership and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are among the organisations that believe New Zealand needs an institu…

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 3 July 2024, Hawke's Bay Regional Council Chief Executive Dr Nic Peet responds to calls for an apology for the council's role in Wairoa's devastating flooding last week. The Education Minister Erica Stanford tells Heather why she's introducing tests for primary school kids. The …

Tonight on the Huddle, Matt Heath from Radio Hauraki and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! David Seymour has raised some eyebrows after he was caught Snapchatting school-aged students back in 2016. Has the outrage been blown out of proportion? The Government has…

Experts are reminding people that employers can see when staff are venting or sharing insults on workplace communication tools. Two Ministry of Justice staffers who used inappropriate language on Teams to describe academic Barbara Sumner have been made public after she asked for all correspondence mentioning her name. Employment lawyer Joe Williams…

The Government is hoping the Kāinga Ora board refresh will turn around its financial losses around. A new chair and deputy and six board members have been appointed to oversee the housing agency. It follows a damning review from Sir Bill English that concluded Kāinga Ora is not financially sustainable. Housing Minister Chris Bishop has also issued …

There's increased efforts to position New Zealand on the world stage and make connections with the US. Prime Minister Chris Luxon is jetting off to the NATO summit and meeting with officials in Washington next week. He says he looks forward to forging stronger links with businesses and investors to help rebuild our economy. Former US Ambassador Tim…

A new type of e-scooter has hit Auckland's streets, with remote-control capabilities. Ario's three-wheeled variety can be moved off the street, after being left by users. General Manager, Adam Muirson says the three-wheelers are designed to help people who struggle with balance. "Pedestrian and disability advocacy groups were really impressed with …

The Education Minister says many schools across the country welcome the idea of standardised testing in primary schools. Erica Stanford's announced next year, all children in their first year of schooling will do a phonics check to help teachers understand how well they read, by sounding out letters. Stanford says it's far from being controversial,…

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council is defending not opening up the Wairoa river bar earlier. Last week's downpour damaged more than 100 properties in the district, where a state of emergency lifted this morning. The Government has launched a quickfire review, including assessing locals' claims the river should've been cleared sooner. Council Chief Ex…

The Government is set to introduce standardised tests to ensure primary schoolers meet the right standards academically. Phonics checks will start for new students as young as five next year, and become compulsory from 2026. Progress on reading, writing and maths progress for years 3 to 8 will also be monitored twice a year. ZB senior political cor…

President Joe Biden has lined up his first full interview for ABC News following the fallout of last week's debate. Biden will speak to veteran broadcaster and former Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos on Friday, with the 'extended' version airing on Sunday. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this interview won't alleviate the fears from prospect…

A political collision looms within the Red Bull Formula One team concerning Liam Lawson. The Kiwi hopeful has the backing of the team's director of driver development, Dr Helmut Marko - but overall boss Christian Horner maintains loyalty to Daniel Ricciardo. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listene…

Several former Gloriavale workers are planning to sue the Crown for negligence. Members of the group have accused public servants of knowing about the slave labour within the community - and refusing to do anything about it. Lawyer Brian Henry says these public servants knew about the witnesses who were interviewed and the allegations. "You just do…

Labour leader Keir Starmer has found himself the subject of mockery after claiming he wouldn't work past 6pm on Fridays if he was elected. Starmer has since been accused of planning to be a 'part-time' Prime Minister by detractors and the opposition. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's opened up a discussion about work-life balance. LISTEN ABOVE …

The Country's Jamie Mackay made an appearance at the Primary Industry Summit and Awards in Wellington. Listen to him unpack the highlights of day one here today. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

House prices need to fall at least another 16 percent to become anything like affordable, one forecaster says. According to the Real Estate Institute, prices remain 15.9 percent below their 2021 peak - but Housing Minister Chris Bishop has indicated they need to drop down more. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABO…

Despite the regulations on farmers being modified or scrapped by the coalition Government, Rabobank's CEO is urging farmers to watch their emissions. According to a new Rabobank research paper, the agriculture sector still needs to focus on reducing their output without restrictions. Rabobank CEO Todd Charteris says the sector needs to keep moving …

One expert says Paul Goldsmith's proposed new media bill could jump-start conversations about the future of news content in New Zealand. The Broadcasting Minister plans to implement an amended version of Labour's Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, forcing tech giants to pay for news content. News Publishers' Association Public Affairs Director Andr…

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 2 July 2024, the Government has announced it's plan to help the struggling media industry. Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Heather why Facebook may boycott NZ media as a result and how he's trying to help Shortland Street. Wairoa mayor Craig Little is calling on Hawke's…

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government has introduced a new bill to require social media giants to pay to use New Zealand news content. Is this good news for the media industry - or will it backfire? The outgoing boss…

A historic Supreme Court ruling has expanded the scope of US presidential power. The United States' top court has ruled six to three that former presidents can be granted immunity from prosecution over acts done in office. This means Donald Trump's alleged role in the Capitol riots in January 2021 likely won't make it to trial before the election. …

Now, onto the outgoing boss of Kāinga Ora and his $365,000 pay-out to leave - no surprise here, but the tone that’s been adopted on that is that it’s massive. Mega. Eye-watering. No it’s not, that's tiny for a CEO. That's only half his annual salary, that's not a lot. When Tony Gibson quit the Ports of Auckland, he was on $820,000 a year, which is …

A coastal west Auckland community wants rules for driving on beaches tightened, after recent events. Auckland Council says the bylaws aren't fit for purpose. People who want to drive at Muriwai beach require a permit - but data indicated less than a quarter of drivers had obtained one. Muriwai Community Association co-chair, Clare Bradley, is unsur…

AA has confirmed people have had to wait months to sit their driver's license test. The Government is trying to cut the long wait time for tests, by allowing only one free resit. The last Government removed fees for resitting theory and practical tests, significantly increasing bookings. AA Chief Policy Officer Simon Douglas says they'll ease in th…

The Media Minister says there is a risk digital platforms will retaliate if they're forced to pay to use New Zealand news content. Paul Goldsmith has confirmed the Government is pursuing an amended version of Labour's Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. It aims to ensure internet giants like Facebook and Google pay local media companies for using th…

The Government's moves to force tech giants to support New Zealand-produced news have been met with scepticism. Fair Digital Bargaining Bill has been amended - in a bid to ensure Google and Meta pay to use news content on their platforms. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's unlikely Meta will respond well, considering the action…

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has drawn criticism from the opposition over his decision to skip a NATO summit. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will attend the meeting in Washington in his place. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Albanese is in a no-win situation as tensions escalate. LISTEN ABOVE…

The stats keep coming on Lulu Sun's advance into the second round of Wimbledon by beating eighth seed Qinwen Zheng in three sets. The victory is the first in a grand slam main draw by a New Zealand woman since Marina Erakovic made the third round on grass in 2016. The win also marks the first over a top 10 player by one of her compatriots since Era…

Wairoa's Mayor is demanding an apology from the Hawke's Bay Regional Council after last week's flooding. The bill is expected to top $40 million, with more than 100 properties significantly damaged. The district is still recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle last year, and ratepayers are already facing a 20 percent rates rise. Mayor Craig Little says t…

Ahead of the UK election, the Labour Party is pushing back against demand for a four-day working week. Unions have put pressure on the party to mandate shorter working weeks, as more UK workplaces adapt to unique working models. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this issue will be on the minds of voters ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst…

Fletcher Building's shares have bounced back up after the business completed and handed over part of their NZ International Convention Centre project. The project is back in SkyCity's hands - with the project on track to reopen by the end of the year. Harbour Asset Management spokesperson Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co…

The Finance Minister is determined to grow the economy and ease the cost of living for struggling Kiwis as the Government outlines its next points of focus. The Government today unveiled its third quarterly priorities - focusing on law and order, the economy, public services and infrastructure. Minister Nicola Willis says it's important for the Gov…

​On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 1 July 2024, Prime Manager Chris Luxon has announced his to do list for Q3- with law and order top of the list. Heather speaks to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. GPs are warning patient fees will have to rise and some clinics will have to close, because Health NZ is not funding t…

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson PR and Auckland councillor Richard Hills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Joe Biden delivered a shaky performance during last week's debate with Donald Trump - what can the Democratic Party do now? Is it time to bring in a replacement? The Government unveil…

Former Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe is set to launch his biggest - and most sustainable - business venture yet. Recorp, an aluminium canning company, is set to launch in September, with former House of Travel head Bruce Parton being appointed the inaugural CEO. Fyfe says many Kiwi companies are phasing out plastic, meaning there's room to enter a n…

Kāinga Ora's Chief Executive Andrew McKenzie will be stepping down at the end of October, with a $365,000 payout. A review has found the state housing provider needs significant savings to be financially viable. Kainga Ora Chair Simon Moutter says it's the right time. "Given the extent of change going on in this organisation with the changes throug…

Did you watch that Trump-Biden debate? Man, that was excruciating wasn’t it? At one point, I think it was the Medicare bit, I was literally watching it through my fingers, cause I'd already covered by face with my hands, it was that bloody awkward. The amazing thing about it is that this is day four of calls for Biden to stand down, which is an eno…

There's high hopes from Santana Minerals following the revelation of unearthed gold in Central Otago. The company's discovery on the privately owned Bendigo Station land has been dubbed one of New Zealand's most significant in 40 years - with a $4.4 billion dollar lifetime export value. Santana Minerals Chief Executive Damian Spring is hopeful an i…

GPs say a Government funding proposal is not enough. Health New Zealand is suggesting a 4 percent increase in GP capitation funding, the money each practice receives for each enrolled client - and letting them raise fees by just under 8 percent. The sector's warning some practices may go under. General Practice Chair Dr Bryan Betty says studies hav…

The Justice Minister says new law and order legislation will pass in the next three months, and be implemented by the end of the year. The Government has laid out 40 actions to meet its third quarterly priorities, which include the economy and better public services and infrastructure. It promises to crack down on crime by letting police ban gang p…

The Prime Minister's released his Government's third quarterly plan, saying the next three months will have a focus on law and order. Chris Luxon's set his side 40 actions until the end of September, including passing four laws to crackdown on criminal activity. These include legislation giving police the power to ban gang patches, as well as confi…

Barnaby Joyce stuck to his word after he promised he would cut back on alcohol - and lost 15kgs to show for it. In February, a video surfaced of an intoxicated Joyce sprawled out on a Canberra sidewalk after a drunken night out. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Joyce was clearly embarrassed by the events of the video. LISTEN ABOVE See …

Razor's first All Blacks squad is due to face off against England in the coming days. England's already indicated they'll take the All Blacks down - and the pressure's on for the team do do well. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

There's claims that merging four Wellington Councils into one is a practical way forward to solve the region's challenges. The mayors of Upper Hutt, Hutt City, and Porirua are holding early talks about amalgamation. But although they're keen to merge, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says now is not the time. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says Whanau needs…

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have clashed over taxes, employment and immigration in their final showdown. Voters in the UK will decide next week who will lead the country through its next term. Prime Minister Sunak says he understands why voters might be frustrated with his Conservative Party. But he says the election's a choice with consequences f…

Denmark is moving ahead on plans to introduce a carbon tax on agriculture, with cattle farmers facing additional charges as a result. The bill suggests that farmers would be taxed at 300 DKK ($70) per ton of CO2 equivalent emitted from 2030, moving to 750 DKK ($177) by 2035. The Country's Jamie Mackay says the farmers will be unlikely to take this …

International research group BMI has lowered its GDP growth forecast for New Zealand for 2024 - and warned of economic challenges to come. BMI predicted the nation's GDP would grow by just 1 percent this year, down 0.2 percent from previous estimates. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacked this research further. LISTEN ABOVE See omny…

A barrister says Green MP Darleen Tana's alleged Electoral Act breach is on the less serious side. Tana and the publishers of Verve Magazine have been accused of failing to include a promoter statement in an election advertisement published in May 2023- and both have been referred to police. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper suspects mo…