Larry Williams Drive

The Government aims to reduce the nation's gender pay gap through the development of a voluntary calculation tool. Current figures show the gap currently sits at 8.6 per cent - and has remained persistent at around 9 percent from 2018. Acting Minister for Women Louise Upston says businesses need a consistent and simple tool to measure their pay gaps, and then develop solutions. "We think this is a really important first step - so businesses can take those steps and we can see the gender pay gap reduce." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The decline in gas supply has led to production cuts and a 99 percent increase in coal-generated electricity, according to MBIE. Methanex, New Zealand's biggest energy consumer, has cut back on its methanol production as a result. Director of Enerlytica, John Kidd, says the system will adjust - but unfortunately this is not a costless exercise. "Structurally, we're short on energy - full stop. So it's often lost on people that we don't have enough energy in the country to be able to support our demands. So we do rely on international markets anyway." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps' T20 World Cup campaign is in tatters after a 13-run loss to the West Indies in Trinidad, leaving their Super 8 hopes hanging by a thread. Their chase of 150 to win has finished at 136 for 9. Cricket commentator Bryan Waddle says the team wasn't properly prepared for today's game. "They got close, but not close enough. Conditions were difficult and the West Indies were too good for them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speed limits around schools will become varied if proposed rule changes go ahead. The coalition Government is reversing speed limit reductions implemented over the past four years under the previous Government. Public input is open as the draft rule enters the consultation phase. Transport Minister Simeon Brown says slower school speeds will only apply at pick-up and drop-off times. "Rather than being all around the clock, which is how it's currently done at the moment, where you're seeing 30km being put in suburbs across our cities."  Simeon Brown says most people don't follow the current laws anyway. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former SIS Minister Andrew Little says China's relationship with its diaspora community is often intense. Stuff has released a documentary covering allegations of Chinese Communist Party influence and interference operations in New Zealand. It comes as the Chinese Premier visits New Zealand for the first time in seven years. Andrew Little says New Zealand is no different to any other country with a significant Chinese population. "The Communist Party, through its various machines and organs and organisations, stays in close contact with a lot of those people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prosecutors are debating whether to send former NRL star Jarryd Hayne to his fourth trial. Hayne spent a year behind bars after being convicted of sexual assault - and these convictions have since been quashed. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's unlikely a fourth trial hill happen, as Hayne is eligible for parole next May. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps' chances of progressing to the Super 8 stage at the T20 World Cup are all-but over. Coming off a first-up drubbing by Afghanistan, New Zealand have gone down by 13 runs to the West Indies in Trinidad. They've only been able to muster 136 for 9 - in pursuit of 150 to win. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the loss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Retirement Commissioner has released a list of proposed changes to improve the KiwiSaver scheme. The list suggested the default rate for KiwiSaver contributions needs to rise to 4 percent, with employers being required to match that level. However, the Commission disagreed that KiwiSaver should be compulsory. Retirement Commission policy lead Dr Michelle Reyers says 90 percent of wage and salary earners already contribute to the scheme. "There are downsides to forcing people to save - some people on very low incomes will not necessarily be better off if they give up current wellbeing for some future time period." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures showed the UK economy experienced no growth in April. The region's GDP was flat for an entire month, off the back of a 0.4 percent bump in March. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this dip will be a problem for the Conservative Party ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An optimistic update from Tower Insurance, as the company increased its profit expectations. This is the third projected profit upgrade for the company - a significant turnaround following a chaotic 2024. Milford Asset Management's Michael Luke explains how the company's new strategic direction helped boost these numbers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The top brass at the country’s banks, as well as their regulators, are due to be publicly questioned by politicians about the level of competition in the banking sector. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has asked Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee to lead an inquiry into competition in the banking sector. The inquiry will draw on the draft findings of the Commerce Commission’s big market study into retail banking, which is due for completion by August 20. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the possible outcomes of this inquiry. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An update concerning the proposed lobbying crackdown has been met with disappointment from transparency advocates. The Ministry of Justice revealed a new code of conduct co-written by lobbyists - featuring significant changes to the original document. Transparency International CEO Julie Haggie says the new code isn't worth the paper it's printed on. "Just about every single element of actual conduct - that is, what you would do to actually prove you had ethical standards - was removed." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 12 June 2024, Richard McIntyre from Federated Farmers tells Heather just what the farmers want from the banking inquiry now that the government has expanded its scope to include rural banking. Lawyer Michael Bradley talks to Heather about Jarryd Hayne's rape conviction getting overturned Sociologist Paul Spoonley on how much longer this exodus of Kiwis from NZ will go on for and what we can do to stop it Plus find out which iconic Auckland beach Heather thinks is totally overrated! 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, Nick Leggett from Infrastructure New Zealand and ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! New figures from Stats NZ show more than 130,000 people left in the year to April, 81,200 of which were Kiwi citizens - the highest on record. How can we turn this around? What's driving the nation's skilled workers away?  National MP Maureen Pugh was reportedly assaulted at a gold mine protest yesterday. Should we be more concerned about the safety of MPs? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sky's the limit for aspiring pilots, as Air New Zealand launches their Mangōpare Pilot Cadetship scheme. The program is open to applications - and will fast-track the journey from becoming a commercial pilot from 24-36 months to approximately 14 months. The airline's Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer, Captain David Morgan, says it's important they future-proof their pilot ranks. "There's a global shortage of pilots, and that shortage has just continued to grow over time. Airlines are expanding, Air New Zealand will grow - and also, there's an aging pilot issue."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ is standing by its processes, despite upset over staff having to pay back money received in error. The Nurses' Union is raising concerns over the pay back request, as Health NZ still owes workers $2 billion in under payments. HNZ Chief People Officer Andrew Slater says at any one time, only about one million in errors is being chased across a $10 billion pay roll. "This is just us making sure that people are paid accurately - and we are working with taxpayer money wisely." Slater says they're incredibly frustrated at what it owes workers, and they're working round the clock to fix this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prosecutors are considering a fourth trial after a former Australian NRL star's rape convictions have been quashed again. Jarryd Hayne has been released on bail, after spending a year behind bars for being convicted of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent last April. The verdict has been overturned on the basis that the judge didn't allow further cross-examination on the complainant. Australian lawyer Michael Bradley says it's in no one's interest for a rape case to be tried three times. "It's appalling for everyone, it just underlines how broken the system is." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The police helicopter and checkpoints are being used in Marokopa in the search for Tom Phillips and his three children. Police announced an $80,000 reward yesterday - and say they've had an increase in emails, calls and visits since. Waikato Herald reporter Maryana Garcia says police are stopping cars going in and out of the town and the chopper has been up all day. "The chopper's been flying over the Marokopa area, it came through this morning and it did a loop around that coastal area." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Look, I have got the point where I personally think St John ambulance service is so broken that I'm not sure I would rely on it in an emergency anymore.Today, the union representing the ambulance workers has announced it’s launching industrial action - indefinitely.It says St John first said there was no money for pay increases - then did make a pay increase offer, but it wasn't good enough. So the union said no and counter-offered, and every time they've counter-offered, they say St John just refuses to address it. So as a result, they will still be doing be doing code purple and red call outs, which is cardiac arrest and life threatening stuff. But they are not committing to doing anything else indefinitely. So basically, until they get a decent pay offer. This could go on for a year, they said.Can you imagine how much worse this is going to make St John? Because it’s already not flash. There's a story in the papers today of a 72-year-old guy who called St John to say he was having a heart attack. He knew h

Rural communities are elated to see their repeated concerns being heard. The Finance Minister has asked the Finance and Expenditure and Primary Production Committees to lead a joint inquiry into rural banking. Federated Farmers says rural New Zealanders are facing huge financial pressures - worsened by unfair interest rates. Spokesperson Richard McIntyre says it's causing farmers to sell up. "It's the banks making excessive profits and it's a lack of competition in the rural banking space. We've only got 5 rural banks, but we have about 18 in the residential space." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.