Larry Williams Drive

New Plymouth's mayor believes his region isn't getting a fair deal on infrastructure spending. More than half a billion dollars in fuel tax raised in the region has been spent in other parts of the country.   Neil Holdom told Heather du Plessis-Allan Taranaki's roads really need investment. “They’re falling to pieces, every day we are hearing from people who are having flat tires and damage to their suspension.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all underestimated Gaurav Sharma, didn’t we? This guy has nerve. He actually turned up to the caucus meeting where they expelled him today.  Can you imagine walking into a room full of people who are about to kick you out of the parliamentary party? Imagine how hard that must be.  But in he went and - according to him - eyeballed the lot of them and tried to explain his case to them and why they needed to investigate his allegations against the former whip Kieran McAnulty. Then after that - cool as a cucumber - he walked out and held a press conference.   As if he hasn’t just been kicked out of his own parliamentary party by the lot of them, including the Prime Minister. This guy has also clearly got resilience. This won’t have been easy for him.  While he’s been attacking labour for 13 days, they’ve been attacking him back.  He’s been under 13 days of sustained attack form the entire party: from the Prime Minister who’s painted him as unstable and rolled her eyes on TV at him , from senior MPs like David

Groundswell is sticking to its claim that the Government's ready to pull the pin on He Eke Waka Noa. However, Climate Change Minister James Shaw has assured them there are no plans to do just that. Groundswell climate change spokesperson Steve Cranston joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government have bought Kiwibank from $2.1 billion. It will acquire 100 percent of Kiwi Group Holdings - the parent company of Kiwibank and NZ Home Loans - provided the proposed transaction gets Reserve Bank approval. KGH is 53 per cent owned by NZ Post, 25 percent by the Super Fund, and 22 per cent by the ACC. NZME Business Commentator Fran O'Sullivan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has launched a new campaign to address truancy issues in schools. Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti says attendance has been declining since 2015, but Covid messaging has exacerbated the problem. It follows another announcement from the Government to address worker shortages, where some sectors will be allowed to pay 12,000 migrant workers less than the median wage. A decision on Gaurav Sharma will be made tomorrow. Caucus will meet to decide whether to expel him from the party in wake of more explosive allegations of bullying within the party over the weekend. Kiwibank is now 100 percent Kiwi-owned. The Government has bought the bank off the Super Fund, ACC and NZ Post for $2.1 million today. Trish Sherson and Mike Munro joined Heather du Plessis-Allan on The HuddleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Portugal declares a state of emergency over wildfires. More industrial action could hit the UK, this time in the criminal courts. A banana duct taped to a wall is now the subject of a US lawsuit. UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced the purchase of Kiwibank. It was owned by ACC, the Super Fund and NZ Post, before being purchased for $2.1 billion. Meanwhile, the bigger talking point for the Government was Gaurav Sharma. Jacinda Ardern says the Government won’t be investigating the issue as she says no basis to his claims. And the Government will also allow some sectors to pay 12,000 migrant workers less than the median wage to address workplace shortages. It will also temporarily increase access to the Working Holiday Scheme to address the shortage of casual workers more generally.  Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister clearly would’ve preferred not to talk Gaurav Sharma today. The caucus will meet tomorrow to discuss Sharma’s future in the party in wake of more explosive accusations. However, Jacinda Ardern says there won’t be an investigation as there is no basis to his claims. The Government have also announced that they have bought Kiwibank. They bought it off ACC, the Super Fund and NZ Post for $2.1 million today. The Government will allow some sectors to pay skilled migrant workers less than the median wage, in a bid to address workplace shortages across the country. It will also temporarily increase access to the Working Holiday Scheme to address the shortage of casual workers more generally.  Newstalk ZB Political Editor Barry Soper joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been asking on this show why there are now more potholes than ever. That led us to Geoff Upson - who is famous for spray painting penises around potholes he comes across on roads. And now he's running for Rodney Local Board. Geoff Upson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Government campaign launched today aims to turn the tide on low attendance rates. Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti says attendance has been declining since 2015, but Covid messaging has exacerbated the problem. But Blue Light Attendance Services' National Operations Manager Brendon Crompton told Heather du Plessis-Allan there's more than just the pandemic at play. “We get a lot of kids who are not at school through social anxiety, through Facebook bullying, we’ve got families that need support probably with transport.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chief Ombudsman says it’s unacceptable that some inmates in one of our jails are on camera even while undressing, showering and going to the toilet. Peter Boshier has released a report base on a surprise inspection of Otago Corrections Facility that was carried out in October 2020. He says allowing prisoners to be monitored while undressed could be considered a breach of New Zealand’s obligations. Corrections chief custodial officer Neil Beales joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Union isn’t happy that the Government didn’t talk to them before announcing it would allow skilled workers in on pay rates lower than the median wage. The Government yesterday announced they are allowing an extra 12,000 migrant workers to help businesses that were hardest hit by job shortages. First Union represents workers in three industries included in the agreement — construction, meat and seafood. First Union General Secretary Dennis Maga joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's largest airline is offering its frequent flyers a AU$50 travel credit, in a desperate attempt to revive its brand following an increase in complaints. Qantas will give the majority of its 14 million members the credit as a way of saying "thank you" for their patience and commitment to the airline during its post-Covid recovery. In the last six months, the flying kangaroo has copped criticism for baggage mishandling, staff shortages and increased flight cancellations as flights return to pre-pandemic levels. But today, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the airline's unideal service. "We know the return to flying hasn't gone smoothly. Over the past few months too many of you have had flights delayed, flights cancelled or bags misplaced," Joyce said in a video, which will be directed to customers in an email on Monday. "There are good reasons why, but when it comes to what you expect from Qantas, it's not good enough." Joyce then went on to apologise on

Four batsmen posted half centuries as New Zealand overhauled the West Indies' total of 301-8 to win the deciding one-day international by five wickets. The win was an historic one for the Black Caps, whose victory in Barbados on Monday lifted them to a 2-1 series win and makes this their first ODI series win in the Caribbean. Tom Latham scored 69 and put on 120 for the fourth wicket with Daryl Mitchell (63) in a stand which paced the run chase and carried New Zealand in sight of victory. Martin Guptill (57) and Devon Conway (56) had earlier combined to add 82 runs for the second wicket to give New Zealand a platform for a demanding chase. Mitchell was out with the total 248 in the 42nd over and Latham at 259 in the 44th, still with New Zealand requiring 43 runs. Jimmy Neesham settled the issue with a decisive innings of 34 from 11 deliveries, taking 18 runs from the 45th over bowled by Yannic Cariah. Neesham hit a six from the bowling of West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran to end the chase with 17 balls remai

Calls to bring paramedics under the ACC structure. Under a system called Prime, rural health clinics provide a 24/7 emergency response when an ambulance is too far away. But paramedics aren't allowed to be responders, so aren't on ACC's approved treatment providers list. Prime Chair Mark Eager told Heather du Plessis-Allan changes could be up to two years away due legislation amendments being required. He says that the law requires them to go through a select committee to change the rules. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s paid $2.1 billion to buy Kiwibank.  For all intents and purposes, this doesn’t really change much. Kiwis own Kiwibank now but Kiwis owned Kiwibank before. We just own it in a different way. Now it’s through the Government directly. Beforehand it was through ACC, the Super Fund and NZ Post which owned it.  But what this has doesn’t is stopped the possibility of selling part of Kiwibank offshore. The Super Fund – one of the previous owners — wanted to bring in big cash from foreign investors. Grant Robertson wouldn’t allow it, so the Super Fund sold its share to the Government. That’s why Kiwibank’s crowing today about being 100 percent Kiwi-owned. Because of the chance that it might not have been. At least not 100 percent.  Opportunity missed. I think Kiwibank could actually benefit from having some foreign investors buying into it.  Set aside your feelings about having a Kiwi-owned bank. The bank doesn’t really work at the moment. It’s just not that good, is it?  Have a look at Kiwibank’s Fac

Auckland Harbour Bridge won't have trial lanes for walking and cycling, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Board confirmed today. In a statement today, Waka Kotahi said it is "strongly committed to providing a safe network for walking and cycling" in the Auckland region, integrated with public transport, to "support a shift to active and shared modes with better climate outcomes". However, it says it cannot support a trial of lane reallocation on the Auckland Harbour Bridge due to "significant" health and safety issues. Movement Cycling Group's Bevan Woodward joined Heather du Plessis Allan Drive to defend the cycleway trial. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A forensic anthropologist believes answers could come from the DNA of the remains of two children, whose bodies were found in suitcases in Auckland. The remains were found in the contents of a storage unit, won in an online auction and taken to a Manurewa home last Thursday. New Zealand Police are working with Interpol and overseas agencies as part of the investigation, and it's believed some family of the children may still be in New Zealand. It's believed the bodies had been in the unit for three to four years and they were aged between five and 10 when they died. Otago University's Dr Angela Clark told Heather du Plessis-Allan DNA from the remains can be used to establish the ages, and links to family members. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former longtime MP says an investigation's needed into the claims made by Gaurav Sharma. Peter Dunne says as soon as the rogue MP levelled accusations against Labour, its whips and the Prime Minister's office Jacinda Ardern should have commissioned a probe. Sharma was expelled from the caucus on Tuesday and faces expulsion when caucus meets again in four days. But Dunne says told Heather du Plessis-Allan it might be too late for an independent investigation into the allegations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defensive attitudes in the health system may risk slowing down reforms. The chair of the nation's new centralised service - Health New Zealand - has described the sector has being more dysfunctional than expected. Rob Campbell says all of the now former District Health Board operated differently with varied outcomes, making it hard to compile information. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.