Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 26 June 2024, people in Hawke's Bay are again being hit by "catastrophic" flooding. Civil Defence Minister Mark Mitchell, and the mayors of Wairoa and Hastings speak with Heather. Triple murderer Lauren Dickason has today been sentenced to 18 years for killing her three daughters. But Heather still has doubts whether it really was murder. The Huddle debates the crackdown on "woke" judges after Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Heather how he's beefing up sentences. Plus, older couples are apparently using MDMA to get spice up their marriages. 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, journalist Clare de Lore and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Lauren Dickason has been sentenced for 18 years after admitting responsibility for killing her three daughters. Was this a fair outcome? Justice Mininster Paul Goldsmith has unveiled some new sentencing reforms - meaning judges have less room to be lenient. Do we agree with this? Labour leader Chris Hipkins has dismissed the second Covid inquiry as Winston Peters and David Seymour trying to court the conspiracy theorist vote. Was this out of line? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's business sector seems to be taking a turn for the optimistic, according to new data from 2degrees. The latest Shaping Business Study says 18 percent of business leaders feel like their companies are thriving, 34 percent feel more optimistic about the future and 53 percent anticipate revenue growth.  2degrees Chief Business Officer Andrew Fairgray says the change in Government and improved global environment is helping boost the mood of the business community. "We're starting to see more businesses seeing the benefit of using digital technology to support their businesses, we're seeing the global environment starting to improve - hopefully people are starting to realise there is opportunity to move forward."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's business sector seems to be taking a turn for the optimistic, according to new data from 2degrees. The latest Shaping Business Study says 18 percent of business leaders feel like their companies are thriving, 34 percent feel more optimistic about the future and 53 percent anticipate revenue growth.  2degrees Chief Business Officer Andrew Fairgray says the change in Government and improved global environment is helping boost the mood of the business community. "We're starting to see more businesses seeing the benefit of using digital technology to support their businesses, we're seeing the global environment starting to improve - hopefully people are starting to realise there is opportunity to move forward."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's environment spokesperson has called for the Government to front up about the kinds of projects aiming to be fast-tracked under new legislation. Under the new legislation, anyone who wanted to get a project fast-tracked had the opportunity to submit an application by the end of April 2024.  Labour's Rachel Brooking says the public deserves to have a say on the types of projects that get approved.  "We want to know now, so we know what we're talking about. And at the moment, we can only guess that it's going to be a coal mine in a kiwi habitat - because of what ministers like Shane Jones say." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Justice Minister has announced a suite of changes designed to clamp down on criminals. These measures include capping sentence discounts at 40 percent, making serious retail crime an aggravating factor, and encouraging cumulative sentencing for offences committed on bail or parole. Minister Paul Goldsmith says more judges have applied discounts to sentences - diminishing the consequences of crime. "That sends a very clear signal from Parliament, which is a reflection of very widespread concerns in the community around violent crime. That's the message we're going to send - and I'm confident it will be registered." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Dickason could be freed this decade after murdering her three daughters in Timaru in September 2021. She's been given three concurrent 18-year sentences today, with no minimum non-parole period. She'll be eligible for parole in six years. ZB court reporter Blake Benny says Dickason will begin her sentence in a secure mental health facility. "There, she'll undergo compulsory treatment - in following that, mental health experts will make that call on whether she's reached the point of actually being mentally well enough to then be transferred to prison." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Energy Minister says there are clear signs of a communications failure at Transpower. Simeon Brown's given officials 12-weeks to report back on investigations into a transmission tower toppling last week leaving thousands in Northland without power. Brown says there was a significant lack of information last Thursday after the pylon fell. "There was no explanation given, publicly, by this entity until Monday - I think that was, frankly, unacceptable. And actually, they should be owning up to what happened and explaining that to the public." Transpower says maintenance workers removed the nuts from three of the tower's legs, before it fell. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heavy rain and high tides are set to tear through the East Coast, and locals have been warned to take cover. States of local emergency continue for the Wairoa District and the Hastings Heretaunga Ward, after torrential rain has closed roads across Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti. Wairoa looks to have fared the worst, with 100 homes flooded and 130 people evacuated, and warnings of heavy weather will still apply until 11pm. Wairoa mayor Craig Little says locals need to stay vigilant.  "Our high tide comes back at 9pm tonight, and then if the rain doesn't stop and it all comes together - we could have the same effect of what happened this morning." Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says 140 families have been asked to leave their home. "I know there's an inconvenience of being with friends and family for another night, but we are concerned about high tides." State Highway 2 has reopened between Napier and Wairoa. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officials say Wairoa has had the worst of the storm battering the East Coast. States of emergency have been declared in the Wairoa District and Heretaunga Ward, with torrential rain closing roads and caused hundreds of evacuations overnight. Heavy rain warnings have lifted for Tairawhiti, but continue until 11pm in Hawke's Bay. Wairoa is cut off by slips - and the Emergency Response Minister Mark Mitchell will be flying in by helicopter. He's unlocked $100,000 each for the mayoral funds for Hastings, Wairoa and Tairawhiti. Mitchell says people in Wairoa have had to leave flooded homes. "I know that the memorial hall is filled with people, the number I was given was about 100 people. Houses have been evacuated - it's the swell that's made the big difference." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Princess Anne is the latest royal with a health issue after suffering minor head injuries thought to be caused by a horse. It's believed the Princess was kicked by a horse while walking on her Gloucestershire estate on Sunday night. UK correspondent Enda Brady says she's been hospitalised - but she's in good spirits. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns that the Warehouse's top level salaries don't match the company's declining performance.  The Warehouse Group's shares fell to a record low of $0.97 after forecasting earnings would fall at least 64 percent year-on-year. Former chief executive Nick Grayston was paid $2.79 million, out-earning his retail counterparts in the 2023 financial year. Shareholders' Association Chief Executive Oliver Mander unpacks this further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling dairy manufacturer Synlait has asked shareholders to vote in favour of a $130 million lifeline from Chinese shareholder Bright Dairy. The company said a2′s vote would be influential in deciding if the critical shareholder loan needed to pay off bank debt due July 15 went ahead. The Country's Rowena Duncum says the situation's looking dire for Synlait. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis’ confidence in the job market took a dive over the past three months, according to a survey conducted for Westpac. The bank reported its confidence index, which measures responses to five questions related to employment prospects, fell by 13 points to 91.4 in the June quarter. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explains why less people are feeling optimistic. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political blame game around Cook Strait ferries. KiwiRail, Maritime New Zealand, and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are all investigating Interislander's Aratere, which ran aground on Friday after experiencing steering issues. The Government pulled the plug on new mega-ferries and upgraded portside infrastructure, soon after taking power. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks the controversy further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the Government will extend its Covid inquiry to cover lockdowns, vaccine mandates and efficacy. Things get heated when Associate Minister Nicole McKee tells Heather why she had to water down her Three Strikes bill so much. NZ Rugby has posted a $8.9 million dollar net loss for the last year. CEO Mark Robinson speaks to Heather about how he thinks the financial fortunes can be turned around. Plus, the Huddle debates news that Julian Assange has walked free after striking a plea deal with the United States. 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, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Government relations consultant Kaine Thompson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government has announced a second Covid inquiry into the economic and societal impacts of lockdowns, restrictions and vaccine mandates. Is this necessary?  The new Three Strikes reigime has been introduced to the House today - what do we think? Is it too watered-down? Julian Assange is free now - what happens next? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has posted an $8.9 million dollar net loss for 2023 - the second deficit in a row. Although spending was reduced from the year prior, a drop in broadcast and match day revenue in a World Cup year saw income fall by $3 million to $268 million dollars. NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson says there's work to be done for the future. "What we're spending more time on is looking at our strategy - and the role that each of our different stakeholder groups has to play in the game and trying to build more alignment on that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamilton city councillor Andrew Bydder is on the defence, after delivering an expletive-laden rant to a neighbouring council. In a letter directed at Waipā District Council, Bydder used derogatory language to voice his displeasure with the placement of a third bridge in Cambridge. He has since claimed he tried to be polite to the council - but it never got him anywhere.  "I did this because it cannot be ignored. It was the only way to get a reaction, and to get the issue dealt with. I'd rather not do it this way, but if it's the only way they react, then I have to." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Associate Justice Minister is urging the public to submit on proposed three-strike laws. A Bill to reinstate the sentencing is being introduced to Parliament today, but it won't include sentences under two years. Minister Nicole McKee says it is fit for purpose. "I think that we need to go harsh and hard on our criminals, especially those serious violent ones - but I also think that we need to have some sort of out for the lower-level offending." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.