Larry Williams Drive

The Bank of New Zealand is extending the opening hours of part-time branches.  The bank put an emphasis on call centres and digital services after closing 38 branches during the height of the pandemic.   BNZ Chief Executive Dan Huggins told Jack Tame “We’ve heard from our customers – particularly small businesses – that they want to talk to our people more often”  Huggins said “four or five years ago, we saw a demand for digital – now we've taken the feedback, we’re putting more people into our branches.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Huddle: Health funding in this year’s budget  The government will fund $22m to train 25 more doctors each year through the existing medical schools at Otago and Auckland universities.  Although, Waikato University's plan for a new medical school - which had support from National - is not in the Budget.  The Maxim Institute’s Tim Wilson told Jack Tame “It’s probably not the end of the world in the grand scheme of things, but it does fill out a narrative of a series of broken promises.”  Former staffer for Jacinda Ardern Mike Munro said “50 doctors is not a lot – but we do need everything we can get right now.”  Munro says “It comes back to the reckless promises they made in opposition.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government will purchase an additional 9 million rapid antigen tests (RATs), extending freely available tests by three months.  Health Minister Shane Reti announced today that nearly $200m of the funding will go towards vaccines and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test processing.  Health Minister Shane Reti told Jack Tame “I believe Kiwis want to do the right thing and follow their isolations.”  Reti says “We want to get through this at-risk period. It peaks at mid-year and end-of-year.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Male birth control may be on its way – in gel form.  It’s a hormonal gel that men rub on their shoulders, which has been developed at the University of Southern California (USC).   USC Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Dr Brian Nguyen told Jack Tame “It’s very similar to female contraceptive methods – we have so much experience with it.”  Nguyen said “The entire factory is left intact, you’re just telling factory to stop production.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori is facing allegations that personal information collected by a Manurewa marae during Covid immunisations was used for political campaigning.  The marae was also controversially used as a polling booth in last year’s general election.  Te Pāti Māori has denied the allegations.  Taxpayers Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, told Jack Tame “At the end of the day, this information isn’t in the government’s hands.”  Williams said “The Census is such a core function of government – and public must have confidence that the data is protected.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government will spend $4 billion over the next three years fixing and preventing potholes on state highways and local roads nationwide.   Auckland will get a $478 million boost in pothole funding; Waikato will get $214m and Canterbury has been allocated $187m in funding.  Transport Minister Simeon Brown told Jack Tame “The real focus here is preventing them.”  Brown said “The NZTA board allocates the fund based upon need.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is putting $30 million towards free and timely access to radiology services including X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds across the country.   Health Minister Shane Reti made the announcement this morning during a visit to Waikanae Health Centre.  Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Jack Tame “The biggest problem has been in the provinces.”  Soper said “At the moment, you’ve got to go to a specialist, to be referred for X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds. You can imagine how long that can take.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's cyber safety regulator has dropped a case against Elon Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter) over the removal of videos of the stabbing of an Assyrian church bishop in Sydney.  Australia Correspondent Murray Olds told Jack Tame “It was seen as a test of Australia’s ability to enforce online safety rules against these giant companies.”  Olds said “The video was removed in Australia – but X has said it’s an attack on free speech.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has insisted his knockout tackle on Reece Walsh was an accident.   Suaalii apologised to the whole of New South Wales, after being sent off at the beginning of his State of Origin debut.  D'Arcy Waldegrave SportsTalk host told Jack Tame “Seven minutes into the game - the oxygen goes out of the place.”  Waldegrave says “He just turned around in the tackle. Reece slipped a bit, but he should’ve kept the tacklee safe.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the fifth straight month of slow new car sales, and it’s likely for more dealers to close.  This comes after the Government removed the Clean Car Discount – stating the Clean Car Standard will achieve results.   Motor Industry Association CEO Aimee Whiley told Jack Tame “It feels harder right now, than it did during the GFC.”  Wiley said “Consumer demand has shifted too – the kind of vehicles Kiwis want has changed.”  LISTEN ABOVE.         See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fascinating interview on the Mike Hosking breakfast this morning, with the lawyer acting on behalf of former workers at Auckland's Manurewa marae, where it is alleged that private information was improperly accessed to help with election campaigning.   Now these are really, really serious allegations and it is just so important to note that Te Pāti Māori and John Tamihere have denied all allegations of wrongdoing so far. At the moment we have Stats New Zealand investigating, the police are investigating as well. Health New Zealand is involved and now the privacy commissioner is considering what, if any steps to take.   But I for one think it's probably reached a point with this issue where a broader inquiry can be justified. Not only to restore public confidence in the census and in election processes, but also for Te Pāti Māori and for John Tamihere to have the opportunity to be publicly cleared of wrongdoing.   You see, there are several issues with this. We have, for starters, several interrelated allega

Several major hospitals in London have been impacted by a cyber attack - which led to operations being cancelled and emergency patients being diverted. The incident has had an impact on the delivery of key services, including blood transfusions and test results. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains the widespread damage being caused by the attack. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 20-year deal with Southland's Tiwai Aluminium Smelter could be good news for everyday New Zealanders. The agreement signed by Meridian, Mercury, Contact Energy and New Zealand Aluminium Smelters will guarantee supply until 2044. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton says this is positive news for the electricity sector.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's tax take has surpassed Treasury’s expectations for the first time in a while. This positive result was found to have come from efforts to minimise the amount of tax trustees pay.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says this shows how hard companies worked to flush out their retained earnings.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parts of the new Cook Strait mega ferries had already been built and tested, before the contract for the ships was canned. The Government announced last year that it would not give Kiwirail more money for the new ferries, but a written question to Paul Goldsmith revealed some engine parts had been built. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains that this will likely cost Kiwis. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another historic criminal prosecution in the US begins as Hunter Biden faces federal gun charges. The jury's been sworn in for the trial of Joe Biden's 54-year-old son. He's accused of lying about illegal drug use when buying a Colt Cobra revolver in 2018, and illegally possessing it for 11 days. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Hunter Biden could be facing a fine, community service or house arrest. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulsen is set to move to English Premier League side Bournemouth. The 21-year-old has been offloaded from the Wellington Phoenix in the biggest transfer in the club's history, estimated at $4 million. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains this update further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 5 June 2024, political commentator Bryce Edwards is calling for a coordinated investigation after allegations the Maori Party misused private information for election campaigning. How much time are people willing to give the Government to fix crime issues in our central cities? Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden on the changes she wants to make to your annual leave and your sick leave entitlements. The Huddle debates whether Canterbury Police is right to feel aggrieved that they've had their water cooler taken away. Plus Heather gets the most Boomer text ever. 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, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Police Minister Mark Mitchell held a public meeting to attempt to address the crime in Auckland's CBD currently impacting residents and businesses. Can the Government fix the rampant crime in our cities? How much time do they have before public opinion turns? The Māori Party is under fire over accused use of private information for election campaigning. Should there be a wider inquiry? Canterbury police stations have removed water coolers to save money - is this a fair move? LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Precinct Properties plans to funnel over $300 million into housing in Auckland CBD. The company has announced it'll build student accommodation of 500 units on Queen Street, to boost housing in the city centre. CEO Scott Pritchard says moving toward residential property is a natural next step. "For a long time now, we've been developing commercial office - and in the last few years, we've sort of moved into mixed-use development where you add retail and other uses to offices." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.