Larry Williams Drive

2024 is nearly over - so which companies did the best on the New Zealand stock exchange for the year? Tower Insurance leads the pack, off the back of a series of upgraded earnings and regained inclusion back in the NZX50 Index. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton unpacked the winners and the losers for the year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A significant decision from the Court of Appeal could see Gloriavale shut down its' operations for good. The court has thrown out an injunction that prevented BNZ from closing the West Coast Christian community's accounts. BNZ attempted to stop doing business with Gloriavale in 2022, after the community's child labour usage breached its human rights policy. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the wider implications of this verdict. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! What do we make of the the ferry announcement-for-an-announcement? There's still a lot of lingering questions following the Government's latest update - how much will they cost? What do we make of this process? And what does it mean for the coalition?  Labour's Chris Hipkins is inferring racism after noting only Māori MPs got sent to the Privileges Committee following the haka in Parliament? What do we think of this? Why do we think people are fawning over the alleged killer of the UnitedHealthcare CEO? Is this glorifying violence? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 11 December 2024, there's more questions than answers after the Government announced it will buy two new Cook Strait ferries. Newly appointed Minister for Rail Winston Peters tells Ryan Bridge why he's not saying how much they'll cost though. The PSA is taking legal action against the Government for limiting working from home for public servants, so what's it got to do with women? Plus, the Huddle talks about the hype and celebration around the man accused of murdering a health boss in broad daylight in New York. 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.

The latest card spending data from November indicates Kiwis are keeping their expenses down for another month. Kiwibank reports claim the value of spending dropped 2.5 percent in November and new ANZ data shows a drop of 1.2 percent year on year. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says there's hope for the economy - as we're seeing early green shoots ahead of the Christmas season. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concern among petrol station owners, following BNZ signalling its lending period for fossil fuels is ending. BNZ has informed one business lending to petrol store owners will end - and the bank needs all debt repaid by 2030.  The bank says it's an economic decision, as they're foreseeing people switching to electric vehicles.  An anonymous owner of multiple rural petrol stations says the decision hurts farmers, who will still need diesel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Airport has unveiled the scale of the delays today following an IT issue. A fault with a fibre network provider's domains cut the internet to a number of businesses, including international check-ins. It meant airlines had to manually check people in, causing several flights to be delayed. The airport's chief operating officer, Chloe Surridge, says it caused a lot of disruption, until switching providers fixed the issue. "There were 40 airlines running on delays in departures - and that kinda has a knock-on effect to probably about 20 arriving slightly delayed as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is tip-toeing around whether New Zealand First will get the rail-enabled Cook Strait ferries it campaigned for. The Government has announced it'll set up a new company to procure new Interislander vessels - and has made Peters the Minister for Rail.  It's almost a year since the coalition scrapped Labour's contract for buying two mega-ferries that would have joined up rail across the two islands. Nicola Willis says the new ferries will be smaller and rail-capable, but not fully rail enabled. Peters says he's conceded nothing. He says he's taken on railways in the past - and dramatically turned them around - and people should ask the Maritime Union if they have confidence in him. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are school prizegivings harmful or helpful? Discussions have surfaced as the school year comes to a close.  Auckland Grammar headmaster, Tim O'Connor, says prizegivings are an opportunity to celebrate student achievement. He says it doesn't mean everyone should get an award.  "It's a ritual or a trait of education where, actually, we should learn how to be a contributing member of our community - and that includes being able to respect high-level achievement." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has put on a brave face in the House today, deflecting question after question on a somewhat lacklustre announcement concerning the new ferries. The Government has revealed the next steps for replacing the ageing Interislander ships - but experts have raised a few questions. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it feels like the Government's gone completely off track. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man charged with allegedly shooting a top health insurance chief executive in New York carried a manifesto of grievances - indicating a possible motive behind the attack. Luigi Mangione, 26, has been accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson, triggering a nationwide manhunt. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Mangione yelled at the officers, media and other attendees ahead of a hearing on extraditing him to New York. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Crusaders playmaker - and former Wallaby - James O'Connor is calling for All Blacks to remain eligible for test selection while playing for Australian Super Rugby clubs. New Zealand Rugby are holding firm on their policy of only selecting players based at home, despite All Blacks coach Scott Robertson urging them to keep an open mind. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Association has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority to stop the Government restricting flexible workplace practices. The PSA has argued the new directives on working from home violate its existing agreement with the Government.  Fleur Fitzsimons, the acting National Secretary of the PSA, says the Government has failed to take the Gender Pay Principles into account. "One of them is that agencies normalise flexible and part-time working arrangements for all employees. So our concern, really, is that the recent Government directive has failed to take into account the commitments under the Gender Pay Principles." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain’s King Charles III is 'fighting very hard' in his battle with cancer, according to President-elect Donald Trump’s account of a conversation he had with Prince William. Trump told the New York Post that he had asked William about the health of his wife and his father, who both received treatment for undisclosed forms of cancer this year. UK correspondent Enda Brady said that the royals had to issue a clarification about King Charles' health following the sit-down. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's central bank has opted to keep rates on hold in its final meeting of 2024 - the same position it's held all year. The RBA did soften its language a bit, and revealed the board had 'some confidence' that inflation was heading back to target. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham predicted rates would come down by 2025. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a significant lift in September, farmer confidence has surged again to the highest level since 2017. According to Rabobank's final Rural Confidence Survey for 2024,  farmer confidence in the broader agri-economy has risen from 3 percent to 34 percent. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks the factors behind this lift. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Treaty Principles Bill - David's done polling for Hobson's Pledge looking into support for or against the bill. What did we make of the findings? Greyhound racing - what do we think of the Government's ban on the sport? Is this the right call? A Reserve Bank consultation has shown Kiwis are still keen on physical coins and banknotes. But do we like the idea more than the reality? Do we still carry cash? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most New Zealanders are still keen on using physical cash, a new Reserve Bank consultation has found.  Their online survey drew in over 18,000 respondents, with many worried digital money would replace banknotes and coins. The central bank's Director of Money and Cash, Ian Woolford, says people are worried about privacy and control when it comes to money. "It's a personal choice - money is quite a personal thing and it's quite natural for people to have concerns about people monitoring their use." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 10 December 2024, Racing Minister Winston Peters has called time on the Greyhound Racing Industry. Winston Peters tells Ryan Bridge why he decided to make the move now but Greyhound Racing CEO Edward Rennell says the industry has been blindsided.   Consumer NZ is celebrating news that the Commerce Commission will file charges against three supermarkets accusing them of displaying inaccurate pricing. Plus the Huddle debates news from the Reserve Bank that the vast majority of Kiwis still want to keep using cash. 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.

Supporters of New Zealand's greyhound racing industry are voicing their disapproval with the Government's latest decision. Racing Minister Winston Peters confirmed the sport will be phased out over the next 20 months - with the ban drawing cross-party support. Greyhound Racing NZ Chief Executive Edward Rennell says the industry is blindsided by this news - and they're looking to go through a select committee process.  "We will certainly go through a select committee process and outline why we believe there is a place for greyhound racing - and why we believe it should continue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.