Larry Williams Drive

There's support for teaching Kiwi students about healthy relationships and consent as part of a refresh of school sex education standards. Gender and sexuality guidelines are being removed - and an expert group will rewrite the curriculum.  An Education Review Office report has found too much inconsistency in what's taught. Advocacy group Rape Prevention Education's Debbi Tohill says young people need to really understand what consent means.  "We can't begin early enough, I don't think, to be talking to our children about consent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several big summer music festivals will not have drug testing this year, according to New Zealand's main drug checking agency for events. KnowYourStuffNZ has confirmed seven upcoming festivals - which they had previously attended - had declined their services. Rhythm and Alps general manager Harry Gorringe says they're expecting about 10,000 people each day. He says it's a shame there'll be no testing - but they'll be working to make it as safe as possible. "We have medical staff, security staff, police on site to maintain and watch the intoxication levels of patrons." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer NZ says inaccurate pricing and misleading specials could collectively cost customers millions of dollars. The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ and two individual Pak’n Saves - accusing them of breaching the Fair Trading Act.  It says investigations are ongoing.  Consumer chief executive Jon Duffy says minor amounts for individual shoppers are significant when it's nationwide and happening every day.  "If every shopper's going to one of the other supermarkets that's been charged 50 cents extra that they shouldn't have been charged for their baked beans - actually, that really adds up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters says supporters of greyhound racing shouldn't be too shocked by the Government's ban on the industry.  The Racing Minister has revealed plans are in motion to wind it down over 20 months, giving time to rehome almost 3,000 racing dogs. Legislation has also passed in the house under urgency today to prevent the greyhounds being killed as a result.  Peters says there's been multiple reviews calling on authorities to act in the best interest of the dogs. "There've been three reviews - 2013, 2017 and 2021 - which all pointed to the need to act in the interests of the dogs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Speaker of the House has ruled on MPs from Te Pati Maori and Labour - for their role in the haka in the House protesting the Treaty Principles Bill. Gerry Brownlee has referred Labour’s Peeni Henare and Te Pāti Māori’s Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke to the Privileges Committee. Newstsalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says the group violated the 'sanctity' of Parliament - and the rules need to be upheld.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no Christmas gift for Australian mortgage holders - as the central bank has left rates unchanged again. The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the OCR in place at 4.35 percent, in line with expectations from economists. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this will come as a blow to Prime Minister Albanese - as the cost of living crisis is set to be a hot-button issue for voters ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legal expert leading the team representing Gloriavale leavers is calling on the Government to act now and protect the victims of the community. BNZ has been given clearance to close Gloriavale's bank accounts after the Employment Court found a number of former members had worked since the age of six - with many subjected to physical punishment. Lawyer Brian Henry says the residents of the community need to be freed from the 'tyranny' of the leaders and given a new start in society. "There are people inside there who need to be freed from the tyranny of what's going on there and re-set up in society where they get a decent education for their children - and they have the opportunity to live life as free people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Notre Dame Cathedral hosted its first mass over the weekend since the devastating fire of 2019. The event was attended by  2,500 people, including French President Emmanuel Macron - as well as dignitaries, clergy and a few lucky members of the general public.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says 170 bishops from around the world, were also in attendance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is taking action and giving Kiwibank a financial boost in order to bolster banking competition. A new Commerce Commission report on banking has found the sector isn't competitive enough - and offered up14 recommendations. Harbour Asset Management spokesperson Shane Solly says this is an important step - and signals key changes to come. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is looking to shake up how builders can meet insulation standards for new homes in a bid to reduce building costs. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has proposed several new changes - with a consultation period set to take place until February. New Zealand Certified Builders Association CEO Malcolm Fleming says this shows the Government is taking industry opinions into account. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government plans to inject more capital into Kiwibank in a bid to beef up competition among the banks off the back of a new Commerce Commission report. Will this work? Two new polls out tonight - and they're not looking too great for National or Labour. How can they turn their luck around? Businesses across Auckland have hit out at Auckland Transport over their 'bus to the mall' Christmas campaign. Is this a bad look for AT?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 9 December 2024, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announces how she'll inject $500 million into Kiwibank to boost banking competition. Former US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford speaks about the latest situation in Syria after Assad's fled to Russia. Plus, The Huddle debates whether AT has lost all its marbles after telling people to catch the bus to the mall. 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 Finance Minister is determined to ensure New Zealanders get access to more competitive banking services. A Commerce Commission report on banking has found the sector isn't competitive enough - and the Government is looking to make some changes. Nicola Willis says she doesn't want to threaten the banks, but she's hoping for better results for Kiwis. "That means fairer prices, that means more innovative services, that means a better range of services. And what the Commerce Commission - and others - have said is that we lack robust competition in our banking sector." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The police have missed out on a $6 million funding incentive for failing to issue enough speeding tickets.  The Transport Minister promised earlier in the year that police could expect to receive $72 million as part of their funding from NZTA - if certain road policing targets were met.  AA Road Safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen says police managed to exceed alcohol testing targets this quarter - which the association is pleased to see. "Really, this is just part of a huge push from the Government here to increase the amount of enforcement around alcohol and drugs and speeding." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TAB's boss is applauding Government moves to extend its monopoly. Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced plans for legislation to ensure the TAB can be the sole online provider of sports and race betting - as well as in person. Peters has expressed concerns about overseas betting sites. TAB chief executive Nick Roberts says bringing it back to New Zealand will grow revenue and funding. "It enables the support and growth of racing and sport in New Zealand - which is really what we're about here at TAB New Zealand." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's beefing up Kiwibank - at the request of the Commerce Commission. Its report on banking has found the sector isn't competitive enough, and offered up 14 recommendations. Simplicity co-founder Sam Stubbs says the banks would be foolish to ignore Government warnings. He says the Prime Minister's telling the banks - the game is up. "Remember, the only person that can seriously do damage to the big banks in New Zealand is the Government, because they've got regulation powers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former US Ambassador to Syria says the collapse of the more-than-50-year Assad Regime in Syria is a happy coincidence for the US.  Leader Bashar al-Assad has fled Damascus for political asylum in Moscow.  US President Joe Biden's called it a 'historic opportunity' to build a better future.  Former ambassador Robert Ford says Biden shouldn't take credit - and Assad's control of major cities was very brittle.  "When pushed - that is, to say, when a serious armed opposition attack came - his soldiers didn't stand and fight. Instead, they ran away." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's helping boost competition in banking by bolstering Kiwibank.  The Commerce Commission recently painted the banking landscape as an oligopoly in a review - pointing to the domination by the big four Australian players.  Today, Prime Minister Chris Luxon's announced he wants to implement all its 14 recommendations and disrupt the status quo.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this boost won't make Kiwibank an equal to the big four in Australia - but a cash boost is good for consumers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, new polls paint a grim picture for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. A national Newspoll reveals Albanese's approval rating had dropped to 44 percent, with Peter Dutton's rating surging to 60 percent. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says these results make a hung parliament seem more and more likely ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debate is building as to whether Tim Southee will play a 107th and final valedictory test in the dead rubber match at Hamilton this week. New Zealand are 2-nil down in the three-match series against England. Sportstalk host Jason Pine weighed up the odds ahead of the match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.