Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 3 May 2024, Helen Clark tells off Winston Peters for his comments towards Bob Carr. Popeyes from the US are here – and they're being very unkind to a fish and chip joint in Fielding.   Wellington florist Laura Newcombe speaks on her fiery encounter with Julie Anne Genter. International Correspondent Dan Mitchinson speaks to Heather du Plessis-Allan on the UCLA protests, Trump trial and Brittany Spears. Wellington's Victoria University's controversial free speech debate is back on, with more speakers added. Newstalk ZB sports contributor Jason Pine told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Ethan de Groot will be down south duck shooting, for the opening day. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Correspondent Barry Soper wraps the political week. The Deputy Prime Minister's facing defamation accusations from former Australia Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr, following comments Peters made about Carr's relationship with China. Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan ‘Winston has been terribly diplomatic overseas, and maybe the diplomacy has gotten too much for him. Peters says he was simply defending NZ’s foreign policy. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's Victoria University's controversial free speech debate is back on, with more speakers added.   A panel discussion around the role of universities in free speech was meant to be held on Monday, but it was pushed to the end of May, after opposition from some students.  Victoria University Vice Chancellor Nic Smith told Heather du Plessis-Allan they've added more people than anticipated.  Smith said there’s now two debates - “People with a viewpoint, and people who are more interested in the principles and regulations of what speech is.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julie Anne Genter shouted at Wellington florist, Laura Newcombe about cycleways in Wellington.   Newcombe told Heather du Plessis-Allan that she could tell Genter didn’t really want to buy flowers and came in with a big attitude.    “It’s common knowledge that I was opposed every single car park removed from the shopping precinct.”  Newcombe said “Perhaps she just wanted to come in, and sort me out.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I reckon Bob Carr might be wasting his time and money sueing Winston Peters for defamation.  If he was hoping that he would scare Winston into silence... he hasn't.   Winston just hit twitter today and doubled-down.  Calling Bob Carr a shill.   A shill is someone who is a bit of a hustler... who tries to convince other people to think something is great.  Suggesting he’s either shilling for the NZ Labour party who invited him... Or shilling for China.  Like in many examples of defamation cases... it often backfires.  because bob got himself all worked up about Winston first said... which was basically to call him a pawn for China.  How many of us hit the google to find out why Winston said that?  And then found the AFR article “how Bob Carr became China's pawn”    But... On the broader argument which is actually about AUKUS. Labour might need to just calm the farm a little bit. AUKUS is not quite the public flashpoint they seem to think it is... judging by the effort they’re putting in.  I reckon most people don’t care or understand, and all they're seeing is the Labour Party getting hysterical. Like them accusing Winston of embarrassing the country with this spat with Bob Carr - that's just dumb.   Winston hasn’t embarrassed the country. Bob Carr doesn't hold office. He's just a citizen who flew here from Australia to tell us what to do.  So, if anything, Winston stands to win this argument simply because he’s our guy being pushed around by an Australian.  And no one really likes being pushed around by their big brother, do they?   Anyway... Ijust wonder if Bob Carr’s underestimated Winston Peters. He loves a fight, and clearly, he’s loving the fight with Bob.   And Bob might be wise to give up while he's ahead.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK local elections are underway - and Rishi Sunak's fate is hanging in the balance. Polls indicate Sunak is losing, and his party stands to lose approximately 50 percent of their council seats. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this could open up a discussion about Sunak's standing ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's economy has been experiencing a downturn- weak growth, increased debt, and unwanted Government intervention. Despite this, China's stock market is the second-best performing market in the world so far this year. Fisher Funds' Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nadine Tunley, Chief Executive of Horticulture New Zealand has resigned with her last day at HortNZ being Friday, 30 August. Tunley claimed this wasn't an easy decision - but she wants to focus on restoring work-life balance. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Budget Day 2024, experts are predicting possible outcomes. Economists have warned this Budget will likely be very conservative, following on from earlier Government promises. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, One Nation's Pauline Hanson is copping backlash over telling another senator to 'go back to Pakistan'. Mehreen Faruqi claims Hanson breached the Racial Discrimination Act through her controversial tweet. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington Phoenix are swiftly diverting their attention to the next piece of A-League silverware up for grabs. The club missed out on a maiden Premiers Plate last night after Central Coast won their final match of the regular season. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 2 May 2024, Green MP Julie Anne Genter is in hot water over her behaviour in Parliament last night. Former Speaker David Carter tells Heather what punishment she might face. Diplomatic trouble? The Foreign Minister Winston Peters is being threatened with legal action over comments against former Aussie Foreign Minister Bob Carr. All kids will be taught how to read using structured literacy starting from next year, the Education Minister Erica Stanford explains why the change is needed. The Huddle debates what to do about Julie-Anne Genter and whether canned food is good enough for a school lunch. And what's more important on a Rugby board? Boobs or rugby knowledge? 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 Government's about to go toe-to-toe with Canada again, over a trade dispute. Canada's refusing to comply in full with a ruling in our favour over dairy trade. New Zealand initiated the dispute in 2022, saying Canada's blocking dairy exporters’ access to its market, breached CPTPP rules. ACT Trade Spokesperson Parmjeet Parmar says Canada's refusal to comply is 'disappointing' and 'disrespectful.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Julie Anne Genter raised a few eyebrows after losing her temper at Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey in Parliament yesterday. What can the Greens do about this? What should the punishment be? Winston Peters has taken aim at his Australian counterpart on AUKUS, and Bob Carr has used him of defamation. How does this make New Zealand look on the world stage? The Government is set to announce a new model to provide school lunches at a lower cost, which could involve the use of packaged foods such as tinned fruit, muesli bars, bread and canned beans. Is this a good solution? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's Foreign Affairs spokesperson says critical comments from Winston Peters are distracting from real issues. Peters criticised former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr in an interview - over his stance on the AUKUS pact. Carr's called those comments defamatory. Labour's David Parker says the comments are being used to obfuscate the Government shift on AUKUS. "Saying 'well, we should look at it' to saying, just a couple of weeks ago, there are powerful reasons for New Zealand to engage practically with AUKUS." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's optimism out of the provincial unions that they'll get what they want when New Zealand Rugby's governance saga likely comes to a head later this month. A Special General Meeting on May 30 will vote on a fully independent model backed by the national body - or another backed by the unions. The provinces want at least three future members to have served a minimum of two years on a provincial board. Mid-Canterbury Rugby chair Gerard Rushton says they have plenty of support. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An education union says there's more than one way to teach the basics in schools. The Government's committing $67 million in the Budget to roll-out structured literacy in state schools from 2025. It uses phonics to decode words - and teaches spelling skills and components like vocabulary, comprehension and writing. Educational Institute President Mark Potter says such methods are essential, but there are many. "Good, capable readers like yourself and myself - we use a variety of strategies. Phonics is only one of those strategies we do use." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Speaker of the House says Julie Anne Genter's behaviour yesterday was 'dreadful'. The Green MP crossed the debating chamber last night, confronting Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey at his seat and waving a booklet in his face. David Carter says a 2007 scuffle between MPs Trevor Mallard and Tau Henare was outside the chambers. Carter says Genter could face a range of punishments. "They could actually expel her from Parliament - unlikely to do that - they could suspend her for a period of time, they could fine her, they could censure her and require her to come back into Parliament with a very fulsome apology." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister says teachers' stances on structured literacy are changing. The Government is putting $67 million from the Budget into bringing the learning method into state schools by the first term of 2025. The primary teachers' union, NZEI, says mandating a one-size-fits all approach does not work, and teachers know what is best for learners. But Minister Erica Stanford says she has evidence it works, citing figures from Maramarua School's principal. "His Māori students - 37 percent were at or above curriculum level for reading two years ago. Now he's got 67 percent using structured literacy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That was some outstanding rage from Julie Anne Genter, wasn't it? It probably won't surprise you to hear she's not at work today, she's working from home - I would be too, if that was me caught on that camera. The Greens have launched a disciplinary process, but I'm not expecting much from that, given how relaxed they seem to have been in the past about dealing with allegations against their MPs. Also, multiple parties in Parliament have now complained to the Speaker, and Gerry Brownlee will make a decision next week on whether he refers this to the Privileges Committee. Frankly, I think he's going to have to, don't you?  Because that was pretty outrageous behaviour. I mean in most professional workplaces, if you went up to a colleague, got your face about 30cm from them, yelled at them while waving a document in their face and then waved your hands repeatedly, I reckon you'd get a written warning - or a verbal warning at the very least. But it would be on your record, wouldn't it?  If you flipped the roles, if that was National's Matt Doocey marching over to Julie Anne Genter and yelling in her face instead of the other way around, there would be calls for all hell to rain down on him. Now obviously, let's deal with reality, let's not pretend women are held to the same standard as men when it comes to threatening behaviour. They aren't - and that's generally because women are not as much of a physical threat to men as the other way around. Rightly or wrongly, that's just how the world works. And I reckon that will colour the judgement of this particular case. But even for a woman, that was pretty wild, wasn't it? That was pretty cooked. Anyway, interestingly, Greens co-leader Marama Davidson was repeatedly asked today if she knows of other instances where Julie Anne Genter has lost her temper - and she didn't really answer the question, so draw your own conclusions from it. But she was probably asked because Julie Anne does have a bit of a short fuse. She's very passionate about her portfolio, she can get cross pretty easily about it. She walked out of a 1News interview three years ago - when you're with her one-on-one discussing transport, she gets quite shouty, even in public. To her credit, I like the fact that she's passionate about transport. It's good to have people who actually care about the things that they're in charge of. But unfortunately for her Parliament, like most workplaces now, has standards. And if we don't want blokes to be doing this to ladies in the House, we shouldn't have the ladies doing this to blokes in the House, should we? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.