On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 17 May 2024, flights in and out of New Caledonia have been delayed until at least Tuesday as riots continue. Air NZ's Captain Hugh Pearce tells Heather how tricky the security situation is for crew and passengers. Green MP Julie-Anne Genter has been doing the mea culpa media round, so will all be forgiven and forgotten? Three A-league players have been arrested in Australia for alleged betting corruption, including an All Whites player and a former Phoenix captain. Former Phoenix player Paul Ifill reacts and the Sports Huddle weighs in too. Plus is this the worst sound ever? A crunchy burger? 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.
A man has been charged with attempted murder, over an apparent attempt to assassinate Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. Fico remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being shot several times during a walkabout. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis Allan there’s been reports that the suspect is a 71-year-old, but other than that not much is known. Grey said “Others are saying his motive was the Slovak government’s stance on the media – they are cracking down on Newspapers.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vladimir Putin has arrived at Harbin, China’s ‘Little Russia’. He is visiting a China-Russia trade fair today to highlight the strong economic ties between the superpowers. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis Allan “Putin wants ongoing support from China, and access to China’s financial system.” Lewis said Putin needs to pay for things in other than USD, because Russia doesn’t have access to that system. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper wraps the political week. We’re two weeks away from the Budget, the deadline by which government agency chief executives were asked to find 6.5 percent in savings. But Chris Luxon says it doesn't end with the Budget -- he wants it to be the start of a permanent culture shift within ministries. Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “Chris Luxon’s budget speech didn’t tell us much, except not to expect a lolly scramble.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Donald Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen has been accused of lying about phone call at Trump hush-money trial. Trump has been charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for allegedly paying off film star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had sex with him. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis Allan “They were throwing everything they could against him - to try paint his entire testimony as a giant lie.” Mitchinson said “I think this was one of the few times that Trump actually opened his eyes in court.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
All White Clayton Lewis reportedly among three A-League players arrested by New South Wales Police for match-fixing. This comes as the A-League’s finals rapidly approach - Wellington's Sky Stadium has sold out Saturday’s semi-final between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory. Weekend Sport Host Elliott Smith told Heather du Plessis Allan “They couldn’t have picked a worse time for this to come to light.” Smith said “It’s cast a shadow over the game.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
All White Clayton Lewis is reportedly among three A-League players arrested by New South Wales Police for match-fixing. According to Australian media, all three play for Macarthur FC. Lewis was arrested alongside captain Ulises Davila and midfielder Kearyn Baccus. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Heather du Plessis Allan “Davila was possibly taking instructions from a Mexican cartel.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Air New Zealand has confirmed Nouméa airport in New Caledonia is closed until Tuesday, as civil unrest continues. Air New Zealand says it will only resume services when it can guarantee safety for ground staff and customers. Air New Zealand’s Captain Hugh Pearce told Heather du Plessis Allan that it’s one thing for the airfield to be opened and operating, but it’s another thing for people to safely get to and from the airfield. Pearce said “Our thoughts are with those people on the ground.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Green MP Julie Anne Genter has publicly promised her outburst will not happen again. The Rongotai MP is facing formal complaints after shouting in Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey's face. Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “Today she was laying it on with a trowel.” Soper said “She’s trying to circumvent what she could face before the Privileges Committee when parliament begins next week.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Wellington Phoenix will face the Melbourne Victory tomorrow night in the A-League semi-final. Meanwhile, the captain of Macarthur FC has been accused of paying two teammates up to $10,905 NZD to deliberately receive yellow cards. Newstalk ZB sportsreader Andrew Alderson told Heather du Plessis Allan “You’re asking for trouble” - regarding the involvement of sponsorship and betting companies being involved in football leagues. Alderson said “You take your reputation and integrity into your hands, if you go down that path.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Coastguard and Surf Life Saving New Zealand will get an extra 63.6 million dollars in funding over the next four years. The money would be divided as $19m for Coastguard and $44m for Surf Life Saving NZ. Coastguard CEO Callum Gillespie told Heather du Plessis Allan “We’re going to spend it on our volunteers.” Gillespie said “We’ve got 2,200 amazing volunteers across the country – they give vast amounts of their time and energy to keeping New Zealanders safe.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Warehouse CEO Nick Grayston has quit, effective immediately. The board is looking for a replacement, and Board Chair Joan Withers said fresh energy is needed. Devon Funds Head of Retail, Greg Smith told heather du Plessis Allan “It’s not a surprise, truth be told it hasn’t been working for some time.” Smith said “It’s tough out there for retailers. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wellington's Sky Stadium is officially a sell-out for tomorrow’s A-League football semi-final between the Phoenix and Melbourne Victory. The Nix may make their first-ever A-League final in the club’s history. Former Wellington Phoenix player Paul Ifill told Heather du Plessis Allan “They’ve been doubting all season by everybody, but now they’ve found themselves one game away.” Ifill said “On the day, anything can happen, and it may go to penalties.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Te Huia, the Waikato to Auckland commuter train will continue to be funded by NZTA at reduced rate. Waikato councils will soon be deciding how they will help fund the Te Huia train service between Hamilton and Auckland. NZTA's committed around 12 million dollars from the National Land Transport fund to extend the service until April 2026. NZTA Chief Executive Nicole Rosie told Heather du Plessis Allan “The service is slightly under its passenger numbers, and punctuality.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over one million trays of kiwifruit found on a Zespri shipment with a mouse infestation will be destroyed. After mice were found on the company's first shipment to Europe for the season, the company worked to salvage what they could. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains the extent of the damage. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ASB is the latest major New Zealand bank to drop their mortgage interest rates for three and four year terms. This follows BNZ and Kiwibank bringing down their interest rates, as wholesale rates have trended down. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains why these banks are making these moves, despite the RBNZ holding rates steady. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Zelenskyy has postponed all foreign trips as Russia launches its' most serious border incursion since the start of the war. Ukrainian forces have pulled back from two strategic points in the Kharkiv region in order to avoid 'unnecessary' losses, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. New Voice of Ukraine editor Euan MacDonald says this is the result of US aid being held up over the past six months. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's been a couple days after the Australian Budget, and some groups have lucked out after the big day. Between tax cuts, the energy rebate and the financial boost for renewable energy manufacturing businesses, some feel that the Government has 'splashed the cash'. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Opposition will still have other aspects of the Budget to pick apart. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 16 May 2024, Green MP Darleen Tana has now been absent from Parliament as many days as she attended this year while her party investigates worker exploitation accusations. But former employees say they're still waiting for their money. Fonterra is set to make a huge change to its business, looking to sell off large parts of its overseas operations and even well-known brands like Anchor, Mainland and Kapiti. The Huddle debates whether Kevin Spacey should be hired for acting jobs again after a Hollywood campaign to back him again. Plus, the best bloopers from a marathon council meeting. Ding ding ding! 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 Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Several Hollywood stars have called for the witch-hunt against Kevin Spacey to stop - so he can return to the screen again. Should he be given a chance? Would we support this? Following on from Sam Cane's public retirement from the All Blacks - was the media too harsh on him? Is Te Huia over for good? The meeting to discuss the train service's future happened today - what comes next? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.