Podcasts about listen abovesee

The 2025 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally continues this week with round two, competitors heading to Timaru for the South Canterbury Hydraulics Rally South Canterbury. The one-day event sees competitors tackle a mixture of forestry and public roads on the outskirts of Timaru, before a final blast around the Levels Raceway circuit on Saturday afternoon. D'Arcy Waldegrave caught up with rally leader Ben Hunt ahead of the day's action. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Australian Correspondent Jim Dolan gives us the latest from the wonderful wide world of Aussie sport. On today's agenda: The Supercars are looking to go even faster this afternoon. It's a big day for the Warriors. Can the Brumbies keep going in Super Rugby? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's panel features NZ Herald Online Sports Journalist Alex Powell and Gold Sport Rugby Commentator Hamish McKay. On the agenda this weekend: New Zealand Rugby suffers a massive loss, despite a record income for 2024 Go Media Stadium gets the nod over Eden Park Are we unlikely to see India and Pakistan play each other in cricket again? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Customs Minister says using cash can help hide exploitation. A Ministerial Advisory Group has released its second report - criticising our response to modern crime and money laundering. It shows cash and assets seized by police total just 4.2 percent of the $1.6 billion criminals make each year. Casey Costello says cash payments also aren't good for workers. "In terms of protection of workers and assuring that deductions are being done properly and pay is being managed properly and that they are getting all their entitlements - the cash process makes it very difficult concerning those things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is urging the Government to close farming loopholes before 'more damage is done' to the sector. The organisation want loopholes in the guidance around limits on carbon forestry closed - as concerning news of further whole-farm sales emerges. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's Ayesha Verrall says tobacco's unique harm is why industry links to Government need tighter checks. She's put forward a Members' Bill designed to ban any linked people working on tobacco policy. Labour hopes it'll have cross-party support. Verrall says other products, like vaping, don't need such strong restrictions - but tobacco's incredibly deadly. "It kills half the people that use it - we don't have other products like that. So that's why we need this specific focus on tobacco." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruahei Demant has been named at 10 in the Black Ferns side for their opening match of the Pac4 against the Wallaroos in Newcastle on Saturday. Coach Allan Bunting has opted to give his co-captain first crack at first-five in 2025 leaving Hannah King on the bench. Teenage fullback Braxton Sorensen-Magee will debut. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the selections further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Liberal leadership race is on, following Peter Dutton's sweeping loss in the Australian election. Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley lead the pack as potential contenders - but neither one has been publicly nominated. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Ley has gained more attention - but it's unclear if sections of the party will get behind a female leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With two weeks left to go until Budget day, Chris Luxon addressed a crowd at a BusinessNZ event in Auckland today. Luxon reiterated that the Government won't be splashing the cash this year - and claimed the Finance Minister was right to promise it won't be a Budget lolly scramble. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says this wasn't the kind of pre-Budget announcement that would make the nation sit up and take notice - and that was by design. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports indicate a 'major' trade deal between the US and UK is set to be announced. US President Trump has teased that a partnership with a 'respected world nation' is in the works - and Downing Street hasn't denied that the UK isn't involved. UK correspondent Enda Brady speculates further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Encouraging investment is a top priority in this month's upcoming Budget, according to new reports. Prime Minister Chris Luxon says it'll come from a small number of measures, including more funding for a R&D tax credit. BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard says New Zealand is currently one of the hardest OECD countries to invest in. She says the new agency, Invest New Zealand, is one positive measure. "Much more like a concierge sort of treatment for investors - and they will have the door flung open and the welcome mat put out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Minister Stuart Nash and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The first photos of Mark Lundy have appeared in the Herald. Should these photos have been released at all? The pay equity saga continues, with protests planned around the country for tomorrow. Did the Government stuff this up? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has posted a loss of $19.5 million for 2024, despite also bringing in record income. The result was announced during today's AGM in Wellington - and is New Zealand Rugby's third consecutive deficit following a $8.9 million loss in 2023 and a $47 million loss in 2022. The national body recorded income of $285 million, in what it describes as being a 'near break-even result', highlighted by growth in commercial revenue. NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson says there's been significant investment in all levels of the game. "The investment has gone into record levels of investment into the women and girls' game, to the work we're doing in content and digital strategy and game development - we've never had higher levels of investment in the community game." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rotorua is hoping to boost its reputation as a top tourism destination - despite some media blowback. TRENZ, New Zealand's largest international tourism event, just wrapped up - bringing over 1200 travel buyers from 26 countries into the city. Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell disagrees with the claims that the city is 'dead' and says the city is 'smashing it' in regards to tourism. "We were pretty surprised when we saw this very negative media article. Are we surprised... no. Will we fight back? Yes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 8 May 2025, the Government has been advised to crack down on cash to reduce organised crime. Customs Minister Casey Costello is pondering whether to stop cash payments in sectors like construction. The Herald has released first pictures of convicted murderer Mark Lundy out in public, and Heather is wondering whether it's ick or satisfying what readers want to see. New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson tells Heather why NZR has delivered its third loss in a row despite record revenue. Plus, Rotorua's mayor comes out swinging telling Heather Rotorua is definitely not dying! 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.

It's the end of an era - as WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy after 62 years in business. The company's New Zealand arm closed in-person workshops last year, and it's seen struggles across the world as weight-loss trends change. Nutritionist Nikki Hart says the advent of injectable treatments like Ozempic has played a role in the company's downturn. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're two weeks away from Budget 2025, and the Government has been dropping hints about what we can expect. Prime Minister Luxon recently confirmed the Government will increase total capital expenditure allocated in the upcoming Budget by $400 million. NZ Herald business editor Liam Dann explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Lundy has divided our workplace out there. Some of my colleagues think that it's really gross that the Herald, who we work with, have taken photos of Mark Lundy today after he got out of jail yesterday. Now, the photos aren't anything particularly special - he's sitting in the passenger seat of a car, all you can really see is his face, that funny little beard he's got, some sunglasses and his latte coloured hoodie. It tells you nothing and it shows you almost nothing. And I suspect the reason it shows you almost nothing is because there are very heavy suppression orders about where he lives at the moment. So anything that identifies the town outside of the car, I would imagine, cannot be published. So they're a little bit limited in what they can show you. But even though there's almost nothing to see in these photos, boy, are we clicking on this particular story. It was, when I last checked, the most read and most viewed story on the Herald - so people are interested. And shouldn't the media be reporting and taking photos of things that we're interested in? I would say yes. Now, I can understand why people are grossed out by this. I suspect a lot of that comes down to the fact that there is significant doubt amongst some people as to Lundy's guilt - just as there was doubt with David Bain, just as there was doubt with Scott Watson. And so the feeling is, if you think he hasn't done it, then you feel gross about the fact that he keeps on being harassed after serving his time. But remember, until he proves otherwise, he is a man who was convicted of murdering his wife and daughter, and his trial and his behaviour around that gripped the nation and frankly turned him into one of the most famous - or infamous - people in the country. So he is a legitimate news story And it's not really a question of whether the Herald should have taken those photos, it's actually just a question of where you were going to see that photo first. Because you were going to see it somewhere. If it wasn't on the Herald, it would be on some other news outlet, or just someone popping down to the local coffee shop, seeing Mark Lundy there, taking a photo of him, and putting it on social media. Cause we all know what he looks like, and clearly we're all interested in him - and it was going to happen sooner or later, wasn't it? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Op-shop rubbish fees are piling up as people dump masses of 'unusable' items outside. The SPCA says it's spent $250,000 this year. Retail general manager Cathy Crichton says the charity's grateful to receive donations of quality items - but people also leave damaged or unhygienic items it must throw away. She says binning large items like mattresses can cost a lot. "That, in itself, is eroding the good work that our volunteers and team members are doing and building fundraising - and that's the commercial challenge." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney says his country and the US are in the process of re-defining their relationship. He's been at the White House talking trade and Canadian sovereignty with Donald Trump. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Carney made it clear that Canada was not for sale - but Trump is still hopeful this will change. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final stage of a bill to increase the threshold of pay equity claims is expected to pass in Parliament. It'll extinguish 33 active claims, requiring them to re-start under the new model - with the changes expected to impact hundreds of thousands of workers. This bill has been met with outrage from unions and the Opposition - describing it as a 'dark day for women'. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls weighed in on the bill's progress. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's fears of escalation between India and Pakistan among experts. Pakistan claims Indian missile attacks have killed eight people - and India's claiming three died when Pakistan shot down five of its planes. Auckland University Global Studies Professor Chris Ogden says both countries have nuclear weapons. He says that could actually be beneficial. "It might actually enhance the possibility for a limited war - this happened back in 1999, when both sides were testing weapons in 1998." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overall employment's held steady - but the hours people work have notably contracted. In figures out today, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1 percent in the three months ending March. But total hours worked are down three percent over the year. Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr says numbers of part time workers are rising, with those working full-time falling. "Businesses are clearly cutting hours to reduce costs and fight their way through what's quite an awkward period, and that's weighing on households." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confusion reigns between Netball New Zealand, the Silver Ferns captain and the country's star player on eligibility criteria for the national team. The issue has resurfaced with shooter Grace Nweke currently ineligible for the Ferns because she's playing for New South Wales in Australia's Super Netball competition. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the ongoing discussions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transpower says upgrading the Cook Strait electricity cable would come at a very small cost to consumers. It's consulting on a $1.4 billion proposal - to upgrade existing cables and allow for building a fourth. CEO James Kilty says the plan is to get another 40 years of stable electricity. He says because costs will be paid for over that 40 years, prices won't surge. "It'll be a few dollars a year - but by the time it's spread across every connection in the country, it's spread over 40 years. It'll be a reasonably small amount." 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! It's day two of the pay equity saga - what do we make of all this? Has the Government mishandled this? Was it a bad call to rush the law through the way it has? Should they admit they're just doing it for the money? Should we take Donald Trump seriously when he floats ideas like making Canada the 51st state? How much attention should we give statements like these? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A boost in trade for the UK and India after finalising a long-desired free trade deal. It focuses on tariff reductions for British and Indian goods across almost all sectors, with a boost on UK car and alcohol industries. UK correspondent Gavin Grey unpacks the deal further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briscoe Group sales fell 2.58 percent on the year to $178.3 million in the first quarter, weighed down by weaker homeware sales. Briscoes Homeware store revenue fell 4.66 percent to $103.6m compared with the first quarter last year, while Rebel Sport's revenue grew 0.47 percent to $74.7m. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let me make a prediction for you on this pay equity drama that's been playing out for the last 24 hours - the Government is going to pay for this in a big way. I reckon that this could become one of the defining moments of this Government when we look back on it in years to come. Kind of like the 'Mother of All Budgets' came to define Ruth Richardson and Bolger's Government and the way the cup of tea came to define David Lange's Government - I think this is a moment for this Government. Not because it's the wrong thing for this Government to do, but because of the underhanded and sneaky and cowardly way that they have done it. Now, I personally think that the pay equity system did need an overhaul. I mean, I think it is ridiculous to have librarians, as I said yesterday, compare themselves to engineers to justify similar pay. You can see those jobs are not even the same, right? But I do not think that it should have been rushed through with the shock and awe that it has been. ACT, in particular, has spent so much time in the past criticizing the previous Labour government for using parliamentary urgency to get around normal processes and keep people out of deliberations. And yet, here they are doing exactly the same thing because it suits them. And this is significant. It should have been flagged with people because it affects so many people - and yet, there was no indication whatsoever until yesterday that this was going to happen. Where was it on the list of the Prime Minister's action plans for the first quarter, or even the 2nd quarter or any quarter? It's just popped up absolutely out of nowhere and it's taken everybody by surprise. And what's more, they need to stop pretending in Government that this isn't being done in a hurry to have an impact on the Budget. This is being done in a hurry to save money for the Budget. We know that - because David Seymour said so yesterday. So everyone, and especially the National Party, needs to pretend that this is being done for some sort of principle, when actually what it's being done for is to save billions and billions and billions of dollars. The primary problem here, I think, is cowardice. It feels like these guys are rushing this through as quickly as possible with as little notice as possible, so they do not have to own their own decision. They should own it. It's not a bad decision, but they're making it feel like a bad decision. And I'll tell you what, oppositions can sense weakness - and they know that these guys are weak on this and they're going to strike on it, which is why I think this Government is itself making this a defining moment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After many hours of debate, MPs have reached the final stage of the controversial pay equity legislation. The Government introduced the Bill under urgency yesterday - which lifts the bar for claims of sex-based discrimination and forces existing claims to restart. NZ College of Midwives Chief Executive Alison Eddy says it's unclear how much of the sector will be impacted. "We have to wait for the court to decide that...we've still got some way to go." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 15 years since Auckland became a supercity, and new data has revealed what people believe the city needs in order to improve. A total of 575 Aucklanders participated in the survey, casting 46,000 votes on statements, creating what's been called a “digital snapshot” of the city's sentiments. Former Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Graham Quirk, outlined some other point of concern - as Brisbane prepares some upgrades ahead of the 2032 Olympics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Ferns captain Sarah Hirini raised a few eyebrows after she dropped the f-bomb on live TV - and it's prompted some debate. After the team claimed the world championship title in Los Angeles, Hirini gave a post-match interview, which sparked some controversy. NZ Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul wrote an opinion piece critiquing the practice of post-match interviews - and he stands by it. "I'm not a big fan of sports stars - or anyone really - swearing in public as part of an entertainment package, I think it's unnecessary." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 7 May 2025, good news on the unemployment front... things have not gotten worse. Kiwibank's Jarrod Kerr tells Heather there's still a good case for more interest rate cuts. Underhand, sneaky and cowardly - Heather doesn't hold back when it comes to telling you what she thinks of the Government ramming through changes to the pay equity system under urgency. Sportswriter Gregor Paul explains why he thinks we should scrap post-match interviews with sportsplayers for fear of them swearing. Plus, the Huddle debates whether we should take Donald Trump seriously when he talks about making Canada a part of the US - or should we just accept he's joking and move on? 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.

Six shipbuilders have been shortlisted for the job of delivering the much-anticipated new Cook Strait ferries. This comes after the Government pulled the plug on iReX because of cost blowouts, which was set to deliver new port-side infrastructure and two rail-enabled hybrid ferries. Ferry Holdings chairman Chris Mackenzie won't disclose the names of these companies. "We're not making anything public...we will not announce who the six are, we will be announcing the successful shipyard further down the track." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria University's upcoming law exams will be laptop-free - in a defence against using AI to cheat. Law dean professor Geoff McClay told pupils yesterday they'll be hand-writing their three-hour exams in June. One student has told The Post their grade will suffer, because they're out of practise at writing and can type faster. AI education expert Danny Bedingfield agrees written tests are the best way to stop cheating. "You would like to think that you've got digital tools that will predict or be able to detect this - but unfortunately, there's nothing reliable out there at the moment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is hoping to get bipartisan support for banning under-16s from social media. MP Catherine Wedd is putting the Member's Bill proposal in to Parliament's Biscuit Tin - the repository for such bills that are then randomly selected. It follows similar to moves in Australia, and puts more responsibility on social media companies. Former Facebook CEO for Australia and New Zealand, Stephen Scheeler, says social media is difficult to regulate - and there's lots of ways to get around a potential ban. "We've all been teenagers before - you're not supposed to buy alcohol or buy tobacco, and many kids get around this...but with social media, it's the same. There's lots of ways to get around these prohibitions." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's motorcycle racing community is remembering Shane Richardson as a fierce and passionate competitor. The 29-year-old father of two has died in an 11-bike crash in the first lap of the British Supersport Championship. An English 21-year-old also died and another rider was badly injured. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave weighed in on the collision. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Liberal Party is weighing up their options after Peter Dutton's recent defeat in the election. Peter Dutton lost his Queensland seat following Anthony Albanese's landslide victory - and the opposition is looking to bring in a replacement. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Dutton is among over a dozen Liberals set to lose their seats after the election - and the party's been reducing to a 'smoking ruin'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori has been granted a stay of execution from the Privileges Committee - at least until tomorrow. Te Pāti Māori was referred to the Privileges Committee following a haka performed during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill in November of last year. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Committee Chair Judith Collins confirmed the decision on Te Pāti Māori's fate has been delayed until 8:30pm on Wednesday - after the next meeting. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is urgently pushing through new legislation - lifting the threshold for pay-equity claims based on gender discrimination. The Bill has already passed its first reading supported by all coalition parties and Parliament's moved swiftly onto the second. These changes have prompted plenty of backlash, but Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden says there was an appetite for these changes. "It became clear to me at the end of last year that there was appetite within my Cabinet to do this - and I think it's pretty clear that there was an impetus, so that's what's making the change." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Middle East expert says there's little hope displaced Palestinians can go back to Gaza in future under Israel's latest plan. Its Security Cabinet is planning to expand military action, move Gazans south - and pressure Hamas to release hostages. Otago University's Dr Leon Goldsmith says Israel says it's waiting for the US President's okay. But he says this is already an 'apocalyptic catastrophe'. "But I think if they put this plan into place, they will not allow Palestinians freedom of movement back towards the North." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Starmer has announced plans are in place to crack down on international students applying for asylum in the UK in a bid to address migration figures. An immigration white paper setting out the proposed reforms in mid-May will include measures to reduce the number of UK students making asylum claims after their visas expire. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Nigel Farage's Reform Party is gaining popularity - and the Government is looking to push back. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education Minister Erica Stanford is not alone in forwarding Parliament and ministerial emails to her personal account - with Nicola Willis and Chris Bishop revealing they're guilty of similar acts. The Cabinet Manual says ministers should avoid using personal mobile and email accounts wherever possible. CISO Lens Country Manager Nadia Yousef says Webmail services like Gmail can be safe if you use a strong password multi-factor authentication - but it's not an appropriate tool for Government use. "Long, strong and unique passwords - it's something we talk about all the time and everyone's absolutely sick of hearing it - but they are the silver bullet with multi-factor." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is planning a massive overhaul of New Zealand's pay equity regime - and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation doesn't approve. The reforms will overhaul a 2020 law establishing a regime to allow people in sectors with a large female workforce to argue that they were underpaid relative to similar work done in male-dominated sectors. NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says these proposed changes are 'disappointing'. "We've called it shameful - and our members are really upset about this, they've been ringing in all day." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That decision today to stop all those pay equity claims is ballsy - I mean, you know, ballsy is good - and I think I lean towards thinking this is the right thing to do. Those pay equity claims have been a bit random. I don't know if you know how this works, but basically, if people can prove that they're underpaid because they work in women-dominated jobs, then they can get a pay rise. And how they prove this is by finding men who are doing a similar job and then showing that there is a difference in pay. But the problem is, it really isn't. It isn't comparing apples with apples, it's often apples with oranges. For example, librarians. Librarians are currently trying to get a pay rise by comparing themselves to traffic engineers. Now, no disrespect whatsoever to librarians, but the Dewey Decimal System is not that hard. I'm pretty sure that most of us could learn to do it and become librarians in about 20 minutes flat. I think it takes a little bit longer to train up as an engineer who specializes in designing and planning and constructing and operating and maintaining a transport system. And the same goes with the admin health staff who are trying to compare themselves to mechanical engineers, and the same goes with the social workers who are trying to compare themselves to air traffic controllers. You can see the trouble here, right? Now, from what I understand, what Brooke van Velden has done today is going to save the country billions of dollars - in the Budget that we're getting in 2 weeks' time. Apparently, this is one of, if not the single biggest savings in the Budget. And apparently over 4 years, it counts for something higher than $10 billion. That is a significant amount of money. And as we know, the country is financially stuffed. However, someone will pay for this, and it's going to be the Government. They will be punished for this in political capital in the years to come, because this attack basically writes itself. Heartless Government takes money from underpaid working women - and that is why it is so ballsy, because the pay equity system is clearly, when you look at the detail, deeply flawed. I mean, it's a lovely idea, let's pay women more, but the system that we use to do that is deeply, deeply flawed and obviously needs this overhaul - but the politics of it is gonna be very, very rough. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 6 May 2025, a dicey call from the Government... today scrapping all current pay equity claims and overhauling the system. Workplace Relations Brooke van Velden tells Heather the move will save billions. The former boss of Facebook New Zealand Stephen Scheeler reacts to National's plan to ban social media for under 16s. Victoria University law students will have to do their upcoming three hour exams by hand - because the university can't shut down AI on their laptops. Plus, the Huddle gets fiery on pay equity and Ministers using emails. 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, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government is overhauling the pay equity system - restricting future claims and stopping all 33 current claims. The changes will be rushed through under urgency this week. Do we think this is the right move? National has outlined plans to ban social media for under-16s - do we think this is a good idea? More Government ministers have admitted to using Gmail for Government tasks - is this a bad look? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government will make major savings over the coming years by outperforming on its housings goals. Last year, it aimed to reduce the number of people in emergency housing by 75 percent in 2030 compared to December 2023. However the target was achieved before the end of last year. Infometrics Principal Economist explains what this could mean for the upcoming Budget. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures from Stats NZ show livestock numbers have dropped substantially over the past decade. The total number of sheep dropped by 21 percent and the total number of dairy cattle also fell by 13 percent over a 10-year period. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks what could be causing these drops. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZME's likely new chairman Steven Joyce says he hopes to unify the media company's shareholders as much as possible, following two months of heated debate over the company's performance and editorial endeavour. Joyce, a National Party Cabinet minister for three terms from 2008 and an experienced commercial media businessman, was today confirmed as a board nominee for NZME. Spinoff founder Duncan Greive says this is a smart manoeuvre. "If you were going to pick anyone out of this country to tie a bow on this...maybe it's not what everyone wanted, but everyone can live with it - Joyce would be your guy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.