Larry Williams Drive

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 5 May 2025, FTA negotiations with India start this week and the Trade Minister is on the show to call for calm as Donald Trump announces 100% tariffs on foreign movies.   40% of retail crime goes unreported and Auckland butcher Reuben Sharples tells Heather the brazen thefts he's experienced in the past couple of days. The eye-watering cost of having a wedding in New Zealand is leading to people inviting fewer people - or even having nobody there at all. Plus, the Huddle debates whether Education Minister is really in trouble for sending hundreds of official documents to her private email - or whether printer problems are sort of relatable. 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.

Eight men, including seven Iranians, have been arrested over two suspected terror plots in England. Five were arrested at various locations around the UK as part of an alleged plot to 'target a specific premises'.  Meanwhile, three men were arrested in London as part of a investigation led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the suspects have been held overnight for questioning. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's financial markets have taken a positive turn - following months of financial uncertainty.  Greg Smith from Devon Funds unpacked the factors behind these changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Minister Erica Stanford is in a spot of trouble after it was revealed she sent pre-Budget announcements to her personal email before they were announced last year - one of tens of examples since she's been a Minister. Is this a good look? Should we be concerned?  Mark Mitchell has expressed interest in extending prison sentences to reduce recidivism - do we think this is the right call? Is the Trump effect impacting elections? Speculation claims Australia and Canada voted left in response to Trump's policies. What do we make of this?  A wedding planner says the typical wedding is $87,000 these days - how much is too much? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac New Zealand’s profits are continuing to rise, as it makes more money from existing customers, rather than materially growing its business. The Australian-owned bank’s New Zealand division reported a net profit of $525 million in the six months to March - a 10 percent rise from the same period last year. Westpac CEO Catherine McGrath explains why New Zealand's margins have gone up - despite Australia taking a dip.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says she steers clear of emails - following a recent ministerial scandal.  This follows 1News reports that Erica Stanford sent pre-Budget announcements to her personal email before they were announced last year - one of tens of examples since she's been a Minister.  Her use of personal email could be a breach of the Cabinet manual - which all ministers are obliged to follow. Nicola Willis says she's never really sending emails. "I'm meeting with people face to face or I'm talking to my team and saying - look, could you just make sure that that minister's aware of this. Sometimes we do formal correspondence, letters and the like, but very rarely am I sitting at my keyboard." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister has expressed interest in locking up criminals for longer in a bid to cut down on reoffending. Criminals that serve five years or more in jail are generally less likely to reoffend, according to new reports. Mark Mitchell says he's asked Corrections to examine whether shorter sentences can be extended. "Longer sentences normally mean the people commit to their rehabilitation better, engage in more rehabilitation, and are therefore less risk to the community when they come out."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are prioritising smaller guest lists as fewer couples marry - according to new reports. Wedding Professional has revealed its average client spend this year is more than $87,000, anchored by an international wedding with a $160,000 dollar budget. Director Suzanne Carson says Kiwis want the great experience, without the price tag for lots of guests. "Personalisation is a great big thing - I think they want the experience and they want the experience for everybody, so I do believe that the numbers have come down." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A focus on 'Australian values' during geopolitical uncertainty could explain the vast gap between the two parties at Saturday's federal election, according to one expert. Labor swept to a majority victory - securing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a historic second term.  It's widely thought US President Donald Trump's volatility has influenced the outcome.  But political commentator Peter Dunne says Albanese's messages about what Australia wants and needs left an impact.  "That's the kernel of the truth here - talk about the real things and in that environment, people will opt for the thing they know, the certainty and the stability rather than the fear of the unknown." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Kiwi negotiation team is in India this week, holding our first in-person Free Trade Agreement talks. Trade Minister Todd McClay says it's an important step in our relationship with one of the world's fastest growing economies. He says this will be the first of many meetings with New Zealand. McClay explained India is also holding talks with the US, UK, EU and others over this week and the next. "That's why I thought to send our people up - rather than either drag them down here or miss the opportunity to have the very first in-person negotiations." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says it's too early to understand the potential impact of tariffs on New Zealand films.  Donald Trump has most recently written he'd like100 percent tariffs on all movies produced outside the US.  Chris Luxon says he's seen the social media post, but we'll need to know a lot more. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Chris Luxon has expressed interest in getting more Bollywood productions to come to New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.