Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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.

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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...

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...

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 manoeuvr...

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'v...

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-fact...

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 p...

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 woul...

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...

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 Wednesd...

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'.

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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...

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...

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.

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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? Shou...

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. 

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