Larry Williams Drive

There's concerns that the Warehouse's top level salaries don't match the company's declining performance.  The Warehouse Group's shares fell to a record low of $0.97 after forecasting earnings would fall at least 64 percent year-on-year. Former chief executive Nick Grayston was paid $2.79 million, out-earning his retail counterparts in the 2023 financial year. Shareholders' Association Chief Executive Oliver Mander unpacks this further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling dairy manufacturer Synlait has asked shareholders to vote in favour of a $130 million lifeline from Chinese shareholder Bright Dairy. The company said a2′s vote would be influential in deciding if the critical shareholder loan needed to pay off bank debt due July 15 went ahead. The Country's Rowena Duncum says the situation's looking dire for Synlait. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis’ confidence in the job market took a dive over the past three months, according to a survey conducted for Westpac. The bank reported its confidence index, which measures responses to five questions related to employment prospects, fell by 13 points to 91.4 in the June quarter. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explains why less people are feeling optimistic. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political blame game around Cook Strait ferries. KiwiRail, Maritime New Zealand, and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are all investigating Interislander's Aratere, which ran aground on Friday after experiencing steering issues. The Government pulled the plug on new mega-ferries and upgraded portside infrastructure, soon after taking power. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks the controversy further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the Government will extend its Covid inquiry to cover lockdowns, vaccine mandates and efficacy. Things get heated when Associate Minister Nicole McKee tells Heather why she had to water down her Three Strikes bill so much. NZ Rugby has posted a $8.9 million dollar net loss for the last year. CEO Mark Robinson speaks to Heather about how he thinks the financial fortunes can be turned around. Plus, the Huddle debates news that Julian Assange has walked free after striking a plea deal with the United States. 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, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Government relations consultant Kaine Thompson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government has announced a second Covid inquiry into the economic and societal impacts of lockdowns, restrictions and vaccine mandates. Is this necessary?  The new Three Strikes reigime has been introduced to the House today - what do we think? Is it too watered-down? Julian Assange is free now - what happens next? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has posted an $8.9 million dollar net loss for 2023 - the second deficit in a row. Although spending was reduced from the year prior, a drop in broadcast and match day revenue in a World Cup year saw income fall by $3 million to $268 million dollars. NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson says there's work to be done for the future. "What we're spending more time on is looking at our strategy - and the role that each of our different stakeholder groups has to play in the game and trying to build more alignment on that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamilton city councillor Andrew Bydder is on the defence, after delivering an expletive-laden rant to a neighbouring council. In a letter directed at Waipā District Council, Bydder used derogatory language to voice his displeasure with the placement of a third bridge in Cambridge. He has since claimed he tried to be polite to the council - but it never got him anywhere.  "I did this because it cannot be ignored. It was the only way to get a reaction, and to get the issue dealt with. I'd rather not do it this way, but if it's the only way they react, then I have to." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Associate Justice Minister is urging the public to submit on proposed three-strike laws. A Bill to reinstate the sentencing is being introduced to Parliament today, but it won't include sentences under two years. Minister Nicole McKee says it is fit for purpose. "I think that we need to go harsh and hard on our criminals, especially those serious violent ones - but I also think that we need to have some sort of out for the lower-level offending." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hope WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be back in Australia by the week's end. Wikileaks says the 52-year-old has left a UK prison, after reaching a deal with US authorities. The BBC is reporting Assange was likely to plead guilty to a charge of conspiracy to obtain and disclose US national defence information, in a deal giving him freedom. Australian Greens Senator, David Shoebridge, says people across the country's political spectrum have been demanding his release. "We want him to be dipping his feet in the sand of an Australian beach before the week is out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key figures in our Covid-19 response could have to give evidence publicly for phase two of the Government inquiry. Its focus is vaccine efficacy and safety, Auckland and Northland's extended lockdowns and the disruption to health, education, and business. Phase One examined the lessons learned from the pandemic. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says it's possible Dame Jacinda Ardern and Sir Ashley Bloomfield could be among those needing to appear. "It could be a range of different people. Like I say, I can't give a guarantee on what that will look like, because that's up to the Commission at the end of the day." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think we can all see the Nats stuffed up the 13 cancer drugs announcement on so many levels.They should never have promised specific drugs, that's Pharmac's job. But having promised them for the first year, they shouldn't have then broken that promise by leaving them out of the Budget.  And then, it's never really a good look if you finally get dragged to delivering on your promise because of public outrage.But having said all of that - sometimes I think we get a little too caught up on the political shenanigans and not focus enough on the end point.And how good is the end point? We have just had the single biggest injection of cash into Pharmac ever, we've had more cancer drugs than ever promised to be delivered in one go.That announcement yesterday of 54 new drugs wiped more a third off Pharmac’s wishlist.Between the $600 million yesterday and the $1.7 billion announced in the Budget, this Government - which hasn’t even been in power for 9 months - has pumped $2.3 billion into Pharmac.Now, I'm of the view

It's been confirmed Julian Assange will return to Australia after being released from prison.  The Wikileaks founder was charged with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information - and spent seven years in Ecuador's London Embassy, and five in a British prison. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Assange is set to return to Australia by the end of the week - and there's plenty of excitement for his arrival. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to the re-emergence of an old Achilles tendon injury. The 33-year-old was sidelined last month through a combination of the achilles issue, as well as a pectoral muscle strain. He returned in Round 15 before suffering a hamstring strain in last weekend's heavy loss to the Titans. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacked what this loss means for the Warriors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns the India-New Zealand relationship could be strained by the high number of student visa rejections. Immigration NZ figures show applications between October 1 2023 and May 6 2024 for student visas by Indian nationals had an approval rate of 47 percent. The Immigration Minister has claimed it's not 'blanked geographic discrimination', but rather concern surrounding more high-risk applicants out of India. Waitakere Indian Association President Sunil Kaushal doesn't believe this argument.  "India is a diverse land, we know that there are many talented and skilled people out there who want to further their education - and coming to New Zealand is a great opportunity for that."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top officials from both the EU and China have spoken about controversial EV tariffs over the weekend - and agreed to further talks. The call marks the first time the two sides have agreed to negotiate since the EU threatened China with electric vehicle tariffs of up to 38 percent. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this is a positive step forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a bad week for infrastructure incidents, with increased pressure on the Government to find a solution. Between a Defence Force plane breaking down, a toppled power pylon wiping out Northland's power and the grounding of an Interislander ferry, concern is growing about a potential disaster. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan explains where the Government can go from here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmac's getting a funding boost for new cancer drugs in a pre-commitment from next year's Budget. The Government's announced money for up to 26 cancer treatments, in an overall package of up to 54 new medicines. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two teens have been arrested after they got into a brawl at a mall in Adelaide. Police received reports of two groups of young males fighting in the food court and some people in the group were allegedly carrying weapons. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the alert locking down the mall was reminiscent of the recent attack at Bondi Junction. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 24 June 2024, the Government has confirmed more than 50 new medicines will be funded, including some of the cancer drugs National promised before the election. So is Pharmac really still independent? Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather she's going to try get by without having to buy new ferries for another five to six years. Scott Barrett is the new captain of the All Blacks! All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan speaks to Heather from the big naming ceremony. Plus the Huddle debates whether the new Jacinda Ardern documentary is something to look forward to. 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.