On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 19 December 2024, the GDP has taken a massive fall, plunging New Zealand into the biggest recession since 1991. Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce talks to Ryan Bridge. The Prime Minister won't be going to Waitangi on Waitangi Day next year. Waitangi national trust chairman Pita Tipene says he's disappointed. The Huddle debates the economy, and what you might find if you come to visit Stuart Nash unannounced. 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 former Labour Cabinet Minister Stuart Nash joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government is looking to strengthen free speech at universities. Should universities be allowed to decline hosting controversial speakers? It's been a dire week for the economy - with today's GDP results revealing we're in the worst recession since 1991, excluding the Covid-19 lockdowns. Can we get back on track? Can we acknowledge some bad decisions were made by the Reserve Bank?  The holidays are getting closer - is it okay to drop by a friend's house unannounced? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mastercard is pushing back against the Commerce Commission's plan to put a cap on credit card fees. The Commission says regulation for credit and contactless payments could deliver $280 million in savings a year for merchants and consumers.  But Mastercard New Zealand says the draft decision is disappointing, will undermine competition, and set back the local economy. Mastercard NZ Country Manager Ruth Riviere says these suggestions by the Commerce Commission will bring down interest in investing in New Zealand. "We're really clear that there's these unintended consequences of what's being proposed." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new bill looks to make universities less 'risk adverse' over freedom of speech.  When introduced in March, it will amend the Education and Training Act and require universities adopt a 'freedom of speech' statement.  They'll also have to report on its commitment yearly.  Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds says this will ensure they have policy and procedures around allowing and promoting possibly controversial issues.  She explained there are also requirements about having to record and being transparent about complaints.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travellers with Air New Zealand can now use Apple AirTags to find their lost luggage.  The carrier is enabling a feature letting customers share the live location of trackers in their baggage with its customer service team.  It means they can tell airline staff where the bag was last scanned and its most recent location.  Chief digital officer Nikhil Ravinshankar says it also comes with security safeguards.   "When a customer shares their AirTag location with us, we get to keep that only for a temporary timeframe - or until the bag gets reunited with a customer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Northland Maori leader says Waitangi Day could be more volatile than ever.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon's decided against attending celebrations at the Treaty Grounds.  He says he'll join events in other parts of the country - and is expected to send ministers in his place. Luxon and the coalition have faced mounting pressure over ACT's Treaty Principles Bill. Waitangi National Trust chair Pita Tipene says he's wondering where else Luxon could rather be.  "Any Waitangi Day is a cauldron - let alone what's going to happen next year, given the Treaty Principles Bill and everything else that's going on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People will have questions, after one of the country's worst quarterly GDP dips in decades. Stats NZ figures show New Zealand's gross domestic product crashed down one percent in the September quarter. It's put the country in the deepest recession since the Covid-driven slump in 2020.  Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce says the Reserve Bank Governor, Adrian Orr, needs to speak up and explain. "I think there is some legitimate questions to be asked - I can remember, quite recently, him saying he's got it all under control and that this is going to be a soft landing. Well, quite clearly, it wasn't."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's revealed he will not be at the historic Treaty grounds for Waitangi Day celebrations next year.  Chris Luxon says he'll instead take part in celebrations elsewhere around the country. It's understood Luxon will be sending Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka and a couple of other Ministers to the Treaty Grounds to represent the Government. Newstalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper is unsurprised by this development, given the contentious Treaty Principles Bill. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn is demanding $11,000 in legal fees from the owner of a Sydney-based comedy club who planned to stage a show based on her. Raygun the Musical was set to star Stephanie Broadbridge - but it was pulled at the last minute after promoter Anthony Skinner was sent a legal letter claiming the musical infringed on Gunn's intellectual property.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Skinner offered Gunn's legal team $550 in compensation - a bid the team swiftly rejected. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson might have his nose in front, but Red Bull insist no decision has been locked in over Sergio Perez's vacant seat for 2025. The Mexican driver has negotiated an exit from the Formula 1 team after a poor year, with the Kiwi vying against Yuki Tsunoda for the birth. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.