Larry Williams Drive

We’ll have to give Countdown a little bit of credit here.A price freeze is definitely better than no price freeze during a cost of living crisis.But I think buy now we’ve realised that this price freeze is not quite as great as it looks, right?First, it doesn’t actually reduce the burden on shoppers very much.A price cut would mean that your grocery bill would come down, but a price freeze is just going to keep your grocery bill as high as it already is.A price freeze just locks in the profits that Countdown’s already making on those items and it locks in those profits for the possibly the next three months because that’s apparently how much supply supermarkets will already have on their books on that price.So Countdown probably already knows that the price freeze will not hurt them much at all for the next three months, therefore they can afford to do it.Secondly, I’m not entirely sure if you’ve looked through the list of these products, but they’re not necessarily the highest priorities for squeezed shopper

Duck hunting is set to start at 6:45 am on Saturday.Fish and Game New Zealand says that good bird populations and the ease of Covid restrictions means this season looks to be the best in years.However, unfortunately, the weather may look to be in favour of the ducks this weekend.The Country host Jamie Mackay joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a bit of a supply shortage problem going on at PlaceMakers.On Thursday, PlaceMackers delivered price rise and shortage information, revealing Pink Batts has had production issues.Another product of concern is Gib, with customers being told to order it now for July.NZ Herald Business Editor at Large Liam Dann joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever since the "Partygate" scandal rocked Boris Johnson's premiership at the end of last year, the British Prime Minister has repeatedly dodged questions about his future by asserting that what the public wants is for politicians to get on with running the country, not obsess over events that took place nearly two years ago.Later this week, Johnson will have some indication of whether or not that claim is right. On Thursday, people across England, Scotland and Wales will vote in local elections, the closest thing to a mid-term that Johnson has faced since taking office in 2019.The vote takes place as Johnson and his governing Conservatives are surrounded by scandals and crises so bad that members of his own party have publicly called for his resignation. Indeed, the most pressing of these scandals, which saw Johnson fined by police for breaching his own Covid rules during the 2020 lockdown, might have led to his ousting from office under normal circumstances.And yet, Johnson has time and again proved himself

Auckland Transport are appointing a designated staff member to oversee solutions to the recent ram raids experienced by local businesses.In some cases bollards will be installed outside shops that feel they're being targeted.But retailers feel it's still too hard to get permission for the bollards.Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff-Thomas joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly a quarter of Kiwi adults are planning on flying the nest in the next year.Horizon Research shows that more than 900,000 Kiwi adults are planning overseas holidays now the borders are open.The exodus is apparently going to start in May and peak in September.But how will New Zealand tourism operators feeling about this?Tourism Export Council chief executive Lynda Keene joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know by now I’m not one to join aboard the cancel culture train when someone says something deemed out of line, but I think that businessman Simon Henry would be wise to apologise for what he said about Nadia Lim.I’m saying this not because I’ve taken offence at it, but because he’s wrong and because he risks wearing personal and business damage unless here he kills this off as a media story as soon as possible.Just in case you haven’t heard this, what he said during an interview with NBR was this: “I can tell you, and you can quote me, when you've got Nadia Lim, when you've got a little bit of Eurasian fluff in the middle of your prospectus with a blouse unbuttoned showing some cleavage, and that's what it takes to sell your scrip, then you know you're in trouble.”If you read the context of the article, he was trying to compare his business’ recent IPO with My Food Bag’s recent IPO.His IPO did really well. Shares that were worth AUD $1 at float are now worth near AUD $3.80.My Food Bag’s IPO did not do as

Nadia Lim has hit back at comments from DGL CEO Simon Henry.Henry claimed in an NBR interview that things including Lim's appearance could explain why his business has outperformed hers on the NZX and ASX.Auckland Council has voted on new cyclepaths.The vote was on prioritising giving Auckland Transport money to build new cyclepaths, which was passed by 13 votes to 3, with 7 absentions.Simon Bridges delivered his valedictory speech in Parliament yesterday.Bridges touched on his Māori identity and gave a lesson for new MPs during his speech.Listen above as Simon Wilson and Nick Mills discuss the day's news with Heather du Plessis-AllanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr was grilled by MPs today, telling them to “take a step back and just breathe” when it comes to inflation.He told MPs house prices should drop 5 to 20 percent from current levels to be sustainable.Orr was asked about recent homebuyers who may then face negative equity or stress from higher interest rates, and said the bank had warned them.Property Council chief executive Leonie Freeman joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch City Council is refusing to provide a flagpole for a Sumner building because it’s worried about the Chinese Government.It had promised to give $10,000 towards a new flagpole for Sumner after it was lost in the earthquake.But now it has rescinded that.Sumner-Redcliffs Historical Society secretary Topsy Rule joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One economist warns tax cuts may not be a good idea.The latest Newshub-Reid Research poll showed almost 69 percent of those polled want taxes slashed, but Grant Robertson has pushed back against such a policy.Economist Cameron Bagrie told Heather du Plessis-Allan there needs to be fiscal restraint in Government spending.“We’ve got an inflationary fire out there, and a fiscal policy, Government spending or tax cuts, is potentially pouring more and more diesel on that.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trevor Mallard has been absent from Parliament for the third day in a row.Mallard was meeting with the US Ambassador, but meanwhile National MP Chris Bishop was publically planning a coup against the under fire Speaker.Mallard is also copping criticism for going to Europe along with a group of MPs from every other political party except Act.Act Deputy Leader Brooke van Valden said it’s an expensive junket that serves no purpose, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern backs the tour.A new poll suggests that Kiwis want tax cuts in the upcoming Budget.A Newshub-Reid poll suggested that 69 percent of Kiwis wanted a tax cut, but 48 percent of Labour voters also want the cuts.Newstalk ZB Chief Political Reporter Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nadia Lim isn't sweating the small stuff after a Kiwi richlister brought up her attire and race in an interview.DGL Group CEO Simon Henry claimed in an NBR interview that things including Lim's appearance, could explain why his business has outperformed hers on the NZX and ASX.Simplicity and Kiwi Wealth have chucked DGL Group on its exclusion list.Lim told Heather du Plessis-Allan his comments were offensive.“I’ve got the privilege to be able to stick up for those people that don’t have voice, who probably also say these types of comments, and probably on a much, much, much, much, much, much more frequent basis than I.”Lim says she's speaking up for people out there who feel they don't have a voice.“And you know, there’s so many great, hard-working people who contribute so much and yet they put up with that type of thing all the time, so that’s why I decided, you know what? Actually, this is not cool.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese has stumbled over details of one of his party’s major policies before an adviser handed him notes in the middle of a press conference.The Opposition Leader – who on the first day of the campaign came under fire for not knowing the unemployment figure and official cash rate – faced a barrage of questions in Sydney on Thursday over Labor’s National Disability Insurance Scheme policy.Instead of providing a clear answer about the six parts of the plan, Mr Albanese stuttered, saying what Labor would do “was outlined by Bill Shorten”.“But Mr Albanese, what are the six points?” he was asked.He stuttered again before responding: “We will put people at the centre of the NDIS”.Journalists threw further questions about it, including “what is the policy?” and “do you not know what it is?” which he dodged until towards the end of the press conference.After being handed the policy on a piece of paper by an adviser, he looked down at his notes and detailed the six points.Another journalist went on to call h

Kiwis could save more than $3000 a year on food by prioritising budget over brand.Branding expert Jill Brinsdon told Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealanders are not unique in their preference for bigger brands.“Any form of marketing that builds a brand’s reputation is there really just to try and layer up that sense of trust you have.”The biggest savings could be made on products like instant coffee and olive oil.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is fresh evidence in the Madeleine McCann case. BP's profits for the first three months of this year have more than doubled after oil and gas prices soared.  A Police and Crime Commissioner in the UK who pledged to crack down on speeding was caught.... speeding. UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business New Zealand has today launched a campaign to stop the government from implementing fair pay agreements. In an opinion piece in the Herald today, Kirk Hope said employers and employees will lose control over the way they work calling it "not fair". Kirk joins Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well known biscuit and cracker maker Arnott's is returning some of its production to NZ after 25 years away.  The company announced it is building a new multi-million-dollar factory in West Auckland. It will ramp up production of high-end crackers that run under the 180 Degrees brand for sale in both NZ and Australia. Mike Cullerne, Arnott's Group NZ lead joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The unemployment rate remains unchanged at 3.2% and wage growth is accelerating but is still well below inflation. Gareth Kiernan from Infometrics joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up to now, because he’s a beginner, Luxon’s been given a relatively easy run on little slip ups and own goals. But I suspect that’s going to start changing. Three polls now, including last night’s, have put National in the lead. Which means Luxon is now a possible or probable winner at the next election. And he’s going to start facing the kind of scrutiny that comes with being a possible or probable Prime Minister. I suspect the runway for making mistakes is running out perhaps faster than he might think. I'm not suggesting voters will be harsh.  Clearly, they're being anything but, because despite a string of mistakes recently like calling for a public holiday to be cut to swap out for Matariki and getting confused on public transport subsidies, he went up more than 6% in the preferred Prime Minister poll last night. But the thing he won’t get away with is not knowing his mind or sounding like he doesn’t know his mind. There's too much of that lately. The most obvious example is Luxon trying his hardest to a