All Sport Breakfast Wellington host Adam Cooper and NZB Kiwi head of communications Andrew Gourdie joined Heather du Plessis-Allan on the Sports Huddle.

The Black Caps have work to do after England’s fightback at Hagley Oval, with the visitors buoyed by Harry Brook’s century.

Damian McKenzie has been given a spot in World Rugby’s best XV for 2024, but there are some questions over it.

And questions over whether to loosen eligibility rules for the All Blacks going on sabbaticals.

LISTEN ABOVE

All Sport Breakfast Wellington host Adam Cooper and NZB Kiwi head of communications Andrew Gourdie joined Heather du Plessis-Allan on the Sports Huddle.
The Black Caps have work to do after England’s fightback at Hagley Oval, with the visitors buoyed by Harry Brook’s century.
Damian McKenzie has been given a spot in World Rugby’s best XV for 2024, but there are some questions over it.
And questions over whether to loosen eligibility rules for the All Blacks going on sabbaticals.
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Sports Huddle: Black Caps v England, Damian McKenzie, eligibility rules

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f0bdd80f-f1fb-473c-a286-b237005784bf/transcript

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and former broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

The Government has confirmed they'll be cutting some of the red tape around the hospitality sector - a move that's been welcomed by industry experts. Do we think this is a good idea - or could this cause extra harm?

At least 10,000 public service workers have downed tools and gone on strike after months of failed negotiations. What do we make of this, is serious change needed? What could this Government do for the public service? 

Labour is looking to introduce tougher regulations on AI if they get elected - do we need this kind of oversight? 

LISTEN ABOVE

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and former broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!&nbsp;
The Government has confirmed they'll be cutting some of the red tape around the hospitality sector - a move that's been welcomed by industry experts. Do we think this is a good idea - or could this cause extra harm?
At least 10,000 public service workers have downed tools and gone on strike after months of failed negotiations. What do we make of this, is serious change needed? What could this Government do for the public service?&nbsp;
Labour is looking to introduce tougher regulations on AI if they get elected - do we need this kind of oversight?&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

The Huddle: Will cutting red tape for alcohol licensing cause more harm than good?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/58b0e722-29b0-4ec5-8373-b4c0007a366d/transcript

The One News Thomas Mead demolition derby this week has been on the MSD. It's led their news.

Thomas has breathlessly reported after an inquiry under the Official Information Act revealed a number of rejections of Special Needs Grants for urgent and essential emergency costs. The inquiry found these rejections were increasing, and more than 8000 people were declined on the basis food was deemed 'non-essential'.

The ministry says this was caused by an administrative error in which the wrong option had been selected but it maintains this did not mean the underlying decision was incorrect.

Now, I have no idea what that means. Did they make a mistake or were they not incorrect? I don't know. But whatever.

Thomas Mead has been hunting down anyone who will demand that MSD or the minister apologise. But the minister and MSD are flatly refusing.

Frankly, it got a bit farcical, with the head of MSD dancing on the head of a pin and refusing to say sorry. It was a word salad. His mouth was flapping, but nothing was being said.

Now look, I get why MSD doesn't like the bad news. I get that those refusals affected only 0.094 percent of claimants, which is a small number. However, it's still 8000 people and 8000 families affected. They were affected because they were unable to get grants for food, a basic necessity.

Those 8000 people over six years, while a small minority, deserve an apology.

The refusal by the minister and the department just perpetuates the story that they are heartless and don't care about the poor and the hungry. That perception will last longer than any perception of ineptitude this case has created.

And yes, it's all about ineptitude. You can apologise for that while you're at it, thank you very much.

Meanwhile, the minister, Louise Upston, pointed out that MSD processes more than 350,000 claims a year successfully.

But Louise, that's the real shame.

Six percent of New Zealanders need government help to afford food and that's nothing to be proud of.

LISTEN ABOVE

The One News Thomas Mead demolition derby this week has been on the MSD. It's led their news.
Thomas has breathlessly reported after an inquiry under the Official Information Act revealed a number of rejections of Special Needs Grants for urgent and essential emergency costs. The inquiry found these rejections were increasing, and more than 8000 people were declined on the basis food was deemed 'non-essential'.
The ministry says this was caused by an administrative error in which the wrong option had been selected but it maintains this did not mean the underlying decision was incorrect.
Now, I have no idea what that means. Did they make a mistake or were they not incorrect? I don't know. But whatever.
Thomas Mead has been hunting down anyone who will demand that MSD or the minister apologise. But the minister and MSD are flatly refusing.
Frankly, it got a bit farcical, with the head of MSD dancing on the head of a pin and refusing to say sorry. It was a word salad. His mouth was flapping, but nothing was being said.
Now look, I get why MSD doesn't like the bad news. I get that those refusals affected only 0.094 percent of claimants, which is a small number. However, it's still 8000 people and 8000 families affected. They were affected because they were unable to get grants for food, a basic necessity.
Those 8000 people over six years, while a small minority, deserve an apology.
The refusal by the minister and the department just perpetuates the story that they are heartless and don't care about the poor and the hungry. That perception will last longer than any perception of ineptitude this case has created.
And yes, it's all about ineptitude. You can apologise for that while you're at it, thank you very much.
Meanwhile, the minister, Louise Upston, pointed out that MSD processes more than 350,000 claims a year successfully.
But Louise, that's the real shame.
Six percent of New Zealanders need government help to afford food and that's nothing to be proud of.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Andrew Dickens: These MSD stats are nothing to be proud of

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7f7db9c3-7abc-4f62-af9a-b4c00076517d/transcript

Anger at residential fast-track developers spilled over at an Auckland Council meeting, with many residents voicing disapproval with these proposals. 

Councillors voted unanimously to investigate ways to tell those planning such projects that they aren’t wanted.

Auckland Council planning committee chair Richard Hills says these projects are putting a lot of pressure on communities - and their budgets. 

"And also, the stresses on their roads and highways and the current council assets are quite extreme."  

LISTEN ABOVE

Anger at residential fast-track developers spilled over at an Auckland Council meeting, with many residents voicing disapproval with these proposals.&nbsp;
Councillors voted unanimously to investigate ways to tell those planning such projects that they aren’t wanted.
Auckland Council planning committee chair Richard Hills says these projects are putting a lot of pressure on communities - and their budgets.&nbsp;
"And also, the stresses on their roads and highways and the current council assets are quite extreme."&nbsp;&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Richard Hills: Auckland Councillor on the growing backlash to fast-track developments in Auckland

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/15b92a97-d297-4ec6-aa02-b4c000744da6/transcript

Sports Huddle: Black Caps v England, Damian McKenzie, eligibility rules

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