Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis.

This week the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper.

Our expert panel discusses National’s warning that if it can’t get a suitable deal with New Zealand First and Winston Peters – it may lead to a second election.

They also chat about Act’s sizeable drop in the polls – and what’s leading driving their numbers down.

The experts dissect the electorates to watch - and chat both Sir John Key and Helen Clark getting involved in the campaign.

Plus, each will reveal their favourite policy of the campaign – and give their election night prediction.

LISTEN ABOVE

Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 
This week the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper.
Our expert panel discusses National’s warning that if it can’t get a suitable deal with New Zealand First and Winston Peters – it may lead to a second election.
They also chat about Act’s sizeable drop in the polls – and what’s leading driving their numbers down.
The experts dissect the electorates to watch - and chat both Sir John Key and Helen Clark getting involved in the campaign.
Plus, each will reveal their favourite policy of the campaign – and give their election night prediction.
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

The Front Bench: Could we be facing a second election?

Labour wants to help state tenants to get a foot on the property ladder.

It's proposing a rent-to-buy scheme, with Kainga Ora putting aside $100 rent a week, working up to a deposit.

The party would also lift the income cap for five percent deposits, to $300,000, making more buyers eligible.

Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty says getting these renters out of the 'poverty trap' will benefit the whole country.

"The announcement today to expand the 5 percent deposit and also have a scheme to actually get Kainga Ora tenants out of state housing, out of the poverty trap and into home ownership, I think is something that will benefit the whole country." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Labour wants to help state tenants to get a foot on the property ladder.
It's proposing a rent-to-buy scheme, with Kainga Ora putting aside $100 rent a week, working up to a deposit.
The party would also lift the income cap for five percent deposits, to $300,000, making more buyers eligible.
Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty says getting these renters out of the 'poverty trap' will benefit the whole country.
"The announcement today to expand the 5 percent deposit and also have a scheme to actually get Kainga Ora tenants out of state housing, out of the poverty trap and into home ownership, I think is something that will benefit the whole country."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Kieran McAnulty: Labour Housing Spokesperson on the party's rent-to-buy scheme for state housing tenants

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/557df1af-804d-48ee-b7d0-b4f0004da3df/transcript

Nick Hill is the principal of Christchurch Boys’ High School, and I have no doubt he is a very good headmaster with the best of intentions. But I am not exaggerating when I say I am shocked by the argument he seems so keen to advance.

Last month, he wrote an article for the Herald, and this month he has doubled down on those views in a letter to principals. In that letter, he urges schools to stop recruiting rugby players, arguing there is a link between the recruitment of talented schoolboy rugby players and sexual offending.

He says his thinking has been influenced by Chanel Contos, an Australian advocate who has written about allegations of sexual offending by students at an elite Sydney school. Her argument is that this behaviour stems from a broader cultural problem in some schools, where boys are taught to feel entitled.

Nick Hill argues that rugby recruitment can reinforce that sense of entitlement. He says  when schools recruit a 14-year-old because of his rugby ability, offer him a scholarship and treat him differently because of his sporting talent, what is he learning? He learns that talent brings special treatment.

I can't claim to know any schoolboys talented enough to have been recruited for rugby scholarships but I doubt they are all, or even many of them, sexual offenders or sexually entitled. On the contrary, I think school rugby recruitment is often a very positive thing. In many cases, it gives young men from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to attend schools and access opportunities they otherwise would never have had because their parents could not afford the fees.

I suspect many people will read both the article and the letter and be offended by the link that has been drawn here. As I said, I think Nick Hill means well but the connection he has made stretches credibility and is, frankly, unfair on young men.

LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Hill is the principal of Christchurch Boys’ High School, and I have no doubt he is a very good headmaster with the best of intentions. But I am not exaggerating when I say I am shocked by the argument he seems so keen to advance.
Last month, he wrote an article for the Herald, and this month he has doubled down on those views in a letter to principals. In that letter, he urges schools to stop recruiting rugby players, arguing there is a link between the recruitment of talented schoolboy rugby players and sexual offending.
He says his thinking has been influenced by Chanel Contos, an Australian advocate who has written about allegations of sexual offending by students at an elite Sydney school. Her argument is that this behaviour stems from a broader cultural problem in some schools, where boys are taught to feel entitled.
Nick Hill argues that rugby recruitment can reinforce that sense of entitlement. He says &nbsp;when schools recruit a 14-year-old because of his rugby ability, offer him a scholarship and treat him differently because of his sporting talent, what is he learning? He learns that talent brings special treatment.
I can't claim to know any schoolboys talented enough to have been recruited for rugby scholarships but I doubt they are all, or even many of them, sexual offenders or sexually entitled. On the contrary, I think school rugby recruitment is often a very positive thing. In many cases, it gives young men from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to attend schools and access opportunities they otherwise would never have had because their parents could not afford the fees.
I suspect many people will read both the article and the letter and be offended by the link that has been drawn here. As I said, I think Nick Hill means well but the connection he has made stretches credibility and is, frankly, unfair on young men.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: I'm shocked by Nick Hill's rugby argument

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/004bac0a-7142-4526-9efb-b4ee002d6940/transcript

For the first time, the odds driving past an NZ-built motorhome are higher than ever.

After a boom-bust cycle during COVID, New Zealand's motorhome market is starting to stabilise, and it's no longer a boomer-dominated market. 

Kiwi motorhome company TrailLite's joint Managing Director Shaun Newman says, "for a lot of people, a holiday house isn't a viable option for them anymore."

He says motorhomes and caravans offer a cheaper and more versatile holiday for families.

LISTEN ABOVE

 

For the first time, the odds driving past an NZ-built motorhome are higher than ever.
After a boom-bust cycle during COVID, New Zealand's motorhome market is starting to stabilise, and it's no longer a boomer-dominated market.&nbsp;
Kiwi motorhome company TrailLite's joint Managing Director Shaun Newman says, "for a lot of people, a holiday house isn't a viable option for them anymore."
He says motorhomes and caravans offer a cheaper and more versatile holiday for families.
LISTEN ABOVE
&nbsp;

Shaun Newman: TrailLite joint Managing Director says younger kiwis are taking an interest in motorhomes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b4c84587-8d76-4b49-be25-b4ed016e57b2/transcript

The Front Bench: Could we be facing a second election?

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