Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

So an email landed in my inbox - Spark Arena named among the world’s top 20 arenas.
Now, this is a big deal. This isn’t a list that’s put together by some random Instagram account in Norway with 100 followers. This is a list put together by IQ Magazine. And if you’re into music in a big way - like, really into it, more than a Rolling Stone kind of way - you’ll know IQ Magazine is a big deal.
So for Spark Arena to be named in the top 20 arenas in the world is a big deal.
Since moving back to Auckland three years ago, I’ve been to Spark Arena more times than I can remember. I’ve seen everything there. I’ve seen The Wiggles, Suzy Cato, big noisy rock like The War on Drugs, Mumford & Sons, Lenny Kravitz - he was the best, wasn’t he? I’ve seen big stars like Lizzo and Lorde and shows like Hamilton. I’ve been there in previous years, obviously, for things like Oprah Winfrey and Celine Dion.
And every single time - honestly, without fail - I’ve had a great experience.
Now, we can have a debate about the acoustics because, frankly, yeah, they do suck sometimes. I mean, you know, it’s not the best. If you’ve experienced the best acoustics, you’ll know this place is far from it. But otherwise, it’s a great experience.
It never feels empty in there, even with smaller crowds, because it’s versatile enough to adjust for them. It’s in the central city so it’s easy to get to and from the great bars and restaurants around it. It’s easy to walk out and grab an Uber, easy to find a car park nearby, easy to get to the train station or catch a bus.
Staff are always helpful in getting you to your seat or pointing you in the right direction. The drinks are served fast.
It’s really easy to get in.
I think we’ve become so consumed in Auckland in recent years with the debate that flares up every now and again about how we don’t have a decent new stadium, that we forget what we actually do have - which is a really good arena right in the centre of town that does its job brilliantly.
Well done them.
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ASB has joined Westpac in predicting the Reserve Bank will keep the Official Cash Rate on hold next month.
The outlook has been revised after they previously predicted a hike when it's next reviewed on July 8th.
However, ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it'll be another close vote to stay at 2.25%.
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Right, hands up — who felt sorry for the doctor arrested at the border for not paying back his student loan?
So the details are: this chap owes almost $180,000. Yes, he admits he should have responded to IRD on the multiple occasions they tried to contact him — but he didn’t. And he says he didn’t realise how much money he owed until just recently.
Now he’s in a terrible situation because he’s stuck in New Zealand. The authorities have taken his passport and he can’t leave unless he ponies up some money. He’s also got no income while he’s here so he’s had to cancel some eye surgeries and shoulder surgeries.
Yes, it sounds like he’s a surgeon — which means, no, he’s not exactly on the bones of his arse, is he?
Feel sorry for him? Nah. Of course you don’t — me neither.
In fact, I’m going to admit something to you, which is not very nice of me: I take a perverse pleasure in hearing about people like this getting caught at the border and forced to pay up.
And yes, even though it’s “only” $180,000 — small beer in terms of what the country deals with — every one of those dollars feels like a win to me because of what it represents.
People like this doctor are the epitome of taking this country for a ride. He knew he should pay his student loan back. I knew I should have paid mine back. We all knew it.
Most of us did. But some went overseas and thought they could come and go from New Zealand whenever they liked, with no repercussions and never have to pay the money back.
Well, this is a come-to-Jesus moment for people like that.
It’s changed in New Zealand. We’re not gentle parenting anymore — we’re practising FAFO. You know what that is? F around and find out.
And it’s working.
There’s one lawyer in this country who reckons he’s doing so much work on student loan cases alone that he’s had to stop taking on other work. That’s how many people he’s helping clean up this kind of mess.
He says he’s dealt with more than 300 cases, accounting for around $25 million owed to New Zealand — and he’s already managed to recover $7 million of it.
Good.
Am I sorry for the doctor — and everyone else in the same situation?
Absolutely not.
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The Police National Integrity Unit and IPCA are investigating historical sexual allegations against Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.
Meanwhile, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says he's aware of two separate complaints against the commissioner.
Sexual violence advocate Louise Nicholas told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it doesn't make police look good, but doesn't apply to every cop.
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