Larry Williams Drive

The Finance Minister says the latest poll will be a tough read for the Labour Party and Chris Hipkins. Labour saw a three percent drop in support to sit on 29, Chris Hipkins' preferred Prime Minister rating also fell by 1 percent.  National also saw a drop in support, down 2 percent to sit on 34.  Nicola Willis says even after complaining about their budget - Labour didn't see a jump in support.  "Well, it gives me confidence that New Zealanders get where we are as a country - which is that we're a Government doing a big clean-up job. The books have been left in a mess." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has released her highly-anticipated memoir today, with some reviewers disappointed. A Different Kind of Power covers her tenure as Prime Minister, her Mormon upbringing, and navigating crises like the Covid-19 pandemic and Christchurch mosque attacks. Political commentator Grant Duncan says the book lacks political revelations.  "There's just no really juicy reveals in there - I mean, there are some interesting angles that kind of raised my eyebrows a little bit."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Conservation Minister says any decision around the closed Tongariro Chateau won't be taken lightly.  Budget 2025 labelled the heritage-listed site in the shadow of Mount Ruapehu a 'fiscal risk'. All options are on the table, including demolition.  Tama Potaka says it's an iconic building and very important to the area.  He says a decision on its future will be made in due course.  "It's definitely not years - we need to be a Government of action, we've taken action around a couple of those concessions in that beautiful part of the world." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The downturn in construction continues. The Post is reporting almost a third of all business liquidations are construction companies - up from a quarter in 2022. Building Industry Federation chief executive Julian Leys says it's been a tough few months. But he says things are levelling out. "We still have a good number of building consents - sitting around at 33-34,000. We still are seeing active work with construction in sub trades." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Safety experts are sceptical about a new Government directive for WorkSafe.  The health and safety regulator has been instructed to shift focus from enforcement, to offering advice.  Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden says it is currently feared for its punitive actions - and not appreciated for guidelines.  But the Institute of Safety Management's Jeff Sissons says that characterisation from the Minister is not what he hears about the agency. "Most employers haven't seen or heard much of WorkSafe. I take the Minister at her word, she's heard from some employers - but that's certainly not something I've come across." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Triple murder accused and mushroom cook Erin Patterson continued to give her evidence in an Australian court today.  Three family members of Patterson's estranged husband died after eating the lunch she prepared at her Victoria home in 2023. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Patterson opened up about her issues during today's trial - and she explained that she hoped to get closer to her in-laws. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's roadcone hotline is being launched today, as the Government announces a suite of cultural changes for WorkSafe.  It's being instructed to move away from enforcement, and engage in earlier risk management. WorkSafe says it's well placed to deliver on these expectations. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says these changes have been met with a mixed response. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Max Verstappen has issued a veiled apology for his crash with George Russell in the Spanish Grand Prix. The four-time world champion was hit with a 10-second penalty by stewards for causing a collision with two laps remaining. Verstappen has now admitted his move 'was not right and should have not happened'. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some Whakatane residents could end up having their council bins confiscated for three months. The District Council is bringing in a three-strike rule for people repeatedly putting the wrong items in recycling and green waste bins. The Council's solid waste manager, Nigel Clarke, says he doesn't get why people keep doing it. "We tried to provide the education to help people recycle correctly, but it is just that small minority that just don't want to get on board." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 53-year-old Royal Marine will appear in court following the Liverpool Football Club parade crash.  Paul Doyle from Liverpool has been charged with seven offences relating to the crash in the city on Monday.  He's a father of three and a local business man.  Seventy-nine people were injured in the event.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the incident, potential water shortages in the UK and France's new smoking ban.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s offering the Pacific Island’s increased support. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has committed economic support in the Pacific’s fight against climate change. He says over the next three years, China will undertake 100 projects in parts of the region that have ties to China. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the commitment. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 30 May. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB’s Sport Director Clay Wilson and News Editor Elliott Smith join Heather du Plessis-Allan for The Huddle. ‘Run It Straight' has everyone talking this week after a teenager died while playing the game with friends. Should it be made illegal? What does The Huddle make of Andrew Webster’s call to remove the State of Origin from happening in the middle of the NRL season? What chance do the Warriors have this week? The Huddle discusses all this and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend marks the last day of Winnie and the first day of David Seymour as the Deputy Prime Minister. Now, mostly I don't actually care. I mean, I largely agree with Jim Bolger's assessment and, and obviously, happy 90th birthday to Jim for tomorrow. The role doesn't actually mean very much. It's symbolic. It doesn't carry any particular power other than really just letting you know who's second in command. But it feels like an appropriate time just to take a moment to acknowledge, because we don't do this very often, that it's actually very nice, isn't it, to have both of these two men in government right now, if only to give the Nats a little bit of a push along, you know, to actually do things from time to time. Winston strikes me right now as the right man for the right job for right now. Don't you think? With all this nutty stuff that's going on in the world, his huge previous experience as a foreign minister, I think, is reassuring. I feel like it's not going overboard to say that I trust his insti

Political Editor Jason Walls talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the week that was. This week an internal police memo was leaked, which explained their plan to cease investigations on shoplifting allegations below $500.  Have we got to the bottom of it?  Winston Peters "permanently" ruled out working with Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Jason Walls explains how Peters left himself some "wiggle room" in doing so.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s defending their move to change a law which protects Australian banks from Kiwi customers. More than 15,000 mortgage holders could miss out on hundreds of millions in compensation for mistakes made by ANZ and ASB. Commerce Minister Scott Simpson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the proposal. LISTEN ABOVE. lawyer on the proposed changes to NZ lending laws and the ensuing lawsuitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New Zealand foreign minister’s visited Nepal for the first time, more than 70 years since our countries were linked following the ascent of Mt Everest. Winston Peters flew from Kathmandu to the Everest region on Thursday, where he toured a school and a hospital created by the charity Sir Edmund Hillary founded in the 1960s. Sir Edmund Hillary’s grandson Alexander Hillary joined him and he speaks with Heather du Plessis-Allan now. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Timaru’s Seadown water supply has been crowned winner ofthe best tasting tap water in New Zealand. It was up against Waimakariri District Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, Waipa and Taupo District Council. They were awarded bragging rights from a panel of judges at the National Water Taste Test competition last night. Timaru Mayor Nigel Bowen talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the win. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents will now be prosecuted if their kids aren’t attending school. It’s the latest in a move to crackdown on truancy in the country. The Ministry of Education will prosecute parents who repeatedly refuse to sed their children to school. Papatoetoe High Principal Vaughan Couillault talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the decision. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s Former Foreign Minister Phil Goff has laid out his views on the war in Gaza, in an opinion piece for Stuff. In it he’s accused Israel of committing war crimes. He wants to see New Zealand separate itself from American foreign policy and is calling on the Government to impose immediate sanctions against Israel. Phil Goff talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the article and what he wants to see change. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.