Larry Williams Drive

Over in Australia, machetes will be removed from shop shelves in the coming days after a violent gang brawl forced a busy shopping centre into lockdown.  Shoppers were left terrified after a conflict by rival gang members armed with machetes at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north took place over the weekend. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan announced the ban would take effect from noon on May 28 - and fines and jail time would be enforced against retailers who don't comply. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No grand-final for Auckland FC - and coach Steve Corica's making it known the officiating is the reason why. Melbourne Victory's 2-nil second-leg win in Auckland's clinched a 2-1 triumph on aggregate. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explained further - and explained why Auckland FC is likely to be feeling flat this week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Salvation Army says sanctions on beneficiaries which force people to find volunteer work for a few hours a week isn't the best use of resources. New 'non-financial' sanctions are set to come into force for beneficiaries who don't meet their obligations - including having part of their weekly benefit put on a payment card or finding volunteer work for at least 5 hours a week. But Salvation Army principal social policy analyst Paul Barber doesn't believe that's the right way to go for people who are struggling to find work. "There are already a lot of sanctions available... we're talking about a relatively small group of people within the total number of people who are receiving welfare." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 23 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.

Let's talk about this business with the pension age. Chris Luxon has said today twice that he wants the pension age to go up to 67. He said it once on Kerre’s show this morning, and then at a post-budget lunch speaking to business leaders, he repeated it and he told them that this is basically going to be election policy for National next year. Now, regardless of how you may feel about this, I mean, you'd have to be coming around to the realisation, wouldn't you, that we are inching closer and closer to this thing actually happening. Especially after the changes that the government made to our KiwiSaver retirement funds yesterday. It's not long now. I think that the government will have completely wound down its government support of KiwiSaver, and then it's gonna come after the pension next, isn't it? This is where I think it gets tricky, because this is not just about money for people. This is emotional. Let me lay out the emotional argument for you as it plays out in my head, OK? It goes like this: Don't t

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer is "on the wrong side of humanity."  It's after Starmer called for an end to the war in Gaza.  Meanwhile 20 prisons in England will pilot the chemical castration of sex offenders, and Denmark's set to have the highest retirement age - 70-years-old. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first real indicator of the impact of the trade war is coming out of China. The country cut their key lending rates by 10 basis points on Tuesday in an effort to boost the economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) trimmed the 1-year loan prime rate, which influences corporate and most household loans in China, to 3.0% from 3.1%. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about what it means. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Editor Jason Walls talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the week that was. What were the highs and lows of budget day? The debate about the punishment for three Te Pāti Māori MP’s begun ... but didn’t head anywhere quickly. And Winston Peters had an argy-bargy run in with a member of the public. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hit go on commercial building developments, oil and gas exploration, dam builders and more. In a new investment boost programme, businesses can now deduct twenty percent off the cost of a new asset. There’s no cap on how much the asset can cost. Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the new scheme. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB’s Andrew Alderson and Sports Journalist Nick Bewly join Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle. Supercars will officially race in a Kiwi double-header in New Zealand from 2026-2028. Can the country sustain two Supercars events? Super Rugby referees have admitted they got it wrong in the Blues-Moana game. How far back should the video referee be able to go? Are they too hogtied to the rules? The Sports Huddle discuss all this and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another huge weekend is in store for Go Media Stadium with two sold out games. Auckland FC’s second semifinal's on Saturday, before the Warriors take over on Sunday. The stadium’s just won the prize for the best stadium atmosphere by the football players association. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media influencer and mental health advocate Jazz Thornton says a social media ban would be dangerous for kids mental health. She says kids are able to access free mental health resources through social media. But is it worth the negative effect it comes with? Clinical Psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the implications of a social media ban for kids. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday’s budget confirmed there will be no changes to superannuation. Means testing for KiwiSaver input’s in, but nothing for super. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reaffirmed his party’s support for raising the retirement age to 67. But his deputy and coalition partner Winston Peters doesn’t agree. Associate Finance Minister and ACT Party leader David Seymour talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the idea. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has revoked Harvard’s right to enrol foreign nationals – more than a quarter of the student body – in an escalation of his fight against the prestigious university. Current international pupils will have to transfer, leave the country or risk deportation. The US Government’s already pulled $2.6 billion-US-dollars from grants at the university. Crimson Education Co-founder Jamie Beaton talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the ongoing battle. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins wouldn’t confirm his party’s commitment of returning the $13 billion taken from pay equity schemes by the National Party. Half of the new spending in the budget came from these cuts. His colleague Barbara Edmonds, however, says Labour’s committed to finding the money. Political Editor Jason Walls talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the confusion. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after an Israeli embassy couple were shot dead in Washington. The 30-year-old Chicago man was detained at the scene – the Capital Jewish Museum. He shouted “free Palestine” after being taken into custody. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weekend’s biggest sports gamehave sold out. The Warriors will play on Sunday after Auckland FC on Saturday – both at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium. The Warriors will be looking to redeem themselves against the Raiders, who beat them in Las Vegas for the season opener. Sports Contributor Jason Pine talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the games. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supercars will officially race in a Kiwi double-header in New Zealand from 2026-2028. Ruapuna raceway in Christchurch will host a supercars championship each year, with it expected to continue after 2028. Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the announcement. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A member of Irish rap group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert, police said on Wednesday. Liam O’Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, is accused of showing support for the Lebanese militant group, who are proscribed by British authorities, during a performance on November 21. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An increase in default KiwiSaver contribution rates announced in Thursday's Budget could leave some households better off for retirement - but experts warn not everyone will benefit. The Government will halve the member tax credit available to people who contribute at least $1042 in a year to $260.72. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.