Larry Williams Drive

A stay - for Te Pāti Māori MPs expecting debate on possible suspension today. The Privileges Committee recommended suspensions for Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for a protest haka during voting on the contentious Treaty Principles Bill. But 20 minutes after the debate began, Parliament's voted to adjourn it. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacked today's events - and discussed why National wanted the focus off this matter during Budget week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian's opposition has split - officially ending the Liberal-National coalition. National leader David Littleproud has confirmed his party will stand apart from Sussan Ley's Liberals, but he's leaving the door open.  The coalition had an election thrashing this month. Leader Peter Dutton lost his seat and Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese scored a second term.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds unpacks what this means for both parties going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonny Bill Williams is adamant that his upcoming boxing bout against Paul Gallen will be the last time he steps in the ring. The former All Blacks and Kiwis star has finally been confirmed to fight State of Origin league enforcer Paul Gallen on July 16 in Sydney. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures from the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance show Auckland Council has invested $3 million on communications and advertising alone for the green waste bins. This follows the email campaign aimed at mayor Wayne Brown opposing the $36 million spent on the green bins so far. Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance spokesperson Sam Warren says this doesn't make sense from an economic perspective. "Auckland Council spends about $36 million a year on the programme - that's a lot. And only a third of Aucklanders actually use it - and even that number seems a little high." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Negotiations to reset the UK's post-Brexit relations reached a turning point - with leaders holding talks ahead of an upcoming summit. Both regions recently reached a 12-year deal giving fishing access for EU boats in UK waters. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moody's cut the US credit rating by one notch, citing rising debt and interest payments that outpace those of similar sovereigns.  The downgrade to 'Aa1' from 'Aaa' follows a change in the outlook on the sovereign in 2023 due to wider fiscal deficit and higher interest payments, according to new data. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commercial users of gas are likely to be hit hard by 'unsustainable' prices this year, according to sector regulators. The Gas Industry Company’s latest quarterly report said average spot prices rose sharply in the first three months of 2025 as production continued to decline and demand remained relatively constant.  Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie explains what this could mean for the sector. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Is Auckland Council out of line for making the owner of a Mt Eden villa remove the new windows because they violate heritage rules? Is this over the top?  Budget 2025 is due out this week - but will the Te Pāti Māori saga overshadow it?  Is Gary Lineker's recent controversy proof adults should stay off social media? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've got a life tip for you - Grownups should not post their opinions on social media. Case in point, Gary Lineker. Now, Gary is about to announce that he's leaving his job at the BBC because of a social media post. This, in the UK, is very big news. Gary's a very popular host. He's the highest earner at the BBC because of how popular he is. He gets a salary of about $3 million New Zealand dollars, he's a former professional football player - I wager that if you ask anyone in the UK who Gary Lineker is, they'll be able to tell you. That's how well known he is. But he just torpedoed his own career by reposting a pro-Palestine video on social media that criticized Zionism and included an illustration of a rat. Now know your history on this - a rat is an image that was used in Nazi Germany to characterize Jews as vermin. You don't get away with that, you've got to know what you're doing there. And the thing about it is this wasn't even Gary's first mistake. Like with the first mistake - you could cut the gu

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 19 May 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis speaks to Heather ahead of Budget Day later this week. Is she worried the debate about the suspension of Maori Party MPs will overshadow her big week? US Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley has details about former President Joe Biden's terminal cancer diagnosis. Butter has got so expensive that people are buying boxes of cheap butter from Costco. Former Costco boss Patrick Noone explains why butter at Costco is half as expensive as elsewhere. Plus, the Huddle debates whether a Mt Eden homeowner should be made to rip out his new aluminium windows because they're not compliant with heritage rules. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025 Budget is due out this week - and the Finance Minister's feeling hopeful despite the concerns around Te Pāti Māori's antics. Prime Minister Chris Luxon made it clear earlier today that National will not make any concessions on the Privileges Committee's recommendation to suspend three Te Pāti Māori MPs from Parliament. Nicola Willis says this week is all about the Budget - which aims to address concerns Kiwis have about the cost of living. "We just need to focus on the things that will make a difference to people. We can't control Te Pāti Māori, they will do what they want to do."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The owners of a Mt Eden villa has voiced disapproval after Auckland Council demanded they remove double-glazed windows from their house to comply with heritage rules - claiming the order is 'expensive' and 'unnecessary'. The new windows have aluminium frames instead of the traditional timber frames - and open up to the outsides, rather than side upwards like the traditional sash windows. Alex Witten-Hannah, a lawyer representing the homeowners, hopes the council will take a 'common-sense' approach and back off. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bustle of butter-buying at Auckland's Costco - where it costs $10 a kilo. Stats NZ figures show the price of a block of butter has soared 65 percent in the past year. Videos on social media show shoppers piling boxes of the spread into carts at the bulk-buy supermarket. Former Costco managing director, Patrick Noone, says the store's very unlikely to try to stop bulk buying.  He explained they did it once when eggs were short - but if they can supply it, they'll let people buy as much as they can. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Associate Energy Minister says reversing natural gas policies will take time.  Production fell 20 percent in the first quarter - compared on the year before - to 22.85 petajoules.  Industry spokespeople say available gas is depleting and exploration of new fields is banned. Shane Jones says the last Government wanted the sector shut down - and faith needs to be restored it has a future.  "Since 2018 and 2019, when the curtain came down on the industry, people stopped drilling and people lost confidence - that there would be no future for fossil fuel in New Zealand." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns over extreme staff shortages in rural hospitals - as the Government announces funding to help urgent and after-hours care.  Patient Voice Aotearoa has revealed more than 20 rural hospitals across the country are looking for one or more locum doctors. The Far North's Dargaville, Bay of Islands, and Kaitaia hospitals are doctor-less - and relying on telehealth. Chair Malcolm Mulholland says it's unclear how we can staff extra services - and we have to do more to keep doctors here. "This is the problem that we've got - whether we're looking at GPs or specialists who operate within our hospitals, we simply don't have enough." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says the Budget's designed to give businesses even more confidence for the future. The Budget, released on Thursday, will put aside $65 million over four years, for loosening rules that might put off overseas investors from choosing New Zealand. Nicola Willis says we can't let debt keep blowing out forever - and would risk the economy crumbling away if we allow major extra taxes or excessive borrowing.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls speculates about other future changes that could be unveiled ahead of Budget day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grieving Australian families feel 'insulted' by silence around the death of two teens in Laos last year. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles died alongside four others staying at Nana Backpackers hostel - after accidentally drinking methanol in alcohol shots. In latest news, up to 13 people may face charges related to food and health security, eliminating evidence, and unlawful business.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the parents of the victims have been met with silence from Laos authorities - and they're not happy about it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been another successful weekend for Auckland FC - and all hopes are on the Kiwi side ahead of the A-League Grand Final. The Black Knights are returning home with no injury concerns from the 1-nil away win over Melbourne Victory in the first leg of the semi-final. Sportstalk host Jason pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis has come after earlier intense public scrutiny of his health fitness for the presidency.  The former US President has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, with possible treatment available, although it's not curable and has spread to his bones.  US correspondent Jonathan Kearsly says it comes at an interesting time - when his legacy is being questioned.  "Hard questions, obviously, over his health, his mental acuity while he was in office - and now, two days before a book is set to be released about those very concerns." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 16 May 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather why she's begrudgingly signed off on an almost 600 million dollar subsidy for film productions. Woolworths boss Pieter de Wet has hit back at the Government, saying its the cost of GST that's making New Zealand's groceries more expensive than in Australia. Auckland FC Coach Steve Corica speaks to Heather ahead of tomorrow's playoffs game against Melbourne. Plus, the Sports Huddle talks Ryan Fox' big win this week and is First XV rugby better than Super Rugby? 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.