Larry Williams Drive

The chief suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance, who is currently serving a sentence for a rape conviction, is set to be released from prison in Germany later than originally scheduled. Christian Brückner, 48, was convicted of raping a 72-year-old American tourist in Portugal in 2005 and had been scheduled for release in September, but this could now be pushed back to early next year. He has never been charged in the McCann case and denies any involvement in her disappearance in 2007. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the case, the Ukrainian man charged with arson at Kier Starmer's property and more.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trade war between the United States and China has settled down for 90 days. President Donald Trump’s agreed to reduce tariffs by 115 percent. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the developments, Japan’s conditions on singing a trade deal with the US and China’s exports growing sharply - just not in the US. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I just want to be clear, I don't want to start a disagreement between shows here on Newstalk ZB, but I did listen to Mike Hosking this morning talking some smack, and listening to it, I felt, no, I'm gonna have to say something about this just to restore a bit of balance to this debate. In defence of instant coffee, the stuff is great. I love it. I drink it nearly every day, little flat white in the morning, little old school instant in the afternoon. I am, I would like to point out, squarely in the demographic that should be snobby about coffee, right? It should be like fresh beans from Rwanda every day. I grew up on the cafe culture, live in Ponsonby, have some of the best cafes in the country around the corner, but I still write by instinct. Now I don't want to be super unfair on Mike, because obviously he's a legend, but he does some girl math when he wants to. Instant coffee is not more expensive than your ground beans. I mean, if you look at it on the face of what you're paying at the supermarket, yep,

Wellington’s potential next Mayor is making headlines for dishing out suggestions to the current mayor. Andrew Little called on Tory Whanau to not sign any more contracts in the Golden Mile redevelopment – calling it unethical to do so before a new Mayor is elected in October. In a statement to Newstalk ZB, Whanau said candidates “do not have the mandate to demand that our Council cease progress on any democratically agreed-upon projects” Wellington Mayoral candidate Andrew Little talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and Sports Journalist Jim Kayes join Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle. Auckland FC are facing a huge challenge this weekend as they take on the Melbourne Victory. The Sports Huddle discusses if the team’s prepared for the match. America’s Cup fans will have heard the discourse about Team New Zealandsailing in Italy helmed by an Australian. Does it make it less of a Kiwi team? First XV Rugby is set to be televised again. The Sports Huddle debate the relevance of having it return. All this and more tonight’s Sports Huddle. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC have 180 minutes to secure their place in the grand final, when they take on the Melbourne Victory tomorrow. Melbourne Victory are regarded as one of the league’s most dominant clubs, boasting four championships and three premierships. Auckland FC Head Coach Steve Corcia talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan ahead of the momentous game. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports show cruise ships are giving New Zealand a miss. Next season will see a 28 percent decrease in port visits nationwide. Cruise Association CEO Jackie Lloyd says cruise ship companies have a negative perception of New Zealand. “They think New Zealand’s unwelcoming, that we’re not wanting crews, and they’re reflecting that in their deployment decisions for the next couple of years,” she said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Waitangi Tribunal is urging the Government to “immediately halt” the Act Party-promoted Regulatory Standards Bill set to be introduced to Parliament on Monday. In a report, released today, the tribunal condemned the Government not consulting with Māori when developing the legislation, thus violating its Treaty obligation. Author of the bill David Seymour talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The finance minister’s making more commitments ahead of next week’s budget. In her pre-budget announcement, the finance minister said $577 million will be injected into film and television projects over the next four years. Willis said the approach is necessary to compete with our neighbours across the ditch and further abroad. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACC minister’s questioning whether ACC is the right outfit for people needing compensation after experiencing sexual assault. In 2023 the Court of Appeal ruled that sexual abuse survivors were entitled to compensation for the loss of potential earnings from when they were abused. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s not clear what the minister’s intention is. “It sounds to me as if he’s looking to shift this liability to another section of government.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the appeal of three orders to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to someone in the country illegally. Four federal judges have expressed why they believe President-Trump's birthright citizenship is unconstitutional. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about what was said in the court, the latest in hip-hop mogul ‘Diddy’s’ sex-trafficking trial and the price of Donald Trump’s military parade. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors will take on the Dolphins this weekend in a bid to keep their winning streak going. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine says they’ve got it in the bag. “They’re just finding out a way to win the tight wins, whereas last year, they more often than not, didn’t win the tight ones,” he said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Woolworth’s says Kiwi shoppers are getting a good deal from supermarkets. The supermarket giant’s blaming GST for New Zealand’s grocery prices rising higher than Australia and the UK. They say food prices could rise as much as six percent if the government was to intervene. Woolworths interim managing director Pieter de Wet talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the claims. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 15 May 2025, is the proposed punishment for Te Pati Maori MPs too harsh? Speaker Gerry Brownlee says a proposed 21-day ban is very severe and reminded MPs they can still change their minds. Labour leader Chris Hipkins clashes with Heather on the c-word debate. Meth use is skyrocketing, and it's got us asking if more workplaces should test their staff for the drug. Plus, the Huddle debates whether a 9-year old should have been excluded from his age-group rugby team for being too big. 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.

It sounds like Gerry Brownlee thinks that the Māori Party punishment is too harsh. He started Parliament today with the Speaker's ruling and he dropped some pretty strong hints that he thinks that 21 days without pay for Debbie and Rawiri over that haka is too much. He called the punishment very 'severe' and unprecedented because up til now, the harshest punishment has been 3 days, not 21 days. He pointed out that the punishment was only carried by a narrow majority on the Privileges Committee - and that going through with the punishment as it stands will deprive the Māori Party of their ability to vote in the House for several sitting days, and that Parliament does not have to go through with it. He told them that - he said, you don't have to go through with it, Parliament can change the punishment. Now, I can't say I agree with them on this for one simple reason, and that is deterrence. Whatever the punishment is going to end up being, it has to be harsh enough to stop the Māori Party doing this again - or

The Privileges Committee report on Te Pāti Māori's haka last year will be debated and voted on next Tuesday, with Parliament's Speaker calling the proposed punishment 'very severe'. The Committee suggested Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke be suspended for seven days - and co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi for 21 days. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacked the ongoing issue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golfer Ryan Fox admits his preparation for the PGA Championship - starting tonight - has been the opposite from his ideal buildup to a major. The Kiwi secured entry by winning the Myrtle Beach Classic via a playoff in South Carolina on Monday. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has landed in Indonesia as part of his first overseas trip since his election victory earlier in the month. Albanese is set to stay there for one full day before flying to Rome to meet European leaders and attend the pope's inauguration mass. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explains what this means for Albanese's key foreign policy priorities for his second term.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's leader says he would reverse the Government's pay equity changes - but that doesn't mean going back to how things were before.  Laws passed under urgency last week halted 33 existing pay equity claims, and increased the threshold for future filings. Chris Hipkins says he can't be specific about which settings Labour would reinstate if returned to Government next year.  He explained they don't want to do what National did - and again halt claims that might be 18 months down the track. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are looking noticeably left in the lurch without the Kremlin's leader.  Vladimir Putin has backed out of a face-to-face meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Turkey - and US President Donald Trump followed suit soon after.  It may have shattered other world leaders' hopes of a resolution.  Ukraine ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko says the meeting now has little point. "We clearly see that Russia is not interested in peace, Russia is interested in continuing to wage war." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.