Larry Williams Drive

It didn't take long for cardinals to decide on Leo XIV as the new pope.  One of the cardinals in attendance was New Zealand's very own John Dew.  He joins the show to discuss what his experience in Rome was like.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The IRD has uncovered more than $150 million is undeclared tax and GST from the property sector. Developers and rental property owners haven’t been paying the correct GST, income tax and bright-line test taxes. Inland Revenue Senior Manager Tony Morris talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the revelation. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Catholic Catholic Church’s new pope is already making headlines for his criticism of his President Donald Trump. Auckland Bishop Steve Lowe says as pope, Leo XIV will occasionally weigh into politics. “He’s got to uphold the teachings of Jesus Christ and sometimes that might come into conflict with some political leaders around the world,” he said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are at all interested in understanding what's going wrong at rugby headquarters in Wellington, can I recommend that you read Gregor Paul's piece in the Herald today? It's an excellent summation.   The question that we had yesterday when we were looking at the financials was how on Earth is it that New Zealand Rugby pulls in more money than it ever has in a financial year and still manages to not make a profit? How do you do that? The answer is it seems going by Gregor's piece, it's just wasteful spending and spending in the wrong places.   For example, New Zealand rugby spent more than seven and a half million dollars last year on paying board members and executives. That is more than the seven million it spent on Heartland rugby teams last year and it is more than five and a half million it spent on its five Super Rugby clubs. No organisation should spend more on the people running the thing then on the thing itself, that's nuts.   New Zealand Rugby flew two board members, Dame Patsy Re

The Government has announced how they will pay compo to victims of abuse while in state care. There will be no new compo scheme, instead the Government will top up the current system. Lead coordination minister Erica Stanford talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the payment cap, how much is set aside financially, the pay equity bill and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Any changes to the Waitangi Tribunal will be introduced before the end of the year. The Government’s announced a review will kick of mid-year, with any advice to be given to the Government by September. The Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says it’s timely. “It runs enquiries according to very, very old legislation ... and the way it conducts itself needs to be modernised,” he said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History has been made with the Catholic Church electing the first pope from the United States, Robert Francis Prevost.  He has a history of missionary work in Peru and is said to have a keen grasp of the inner workings of the Church. The US-UK trade deal remains vague - but markets are responding positively.  US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about all things US news.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s announced a review into the Waitangi Tribunal will begin shortly. The review was announced on Friday by Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka, who said it would ensure the tribunal “remains focused, relevant, effective and fit for purpose”. Political Editor Jason Walls says no one should be surprised this is happening. “Every time Christopher Luxon has talked about the Waitangi Tribunal, he essentially says it has been removed from it’s brief.” LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The issue of dog attacks is back front and centre after a young girl was attacked on a West Auckland sports field. Auckland Council says the rise of off-leash dogs is a concerning trend. Auckland Council’s Licencing and Compliance Manager Robert Irvine talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about how the Council's monitoring the issue, how the prosecution process works and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After speculation football's A-league final would be held at Eden Park, it's been confirmed it will go ahead at Mt Smart's Go Media Stadium if Auckland FC make it. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joins the show to discuss the advantage of the decision and the Crusaders hosting the Chiefs tomorrow night. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports indicate a 'major' trade deal between the US and UK is set to be announced. US President Trump has teased that a partnership with a 'respected world nation' is in the works - and Downing Street hasn't denied that the UK isn't involved. UK correspondent Enda Brady speculates further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is urging the Government to close farming loopholes before 'more damage is done' to the sector. The organisation want loopholes in the guidance around limits on carbon forestry closed - as concerning news of further whole-farm sales emerges. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're two weeks away from Budget 2025, and the Government has been dropping hints about what we can expect. Prime Minister Luxon recently confirmed the Government will increase total capital expenditure allocated in the upcoming Budget by $400 million. NZ Herald business editor Liam Dann explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Lundy has divided our workplace out there. Some of my colleagues think that it's really gross that the Herald, who we work with, have taken photos of Mark Lundy today after he got out of jail yesterday. Now, the photos aren't anything particularly special - he's sitting in the passenger seat of a car, all you can really see is his face, that funny little beard he's got, some sunglasses and his latte coloured hoodie. It tells you nothing and it shows you almost nothing. And I suspect the reason it shows you almost nothing is because there are very heavy suppression orders about where he lives at the moment. So anything that identifies the town outside of the car, I would imagine, cannot be published. So they're a little bit limited in what they can show you. But even though there's almost nothing to see in these photos, boy, are we clicking on this particular story. It was, when I last checked, the most read and most viewed story on the Herald - so people are interested. And shouldn't the m

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Minister Stuart Nash and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The first photos of Mark Lundy have appeared in the Herald. Should these photos have been released at all? The pay equity saga continues, with protests planned around the country for tomorrow. Did the Government stuff this up? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the end of an era - as WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy after 62 years in business. The company's New Zealand arm closed in-person workshops last year, and it's seen struggles across the world as weight-loss trends change. Nutritionist Nikki Hart says the advent of injectable treatments like Ozempic has played a role in the company's downturn. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 8 May 2025, the Government has been advised to crack down on cash to reduce organised crime. Customs Minister Casey Costello is pondering whether to stop cash payments in sectors like construction. The Herald has released first pictures of convicted murderer Mark Lundy out in public, and Heather is wondering whether it's ick or satisfying what readers want to see. New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson tells Heather why NZR has delivered its third loss in a row despite record revenue. Plus, Rotorua's mayor comes out swinging telling Heather Rotorua is definitely not dying! 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.

Rotorua is hoping to boost its reputation as a top tourism destination - despite some media blowback. TRENZ, New Zealand’s largest international tourism event, just wrapped up - bringing over 1200 travel buyers from 26 countries into the city. Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell disagrees with the claims that the city is 'dead' and says the city is 'smashing it' in regards to tourism. "We were pretty surprised when we saw this very negative media article. Are we surprised... no. Will we fight back? Yes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has posted a loss of $19.5 million for 2024, despite also bringing in record income. The result was announced during today's AGM in Wellington - and is New Zealand Rugby's third consecutive deficit following a $8.9 million loss in 2023 and a $47 million loss in 2022. The national body recorded income of $285 million, in what it describes as being a 'near break-even result', highlighted by growth in commercial revenue. NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson says there's been significant investment in all levels of the game. "The investment has gone into record levels of investment into the women and girls' game, to the work we're doing in content and digital strategy and game development - we've never had higher levels of investment in the community game." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Op-shop rubbish fees are piling up as people dump masses of 'unusable' items outside.  The SPCA says it's spent $250,000 this year.  Retail general manager Cathy Crichton says the charity's grateful to receive donations of quality items - but people also leave damaged or unhygienic items it must throw away.  She says binning large items like mattresses can cost a lot. "That, in itself, is eroding the good work that our volunteers and team members are doing and building fundraising - and that's the commercial challenge." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.