Larry Williams Drive

The Energy Minister is clearing up some misconceptions after yesterday's newly announced LNG import facility sparked backlash. The Government yesterday announced plans for the storage site in order to maintain energy supply, and a levy will be used to fund infrastructure costs. Simon Watts says the Huntly Power Station isn't cutting it anymore and New Zealand needs more gas. "We need gas and we need those molecules, and that's the problem we're facing. And importation will allow us to get that gas."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 10 February, 2026, Todd McClay on the student controversy surrounding the India free trade agreement. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith on why a retail crime advisory group's been disbanded months earlier than intended. We hear about plans for a gold mining operation in the West Coast town of Reefton. And on The Huddle, Jordan Williams and Ali Jones try to make sense of a levy for an LNG import facility - or is it a tax? 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.

A potential insurance policy for those who can't move away from gas for energy, as the Government charges ahead with its plans for an importing facility.  The terminal will be housed in Taranaki - with the Government aiming to have a build contract locked down mid-year. It's imposing a levy to help pay for an import liquefied natural gas facility, which it says will save households $50 a year on power bills. Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton says New Zealand is running out of gas, faster than expected. "We need to encourage consumers and households to get off gas, but not all forms of businesses, for example, can get off gas. So we need to come up with other forms of energy for them."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two of Wellington’s major foodie events are among those receiving fresh support from the Government’s Major Events and Tourism Package. The funding round covers events across sports, food, culture and innovation. Wellington On a Plate and Beervana are set for a boost - alongside Tauranga’s AIMS Games, Nelson’s arts festival and New Plymouth’s Winter Fest. Wellington Culinary Events Trust general manager Penny de Borst says the funding will be used for talent attraction and marketing. "We're bringing in some international chefs and that's an opportunity for our local hospitality community to learn from these chefs - and also for them to get New Zealand products into their hands." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A small West Coast town might be about to strike gold again. Canadian mining company Rua Gold has discovered a 2.5 kilometre stretch of gold and other minerals at Auld Creek near Reefton - with plans announced to fast-track an underground mine. The company aims to produce 60,000 ounces of gold annually by 2028. Vice-president Simon Delander says they're also going after the antimony. He explained that's a strategic mineral - and there's lots of interest in Japan and the US. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister's hitting back at suggestions the India Free Trade Agreement will lead to a flood of immigration. Foreign Minster Winston Peters has said the agreement won't let us specifically cap Indian student visas, among other commentary on the deal. Todd McClay's confirmed that's the case but says they can cap student visas from all countries - as long as India isn't specifically discriminated against. "Others are saying is that hundreds of thousands of people, or tens of thousands of people are going to come over to New Zealand as a result of this agreement - I just want to take it back a step, this is a trade agreement, it actually isn't an immigration agreement."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Justice Minister says his retail crime advisory group has been successful and productive. It'll been cut short, ending in May - not the planned September - after three members resigned last month. It leaves just two members, chair and dairy owner Sunny Kaushal and liquor retailer, Ash Parmar.  Paul Goldsmith says he could have appointed more people for the next six months or wrapped it up early.  "The simpler thing to do was say - look, you've got a couple of things you need to finish, you've got three months to do that and then we'll go off on our merry way. The Government's got lots of ideas to work with."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament's wading into debate whether a levy the Government announced yesterday is indeed a levy, or in fact a tax. The so-called 'levy on electricity' will fund building an LNG import terminal.  Labour was quick to label this a 'gas tax', but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Energy Minister Simon Watts maintained this project would bring down people's power bills. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked today's discussions in Parliament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit sparked chaos and protests in Australia, with 27 people arrested in Sydney following Monday night's rally. Thousands of people gathered at a protest rally held by Palestine Action Group, but some members of the crowd wanted to march on to NSW Parliament. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says protestors tried to break through police blockades, forcing police to take action.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's dedicated her fourth Olympic snowboarding medal to her support network. The New Zealander claimed silver in the big air at Milan-Cortina, a third consecutive Games podium finish in the discipline. Her feat marks New Zealand's first medal of the 2026 Games. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns have been raised over a new app that was originally designed to help Christchurch ratepayers - but hasn't lived up to its promise. Christchurch City Council staff have so far spent $6.2 million developing a one-stop-shop app that is actually little more than a new website, prompting outrage and worries from the Council. Christchurch City Councillor Sam MacDonald says the appointed IT experts are working through the issue to try and solve it. "We were a bit surprised when they came to us saying - no, no it'll be a web version. Which, as you know, a lot of people don't use. We need to make it as easy for people as possible." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Keir Starmer's leadership has been flung into doubt, with the resignation of his closest aide. The UK Prime Minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney's quit - taking responsibility for advising Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.  Mandelson's being investigated for claims he'd passed sensitive information to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. UK correspondent Mike Pearse explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More companies are reporting their profits from the final portion of 2025, and it's sparking investigation into what investors need to pay attention to. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. 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!  Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is defending the financial track record of his regional funds - and says he's still committed to supporting investment in the regions. Do we support this?  There's growing debate over whether touch typing needs to be taught in schools. Do we think this is necessary or do we need to teach the basics first? The Government is looking to impose a levy on electricity users to pay for a facility for importing liquefied natural gas. Do we need this?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former boss of Air New Zealand is jetting off to America.  It's been reported Greg Foran will be named as the new chief executive of retail giant, Kroger. It operates supermarkets and multi-department stores throughout the US, and is regarded as one of the country's big four retailers. Greg Foran says he'll have his hands full but he's looking forward to it. "It's a business, does about $150 billion a year and just over 400,000 associates work there, there's about $3,000 stores, multiple brands - it's going to be complex." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says the newly announced facility for importing liquefied natural gas will save Kiwi households more money. The Government plans to impose a levy on electricity users to pay for the importation facility, expected to be around a billion dollars. A contract's expected to be signed later this year. Nicola Willis says this will help fund a more secure energy supply, meaning lower costs for households. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 9 February, 2026, our reporter tells us about changes to the Christchurch mosque attacker's appearance - as he fronts up to the Court of Appeal. Shane Jones explains what's happening with his regional development fund. Former Air New Zealand boss Greg Foran says that job has helped set him up for his new big venture in the U.S. And on the Huddle, Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson discuss whether our children should be learning to touch type. 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.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is defending the financial track record of his regional funds. Around half of Crown Regional Holdings' loan book is considered at risk of default. Most of the $433 million portfolio covers the Provincial Growth Fund and the current Regional Infrastructure Fund, were both looked over by Shane Jones. Jones says his party supports investment in regions. "Not too different from what the commercial banks are dealing with, as we speak at this moment."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it possible that some sporting events are just so big that they can more or less do whatever they want politically without suffering any real consequences? I’m asking this because of what happened during the Super Bowl halftime performance. Bad Bunny was everything the MAGA crowd expected - and perhaps feared - he would be. Some were already threatening to boycott the halftime show because Bad Bunny has been a vocal critic of Trump’s ICE raids, having spoken out at the Grammys last week, which was just the latest in a series of comments.  A Trump-aligned MAGA group even hosted an alternative halftime show featuring Kid Rock. So expectations were high, and the moment came. At the end of Bad Bunny’s performance, standing among flags from various South American countries, he made his point. He said, “God bless America,” and then name-checked countries from across North and predominantly South America - an obviously deliberate provocation, given ICE’s targeting of migrants from those nations. And right on

The role of touch-typing in schools is in the spotlight, as digital testing becomes the norm. A new NZQA report reveals Education Minister Erica Stanford weighed up adding it to the curriculum last year. The report doesn’t make a call, instead suggesting technical and cognitive skills be taught across subjects. Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken says there are pros and cons - and schools are already struggling with an overcrowded curriculum. "Anybody who's sat exams knows the pressure situations and you're trying to get your ideas down really quickly, and having that ability to type would be an advantage."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.