Larry Williams Drive

I want to talk a little bit more about Nicola Willis’ tight budget - I haven’t changed my position from yesterday and I'm impressed at how little she’s giving herself to play with. But the truth is, it doesn’t go far enough - at all. Because understand this - that $1.3 billion that she’s given herself in her operating allowance is new spending. As in, take last year’s budget and now increase it by $1.3 billion. For context, Nicola Willis spent more money last year than Grant Robertson ever did in any of his budgets - and now she’s adding another $1.3 billion to it. Now I understand that this is conventional politics - budgets increase every year.   The last time it didn't, the last time we had a zero budget where we didn’t add any more money was Bill English's 2011 budget - because we’d had the earthquake. But what that tells you is it’s possible to not increase the spending - and I would argue that is exactly what we should be doing at the moment. Because we are in big financial trouble as a countr

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 30 April 2025, KiwiRail's announced the Aratere will be retired this year, leaving us with just two Interislander ferries for the next four years.   Education Minister Erica Stanford explains why she's going to introduce financial literacy courses to schools. Heather explains why she's impressed with Nicola Willis' budget announcement - but thinks we need to cut whole ministries to free up more money. Plus, the Huddle debates Wellington City Council voting in favour of allowing 16-year olds to vote in local body elections. 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 future has been secured for Whakapapa skifield after DoC today granted a 10-year concession. Whakapapa Holdings has signed up to run the Whakapapa skifield on the iconic North Island mountain for the next decade. It's taken multiple Government bail-outs and years of talks to reach this point - since Ruapehu Alpine Lifts folded in 2022.  Whakapapa Holdings Chief Executive Dave Mazey says an environment with less time pressure will help with developing a long-term future for the skifield.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis is looking to further rein in Government spending in next month's Budget - but one expert has warned it won't go far enough. The Finance Minister is slashing the operating allowance from $2.4 billion to $1.3 billion. She's targeting a return to surplus in 2029. NZ Initiative economist Eric Crampton says Government spending has been running too high for years - and cuts need to be made to save the situation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief a man who killed a second time after being found insane after a killing more than two decades ago shouldn't have been released.  RNZ has revealed the man was recently found not guilty of murder by way of insanity again - as he'd believed the victim was possessed.  He'd been a special patient under the Mental Health Act, but was freed more than 10 years ago.  The Government's Chief Victims Advisor, Ruth Money, say she'd like a Royal Commission inquiry of how people are assessed to ensure they won't reoffend.  "People are going on to kill - and it is not good enough. It's too dangerous for the community and there needs to be a level of inquiry that has teeth." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor says he's not holding his breath on 16-year-olds getting the vote.  The Council has reaffirmed its support for letting them participate in local body elections, with only four councillors opposed.  Councillor Ben McNulty says it was a quick vote - and he was in favour. But he says this Government's likely to ignore the call.  "Whether LGNZ listens to Wellington, whether the Government then listens to LGNZ - who knows? It's purely symbolic." McNulty says symbolism is sometimes important in politics.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another Government curriculum refresh is aiming to give school kids more grasp of money management. The Education Minister's making financial literacy a compulsory topic for years one to ten. The Government is teaming up with financial organisations, banks, and charities for lessons on investment and taxes. Erica Stanford says kids will learn a small dose each year, increasing in complexity as they get older - in order to build up financial skills over their time at school. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interislander is reducing its Cook Strait ferry fleet from three to two. The Aratere will retire when demolition begins on its decaying dock - late this year or early the next - to add infrastructure for new ships. Two new ferries are due in 2029. KiwiRail's Adele Wilson says it would've cost about $120 million to have an interim dock. "The idea of the temporary wharf is one of those things that is not possible if we want to bring this project in on budget and on time and at a level that's affordable."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interislander's Aratere is heading towards its final journey - as work is underway to get rid of the Cook Strait ferry's decaying dock. Infrastructure is needed for new ferries, arriving in 2029, and work to demolish Aratere berth will in the coming months. It'll spell an end to the ageing ferry's operation because it can't use other Interislander docks. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacks this announcement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has celebrated the 100th day of his second term - and he spoke to party faithful at a gathering in Michigan. He spoke of his achievements in the role, mocked his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, and dismissed polls that showed his popularity slipping. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump's trying to reassure people as the mass dissatisfaction over his tariffs draws backlash - and impacts the stock market.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indian Panthers CEO Parveen Batish has admitted players were unpaid while appearing for the franchise in basketball's NBL. League officials say they're considering options regarding the Panthers futures after meetings involving all 12 clubs today. The new side's game against the Canterbury Rams last night was canned at the 11th hour. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legal expert has raised issues with the Government's plan to reinstate a total ban on prisoners voting in general elections. The Government is proposing to reverse changes that let prisoners with sentences under three years vote, with the Justice Minister saying this sends a message to those who breach their civil responsibilities. Electoral law expert and barrister Graeme Edgeler has taken issue with the 'randomness' of this proposal. "If someone's got a life sentence or 10 years or something, they're going to miss out on voting at elections - but someone who's maybe got a one-year sentence, the question of whether they get banned from voting turns on whether they got sentence in 2023 or 2025."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 29 April. 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.

Up to 120 jobs are on the line as Fonterra plans to shut its Hamilton packaging facility.  The closures due to 'challenging economic conditions'.  'The Country' host Jamie Mackay talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the closure and the climate debate within the National Party.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employment data out today shows filled job numbers rose 0.2% in March. Primary industries led the growth up 04%. Infometrics Principal Economist Nick Brunsdon says it's a reason to get excited. “It’s to be celebrated after a fair period of decline.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain has declared a state of emergency entire areas of the country and of Portugal are without power. The outage has disrupted trains, cut cell phone and internet networks and trapped people in elevators. Portugal’s power company said it may take a week to get the network back to normal. UK Correspondent Enda Brady joins the show to give an update on the situation. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s halfling their operating allowance in the budget out at the end of May. They say they have freed up “billions” in additional public service cuts to allocate more money into the country’s “most pressing priorities.” Economist Cameron Bagrie talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the announcement. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite reports of critical levels of vacancies for senior doctor positions, Taupō hospital now has accreditation to train rural doctors.  It will be the first North Island hospital to receive accreditation to deliver the training.   Meanwhile senior doctors are still planning to strike on Thursday, despite a new offer from Health New Zealand.  Health Minister Simeon Brown talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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A controversial new initiative to reduce injuries in the manufacturing sector has been put on pause by ACC.  The tender process specifically focused on Māori and Pasifika workers.  ACC Minister Scott Simpson initially stood by ACC, saying its tender “aligns with the Government’s desire to support New Zealanders based on evidence of need”. However, he then U-turned by asking ACC to review the policy after the ACT Party complained.  Scott Simpson joins the show to discuss the initiative.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.