Larry Williams Drive

Outrageous and 'a load of rubbish' are the Prime Minister's words to describe a Green MP's comments about police. Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul spoke at an event last week, saying all beat police do is walk around - and throw away homeless people's items. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this makes the Greens look like a laughing stock. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says the Defence Secretary should be fired over texting war plans in a group chat. Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal group chat where Pete Hegseth posted plans for attacks in Yemen - two hours beforehand. Jeffries says that threatened national security, and likely violated the law. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says President Trump has attempted to downplay the incident. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speculation about Liam Lawson's Red Bull future is picking up speed with the Formula One team reportedly dropping the New Zealander ahead of next week's Japanese Grand Prix. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf is claiming Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda is in line to replace Lawson. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix's new four-part crime drama Adolescence has generated acclaim and positive reviews - and it's sparked discussions about online radicalisation and toxic masculinity. The series deals with the fallout after a 13-year-old boy stabs a teenage girl to death - while addressing the factors that can warp young people's perspectives about the world around them. St Kevins College principal Jo Walshe says this series is an 'important' piece of art. "It's something that's going to stimulate an enormous amount of conversation, it's something that is probably going to get through to people in a way that's going to be a lot better than people like me standing up and telling families not to allow their young kids to have social media." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to fix every pothole in Britain. In an earlier radio interview, Starmer announced plans to provide a 'record amount' of money to local authorities to fill 7 million potholes a year. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Starmer promised to use AI and technology to speed this process up.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One former Special Trade Envoy has issued a warning to Kiwi primary exporters amid the escalating trade war. Mike Petersen has joined the chorus of international trade experts who say New Zealand will be caught in the crossfire between the US and China - and he's warning exporters to 'be ready to be nimble'. The Country host Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Export prices are sitting in a strong position - with cherries seeing a surge in overseas demand. New data shows cherry exports over the 2024/25 season reached 5.07m kg, up 33 percent from the prior season. Infometrics Principal Economist unpacked this data further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows a significant number of Kiwis are working past the retirement age. A new report from Stats NZ shows there are almost 200,000 New Zealanders aged 65 or older that are still in the workforce. This research also reveals at least 1200 Kiwis in their 90's are still working. Financial adviser Martin Hawes says many of these people will need the extra money - and plenty are just used to working. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 25 March 2025, Health New Zealand's Deputy Chief Executive Cath Cronin speaks to Ryan to explain why an 11 year old girl was mistakenly admitted to a mental health facility. Eden Park vs Quay Park stadium - council officials have had their say, and why taxpayers may have to pay for it. Plus - why your Lego or wine collection might be a seriously good investment. Plus, on the Huddle, Ali Jones defends making inquiries about mobility carparks in Christchurch. 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.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Nick Leggett from Infrastructure New Zealand joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!   How do we feel about taxpayer funding of a new Auckland stadium? Can we afford this? New electorate boundaries have been drawn up by the electoral commission. What could this mean for prospective voters?  Ali Jones has been copping some backlash for suggesting there are too many disability car parks. She's on the defence - what do we make of this?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report exploring the tech sector has raised concerns among experts. A new survey by Tech Beyond Gender found that over half of all female and gender diverse technology workers who took part in the study have contemplated leaving their positions - while a third considered leaving the sector altogether. Tech Beyond Gender founder Meena Satishkumar says many of them have experienced microaggressions in the workplace - and there's concerns about pay disparity. "More than 70 percent of them are dissatisfied with pay transparency - and more than half of them feel like they're not being paid fairly, with disparities particularly affecting technical and migrant professionals." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's fears stricter regulation of event organisers could hurt smaller promoters most.  Three companies connected to Juicy Fest and Timeless Summer have gone into liquidation - with ticket holders yet to receive refunds.  Eccles Entertainment co-founder Brent Eccles is pushing to force ticketing companies to hold money until an event has ended.  But Lo-Fi Productions Managing Director Owen Evans says that leaves no wiggle room for the unexpected. "For us, the only time we struggle to pay people is either a knock-on effect from not being paid by other people - or things like the floods and Covid, where we had to dig into our own pockets to pay that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows investors looking for the best returns might be better off putting money into whisky or Lego, as opposed to the share market.  University of Auckland finance lecturer Gertjan Verdickt has released new research into alternative investments, including Lego, instruments, classic cars, wine, whisky and baseball cards. Verdickt says there's value in adding an additional component to a traditional investment portfolio. "Having something real, something tangible, is worth something. And it can produce additional returns on top of your normal portfolio."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence in the labour market is shrinking, according to new reports. The Westpac-McDermott Miller index shows employment confidence has reached its lowest level since mid-Covid - in September 2020. It fell in 4 out of 11 regions - including the biggest jobs market - Auckland. Westpac senior economist, Michael Gordon, says businesses are advertising fewer jobs. He explained some are just looking for more specialist roles and others are overstaffed after keeping workers through the downturn. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland Councillor says he's leaning towards choosing an improved Eden Park to be Auckland's national stadium.  The other option is a new stadium at Quay Park.  Council staff say neither proposal is entirely feasible - relying on funding from the Council or the Government. Stadium Working Group chair Shane Henderson says Aucklanders want certainty - and they need to decide in Thursday's vote.  He says Eden Park's looking preferable.  "We can stage that development, the risk is a little bit more manageable. And honestly, looking at the report and the advice - they've got a few less issues out of the two." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feedback is being sought on a major shake-up of electorates. The Representation Commission is proposing replacing Wellington's Ōhāriu, Mana and Ōtaki, with new electorates, Kapiti and Kenepuru. A number of Auckland  boundary lines would be redrawn, including New Lynn, Kelston, Te Atatū - becoming Waitākere, Glendene and Rānui. Panmure-Otahuhu would become Ōtāhuhu. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks the potential winners and losers from this announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to hand down  the Albanese Government's newest Budget tonight. This is the last Budget ahead of the upcoming federal election in May - so the pressure's on for Labor to outline their policy agenda.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds outlines his predictions ahead of this evening's announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Captain Chris Wood expects the excitement of qualifying for next year's Football World Cup to be a slow burn for the All Whites. The win over New Caledonia in the Oceania final booked New Zealand a berth at the tournament for the third time in the team's history.  They're just the fifth team to qualify for the 48-team event so far - alongside co-hosts the USA, Canada and Mexico - and Japan. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ says it is investigating in depth as to how an 11-year-old girl was taken to a Hamilton mental health facility in a case of mistaken identity.  She was mis-identified as a 20 year old patient seen climbing Fairfield Bridge's railings - then cuffed and injected with antipsychotic drugs.  Health NZ Deputy Chief Executive Cath Cronin says they're deeply sorry and are working with the family.  She says there is much she can't reveal at present. "We need to really understand what's happened here - and I've got to wait for the review to get down into the absolute details of what's happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports have revealed power was available to keep London's Heathrow Airport open throughout the recent shutdown. Two other substations remained operational and capable of powering the airport - but the shutdown was called due to the time it took to switch from the damaged substation to the other two. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this update came as a shock to many people who got stranded. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.