Larry Williams Drive

Almost 400 civilian New Zealand Defence Force jobs are set to go as part of a major restructure. NZDF staff were informed of the cuts today. This comes after 145 civilian workers took redundancy last year.  Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Ricketts says workload will increase for remaining staff, and the growing need for a strong defence force.  LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government has unveiled a series of measures designed to slash £5 billion from the current welfare bill. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall has revealed the number of new people claiming the benefit is 'not sustainable'. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this been met with backlash from some groups - and some feel the Government hasn't tightened things enough. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 councils and three council-controlled organisations have recently had their credit ratings downgraded by S&P Global Ratings. The credit rating agency has expressed concern that councils aren't receiving enough revenue to cover rising costs, including investment in infrastructure.   NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US stock market is still undergoing a turbulent period, with more investors aiming to cut their losses. Donald Trump's tariffs still loom large over the market, with numbers dipping into the red after a short rebound. Milford Asset Management's Andrew Curtayne explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and Jack Tame, host of ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Former All Black Ali Williams, his billionaire wife Anna Mowbray and US billionaire Bill Foley want to build a new stadium in Auckland's Western Springs. They promise it won't cost ratepayers anything. Do we need this?  Do we think employees should be free to tell their co-workers their salary? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid worldwide economic turmoil, the price of gold has hit a record high this week. It's broken through the US$3000 per ounce mark - and is currently up 15 percent since the start of 2025. Tony Coleman from New Zealand Gold Merchants says gold's been accelerating in price since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic - and Trump's second term as President has also helped push up the value.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 19 March 2025, consumer confidence has taken another hit, Westpac economist Satish Ranchod tells Ryan Bridge that global uncertainty is making us nervous. Foreign Minister Winston Peters on the show after his big meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC. Richlisters want to build a new stadium at Auckland's Western Springs, but Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson says he's got questions about what's in it for ratepayers.   Plus, Ryan tries to find out what his fellow workers are being paid. Will anyone tell him? 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.

There's belief better pathways to industry and trades training are needed. A report from the New Zealand Initiative has found just six percent of 16-to-19 year-olds participate in workplace learning, while 11 percent are unemployed. It states schools are geared toward university education, even though only about a third enrol in degrees. Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas Services managing director Dave Strong says the sector is still struggling with a perception problem. "We don't seem to be recognised as a career...we're actually qualified professionals now, but no-one seems to want to recognise it as an alternative."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ Post is copping criticism over its failure to remove Hawke's Bay post-boxes that have been sitting dormant for months. New reports claim six NZ Post boxes across Hastings and Havelock North that were slated for removal are still being used by the public due to a lack of sign-postings. Hawke's Bay Today also spoke to one woman who had completed a free bowel screening test - only to realise it hadn't been sent two weeks later. Postal Workers Union co-president John Maynard says NZ Post should have consulted the public before shutting down the boxes. "Our position is - if people are using those boxes, the company should not be taking them out. This is a publicly-owned institution and if they want to move boxes or take them out, the very least they should do is consult with the local community." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global uncertainty and domestic cost-of-living pressures are hitting collective consumer confidence hard, according to new data. The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index for the March quarter fell eight points to 89.2. Anything below 100 indicates a pessimistic view. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says confidence will likely trend upward as the year continues, but it'll be a gradual recovery.  "If we look to the rest of this year, we are going to see confidence and economic activity continuing to climb. We've had some big interest rate reductions and we haven't felt the full impact of that yet." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local Government New Zealand's suffered another loss, as Western Bay of Plenty District Council quits.  It's accused LGNZ of being too left-wing, unprofessional and unresponsive to the views of councils.  Local Government New Zealand says its decision-making process is based on input from mayors, chief executives and councillors.  Councillor Margaret Murray-Benge says it will save the council money.  "We save about $180,000 - and then there's about $16,000 from our community board, and then there are other costs that come with it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Foreign Minister says he's waiting for the dust to settle on potential US tariffs. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Winston Peters today in the American capital - talking global security and co-operation. The Trump administration has threatened to impose agricultural tariffs, with possible impacts for one of our largest industries. Peters says our two countries have been close partners for decades. "It's not a matter of taking sides or doing anything untoward, or anything that the New Zealand people would not want us to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party is calling for Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old prisoner on a hunger strike, to be released. Wickliffe was allegedly beaten by prison guards at Spring Hill Corrections Facility - and the Greens want him released on compassionate grounds. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper wonders why a notorious criminal needs to be let out of prison under these circumstances.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another strand has emerged in the Auckland stadium saga. A group of high-profile New Zealanders, including NBA star Steven Adams and former All Blacks lock Ali Williams have proposed a new 12,500-seat stadium at Western Springs. It's understood that representation from the consortium presented their plans for the new stadium in central Auckland to a closed session of councillors last week.  Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is being forthcoming in hope of improving relations with Russia - despite speculation he'll be outmanoeuvred.  The US President called his Russian counterpart this morning to pitch an end to hostilities with Ukraine.  The Kremlin's agreed to pause attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days, and to work towards a ceasefire in the Black Sea.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson explains what could happen going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An employment relations expert says many workers want to discuss how much they earn - and should be allowed to. A Bill put forward by Labour would protect that right for employees. It's supported by all parties, except for ACT and New Zealand First.  Amy Ross says information about salaries belongs to the worker - and this bill would not force them to share it.  "If I want to be able to discuss that and I want to be able to identify potential inequality in the workplace, then I should have the right to do so without risking getting fired or getting called into a disciplinary meeting.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, opposition leader Peter Dutton has reignited calls for a referendum on deporting dual citizens. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has since hit out at this suggestion, labelling it a 'thought bubble'. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this is a 'nonsense' election pledge with limited weight behind it.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is set to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming hours, and there's fresh concerns ahead of the meeting. Trump is hoping to get agreement on a 30-day ceasefire proposal accepted by Ukraine last week.  UK correspondent Enda Brady unpacked the concerns about Ukraine's future ahead of the meeting. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The OECD has downgraded its outlook for the global economy as a result of President Trump's escalating trade wars. Canada and Mexico are predicted to see the biggest impact, with Canada's growth outlook being halved and Mexico being expected to see a recession. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Improved sentiment among sheep and beef farmers has helped drive a significant lift in farmer confidence, according to new data. The first Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey of 2025 shows farmer confidence is up +44 percent - from +34 percent.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.