Larry Williams Drive

There's hopes new Cook Strait ferries will be rail-enabled. Minister for Rail Winston Peters is promising more details by the month's end. He's confirmed Hyundai - the company whose ship and infrastructure deal was dumped by the Government - is in the running for a new contract. The break fee on the original canned deal is $300 million. Maritime Union national secretary Carl Findlay says the cancellation was silly. He explained getting world-class builders to make the ships as close to the original plan would be ideal. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stressed the importance of needing the US for supporting Ukraine. European and Canadian leaders have held an emergency summit in London, to discuss a new plan to guarantee peace in Ukraine. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says more meetings are set to take place this week - but it's unclear if all the EU nations will be on board.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, there's plenty of speculation as to what will happen with Trump's proposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico.  The proposed tariffs aren't set to kick in until April, but there's theories Trump may alter the tariffs - and put a higher one on China. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plans to expand salmon fishing and push it further out into the open ocean have moved forward after the Government announced a cash injection into the aquaculture sector. The Government will invest $11.72 million in salmon farming over five years, as part of a $29.3 million programme led by Salmon King. Salmon King CEO Carl Carrington says their product is in demand all over the world - and there's room for the sector to boost exports. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 3rd of March 2025, Wellington Water Chair Nick Leggett has revealed he may step down after the release of a a scathing report uncovering more organisational failures. The Government is setting up 24-7 digital healthcare in a package announced today to make it easier for Kiwis to see a doctor. Health Minister Simeon Brown joined Ryan Bridge to discuss. The 2025 Oscars took place today - and low-budget hit Anora swept the ceremony. Later, The Huddle debates what could happen after the weekend's infamous Trump-Zelenskyy conflict. 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 Finance Minister has acknowledged the Government's new cut-price regime for school lunches has issues - but indicated parents can also step up and contribute. A number of schools throughout the country have complained about late deliveries and sub-standard offerings under the new system. Nicola Willis says she expects the contractors to improve their service, but she's also reminding mums and dads that they can do their part.  "There's nothing to stop them from putting a Vegemite sandwich and a banana in their children's school bag. Actually, that's why we have a welfare system in this country - so that every family raising children has a minimum level of income needed to deliver their needs. I think we do need to get away from the idea that the Government does everything." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  There's a lot of changes on the Ukraine front after Donald Trump's weekend altercation with President Zelenskyy - what do we think will happen next? New reports show Kiwis love their pets, with two-thirds of New Zealanders sharing their homes with a pet or companion animal. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend's Vegas venture couldn't have gone worse for the Warriors, as the NRL looks to launch an assault investigation into assistant coach Richard Agar. According to new reports, Agar allegedly grabbed a British journalist by the throat - and also reportedly verbally abused him in the press box in Allegiant Stadium. Coaching expert Wayne Goldsmith says it's expected this investigation will be followed on properly, rather than just falling back to the court of public opinion.  "I'm sure they're a very professional organisation and I'm sure that they're doing all of those things really well. And the important thing is to make sure this is played out correctly, properly and in time - it's easy to hang people in the court of public opinion."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe could be stepping up to the plate, but it's unclear if it will go the full mile in supporting Ukraine against Russia.  A 'coalition of the willing' has formed - alongside a fractious interaction between the US and Ukrainian presidents. Centre for European Policy Analysis senior fellow, Edward Lucas, says a partial truce could be the first step.  But he warns protecting Ukraine further could prove tricky, especially if Russia attacks deployed European troops.  "If a drone hit British or French or German barracks and killed a few people, what do we do? Send a cross-press release - or do we fire back and hit something inside Russia?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anora was the big winner at today's Oscars - triumphing despite a low budget. The film won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress. Creator Sean Baker won for director, editing and original screenplay, tying with Walt Disney for the record of four wins in one night. LA-based entertainment reporter Sean Mandell says it's a true independent film.  "It was made for $6 million - which sounds like a lot of money, but to make a movie, it's not a lot of money at all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is setting up 24-7 digital healthcare in a package announced today to make it easier to see a doctor. Providers including GPs getting incentives for supporting graduate nurses - capped at 400 annually for three years. Health New Zealand is also putting up $285 million to incentivise GP clinics to open their books to new patients, and hit Government targets. Health Minister Simeon Brown says they're also introducing a two-year programme to train up to 100 overseas doctors as GPs. "Many of these people are doing jobs which are not related to their qualifications - you hear stories where some of them are driving Ubers. Actually, we want them in GP practices."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's tension-filled meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy made headlines all over the world after Trump and VP Vance showed noticeable hostility to the Ukrainian President. Zelenskyy left the US early to join leaders from Europe and Canada in a meeting in London - to agree a four-step plan to end the war with Russia. NewstalkZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked Trump's 'bullying' behaviour during the meeting directed towards the Ukrainian leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A category 2 cyclone is set to hit Australian shores, with its outer edges sending heavy surf and high tides to Queensland's beaches. Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to send rain and strong winds to Brisbane when it makes landfall, and authorities are warning residents to be prepared. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says it's looking likely that the AFL season opener set to be played at the Gabba on Thursday will be cancelled. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors are shifting their focus to round two after their recent loss to Canberra. The Kiwi side hopes what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas after a 30-8 drubbing by the Raiders. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chair of Wellington Water says he's considering stepping down, after a scathing report uncovered more organisational failures. It highlights a lack of oversight in contracting work, with pipe maintenance work paid at nearly three times the comparable council rate. Nick Leggett says he'll step down if the region's mayors want him to but he has acted on the issues in question. "What we've tried to do is lift the lid on that - be honest and upfront. There wasn't the right competitive tension to get the best value for ratepayers, the internal systems for the organisation, the financial checks - those kind of processes were appalling."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 28 February. 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.

Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper joins Ryan Bridge to wrap the political week, from citizens arrests, to Andrew Bayly falling on his sword.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has put on a 'sceptical' during his meeting with US President Donald Trump.  The pair met for nearly thirty minutes, speaking about Ukraine and trade agreements.  What would the UK have to give for a successful trade deal?  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey discusses this, Gatwick airport expanding to two functioning runways, and a Columbian man who flew through Europe with drugs taped to his wig.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia and Apple are finalising an agreement to lift an iPhone 16 ban. The ban came after Apple failed to source 40 percent of their products content locally in Indonesia, a regulation required by the country's government.  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis explains the multimillion dollar agreement, Taiwan catching a Chinese owned ship cutting a subsea cable, and Trump taking aim at Chinese trade and investment.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports Journalist Nicky Styris and Oceania Football Confederation Media Manager join Ryan Bridge for the Sports Huddle. Should Caleb Clarke be afforded a discharge without conviction? The Blues and All Blacks star was followed by a Police helicopter while he rode his motorbike more than double the speed limit in a residential area. Sky TV has said they won’t buy the rugby rights “at any cost.” But what will happen if DAZN outbids them? The NRL season begins on Sunday – is this the Warriors year? The team is headed to Las Vegas for the season opener where they will take on the Canberra Raiders. The Huddle discuss whether Rugby League can take off in the US. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.