Larry Williams Drive

Steps are being taken to level the energy playing field. The Electricity Authority is proposing new measures to stop the big four electricity companies from giving preferential treatment to their own retail arms. It's working to increase competition - aiming to ultimately give consumers more choices and lower prices. Energy Minister Simon Watts says things need to change. He says prices are too high and are negatively impacting productivity and economic growth. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Defence Minister has reminded the population to stay calm as the Chinese warships move further in. The Navy vessels have been moving west into Australia's exclusive economic zone. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says plans are in place to keep an eye on the ships until they leave. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT's leader believes four-year Parliamentary terms would lead to more accountability. The Government plans to introduce legislation to go to a referendum - potentially as early as the next general election. The opposition would need to get more proportional representation in Parliament Select Committees, providing greater checks and balances. David Seymour says that would mean more debate. "I think it would be genuinely better if laws had to go in front of a Select Committee for six months, as run by the other guys, to beat it around."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home ownership rates among women have gone up, but there's concern financial barriers are holding them back from investment properties. The latest edition of CoreLogic’s Women & Property Report shows that 23 percent of women had sole ownership of a property compared to 20.9 percent for men, with mixed-gender ownership accounting for 56 percent. CoreLogic Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says the gender wage gap is still impacting women's salaries. "There's a female deficit, I guess, when it comes to investment properties. So great, females own a proportionately higher number of owner-occupied properties, but there is also a deficit when it comes to investment properties." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So we're all going to have our say on giving our politicians a four year term - or are we? The announcement from Goldsmith today was all over the place - David Seymour is largely to blame for that. He'll be on the show soon, so we'll ask him to explain then. But in principle, do I support a four-year term? Yes. Why? Because politics is too short-sighted. They spend one year getting in. One year doing work. Then another year getting elected again. The bigger problem, though, is strategy and pay-off. Strategizing with a 3-year window means short-sighted ambitions. It means we don't invest in as many big roading and rail projects as they should. It means we don't bother with fixing productivity. Stuff gets put in the too-hard basket because there's no pay off before the next election. And that's the prize these guys are working towards. Part of the reason China is a superpower today - only 50 odd years after opening up to the world - is because it has centralised power. It's a dictatorship. It has a ve

The UK has confirmed its biggest boost in defence spending since the Cold War, with its Prime Minister warning the world has entered a 'dangerous new era'. The UK says its spending will rise from 2.3 percent of GDP to 2.5 over the next few years. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this money will be taken out of the international aid budget - prompting criticism from advocates.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryman Healthcare has entered a trading halt as it proposes to raise $1 billion of new capital to reduce debt and reset the balance sheet. The retirement village operator was forced to offer shares at a significant discount to get investors on board.  Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports indicate over 9000 clubs, societies, trade associations and industry councils could be looking at a significant tax bill. Inland Revenue has changed the way it interprets a law - and they're keen to crack down on businesses they believe are 'masquerading' as charities to reduce their taxes. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains what this law change could mean going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 26 February 2025, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith talks to Ryan Bridge about the Government's new citizen's arrests changes.  International relations expert Dr Keith Suter discusses whether China re-entering Australia's economic zone is an escalation. The Brewers Association talks about why Kiwis are turning to the stronger beers, and enjoying less wine. Plus, NZME CEO Michael Boggs discusses the media company's financial results amongst a tough advertising market. 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 Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!  The Government is looking to make changes in regards to citizen's arrests, meaning businesses could potentially have the freedom to restrain offenders to cut down on shoplifting and retail crime. Do we think these changes are necessary?  The Greens have delivered their annual State of the Planet address, saying the Government's pandering to privatisation in its search for economic growth. Do we agree with the points they made?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Media company NZME is considering separating its property brand OneRoof into an entirely new business. The company - which also owns Newstalk ZB and the New Zealand Herald - is reporting full-year earnings of $54.2 million and a net loss after tax of $16 million after impairment.  Operating revenue is up 2 percent, but earnings are down by 3.6 percent. Chief Executive Michael Boggs says they're doing a strategic review of OneRoof. "How is it structured, and what is the best way of the shareholdings of that business? Should we own all of it - or should there be other shareholders in it, for example? Should we be investing more into it?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council's putting the hard word on unregistered dog owners. The council is set to issue 5500 infringement notices over the next few days to dog owners who've failed to properly register their pets. The council's general manager of compliance, Robert Irvine, says there will be a grace period - and people have the option to pay their registration fees to get their fines waived. "If you're a responsible dog owner, we give you a discount - and there's also the early discount." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beer is reclaiming its popularity - in large part due to options with lower carbs and alcohol levels. Stats NZ has revealed the volume of beer for consumption has risen 5.4 percent to 296 million litres, after successive years of declines.  Volumes of wine and spirits have fallen. Brewers Association Executive Director, Dylan Firth, says low-carb beer makes up about 20 percent of the market and is steadily becoming the drink of choice.  "A lot of those brands are shifting, whether it's the mainstream stuff or craft. So it's really interesting to see, and a lot of that's driven by consumer preferences."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The presence of Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea could indicate New Zealand needs to strengthen relations with China. The Defence Force is monitoring three warships that have now entered Australia's exclusive economic zone, south of Tasmania. Acting Prime Minister David Seymour says there's no reason to panic - but it shows how the world's changed.  Channel Seven's foreign editor, Dr Keith Suter, says China hasn't violated international law.  "It doesn point up to the fact that we need agreements between Australia, New Zealand and China on how the Chinese should behave when they're in our corner of the world." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government hopes criminals will be deterred as it proposes loosening restrictions on citizen's arrests. It would mean businesses could arrest and detain people stealing at any hour, and use reasonable force. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says this doesn't mean people can't tackle others or force them to the ground - but they will be able to directly intervene. "The definition of reasonable force is something that the courts will work their way through - but yes, holding on to somebody's arm and stopping them from getting away is reasonable."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Justice Minister says it's not possible to have a police office on every corner, as he announces plans to beef up citizen's arrests.  The Government is aiming to legislate proposals from a retail crime advisory group - letting businesses detain, restrain and use reasonable force against people stealing. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper has some concerns about these new changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine and the US have agreed to a framework for a minerals deal, according to Ukrainian officials. The broad outlines of the deal would grant Washington partial access to Ukraine’s minerals, oil and gas, part of an effort by the Trump Administration to recoup the cost of US war aid. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in Washington in the coming days to sign the agreement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toulon have taken a page from the Dad's Army recruitment manual, re-signing 42-year-old All Black great Ma'a Nonu to their roster as medical cover. He's previously had a couple of stints at the French Top-14 side. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's warnings significant change is needed, as Oranga Tamariki continues to fall short. The Independent Children's Monitor's fourth annual report to July - shows the Ministry still isn't meeting National Care Standards, formed in 2019. It's not facilitating enough social worker visits and more children are being abused or neglected under its watch. Monitor head Arran Jones says state care still needs an overhaul to reduce incidents. "Kids that are coming into youth justice residences are more likely to be care experienced - and what we're saying is, unless you're actually doing right by these kids who are coming from broken homes, who've suffered abuse and neglect themselves - unless you're doing the right thing to care for them, what you'll see is negative outcomes."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet his American counterpart in Washington as talks about Ukraine's future continue. The Prime Minister has already locked horns with Donald Trump - and accused him of repeating Russian disinformation after he called Zelenskyy a 'dictator'. UK correspondent Enda Brady offers speculation about the upcoming meeting. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.