Larry Williams Drive

Banks have begun slashing shorter-term mortgage rates following today's cuts to the OCR, but experts have issued a warning to homeowners. Reserve Bank policymakers are again warning borrowers not to hold their breaths for substantive cuts to longer-term mortgage rates. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the factors behind today's cuts. 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 day - and more!  The OCR was slashed again by 50 basis points - what does this mean for the economy and the cost of living? Do we think more cuts are the way to go? The Consumer Guarantees Act (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill is set to have its first reading in Parliament tonight. Should the Government pass this law? Will this make products better for consumers?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher announced a $134 million net loss after tax for the December 31, 2024 half-year, up on the previous $120m net loss. Losses climbed partly due to the disastrous Perth leaky pipe problems after Fletcher’s Iplex finalised and signed a $170m provision in this 2025 financial year in what it called the Western Australian plumbing industry response. Fletcher Building CEO Andrew Reding says many businesses are seeing early signs of recovery - but he's still apprehensive about the company's economic fate.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 19 February 2025, there was a 0.5 percent cut to the Official Cash Rate - Brad Olsen breaks down what it means for your mortgage, your savings and the economy.   Auckland mayor Wayne Brown speaks to Ryan Bridge after announcing he's running for re-election. Fletcher boss Andrew Reding on how he wants to turn his company around after a huge $134m loss. NZ Rugby's Mark Robinson fronts up on his fight for a new sponsor after taking Ineos to court. Plus, the Huddle debates whether the right to repair should become law. 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 All Blacks will be looking to avenge a historic defeat as part of this upcoming test season. The Kiwi side will face off against Ireland in Chicago - nine years on from Ireland's first win between the countries. NZ Rugby Chief Executive Mark Robinson says there's room to grow the sport in the US ahead of future World Cups. "There's a lot of opportunities around the United States in general at the moment, we've talked a lot in recent times about the fact that the Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 provide a real opportunity to build a long-term plan in the US."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows a drop in fatalities on the road - with older drivers at higher risk for deadly crashes for the first time. A new analysis by Road Safety Education Limited reveals that deadly accidents among younger drivers have halved over the past 25 years. Road Safety Education's Maria Lovelock says as drivers get older, their cognitive abilities and eyesight decline, putting them at risk. "But also, your ability to survive a crash is not as great either. Your body isn't as able to bounce back at the same speed when you're in a crash." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor is asking for the chance to finish the job he's started. Wayne Brown will run again for the city's top job in October - saying he's delivered on most of the policies he set out to achieve when first elected in 2022. He says Auckland ratepayers should back him again. "We expect to deliver the lowest rate rises in the country, we expect to deliver value for everything." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's praise for the Reserve Bank tonight - from one of its fiercest critics. It's signalling this afternoon's double-cut to the Official Cash Rate will be followed by at least two more single cuts. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen infamously angered Governor Adrian Orr last year, when he accused him of 'flip-flopping' on forecasts and decisions. Today, Olsen says Orr's made the right call. "The right move to cut, the right sort of forecast now with the Reserve Bank pricing in what the markets have been thinking as well - it's very much a sensible decision." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says this afternoon's double cut to the OCR is another sign the economy's improving. The Reserve Bank is also signalling it'll follow up with at least two more 25 point reductions by the end of May. Despite low productivity and net migration, our economy is expected to gradually pick up, in part due to rising dairy and beef prices - and the low Kiwi dollar. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government's feeling proud of today's OCR update.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk sat down for an interview with Sean Hannity, which was broadcasted on Fox News. Musk was quick to flatter Trump in the interview and claimed the media was 'unfairly' attacking the President. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Musk also revealed he was going to endorse Trump for President 'anyway', but last year's assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania 'speeded up' the process.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks will play 13 tests in 2025 with the confirmation of their end-of-year tour schedule. The year will comprise three tests against France in July, six in the Rugby Championship and a grand slam tour to finish the season starting with Ireland in Chicago. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting faulty or broken goods fixed could be made significantly easier if a new bill giving Kiwis the right to repair becomes law. The Consumer Guarantees Act (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill is set to have its first reading in Parliament tonight - and if passed, Kiwis could be able to get items repaired instead of tossing them out and purchasing replacements. Right to Repair Aotearoa Coalition spokesperson Dr Paul Smith says many people want to get things repaired - but the process is difficult and expensive under current laws. "It's gotten to the point where buying something new, in a lot of cases, is cheaper than getting somebody to look at the product to assess whether it's repairable. And that's partly because products aren't repairable at the moment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's finally some relief for Australian homeowners, as the RBA lowers interest rates for the first time since 2020. It held the cash rate at 4.3 percent for more than a year as post-pandemic inflation slowly cooled - but it slashed the OCR by 25 basis points to 4.1 percent. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says inflation is coming down, but it's still nowhere near low enough.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the Reserve Bank's first official cash rate decision for 2025 - and many economists are predicting a rate cut to start off the year. The RBNZ is largely expected to lower the OCR by 50 basis points tomorrow, with two major banks already announcing rate cuts. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says a significant cut looks likely - but warns the central bank runs the risk of overdoing their response again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is the latest to suggest New Zealand should back out of the Paris Climate Accord. He joined The Country's Jamie Mackay to explain that other nations have already pulled out - and he's encouraging new Zealanders to reflect on the costs of staying in the agreement. Jamie Mackay explains whether or not this could lead to friction within the coalition. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour MP Stuart Nash and Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The IPCA wants new rules on how to deal with protests - and what responsibilities lie with organisers. Do we think these changes are needed? A damning report was released, revealing how Government agencies shared New Zealanders' private information without making sure the data would be kept safe. The head of Stats NZ won't seek reappointment, but no other public servants will face punishment. Is there a risk people just won't trust the Government with their personal information anymore?  Are we guilty of looking at our phones while we watch TV? Netflix is looking to create more 'second screen' shows to appeal to distracted viewers. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 18 February 2025, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche speaks to Ryan Bridge after a scathing report found public agencies shared New Zealanders' private data and left it open to misuse.   Health NZ chief clinical officer Dr Richard Sullivan responds to concerns that patients are being denied specialist appointments based on their BMI. Former Defence Minister Ron Mark responds to the idea of NZ peacekeepers on the ground in Ukraine. Plus, the Huddle debates Netflix's new shows for people who want to look at their phone at the same time. 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.

Fonterra dairy farmers will be able to earn cash for their climate efforts - beginning from June. The dairy giant has announced it will pay an extra 1-5 cents a kilogram of milk solids to farms that meet climate criteria, and more for some farms. The criteria takes into account emissions from cow feed, fertiliser, animals and drained peat soils - minus any carbon removed by trees and vegetation. Chair of Fonterra's Co-operative Council, John Stevenson, says this financial incentive will make a material difference to the farmers who receive it.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A police watchdog is suggesting the Government takes a closer look at laws for protestors outside private residences.  An Independent Police Conduct Authority report makes several recommendations for laws which would protest protestor rights and ensure public safety.  It raises the idea of a specific offence for picketing of private residences.  IPCA chair, Judge Kenneth Johnston KC, says it's currently legal to protest outside someone's home - like the Prime Minister's. "Whether it should be or not is not a matter for us to determine, it's an issue that we've raised and identified what other countries do in that area - and no doubt, the Government of the day will give some consideration to it in the fullness of time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix knows we're more likely to be on our phones as we watch TV shows - and they're looking to appeal to distracted viewers. The streaming giant is looking to create more content optimised for causal viewing, with an emphasis on repetitive  plot points and overly scripted dialogue.  Film reviewer Kate Rodger says more and more viewers are repeatedly streaming the same set of shows in the background, and Netflix is hoping to tap into that. "Whether it's Gilmore Girls, whether it's Suits - whatever it might be, we know everything that's going to happen and there's a comfort in that. It also means we don't really have to engage the brain or the synapses, we can just let it wash over us and we know what's happening."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.