Larry Williams Drive

Despite not being the leader of the country, David Seymour has delivered his State of the Nation address.  The ACT Party leader said New Zealander's need to stop being scared of privatisation, look at selling government assets, and change the way the country funds education and health.  Is this the solution to the downfalls of New Zealand's healthcare system?  Chair of the General Practice Owners Association Dr Angus Chambers talks to Andrew Dickens about what such a change would mean for Kiwis.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politicians have descended on Ratana.  During several speeches, the fate of The Treaty's Principle Bill was called into question.  Meanwhile David Seymour has delivered his State of the Nation speech.  Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls joins the show to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi Chris Wood has resigned with Nottingham Forest, but will he come home when his contract finishes in 2027?  Auckland FC continue to defend their name as the best defensive team in the league.  The Australian Open semi-finals see's world number one Jannik Sinner play American Ben Shelton, and is Djokovic the underdog as he goes for his 25th major?  Sports Contributor Jason Pine joins the show to discuss what's coming this weekend in sport.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research from Otago University has painted a grim picture for the future health of Kiwis... More than half a million of us will be living with diabetes by 2044 - a 90% increase on current numbers, researchers say.  Is lifestyle or genetics to blame for the rising rates?  Otago University researcher Andrea Teng joins the show to discuss the alarming figures.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Southport attack has prompted the UK to toughen up the laws on buying knives as the killer awaits sentencing. Under new legislation, anyone buying a knife online will be required to submit two forms of ID and record a live video proving their age. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Prime Minister Keir Starmer has observed what needed to be changed - as the looser restrictions likely enabled the killer in the first place.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two farms have been suspended from New Zealand Merino’s ZQ quality standard supply programme after undercover videos appeared to show animal welfare breaches. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claimed that a recent investigation uncovered cruelty towards sheep on these farms - forcing MPI to take action. The Country's Jamie Mackay says people reportedly stood on sheep's necks, dragged them across the floors of shearing sheds and sewed up wounds without painkillers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon laid out his vision for growing the economy as part of today's State of the Nation address - and pointed the finger at the country. Luxon pushed the need for more jobs, investment and innovation, and criticised New Zealand's 'culture of saying no' that was holding back new developments. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, AUT chancellor Rob Campbell and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Prime Minister has outlined his plans to grow the economy in his State of the Nation address today - do we agree with these changes? Can more foreign investment, more mining and a restructure of the Crown Research Institutes turn things around? Labour leader Chris Hipkins has also been quick to suggest Labour can come back and take over in the next election - do we agree with this? President Donald Trump has threatened Vladimir Putin to make a deal and end the Ukraine war or 'risk the consequences'. Do we think this tactic will work? What might this mean for Ukraine? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Facebook and Instagram users have recently noticed their accounts have started following President Donald Trump, his wife Melania and Vice President JD Vance without their prior knowledge. Gracie Abrams and Demi Lovato are among the famous names who have posted complaints Meta won't let them unfollow these accounts, with Abrams eventually being forced to block them altogether.  Others have also noticed the hashtag #Democrat was blocked on Instagram this week. BusinessDesk tech columnist Peter Griffin says Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is among the tech billionaires who have openly voiced support for Trump - but it's more likely to be a glitch than a conspiracy. "A lot of people on Facebook were obviously following the Facebook accounts of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and others - they've been handed over to the new administration, and it looks as though people are suddenly following the President and the posts from the new administration, but it's a change of people."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener

There's belief the science sector is on the right track with a major overhaul. Seven Crown Research Institutes will now merge into three public research organisations. Another public research group is also being created to focus on AI and advanced technology, with Callaghan Innovation set to close. The moves follows a review by the Science System Advisory Group. Former Chief Science Advisor Sir Peter Gluckman says the changes follow around 80 percent of his recommendations. "Strategy must precede operations, and what this first report - and how the Government's responded to it - is about getting the architecture of the system right." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 23 January 2025, the Prime Minister says we need to do away with our 'no'-attitude to grow our economy. Trade Minister Todd McClay tells Andrew how he's going to get foreign investors to invest in NZ. Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter discusses the deal Prince Harry has struck with Rupert Murdoch's UK newspapers - and why he chose to settle after always vowing to never settle. The number of tourists has still not recovered to pre-Covid levels. The head of Tourism Industry Aotearoa reveals what the Government could do to boost the numbers. Plus, another Aussie Open tennis star complains about the sideline interviewers. What the heck is going on? 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.

Prince Harry's decision to settle with News Group Newspapers may have been the smart move, according to one expert. He'd been suing the group - which publishes the Sun and the now defunct News of the World - alleging they obtained information about him by illegal means, over 15 years.  The settlement is reportedly over $20 million. Royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter says settling will save a headache.  "At the end of the day, the UK justice system is prohibitively expensive - the cost would have been absolutely eye-watering. So thankfully, this has given him the closure that he so longer for." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton has taken the Grand Slam's on-court interviewers to task for being 'disrespectful' to players. Shelton initially laughed off some divisive comments from former Davis Cup player John Fitzgerald, who interviewed him after his first semi-final at Melbourne Park - but later told reporters he was 'shocked' by how players were treated by broadcasters. Tennis commentator Craig Gabriel says some of the comments that took place after the fact may have been better left unsaid.  "With things being a little bit touchy on how things are spoken of these days - you've got to be a little bit careful." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trade Minister says he wants deals through the door this year - with a Government goal of tempting overseas funding. A new agency called Invest New Zealand will roll out the red carpet out to foreigners with money to put into infrastructure and key sectors. Todd McClay says he doesn't want reports, he wants deals with investors. "They certainly don't invest in a country when Government agencies tell them not to - and I think that's very much been the case in New Zealand, it's harder to invest here than it should be." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister isn't concerned opening up to more mining could harm New Zealand's reputation. More mining and drilling is on the cards under a new Government focus on economic growth, outlined today. Chris Luxon explained we need critical minerals to build more roads and he wants quarries closer to where those roads are being built. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Luxon's committed to the development of more EVs and solar panels - and those resources need to come from somewhere.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Australian election year gets underway, voters appear to be looking for a change in leadership. New polling data shows Peter Dutton holds a 39–34 lead over Anthony Albanese as preferred Prime Minister, according to a new Reserve poll - after they were tied at 35 percent in December. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's clear voters are swinging further to the right. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence snow sports will continue to thrive in New Zealand, despite the Winter Games being put on ice due to an avalanche of rising costs. CEO of Snow Sports NZ, Nic Cavanagh, admits losing the Games after 15 years is a big blow, but he's confident top athletes will still visit during the winter months.  Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa is excited about the Government's new growth agenda. Minister-in-charge Nicola Willis is considering visa changes, hoping to pull in more tourists. Just over 321,000 people entered the country from overseas in November - 86 percent of pre-pandemic figures. CEO Rebecca Ingram says there's lots of room to build on that.  "So as an industry, we're delighted to see such a strong focus on economic growth from the Government with the new portfolio for Minister Willis." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A huge fire killed at least 76 people as it ripped through a hotel at a popular ski resort in northern Turkey. The blaze at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya broke out about 3.30am (12.30am GMT), sending huge clouds of smoke into the night air and sparking panic among the guests. UK correspondent Gail Downey says several young children and teenagers were among those killed in the blaze - with forensic investigations ongoing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump officially got the keys back to the White House earlier this week - and his return to power could have an impact on NZX-listed businesses. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare produces medical devices sold in the US, and it's likely the incoming tariffs could leave an impact. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.