Larry Williams Drive

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.

New reports indicate the Indian Government is sounding out the nation's biggest businesses to determine how they feel about a trade agreement with New Zealand. The Indian Government reportedly sent an email to members of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry asking for feedback on the idea of starting negotiations with NZ on a free trade agreement. India NZ Business Council chair Bharat Chawla explains what this could mean going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auditor-General is upping the ante, urging the Government to change the law to require departments to better report on what their spending achieves. John Ryan is worried it can be difficult to track what comes of Government policies or programmes, and wants the issue investigated by the Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The CEO of surveillance network Auror explained the new technology used to stop shoplifters in their tracks after the latest Golriz Ghahraman incident. Is this a step too far - or a necessary measure to combat retail crime? According to new reports, domestic inflation is still on the sticky side - what can this mean for the rest of the year? New data out of the UK reveals a concerning amount of Gen Z doesn't know how to do simple DIY tasks - and have turned to professionals to change their lightbulbs. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A media commentator says cuts at NZME are just the latest in a troubled industry.  NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB owner NZME is proposing a restructure, with a net loss of about 38 roles. Spinoff founder Duncan Grieve says all around the world massive cuts are taking place while other brands disappear completely.  He says it's not a problem which is likely to go away. "It wouldn't shock me if this was just setting off another year of that - and it might not be anything like the biggest we're going to see." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police can search the retail surveillance network that recorded a shopping incident involving former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, even when no complaint has been made. Ghahraman was stopped and questioned by store security at Royal Oak's Pak’nSave in the weeks before her High Court case in early October. Foodstuffs says it did not complain to police. Surveillance network Auror is used by retailers - including Foodstuffs - and confirms police can access the information those clients record. CEO Phil Thompson says the system lets all the parties work closely together. "Retailers are capturing information on crimes and attempted crimes that happen in their stores and making that visible to their own head office - and also to police." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 22 January 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis on our sticky domestic inflation and why Chinese tourists could bring a quick economic boost to the country. The Spinoff's Duncan Grieve reacts to news of almost 40 newsroom roles being axed at NZ Herald publisher NZME. Education experts are calling on the Government to do more to lift NCEA achievement rates of Māori kids. Plus, Resident Builder Pete Wolfcamp on news that Gen Z are so allergic to DIY they even hire a handyman to change a lightbulb. 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 revelation that almost a quarter of Gen Z adults would rather pay a professional to change their lightbulbs has raised concerns about self-reliance among young people. According to data out of the UK, some younger people spend up to £1,300 (NZ$2830) a year paying professionals to do household tasks, citing concerns around safety - lightbulbs being too hot, falling off ladders and a reluctance to tamper with electronics. The report also states that 30 percent of those surveyed could not identify a screwdriver. ZB's Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp says it's important to encourage some self-reliance - and there's plenty of tasks that can be carried out independently.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence another substantial Official Cash Rate cut's on the cards, with today's figures showing inflation is still under control. Stats NZ says the rate for the year to December remained unchanged at 2.2 percent. Inflation is well down from the 2022 high of 7.3 percent, but still higher than the 1.5 percent reached in 2021. Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan says he's confident the Reserve Bank will slice 50 basis points from the OCR in February. "Non-tradeable inflation is still coming down - there's risks on the tradeable side, but I don't think there's enough there to sway the Reserve Bank towards going with a smaller 25 point cut." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's fired a warning to local councils - saying it's time for spending discipline and restraint. Stats NZ data for the year to December shows the inflation rate remains unchanged at 2.2 percent. Simon Watts has picked up the Local Government portfolio from incoming Health Minister, Simeon Brown. Nicola Willis says in too many cases, rates have been out of control. "We are looking at this concept of putting some limits on the level of rate increases that councils can do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's sending a strong message about its goals for 2025 - to grow the economy.  The party's holding its annual caucus retreat today, and Prime Minister Chris Luxon earlier addressed media with his goal for growth.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says the Government is looking to get back to basics with their latest plans. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US isn't appearing that united over new President Donald Trump's drastic reconfiguration of American policy.  He's issued dozens of executive orders since taking office yesterday, and says more changes are to come.  There's already pushback - with 22 states challenging his bid to end birthright citizenship - and many fearing for the justice system after his sweeping pardons of Capitol riot convictions. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says American Civil Liberties Union, immigrant organizations and an expectant mother have also taken action against Trump. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz admits he was outplayed in a four-set quarter-final defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. Alcaraz won the first set but concedes he was overpowered by Djokovic, on the hunt for a 25th grand slam and 11th in Melbourne. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.