Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday January 20th, 2025, Homegrown director Andrew Tuck explained why the festival 'outgrew' Wellington following the news it would move locations in 2026. Influencers and e-celebs are wondering what the future holds amid uncertainty about TikTok. Influencer and advocate Jazz Thornton revealed how she plans to diversify her output. Over in the US, it's getting close to Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony. Correspondent Simon Marks reveals the famous faces we can expect to see - and the ones we won't. The Huddle also wonders what executive orders will be signed upon Trump's return to the White House. 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.

Nicola Willis says her new role in Cabinet is all about driving New Zealand's growth.  The Finance Minister has been given the Economic Growth portfolio, formerly known as the Economic Development portfolio It's been taken off Melissa Lee - who's been stripped of all ministerial responsibilities. Willis says she'll now be taking the lead at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.  "Through that role, I will be making sure that we're responding to businesses, industries, small business owners about what they need to have the confidence to be investing, to be hiring." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First-term MP James Meager is pledging to speak to those in the deep south - and the top of the Mainland. Meager is the first National MP elected in 2023 to become a minister, taking up the new portfolio of Minister for the South Island, alongside portfolios in Hunting and Fishing and Youth. James Meager says he wants to make sure the South Island can contribute to economic growth. "That's a big part of what the PM wants me to do - help us focus on what we can do to promote growth in the South Island."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online stars are scrambling to change platforms amid uncertainty about TikTok. The Chinese social media platform 'went dark' yesterday because of a US ban that aimed to force its sale to a neutral party.  Access is being restored after Donald Trump promised to delay enforcement. TikTok influencer and mental health advocate, Jazz Thornton, says the US ban affects New Zealanders by reducing engagement.  She says she's diversified by using YouTube. "For security - but also to be able to continue to reach the people that we do. There's so much uncertainty with all kinds of social media that you can't put everything in one basket." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Gloriavale leaver has outlined his 'livid' reaction to yesterday's apology from community leader Howard Temple.  The Royal Commission of Inquiry requested an apology, after establishing a pattern of abuse. Temple thanked those who'd reported it - and accepted the Commission's Safety of Care recommendation. But former member John Ready says the apology was insincere - and shows a complete lack of understanding of the damage caused. "The timestamp - 1950 to 1999 - leaves out the majority of the abuse from 2000." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Famous faces are appearing in Washington DC - just 12 hours until Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th US President.  The blisteringly cold weather has moved the event indoors for the first time since 1985. Elon Musk and other billionaires - Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos - will be there, alongside all living former presidents.   US correspondent Simon Marks says, notably, Michelle Obama won't be there.  "I think it's not so much the climactic conditions that have kept her away from those events, but the inevitability of her having to rub shoulders with the Trumps at them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts are wondering about the future of New Zealand's health sector after the Prime Minister made some changes in Cabinet. Chris Luxon stripped Shane Reti of his Health Minister portfolio and handed the role over to Simeon Brown instead. Meanwhile, Nicola Willis is picking up a new Economic Growth role, and Chris Bishop became the Minister for Transport. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacks what this could mean for the health system. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TV presenter Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic for mocking Serbian fans at the Australian tennis Open. Djokovic vowed to boycott interviews from Australian broadcaster Channel Nine until he received a public apology, after Jones called him 'over-rated' and a 'has-been'.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Jones reached out to Djokovic's team after the story attracted worldwide attention.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia have won the latest SailGP regatta in Auckland, after beating Spain and Great Britain in the three-team final. The Australians won two fleet races out of seven and had three runner-up finishes to be the top boat heading into the decider. It was disappointment for the Black Foils, who missed out on qualifying for the final by two points. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacked the racing action from this morning. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's Homegrown festival is set to move further afield - with organisers claiming it's outgrown the capital. The music festival's been operating at the region's waterfront for 18 years, but it's been revealed this year's upcoming two-day event will be the last held in Wellington before it moves in 2026. Festival director Andrew Tuck says they've been looking to expand Homegrown out further - and there's nowhere else in Wellington that can accommodate demand. "We looked everywhere to see if we could accommodate inside Wellington, we've been looking at that for the last couple of years. And unfortunately, there's nowhere where we could actually move the people in a comfortable fashion that'll actually tick all the boxes."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let me tell you, it was absolutely no surprise to me to see my Facebook friends going crazy over Trump winning the election last night - and there's been plenty of hysterical predictions now that he's won. My absolute favourite one was from my husband, who said that Trump would take us to the brink of war. Hello - the world is already at war, we don't need to be taken to the brink, we're already there.  We've got two significant wars under way in two of the most worrying parts of the world - Europe and the Middle East - and neither of them are because of Trump, they started under Biden. It's got me thinking - we need a bit of perspective here. People are really losing their minds over this. We cannot predict what is going to happen in the future, but we have the past to guide us. So why don't we compare the last time Trump was President with the most recent period under Biden and see who wins at being the real crazy one here. Because as far as I can see, Biden is the one who's been far worse for New Zeal

Several Greens members have been caught asking to use the private carparks belonging to Wellington retailers for a party event. These retailers were impacted by Green-led cycleway project, which took away on-street parking in the area. Independent Business and Residential Group chairwoman Urmila Bhana says this cycleway has negatively impacted several businesses. "Businesses are down 60, 80, 100 percent, they're either moving, closing, or heading into liquidation. And that's nothing to do with the recession, it's the carpark removal." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newsflash: Tui 'Yeah Right' billboard accused of being bad taste.  Whoa, for a moment there I thought I'd been transported back to 2006. Is it in good taste? No. Of Course not. It's a billboard for a beer company, for goodness' sake. Of course it's in bad taste. I don't think anyone has ever accused Tui of good taste. Given the extent to which the sensational details in the Polkinghorne case have scandalised the nation, it's hardly a surprise to see the billboards pop up. I'll be honest with you: It doesn't upset me. But if I were Pauline Hanna's family I might, quite reasonably, feel a bit miffed at a company trying to cash in on something related to my death.  And here's the thing: Even if it did upset me, sometimes the most effective strategy to oppose something is to contain your outrage.  I actually feel the same way about aspects of the Treaty Principles Bill. I wonder if the most extreme opposition to ACT's proposal might not ultimately help ACT's cause. And perhaps a more considered opp

The Electricity Authority's report in to a toppled pylon has found the collapse was entirely avoidable. The Transpower pylon north of Helensville fell - cutting power to 88,000 people in Northland - after unsupervised, inexperienced maintenance crews undid three legs at once. The report found there was evidence removing all the nuts wasn't a one-off event. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this incident came with significant economic impacts to Northland. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A charity boat was bringing 147 migrants that they'd rescued in the Mediterranean to Italy but the Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini refused.  This has now come to court and Matteo Salvini is accused of kidnap and dereliction of duty over that refusal to allow the the boat to dock, and prosecutors in Sicily have asked judges to sentence him to 6 years in jail. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey joins the show to talk about this and the Minister who's responsible for tackling corruption in UK financial markets is now alleged to be involved in a massive embezzlement in Bangladesh. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Roger Douglas is disappointed with the ACT Party's response to this week's bleak Treasury forecasts.  Douglas supported NZ First MP Shane Jones' response to the figures in which he made in an urgent debate in Parliament.  David Seymour has 'annoyed' his party's founder.  ACT Party Founder Sir Roger Douglas discusses this with Ryan Bridge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 20 December. 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.

China has been desperate to boost its economy but the consumer does not want to spend.  Youth unemployment is close to 20% in the country, which is a contributor factor as well as worries around healthcare.  The South Korean Government has voted to impeach President Yoon and now the constitutional court has 180 days to review that decision.  There is a potential for a merger between two car makers Nissan and Honda.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's my last day at work for the year... and I'm off to the beach... Every year... because I'messentially an angry and quite grumpy person.... I go to the beach and I get mad. Angry at people doing dumb stuff... The problem with the beach is it's public. I can't yet afford my own private one. Until then... here's my top five 5 things NOT to do at the beach this summer: Rubbish Bins. They get full quickly. So everybody just piles their shit sky-high a biohazard version of jenga. Don't do that... it's unsightly. If the bins are full please dispose of your rubbish in the ocean... It's far less visible to your fellow beachgoers.. Seriously... Though... Just put it in the boot and take it home. Or. Save it up all summer and do a mass dumping at the council chambers in January. Music. Just Don't. You may like Coldplay or Cardi B, others prefer the soothing sound of the actual ocean. It's quite hard to hear with Chris Martin whaling out of your stupid UE boom. The beach (and the bush, for that matter) are not just

Tonight on the Huddle, Newstalk ZB Sports News Director Clay Wilson and Sports Journalist Jim Kayes discuss all things sport of the week.  The Huddle agrees Liam Lawson bagging a spot on Red Bull's team is an example of perseverance and talent.  ESports are disappointed because they have missed out on funding this week. The Huddle discusses.  How do we feel about sport on Christmas day?  This and more on The Huddle. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.