Larry Williams Drive

YouTuber Mr Beast has come out with his own reality TV show called Beast Games.  The show will see one thousand contestants playing to win a grand prize of $5 million.  Entertainment reporter Richard Martin joins the show to discuss this and the new 'Bluey' movie on its way.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Palmerston North Hospital is cutting back on some of its bowel cancer screening procedures, and Health New Zealand is unable to say if this is happening in other regions around the country.  852 patients who are at a high risk of developing cancer are on the waiting list for a colonoscopy in Palmerston North. Professor and Medical advisor at Bowel Cancer New Zealand Frank Frizelle said this will result in people having cancer who otherwise would not.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione has been extradited to New York. Earlier this week the 26-year-old faced 11 charges at the state level, but now the FBI and and the US government have levelled federal charges against him.  41% of young voters say the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO was acceptable, according to new research.  The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a month-long ban on drone flights over much of New Jersey after thousands of drones flew over military bases.  International Correspondent Mitch McCan joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds has posted to Facebook an incorrect graph that claims the Ardern-Hipkins government has reduced New Zealand's debt by $31 billion in its second term. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said Edmonds mistake was extraordinary fiscal ignorance.  The government is pushing forward with replacing the Air Force's passenger jets despite the current economic climate.  Labour, Te Pāti Māori and the Greens are figuring out ways to team up.  Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper talks with Ryan Bridge.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What everyone hoped would happen has happened: A kiwi has made it to a full time drive with Formula One.  Liam Lawson goes into the Red Bull team alongside big name Max Verstappen.  Auckland FC will play back at home tomorrow.  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine think they are able to keep their winning momentum going, despite a few injuries among the players.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson has been promoted into Red Bull's senior team in Formula One. He'll race alongside Max Verstappen next season after Red Bull parted ways with Sergio Perez.  Founder of the Toyota Racing Series Barrie Thomlinson says Red Bull will have chosen Lawson based on his future talent.  Thomlison says if Lawson performs at a high level, he will likely be the person to replace Max Verstappen.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study has revealed the amount of steps you take per day could lead to a reduction in depression symptoms. Spanish researchers have debunked the earlier finding that 10,000 steps a day is the optimal amount - and revealed that 7,000 will translate to better mental health outcomes. UK correspondent Enda Brady unpacks the results of the study - and reveals the role step trackers can play in generating positive results. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, share prices have slumped after the US Federal Reserve hinted at a slower than expected pace for rate cuts in the new year. The Federal Reserve set its key lending rate in a target range of 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent - down a full percentage point since September. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country's Jamie Mackay has been catching up with politicians and farming experts to discuss their picks for Ag Person of the Year. There's been a diverse range of favourites - but who is Jamie's? He revealed his favourites for 2024, ahead of his final show for the year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This was a dire week for the economy - but experts say things can only go up from here. Stats NZ revealed that GDP was down 1 percent in the September quarter, and had been down 1.1 percent the previous quarter. This is the biggest drop since 1991, excluding the Covid-19 lockdowns. Despite the gloomy outlook, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says this will likely be as bad as things get before things pick up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 19 December 2024, the GDP has taken a massive fall, plunging New Zealand into the biggest recession since 1991. Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce talks to Ryan Bridge. The Prime Minister won't be going to Waitangi on Waitangi Day next year. Waitangi national trust chairman Pita Tipene says he's disappointed. The Huddle debates the economy, and what you might find if you come to visit Stuart Nash unannounced. 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, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and former Labour Cabinet Minister Stuart Nash joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government is looking to strengthen free speech at universities. Should universities be allowed to decline hosting controversial speakers? It's been a dire week for the economy - with today's GDP results revealing we're in the worst recession since 1991, excluding the Covid-19 lockdowns. Can we get back on track? Can we acknowledge some bad decisions were made by the Reserve Bank?  The holidays are getting closer - is it okay to drop by a friend's house unannounced? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mastercard is pushing back against the Commerce Commission's plan to put a cap on credit card fees. The Commission says regulation for credit and contactless payments could deliver $280 million in savings a year for merchants and consumers.  But Mastercard New Zealand says the draft decision is disappointing, will undermine competition, and set back the local economy. Mastercard NZ Country Manager Ruth Riviere says these suggestions by the Commerce Commission will bring down interest in investing in New Zealand. "We're really clear that there's these unintended consequences of what's being proposed." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new bill looks to make universities less 'risk adverse' over freedom of speech.  When introduced in March, it will amend the Education and Training Act and require universities adopt a 'freedom of speech' statement.  They'll also have to report on its commitment yearly.  Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds says this will ensure they have policy and procedures around allowing and promoting possibly controversial issues.  She explained there are also requirements about having to record and being transparent about complaints.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travellers with Air New Zealand can now use Apple AirTags to find their lost luggage.  The carrier is enabling a feature letting customers share the live location of trackers in their baggage with its customer service team.  It means they can tell airline staff where the bag was last scanned and its most recent location.  Chief digital officer Nikhil Ravinshankar says it also comes with security safeguards.   "When a customer shares their AirTag location with us, we get to keep that only for a temporary timeframe - or until the bag gets reunited with a customer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Northland Maori leader says Waitangi Day could be more volatile than ever.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon's decided against attending celebrations at the Treaty Grounds.  He says he'll join events in other parts of the country - and is expected to send ministers in his place. Luxon and the coalition have faced mounting pressure over ACT's Treaty Principles Bill. Waitangi National Trust chair Pita Tipene says he's wondering where else Luxon could rather be.  "Any Waitangi Day is a cauldron - let alone what's going to happen next year, given the Treaty Principles Bill and everything else that's going on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People will have questions, after one of the country's worst quarterly GDP dips in decades. Stats NZ figures show New Zealand's gross domestic product crashed down one percent in the September quarter. It's put the country in the deepest recession since the Covid-driven slump in 2020.  Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce says the Reserve Bank Governor, Adrian Orr, needs to speak up and explain. "I think there is some legitimate questions to be asked - I can remember, quite recently, him saying he's got it all under control and that this is going to be a soft landing. Well, quite clearly, it wasn't."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's revealed he will not be at the historic Treaty grounds for Waitangi Day celebrations next year.  Chris Luxon says he'll instead take part in celebrations elsewhere around the country. It's understood Luxon will be sending Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka and a couple of other Ministers to the Treaty Grounds to represent the Government. Newstalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper is unsurprised by this development, given the contentious Treaty Principles Bill. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn is demanding $11,000 in legal fees from the owner of a Sydney-based comedy club who planned to stage a show based on her. Raygun the Musical was set to star Stephanie Broadbridge - but it was pulled at the last minute after promoter Anthony Skinner was sent a legal letter claiming the musical infringed on Gunn's intellectual property.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Skinner offered Gunn's legal team $550 in compensation - a bid the team swiftly rejected. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson might have his nose in front, but Red Bull insist no decision has been locked in over Sergio Perez's vacant seat for 2025. The Mexican driver has negotiated an exit from the Formula 1 team after a poor year, with the Kiwi vying against Yuki Tsunoda for the birth. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.