Larry Williams Drive

Elevated levels of arsenic have been detected in the Waikato River, affecting water supplies in Auckland and Waikato. The Government has been briefed this evening and sought assurances that water supplies are safe. Authorities are carrying out further testing with results due back tomorrow. Watercare is also rejigging the way it processes water to reduce the amount of arsenic in the city’s water supply but said there was no immediate concern to public health. Steve Taylor, head of operations at Water Services Authority (WSA), told Newstalk ZB there had been increased levels of arsenic recorded in the Waikato River, affecting water supplies in Auckland and Hamilton. He said there was “naturally a level of arsenic” in the river, but it had been notified levels had increased recently. “I’m not sure what the reason for that increase is and that is affecting water supplies in Auckland and Hamilton,” he said. He explained the maximum acceptable value for arsenic is 0.01mg a litre – an “incredibly low amount” – but

Kmart's New Zealand operation is approaching the $1 billion turnover mark, as it plans to open its largest store in the country yet.  BusinessDesk reports annual earnings lodged with the Companies Office show Kmart NZ Holdings declared just shy of $1 billion total revenue in the year to June 30.  Auckland University marketing professor says Kmart has managed to create quality products and boost its fashion output to avoid the stigma that comes with big-box retailers. "They've reduced the amount of stuff that they had and they're only focused on really good, quality products at that affordable price - so through doing that and getting their fashion and style up, they've managed to avoid the stigma." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB's own Ryan Bridge has hit out at the cost of paper bags at the supermarket. Woolworths currently charges customers 40c per paper bag after plastic bags were banned from further circulation in July 2019. The retailer has defended these prices - claiming the cost is designed to encourage customers to bring their own bags. The Early Edition host says these bags are 'annoying' to use - and they don't properly carry your essentials. "Forget eggs, forget anything else... just put a two litre bottle of slippery, wet milk into this thing and it can't handle it. By the time you get to your car, it's all over your floor and you've actually got to carry it like a baby." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Price comparison service PriceMe has issued a warning about deceptive Black Friday deals. New research reveals 76 percent of the 100 most popular products last year were more expensive on Black Friday than other times of the year.  It says one in four Kiwis are sceptical of the sales, but many shoppers still expect to save 40 percent on fashion and tech. Chief executive Gavin Male says retailers use misleading sales tactics to make products appear cheaper. "Deals are always available, so it pays to compare and to check those prices of everything throughout the year, because there could always be one shop that's got an anniversary sale for their own brand." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's fears of potential flow-on effects from more cost-cutting at Health New Zealand. The Public Service Association says the health agency is cutting a net 1478 roles, with about 700 already vacant. Health NZ says it's spending more than it has in its budget - and these savings will strengthen its front-line. PSA health sector lead, Ashok Shankar, says these cuts will impact Health New Zealand's digital team. He explained not having these workers could lead to more outages and less data and information. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's questions over what will come next for the OCR after today's 50 basis point cut. The Reserve Bank has hinted more cuts will come in the new year. However, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen has warned this might not be the right approach. "A lot of economic forecasters are wondering - when do we get back to those more normal and considered steps, given that the economy is already starting to show some early signs of turning around?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeowners can expect some relief - as the Reserve Bank cuts the OCR down in its final update of the year. The central bank has slashed the rate 50 basis points today - to sit on 4.25 percent. It's now forecasting 4.1 percent by March next year, 3.6 percent by the end of next year, with an endpoint of 3.1 percent by March 2027. ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says Governor Adrian Orr has warned this will depend on how things track - as the economy is in for a slow recovery. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has claimed Donald Trump's proposed tariffs would do nothing to stop the flow of migrants coming through the US border. Sheinbaum has also warned Mexico would hit back with tariffs of its own in response to Trump claiming he would introduce a 25 percent increase on all imports from the region. US correspondent says Canada and China haven't responded favourably to the president-elect's proposed tariff increases either. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby are weighing up the option of taking an All Blacks home test against France to the United States next year. The move comes a month after confirmation France would be sending an understrength squad on the tour to New Zealand. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Agency is telling bus and train providers to take in more money, which could force fare hikes. Wellington's Regional Council is rejecting the call from NZTA. Transport Committee Chair Thomas Nash says it would mean unaffordable 70 percent fare increases during a cost of living crisis.  "You'd end up just pushing people back into cars, more people will be on the road and it would be more congested - which I think is the opposite of what we need." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A petition calling for a second UK election is growing in support - and tech billionaire Elon Musk has voiced his support for it. Musk labelled the UK a 'tyrannical police state' and boosted a video by a jailed far-right figurehead. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is unlikely to resign based on this poll. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's return to the White House could lead to a more complex landscape for global food and agricultural trade, according to a new report by Rabobank. Rabobank says the implications of Trump's proposed policy shifts could be potential disruptions to established trade relationships, shifts in export demand, and rising costs for consumers and businesses alike. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to hit Mexico, Canada and China with new tariffs as soon as he takes office. In a post on social media, Trump promised to charge Mexico and Canada an additional 25 percent tariff on all products they send to the US - and an additional 10 percent tariff will be placed on Chinese goods. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says these trade changes come with ramifications for the rest of the world - New Zealand included. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is set to make its final decision for the Official Cash Rate for the year tomorrow afternoon.  The general consensus among experts is that the OCR will be cut by at least 50 basis points. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says the Reserve Bank needs to strike the right balance for the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 26 November 2026, Sir John Key pays tribute to former National MP Nikki Kaye who passed away at just 44 years old. He tells Heather Nikki had been much sicker than people realised. Heather asks Education Minister Erica Stanford whether she's going to get rid of NCEA Level 1 after another damning report. And Heather reveals the new nickname she has for Erica - and Erica reveals the nickname her kids call her. Did you know it's unlawful to be served tea or coffee at the hairdressers? We meet the woman who wants to change that. Plus, Wellington City Councillor Tony Randle on signing off the city's Long Term Plan - without realising quite what he's signing off 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.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Former National MP Nikki Kaye died aged 44 after a lengthy battle with cancer. People from all sides of the political spectrum came together to pay tribute to her - what made her so special? What will we remember about her?  Does NCEA need to go? An ERO review revealed NCEA level one needs an overhaul - or to be scrapped altogether. Do we need a new national qualification? Labour's going to decide what sort of tax scheme they'll progress this weekend - do we see a capital gains tax coming?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's frustration for some at Wellington City Council, as the city's Long Term Plan is laid out. Budget cuts were a big part of the discussions - as the city needs to bring in more money after the plan to sell the airport shares fell through.  The Council's proposed demolishing the Botanical Gardens' Begonia House and they plan to chop upgrades for venues and a development of Frank Kitts Park. Wellington City Councillor Tony Randle says the Golden Mile project was spared - for the time being. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One East Coast MP seeks to overturn the law banning people from indulging in a cuppa at the hair salon. It's currently an offence to serve a drink in a salon's service area as it's been deemed unsafe under health regulations. Dana Kirkpatrick has added a bill to the ballot to remove the law. Kirkpatrick says the same law says it's illegal to bring a dog to the hairdressers. "For some reason, they decided that you couldn't take your dog to the hairdresser - but these days, we take them to the pub, the café, we take them to the office."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award-winning UK singer Kate Nash has revealed she plans on selling pictures on OnlyFans to help fund her tours. Nash explained that live music has become increasingly financially unsustainable - and she hopes monetising pictures of her behind will help bridge the gap. Concert promoter Brent Eccles says artists have to keep 'feeding the machine' in order to sustain a career and make money. "You have to be very careful when you're doing that - and watch the dollars. You have to tour to a level you can afford." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister says he's confident people aren't being booted from hospital waitlists so Health New Zealand can meets targets.  A letter obtained by RNZ reveals some referrals from a Palmerston North orthopaedic clinic are being knocked back, due to a lack of resources. Shane Reti says checks are in place to ensure targets aren't gamed. He says Health New Zealand is investigating the letter. "As the 20 DHBs came together, there were a lot of different protocols - bringing them all into one place is what they're looking to do, but certainly, that is not the policy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.