Larry Williams Drive

Sky TV's struck a deal with Warner Bros Discovery - ensuring it continues to be the home of HBO content in New Zealand. The company has stopped HBO’s Max app launching on our shores and confirmed Neon will keep streaming its original content - and several WBD franchises, such as Friends, Rick and Morty and The Big Bang Theory. Chief executive Sophie Moloney says it's good that viewers will be able to keep getting the HBO originals they love, plus access to a new back catalogue of content.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has been accused of 'jumping the gun' and changing the Three Strikes bill before receiving advice from the select committee. The qualifying threshold for a first strike will be lowered from 24 months imprisonment to 12 months in order to catch out more offenders. Labour has claimed this is the 'latest instance' of the Government making amendments to controversial legislation, pointing out changes to the gang patch ban and fast-track consenting bills. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says they've listened to people claim the regime needed to be tougher - and taken that feedback into account.  "What we're predicting now over a 10-year period is consequence and accountability for those serious, violent offenders." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The High Court in Christchurch has heard the first evidence in the murder trial of Tingjun Cao. He's accused of killing estate agent Yanfei Bao. Newstalk ZB's Emily Ansell says Bao's partner, Paul Gooch, realised something was wrong when Bao hadn't picked up her daughter from after-school care. "He said when he got home, he checked the dishwasher to see if Bao's lunch dishes were there - as usually, she'd come home and eat. But they weren't."  Court adjourned early today, for various reasons including translation issues. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's scepticism from some as to whether a Crown observer will help Wellington City Council. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown is appointing an observer over concerns for the council's financial management. But councillor Tim Brown says many councillors think it will provide advice and help them work together better, but he's not convinced. Tim Brown says he thinks Simeon Brown's putting the observer there to undermine the council. "He's put somebody in the room so that they can go to him and say - hey Simeon, it's not working, let's fire these guys and move on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Children's Minister says the 13 young people who scaled an Auckland justice facility will face consequences for their actions. The group sat on the roof of the Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice Facility in Wiri yesterday evening - with seven staying overnight and causing damage to the roof. Karen Chhour says the youths will be criminally liable for damage done to the facility. "The ones that we have seen damage the property will be charged for that - and there will be more to come, but that's really up to the police to make those decisions now."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau says she'll stick to her priorities - even as central Government intervenes.  Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has appointed a Crown Observer to help council develop its Long Term Plan.  Spending cuts are needed since the council's U-turn on selling its airport shares.  ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Tory has taken this well - but this intervention will come at a cost to Wellington ratepayers.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Australian senator's high-profile outburst has sparked discussions about the injustices that impacted the nation's Aboriginal population. Lidia Thorpe was removed from Parliament House after yelling at King Charles and accusing him of committing genocide yesterday. Thorpe's actions were criticised by MPs, including Tony Abbott and Amanda Rishworth, for being disrespectful. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Thorpe was also praised by others for shining a light on the wider issues. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rugby sevens, hockey and T20 cricket have been axed from the Commonwealth Games, but netball has survived. 15 sports have been binned off for the slimmed-down 2026 event in Glasgow. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Greens are looking forward to moving ahead - as Darleen Tana's days in Parliament come to an end. The party today confirmed Speaker Gerry Brownlee has officially ousted Tana after delegates unanimously voted to put the issue to him. Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says she is grateful to draw a line under this.  "It's been a several months-long process that has obviously ensued the likes of legal battles and otherwise - which I don't think has been a nice situation for anybody that's been involved." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New evidence suggests more babies in the care of killer nurse Lucy Letby were harmed - and in one case poisoned with insulin. Letby was was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more, including trying to kill two with insulin at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says one of these babies was found to have suspiciously high levels of insulin after Letby had taken over the infant's care. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US election is heating up and it's still unclear whether or not Harris or Trump will emerge victorious in November. Based on recent polling data, financial markets are pricing in a Trump-led Government - a pivot from the projected Harris Government. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says investors are increasingly expecting a divided Government, as it's unlikely one party will control the Presidency, House and Senate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi start-up Nature Baby is looking to expand into the US market again. What started as a small business operating out of an Auckland flat has grown into a multi-million dollar business - and co-owners Jacob and Georgia Faull are looking to re-launch the brand overseas. Jacob says the brand's not immune to the effects of the current economic downturn - but the 'green shoots' in the economy are giving them hope. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon is defending his Small Business Minister for not alerting him sooner over a complaint from a member of the public.  Andrew Bayly's apologised, after a worker claimed he'd told him to - 'Go home, take some wine, and F off'  and later made the  'L' sign on his forehead.  The Prime Minister says he received the complainant's letter on Thursday, but isn't necessarily surprised he didn't hear about it before.  ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the media's going too hard in criticising Minister Bayly. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we think the America's Cup will be hosted in New Zealand? Following Team New Zealand's win, there's been more discussion about the nation hosting the next Cup. Can we afford this?  Andrew Bayly's under fire following some off-colour comments he made to a Marlborough worker. Some believe he should be stripped of his portfolios - can we justify this? Health NZ is under fire after spending $60,000 on catering for a three-day conference - including $9000 worth of canapes. Is this defensible - or unjustified, considering the agency's financial hole?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has voiced pride for Team New Zealand following their latest America's Cup victory - but she's unsure if the nation can justify hosting the event. Team boss Grant Dalton says New Zealand's absolutely in the running to host the next Cup. However, Nicola Willis says there's a number of factors that go into picking an America's Cup location - and New Zealand needs to be 'hard-headed' about its options. "Dollars are precious and dollars can go to many purposes - including schools and hospitals." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 21 October 2024, after New Zealand's most successful sporting weekend, Sports Minister Chris Bishop speaks to Heather. Is the Government going to try get the America's Cup organisers to bring the race back to NZ? In the Yanfei Bao murder case, the Crown has revealed what it alleges led to the Christchurch real estate being killed - revealing there may have been a sexual element to the case. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown tells Heather he's received advice on possible intervention at Wellington City Council. Plus, the Huddle debates whether the Andrew Bayly controversy has been completely overblown or whether there's any point to calls for his resignation. 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 Local Government Minister has little to say about Wellington City Council's fate. The Government has signalled it's willing to intervene, after labelling the Council's Long Term Plan backtrack a 'shambles'. Simeon Brown last week asked the Department of Internal Affairs for advice on potential intervention. Brown says he's now reviewing it and is considering it. "It's a serious issue, but as I've said, I've received the advice and I'm now considering it."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps have broken a 36-year drought and secured an eight-wicket victory over India in Bengaluru. Their performance has been regarded as one of New Zealand's best wins in almost 95 years of test cricket. Black Caps coach Gary Stead says a lucky toss, a strong lead and a solid performance from the guys helped them achieve this historic victory. "I thought the guys played really well throughout - and it's always nice to put India under pressure, cause they're a really tough team to beat." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch real estate agent, Yanfei Bao reportedly knew the man accused of murdering her. Chinese national Tingjun Cao's trial began today - he's accused of killing the 44-year-old in July last year. Her body was found in a shallow grave on a farm, just over a year after she disappeared. Newstalk ZB's Emily Ansell is at the High Court. She says Cao was new to the country, and it appears Bao was helping him find a job. "And the Crown viewed that Cao had potentially lured Bao to a house for sale on Trevor Street - and it was there the Crown says she was assaulted."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sports Minister says he's up for conversations on hosting the next America's Cup. Team New Zealand has won a record-setting third Cup in a row. Team boss Grant Dalton says they've accepted a challenge from Britain's Ineos Britannia team and hosting in New Zealand is on the table. Auckland last hosted the Cup in 2021, during Covid. Chris Bishop says the ball is ultimately in the team's court - but there's a lot to weigh up. "Times are tight, as everyone knows - there's no magic money tree at the end of the garden. We don't have an unlimited checkbook and you're dealing with quite big sums of taxpayer money here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.