Larry Williams Drive

The Ministry of Health says the measles outbreak isn't at the point where they'd routinely immunise babies under 12 months.  We have 13 infections - and 2000 close contacts. Parents have worried vaccinating babies early can cost more than $200.  The Ministry's Public Health Director, Dr Corina Grey, says allowing vaccinations earlier is a decision for health officials. "We'll continue to track the outbreak and review the evidence - but encouraging everybody who is eligible to get vaccinated." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra's farmer shareholders should get a decent payout from the sale of consumer brands like Anchor and Mainland. They've overwhelmingly voted for a $4.2 billion dollar sale to French company, Lactalis. ASB economists predict the sale will deliver a tax-free capital return of $3.2 billion - or $400,000 per farmer.  Chief executive Miles Hurrell says that's close, with a wide spectrum of farm sizes.  "Everyone will get their own cash in time accordingly, but yeah, $2 tax-free per share is a decent wedge of cash for most farmers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young cricketer, Ben Austin, was killed after he was struck in the neck by a cricket ball thrown at speed using a hand-held training device. Paramedics treated the 17-year-old at the scene before he was taken to Monash Medical Centre in Clayton in a critical condition - where he later died in hospital. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this took place at an after-school practice session. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Bayly is fighting to clear his name and claims he was misled about the allegations against him before he resigned as a Cabinet Minister. Bayly, the MP for Port Waikato, stood down as ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister after he “placed a hand” on a staff member’s arm during what he described as an “animated discussion” in February. Bayley says the fact that no complaint had been made against him was contrary to what he was led to believe at the time - and he's determined to set the record straight. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper confirmed Bayly's now taken legal advice.  "There was never a formal complaint laid against Andrew Bayly, but he was led to believe that there was some serious complaints made against him." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shock in rugby league as the Melbourne Storm reluctantly grant fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen an early release, with one year left on his NRL contract. Papenhuyzen says he's taking a break away from the game to consider his future. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has offered Donald Trump a day's golfing in New Zealand with Sir John Key - if he visits.  Chris Luxon had his first face to face conversation with Trump on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in South Korea. The US President mentioned visiting New Zealand a long time ago, calling it beautiful.  Key, says he'd have no problem having a round with Trump. "I showed Obama round New Zealand, he was the former president at that point - but beautiful golf courses, why not? It'd be an entertaining chat for four hours on the course, wouldn't it?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten people went on trial in Paris charged with online harassment of Brigitte Macron over the latest case linked to unsubstantiated gender claims made against the French first lady. This trial comes after she and President Emmanuel Macron filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States in connection with false claims that Brigitte was born male. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Macron's daughter Tiphaine Auziere also testified on her mother's behalf. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 29 October 2025, teachers resistance to the new school curriculum is in full swing. History Teachers' Association chair Craig Thornhill explains the problems he sees.   Transport Minister Chris Bishop explains why he wants you to only get your WOF every two years rather than every year. Bill Gates says we worry too much about climate change - and there are more important things to fix more urgently. Climate change professor Adrian Macey reckons he might have a point. Heather argues Chris Luxon can relax a bit now that we've seen Labour roll out policy - in quite a shambolic fashion. Plus, the Huddle debates climate change doomsayers and the capital gains tax. 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.

Labour recently confirmed it aimed to campaign on the introduction of a capital gains tax on commercial and investment residential property. Leader Chris Hipkins also claimed the money raised would be used to fund the health system, but questions have been raised over whether this proposal can work. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny weighed up the idea, and whether Labour can be trusted to spend the money wisely. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a tough couple of years for the economy, but there's hope things will pick up sooner rather than later. There's been an improved outlook on the NZX and NZME recently posted that it had upgraded its earnings forecast. Jeremy Hutton from Milford Asset Management explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If yesterday told us anything, it's that National doesn't have to replace Chris Luxon as urgently as some in the party were saying just a couple of weeks ago. Because if Labour carries on like they did yesterday, National is probably going to be fine for next year, aren't they? That chat, by the way, was real. There really are senior people within the party who think that Chris Luxon needs to be replaced. And from the sounds of things, they were starting to get pretty anxious in the last few weeks because of the recent polls showing Labour pulling ahead and Luxon getting less popular. Surely they're gonna be feeling a little better today, because what we learned yesterday is Labour looks credible - until they start talking. The minute they start releasing policy, it goes south. Yesterday, they couldn't even get the policy out without it being leaked first. And then they did manage to get it out and it was the same old 'come for your money' that Labour always reverts to - and then Chippy wasn't at al

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson 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!  Bill Gates has cautioned against the 'doomsday' view on climate change and claimed there's more urgent things to worry about. Do we agree with the calls for calm? Education Minister Erica Stanford unveiled some new changes to the social sciences off the back of the maths and English updates - and some educators have voiced concerns? Do they have a point - or is this just a fear of change?  Labour's capital gains tax has spent a full day in the public arena - do we think this will impact their changes of getting back into Government?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rate Labour settled on for its capital gains tax policy is partially below the recommendation made by the tax working group six years ago. The proposed 28 percent rate would apply to commercial and investment properties from July 2027 - with the revenue going towards health system. Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale weighed up whether this proposal would bring in what Labour's promising. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billionaire Bill Gates is shifting his tone on climate change, cautioning against a 'doomsday' future view.  In a lengthy online memo, the Microsoft co-founder says he still believes it is a major problem needing solving. But Gates says innovation and breakthroughs shouldn't come at the expense of funding global health or development.  Victoria University adjunct professor of climate change, Adrian Macey, says he agrees. "I see what he's saying is - don't assume it's going to be Armageddon if we sail past the 1.5 degrees, which we have already, but think about the positive things you need to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Community groups and charities successfully turned the Government view on giving them a share of online casino profits. It originally set the duty in new laws for licensed online operators at 12 percent, but from today that's risen to16.   Four percent will be ring-fenced specifically to go to community groups, in similar fashion to physical casinos. North Wellington Football Club president, Fraser Kirby, says that's a step in the right direction. "I think the positive is that all of the community groups that raised concerns around this have all been listened to, and the bill's been revised accordingly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aucklanders are about to have short-term free taxi rides to the heart of the city. The 'Straight to the Heart' service launching tomorrow - across Ponsonby, Newmarket, and Takapuna - lets people hail a retro red taxi, with no booking needed. It'll take passengers to a surprise - or requested - central location.  Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck says this is running until November 16, and it's a way to rediscover what Auckland has to offer. "It's about the experience, getting people back into the rhythm of coming here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is looking to broaden the social science curriculum, but it's prompted concern from some educators. The Education Minister today unveiled proposed changes to content for Years 1-10, on top of the English and Maths refresh announced earlier.  History Teachers' Association chair Craig Thornhill says there's lots of interesting topics being proposed, but no proper structure. "They all seem to be quite free-standing and there's no way for students to join the dots between those topics. The other key concern is the sheer amount of content - for example, students in Year 0-8 are only going to have three hours a week to learn this stuff."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appeared to correct the Prime Minister for taking credit on a trade deal. Chris Luxon has confirmed New Zealand is one of a handful of nations that now has a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN - and posted that he made a deal with Southeast Asian nations. In a since-deleted tweet, Peters corrected Luxon with one word - 'we'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper speculated on why Peters deleted the comment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricane Melissa is moving towards eastern Cuba, weakening further to a category three storm. The National Hurricane Center is still warning of powerful effects as it moves across Cuba and the Bahamas. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the hurricane's hit Jamaica hard, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds impacting the area. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Silver Ferns won't lack for belief heading into the deciding Constellation Cup netball test in Christchurch tonight. Australia leads the series 2-1, but if the Ferns win they'll force a tiebreaker - consisting of two seven-minute halves of overtime to determine the series winner. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.