Larry Williams Drive

The Government's pushing ahead on updating land transport rules - kicking off public consultation today. It's considering simplifying heavy vehicle permits, and adding safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking. It'll also look at inspection rules for passenger vehicles like taxis and rentals, and lighter-vehicle Warrant of Fitness checks. Transport Minister Chris Bishop says these changes will hopefully reduce costs for drivers, but also keep people safe on the road. "In some places, you don't even have to have a regular inspection at all. The reality is, cars are safer than they've ever been, and technology has advanced." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles has been heckled in public about his brother's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As the King visited a UK cathedral, a man bellowed out questions about Prince Andrew. UK correspondent Elizabeth Callaghan says this is another 'huge embarrassment' for the royal family - on top of the growing scrutiny. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Companies sharing small numbers of subscription passwords to access paywalled news content may face legal scrutiny. Business website NBR has reached settlements with three major corporates, including a national law firm, for what it calls the 'illegal stealing of its content'. NBR owner Todd Scott says this case is a 'friendly warning shot' for the impacted companies.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh attention on rural areas reeling from last week's severe weather. Southland, Clutha and Kaikoura are still under States of Emergency  - and more than 8,000 properties in Southland and Otago are still without power. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 28 October 2025, Labour has confirmed its worst case secret: a Capital Gains Tax will be brought in if Labour wins the next election. Heather asks Chris Hipkins about all the ins and outs of the new policy. Netball NZ Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie says it wasn't a mistake to stand Dame Noeline Taurua down - but can't say what changes will be made when Taurua returns as coach. Teaching kids consent will be mandatory for schools soon, but sex education therapist Jo Robertson says we could go further. Finance Minister Nicola Willis encourages Air NZ's new boss to tidy his own house first before asking the Government for money. Plus, on the Huddle, Josie Pagani tries to convince Heather and Trish Sherson of the need for a CGT. Good luck Josie! 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.

Well, I don't know what's worse for Labour - the fact that they've announced a capital gains tax policy again today, or the fact that someone leaked it and forced them to announce it in a rush. Obviously, it does suck for them that somebody leaked it first, because it means that they were so unprepared that they had to rush-job announce it in an email at 3:05 this morning. And then Chippy had to cancel his morning radio interviews so that he didn't have to answer questions about this until he was ready - and then they had to get ready and call themselves a rush-job press conference where they all looked furious, and they stumbled over their words. Honestly, you haven't seen such a sad line-up of people announcing something they're proud of. This is the second policy announcement that Labour has managed to stuff up in just about a week's duration - which hardly looks convincing, does it? But then it also sucks for them that this is the policy that they're taking to the election, because I don't care what the B

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!  It's the worst-kept secret in politics - Labour officially confirmed it wants to introduce a capital gains tax. Do we support this?  More drama out of Te Pāti Māori - where does this end?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governing parties have been quick to condemn Labour's proposed capital gains tax policy.  The opposition announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes.  It would funnel the revenue into health. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been quick to label this scheme as 'half-baked' - and it'll likely drive the country further into debt. "I'm just pleased that New Zealand today can see Labour's alternative for what it is. It's a Labour-Te Pāti Māori-Greens Government that will tax you more, drive the country further into debt and put the economy at risk." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netball New Zealand boss Jennie Wyllie is looking forward to mending ties with reinstated Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua. The pair have been colleagues since Taurua's appointment to lead New Zealand in 2018. Wyllie says she's pleased the pair were able to reach common ground so Taurua could return to the Silver Ferns. "She's acknowledged that, in a high-performance environment, there is a balance that needs to exist - between how do you find the edge, but also who people are. And I think we've been working on - how do we keep that balance top of mind for the well-being of these athletes?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins is confident Labour's Capital Gains Tax policy can cover three free GP visits every year. The party's announced a policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes.  The revenue would go into health, and creating a Medicard scheme. The Labour leader says they've checked the numbers. "We've done them based on the independent tax working group that was set up when we were last in Government. So that's the modelling that we've used in coming up with the costings for this one." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some disappointment from a sexual education expert over new Government curriculum changes. Education Minister Erica Stanford has released her draft Year 1-to-10 curriculum for six months feedback from schools and educators.  A key change is making consent education compulsory in health and physical education.  But therapist and parenting educator Jo Robertson says the guidelines don't mention the word 'consent' until Year 3.  "We need kids to know that if somebody touches their body that that's sexual harm and that's not okay. So for me, it doesn't quite meet the mark." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour was forced to reveal its tax policy early, after details were leaked to media over the long weekend.  The party's proposed a 28 percent capital gains tax on all residential and commercial property - but not the family home. It's promising to use the revenue to fund three free GP visits for all Kiwis. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Hipkins has voiced frustration with this leak and confirmed whoever leaked the policy will get booted from the party. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Dutch volleyball player convicted in 2016 of raping an underage girl has been denied a visa to Australia to compete in next month’s Beach Volleyball World Championships. Steven van de Velde, now 31, was 19 when he was found guilty of sex with an underage girl. The Dutch Volleyball Association said in a statement that it was 'aware this could happen', given Australia’s strict policy on issuing visas to people with convictions. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson looks set to assist Max Verstappen's Formula 1 championship bid, before learning of his 2026 fate. Keen to focus on the defending champion's campaign - Red Bull have reportedly pushed their driver selection timeline until after the Qatar Grand Prix on December 1. Sportstalk host Adam Cooper explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Auckland councillor has voiced disappointment with recent misinformation concerning the fatal bus collision on Tāmaki Drive. An electric bus suffered a fatal collision with a car last week and the bus driver was killed in the flames. North Shore councillor Richard Hills says it was 'shocking' to see the number of posts criticising the EV buses - even though it was proven electric batteries weren't behind the fire.  "It was a significant fire caused by the car itself, so Fire and Emergency New Zealand have confirmed that. And then Kinetic - obviously who are extremely upset they've lost a colleague - also put out a statement that the batteries were unharmed." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 24 October. 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.

Te Pāti Māori's behaviour is once again a topic of discussion following bill burning and allegations of over-spending this week. Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Te Pāti Māori 'shouldn't be anywhere near Government'. Soper identified a possible link between the ongoing party controversies and it's culture of nepotism.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An NBA player and coach are among dozens of people arrested in an FBI investigation into rigged, mafia-linked poker games. Miami Heat's Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were named as those arrested. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the NBA stars were used as bait to draw players to the table with the rigged game. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prominent colorectal surgeon Frank Frizelle says it is now a necessity for dedicated cancer centres in New Zealand.  The Christchurch-based surgeon believes if New Zealand does not adopt comprehensive cancer centres, the system will fail patients. Frizelle told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "it's just about trying to give adequate volumes and concentrations of resources to try and get the best value for money". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar has suggested a “situational subsidy” to support regional routes when the economy is not doing well and demand is low. Ravishankar officially took over as CEO on 20 October 2025, replacing Greg Foran who stepped down after six years. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour tells Heather du Plessis-Allan that the implementation of a subsidy could allow for too much Government control over the agency which would be a 'complete disaster'.  Seymour also addresses the legalisation of melatonin for those aged under-55. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.