Larry Williams Drive

Chocolate, olive oil, butter and takeaway meals have been blamed for pushing up food price inflation in August, according to new reports. Fresh fruit and vegetable prices kept falling, down 12 percent. Falling kūmara, potatoes, and lettuce prices led the way. Potatoes are now the cheapest they’ve been in three years. NZ Herald business editor at large explains the factors driving this data. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

G.J. Gardner, New Zealand’s largest franchised group house-building business and biggest residential builder, is planning to expand further. The business is aiming for a 30 percent growth in franchise numbers in the next year, according to new reports. G.J. Gardner's Grant Porteous says there'll always be demand for housing - even during economic downturns. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stage is set for the first ever all-civilian commercial spacewalk. Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, alongside a a pair of SpaceX engineers and a former Air Force pilot blasted off earlier this week - and if all goes well, the walk will take place in a few hours. Stardome astronomer Josh Eoraki explains that space is an inhospitable environment for humans - meaning the crew is carrying out a risky mission.  "There's no air, you'll suffocate - it's extremely hot if you're in the sun and it's freezing if you're in the shadows. It's just the most inhospitable environment for humans." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Donald Trump dominated the post-debate discussion with his outlandish statements about immigrants, abortion and the economy. Will the 'cats and dogs' and 'transgender operations' comments hurt his campaign - or do supporters not care? Can Health NZ achieve its targets with no extra money on hand? Auckland mayor Wayne Brown unveiled his plan for a second harbour crossing - does this scheme have legs or is it totally bonkers. Zara and Mike Tindall raised a few eyebrows over their decision to put Apple AirTags on their kids to track them. Is this a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 12 September 2024, how will Health NZ actually slash waiting lists and improve cancer care? Counties Manukau Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Connolly tells Heather about the plan to hit the Government's health targets. What's behind Donald Trump's claim that immigrants in Ohio are eating cats and dogs? 1News US correspondent Logan Church took a deep dive into the facts. An expert weighs in on Auckland mayor Wayne Brown's plan to build another harbour bridge between Pt Chevalier and the North Shore. Plus the Huddle debates if it's ever okay to put an air tag on your kids. 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.

Tech giant Google is being accused of playing hardball with the Government and media companies over the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. The bill would force Google to pay for the journalism and news content that help drive its business model. NZME editor-at-large Shayne Currie says it's unlikely Google will pull away from New Zealand altogether - despite the company's threats. "They will certainly be reviewing their stance - they've actually said publicly in their submission to Parliament for the Fair Digital News Bill that they will need to review operations in New Zealand if the bill goes ahead." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About this debate in Australia on banning social media for kids - I have just come across an article that makes the best comparison yet for how we should deal with this issue. Treat it like sex. This article is by an academic in Australia and she argues that the best way to protect kids from social media is by teaching them its dangers, like we do with sex. I think we know now that banning sex for teens doesn't work, celibacy all the way through to marriage doesn’t work - and the best way to deal with it is with sex education. We teach kids how the whole thing works, we teach them how to be safe, and most kids actually do end up fine. That, she says, is how we should treat social media. Teach the kids how it works, teach them about the algorithms that push information at you, teach them that if you click something you’ll get more of the same, teach them how the perfect model lying by the pool with her perfect boyfriend on the perfect holiday is just a photo and it's not real. And teach them how to be safe, te

Donald Trump's out-the-gate claim that migrants eat people's pets has gone viral. In yesterday's presidential debate, the former President claimed migrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating dogs and cats. US correspondent Logan Church says Trump got it from a social media post. "There was absolutely no proof or evidence of anything like this actually happening. But that rumour started spreading like wildfire." Springfield's mayor's released a statement saying it's disappointing misinformation's skewed - and been amplified in the debate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some experts believe mayor Wayne Brown's second Auckland harbour crossing won't fly. Brown revealed a proposal to build a bridge stretching from Meola Reef to Kauri Point on the North Shore. Auckland University senior lecturer of architecture and planning Bill McKay says there'd need to be a number of feeder motorways through Point Chev to get to the bridge. "You know, the pushback from the locals and all that means it's all amounting to nothing." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's support for more use of private hospitals to help the health system. Minister Shane Reti's outlined plans for reaching five health targets set in March, spanning wait times, immunisations and cancer treatment. He's discussed increasing public hospital beds and operating theatres and using private hospital capacity more. Counties Manukau chief medical officer Andrew Connolly says private healthcare will help get wait lists down. "Most of the work will still be done, however, in public facilities. We don't want to lose staff to private just to do public work." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's clear consensus among experts that Kamala Harris emerged victorious after yesterday's action-packed debate against Donald Trump. The pair clashed over economy, abortion and foreign policy - with Trump spouting outlandish claims about late-term abortions and migrants eating people's pets. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the fallout from the debate in Pennsylvania. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, the ongoing anti-war protests in Melbourne have entered their second day. Police have beefed up security, after yesterday's violent clashes left several officers injured. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says yesterday's events were 'disgraceful' - with protestors flinging faeces and acid at police.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day four of the one-off test between the Black Caps and Afghanistan has been abandoned before the scheduled start of play, as rain fell over Greater Noida, India. For the fourth day in succession, rainfall has forced the match to be called off before a single ball was bowled. The final clash is still scheduled for Friday - but hints of poor weather leave the event in doubt. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's counting down to hosting a star-studded film production, which kicks off in October. The Wrecking Crew stars Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista and Temuera Morrison - with filming likely to run at least two months. Auckland Tataki Unlimited CEO Nick Hill says it's the largest production done here since The Rings of Power series. He says locals will get a chance to catch filming around the city. "They will certainly film in the city centre - but also other parts around the region. I think Auckland will actually get to show itself off in a major movie." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK economy unexpectedly failed to grow in July, after flatlining in June, for the second month in a row. Analysts had originally forecasted a slight growth of 0.2 percent. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says drops in the manufacturing and construction sectors contributed to the downturn. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As birth-rates decline and the population gets older, investors are grappling with a new set of challenges. Recent data indicates the proportion of Kiwis over the age of 65 will be expected to double by 2050. Milford Asset Management's Deborah Lambie says this demographic shift is expected to have an impact on the healthcare system - and lead to a worker shortage. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has confirmed buy now, pay later providers will be able to charge whatever fees they want going forward. Cabinet has agreed to remove some consumer protections from the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) to enable BNPL providers to set late or default fees at whatever levels they wish. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains what this could mean for Kiwi consumers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off in their first televised debate ahead of the election. Who won this round? What did the candidates need to work on? The text of David Seymour's proposed Treaty Principles Bill has been released - will this calm anyone's fears? Do we think a debate on this bill is what the country needs? Is Wellington really dying - or is the region just in a rough spot?  LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 11 September 2024, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off in their first presidential debate. So who won? US historian Allan Lichtman, senior political correspondent Barry Soper, former US correspondent Jack Tame and Heather all weigh in. In another blow for regional New Zealand, Methanex has announced it's looking to scale back its business - and leaving the door open to pull out of New Zealand altogether. New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom and Contact Energy boss Mike Fuge speak to Heather following the news.Plus, the Huddle debates whether Wellington really is dying ... and where did we find Jordan Williams? 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.

Today's highly-anticipated face-to-face presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump included a heated back-and-forward over inciting political violence. Stand-out moments included inaccurate statements about abortion rights and Trump repeating his running mate's baseless claim immigrants were eating people pets. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there's no debate to be had - Harris won this round. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.