Larry Williams Drive

Questions have been raised regarding the Government claim over changes likely to make it harder for Māori to claim customary marine titles. The divisive Marine and Coastal Area Amendment Bill is likely to pass its third reading in the House tonight. The Government claims it'll restore the legislation to its original intent. Former Attorney-General Chris Finlayson says these changes aren't restoring any laws or clarifying anything. "It doesn't clarify the law at all, it changes it. And if they want to do that, well of course Parliament's sovereign, but why don't they come out and say it - instead of indulging this myth? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An unexpected Labour policy announcement was a bit of a shock for leader Chris Hipkins today.  Health spokesperson, Ayesha Verrall revealed the policy in an op-ed for New Zealand Doctor magazine.  It proposes to create an independent body to estimate and allocate GP funding increases, rather than the Government. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Labour 'botched up' the rollout of this announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports indicate the US is pushing ahead with the AUKUS deal, with Australia getting nuclear powered submarines from the US. President Donald Trump's held talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the White House today on defence and trade. Trump also cleared doubt on the deal between Australia, the US and UK. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says concerns were raised ahead of the meeting, but the deal worked out well for Australia. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netball New Zealand v Dame Noeline Taurua saga is beginning to gain traction inside the halls of Parliament. Labour MP Willie Jackson is urging Sports Minister Mark Mitchell to freeze the Netball New Zealand funding until it clears up the suspension of Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explained the situation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A survey of roadworkers has found many face routine abuse, attacks, and some are even purposely hit by cars, according to new reports. The survey, which was run by Temporary Traffic Management Industry Steering Group, included 667 workers across New Zealand who described their experiences with verbal abuse and physical assault. Pipeline & Civil Ltd owner Hugh Goddard says he's heard his staff have been yelled at, almost hit by vehicles - and nearly faced physical abuse. "I wasn't involved in the development of the survey, but I know over 700 TTM workers in New Zealand who responded in the survey, which is a significant sample. And that's the feedback that's coming through, so it's very much a real issue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare daylight robbery has been executed at the world's most visited art museum.  Items of 'incalculable' value were stolen in a seven minute heist at the Louvre museum in Paris - just after it opened.  The thieves rode a basket lift up the museum's facade, forced a window and fled with France's Crown and Napoleonic jewels. UK correspondent Gavin Grey unpacked the ongoing investigation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A multi-million-dollar class action against ANZ New Zealand over historic disclosure obligations looks likely to go ahead. ASB earlier this month settled its part in the four-year class action for $135.6 million - without conceding liability or wrongdoing. ANZ Chief Executive Antonia Watson has voiced disappointment with the development. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent Stats NZ data shows annual inflation hit three percent in September - the upper limit of the Reserve Bank's target range. This has sparked mixed reactions from the Government, but it's unclear if New Zealand avoided another technical recession. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacked the market responses. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  How many more dirty secrets are we going to find out about Prince Andrew? Could the royals have done more to get a handle on this? Labour has unveiled their first big policy promise ahead of the election with their newly-proposed Future Fund. What do we make of this?  Do we really need giant blueberries? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 20 October 2025, inflation is up three percent - driven by large increases to electricity and rates bills. Kiwibank's Jarrod Kerr says this shouldn't stop the Reserve Bank from cutting the OCR further. Labour's Chris Hipkins explains his party's first new policy in two years - the NZ Future Fund. The scandals keep coming. Prince Andrew has promised he won't use his royal titles but should the UK Government go further and completely take them off him? Wellington Phoenix boss David Dome explains why his club is supporting New Zealand's first sports school. Also - Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop on the cost of speeding ticket and ANZ boss Antonia Watson on having the rug pulled from under her by the Government. Plus, the Huddle debates Labour's Future fund and whether we really need a new giant blueberry. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LIST

Well, even I didn't expect Prince Andrew to lose the use of his titles that fast. It was about 5pm on Friday afternoon that I said that he would lose them - and about 7am the next morning, the news broke that he had. But then again, I suppose we can see why it happened so fast, right? Because since that happened, it has just been one revelation after the other involving him. First, the police are looking into reports that he tried to get his personal protection officers to dig up dirt on Virginia Giuffre, his accuser. Then came the news that Fergie and the girls were among the first to welcome Epstein out of jail, and she kept trying to borrow money. And now you've got the creepy detail emerging from Giuffre's book about how Andrew behaved. Now, that is why the announcement about Andrew's titles came so quickly, because King Charles needed it to happen before the newspapers started printing excerpts from the book so that the stuff that came out didn't hurt the royals by association. But honestly, I don't

Drivers are likely to have to cough up for travelling on the Government's Roads of National Significance. NZTA's board has endorsed the investment cases for all the roads.  Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the default will be to toll the new roads in order to establish a clear revenue stream. "Once you've built a road, it's all very well to have it there, but you've got to look after it as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Andrew allegedly asked a police officer to 'dig the dirt' on his accuser before the publishing of a now infamous photograph of the two. Andrew's given up the title Duke of York amid turmoil surrounding his alleged involvement with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It's believed he tried to obtain personal information about his deceased accuser Virginia Giuffre. Royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter says it's likely there's more details to come. "The reason there's been this renewed interest in Prince Andrew is... the news just keeps on coming ever since that Newsnight interview in 2019. But there's been renewed focus because of this posthumous memoir."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's first-ever specialised elite sports school is set to open its doors next year, giving future athletes a space to study while building their sports careers. This charter school will be run by the New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa and be based at Upper Hutt's NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport. Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome says plenty of research was carried out into developing this programme.  "We looked at how the Americans did it, how they did it in Europe and Spain and Italy, and it was really combining education and sports - and it was really hard for us to do that at the time, given that there was only the state school alternative that we couldn't really be part of." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More investment in New Zealand businesses is Labour's announced goal in a policy released today. It's modelling the Future Fund off the existing Super Fund, to be seeded with $200 million in Crown money and existing assets. It'll invest solely in local projects.  Labour leader Chris Hipkins says this project is designed to create jobs and keep more wealth here at home. "We're focused on long-term investments, we own all of those existing public assets for a reason." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief from some economists that inflation's peaked, and it's all downhill from here.  It reached 3 percent in the year to September - up from 2.2 percent the year before. Kiwibank says the third quarter is traditionally tough, and conditions are likely to improve as the year ends.  Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr says he's satisfied domestic prices will now ease.  "We think inflation, this time next year, will be running at about 1.7, 1.8 percent. So job done for the Reserve Bank." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent data shows inflation reached three percent in the year to September, and it's prompted concerns about the economy. Stats NZ figures out today show the rate rose from 2.7 percent annually to June - hitting the top end of the Reserve Bank's target band. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this is higher than what the Government was hoping for, and it's unclear what this could mean for the Reserve Bank. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan has stated Melbourne is perfectly safe, despite some recent incidents coming out of the city's CBD. Two police officers were hospitalised after clashing with protesters during the weekend's March for Australia rally. This attack came days after a woman was stabbed in the chest near Spencer St in broad daylight.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the police union has voiced concerns - and is calling for updated legislation regarding protests. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coach Stacey Jones is lauding the Kiwis' defensive resilience in their 24-18 Pacific Championships league win over Toa Samoa. The Kiwi Ferns won a 22-20 thriller against Fetu Samoa. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacked the action further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Auckland's Tangaroa College has asked students to cover uniforms in public after videos of student brawls surfaced.  Tension between students at Manukau schools is also spreading into online goading. One video shows about 15 young people fighting, with one lying on the pavement being kicked in the head. Principal Chris Bean says because Tangaroa College's uniform is so distinctive, he doesn't want students wearing it around and about.  "We just wanted to be sure that they could move through from home to school and vice-versa in a safe way." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.