Larry Williams Drive

The Prime Minister's business delegation was stranded when their Air Force plane broke down in Papua New Guinea.   Chris Luxon took a commercial flight to arrive in Japan - while the business leaders and media flew to Australia, to take a connecting Air New Zealand flight to Tokyo.  Political Editor Jason Walls is with the delegation. Walls told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We’re getting a sense that there’s some irritation.”  Walls said “There are some grumbled words about how this has shifted the focus and been a distraction.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's business delegation is beginning its trip to Japan again, after a detour through Brisbane.   The group was stranded when their Air Force plane broke down in Papua New Guinea.   Chris Luxon took a commercial flight to arrive in Japan on time, and the trade group and media flew on to Australia, to take an Air New Zealand flight to Tokyo.  Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan “Nothing gives you more pride than when the Prime Minister steps off an RNZAF plane – you’re not just waving the flag, it shows you’re a capable country.”  Soper said “We used to lease planes from Qantas.”  He said “They are for transporting troops – not just the Prime Minister's entourage. That includes journalists – and publicity is very important to them.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have agreed to properly manage their nations' differences during a visit.   This follows an era in which minister-to-minister contacts were banned and trade barriers cost Australian exporters up to 20 billion Australian dollars ($21.5 billion NZD) a year.   Australia Correspondent Oliver Peterson told Heather du Plessis-Allan “On the one hand: keep buying our iron ore and wine, but also we don’t really want you to talk to our Pacific neighbours and - get out of the South China Sea.”  Peterson said “It doesn’t really fit in with the narrative of our two nations at this stage.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Melbourne Storm beat the Warriors 38-24 at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, the sixteenth time they’ve won this match-up.  After scoring three tries at the beginning, the Warriors spent the rest of the game with their wingers Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in the sin bin.  SportsTalk Host Jason Pine told Heather du Plessis-Allan “I’m sure the players would have said not to worry about the history... but 15 games seems like a very long time.”   Piney said “The Storm are a good team, don’t get me wrong, they’re top of the NRL.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four months ago, Wellington Water said plumbers weren’t qualified to repair the capital’s water crisis.  However, it's now been revealed that they're more qualified than Wellington Water's own workforce.  Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace told Heather du Plessis-Allan “The Workplace Development Council have agreed the NZQA standards that plumbers do, are more than what Wellington Water requires.”  Wallace said “In February, [Wellington Water] told us they had a workforce crisis, and they couldn’t fix the 3,572 leaks at the time.”  He said they make things as difficult as possible. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, we're just gonna have to pony up and buy a couple of new planes, aren't we?   Come on, this is the second time this year that this plane has broken down on Chris Luxon, and if he keeps on insisting on using these old girls, it's definitely not going to be the last time.   I reckon Al Gillespie made the best argument today for why we should have a plane that works - rather than flying the Prime Minister around the place commercially.   His argument is: When our Prime Minister turns up in another country, it's generally because we want something from that country, right? Either we want to trade with them, increase trade or we want them to do what we want them to do politically. So, we're there to impress them and we have to impress them, which is the whole point of a trip like this, right? You go on a trip like this: everybody has to dress up in their best suits, look like they mean business. The Prime Minister collects a group of smart and powerful people to impress the hosts. Bring the media along to lo

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 14 June 2024, the Government has committed to completely overhauling our gun laws. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee tells Heather what she wants to change.  Health NZ's Chief People Officer explains why a hiring freeze across his organisation is needed to save money urgently - and why it won't affect your healthcare.  The Huddle debates who should win in this weekend's Super Rugby Playoffs.  Plus the greatest hit of political memories... It's the 40th anniversary of Rob Muldoon's calling a snap - schnapps - election. Barry Soper remembers the night...  Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Union's top court has fined Hungary €200m ($400m NZD) for failing to follow asylum policies.  The court will also penalise Hungary €1m a day until it changes its policy.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis-Allan “Hungary is a big recipient of funds from the E.U.”  Grey said “The E.U is annoyed with Budapest as they’re in breach of a 220 judgement.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders could soon find it easier to travel to China after yesterday's bilateral meeting between Christopher Luxon and Li Qiang.  It was the first meeting of a New Zealand Prime Minister and Chinese Premier on New Zealand soil since 2017.  Li Qiang has agreed to extend China's unilateral visa-free treatment to New Zealand, following similar agreements with other countries, and says his country also stands ready to offer infrastructure funding.  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis Allan “The Chinese state media is focusing on the trade aspects – this is being presented as a trade visit.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's leader has revealed the previous Government had a major relationship breakdown with the agriculture sector at the end of its term in Government.   Speaking to the Country from Fieldays, Chris Hipkins said he was at the event to listen to the concerns of farmers.  Senior Political Correspondent, Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan farmers are the economic backbone of this country.  Soper said “Farming exports way and above outweigh anything else in this country, so let’s look after them.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2016, NZ Herald ran the headline: ‘Is Soumil Singh New Zealand’s smartest teen?’   Singh was Hamilton Boys High School’s Dux – now he’s a Harvard grad, with a $6 million A.I start-up in New York City.  Singh told Heather du Plessis-Allan “The landscape for investing in tech start-ups is good – and so’s AI.”  He said “I had the itch to go to Harvard since I was a kid.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sports Huddle this evening: Newstalk ZB Rugby Commentators Elliott Smith and Paul Allison.   The Black Caps lost to West Indies in Thursday’s crucial T20 pool game in Trinidad and Tobago – so they won’t make it to the knockout phase of the tournament.  Paul Allison told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he’s disappointed in the Black Caps loss, given their performance in recent T20 tournaments – being semifinalists two years ago and runners up 2021.   Allison said “They’re blaming weather and poor preparation of pitches – they also have to have a good hard look at the planning.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hurricanes will host The Chiefs tomorrow night for tomorrow’s semifinal at Sky Stadium.   Hurricanes Captain, Brad Shields, is one of only two remaining players from their winning 2016 side.   Hurricanes Assistant Coach Cory Jane told Heather du Plessis-Allan “The excitement of having a semifinal at home doesn’t secure a win - but it’s exciting to play in front of your crowd.”  Jane said he’s gutted Xavier Noumea is injured, as he’s the best loose-head prop in the country.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora has implemented a freeze on hiring for all non-frontline roles – to bring down spending.   This will include all hospital roles that are not patient-facing, and all public health roles that are not community-facing.  Health New Zealand Chief People Officer, Andrew Slater, told Heather du Plessis-Allan “That pause is likely to be on as we enter July-August as well.”  Slater said “This pause will move the recruitment process back down to local hands.”  LISTEN ABOVE.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government will change the Arms Act by 2026 - as part of its planned firearms reforms.  Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said New Zealand’s gun laws had been in place for over four decades.  McKee told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We want to remove NZ Police from the administration, regulation and policymaking of firearms.”  She said this will allow Police to focus on enforcement - and get the gangs away from guns.  LISTEN ABOVE.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks 40 years since Robert Muldoon’s snap election – and Barry Soper recounts the former Prime Minister’s drunken media interview.   Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan “He was absolutely incoherent.”  “The Governor General, David Beattie, had to take over the interview, while Muldoon was bundled into his LTD limo, and taken back to parliament to sober him up.”   LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Joe Biden and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 10-year security agreement on Thursday – stating it’s a milestone in relations between their countries,  G7 leaders have also agreed to a $50 billion USD loan to help Ukraine in its conflict. Interest earned on profits from Russia’s frozen central bank assets would be used as collateral.  US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan “President Zelenskyy seemed optimistic that his country would retain support from the Biden administration – or any administration.”  Mitchinson said “Joe Biden makes the commitment right now, but if he’s not re-elected in November, can that that be fulfilled?”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues face The Brumbies tonight at Eden Park, for The Super Rugby semifinal.   The Blues have already beaten Canberra team this season – a major 46-7 win at Eden Park in April.  Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Heather du Plessis-Allan “No Australian side has ever come to New Zealand and won a playoff game.”  Piney said “Hurricanes will have the home advantage – but no degree of overriding certainity.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Taxpayers Union has said that the New Zealand Film Commission needs to stop giving out film subsidies – because they’re not good value.  According to numbers compiled by former boss of South Pacific Pictures, John Barnett, the Film Commission has spent a whopping $88 million of taxpayer money on 54 movies over the last few years. However, they only made $14 million at the NZ Box Office.   John Barnett told Heater du Plessis-Allan “Our stories need by told by us, and to us.”  Barnett said “We should be smarter about what we put our money into.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is 40 years to the day since Rob Muldoon called the snap election.   Which then, of course, led to his defeat. Which then, of course, led to the incoming Labour Government, realised we were nearly broke as a country. Which then led to them embarking on the most amazing set of reforms which they do not get enough credit for to this day - and get way too much grief for.   It is a really interesting anniversary for us to mark right now - as we find ourselves in a recession that feels like the worst that many of us have ever experienced. As we watch old names in New Zealand, like Smith and Caughey give up. As we see projections that the country's debt will just keep growing.  Because today, Roger Douglas - one of the primary architects of those reforms back in 1984 - has given an interview saying we are as in as much trouble today, as we were back in 1984. By the way, if you ask why is Roger Douglas piping up again? He's not stopped, ay. You cannot stop the man. He's still pouring over all the government fi