Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 16 September 2025, Labour leader Chris Hipkins on a new poll that shows just how many Kiwis are blaming the current Government for the state of the economy - and how many still blame Labour. Peachgate: Consumer's Jessica Walker says the cost of living has got so high that people can't afford to make buying NZ grown a priority. Adoption researcher Dr Barbara Sumner welcomes news that overseas adoptions have been stopped with immediate effect. Former Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell weighs in on Takuta Ferris' anti-immigrant comments. Plus, the Huddle debates whether National should be worried about copping the lion's share of blame for the economy. 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.

A former Māori Party leader says he can't make sense of MP Tākuta Ferris' controversial race comments. Ferris posted a photo of Labour volunteers stating their ethnicities and wrote they were campaigning to take a Māori seat from Māori in the Tamaki Makaurau by-election. The party apologised, but Ferris stood by his comments in a second social media video.  Te Ururoa Flavell says the party has a history of inclusivity and explained many of their candidates in the general sense weren't Māori - being Pasifika, Chinese and Korean. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins says Kiwis are starting to see things are going backwards under the current Government.  The latest RNZ-Reid Research poll reveals more voters blame the coalition for the struggling economy, than the previous Labour Government. This is despite senior Cabinet Ministers claiming a financial mess was left behind by Labour. Hipkins says Labour will set out ways it could improve the economy, but right now the ball's in the Government's court. "We've got to get New Zealand investing in productive businesses, rather than just relying on the housing market going up in value in order to grow our economy."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruapehu's mayor is hoping to reach out to investors to save the historic Chateau Tongariro. A petition with over 15,000 signatures was presented to MPs in Wellington today, as the chateau's future hangs in the balance. Weston Kirton says he wants the Government to break down the barriers preventing the building from getting fixed and provide a pathway for the future. "We know that there are investors out there who are prepared to put forward their money towards this. We're not talking about taxpayers funding this project, we're talking about getting a platform for investors."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geordie Beamish has won the 3000 metres steeplechase at the world championships in Tokyo, making history in New Zealand track.  He's the first Kiwi to secure a running victory in the 42-year history of the meet. Athletics NZ chief executive Cam Mitchell was present at the race - and says he believed Beamish had it in him.  "It was a pretty special night, it was amazing to be there." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders will no longer be able to look to adopt children from overseas and bring them home from this week.  The Government's Adoption Amendment Bill's been introduced under urgency, and will suspend recognition of unsafe international adoptions to prevent harm.  It also restricts the Family Court from granting adoptions where the adoptive parent or child are overseas. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks the bill - and reveals why the changes are the way to go. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia and Papua New Guinea will agree to defend each other in the event of a military attack as part of a new defence agreement set to be signed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is currently in Papua New Guinea to commemorate the country's independence anniversary. Australian correspondent Sam Emery says the defence agreement is designed to protect both nations from security threats, which remain a consistent concern. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's division among Aucklanders over whether more events should take place at Eden Park. The Government's set to review the current regulations impacting the stadium, including the number of concerts taking place and their duration.  Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave weighs in on the debate - and what incoming changes could mean for the future of New Zealand sport. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing pleas for broader changes to adoption laws before an international ban lifts.  The Government's looking to suspend some international adoptions until 2027 while it works on new adoption laws due to safety and child abuse concerns. Adoption researcher Dr Barbara Sumner says other legislation also needs changing, noting overseas adoptees switch to the 1955 Adoption Act on arrival. "There are no guarantees that any adoptive home is safe. No checks, no balances - because once you're under the 55 Act, it's not welfare." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has refused to be interviewed by Scotland Yard detectives before his release. Christian Brueckner, a convicted rapist, is set to get out of prison in his native Germany this week and could be allowed to leave the country with no restrictions. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Brueckner has refused to reveal why he's not taking part in this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data suggests New Zealand's economic turmoil is far from over. New economic data from Stats NZ prompted BNZ to increase its estimate of the size of the contraction in the economy in the three months to the end of June. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new service has been launched that's designed to show mobile network outages in real time. The service builds on the Hourua partnership between Spark and One NZ, and experts believe it'll be helpful for operations taking place during natural emergencies, such as cyclones. One NZ CEO Jason Paris says this development means services will be able to be restored during emergencies much quicker. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis has responded to protesters chained to the outside of her Johnsonville electorate office. The group of Christian leaders want an urgent timeline from the Government for implementing sanctions against Israel over the war in Gaza. They're praying and fasting - and say they're prepared to stay overnight. Willis says she supports the right to protest, however they're getting in the way of people who want to get help from her office. She says security have been engaged by Parliamentary Services, and security have been engaging with the police. Five clergy were trespassed from Simeon Brown's Pakuranga electorate office earlier today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 15 September 2025, Health NZ is backtracking its 24/7 visitor policy after a huge backlash. Al Dietschin from the nurses union is welcoming the review. Looks like Eden Park could start to host even more events in the future. The Government has launched a review into the current consenting rules. Anglican Vicar Mel McKenzie explains why she has chained herself to Nicola Willis' electorate office. Plus, the Huddle debates whether coach or captain should be blamed for the All Blacks' miserable loss. 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.

Are we sure that Scott Barrett should be the captain? This is the thing that I've been thinking about for the last two weeks watching the games, it's what struck me when I watched the game at Eden Park and the ceremony for Ardie Savea's 100 tests, and the fact that the team clearly rallied not only to defend the fortress, which I think was predominantly what they were rallying for, but also they rallied to give Ardie Savea a fitting win. Watching that happen and watching the ceremony afterwards and clearly seeing the love that the team had for him, did you not think it at any point during that - I wonder if that man should actually be the captain? And then this week, I saw the press conference with Razor and Scott Barrett sitting next to him, and I had the same thought, but the mirror of it, which was - should that man really be the captain? It just didn’t feel the same, you know what I mean.  And this is nothing against Scott Barrett, who clearly comes from a lovely family and seems like a fun guy. 

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!  What do we make of Health NZ's new proposed 24/7 visitor policy? No one seems to be a fan of it - is it a terrible idea?  The All Blacks got thoroughly trounced over the weekend and suffered a historic defeat to the Springboks in Wellington. Are some new changes needed? Does the team need a new captain - or new coach? The Government has launched an inquiry into Eden Park - and whether current rules are holding the venue back from reaching its full potential. Do we think this is the way to go? Can we do anything about the e-scooters? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More events across the board could be coming to Auckland's Eden Park. RMA Minister Chris Bishop will lead an investigation into local rules impacting the number of concerts and sporting events that can be held and curfews impacting how long they can run for.   Currently, only 12 music events and 25 night-time sports fixtures can be held each year, while conferences can't have more than 2000 people.   Tourism Minister Louise Upston says Eden Park should have the flexibility to host any large-scale event that boosts the economy. "Whether it's an add on to a convention that we're hosting at the NZICC for 3,000 people and they want to do a dinner offsite and Eden Park makes sense - we want to be able to just get on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of Christian leaders who have chained themselves to Nicola Willis' Johnsonville electorate office are vowing to stay there overnight. They want an urgent timeline from the Government for implementing sanctions against Israel over the war in Gaza. Reverend Mel McKenzie says they're fasting in solidarity with the people of Palestine. "We're just so focused on the suffering that's happening in Gaza and we're doing what Anglican and Catholic priests do - which is to pray and fast." Nicola Willis says she supports the right to peaceful protest - but adds their presence is blocking the public's access to her office and its staff members who would otherwise be able to provide help to the community. Five clergy were trespassed from Simeon Brown's Pakuranga electorate office earlier today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relief from the nurses union over Health New Zealand's decision to review a hospital visitor hours expansion.  The agency was intending to introduce a policy allowing nominated family members to support patients in hospital 24/7, outside visiting hours. It will now review this following feedback.  Healthcare Assistant and Nurses Organisation delegate Al Dietschin says there are no restrictive policies around family support currently.  "While it's good to have family support, we shouldn't be doing it at the expense of a shortage of HCAs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's running its eyes over rules for big events at Eden Park - hoping to attract more money to Auckland.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the Government will investigate changing the rules if they hinder economic growth. Currently, only 12 music events and 25 night-time sports fixtures can be held each year, while conferences can't have more than 2000 people.   Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's likely the Government will move ahead with these changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.