Larry Williams Drive

Better, faster, cheaper's the aim of the newly announced refresh to Auckland's transport governance.   The government's introducing legislation to strip Auckland Transport of many of its powers - handing responsibility for major roads to Auckland Council, and local roads to community boards.   Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan the council should be able to make decisions, as going through Auckland Transport is frustrating.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump hosted a tech get-together with some of the biggest names in modern technology.   The CEOs of ChatGPT, Google Facebook and Microsoft were all present at the high-profile dinner hosted by the President.  Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley told Heather duPlessis-Allan that Trump’s former right-hand-man and CEO of Tesla Elon Musk was invited but did not attend.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major study by Auckland University has found that playing high level rugby increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's and other brain diseases. Former male high-level players in New Zealand face a 22% increased risk when compared to men in the general population. NZ Rugby's General Manager Steve Lancaster told Heather duPlessis-Allan that, 'the research that's just been published actually makes it very clear that it doesn't establish causation' He believes that although there is correlation, there are too many external factors in play.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Batteries are the most confiscated items at airports.  Auckland airport alone reportedly confiscates nearly 500 batteries every single day, then donates the batteries to those who need them.  Civil Aviation Authority General Manager Warrick Burr told Heather duPlessis-Allan that passengers ‘have an opportunity to learn the rules’ before having items confiscated.  He said that batteries must be securely stored in hand luggage and not touching any other batteries.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nigel Farage came to Washington to meet with US officials - and managed to get some digs in about his homeland. The Reform leader declared that Britain had 'become North Korea' in regards to free speech. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Equity markets have taken a turn this September, and it's prompted concerns among experts. Markets are softening a bit, which is a remarkably regular occurrence in September.  Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds reveals what's going on. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Victoria University academic has apologised after making public comments suggesting dairy industry leaders should be hanged.  Dr Mike Joy, a senior research fellow at the Wellington university and freshwater advocate, made a LinkedIn post suggesting the dairy industry was putting people at risk nitrate contamination of drinking and groundwater. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government has confirmed it aims to ramp up its deportation figures and deport more criminal residents. Does this go far enough? Do we support these changes? Ikea is finally set to open in New Zealand this December. Are we going to go check it out? Māori Party MP Takuta Ferris is in hot water after making a racially charged social media post about a diverse group of Labour MPs who were campaigning for Peeni Henare. What do we think of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 4 September 2025, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford explains why the Government is looking to deport more immigrants who turn criminal. Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche reveals whether he would consider axing the Ministry for Women. All Blacks assistant coach Scotty Hansen admits that there are some nerves ahead of the big clash against the Springboks at Eden Park this weekend. Heather speaks to Ikea boss Johanna Cederlöf about the big opening day - and those infamous meatballs. Plus, the Huddle debates an uncharacteristic apology from the Maori Party.   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.

So I'm going to suggest that Erica Stanford is on the right track with wanting to make it easier to deport criminals, but maybe she doesn't go far enough. So at the moment, the rules are that we cannot deport criminals if they've been here on a residence visa and they've been residents for more than 10 years. An example of this is the Mama Hooch brothers. These guys are not Kiwis. You know the ones I'm talking about, down in Christchurch. They're not Kiwis, they're Aussies and they don't have citizenship here, they don't have Kiwi passports. But even though they are two of the country's worst sexual offenders, we cannot deport them back to Australia because they've been here in New Zealand as residents for longer than 10 years. Now, Erica Stanford is proposing to change the rules so that that gets moved out to 20 years for anyone who's committed a serious crime like murder, rape, or manslaughter. Now I would say, scrap the time limit altogether. It doesn't matter how long you've been here

There's been some new proposals regarding the future of housing density in Auckland, and it's prompted plenty of debate and discussion. The draft plan would see more dense housing built around key transport hubs, like the new City Rail Link. Housing Minister Chris Bishop says Auckland needs to allow for more housing, and there's a long-term plan in place for the city's future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Commissioner says he doesn't want to see the public service slashed and burnt.  Earlier this week, the New Zealand Initiative called for a culling of our 43 Government departments to just 20.  Sir Brian Roche says everything's on the table - but the changes need to be measured.  "The Initiative is one world view, I think these things have to evolve. I don't look at this being a big bang, we don't want to go through big slash/burn downsizings, those things are debilitating and I don't see those being required at this point." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halfback Kyle Preston is poised for a test debut off the bench for the All Blacks against South Africa on Saturday at Eden Park in the Rugby Championship. The Crusader's backing up Finlay Christie, who's been named to start with Cortez Ratima ruled out due to an injury. All Blacks assistant coach Scotty Hansen says experts confirmed Ratima wasn't fit to play this time round. "It wasn't an option this week to play him."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister's admitting his decision to request Heath NZ and the senior doctors union go to arbitration is unusual.  Heath NZ's agreed to participate in arbitration in an effort to resolve 12 months of collective agreement negotiations.  The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is yet to respond.  Minister Simeon Brown says his request comes after the union indicated it's looking at striking. "I guess it's unusual in that I'm asking both parties to come to the table. I've formally written to them, but I have been saying for some time that we have to negotiate these deals. Striking's not the answer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Immigration Minister says changes to deportation laws were started because of the Mama Hooch rapists' case.  Erica Stanford is proposing to make deportation possible for visa holders who've been here less than 20 years and also committed a serious crime.  That's up from the existing 10 years - and could also apply to historic crimes.  Stanford says Australian serial rapists Danny and Roberto Jaz currently can't be deported because they've been here over 10 years.  "This is where all this work started from, which is just toughening up to make sure that we can deport people who've committed serious sexual and violent offences." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defence Minister Judith Collins has just returned from visiting Ukraine - and says she's seen first-hand the heartbreaking human cost of war to its people. She says Russia's illegal invasion's brought misery and destruction to the Ukrainian people for three and a half long years. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the trip further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search for alleged cop-killer Dezi Freeman is still ongoing, but his wife is also the subject of an investigation as the situation continues. Freeman is accused of gunning down two officers before disappearing into the bush, but authorities have evidence to prosecute the fugitive's wife, Amalia Freeman, for obstructing police at the time of the shooting. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Amalia Freeman and a 15-year-old were arrested during a raid last week, but there's been no update since. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wallace Sititi will start at number eight for the All Blacks against South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday, sliding Simon Parker to six and Ardie Savea to start his 100th test at openside. Halfback Cortez Ratima's been ruled out with a rib injury, allowing Finlay Christie to start and Kyle Preston a probable debut off the bench. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks Robertson's selections further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's only three months until New Zealand's first Ikea store opens its doors in Auckland's Sylvia Park. The Swedish furniture giant's 34,000 square metre store will host seven-and-a-half thousand products. It'll also see its restaurant open with foods like its famous Swedish meatballs.  Ikea NZ Market Manager Johanna Cederlöf says they've already hired 200 people, with 320 more joining soon. "Every week, it's going to be very busy - so approximately 30 to 80 people joining and onboarding themselves to what will be ahead of them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is planning a new law in England to stop anyone under the age of 16 buying energy drinks from supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and other retailers. Up to one third of UK children are thought to consume these types of drinks every week, despite protective measures existing in some stores. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says experts have linked energy drinks to headaches, sleep deprivation, heart problems and seizures - and concerns have been raised. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.