Larry Williams Drive

A temporary shutdown may be on the cards for fertiliser manufacturer Ballance as it struggles to secure affordable gas. The farmer and grower co-op says it may close its Kapuni plant for up to four months as a contingency. The company manufactures about a third of New Zealand’s urea fertiliser each year. Chief executive Kelvin Wickham says they aren't able to secure gas on a long-term basis.  "We are hunting for short-term gas - and if we can find some short-term gas, we'll use that. But if we can't, then we'll be forced into a short-term shutdown." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's putting product labelling regulations under the microscope in another attack on red tape. The Ministry for Regulation's reviewing labelling standards, and expects to be finished by the end of the year. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Minister for Regulation David Seymour has pointed out the compliance standards companies are subject to - and he's looking to make some changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Government is facing renewed calls to increase the GST, but hand taxpayers a hefty rebate set to shield low-income earners. The new proposal, put forward by teal independent MP Kate Chaney and economist Richard Holden, would raise the GST from 10 percent to 15 percent. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this change would leave Australia's lowest earners better off than under the current system. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Mo'unga will return to New Zealand Rugby next year, via the NPC with Canterbury. The 56-test All Black has signed an 18-month contract to return to New Zealand Rugby in July next year - after three seasons playing in Japan. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some Auckland ratepayers have been getting nasty surprises when opening their newest bills for the year. The Herald has identified a number of properties who've been overcharged, including a $3.9 million multi-unit property with an incorrect $444,766 - 11.4 percent - rates bill. Auckland Council Group chief financial officer Ross Tucker says they process the rates bills for a huge volume of properties in Auckland. "The best information we've got is - we think it's quite isolated...the four properties where there's been some issues are not just a single property, single house, it's ones where there's multi-units. That's one rates bill that covers multiple units." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taxes must rise in the coming months in order to reach financial targets, according to one UK-based economic think tank. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research recommends 'a moderate but sustained increase in taxes' to cover a £41.2 billion gap. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Building Nations conference kicked off today, with the nation's major political parties seemingly aligned on future infrastructure. National's Chris Bishop and Labour's Kieran McAnulty spoke this afternoon, and they appeared to be united about future partnerships. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Government debt levels are rising globally - with many at risk of permanent structural deficits if they can't bring down interest bills each year. Cutting spending and increasing taxes is an unpopular concept among voters, so experts are wondering what the next steps could be. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rugby Australia has confirmed the rule restricting how many overseas based players Wallabies coaches can pick has been scrapped. Rugby Australia has since claimed the rule hasn't been enforced for some time. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Conor English from Silvereye communications joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The latest report into our grocery sector found the duopoly continues to be highly lucrative, and Kiwis are paying the 5th highest prices in the OECD. Are we sick of all the talk about this? Can we expect the Government to do something?  The Government is set to scrap the fuel tax and replace it with road user charges for everyone. Will this change really make it fairer for all drivers? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 6 August 2025, Transport Minister Chris Bishop explains why he's replacing fuel taxes with road user charges for everyone - and how long it's going to take to actually happen. Unemployment has risen to 5.2% - the highest rate since 2020. So how much worse is it going to get? The Grocery Commissioner Pierre Van Heerden tells Heather supermarket competition is still a big problem looking for a big answer. Foodstuffs boss Chris Quin explains why New World is yet again running out on its most sought after promotional product. Plus, the Huddle on the surprising number of shots that police fired last year. 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 the Government just announced what they’re calling the biggest change to road funding in 50 years. Once these changes kick in, petrol taxes are out and RUCs - road user charges - are in, for everyone. Not just truckies, not just EV drivers, not just diesel users, every single one of us. This is not really a surprise, the Government flagged this two years ago. But now the work is starting and Cabinet has agreed to start changing the law on it. And generally, I think this is a good idea. It’s going to make it more transparent, as most of us have no idea how much we’re paying to use the road because it’s hidden in the petrol cost. But once it’s stripped out, it’s going to smack us in the face every month - or however often - we pay that bill. And it’s actually a lot, tax makes up almost half the cost of petrol. It’s also going to, if designed properly, change our behaviour for the better. Heavier cars should end up being charged more - as they should - because they do more damage to t

New World shoppers have been left disappointed by the supermarket's latest giveaway, as key items have been running out weeks into the promotion. The braiser is both the most sought after - and most expensive - item up for grabs, but many customers have reported a shortage of stock. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says 70,000 of these braisers were ordered, but the company didn't expect this level of demand. "Guessing what mix of the five or six items we have in this promotion would be desired and where they would sit - we get international advice, we get local advice, we give it our best shot." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Competition's lacking in the supermarket sector and Kiwis are struggling to put food on the table.  The Commerce Commission's Annual Grocery Report's revealed our grocery prices are the fifth-highest in the developed world.  It highlights the market isn't supportive of new players, and major supermarkets continue to wield power over smaller stores. Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden says extra competition is key to bringing prices down more. "That's why we're so focused on using all the tools we have available to ensure that we do get competition going in the market for the long term."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says the petrol tax needs replacing - to keep up revenue for maintaining roads. Chris Bishop's announced universal road user charges will be implemented for all vehicles, to be paid like a bill. The Government wants payments to reflect road-use, not a vehicle's fuel-efficiency. Bishop says with 350,000 hybrids on the road, fewer people are paying fuel taxes. He explained the national land transport fund's revenue is slowly diminishing - which is needed to maintain existing roads and build new ones. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand businesses owe more than $1.4 billion in unpaid GST and PAYE from the 2025 tax year, according to new reports. Of 2025's number, $432.9 million relates to employer activities and $1.047 billion to GST. IRD Customer Segment Manager Tony Morris says this data's in line with what's happening overseas - but it's an area they aim to put more focus on. "What we're seeing is a bit of an increase in the amount of companies getting in debt - and some of those are the ones that possibly would have failed earlier during Covid. So we're definitely seeing an increase." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sluggish job market is another bump in our road to economic recovery, according to some recent predictions. The unemployment rate's sitting at 5.2 percent - its highest point in five years.  In late 2021, it was just 3.2 percent.  Westpac senior economist, Michael Gordon, says it shows our economic slowdown's ongoing.  He says it's not too surprising, given the Reserve Bank's moves to control inflation.  "I think we're getting towards the end - we have seen economic activity picking up, but it's just not coming through in terms of businesses needing to hire just yet."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has unveiled a new plan designed to level the playing field for all motorists. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop's announced the Government plans to implement universal road user charges, to be paid like a bill. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this sounds like a good concept in theory, but there's some key flaws. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon Musk’s reputation has taken a noticeable dive, according to the most recent data. Gallup surveyed Americans about what they thought of  14 well-known U.S. and global figures, with 61 percent of respondents having an unfavourable opinion of Musk. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says that other people in Trump's inner circle also had negative net favourability ratings, with RFK Jr and JD Vance underperforming in the poll.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fishing practices are facing a major overhaul, on a scale not seen for decades.  Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says his new reforms remove obstacles to growth, for the $1.5 billion dollar industry.  The changes include simpler land and discard rules for fishers on monitored vessels - and the exclusion of on-board camera footage from the Official Information Act. Sport Fishing Council President Scott Macindoe says he doesn't approve of these proposed changes. "Anyone who takes these proposals seriously and takes them forward into legislation - we're staggered. Nothing of what we've offered has been taken seriously." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.