Larry Williams Drive

Australia is extending its under-16s social media ban to YouTube. Legislation passed last year excluded blocking the video-sharing service, because of its role in education and children’s entertainment. The ban covered Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. The  co-chair of child online safety advocacy group, Before 16, Cecilia Robinson says YouTube is as big a part of social media as other platforms - and should have always been on the list. "YouTube, and specifically YouTube shorts, operate in the same way as TikTok does. So why they had an exemption in the first place is mind-boggling." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's new CEO appointment isn't a shock within the sector, according to one expert. Chief Digital Officer Nikhil Ravishankar will step up to replace Greg Foran in October. Forsyth Barr Head of Research Andy Bowley says he's unsure whether this appointment suggests a lack of international interest. "There's been a reasonable understanding that he was one of the leading - if not the leading - internal candidates. So in that regard, it's not necessarily a surprise." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's floating the idea of listing KiwiBank on the stock exchange.  Cabinet has given KiwiBank's parent company the green light to raise an extra $500 million. However, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says this won't occur without an electoral mandate. "That will be for individual parties to take a position at the election - but I've been advised that any potential public offering could take place before 2028." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Foreign Minister's agreeing with an Act MP that recognising Palestine while Hamas holds hostages would be 'rewarding terrorism'. Simon Court raised the question in Parliament, after Winston Peters expressed support for a two-state solution - after a ceasefire and hostage releases. International condemnation's growing over Israel blocking aid and starving civilians in Gaza, including children. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says New Zealand will adopt the UK's stance on Palestine eventually, but concerns have been raised. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are scrambling to higher ground across the Pacific, after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's east. It's recorded four-metre waves, with half-metre waves reaching Japan and tsunami alerts in effect for Alaska, Hawaii and the entire US west coast. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Hawaiian residents are 'scrambling' - and traffic is building up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netball New Zealand will dip into its own pocket to keep the ANZ Premiership afloat next year. A one-season broadcast deal with TVNZ was recently confirmed, with the 2026 ANZ Premiership being exclusively free-to-air. Chief executive Jennie Wyllie has not revealed whether players will take a pay cut, but says the governing body must invest. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After many years on Sky, the ANZ Premiership is set to return to TVNZ for the 2026 season. A one-season broadcast deal has officially been confirmed, with the competition to remain in the current two-round format. Sports, Events and Partnerships Head at TVNZ, Melodie Robinson, says this is good news - as there's still a massive fanbase for netball. "We're really excited that all of the ANZ championship's going to be with us next year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer caught up with President Donald Trump during the US leader's trip to Scotland, with experts claiming Trump dominated the exchange. Trump reportedly expressed concerns about the region's wind farms, weighed in on London's 'terrible' mayor, and offered Keir Starmer political advice ahead of the next election. UK correspondent Enda Brady unpacked the exchange further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, CTU economist Craig Renney and Jordan Williams of the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Sir Michael Hill passed away today - what did we make of his legacy and professional advice? What can the rest of the nation learn from him? The Government will run an investigation to clarify whether farm children are safe to collect the eggs and water plants. Have we completely lost the plot here? Should medication always be checked by two pharmacists before it's dispensed? The case of a two-month-old baby dying after allegedly being given an adult dosage by a pharmacy in error has raised concerns. What do we make of this?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy Williamson, head of private wealth and markets at Craigs Investment Partners, recently claimed there was momentum building for Kiwis to move away from investing in property - but one expert has suggested differently. Matt Ball from the Property Investors Federation acknowledged people were getting more savvy about outside investments and that the property market was changing, but claimed the nation's love affair with property wasn't over. "I think the property market has changed, thanks to some initiatives from the Government and I think people will start to take a bit of a different approach. I don't buy this whole - property investment isn't a productive activity." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 29 July 2025, 36,000 nurses are set to go on strike tomorrow. Health NZ's Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard tells Heather the impact on elective surgeries is huge as thousands will have their operations delayed. NZ business legend Sir Michael Hill has passed away. Chair of Michael Hill, Rob Fyfe, tells Heather about the huge legacy he leaves behind, and why setting goals was the most important lesson from Sir Michael's success story. A High Court judge has ordered Oranga Tamariki to pay $108,000 to a former foster family. This is the case of Moana where OT tried to remove the girl because she is Māori and the foster parents are Pakeha. Plus, the Huddle debates whether medication should always be checked by two pharmacists before it's dispensed after the tragic death of a baby. 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 p

Federated Farmers is welcoming new Government proposals to make farm health and safety rules more practical - and grounded in real-world standards. The Government will spend two months consulting with farmers to determine whether farm kids are safe to do certain chores, including feeding animals, watering plants and collecting eggs. Federated Farmers' health and safety spokesperson David Birkett says farmers have raised questions - and the clarification would be useful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A top lawyer working with the plaintiffs in a large-scale banking class action is calling for a formal investigation into the 'serious civil service process failures' by MBIE. Rachael Reed, KC, has outlined her objections in a letter to Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche and Attorney-General Judith Collins, voicing concerns with the Reserve Bank's risk assessment. She says the $12.9 billion figure is 'fantastical' and says it doesn't have a grasp of reality. "It just doesn't make sense on that first fundamental level." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sad news today - Sir Michael Hill, jeweller, has passed away. Again, he's another larger-than-life figure in New Zealand business - the likes of which we don't seem to be making anymore. Now, I don't know if you realize - I mean, we've all grown up with Michael Hill just being a name we knew - but I don't know if you realize how amazing his story was. He did not start his jewellery business until he was 40 years old. Up til then, he'd been working as a manager in his family's jewellery business. He left school at 16 and headed straight there. He was there for 23 years, got married and had a couple of kids. But one day, his house burnt down. And the story goes that when he was watching his house go up in flames - literally - he decided he needed to change things. So he started his own shop and it was a success. It was more successful than his uncle's business. So he opened seven shops in seven years, and that was a success. So he then decided to open another 70 in seven years. And now, his business is global.

Oranga Tamariki is being ordered to pay more than $100,000 after trying to remove a Māori child from her Pākehā foster parents. The agency didn't think they could meet her cultural needs. Family Court Judge Peter Callinicos slammed Oranga Tamariki for putting ideology ahead of a child’s best interests. Children's Minister Karen Chhour says the case highlights why she fought to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. "This just shows what this means in practice - and it's absolutely devastating for everybody involved." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Association says lifting public sector board member paychecks is total hypocrisy.  A quietly-released Cabinet paper reveals annual governance board chair fees have jumped from up to $90,000, to more than $160,000. PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says this decision comes from the same leaders who cancelled pay equity claims and offered meagre minimum-wage increases. "It's astonishing from a Government that was elected on addressing the cost of living crisis - and it seems for low-income workers and middle-income workers, this Government is nowhere to be seen." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tens of thousands of nurses will walk off the job tomorrow. Last-ditch talks between Health NZ and the country's biggest nurses' union have failed to stop a nationwide strike. Health NZ estimates more than 4,000 planned procedures and specialist appointments will have to be postponed. National Chief Medical Officer, Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard, says essential services will continue - but warns people needing non-emergency care should contact their GP or Healthline first. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi business icon Sir Michael Hill is being remembered as one-of-a-kind. He died today aged 86, after a cancer battle. He opened his first jewellery store in Whangārei and grew the brand globally to Australia and Canada. He's well-known for his championship Queenstown golf course 'the Hills' and for founding an international violin competition. Company chair Rob Fyfe says Hill was always a student and never stopped learning. "Whatever he turned his mind to, he brought a vision, a creativity, a sense of aesthetic and design." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A suite of new voting rules has passed its first reading in the House - 68 to 54. Changes include moves to ban same-day enrolment.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says the bill overhauls outdated and unsustainable electoral laws. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there'll be plenty of advertising ahead of the next election - and people shouldn't be enrolling to vote on the day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian exporters may face tariffs of up to 20 percent as US President Donald Trump keeps flagging higher baselines. Trump revealed the range for the new minimum tariff earlier this week, and the pressure's on the Albanese-led Government to strike a better deal. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's unclear how the Government will proceed here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.