Larry Williams Drive

Well, US certainly ramped things up over the weekend, didn't it? And if you feel like this is an incredibly serious situation right now, you're not wrong, because there are very few examples - if any - of the US involving itself in the Middle East or surrounding areas and making things better. For the most part, it just ends up backfiring or ending badly. I mean, there are some really obvious ways with regards to Iran that this could go badly. First of all - if Iran wasn't making a nuclear weapon, and I have my doubts about that, but if they really weren't, then this may convince them that they really need to get on and make that nuclear weapon because there is only one way to ensure that you don't get bombed by the US, and that is to have a nuclear weapon. This could also incentivize other countries like Russia to give them a nuclear weapon, which has been a threat from Russia in the last few days. This could spiral into some sort of instability in the country if there's a regime change in Iran that is

The Finance Minister's keeping a close eye on the economic impact of volatility in the Middle East. Economists worry it will impact oil, driving up prices at the pump for Kiwis.  Nicola Willis says this is a concern.  "Our position now is that we support all efforts at diplomacy and de-escalation. That is good for the world." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the recent US strikes on Iran, experts have voiced concerns over whether Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is considered a significant oil 'choke point' with one fifth of global oil supplies and a third of liquefied natural gas passing through it. International relations expert Stephen Hoadley says it's an option Iran's considering - and warns closing it will come with significant implications. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 23 June 2025, David Kilcullen, former advisor to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaks to Heather du Plessis-Allan on the odds of Trump bringing in regime change in Iran. Exclusive polling shows Kiwis don't think Cook Islanders should continue to get automatic access to citizenship, healthcare and superannuation if the country continues with its foreign policy push towards China against NZ's will. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is refusing to tell Heather the price of the new Kainga Ora wool carpets. All Black rookie Brodie McAlister on finding out he'd made the team - and the first person he told. Plus, the Huddle weighs in on the situation in Iran and whether saunas are taking off in NZ. 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.

There's belief the New Zealand-Cook Islands 'special relationship' will hold, despite an unfavourable poll. The Government paused aid after the Cooks signed a partnership with China - without sharing details with New Zealand.  46 percent of respondents to a Taxpayers' Union-funded Curia poll believe Cook Island citizens should no longer have automatic access to New Zealand passports or citizenship. Pacific security expert Anna Powles says she doesn't see that change happening - and there's a lot to lose. "For many Cook Islanders, it's very divided and fairly complex - and there are significant benefits, particularly with respect to healthcare."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has unveiled the 35-man squad set to play France - and there's some new names in the batch. Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister is among the new faces included in the All Blacks squad. He says he didn't get a heads-up about this development - and he says he's in 'shock'. "I'm just looking forward to getting in there and getting stuck in." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Immigration Minister says the first proper data will be collected on the value overseas investors bring to New Zealand.   The Government's confirmed almost 200 applications have been received from overseas investors since settings loosened in April.  Erica Stanford says applicants have six months to find and make an investment. But she explained what happens after the initial funding is often more significant.  "We know through the data that we do have that they invest a whole lot more once they get here and they see the ecosystem and they fall in love with the place - and they're quite big philanthropists as well."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A past-advisor to a former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says a clear and timely assessment of damage to Iran's nuclear programme, is unlikely. David Kilcullen says the US is presenting its strikes as complete destruction. "There's really no way to tell that until somebody gets in there and takes a look - and there's very little chance of that."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than a third of respondents to a poll believe the Cook Islands should still get New Zealand services. Last week, the Government paused aid after the Cooks signed a partnership with China, without sharing any details with New Zealand.  The Taxpayers' Union-funded Curia poll asked participants whether the Cooks should continue to have automatic access to New Zealand passports, citizenship and healthcare when pursuing foreign policy against New Zealand's wishes.    Only 30 percent believed they should and 46 percent said not - with the remaining 24 percent unsure.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacks the results. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia supports the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities - but has voiced concerns about potential escalation. Albanese indicated no Australian resources or support were contributed towards the Trump administration's actions in the Middle East. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the Prime Minister has maintained Iran must not be allowed to possess atomic weapons. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Du'Plessis Kirifi's decision to turn done an offer from Japan has been vindicated. The Hurricanes flanker is one of five new caps in the All Blacks squad to face France. He's also one of only five loose forwards in the 33 names read out today - with coach Scott Robertson opting to maximise game time of those selected. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has expressed interest in scrapping regional councils as part of the new RMA reforms - and it's sparked debate among experts. NZ First's Shane Jones has expressed similar sentiments, having recently told a local Government forum he doesn't see a compelling reason for maintaining regional Government.  Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter says there's a need to amalgamate local authorities. "Local Government's been up for that issue for quite a while for quite a number of years now - it's nearly 36 years since local Government reform gave us the current structure that we've got." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 19 June 2025, New Zealand has pulled almost $20 million of funding to the Cook Islands. Cook Islands News journalist Rashneel Kumar broke the story, he tells Heather how he found out and how terrible our relationship is right now. Kiwibank's Jarrod Kerr is celebrating a surprisingly good GDP number for the first three months of the year - but still thinks more cuts to the OCR are desperately needed to boost the economy. Another talkback-walkback! The Government u-turns on proposed changes to Fringe Benefit Taxes for utes. Heather speaks to the only one person in the country who can prescribe magic mushrooms, Professor Cameron Lacey. Plus, the Huddle debates whether it was a mistake to pull funding from the Cook Islands. 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.

Prime Minister  Sir Keir Starmer recently chaired a meeting to discuss the  UK’s response to the crisis in the Middle East. There's growing concerns the conflict could escalate further, should the US enter the conflict between Israel and Iran. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the UK Government will be weighing up a series of options, as the US hasn't revealed what actions they plan to take. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and Wellbeing Economy Alliance director Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Farmers are up in arms over new changes to the FBT that could potentially impact ute owners. What do we make of this? Do we see the Government changing this? Was it a mistake for New Zealand to pull funding for the Cook Islands? How bad do the optics look here? Shane Jones is floating the idea of getting rid of regional Government altogether. Is this a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Israel-Iran conflict has continued on for a week - and it's seen markets dropping as more fear the conflict intensifying. Experts also believes markets are likely to drop further if the US gets more involved in the conflict. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains the market impact of the conflict. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brendan Attrill, of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki, has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing. Attrill received the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at Tākina in Wellington. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data out of Stats NZ reveals the country's gross domestic product grew by 0.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025. It's a stronger result than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks these results - and voices his concerns about the future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research indicates New Zealand may be removing more carbon than it produces. A new study from NIWA has highlighted a potential carbon sink in Fiordland's native forests - and researchers found our environment absorbs at least 170 million tonnes of carbon per year. NIWA atmospheric scientist Beata Bukosa says it's still unclear where the carbon goes - and more research needs to be carried out. "It's maybe potentially exported somewhere else, so that's something we still need to figure out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers is calling on Revenue Minister Simon Watts to rule out new changes to the Fringe Benefit tax that would impact utes. The IRD has proposed major changes to the way FBT applies to utes and farmers are concerned this would set them back thousands of dollars a year. Federated Farmers' transport spokesperson Mark Hooper says this issue started drawing in more attention post-Fieldays. "We've had a little bit of communication with the minister's office - as I said, we looked at it from a farm perspective, we could see that there were some issues with the categories they had laid out."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.