Larry Williams Drive

The Police Minister says we must always keep an eye on corruption. An independent advisory panel has urged the Government to act against organised crime networks targeting Pacific borders. The report highlights the risk people working in customs and immigration will be targeted by bribery and corruption, to let groups smuggle in goods. Mark Mitchell says New Zealand's not immune to bad behaviour. "The key to it is acting on it quickly and making sure that it's purged out of our police." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of lawyers are taking the Government's climate policies to court. Lawyers for Climate Action have filed a judicial review, calling for a probe of the coalition cancelling the previous Government's projects - under the emissions reduction plan. They claim the plan fails to uphold the Climate Change Response Act. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan explains why this is taking place - and what could come of it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Triple-murder-accused Erin Patterson's cross examination continues in Australia.  The 50-year-old is accused of intentionally serving a poisonous mushroom dish to her estranged husband's family in 2023. She maintains her innocence. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Erin Patterson has been accused of multiple inconsistencies - and appeared 'discombobulated during the trial. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Blacks midfielder Ngani Laumape believes Moana Pasifika can win Super Rugby while he's there. Laumape has signed a two year deal, returning to Super Rugby for the first time since leaving the Hurricanes in 2021. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proposed anti-stalking laws are being strengthened - following recommendations from Parliament's Justice Select Committee.  Originally the proposed offence, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison, captured three specified acts within a one year period.  It'll now be triggered after two acts within two years, which Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says better recognises patterns of behaviour and the time that can pass between incidents. He explained they took feedback on board - and agreed to make some changes. "What we've seen is plenty of evidence that, in certain circumstances, these sorts of stalking behaviours can lead to more serious outcomes - and we're all aware of terrible examples of that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A British photographer has been hit by non-lethal rounds during protests in Los Angeles.   He has now undergone emergency surgery and is recovering at Long Beach Memorial Medical Centre. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US share markets have continued to pick up recently, sparking discussion among experts. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains the factors behind the change. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City Council is being called on to review its rating system over fears increased rates are driving businesses out of the capital. Newly released figures show Wellington’s average commercial rates bill is $47,881. That compares to $20,716 in Auckland, $18,059 in Christchurch, $24,768 in Hamilton, and $25,670 in Tauranga. Director of The Wellington Company, Ian Cassels, says there's a lot of overspending going on - with 'eye-watering' levies impacting businesses. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! NZ Rugby boss Mark Robinson has officially stepped down from the role. Are we surprised by this? How will he be remembered? The Auditor-General has pointed out some very lavish spending by some school boards on parties, overseas travel, and building work. What do we make of this? Is it normal to be an adult who's never tried KFC? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 9 June 2025, NZ Rugby's boss is calling it quits, and ZB Rugby Editor Elliot Smith has got the scoresheet on his performance. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says yet more action is coming on to crack down on the supermarket competition. Heather reckons schools need to take a long hard look at themselves, after the Auditor General pointed out excessive spending including overseas holidays, Pilates classes and lavish parties. The mystery author behind the unauthorised Jacinda biography reveals themselves. Plus, the Huddle was on fire, talking inappropriate school spending and is it normal to be an adult and never have tried KFC? 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.

Deputy Prime Minister Nicola Willis says the Michael Forbes situation is awful - but police have to have discretion.  The Prime Minister's acting deputy press secretary quit last week, over allegations he took compromising recordings of sex workers and photos of women he didn't know. Nicola Willis says these issues need to be managed well and she says the Department of Internal Affairs looking into the matter is positive.  She says police do have discretion, which is important.  "So it's never appropriate for ministers to dive in and say - we think you should prosecute this person or that person." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who thinks that Mark Robinson resigning from New Zealand Rugby today is a shock clearly doesn't follow rugby's dramas with their brain fully turned on. This was not a shock at all. Anyone could see this coming. This was coming the minute that David Kirk took over as the chair. Now, I don't want to be seen to be saying that David Kirk forced him out. It is, in fact, quite possible that Mark Robinson just read the room and left of his own accord first - but it was always going to happen, wasn't it? Because David Kirk is the new broom, and the new broom generally gets rid of things that aren't working. And unfortunately for Mark Robinson, that wasn't working. Now, I've got no hard feelings towards the guy. He seemed like a really easy bloke, but he has not had the most glorious 10 years, has he? When he brought in the Silver Lake deal, which has yet to bear any fruit despite all of the drama it caused - and boy, did it cause drama. He totally stuffed up the Fozzy situation when he trie

The author of an alternative Jacinda Ardern biography says his book's different - because he's spoken to people across politics.  The Former Prime Minister's memoir, A Different Kind of Power, hit shelves last week.  David Cohen says he's writing his own book, backed by alternative news website, the Centrist. He expects it'll be out later this year. He says he's proud of the fact it brings in a multitude of voices - which he claims other Ardern biographies haven't done. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Robinson's underlined dealing with Covid-19 as the biggest challenge of his tenure as New Zealand Rugby chief executive. Robinson will stand down at the end of the year, to move to Australia with family. He was only three weeks into the job in 2020 when the pandemic hit - shutting down the game. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says this is the right move. "There's clearly a movement for change in New Zealand Rugby, Mark Robinson's got some family in Australia - so I think, ultimately, it's probably a good time for everyone to clear the decks." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland home values have fallen, down nine percent on CVs released in 2021. New capital values are being released tomorrow for 630,000 properties, with inner-city suburbs taking a bigger hit. Central Auckland areas - including Mount Eden and Maungakiekie - fell about 13 percent. Auckland Council Group CFO, Ross Tucker, says a few reasons have driven the slump. "We've seen apartments fall 12 percent, converted flats fall 12 percent as well - also, we're seeing some of the areas where there's a lot of development potential have bigger than average falls." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party is speaking out over Israel stopping a civilian yacht carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted a yacht carrying prominent activists - including Greta Thunberg. Its Foreign Ministry says they're safe, and the cargo will be taken to Gaza.  But Green Party co-Leader Marama Davidson says that's not good enough. "We want to see Israel stop shooting at innocent people lining up for a kai and we're calling on the Government to sanction Israel for its violent occupation of Palestine." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour’s Willie Jackson says Te Pāti Māori needs to compromise and focus on the main issues facing New Zealanders, like health and housing, following three MPs’ sanctioning in Parliament this week. He’s also responded to comments from Kiri Tamihere-Waititi, the partner of Te Pati Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi and the daughter of the party’s president, John Tamihere. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says it's clear Labour's not impressed with Te Pāti Māori's more 'theatrical' antics as of late. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Government is set to make some tax changes - and it's got people worried about the future. Labor is looking to double the levy for to 30 percent for people with at least $3 million in their superannuation, with experts claiming at least 80,000 Australians will be impacted. Australian correspondent Sam Emery says there's plenty of vocal opposition to these changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Fox has brandished the three wood - as Chris Wood and the All Whites have cheered him on to a Canadian Open victory. The New Zealand golfer's won the title in front of a group of All Whites players, who are in Toronto between games in an international friendly tournament. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers has launched a petition calling for KiwiSaver rules to be changed to help young farmers get their foot on the ladder. The petition’s launch has been timed to coincide with Fieldays, where thousands of farmers, industry leaders and politicians will gather at Mystery Creek. Federated Farmers' banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says farming is very capital intensive and young farmers need a boost in the name of fairness. "Kiwi farmers are really struggling to put that money aside and a lot of them are actually deciding not to put money into KiwiSaver and basically scrimp and save because they know they need all the money they can get to actually get their foot in the door." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.