Larry Williams Drive

Ten people went on trial in Paris charged with online harassment of Brigitte Macron over the latest case linked to unsubstantiated gender claims made against the French first lady. This trial comes after she and President Emmanuel Macron filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States in connection with false claims that Brigitte was born male. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Macron's daughter Tiphaine Auziere also testified on her mother's behalf. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 29 October 2025, teachers resistance to the new school curriculum is in full swing. History Teachers' Association chair Craig Thornhill explains the problems he sees.   Transport Minister Chris Bishop explains why he wants you to only get your WOF every two years rather than every year. Bill Gates says we worry too much about climate change - and there are more important things to fix more urgently. Climate change professor Adrian Macey reckons he might have a point. Heather argues Chris Luxon can relax a bit now that we've seen Labour roll out policy - in quite a shambolic fashion. Plus, the Huddle debates climate change doomsayers and the capital gains tax. 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.

Labour recently confirmed it aimed to campaign on the introduction of a capital gains tax on commercial and investment residential property. Leader Chris Hipkins also claimed the money raised would be used to fund the health system, but questions have been raised over whether this proposal can work. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny weighed up the idea, and whether Labour can be trusted to spend the money wisely. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a tough couple of years for the economy, but there's hope things will pick up sooner rather than later. There's been an improved outlook on the NZX and NZME recently posted that it had upgraded its earnings forecast. Jeremy Hutton from Milford Asset Management explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If yesterday told us anything, it's that National doesn't have to replace Chris Luxon as urgently as some in the party were saying just a couple of weeks ago. Because if Labour carries on like they did yesterday, National is probably going to be fine for next year, aren't they? That chat, by the way, was real. There really are senior people within the party who think that Chris Luxon needs to be replaced. And from the sounds of things, they were starting to get pretty anxious in the last few weeks because of the recent polls showing Labour pulling ahead and Luxon getting less popular. Surely they're gonna be feeling a little better today, because what we learned yesterday is Labour looks credible - until they start talking. The minute they start releasing policy, it goes south. Yesterday, they couldn't even get the policy out without it being leaked first. And then they did manage to get it out and it was the same old 'come for your money' that Labour always reverts to - and then Chippy wasn't at al

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Bill Gates has cautioned against the 'doomsday' view on climate change and claimed there's more urgent things to worry about. Do we agree with the calls for calm? Education Minister Erica Stanford unveiled some new changes to the social sciences off the back of the maths and English updates - and some educators have voiced concerns? Do they have a point - or is this just a fear of change?  Labour's capital gains tax has spent a full day in the public arena - do we think this will impact their changes of getting back into Government?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rate Labour settled on for its capital gains tax policy is partially below the recommendation made by the tax working group six years ago. The proposed 28 percent rate would apply to commercial and investment properties from July 2027 - with the revenue going towards health system. Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale weighed up whether this proposal would bring in what Labour's promising. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billionaire Bill Gates is shifting his tone on climate change, cautioning against a 'doomsday' future view.  In a lengthy online memo, the Microsoft co-founder says he still believes it is a major problem needing solving. But Gates says innovation and breakthroughs shouldn't come at the expense of funding global health or development.  Victoria University adjunct professor of climate change, Adrian Macey, says he agrees. "I see what he's saying is - don't assume it's going to be Armageddon if we sail past the 1.5 degrees, which we have already, but think about the positive things you need to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Community groups and charities successfully turned the Government view on giving them a share of online casino profits. It originally set the duty in new laws for licensed online operators at 12 percent, but from today that's risen to16.   Four percent will be ring-fenced specifically to go to community groups, in similar fashion to physical casinos. North Wellington Football Club president, Fraser Kirby, says that's a step in the right direction. "I think the positive is that all of the community groups that raised concerns around this have all been listened to, and the bill's been revised accordingly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aucklanders are about to have short-term free taxi rides to the heart of the city. The 'Straight to the Heart' service launching tomorrow - across Ponsonby, Newmarket, and Takapuna - lets people hail a retro red taxi, with no booking needed. It'll take passengers to a surprise - or requested - central location.  Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck says this is running until November 16, and it's a way to rediscover what Auckland has to offer. "It's about the experience, getting people back into the rhythm of coming here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is looking to broaden the social science curriculum, but it's prompted concern from some educators. The Education Minister today unveiled proposed changes to content for Years 1-10, on top of the English and Maths refresh announced earlier.  History Teachers' Association chair Craig Thornhill says there's lots of interesting topics being proposed, but no proper structure. "They all seem to be quite free-standing and there's no way for students to join the dots between those topics. The other key concern is the sheer amount of content - for example, students in Year 0-8 are only going to have three hours a week to learn this stuff."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appeared to correct the Prime Minister for taking credit on a trade deal. Chris Luxon has confirmed New Zealand is one of a handful of nations that now has a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN - and posted that he made a deal with Southeast Asian nations. In a since-deleted tweet, Peters corrected Luxon with one word - 'we'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper speculated on why Peters deleted the comment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricane Melissa is moving towards eastern Cuba, weakening further to a category three storm. The National Hurricane Center is still warning of powerful effects as it moves across Cuba and the Bahamas. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the hurricane's hit Jamaica hard, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds impacting the area. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Silver Ferns won't lack for belief heading into the deciding Constellation Cup netball test in Christchurch tonight. Australia leads the series 2-1, but if the Ferns win they'll force a tiebreaker - consisting of two seven-minute halves of overtime to determine the series winner. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's pushing ahead on updating land transport rules - kicking off public consultation today. It's considering simplifying heavy vehicle permits, and adding safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking. It'll also look at inspection rules for passenger vehicles like taxis and rentals, and lighter-vehicle Warrant of Fitness checks. Transport Minister Chris Bishop says these changes will hopefully reduce costs for drivers, but also keep people safe on the road. "In some places, you don't even have to have a regular inspection at all. The reality is, cars are safer than they've ever been, and technology has advanced." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles has been heckled in public about his brother's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As the King visited a UK cathedral, a man bellowed out questions about Prince Andrew. UK correspondent Elizabeth Callaghan says this is another 'huge embarrassment' for the royal family - on top of the growing scrutiny. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Companies sharing small numbers of subscription passwords to access paywalled news content may face legal scrutiny. Business website NBR has reached settlements with three major corporates, including a national law firm, for what it calls the 'illegal stealing of its content'. NBR owner Todd Scott says this case is a 'friendly warning shot' for the impacted companies.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh attention on rural areas reeling from last week's severe weather. Southland, Clutha and Kaikoura are still under States of Emergency  - and more than 8,000 properties in Southland and Otago are still without power. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 28 October 2025, Labour has confirmed its worst case secret: a Capital Gains Tax will be brought in if Labour wins the next election. Heather asks Chris Hipkins about all the ins and outs of the new policy. Netball NZ Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie says it wasn't a mistake to stand Dame Noeline Taurua down - but can't say what changes will be made when Taurua returns as coach. Teaching kids consent will be mandatory for schools soon, but sex education therapist Jo Robertson says we could go further. Finance Minister Nicola Willis encourages Air NZ's new boss to tidy his own house first before asking the Government for money. Plus, on the Huddle, Josie Pagani tries to convince Heather and Trish Sherson of the need for a CGT. Good luck Josie! 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.

Well, I don't know what's worse for Labour - the fact that they've announced a capital gains tax policy again today, or the fact that someone leaked it and forced them to announce it in a rush. Obviously, it does suck for them that somebody leaked it first, because it means that they were so unprepared that they had to rush-job announce it in an email at 3:05 this morning. And then Chippy had to cancel his morning radio interviews so that he didn't have to answer questions about this until he was ready - and then they had to get ready and call themselves a rush-job press conference where they all looked furious, and they stumbled over their words. Honestly, you haven't seen such a sad line-up of people announcing something they're proud of. This is the second policy announcement that Labour has managed to stuff up in just about a week's duration - which hardly looks convincing, does it? But then it also sucks for them that this is the policy that they're taking to the election, because I don't care what the B