Larry Williams Drive

The Finance Minister says the Budget's designed to give businesses even more confidence for the future. The Budget, released on Thursday, will put aside $65 million over four years, for loosening rules that might put off overseas investors from choosing New Zealand. Nicola Willis says we can't let debt keep blowing out forever - and would risk the economy crumbling away if we allow major extra taxes or excessive borrowing.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls speculates about other future changes that could be unveiled ahead of Budget day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grieving Australian families feel 'insulted' by silence around the death of two teens in Laos last year. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles died alongside four others staying at Nana Backpackers hostel - after accidentally drinking methanol in alcohol shots. In latest news, up to 13 people may face charges related to food and health security, eliminating evidence, and unlawful business.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the parents of the victims have been met with silence from Laos authorities - and they're not happy about it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been another successful weekend for Auckland FC - and all hopes are on the Kiwi side ahead of the A-League Grand Final. The Black Knights are returning home with no injury concerns from the 1-nil away win over Melbourne Victory in the first leg of the semi-final. Sportstalk host Jason pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis has come after earlier intense public scrutiny of his health fitness for the presidency.  The former US President has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, with possible treatment available, although it's not curable and has spread to his bones.  US correspondent Jonathan Kearsly says it comes at an interesting time - when his legacy is being questioned.  "Hard questions, obviously, over his health, his mental acuity while he was in office - and now, two days before a book is set to be released about those very concerns." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 16 May 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather why she's begrudgingly signed off on an almost 600 million dollar subsidy for film productions. Woolworths boss Pieter de Wet has hit back at the Government, saying its the cost of GST that's making New Zealand's groceries more expensive than in Australia. Auckland FC Coach Steve Corica speaks to Heather ahead of tomorrow's playoffs game against Melbourne. Plus, the Sports Huddle talks Ryan Fox' big win this week and is First XV rugby better than Super Rugby? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance, who is currently serving a sentence for a rape conviction, is set to be released from prison in Germany later than originally scheduled. Christian Brückner, 48, was convicted of raping a 72-year-old American tourist in Portugal in 2005 and had been scheduled for release in September, but this could now be pushed back to early next year. He has never been charged in the McCann case and denies any involvement in her disappearance in 2007. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the case, the Ukrainian man charged with arson at Kier Starmer's property and more.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trade war between the United States and China has settled down for 90 days. President Donald Trump’s agreed to reduce tariffs by 115 percent. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the developments, Japan’s conditions on singing a trade deal with the US and China’s exports growing sharply - just not in the US. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I just want to be clear, I don't want to start a disagreement between shows here on Newstalk ZB, but I did listen to Mike Hosking this morning talking some smack, and listening to it, I felt, no, I'm gonna have to say something about this just to restore a bit of balance to this debate. In defence of instant coffee, the stuff is great. I love it. I drink it nearly every day, little flat white in the morning, little old school instant in the afternoon. I am, I would like to point out, squarely in the demographic that should be snobby about coffee, right? It should be like fresh beans from Rwanda every day. I grew up on the cafe culture, live in Ponsonby, have some of the best cafes in the country around the corner, but I still write by instinct. Now I don't want to be super unfair on Mike, because obviously he's a legend, but he does some girl math when he wants to. Instant coffee is not more expensive than your ground beans. I mean, if you look at it on the face of what you're paying at the supermarket, yep,

Wellington’s potential next Mayor is making headlines for dishing out suggestions to the current mayor. Andrew Little called on Tory Whanau to not sign any more contracts in the Golden Mile redevelopment – calling it unethical to do so before a new Mayor is elected in October. In a statement to Newstalk ZB, Whanau said candidates “do not have the mandate to demand that our Council cease progress on any democratically agreed-upon projects” Wellington Mayoral candidate Andrew Little talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and Sports Journalist Jim Kayes join Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle. Auckland FC are facing a huge challenge this weekend as they take on the Melbourne Victory. The Sports Huddle discusses if the team’s prepared for the match. America’s Cup fans will have heard the discourse about Team New Zealandsailing in Italy helmed by an Australian. Does it make it less of a Kiwi team? First XV Rugby is set to be televised again. The Sports Huddle debate the relevance of having it return. All this and more tonight’s Sports Huddle. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC have 180 minutes to secure their place in the grand final, when they take on the Melbourne Victory tomorrow. Melbourne Victory are regarded as one of the league’s most dominant clubs, boasting four championships and three premierships. Auckland FC Head Coach Steve Corcia talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan ahead of the momentous game. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports show cruise ships are giving New Zealand a miss. Next season will see a 28 percent decrease in port visits nationwide. Cruise Association CEO Jackie Lloyd says cruise ship companies have a negative perception of New Zealand. “They think New Zealand’s unwelcoming, that we’re not wanting crews, and they’re reflecting that in their deployment decisions for the next couple of years,” she said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Waitangi Tribunal is urging the Government to “immediately halt” the Act Party-promoted Regulatory Standards Bill set to be introduced to Parliament on Monday. In a report, released today, the tribunal condemned the Government not consulting with Māori when developing the legislation, thus violating its Treaty obligation. Author of the bill David Seymour talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The finance minister’s making more commitments ahead of next week’s budget. In her pre-budget announcement, the finance minister said $577 million will be injected into film and television projects over the next four years. Willis said the approach is necessary to compete with our neighbours across the ditch and further abroad. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACC minister’s questioning whether ACC is the right outfit for people needing compensation after experiencing sexual assault. In 2023 the Court of Appeal ruled that sexual abuse survivors were entitled to compensation for the loss of potential earnings from when they were abused. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s not clear what the minister’s intention is. “It sounds to me as if he’s looking to shift this liability to another section of government.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the appeal of three orders to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to someone in the country illegally. Four federal judges have expressed why they believe President-Trump's birthright citizenship is unconstitutional. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about what was said in the court, the latest in hip-hop mogul ‘Diddy’s’ sex-trafficking trial and the price of Donald Trump’s military parade. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors will take on the Dolphins this weekend in a bid to keep their winning streak going. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine says they’ve got it in the bag. “They’re just finding out a way to win the tight wins, whereas last year, they more often than not, didn’t win the tight ones,” he said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Woolworth’s says Kiwi shoppers are getting a good deal from supermarkets. The supermarket giant’s blaming GST for New Zealand’s grocery prices rising higher than Australia and the UK. They say food prices could rise as much as six percent if the government was to intervene. Woolworths interim managing director Pieter de Wet talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the claims. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 15 May 2025, is the proposed punishment for Te Pati Maori MPs too harsh? Speaker Gerry Brownlee says a proposed 21-day ban is very severe and reminded MPs they can still change their minds. Labour leader Chris Hipkins clashes with Heather on the c-word debate. Meth use is skyrocketing, and it's got us asking if more workplaces should test their staff for the drug. Plus, the Huddle debates whether a 9-year old should have been excluded from his age-group rugby team for being too big. 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.

It sounds like Gerry Brownlee thinks that the Māori Party punishment is too harsh. He started Parliament today with the Speaker's ruling and he dropped some pretty strong hints that he thinks that 21 days without pay for Debbie and Rawiri over that haka is too much. He called the punishment very 'severe' and unprecedented because up til now, the harshest punishment has been 3 days, not 21 days. He pointed out that the punishment was only carried by a narrow majority on the Privileges Committee - and that going through with the punishment as it stands will deprive the Māori Party of their ability to vote in the House for several sitting days, and that Parliament does not have to go through with it. He told them that - he said, you don't have to go through with it, Parliament can change the punishment. Now, I can't say I agree with them on this for one simple reason, and that is deterrence. Whatever the punishment is going to end up being, it has to be harsh enough to stop the Māori Party doing this again - or