Larry Williams Drive

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

The Privileges Committee report on Te Pāti Māori's haka last year will be debated and voted on next Tuesday, with Parliament's Speaker calling the proposed punishment 'very severe'. The Committee suggested Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke be suspended for seven days - and co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi for 21 days. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacked the ongoing issue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golfer Ryan Fox admits his preparation for the PGA Championship - starting tonight - has been the opposite from his ideal buildup to a major. The Kiwi secured entry by winning the Myrtle Beach Classic via a playoff in South Carolina on Monday. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has landed in Indonesia as part of his first overseas trip since his election victory earlier in the month. Albanese is set to stay there for one full day before flying to Rome to meet European leaders and attend the pope's inauguration mass. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explains what this means for Albanese's key foreign policy priorities for his second term.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's leader says he would reverse the Government's pay equity changes - but that doesn't mean going back to how things were before.  Laws passed under urgency last week halted 33 existing pay equity claims, and increased the threshold for future filings. Chris Hipkins says he can't be specific about which settings Labour would reinstate if returned to Government next year.  He explained they don't want to do what National did - and again halt claims that might be 18 months down the track. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are looking noticeably left in the lurch without the Kremlin's leader.  Vladimir Putin has backed out of a face-to-face meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Turkey - and US President Donald Trump followed suit soon after.  It may have shattered other world leaders' hopes of a resolution.  Ukraine ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko says the meeting now has little point. "We clearly see that Russia is not interested in peace, Russia is interested in continuing to wage war." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 9-year-old Auckland boy has been told he can no longer play age-grade rugby with his friends because he’s over the weight limit. The student was one of 106 children who applied for a weight dispensation in the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union club competition - and after being denied, has opted out of playing any winter sport this year. The union explained structures are in place to ensure player safety and fairness in competition. Rugby commentator Kevin Putt says safety concerns have impacted other decisions made by clubs. "You know that they've actually taken away tackle...they had ripper rugby going for years. We're talking now about an exclusion of an individual - they're trying to save the game as it is at the moment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year’s Primary Industry New Zealand Award finalists have been announced. The seventh annual awards are part of the two-day Primary Industry New Zealand (PINZ) Summit, at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on June 24 and 25. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government has warned prisons are running out of room - and they're aiming to get new structures built to address the shortage. Three new prisons - totalling £4.7 billion - will be built, starting this year. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Is the proposed punishment for the Māori Party too harsh? Gerry Brownlee says it's severe and is suggesting Parliament can still change its mind. What do we make of this?  Drug tests have found more workers are doing meth. Do we think we should start testing more workers, even in white collar jobs?  A nine-year-old made headlines after being rejected from his rugby grade due to his weight. What do we think of this? Is this a safety concern? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Butter, cheese and milk were the biggest drivers of a rise in food prices for the year to April 2025, new figures from Stats NZ show. Food prices increased 3.7 percent in the 12 months to April - well ahead of the annual inflation rate at 2.6 percent. That follows a 3.5 percent increase in the 12 months to March 2025. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what's going on. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report suggests the increase in domestic air fares may be due to a lack of the right planes. In particular, airlines don't seem to have access to suitable 19-50 seat passenger aircraft. Air New Zealand has abandoned some of their regional routes - but the gap in the market hasn't been filled. Air Chathams chief commercial officer Duane Emeny speculates further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up to 15 metro-style Briscoe and Rebel Sport stores will be popping up across the country - in a bid to pump up Briscoes Group's profitability. The project will cost more than $100 million dollars - and launch in 2028.  Briscoe Group managing director Rod Duke says the company is looking to expand their reach to new locations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Speaker believes suggested punishments for three Te Pāti Māori MPs falls short. Parliament's Privileges Committee has recommended suspensions for the three - for their protest haka during voting on the Treaty Principles Bill.  Parliament will vote next Tuesday on whether to suspend the co-leaders for 21 days, and MP Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for seven. David Carter says the haka was 'intimidating' and 'unacceptable'. "And then to refuse to appear before the Privileges Committee - again, it's yet another contempt of the rules of Parliament." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.