Larry Williams Drive

Auckland's mayor is calling for more leadership - and labelling the city's innovation and tech sector 'random'.  Wayne Brown has laid out a to-do list for central Government before it releases its Budget this month.   He wants a tourist bed tax, looser transit visas, and more preparations for major population growth.  Brown says a bed tax would fund bigger projects he has planned for the city - and he's hoping the Government will reconsider one. "We've just had two-thirds of the Aucklanders thinking it's a hell of a good idea to get some funds in to watch big events - and the hoteliers up here think it's a good idea." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a big day in the world of New Zealand golf, as Ryan Fox walks away with another sporting achievement. A playoff victory at the Myrtle Beach Classic in South Carolina makes the 38-year-old just the ninth Kiwi to win on the Tour - and first in a decade. NZ Open tournament director Michael Glading says this is a 'game-changing' moment for Fox. "It's just fantastic for him - he was in a position a couple of years ago where he could have joined the LIV, but he chose to go on the PGA tour because ever since he was a kid, he wanted to play the PGA Tour." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour's denying the Coalition's back in choppy waters over National's proposed social media ban.  Education Minister Erica Stanford is looking into ways to restrict access for under-16s. Prime Minister Chris Luxon claimed Seymour's on the same page, despite the ACT leader calling it unworkable.  Seymour says he still has questions about how it's possible.  He says within days of the Bill coming out, Luxon admitted more work was needed - which proves his point.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister says she's excited to expand maths tutoring - after a pilot with 3,000 children launched. About $40 million will go into small-group tutoring in years seven and eight.  It's part of a $100 million boost in maths funding over four years, announced as part of Budget 2025.  Erica Stanford says just 20 hours of tutoring is already producing a marked improvement.  She says it's great for students.  "They can now be involved in the whole class teaching because they understand the concepts - so it's been massively positive across the board." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister won't comment on the resignation of New Zealand's second most powerful cop, Jevon McSkimming. The Deputy Police Commissioner had been on suspension since December - but Police Minister Mark Mitchell has now confirmed he's resigned with immediate effect after new serious allegations. Mitchell says the Prime Minister had already been considering recommending the Governor General immediately remove McSkimming from office.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls explains further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Liberal Party MPs will meet tomorrow to vote in replacing defeated opposition leader Peter Dutton. As well decisively losing to Labor's Anthony Albanese - Dutton also lost his long-held Queensland seat.  Deputy leader Sussan Ley, shadow treasurer and immigration minister Angus Taylor and Dan Tehan are among the leading Liberal party contenders. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Angus Taylor is currently the front-runner ahead of tomorrow's vote. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A hectic few hours for Ryan Fox in the wake of one of the biggest triumphs of his golfing career. He's won on the PGA Tour for the first time - chipping in from off the green to win a three-way playoff at the Myrtle Beach Classic in South Carolina. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes that tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers will do the trick.  The Government's establishing a presumptive sentence of vehicle destruction for street racers, those who flee police, and intimidating convoys.  Police will also get greater powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas.  Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden has voiced support for these new measures. "Hopefully, this sort of implementation of this sort of policy will be a deterrent for them all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 9 May 2025, the Government is pushing ahead with its review of the Waitangi Tribunal. Minister for Maori Development Tama Potaka tells Heather whether the tribunal is going too far. Plus Erica Stanford talks through the changes to the redress scheme for victims of abuse in state care. We find out more about the new leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV and speak to Cardinal John Dew who was in the conclave itself. Heather has plenty more to say about the state of New Zealand Rugby finances. 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.

Sports Journalist Lavina Good and Newstalk ZB's Adam Cooper join the Huddle.  The Huddle discusses Netball New Zealand's current rules stating players must play in the ANZ Premiership to be available for the national team.  Nine Kiwi crickets have left Pakistan as the Super League transfers to the UAE amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.  Where does this leave the players? New Zealand Rugby has posted huge losses despite a record income last year. Could we expect job losses?  The Huddle discuss all this and more.  LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has agreed to cut tariffs on UK autos, steel and aluminum in a trade deal. In the deal, the United Kingdom will buy more US beef and ethanol, streamlining it customs process for goods from the country. Who came out better in the deal? UK Correspondent Gavin Grey discusses the terms, the impact on domestic industries and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade officials from the worlds biggest economies are coming together for discussions this weekend.  US-President Donald Trump says tariffs on goods from China may come down.  Asia Business Correspondent says people shouldn't get their hopes up.  "These aren't really negotiations about trade, they're talks about having talks," he said.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It didn't take long for cardinals to decide on Leo XIV as the new pope.  One of the cardinals in attendance was New Zealand's very own John Dew.  He joins the show to discuss what his experience in Rome was like.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The IRD has uncovered more than $150 million is undeclared tax and GST from the property sector. Developers and rental property owners haven’t been paying the correct GST, income tax and bright-line test taxes. Inland Revenue Senior Manager Tony Morris talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the revelation. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Catholic Catholic Church’s new pope is already making headlines for his criticism of his President Donald Trump. Auckland Bishop Steve Lowe says as pope, Leo XIV will occasionally weigh into politics. “He’s got to uphold the teachings of Jesus Christ and sometimes that might come into conflict with some political leaders around the world,” he said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are at all interested in understanding what's going wrong at rugby headquarters in Wellington, can I recommend that you read Gregor Paul's piece in the Herald today? It's an excellent summation.   The question that we had yesterday when we were looking at the financials was how on Earth is it that New Zealand Rugby pulls in more money than it ever has in a financial year and still manages to not make a profit? How do you do that? The answer is it seems going by Gregor's piece, it's just wasteful spending and spending in the wrong places.   For example, New Zealand rugby spent more than seven and a half million dollars last year on paying board members and executives. That is more than the seven million it spent on Heartland rugby teams last year and it is more than five and a half million it spent on its five Super Rugby clubs. No organisation should spend more on the people running the thing then on the thing itself, that's nuts.   New Zealand Rugby flew two board members, Dame Patsy Re

The Government has announced how they will pay compo to victims of abuse while in state care. There will be no new compo scheme, instead the Government will top up the current system. Lead coordination minister Erica Stanford talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the payment cap, how much is set aside financially, the pay equity bill and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Any changes to the Waitangi Tribunal will be introduced before the end of the year. The Government’s announced a review will kick of mid-year, with any advice to be given to the Government by September. The Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says it’s timely. “It runs enquiries according to very, very old legislation ... and the way it conducts itself needs to be modernised,” he said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History has been made with the Catholic Church electing the first pope from the United States, Robert Francis Prevost.  He has a history of missionary work in Peru and is said to have a keen grasp of the inner workings of the Church. The US-UK trade deal remains vague - but markets are responding positively.  US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about all things US news.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s announced a review into the Waitangi Tribunal will begin shortly. The review was announced on Friday by Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka, who said it would ensure the tribunal “remains focused, relevant, effective and fit for purpose”. Political Editor Jason Walls says no one should be surprised this is happening. “Every time Christopher Luxon has talked about the Waitangi Tribunal, he essentially says it has been removed from it’s brief.” LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.