Larry Williams Drive

The issue of dog attacks is back front and centre after a young girl was attacked on a West Auckland sports field. Auckland Council says the rise of off-leash dogs is a concerning trend. Auckland Council’s Licencing and Compliance Manager Robert Irvine talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about how the Council's monitoring the issue, how the prosecution process works and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After speculation football's A-league final would be held at Eden Park, it's been confirmed it will go ahead at Mt Smart's Go Media Stadium if Auckland FC make it. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joins the show to discuss the advantage of the decision and the Crusaders hosting the Chiefs tomorrow night. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports indicate a 'major' trade deal between the US and UK is set to be announced. US President Trump has teased that a partnership with a 'respected world nation' is in the works - and Downing Street hasn't denied that the UK isn't involved. UK correspondent Enda Brady speculates further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is urging the Government to close farming loopholes before 'more damage is done' to the sector. The organisation want loopholes in the guidance around limits on carbon forestry closed - as concerning news of further whole-farm sales emerges. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're two weeks away from Budget 2025, and the Government has been dropping hints about what we can expect. Prime Minister Luxon recently confirmed the Government will increase total capital expenditure allocated in the upcoming Budget by $400 million. NZ Herald business editor Liam Dann explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Lundy has divided our workplace out there. Some of my colleagues think that it's really gross that the Herald, who we work with, have taken photos of Mark Lundy today after he got out of jail yesterday. Now, the photos aren't anything particularly special - he's sitting in the passenger seat of a car, all you can really see is his face, that funny little beard he's got, some sunglasses and his latte coloured hoodie. It tells you nothing and it shows you almost nothing. And I suspect the reason it shows you almost nothing is because there are very heavy suppression orders about where he lives at the moment. So anything that identifies the town outside of the car, I would imagine, cannot be published. So they're a little bit limited in what they can show you. But even though there's almost nothing to see in these photos, boy, are we clicking on this particular story. It was, when I last checked, the most read and most viewed story on the Herald - so people are interested. And shouldn't the m

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Minister Stuart Nash and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The first photos of Mark Lundy have appeared in the Herald. Should these photos have been released at all? The pay equity saga continues, with protests planned around the country for tomorrow. Did the Government stuff this up? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the end of an era - as WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy after 62 years in business. The company's New Zealand arm closed in-person workshops last year, and it's seen struggles across the world as weight-loss trends change. Nutritionist Nikki Hart says the advent of injectable treatments like Ozempic has played a role in the company's downturn. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 8 May 2025, the Government has been advised to crack down on cash to reduce organised crime. Customs Minister Casey Costello is pondering whether to stop cash payments in sectors like construction. The Herald has released first pictures of convicted murderer Mark Lundy out in public, and Heather is wondering whether it's ick or satisfying what readers want to see. New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson tells Heather why NZR has delivered its third loss in a row despite record revenue. Plus, Rotorua's mayor comes out swinging telling Heather Rotorua is definitely not dying! 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.

Rotorua is hoping to boost its reputation as a top tourism destination - despite some media blowback. TRENZ, New Zealand’s largest international tourism event, just wrapped up - bringing over 1200 travel buyers from 26 countries into the city. Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell disagrees with the claims that the city is 'dead' and says the city is 'smashing it' in regards to tourism. "We were pretty surprised when we saw this very negative media article. Are we surprised... no. Will we fight back? Yes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has posted a loss of $19.5 million for 2024, despite also bringing in record income. The result was announced during today's AGM in Wellington - and is New Zealand Rugby's third consecutive deficit following a $8.9 million loss in 2023 and a $47 million loss in 2022. The national body recorded income of $285 million, in what it describes as being a 'near break-even result', highlighted by growth in commercial revenue. NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson says there's been significant investment in all levels of the game. "The investment has gone into record levels of investment into the women and girls' game, to the work we're doing in content and digital strategy and game development - we've never had higher levels of investment in the community game." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Op-shop rubbish fees are piling up as people dump masses of 'unusable' items outside.  The SPCA says it's spent $250,000 this year.  Retail general manager Cathy Crichton says the charity's grateful to receive donations of quality items - but people also leave damaged or unhygienic items it must throw away.  She says binning large items like mattresses can cost a lot. "That, in itself, is eroding the good work that our volunteers and team members are doing and building fundraising - and that's the commercial challenge." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Encouraging investment is a top priority in this month's upcoming Budget, according to new reports. Prime Minister Chris Luxon says it'll come from a small number of measures, including more funding for a R&D tax credit. BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard says New Zealand is currently one of the hardest OECD countries to invest in. She says the new agency, Invest New Zealand, is one positive measure. "Much more like a concierge sort of treatment for investors - and they will have the door flung open and the welcome mat put out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Customs Minister says using cash can help hide exploitation.  A Ministerial Advisory Group has released its second report - criticising our response to modern crime and money laundering.  It shows cash and assets seized by police total just 4.2 percent of the $1.6 billion criminals make each year.  Casey Costello says cash payments also aren't good for workers.  "In terms of protection of workers and assuring that deductions are being done properly and pay is being managed properly and that they are getting all their entitlements - the cash process makes it very difficult concerning those things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With two weeks left to go until Budget day, Chris Luxon addressed a crowd at a BusinessNZ event in Auckland today. Luxon reiterated that the Government won't be splashing the cash this year - and claimed the Finance Minister was right to promise it won't be a Budget lolly scramble. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says this wasn't the kind of pre-Budget announcement that would make the nation sit up and take notice - and that was by design. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Liberal leadership race is on, following Peter Dutton's sweeping loss in the Australian election. Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley lead the pack as potential contenders - but neither one has been publicly nominated. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Ley has gained more attention - but it's unclear if sections of the party will get behind a female leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruahei Demant has been named at 10 in the Black Ferns side for their opening match of the Pac4 against the Wallaroos in Newcastle on Saturday. Coach Allan Bunting has opted to give his co-captain first crack at first-five in 2025 leaving Hannah King on the bench. Teenage fullback Braxton Sorensen-Magee will debut. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the selections further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's Ayesha Verrall says tobacco's unique harm is why industry links to Government need tighter checks.  She's put forward a Members' Bill designed to ban any linked people working on tobacco policy.  Labour hopes it'll have cross-party support. Verrall says other products, like vaping, don't need such strong restrictions - but tobacco's incredibly deadly. "It kills half the people that use it - we don't have other products like that. So that's why we need this specific focus on tobacco." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A boost in trade for the UK and India after finalising a long-desired free trade deal. It focuses on tariff reductions for British and Indian goods across almost all sectors, with a boost on UK car and alcohol industries. UK correspondent Gavin Grey unpacks the deal further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briscoe Group sales fell 2.58 percent on the year to $178.3 million in the first quarter, weighed down by weaker homeware sales. Briscoes Homeware store revenue fell 4.66 percent to $103.6m compared with the first quarter last year, while Rebel Sport’s revenue grew 0.47 percent to $74.7m. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.