Larry Williams Drive

The sweeping loss for Peter Dutton's Liberal National coalition in the Australian election likely has long-term implications for the party going forward. Anthony Albanese has become the first Prime Minister since 2004 to win back-to-back elections, with an even larger majority than his last.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says nobody saw this political 'blood-bath' coming for the opposition. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors have gone up the NRL ladder after a heart-stopping 30-26 NRL victory over the Cowboys in the Magic Round in Brisbane. The first five first half tries had the Kiwi side up 28-12 at the break before the Cowboys surged back with three tries in eight minutes. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recapped the action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A West Auckland butcher says a lot of shoplifting is too small to bother reporting.  A Retail NZ survey has found 40 percent of retail crime goes unreported.  Butcher Reuben Sharples says for small amounts it's not worth the hassle to get CCTV footage together to send police.  He says they only report on bigger robberies, which get a bigger police response.  "We've had break-ins, we've had thousands...around Christmas time, I had 4,000 turkeys stolen." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Albo’s massive win across the ditch on Saturday, I can see a lot of commentators are tempted to blame it on Trumpism - in the same way they blamed the Canadian election upset on Trumpism. But I'm not convinced they’re right - at least not in the way they think they are.  What these commentators are saying is that Trump has given Canadians and Australians the ick so badly that they voting against anything that looks like him: Dutton in Australia, Poilievre in Canada or just right-wing-ism in general. I don't think that’s what happened here. Look at what’s happening in New Zealand at the moment  - the two parties in our parliamentary system that would probably share the greatest number of policy positions with Donald Trump are NZ First and ACT - and both are polling much higher than they historically have. But also, those commentators seem to be conveniently forgetting what just happened in the UK on Friday night - which is that the Reform Party absolutely swept the local elections in

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 2 May 2025, Heather and Deborah Coddington pay tribute to their good friend, Sir Bob Jones. Jones passed away today after decades as one of the great characters of NZ politics and business for many decades.  There's speculation that Shortland Street might not be coming back next year with TVNZ refusing to confirm that its future.  Former Minister for Women Jan Tinetti goes head-to-head with Heather to convince her that the job of Women's Minister shouldn't be done away with.  Plus, the Sports Huddle debates why Auckland Council isn't just saying "yes please" to a new stadium paid for by billionaires at Western Springs.  Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour is calling for culling of the government.  He’s floated a policy that would reduce the number of ministers and government departments, calling into question the necessity of some.  Racing, Hunting and Fishing, Hospitality, Space, and Child Poverty Reduction were a few he named.  Jan Tinetti is the former Minister for Women and Child Poverty Reduction, and she told Heather du Plessis-Allan the reason these ministries exist is to take a specialised look at issues.  She says that while they are often covered under other portfolios, they would simplify the issues far too much, and we wouldn’t get anywhere in solving them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Court's adjourned for the weekend after day four of the accused mushroom killer trial in Melbourne.  Erin Patterson's estranged husband took the stand once again, presenting a series of texts demonstrating a strained relationship between the accused and his late parents.  Herald Sun reporter Brooke Grebert-Craig told Heather du Plessis-Allan the messages also highlighted the pair's on and off dynamic.  She says they had a friendship going until 2022, when it turned sour over tax returns and child support.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A short term as US National Security Advisor for Mike Waltz, who's been removed from the role by Donald Trump.  Current Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take over the job in the interim, as Waltz has been nominated for Ambassador to the UN.  This comes after he says he inadvertently added a journalist to a Signal group chat, where officials planned military strikes in Yemen.  US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that no one really believes this is a promotion for Waltz.  He believes Trump wanted to avoid the criticism that would come if he fired him altogether, and this has been coming for some time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A passionate author and a man with a sharp wit and unapologetically colourful personality who shaped New Zealand politics.  Sir Bob Jones is being remembered by friends, former MPs, and current political leaders.  The property investor, ex politician, and boxing aficionado died at his Wellington home today at 85, surrounded by family.  Sir Bob grew up in a state house and made his riches in the world of property.   Former Act MP and friend of his, Deborah Coddington told Heather du Plessis-Allan his actions were different from his words, which you shouldn't take too seriously.  She says he was very generous with his money, offering a scholarship for refugees to go to university.  Coddington says he was a realist, who always found the funny side of life.  She describes him as very well read, clued-in about world affairs and politics, and a good writer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speculation's flying around about the future of Shortland Street.   The prime-time soap opera's lost its head writer to the UK and other staff have reportedly been told to find new jobs.   TVNZ hasn't confirmed the show will return next year.   Former South Pacific Pictures managing director John Barnett says the show scaled back its set and storylines when it transitioned from five days to three days a week.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's also been tough to attract audiences with changes in viewing habits.  Barnett says in the meantime, going to three days a week hasn't been nearly as profitable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politicians are among those paying tribute to prominent businessman, author, and former politician Sir Bob Jones.   The 85-year-old, who launched the New Zealand Party in the 1980s, has died peacefully at his Wellington home.   Labour Leader Chris Hipkins described him as a colourful character, saying there’s no doubt he impacted the political landscape, while Christopher Luxon described him as a legend, and paid tribute to him as a businessman.  NZ Herald Political Editor Thomas Coughlan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to break down the responses to Jones’ death.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Napier residents will still be able to dance the night away.  The City Council has rejected a proposal that would force bars to close an hour earlier – at 2am instead of 3.  It was part of the city’s draft Local Alcohol Policy.  Councillor Richard McGrath told Heather du Plessis-Allan that though they had evidence that connected alcohol and trouble, there didn’t seem to be a correlation between that and age.  He says that in the same time period, there was roughly an equivalent amount of harm in a suburb with two alcohol licenses as there was in the suburb with the nightclub – an area that has up to 30 licenses.   McGrath says that in his view, there’s no evidence its the clubs and pubs causing the problems as opposed to off-licenses and house parties.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Very sad news this afternoon that Bob Jones has passed away.  It's not altogether a surprise – he was getting on in age, and he had been feeling unwell and slowing down for at least a couple of years.  But still, it is the passing of a great, colourful, larger than life character.  I can’t remember when I first met Bob, but I've known him for close to twenty years.  He was actually the first person I saw at my wedding on my wedding day... because he was leaving.  I was late —which frankly is a bride’s prerogative— but he was so cross at how late I was that he stormed out of the wedding, bumped into me outside, fortunately turned around and went back in.  And then afterwards, he gave me a rundown of the things he enjoyed and didn't enjoy about the wedding, inducing: could’ve kept the champagne and canapes going for longer and could've skipped the dinner.  He gave some pretty unusual life advice.  When I was pregnant with my son, we had dinner with Bob one night and he sp

Voters across the UK are set to vote for a new lawmaker, councillors and mayors in the coming days in the local elections. This local election is predicted to favour the right-wing populist Reform UK party - led by Nigel Farage. UK correspondent Enda Brady says people are divided about Starmer's performance as Prime Minister - and Farage has managed to attract plenty of coverage in the lead-up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has signed a deal with Kyiv to share profits from the future sale of Ukraine's mineral reserves - after months of tense negotiations and an infamous meeting in the White House. The two countries have agreed to establish a reconstruction investment fund to spur Ukraine's economic recovery from its war with Russia. New Voice of Ukraine editor says this is a better deal than the previous one on offer - but there's been criticism coming out of Ukraine about it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The next set of unemployment figures are due to be released next week - and speculation indicates they'll go up even higher. Unemployment was sitting at 5.1 percent at the end of last year, according to the data. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann speculates ahead of next week's release. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 1 May 2025, the Health Minister has called striking doctors back to negotiating table. Doctors union boss Sarah Dalton speaks to Heather. ACT leader David Seymour wants to cut a significant number of Ministries to save more money but he won't say which ones he would cut. The ComCom explains why it won't do a market study into the price of air travel in New Zealand. Plus, a groundbreaking new study has for the first time linked vaping with irreversible lung disease. 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.

Tonight on The Huddle, CTU economist Craig Renney and journalist Clare de Lore joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  David Seymour has made some suggestions about the ministries he would cut down or scrap altogether. What do we think? Do we agree with this idea? The Greens have unveiled a plan to create 40,000 new 'green jobs' as part of their alternative budget due out in a couple of weeks. Do we support this concept? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, I've done a bit of an exercise today. I started reading the news this morning, and I was really quickly struck by how many opinion pieces and comments of outrage there were over the Government removing the voting rights from prisoners. There was, just by my account, two full opinion pieces by academics, a newsletter that landed in my inbox, a left-wing blog post, outrage from Labour, and outrage from the Greens. So when I saw that, I thought, jeez, there's quite a lot coming from these guys. It might be interesting to compare this to how many opinion pieces and comments of outrage there are about the four killings currently in the news that have all been committed by people either previously in jail or previously in mental health care. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, it's the man who has now murdered twice and been found insane twice. It's the two murders by Hill Morton mental health patients, and it's the murder by the parole rapist in Christchurch. All of them have been in the news just i

Air New Zealand wants to tap into more sustainable aviation fuel - to meet net zero emissions by 2050.  It's aiming to cut well-to-wake jet fuel greenhouse gas emissions by 20-to-25-percent in five years, compared to pre-Covid.  Air New Zealand's Kiri Hannifin says this is the main way airlines can de-carbonise.  She says sustainable fuel is costly, but there's ongoing work looking at keeping airfare prices fair - especially for domestic travel.  "Why it's so expensive at the moment is because there's hardly any available, so the more demand there is, the more supply there'll be available - and that will help get the prices down." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.