Larry Williams Drive

Interislander's Aratere is heading towards its final journey - as work is underway to get rid of the Cook Strait ferry's decaying dock. Infrastructure is needed for new ferries, arriving in 2029, and work to demolish Aratere berth will in the coming months. It'll spell an end to the ageing ferry's operation because it can't use other Interislander docks. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacks this announcement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has celebrated the 100th day of his second term - and he spoke to party faithful at a gathering in Michigan. He spoke of his achievements in the role, mocked his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, and dismissed polls that showed his popularity slipping. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump's trying to reassure people as the mass dissatisfaction over his tariffs draws backlash - and impacts the stock market.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indian Panthers CEO Parveen Batish has admitted players were unpaid while appearing for the franchise in basketball's NBL. League officials say they're considering options regarding the Panthers futures after meetings involving all 12 clubs today. The new side's game against the Canterbury Rams last night was canned at the 11th hour. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legal expert has raised issues with the Government's plan to reinstate a total ban on prisoners voting in general elections. The Government is proposing to reverse changes that let prisoners with sentences under three years vote, with the Justice Minister saying this sends a message to those who breach their civil responsibilities. Electoral law expert and barrister Graeme Edgeler has taken issue with the 'randomness' of this proposal. "If someone's got a life sentence or 10 years or something, they're going to miss out on voting at elections - but someone who's maybe got a one-year sentence, the question of whether they get banned from voting turns on whether they got sentence in 2023 or 2025."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 29 April. 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.

Up to 120 jobs are on the line as Fonterra plans to shut its Hamilton packaging facility.  The closures due to 'challenging economic conditions'.  'The Country' host Jamie Mackay talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the closure and the climate debate within the National Party.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employment data out today shows filled job numbers rose 0.2% in March. Primary industries led the growth up 04%. Infometrics Principal Economist Nick Brunsdon says it's a reason to get excited. “It’s to be celebrated after a fair period of decline.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain has declared a state of emergency entire areas of the country and of Portugal are without power. The outage has disrupted trains, cut cell phone and internet networks and trapped people in elevators. Portugal’s power company said it may take a week to get the network back to normal. UK Correspondent Enda Brady joins the show to give an update on the situation. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s halfling their operating allowance in the budget out at the end of May. They say they have freed up “billions” in additional public service cuts to allocate more money into the country’s “most pressing priorities.” Economist Cameron Bagrie talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the announcement. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite reports of critical levels of vacancies for senior doctor positions, Taupō hospital now has accreditation to train rural doctors.  It will be the first North Island hospital to receive accreditation to deliver the training.   Meanwhile senior doctors are still planning to strike on Thursday, despite a new offer from Health New Zealand.  Health Minister Simeon Brown talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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A controversial new initiative to reduce injuries in the manufacturing sector has been put on pause by ACC.  The tender process specifically focused on Māori and Pasifika workers.  ACC Minister Scott Simpson initially stood by ACC, saying its tender “aligns with the Government’s desire to support New Zealanders based on evidence of need”. However, he then U-turned by asking ACC to review the policy after the ACT Party complained.  Scott Simpson joins the show to discuss the initiative.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellingtonians have one less candidate to choose from as current Mayor Tory Whanau bows out of the race. She has instead endorsed Labour’s Andrew Little for the position. Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung is running against Andrew Little, and he talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the race and whether Whanau will now be Andrew Little's deputy. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian Liberal Party leader Mark Carney has won the election, leading his party into a fourth-consecutive term in power. The former Bank of England boss had never held a political role before taking over from Justin Trudeau in March. Canada Correspondent Cat Tunney joins the show to discuss the win and the elections final moments. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is set to half its operating allowance, through a $1b cut in the upcoming budget. It means a small number of government departments will receiveadditional funding this year. Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the cut. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s plan to reduce the operating allowance from $2.4 billion to $1.3 billion is the smallest amount of new spending in a decade. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has decided to make departments metabolise their own spending in order to get books back into surplus. New Zealand Herald Political Editor Thomas Coughlan talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the ‘big’ decision, KiwiSaver subsidies and Tory Whanau dropping out of the Wellington race. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbing incident today heard from the police officer who shot dead the attacker. Amy Scott said she thought Joel Cauchi was going to kill her before she shot him. It’s been revealed that Cauchi hadn’t been treated for acute schizophrenia for five years. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds joins the show to discuss the details, the start of a trial for alleged mushroom poisoning and the NRL’s Welcome to Country cancellation drama. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NRL’s calling on referees to crackdown on head contact. It comes as the sports latest round saw 18 yellow cards. But some are saying it’s part of the game and becoming too strict runs the risk of slowing the game down. Sportstalk host D’Arcy Waldegrave joins the show to discuss how the rules might change, a new game coming to New Zealand that has people concerned. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour’s calling on mayors to help in reducing school truancies. The Associate Education Minister’s asking mayors to use the Government’s new daily school attendance dashboard to understand how regions compare to each other. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says Seymour's plea was vague. “So if he wants to play us a formal role, I think he needs to look at funding us." LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If Nicola Willis can pull this Budget off, it'll be impressive, because she has written a budget, by the looks of things, that is so tight, there is basically no new money. If you haven’t caught up on this, Nicola Willis gave a speech this morning in which she announced she was cutting back her new spending in this budget hugely. Her plan originally was to give herself $2.4 billion extra new money to spend. She’s just announced she’s cutting that basically in half to $1.3 billion. The last time a finance minister had that little to play with was Bill English in 2015 who gave himself only 1 billion in extra money that year. But it gets even better – because all of that money is already spoken for, last years budget promised this year’s budget would spend an extra $1.4 billion on health. Which basically means her $1.3 billion in new spending is already gone on that $1.4 billion health promise ... and she still has to find $100 million to make up the difference. AND ... she’s got to find another $150 millio