Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 24 April 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis defends her Family Boost package after revelations that way fewer people are qualifying for the full amount. ACT's Laura McClure is ringing alarm bells over ACC's policy to target Maori and Pacifica manufacturing workers - and we get a late back-down from ACC Minister Scott Simpson. Should we be spending more taxpayer money on locally produced reality TV content? Plus, the Huddle debates whether we should continue paying for new cars for our ex-Prime Ministers. 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.

Now, listen, I hope that this ACC business is a Scott Simpson problem and not a National problem, but I'm starting to get a little worried about it - because this is at least the 3rd case of race-based stuff still happening under National when we thought National was going to put a stop to it. I mean, with the free GP visits in Hawke's Bay for Māori and Pasifika kids and no one else - at least that stuff could be blamed on rogue public health staff, and it was killed as soon as we discovered it was happening. And at least with the co-governance stuff that's going on in the Waitakere Ranges - at a stretch, we may believe that the Government didn't know about it. Maybe. But this ACC stuff, the minister knows about. And even though he was told about it, he's not gonna stop it because as I told you in the Newsroom article, he stands by ACC - and he thinks it's okay.Now, I reckon this is gonna be just a little disappointing to a whole bunch of voters who put this Government in power to stop this race-bas

New reports indicate Donald Trump is considering slashing tariffs on Chinese goods by more than half. No announcements have been made yet- but tariffs could reportedly come down to between roughly 50 percent and 65 percent, according to one senior White House official.  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis says China has signalled it's open to trade talks - as officials believe this is the US blinking first in the trade dispute. "They see it as vindication of President Xi's strategy - which is to hang tough and not to be bullied and not to negotiate under duress." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doctors are welcoming an inquiry into the prescriptions from medicinal cannabis clinics. The Medical Council's leading the investigation following patient complaints they weren't properly briefed on non-cannabis options at the clinics, or about the ongoing costs and side-effects of cannabis. The Royal College of GPs Medical Director Luke Bradford says regulation of the clinics is overdue. "Medicinal cannabis is lacking in evidence and should only be used once all other options have been trialled. And that's not happening in these clinics."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing calls among industry experts for the Government to give NZ-produced reality shows a funding boost. Local versions of shows like Married at First Sight and The Block currently don't get the 40 percent screen production rebate available to other programs - and Kiwi TV broadcasters are hoping to turn that around. SPADA President Irene Gardiner says these shows were originally funded by advertising revenue - which has dried up in recent years. "What's happened in our local industry is because of years and years of the big tech-ers operating here without regulation - advertising revenue has massively reduced and the spend that the big networks have for local content has basically gone down." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT is criticising ACC measures that aim to reduce disproportionate workplace injuries among Māori and Pasifika. It's written to the ACC Minister, asking if targets with an ethnic focus match a Cabinet requirement for need-based public service. Act MP Laura McClure says she hasn't seen evidence to back the targets. "It's completely lazy - and I actually think it is a bit racist to say one particular group of people needs specific targeted training." ACC says it's confident its services are based on need, not race. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is preparing to tweak the Family Boost payment plan, admitting IRD had the wrong numbers on eligible families. Data to April 9 reveals 249 families received the maximum payment of $975 dollars a quarter - since the scheme came into effect last year.  Nicola Willis had said 21,000 families were eligible when launching the policy, but now concedes the modelling was wrong. She says she wants to make sure families in need get the money. "We put aside hundreds of millions of dollars for this policy because the uptake has been lower than the IRD basically estimated - we're not on track to actually get all that money out the door." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a new push for changes to the FamilyBoost scheme, after the Government incorrectly estimated the number of families eligible. New data shows 249 families have received the maximum payment of $975 dollars a quarter since the scheme came into effect last year.  21,000 were originally forecast to be eligible. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan explains the impacts that come with this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An elderly man was recently the victim of a fatal stabbing in Darwin - prompting outrage and concern from residents. Northern Territory Police have arrested the 18-year-old suspect over the death of  Linford Feick, 71, who ran the Friendly Grocer store in Nightcliff in the region's north. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the 18-year-old had only just been granted bail for sexual assault charges - and shouldn't have been out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Embattled ventures into America in other sports aren't swaying New Zealand Cricket boss Scott Weenink's confidence in their new investment. They've become the first national body in the code to invest in a franchise T20 league - taking a stake in an expansion team in North America's Major League Cricket. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wheels are in motion for South Auckland's Mill Road project. Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced $91.1 million has been approved for completing design and consent work on the Manukau to Alfriston sections. It includes a four-lane general traffic corridor, with a westbound bus lane at the northern end. Bishop says the road will be tolled - allowing the road users to help pay the cost of the road. "All the new Roads of National Significance that we want to build around the country - we said, as a starting point, they will be tolled, because that's a way of bringing forward the investment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis' body has been moved to St Peter's Basilica, in front of crowds of worshippers.  The late pontiff lies in a simple coffin of wood and zinc, wearing a red robe with a rosary in his hands.  The Pope's coffin will remain there following the Liturgy until his funeral on Saturday. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says crowds are coming in to pay tribute - and tens of thousands will be expected to come through in the coming days. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister has adamantly denied any suggestions of the Government trying to interfere in the Reserve Bank. Critics have raised concerns that the Reserve Bank's temporary Governor and Chair are acting to appeal to Nicola Willis' interests. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 23 April 2025, two days, two shocking twists in the case of the disappearance of John Beckenridge and his stepson Mike. The Herald's senior crime reporter Anna Leask tells Heather why a key witnessed changed his story at the last minute. Donald Trump says huge tariffs on Chinese goods will come down in a first sign of a major backdown. Former ambassador to the US Tim Groser speaks to Heather about when to take Trump at his word - and when not to. Plus, the Huddle gets fiery over Winston Peters' attack on RNZ - was it inappropriate or did he have a point? 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, Jack Tame, host of Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Labour wants Chris Luxon to tell Winston Peters to back off after the latter had a fiery interview on RNZ this morning - and his threat to cut RNZ's funding off. Was he right? Was it appropriate? New Zealand is pledging more money and support for Ukraine - do we agree with this move? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the negative press and volatile climate, some financial markets have managed to hold up solidly throughout 2025. The consumer staples industry - food, beverages, household products - and all the brands tied to that sector have managed to stay strong throughout the year. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand now has access to a brain health screening service - lauded by a former All Black - designed to identify and support those with dementia and other cognitive issues. All professional rugby players, no matter their age or stage, encounter brain health concerns attached to concussions or repeat head knocks. A new online test, designed by medical experts and rolled out by World Rugby in Ireland, Australia, Wales and South Africa has now been launched in New Zealand. NZ Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol says these tests are incredibly thorough - and these results are sent over to experts to set up potential appointments.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston's in trouble with the opposition again, isn't he? He's in trouble with the opposition - yet again, someone in the opposition's gone crying to daddy, calling on the Prime Minister to sort Winston Peters out. I mean, last time this happened, it was because he was mean to old 'Bussy Galore'. This time, it's because he's threatened to defund Radio New Zealand. Now he did this this morning in what I consider to be a highly entertaining tantrum, actually, because he got cross at RNZ for getting cross at him because he wants to define what a woman is in law. Now, this crying to daddy business that's going on about Winston is utterly pointless, and I bet you Labour knows it, but they're doing it anyway.  But it's pointless because number one, you and I both know that Luxon is not going to sort out Winston Peters.  Luxon needs Winston more than Winston needs Luxon right now. And number two, Winston is not wrong. Radio New Zealand looks like it is going to lose funding in the upcoming budget - or

It's looking more and more likely that Donald Trump is laying the groundwork for a u-turn on the tariffs implemented on Chinese goods. Tariffs are currently sitting at 145 percent - but Trump recently claimed they'll 'come down substantially, but it won't be zero'. Former NZ ambassador to the US Tim Groser says it's unclear what will happen next - given all the uncertainty Trump's economic policies have created. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wait continues for the Early Childhood Education sector - which has long called for a regulatory refresh.  Cabinet has agreed to 15 changes intended to improve child safety, access to care and centre viability. Early Childhood Council chief executive Simon Laube says it's hard not to get excited about the prospect of changes. "The only thing that's difficult is - we've got to wait another 18 months to get that actually done, but it's great to have a timeline." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.