Larry Williams Drive

A switch to rugby league is almost certainly off the table for rugby great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. The three-time Olympic sevens medalist is emerging from international retirement to have a crack at adding to her two Rugby World Cup gold medals later this year. Woodman-Wickliffe had a move to the NRL-W blocked this year due to her ambassadorial role for union's premier event. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has revealed that New Zealand will be extending its military assistance in support of Ukraine's self-defence until December 2026. Luxon says this announcement signals New Zealand's ongoing commitment to Ukraine in the fact of Russia's aggression. Vasyl Myroshnychenko, the Ukrainian ambassador to New Zealand and Australia says Russia won't be giving up any time soon - and support is still needed. "Russia is belligerent, Russia is authoritarian, and Russia is not giving up on Ukraine, so we do still need to have a strong army - and New Zealand's Government is making a very significant contribution to improve on our military capabilities, for which we are extremely thankful." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The day to day implications of a landmark UK court ruling - that the term woman refers to biological sex  - are not yet known. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled the definition of sex is binary and cannot apply to those with a gender recognition certificate. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains what this ruling could mean going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With China and the US promising trade war escalations, economists are speculating about the future of the tariffs and how they'll impact global economies. Some have have drawn parallels with the Great Depression - and warned the world should be prepared for a downturn.  Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and Craig Renney from the CTU joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Labour is talking up the potential of a snap election, saying 'we are ready'. Do we think there's a chance Winston Peters is going to blow it all up - or is Labour just stirring?  Do we think Simeon Brown is being too hard on the senior doctors - given how badly we need them in this country? New Zealanders’ concerns about the impact of climate change has declined to 69 percent from 76 percent in 2022 and 80 percent in 2023. Why do we care less?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it is the agriculture sector that's pulling New Zealand out of a recession. Luxon spoke about the success agriculture was seeing on a trip to Taranaki on Thursday where he met with local businesses and trades. He said agriculture was the 'backbone of New Zealand' and praised how much it generated for the nation.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows inflation's gone up again - and there's concerns about what it could mean going forward. The latest Stats NZ figures put the rate at 2.5 percent, up from 2.2 percent three months ago. It's the first time it's risen in almost three years. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this could mean for the state of the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 17 April 2025, the cost of living is on the rise again so will the OCR keep falling? KiwiRail apologises for misleading customers about compensation. A lawyer explains the implications of the UK's Supreme Court ruling on what defines a woman. Auckland FC co-owner Ali Williams in studio with Heather to talk about his proposed new stadium for Auckland ... and his helipad application. Plus, the Huddle gets fiery when Heather asked if senior doctors deserve a payrise. 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.

Genesis Energy has confirmed it plans to shift its focus over to coal, as gas production declines and no other suitable sources have been found. Genesis has made clear it sees a declining role for gas in electricity generation - despite the Government's attempts to get offshore oil and gas exploration going properly.  Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie isn't surprised by this - given the associated challenges.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that the term woman should be based on biological sex.  The judges ruled that the 2010 Equality Act's sex based protections only apply to biological women.  The decision has been hotly contested after the Scottish Government argued that transgender people with a gender recognition certificate were entitled to them.  Liam Hehir, partner at Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers, says it's a significant ruling for the purposes of the Equality Act - but it has its' boundaries.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've got a lot of time for Simeon Brown - he's a very good politician, but I reckon he might want to take the advice of Chris Hipkins - a man who was also once the Health Minister - and just tone down the fighting talk. Because accusing the striking senior doctors of the worst kind of politics is not going to help anyone. The only thing that is going to help right now is money - and he is simply going to have to pony up the cash and pay those doctors a lot more. Look, I know, there will not be a lot of public sympathy for doctors who are on that kind of money - whether it's $350,000 like Simeon claims or only $250,000 like the doctors claim - it doesn't matter whether we think they're paid not enough or too much What matters is what the rest of the world pays, because that’s who we are competing against for senior doctors.  NSW, I've been told, is the part of Australia that pays senior doctors the least, and their starting pay is more than what our senior doctors get on the highest level here.

The Greens are reiterating the importance of combating climate change, concerned Kiwi buy-in appears to be fading. An Ipsos report shows the proportion of New Zealanders concerned about the impact of climate change in Aotearoa has fallen from 80 percent two years ago - to 69 percent. Greens Environment spokesperson Lan Pham says ignoring the climate crisis, will not make the problem go away. "We know communities are really struggling at the moment - and it's hard for people to think of the future when they're actually having to focus on surviving the cost of living crisis." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US tariffs are expected to impact our next inflation figures, according to new reports. The rate increased in the three months to March to 2.5 percent - up from 2.2 percent to December. Petrol, milk, cheese, eggs have all gone up, alongside a dip in prices for international flights and games. Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan says the new tariffs could push inflation down because of weaker demand. "And we know there will be some cost pressures that do rise because of the changing trade situation. So it's mixed, but the sentiment is pushing towards maybe a little less inflation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interislander's operator is promising to cough up for ferry disruptions. A Commerce Commission investigation found KiwiRail may have breached the law by suggesting cancelled sailings were out of their control. Mechanical events leading to cancellations will now almost always trigger compensation. Chief customer officer Adele Wilson says people incurred some high costs from cancellations.  "As we were trying to catch up the schedule, we had another event - and so people who'd been rebooked, unfortunately some of them were delayed again." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour has clarified it does not support Te Pāti Māori’s policy for Māori to receive New Zealand Superannuation seven to 10 years before everyone else. Labour’s finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds declined the opportunity to shoot down the idea when first asked to share her view - but the party has since confirmed their stance. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says Labour's initial hesitancy in clarifying their stance here doesn't paint a good picture of the party's future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's AUKUS deal is facing additional pressures as the US is calling for an increase in defence spending. The US and the United Kingdom have both launched reviews into the multi-billion-dollar submarine deal amid production and tariff-based concerns.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says costs have already blown out to over $400 billion and counting. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The departing head coach of the Wellington Phoenix women's footballers concedes he's unsure what's next. Paul Temple has not been offered a contract renewal and will wind up with his side's final game of the season against Western United on Sunday. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New images have given Aucklanders a closer look at the Western Springs Stadium proposal backed by Auckland FC and their billionaire owners. The images and a new video feature in a campaign to generate public support for the stadium, which has been called Auckland Arena. The website said there would be zero cost to the ratepayer with $300 million in private funding secured already to deliver the project. Auckland FC co-owner Ali Williams says Aucklanders deserve a smaller, intimate 'family-friendly' stadium - and this presents the perfect opportunity.  "You've got to remember that the sport is not just about the product on the field, it's about the vibe outside the field, around the field, it's about families feeling comfortable, it's about people being passionate and bringing communities together."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New digital border checks expected to hit millions of people travelling to and from Europe are set to come into effect this October. The new Entry/Exit System will replace current passport stamping, requiring visitors from outside the EU to register fingerprints, a photo, and passport details to enter the region. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this is expected to be a 'complicated' process set to lead to delays. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour is staying tight-lipped, as Te Pāti Māori says Māori should receive New Zealand Superannuation seven to 10 years before everyone else. Meanwhile, the Green Party supports lowering the age of eligibility for Super for some groups in society. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says this has prompted a divided response. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.