Larry Williams Drive

Long-serving Labour MP David Parker has confirmed he's departing from Parliament.  Parker has been an MP for 23 years - holding portfolios in trade, revenue, energy, and transport. He says it was important that he ended his career on a positive note. "You're never finished in this job - but it felt the right time, and I'd just sort of reset Labour Party policy around foreign affairs." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second phase of police withdrawal from mental health callouts starts in parts of the country next week.  From Monday, detained mental health patients will be handed over within 60 minutes at Waitematā, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Nelson-Marlborough, and West Coast EDs.  Police will also tighten custody rules to reduce unnecessary assessments.  Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says police will make sure handovers are done safely.  "We want our police staff to be out dealing with the issues that the public are expecting - and keeping people safe."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Finance Minister says New Zealand faces uncharted territory - as the world grapples with Donald Trump's tariffs.  New Zealand, Australian and Asian markets tumbled yesterday, but regained some ground today. Current Minister Nicola Willis is warning the tariffs and world events will impact the Government books.  Steven Joyce says given the daily uncertainty which will slow investment - no one can predict what will happen.   "I don't think Donald Trump knows, to be blunt - I don't think he knows quite where it lands and he's making it up every day as he goes along. And I think that's one of the problems."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Children's Minister says 'outdated' requirements could be institutionalising kids by limiting resources.   The Government is scrapping Oranga Tamariki targets for placing children with family and investing with Māori organisations.  A Bill passed last week to remove Treaty provisions from the Children's Ministry.  Children's Minister Karen Chhour says she hears non-Māori caregivers have felt unwanted in recent years.  "I want good caregivers, people who are willing to open up their homes and love these kids, to feel comfortable putting their hands up knowing that they can do a good job for these young people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul is again dismissing criticism of her views on policing. Billboards depicting Paul and Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick have popped up in Wellington and Auckland -- with the tagline - 'Defund the Police, vote Green'. The Sensible Sentencing Trust is behind the ads, and claims the Greens have expressed copyright concerns about their use of official candidate photos. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks the reactions from today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, the ASX has seen a slight rebound following a drop from earlier in the week. The S&P/ASX 200 Index lifted 2.1 per cent, or by 151.5 points, to 7494.8 after recouping some of Monday’s 4.2 per cent loss as part of the fallout from Trump's newest tariffs. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the tariffs have also damped business confidence across Australia, according to new reports. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Cricket admit there's a chance they'll turn Gary Stead down if he decides he wants to continue as Black Caps test coach. The long-serving mentor has stepped down from the white-ball formats, but is yet to decide whether he wants to continue in the red-ball role. The governing body is deciding whether to split the coaching role or bring in a new, singular coach. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A victims' advocate wants authorities to investigate the finances of offenders refusing to pay reparations.  Ministry of Justice data shows more than 10-and-a-half thousand payments are overdue - out of the 24,000 ordered by courts. More than $105 million is owed across the country.  Chief Government Victims Advisor Ruth Money says she isn't seeing much due diligence. She says some will claim they can't pay, while also owning a new car or a house. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is stepping in to make things a little easier for car manufactures following Trump's latest tariff update. A ban on producing new petrol and diesel cars is set to come into effect in 2030 - but Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed regulations would be relaxed ahead of the deadline. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Donald Trump's 25 percent levy on cars imported to the US will likely have a negative impact - but Prime Minister Starmer will try to make a deal with Trump on trade. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NZX50 index had fallen around 3.7 percent at the close of market today as Donald Trump's tariffs continue to reverberate globally. It hasn't had a fall of this magnitude since the pandemic. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacks the economic fallout. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 7 April 2025, Defence Minister Judith Collins has revealed a huge boost for New Zealand's defence capabilities. She tells Ryan what's on the shopping list. Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Ryan New Zealand's economic growth is expected to take a hit from Trump's new tariffs. Is there a risk that we're not just fostering football fans.. but also a bit of hooligan culture? Auckland FC's Nick Becker says lessons will be learnt from last weekend's aggressive scenes at Mt Smart stadium. Plus, the Huddle debates a new billboard campaign involving the Greens and the now infamous call to "defund the police". 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, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government has unveiled their new Defence Capability Plan - designed to inject an extra $12 billion into the Defence Force to boost jobs and equipment over the next four years. Do we agree with this move?  The Sensible Sentencing Trust has got a new billboard campaign out, calling to defund the police on behalf of the Greens. Should the Greens be upset about this? The New Zealand stock market has taken the biggest significant hit since the pandemic - what do we make of the fallout? Do we see things improving?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is relief among New Zealand's wood exporters - who've escaped the import tariffs set by the US. Imports of timber and lumbar products into the US have dodged tariffs, as confirmed by President Donald Trump, The United States was New Zealand's third largest market for timber exports, after China and Australia. Wood Processors & Manufacturers Association of NZ CEO Mark Ross says this doesn't come as a surprise - given how much America relies on timber for construction.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister has been getting updates about the financial fallout from the latest batch of Trump tariffs. New Zealand goods have been hit with a 10 percent tariff, as part of President Trump's trade plan.  Nicola Willis warns these changes will come with 'profound' economic implications for New Zealand. "We will finalise our economic forecasts, which feed into the Budget - in the next few days, I expect to be briefed on them soon. Of course, the major effect is the estimate that global growth is going to be lower than had been predicted." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC says a fan was involved in an assault that left a man hospitalised.  Police are considering charges against a 46-year-old man after the attack at Saturday's match against Western Sydney Wanderers. Eight people were evicted from Mount Smart Stadium and two were arrested - and a visiting Wanderers fan needed facial surgery.  Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker says the accused man doesn't represent the club.  "We've got a great set of hardcore fans - known as the Port - who I think do everyone in Auckland proud. And it's certainly not one of them, it's not someone they would associate with and it's definitely no someone we want involved." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NZX50 index had fallen about 3.7 percent at the close of market today - as Donald Trump's tariffs continue to reverberate globally. It hasn't had a fall of this magnitude since the pandemic. Sharesies Co-CEO Brooke Roberts says it's hard to say how long markets will keep rattling around. "Look, it's unprecedented times in terms of the shock that has happened to the markets at the moment based off the back of the tariffs - and the ripple effect that's happening to economies." BusinessDesk reports Trade Minister Todd McClay says the NZ Embassy in Washington will raise concerns over tariffs to the US trade representative. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's keeping its cards close to its chest  on how it'll fund a mammoth defence splurge. It's injecting $12 billion over the next four years into building up our Defence Force workforce and equipment.  It's signalling it'll go into system upgrades, replacing helicopters - and enhancing maritime strike capability. Defence Minister Judith Collins says the investment includes $9 billion on top of what we already spend on defence. "It is a lot of money, but I also know this - there is no economic security without national security."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says a multi-billion dollar boost for the Defence Force is about our national interest.  The Government's unveiled its Defence Capability Plan, including $12 billion dollars of funding over four years - with $9 billion of new spending.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the plan's 'surprising'. "Remember, we said last week when it comes out that it'll be a 15-year plan. Well, this is more short-term - they're going to be spending, over the next four years, $12 billion dollars." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drivers in South Australia will be watched by artificial intelligence cameras aimed at cutting traffic and boosting economic activity. The South Australian Government believes every 5000 motorists stuck in traffic for 20 minutes costs the state $33,000. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the AI will use data to reduce congestion and tweak traffic light cycles. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pit strategy gamble has failed to pay off on Liam Lawson’s return to Racing Bulls. He has come 17th in Formula One’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. Lawson was eighth at the time of his only pit stop, but the decision to change to soft tyres with 19 laps to go didn’t yield the projected return. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.