Larry Williams Drive

A 77-year-old prisoner has accused prison guards of beating him and is undertaking a hunger strike.  Corrections says Dean Wickliffe refused to enter his cell, threw an item at guards and was injured after taking up a fighting stance.  It says one staffer involved is not at work - and appropriate action will be taken if staff don't meet standards.  Wickliffe hasn't eaten for 10 days.  His lawyer, Annette Sykes, says he was beaten badly.  "Photos have been released that show, quite clearly, that his version of events has some veracity."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT's David Seymour says it's time for a clean-out in local politics, as the party looks to stand candidates in local body elections this year.  He's calling for expressions of interest from practical, community-minded people who are focused on keeping rates down and services up.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says ACT is likely looking to boost its political reach. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former adviser to Donald Trump says Russia's president will use soviet spy tactics in negotiations with the US President.  Trump's expected to speak with Vladimir Putin tomorrow - to discuss ending hostilities in Ukraine.   He's hoping to get agreement on a 30-day ceasefire proposal accepted by Ukraine last week.  But John Bolton says Putin's dragged out talks to get the upper hand.  "He's counting on direct negotiations between himself and Trump to use his KGB manipulative skills on Trump to get even more concessions out of him." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is at peace with New Zealand Rugby's non-overseas selection policy. He's previously urged the governing body to keep an open mind regarding the use of offshore players, like the world champion Springboks. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TVNZ has indicated consultations are under way with Shortland Street staff - and there's growing concern around possible job cuts. It comes as TVNZ made the move to cut the series from screening five nights a week to three, leading to fewer episodes being produced. Former Shortland Street actor Will Hall says the industry is fraught with trepidation and there's limited job security - but he hopes no cuts will be made "I hope we see the light and keep Shortland Street for what it is, there's a great foundation and I'd like to think there's still a place for the soaps, even in 2025." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 17 March 2025, free trade negotiations are underway with India, but will they actually result in a deal? Senior political correspondent Barry Soper and Meat Association Chair Nathan Guy tell Ryan about the hurdles trade negotiators could be facing. Finance Minister Nicola Willis hints who might be the winners and losers of this years' Budget. Wellington Airbnb owners are furious at the council for suggesting anyone with an Airbnb should pay commercial rather than residential rates. Plus, threatening violence or a bit of fun? The Huddle weighs in on Rawiri Waititi's latest spat with David Seymour. 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.

North Macedonian officials are probing for corruption after at least 59 teens and young adults died in a nightclub fire.  Inside fireworks struck the ceiling - engulfing it in flames and prompting a stampede of about 1500 people trying to exit from the only door.  More than 155 were injured.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says investigations are still ongoing - but arrests have been made. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US share market bounced back at the end of last week, despite growing concerns about America's economic future. New data shows there's a decline in consumer confidence in the US. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study from the Building Research Association has found that indoor summer temperatures have gone up 6 to 10 percent in the last 20 years. The new insulation standards that came into force in 2023 aren't to blame for these changes, according to the report. Chris Litten from the Building Research Association unpacks what could be causing these changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi's under fire over re-sharing a social media post evoking David Seymour as needing trimming like a lawn. What do we make of this? Wellington Airbnb owners are outraged over the council's plan to hike up their rates. Do we support this change? More and more people are deciding against travelling to the US because of the Trump administration. Would we skip a holiday in the US because of the president? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's dropped a few crumbs on what's shaping this year's budget. Nicola Willis will unveil her growth budget on May 22. She says the public service won't get more funding, for doing the same thing. Willis says there's only more money if people are going to benefit from additional services - or improved impact from those services. But she says she won't be doing away with entire departments or agencies. "That's not on the agenda for this budget, because the judgement that we've made at this stage is that it could end up costing us more in the short-term than we would deliver in savings." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour's responding to a post evoking him as needing trimming like a lawn. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi re-shared his partner's post showing him cutting the grass. The caption read: 'I told him to behave as though every piece of grass is a David Seymour. The lawns are getting a good effing hiding.' Seymour says that's objectionable - with its suggestion of attacking a person you disagree with. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NRL has issued a breach notice to Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar following a probe into an altercation that took place during the first round in Las Vegas. The breach notice proposes a fine of $10,000, a suspension from three NRL matches and a requirement for Agar to undertake appropriate education and training. Newstalk ZB sports journalist Nathan Limm says Agar will likely be prohibited from travelling to any away match scheduled for the Warriors during the suspension period. He also revealed the NRL declined to comment further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's sheep farmers could be big winners if we secure a trade deal with India.  The Prime Minister has announced formal negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement will begin next month. The inclusion of dairy products was a key snagging point in negotiations that fell flat in 2015.  Meat Industry Association Independent Chair, Nathan Guy, says the primary industry has a lot to gain. "If you look at what's happening up here with sheep meat at the moment, we're facing a 30 percent tariff - and that's a massive headwind. So there's not a lot going on here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Airbnb hosts are hitting out at the city council and claiming accommodation rate hikes are overkill.  It's proposing applying commercial rates to short-term accommodation providers. It could treble owners' costs - leaving many hosts fearing for their businesses. Airbnb volunteer community leader Julie Wilson says her rates would rise from about $11,000 to about $40,000 and she'd have to stop. "It's excessive - many of us rent occasionally, not as a full-time business, but they're going to be treating us the same as a hotel with hundreds of rooms."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says confirmation we're relaunching Indian trade talks came soon after he'd touched down in New Delhi.  On the campaign trail, Chris Luxon pledged a deal with India within his first term. He's noted there'll be many rounds of negotiations, but this news is a huge win and a breakthrough in New Zealand's economic agenda. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper is unsure how far these discussions will go at this stage. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyclone Alfred has blown a $1.2 billion hole in the upcoming Australian federal budget, according to a warning from Treasurer Jim Chalmers. The Government has announced an extension to the disaster recovery allowance and payments to impacted areas in Queensland and New South Wales.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Chalmers has claimed a significant amount will be used to rebuild the flood-impacted communities - and this is likely to leave an impact ahead of the upcoming federal election.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson has succumbed in his first full race with Red Bull as wet conditions wrought havoc on Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix. Sitting 13th, he lost control at turn two with 10 laps to go and was forced to retire. Lando Norris was victorious, with Lawson's Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen second.  Sportstalk host Jason Pine recaps the race. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One in four school principals claims to see harmful behaviour every day between students - and the Children’s Commissioner aims to address that. The Chief Children’s Commissioner is calling for regular, publicly reported data about bullying in schools as teachers' unions voice concerns over 'blind spots' in the current system. Secondary Principals Association President Vaughan Couillault says there's definitions of what constitutes bullying from experts - but it's hard to track and measure. "When it comes to behaviour management and defining what bullying is, there's lots of grey spaces. Every little conflict is born of different stuff." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 14 March 2025, Labour's Barbara Edmonds says she's on board with foreign investments, but there's a few ifs and buts. New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom defends a new council policy to remove homeless people's belongings if they obstruct public spaces. Dr Daniel Timms, the inventor of the world's first mechanical heart speaks about this week's huge breakthrough. Plus, Nate Saunders from the Formula 1 at Melbourne - Liam Lawson has had a shaky first day on the track. 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.