Larry Williams Drive

According to one expert, last week's GDP figures are a sign New Zealand's economy is on the up. Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further, LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank Global Strategist Michael Every says Trump isn’t as “nutty” as people may think he is, as there can be upsides to trade wars and geopolitical crises. The Country's Jamie Mackay caught up with him ahead of the Primary Industries New Zealand Summit. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices have been going through a volatile period over the last couple of weeks, following the recent conflict in the Middle East. Prices spiked at the end of last week and then dropped as much as 8 percent, according to reports from earlier today. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I can see that this idea of forcing rate caps on councils is taking off. So can I just express my concerns about this early on? I personally love the idea of stopping councils from continually jacking up what they charge us, but I worry that this is not going to fix the situation, because it's not the actual problem, is it? The actual problem is that councils spend our money on stupid stuff. A la, the light up toilets in Wellington even when they've got no money. Wellington has got no money, but they keep on doing this stuff. So even if you stop them having much money because you put on a rate cap, they will continue to spend the money on the wrong things. A la, Wellington. So what will then happen if you put the rate cap on - is that after years and years and years and years of deferred capital expenditure, the pipes will break down cause Wellington hasn't spent money on them, and the roads will be in disrepair because Wellington hasn't spent money on them, and the buildings will need earthquake upgrade

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 24 June 2025, geopolitical expert Geoffrey Miller on the ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel. Has Trump been proven right in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities? Darrin Bull from ADHD NZ reacts to news that GPs and some nurses will soon be able to diagnose and treat ADHD, hopefully shortening waittimes for people significantly. Wellington's got itself another controversy - this time it's some very expensive toilets that even come with its own lightshow! Are the disco dunnies out of order? Probably. Plus, the Huddle debates a call from a group of Christchurch high school students who want to rename Rolleston Ave for his dark past. 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.

Halter, a New Zealand tech company specialising in virtual fencing and animal management technology, has raised $165 million in a Series D fundraising round, valuing the company at $1.65 billion. Started in 2016, Halter’s solar-powered, smart collars were guiding thousands of cattle by sound and vibration cues, allowing farmers to get rid of fencing on paddocks. CEO and founder Craig Piggott says the technology helps farmers be more productive - and sustainable. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of Christchurch high school students want Rolleston Avenue renamed - after learning about its history. It’s named for William Rolleston, who led the 1881 invasion of Parihaka in which 1600 Maori were forced off their land and left to starve. Hagley College students told The Press keeping the name feels wrong. Riccarton Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt says it's worth a discussion. "That's the first step - anything outside of that, we can't do anything drastic, obviously. And Christchurch has got its own identity and it's currently ever-changing, so it's something I really appreciate them coming to the table with." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington Councillor's calling out her peers over a new $2.3-million-dollar CBD public toilet. It replaces an old block that had become a crime hot-spot. The building's wooden panels are lined with a $150,000 lighting system, designed to display a night-time show. Diane Calvert says spending in the Capital follows a pattern. "This is the culture in the organisation - it just has to change. Toilets are really important in our CBD, but did we need to take three years building them and over $2 million dollars and light them up like a glowing monument?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hope and relief from the ADHD community over prescription rule changes to improve treatment access.  From February, GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to prescribe treatments from the outset - without a specialist recommendation.  Wait times for specialist appointments vary, but can be over a year.  ADHD NZ spokesperson Darrin Bull says over-diagnosis can be a concern, but these changes will still be enforced by medical professionals.  "We're comfortable that the benefits of such a change outweighs the risks of some overdiagnoses - but the training is essential." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sun's rising in the Middle East - on an uncertain kind of ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Iran State Television has claimed a ceasefire now applies - although Israel's made no official comment yet. Earlier today, US President Donald Trump announced hostilities would pause between Israel and Iran, saying they want peace. Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller says a very strange, staggered ceasefire reportedly applies. "There's now, according to Donald Trump, you've got a 12-hour window until 4am NZT tomorrow in which Israel will be allowed to strike Iran - but Iran will not be able to strike back." Iran retaliated overnight to US strikes on its nuclear sites - with its attacks intercepted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is accusing the Greens of being one sided on the Middle East conflict. The Foreign Minister's official statement says it's not a 'black and white situation'. Peters says proxies for Iran, including Hamas and Hezbollah, have killed so many. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The jury is set to begin its deliberations in Erin Patterson's trial over the deaths of three relatives and the attempted murder of a fourth. Patterson pleaded not guilty to deliberately poisoning Don and Gail Patterson and Heather and Ian Wilkinson with death cap mushrooms at a lunch at her Leongatha home in 2023. After eight weeks of evidence and closing submissions from the prosecution and defence, Justice Christopher Beale has delivered clear final instructions to the jury. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Justice Beale went through a long list of evidence for the jury to take into account. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster is resigned to spending more time without wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. He's out for four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered in a hip-drop tackle against Penrith, his second long injury break of the year. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A single Treaty settlement is being drafted by New Zealand First for the country's largest iwi. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith has signalled he's open to settlements with smaller groups - within iwi. Ngāti Hine leader Pita Tipene says they continue to hold talks with Paul Goldsmith, but not Shane Jones. "He is the minister, that's who we have conversations with and that's how we want to keep it. We don't want to be talking to the minister - or anybody else for that matter - through the media." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK and its NATO allies have agreed to increase spending on defence and related areas to 5 percent of GDP by 2035.  Ambassadors of all 32 alliance member states signed off on the new spending pledge ahead of a major summit of leaders. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market reactions after the US strikes on Iran have been more 'muted' than expected, especially compared to the response from a week ago. Reports indicate investors have brushed off this escalation.  Shane Solly from Harbour Asset Management explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Should the US have intervened in Iran? Where could this go from here? How do we feel about All Black Caleb Clarke being discharged without conviction - despite fleeing police in a high speed chase? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, US certainly ramped things up over the weekend, didn't it? And if you feel like this is an incredibly serious situation right now, you're not wrong, because there are very few examples - if any - of the US involving itself in the Middle East or surrounding areas and making things better. For the most part, it just ends up backfiring or ending badly. I mean, there are some really obvious ways with regards to Iran that this could go badly. First of all - if Iran wasn't making a nuclear weapon, and I have my doubts about that, but if they really weren't, then this may convince them that they really need to get on and make that nuclear weapon because there is only one way to ensure that you don't get bombed by the US, and that is to have a nuclear weapon. This could also incentivize other countries like Russia to give them a nuclear weapon, which has been a threat from Russia in the last few days. This could spiral into some sort of instability in the country if there's a regime change in Iran that is

The Finance Minister's keeping a close eye on the economic impact of volatility in the Middle East. Economists worry it will impact oil, driving up prices at the pump for Kiwis.  Nicola Willis says this is a concern.  "Our position now is that we support all efforts at diplomacy and de-escalation. That is good for the world." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the recent US strikes on Iran, experts have voiced concerns over whether Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is considered a significant oil 'choke point' with one fifth of global oil supplies and a third of liquefied natural gas passing through it. International relations expert Stephen Hoadley says it's an option Iran's considering - and warns closing it will come with significant implications. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.