Larry Williams Drive

Billionaire Bill Gates is shifting his tone on climate change, cautioning against a 'doomsday' future view.  In a lengthy online memo, the Microsoft co-founder says he still believes it is a major problem needing solving. But Gates says innovation and breakthroughs shouldn't come at the expense of funding global health or development.  Victoria University adjunct professor of climate change, Adrian Macey, says he agrees. "I see what he's saying is - don't assume it's going to be Armageddon if we sail past the 1.5 degrees, which we have already, but think about the positive things you need to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Community groups and charities successfully turned the Government view on giving them a share of online casino profits. It originally set the duty in new laws for licensed online operators at 12 percent, but from today that's risen to16.   Four percent will be ring-fenced specifically to go to community groups, in similar fashion to physical casinos. North Wellington Football Club president, Fraser Kirby, says that's a step in the right direction. "I think the positive is that all of the community groups that raised concerns around this have all been listened to, and the bill's been revised accordingly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aucklanders are about to have short-term free taxi rides to the heart of the city. The 'Straight to the Heart' service launching tomorrow - across Ponsonby, Newmarket, and Takapuna - lets people hail a retro red taxi, with no booking needed. It'll take passengers to a surprise - or requested - central location.  Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck says this is running until November 16, and it's a way to rediscover what Auckland has to offer. "It's about the experience, getting people back into the rhythm of coming here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is looking to broaden the social science curriculum, but it's prompted concern from some educators. The Education Minister today unveiled proposed changes to content for Years 1-10, on top of the English and Maths refresh announced earlier.  History Teachers' Association chair Craig Thornhill says there's lots of interesting topics being proposed, but no proper structure. "They all seem to be quite free-standing and there's no way for students to join the dots between those topics. The other key concern is the sheer amount of content - for example, students in Year 0-8 are only going to have three hours a week to learn this stuff."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appeared to correct the Prime Minister for taking credit on a trade deal. Chris Luxon has confirmed New Zealand is one of a handful of nations that now has a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN - and posted that he made a deal with Southeast Asian nations. In a since-deleted tweet, Peters corrected Luxon with one word - 'we'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper speculated on why Peters deleted the comment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricane Melissa is moving towards eastern Cuba, weakening further to a category three storm. The National Hurricane Center is still warning of powerful effects as it moves across Cuba and the Bahamas. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the hurricane's hit Jamaica hard, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds impacting the area. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Silver Ferns won't lack for belief heading into the deciding Constellation Cup netball test in Christchurch tonight. Australia leads the series 2-1, but if the Ferns win they'll force a tiebreaker - consisting of two seven-minute halves of overtime to determine the series winner. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's pushing ahead on updating land transport rules - kicking off public consultation today. It's considering simplifying heavy vehicle permits, and adding safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking. It'll also look at inspection rules for passenger vehicles like taxis and rentals, and lighter-vehicle Warrant of Fitness checks. Transport Minister Chris Bishop says these changes will hopefully reduce costs for drivers, but also keep people safe on the road. "In some places, you don't even have to have a regular inspection at all. The reality is, cars are safer than they've ever been, and technology has advanced." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles has been heckled in public about his brother's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As the King visited a UK cathedral, a man bellowed out questions about Prince Andrew. UK correspondent Elizabeth Callaghan says this is another 'huge embarrassment' for the royal family - on top of the growing scrutiny. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Companies sharing small numbers of subscription passwords to access paywalled news content may face legal scrutiny. Business website NBR has reached settlements with three major corporates, including a national law firm, for what it calls the 'illegal stealing of its content'. NBR owner Todd Scott says this case is a 'friendly warning shot' for the impacted companies.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh attention on rural areas reeling from last week's severe weather. Southland, Clutha and Kaikoura are still under States of Emergency  - and more than 8,000 properties in Southland and Otago are still without power. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 28 October 2025, Labour has confirmed its worst case secret: a Capital Gains Tax will be brought in if Labour wins the next election. Heather asks Chris Hipkins about all the ins and outs of the new policy. Netball NZ Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie says it wasn't a mistake to stand Dame Noeline Taurua down - but can't say what changes will be made when Taurua returns as coach. Teaching kids consent will be mandatory for schools soon, but sex education therapist Jo Robertson says we could go further. Finance Minister Nicola Willis encourages Air NZ's new boss to tidy his own house first before asking the Government for money. Plus, on the Huddle, Josie Pagani tries to convince Heather and Trish Sherson of the need for a CGT. Good luck Josie! 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.

Well, I don't know what's worse for Labour - the fact that they've announced a capital gains tax policy again today, or the fact that someone leaked it and forced them to announce it in a rush. Obviously, it does suck for them that somebody leaked it first, because it means that they were so unprepared that they had to rush-job announce it in an email at 3:05 this morning. And then Chippy had to cancel his morning radio interviews so that he didn't have to answer questions about this until he was ready - and then they had to get ready and call themselves a rush-job press conference where they all looked furious, and they stumbled over their words. Honestly, you haven't seen such a sad line-up of people announcing something they're proud of. This is the second policy announcement that Labour has managed to stuff up in just about a week's duration - which hardly looks convincing, does it? But then it also sucks for them that this is the policy that they're taking to the election, because I don't care what the B

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!  It's the worst-kept secret in politics - Labour officially confirmed it wants to introduce a capital gains tax. Do we support this?  More drama out of Te Pāti Māori - where does this end?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governing parties have been quick to condemn Labour's proposed capital gains tax policy.  The opposition announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes.  It would funnel the revenue into health. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been quick to label this scheme as 'half-baked' - and it'll likely drive the country further into debt. "I'm just pleased that New Zealand today can see Labour's alternative for what it is. It's a Labour-Te Pāti Māori-Greens Government that will tax you more, drive the country further into debt and put the economy at risk." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netball New Zealand boss Jennie Wyllie is looking forward to mending ties with reinstated Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua. The pair have been colleagues since Taurua's appointment to lead New Zealand in 2018. Wyllie says she's pleased the pair were able to reach common ground so Taurua could return to the Silver Ferns. "She's acknowledged that, in a high-performance environment, there is a balance that needs to exist - between how do you find the edge, but also who people are. And I think we've been working on - how do we keep that balance top of mind for the well-being of these athletes?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins is confident Labour's Capital Gains Tax policy can cover three free GP visits every year. The party's announced a policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes.  The revenue would go into health, and creating a Medicard scheme. The Labour leader says they've checked the numbers. "We've done them based on the independent tax working group that was set up when we were last in Government. So that's the modelling that we've used in coming up with the costings for this one." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some disappointment from a sexual education expert over new Government curriculum changes. Education Minister Erica Stanford has released her draft Year 1-to-10 curriculum for six months feedback from schools and educators.  A key change is making consent education compulsory in health and physical education.  But therapist and parenting educator Jo Robertson says the guidelines don't mention the word 'consent' until Year 3.  "We need kids to know that if somebody touches their body that that's sexual harm and that's not okay. So for me, it doesn't quite meet the mark." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour was forced to reveal its tax policy early, after details were leaked to media over the long weekend.  The party's proposed a 28 percent capital gains tax on all residential and commercial property - but not the family home. It's promising to use the revenue to fund three free GP visits for all Kiwis. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Hipkins has voiced frustration with this leak and confirmed whoever leaked the policy will get booted from the party. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Dutch volleyball player convicted in 2016 of raping an underage girl has been denied a visa to Australia to compete in next month’s Beach Volleyball World Championships. Steven van de Velde, now 31, was 19 when he was found guilty of sex with an underage girl. The Dutch Volleyball Association said in a statement that it was 'aware this could happen', given Australia’s strict policy on issuing visas to people with convictions. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.