Larry Williams Drive

Partially selling one of New Zealand's largest meat companies should give it much-needed capital, according to some. Farmer shareholders of Alliance Group voted to let Ireland's Dawn Meats buy a 65 percent stake in the company, for $270 million. The remaining 35 percent will still belong to the co-op. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Problems with Amazon's cloud services in the US have been felt around the world. Thousands of websites and apps were affected by an outage during the night, including TVNZ Plus, Neon, Sky TV, Snapchat and Wordle. Tech commentator Paul Spain says a lot of things got broken in the process of trying to undo the damage, and some businesses are still trying to recover. "When you break a lot of technology, sometimes it takes quite a bit of effort to actually get that fully back to operation, and possibly Amazon have been a bit cautious about putting thing back up to full speed, but they haven't officially indicated that from what I've seen."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 21 October 2025, former attorney general Chris Finlayson is not on board with the Government's law change to make it harder for iwi and hapu to gain customary title over coastal areas. Sports Minister Mark Mitchell says he won't freeze Netball NZ's funding but wants a fast resolution of the Dame Noeline Taurua saga - and that he wants to see her back in the job. Six60 frontman Matiu Walters tells Heather why his band has decided to put on a new country and roots festival. Heather and the PSA's Fleur Fitzsimons have a fiery exchange over the Public Service Commission's decision to place ads against striking union members this week. Plus, the Huddle debates strike ads, why nobody rescued a toddler drowning in a public fountain and Heather's Wordle dilemma. 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 inf

I think it's fair to say, don't you think, that Labour's first policy has been a flop? It's been panned by pretty much everybody worth listening to or worth reading. I mean, I see Maiki Sherman over at TVNZ liked it last night. She called it a 'solid first hit' on telly, but I think everyone else seems to have seen through what Chippy's trying to do here. Let me quote you some. Tom Pullar-Strecker at The Post: Labour's Future Fund hits the buzzwords, but the rationale is hard to follow. Pattrick Smellie at BusinessDesk: This suggests either that Labour is economically illiterate or that its target audience is presumed to be. Radio New Zealand: The distinct lack of detail has left Labour somewhat exposed, evoking echoes of other ambitious projects that fizzled like KiwiBuild or the Green Investment Fund. Jenée Tibshraeny at the Herald says this is actually less about making New Zealand wealthy and really more about having a crack at National and possible asset sales at the next election. Henry Cooke at Th

The Labour Party says there needs to be a probe into the Public Service Commission posting ads about Thursday's mega-strike.   About 100,000 workers in health and education are set to walk off the job later this week. Several commission adverts have appeared on social media - outlining how it'll disrupt services. PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the Commission is running political lines espoused by the Government. "What they are doing is attempting to position themselves favourably with the public when it comes to a collective bargaining matter that is subject to good faith."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six60 have unveiled a new country and roots music festival in Matakana, which is set to take place this January. The 'Sweet Home Aotearoa' festival line-up will be curated by Six60 and promises to feature big names to bring a taste of Nashville to New Zealand shores.  Six60 lead singer and guitarist Matiu Walters says he's felt a strong connection to country and roots music every time he goes to Nashville - and he thought it would be a cool idea to bring that to New Zealand. "Roots and country have this cross-section that I really love and I think it's just going to be really fun...it's just something new that I think people are going to really love." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports Minister Mark Mitchell has outlined why he feels it was time for the Government to step in with the ongoing Netball New Zealand v Dame Noeline Taurua saga. The side-lined Silver Ferns coach and the national body remain at an impasse concerning issues with the high performance environment. Mitchell says the situation has simply dragged on for far too long. "Everyone involved loves netball, but the fact of the matter is that this is not good for netball. It's one of our iconic games and so many people participate and enjoy the sport. This is not good for anyone, and so I've asked Sport NZ to give me advice and send a clear message." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions have been raised regarding the Government claim over changes likely to make it harder for Māori to claim customary marine titles. The divisive Marine and Coastal Area Amendment Bill is likely to pass its third reading in the House tonight. The Government claims it'll restore the legislation to its original intent. Former Attorney-General Chris Finlayson says these changes aren't restoring any laws or clarifying anything. "It doesn't clarify the law at all, it changes it. And if they want to do that, well of course Parliament's sovereign, but why don't they come out and say it - instead of indulging this myth? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An unexpected Labour policy announcement was a bit of a shock for leader Chris Hipkins today.  Health spokesperson, Ayesha Verrall revealed the policy in an op-ed for New Zealand Doctor magazine.  It proposes to create an independent body to estimate and allocate GP funding increases, rather than the Government. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Labour 'botched up' the rollout of this announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports indicate the US is pushing ahead with the AUKUS deal, with Australia getting nuclear powered submarines from the US. President Donald Trump's held talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the White House today on defence and trade. Trump also cleared doubt on the deal between Australia, the US and UK. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says concerns were raised ahead of the meeting, but the deal worked out well for Australia. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netball New Zealand v Dame Noeline Taurua saga is beginning to gain traction inside the halls of Parliament. Labour MP Willie Jackson is urging Sports Minister Mark Mitchell to freeze the Netball New Zealand funding until it clears up the suspension of Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explained the situation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A survey of roadworkers has found many face routine abuse, attacks, and some are even purposely hit by cars, according to new reports. The survey, which was run by Temporary Traffic Management Industry Steering Group, included 667 workers across New Zealand who described their experiences with verbal abuse and physical assault. Pipeline & Civil Ltd owner Hugh Goddard says he's heard his staff have been yelled at, almost hit by vehicles - and nearly faced physical abuse. "I wasn't involved in the development of the survey, but I know over 700 TTM workers in New Zealand who responded in the survey, which is a significant sample. And that's the feedback that's coming through, so it's very much a real issue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare daylight robbery has been executed at the world's most visited art museum.  Items of 'incalculable' value were stolen in a seven minute heist at the Louvre museum in Paris - just after it opened.  The thieves rode a basket lift up the museum's facade, forced a window and fled with France's Crown and Napoleonic jewels. UK correspondent Gavin Grey unpacked the ongoing investigation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A multi-million-dollar class action against ANZ New Zealand over historic disclosure obligations looks likely to go ahead. ASB earlier this month settled its part in the four-year class action for $135.6 million - without conceding liability or wrongdoing. ANZ Chief Executive Antonia Watson has voiced disappointment with the development. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent Stats NZ data shows annual inflation hit three percent in September - the upper limit of the Reserve Bank's target range. This has sparked mixed reactions from the Government, but it's unclear if New Zealand avoided another technical recession. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacked the market responses. 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!  How many more dirty secrets are we going to find out about Prince Andrew? Could the royals have done more to get a handle on this? Labour has unveiled their first big policy promise ahead of the election with their newly-proposed Future Fund. What do we make of this?  Do we really need giant blueberries? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 20 October 2025, inflation is up three percent - driven by large increases to electricity and rates bills. Kiwibank's Jarrod Kerr says this shouldn't stop the Reserve Bank from cutting the OCR further. Labour's Chris Hipkins explains his party's first new policy in two years - the NZ Future Fund. The scandals keep coming. Prince Andrew has promised he won't use his royal titles but should the UK Government go further and completely take them off him? Wellington Phoenix boss David Dome explains why his club is supporting New Zealand's first sports school. Also - Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop on the cost of speeding ticket and ANZ boss Antonia Watson on having the rug pulled from under her by the Government. Plus, the Huddle debates Labour's Future fund and whether we really need a new giant blueberry. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LIST

Well, even I didn't expect Prince Andrew to lose the use of his titles that fast. It was about 5pm on Friday afternoon that I said that he would lose them - and about 7am the next morning, the news broke that he had. But then again, I suppose we can see why it happened so fast, right? Because since that happened, it has just been one revelation after the other involving him. First, the police are looking into reports that he tried to get his personal protection officers to dig up dirt on Virginia Giuffre, his accuser. Then came the news that Fergie and the girls were among the first to welcome Epstein out of jail, and she kept trying to borrow money. And now you've got the creepy detail emerging from Giuffre's book about how Andrew behaved. Now, that is why the announcement about Andrew's titles came so quickly, because King Charles needed it to happen before the newspapers started printing excerpts from the book so that the stuff that came out didn't hurt the royals by association. But honestly, I don't

Drivers are likely to have to cough up for travelling on the Government's Roads of National Significance. NZTA's board has endorsed the investment cases for all the roads.  Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the default will be to toll the new roads in order to establish a clear revenue stream. "Once you've built a road, it's all very well to have it there, but you've got to look after it as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Andrew allegedly asked a police officer to 'dig the dirt' on his accuser before the publishing of a now infamous photograph of the two. Andrew's given up the title Duke of York amid turmoil surrounding his alleged involvement with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It's believed he tried to obtain personal information about his deceased accuser Virginia Giuffre. Royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter says it's likely there's more details to come. "The reason there's been this renewed interest in Prince Andrew is... the news just keeps on coming ever since that Newsnight interview in 2019. But there's been renewed focus because of this posthumous memoir."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.