Larry Williams Drive

The Remuneration Authority says more responsibility attracts more pay.  The Taxpayers' Union says Western Bay of Plenty District councillors are getting an average 57 percent pay increase. Authority Chair Geoff Summers says the pool of funding for council has been decided - but not individual raises.  He says the council will operate with two fewer councillors this term.  "And most people would say - if I'm going to be doing more work than what some other people used to do, I want more money for it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Greenacre will take charge of the Wellington Phoenix for at least their next A-League fixture against Sydney FC. The club legend moves back into the interim coaching role for a remarkable fourth time, stepping up from his role at the club's academy. He is in ongoing discussions with the club about the head coaching position for the rest of the A-League season - and beyond. Wellington Phoenix Director of Football Shaun Gill says the plan is to get through this week first, and then finalise some details. "There's not a contract in place for him for the role at the moment, but he's prepared to jump in and we'll finish those discussions in due course." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has introduced new measures to tackle the issues with rough sleepers, but it's prompted concerns from some critics. Under these changes, police would be able to order beggars and rough sleepers to leave for up to 24 hours, with refusal being punished with fines and jail time. Wellington City Councillor Karl Tiefenbacher says it's another cog in the wheel for police to help improve cities. "It's really more a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue. Once we accept that, then the approach we need to take is that we need to work on those solutions." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Genesis Energy says fresh Crown investment into the power generator will go towards building infrastructure.  The Government's confirmed it will put up to $200 million dollars - letting it retain its 51 percent shareholding, as Genesis launches a capital raise. Chief executive Malcolm Johns says the money will speed up its ability to build. "We're gonna build some solar farms, some grid-scale batteries and some wind, and extend the life of Huntly Rankines." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's promising to be realistic as it shapes up election year ideas. Leader Chris Hipkins has delivered his State of the Nation address in Auckland at a Business Chamber event. The speech lacked new policy - but addressed concern around people leaving the country and the state of our tax system.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper voiced disapproval with the speech, and questioned whether Labour would be able to deliver on anything for Kiwi voters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A row's deepening about so-called 'ISIS brides' returning to Australia - with the Opposition pushing for a hardline approach. More than 30 Australian women and children have secured passports and are trying to return from a Syrian camp. Opposition parties argue helping Australians with Islamic State links return home should be a criminal offence. Correspondent Oliver Peterson says the Government's being neutral - and the Opposition will be looking to exploit that. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Greenacre will have every opportunity to secure the Wellington Phoenix head coaching gig full-time. The former 'Nix player will sidestep from his role at the club's academy into the seat vacated by Giancarlo Italiano - the fourth time he's become the club's interim coach. Sportstalk host Jason Pine speculated about whether Greenacre will take over the role full-time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins says he doesn't want to make promises he'll have to change - announcing no new policy in Labour's State of the Nation address today.  He says policies can wait until after the Budget, and he explained that he's made Labour's political priorities clear to the voters. Hipkins explained they party's not going to be making big sweeping promises ahead of the election this time round. "We're going to be promising things that we know we can deliver on, that are actually going to make a difference - but are actually going to solve the problems we've got as a country."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 20 February, 2026, a royal expert tells us why Andrew's arrest is the biggest scandal in the history of the British monarchy. Why more than half of our police officers are thinking of quitting the job. We hear from a linguistics expert on why English doesn't need to be an official language. And on the sports huddle, Nathan Limm and Adam Cooper debate if it's ok to ask an Olympic athlete if snaring a silver medal is a disappointment. 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.

Let’s not beat around the bush: the biggest news in the world is the arrest of Andrew, the King’s brother. It’s huge, not least because the last time a royal was arrested was around 350 years ago, when Charles I was taken prisoner and ultimately executed. What also makes this so significant is that Andrew wasn’t, as is usually the case with celebrities, politely asked to come into a police station to assist with inquiries. He was arrested at his home, which was then searched by police for further evidence. That distinction is massive. That said, anyone predicting either the collapse or the survival of the royal family today is being premature — and there’s plenty of that going on. The charge Andrew faces, misconduct in public office, is apparently very difficult to prove in the UK because of the way the law is written. So this may end up going nowhere. So far, I’d say Charles has handled both today’s developments and the wider scandal leading up to them far more decisively than even the late Queen handled And

A new poll suggests the public's on board with the Government's proposed ban on card surcharges, just as the proposed law has been put on hold.  The Government announced plans to ban all credit card and contactless surcharges last year, but faced criticism from businesses who'd be forced to stump the cost.  Consumer NZ Campaign Manager Jessica Walker told Heather du Plessis-Allan that there is a middle-ground for both parties to settle on.  "Too many surcharges are excessive or just not disclosed or unavoidable. So there would need to be some really firm caps in place to stop consumers being ripped off." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bill has been introduced to make English an official language of New Zealand. Despite being the country's most-spoken language, it is not an official language by law. The bill provoked ridicule in Parliament from the opposition, but was staunchly defended by Winston Peters. AUT Associate Professor of Linguistics Sharon Harvey says that language laws exist to protect languages that aren't as widely used, and English doesn't fall in to this category.  "If we look at like jurisdictions like Australia, federal level of the US and the UK, those jurisdictions don't have English as an official language and don't see any need to." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fifty seven per cent of cops have considered quitting in the last year. That's according to a new Police Association survey, which asked 6000 officers.  Key concerns from officers were salaries, as well as resourcing.  Police say attrition is hovering between 4.5 and 5 percent - but association president Steve Watt told Heather du-Plessis Allan that the result can't be ignored.  He says the job's risky, weighs heavily on wellbeing - and the result proves the pressure officers are under.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest is being dubbed the biggest scandal in modern royal history.  The King's brother was arrested on suspicion of misconduct while in public office, in the wake of allegations he shared confidential information with late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.  The ex-prince's properties were searched by UK police, and he has since been released but remains under investigation. Royal Commentator Juliet Rieden told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the Royal Family are in unchartered waters. She says some believe the abdication was the worst, but that was a love story - adding this situation is very far from that.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Minister says people should have zero-tolerance for poor dog behaviour.  62-year-old, Mihiata Te Rore, was killed by three dogs on Tuesday, as she visited a home in Kaihu, north of Dargaville. Local MP Shane Jones says jail terms should be considered for owners of what he labels 'homicidal dogs'. Minister Simon Watts says there are issues with local and central Government enforcing the 30-year-old Dog Control Act.  He says he is getting advice next week on changing the act - and wants it done promptly.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The BBC has commissioned a slate of new shows and will be showcasing some of Sir David Attenborough’s most loved programmes to mark his 100th birthday. Sir David Attenborough turns 100 on May 8th, and the network will run a week-long celebration of his work and legacy spanning over seven decades.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says there's also going to be a special live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall with a full concert orchestra. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports indicate the tech sector is getting hid hard by a turbulent market, with many software companies taking a hit. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained the impacts - and which companies are doing it tough. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence green pastures lie ahead for Fonterra, as the sale of brands like Anchor and Mainland nears completion. Almost 99 percent of shareholders voted today to get the tax-free $3.2 billion capital return, from the purchase by French company Lactalis. FedFarmers Dairy Chair, Karl Dean, says the sale is part of Fonterra's move to focus on ingredients. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour MP Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Wellington City Council wants local authorities to have more power to curb heritage listings. Do we think this is a good idea? Chris Bishop today confirmed the Government is revising the city's housing capacity number in its new plan and focusing more on building in the city and by transport hubs. Why do we think the Government had to back down?  Winston Peters copped some backlash over some comments that Labour and the Greens have dubbed 'racist'. Do we think this backlash is fair? Why do we think the Government hit pause on introducing four-year terms? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, finally Chris Bishop has done the right thing and made the u-turn on the two million new houses he had planned for Auckland. It’s not altogether a surprise that he did this and announced it this afternoon, because it’s been rumoured for months - for the obvious reason that it’s election year. Auckland is a key battleground. Aucklanders are obsessed with houses. Auckland voters who own their homes were already stressed about this plan, and if it turned into a full election issue with proper media coverage, even more of them would’ve become stressed. That would mean blue Auckland voters heading straight to New Zealand First, ACT or Labour. So it was a political problem for National and Bishop had to back down. But in reality, it’s not just politics, is it? It’s basic common sense. I think it’s reasonable for an Aucklander who has sunk one to two million dollars - maybe more, maybe a bit less, but still a lot of money - into their home to feel stressed at the idea of a multi‑storey apartment block popping