Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 11 December 2025, the Health Minister reacts to a report that predicts the number of cancer diagnoses is expected to skyrocket - and why he wouldn't eat KFC. US Immigration lawyer Brian Hunt explains why travellers to the US will soon be asked to provide five years worth of social media history - and what border officials will look for. Jetstar has been rapped over the knuckles for using dodgy scales at Wellington Airport. Plus, the Huddle debates Nicola Willis' fudge and why the big debate against Ruth Richardson has taken on such a life of its own. 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.

The water service delivery plans have been submitted by local councils and evaluated, and the total is set to hit over $47 billion. Councils handed over these proposals as part of the Government's Local Water Done Well scheme and the Local Government Minister is hopeful these plans will go on to benefit ratepayers. Minister Simon Watts says these proposals have all been signed off and things are in a good place to get going.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Singapore Government has teamed up with New Zealand-founded start-up The Fractional Directory for a new pilot programme. The project will pair fractional leaders - experienced professionals who work with multiple organisations on a flexible basis - with Singaporean companies. Company CEO Michelle Allbon says this may seem similar to consultant roles, but there's some key differences. "The different between consulting and fractional is that a fractional leader is fully embedded...we've seen this be really, really effective, it's not just giving them advice and throwing their PowerPoint over the wall." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered diplomats to start using the Times New Roman font again, reversing a change made under the previous administration. Rubio's predecessor, Antony Blinken, made the switch to Calibri in 2023, saying it was more accessible for people with visual disabilities - a change Rubio labelled 'wasteful'. Monolith typeface designer Alistair McCready says Calibri's more suited to readers by design, but it depends on the individual.  "There's all sorts of things that go into reading, not just the way you see or how clearly you can see - it's how you interpret letters and shapes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer NZ says travellers could struggle to get a refund - after revelations two Jetstar baggage scales at Wellington Airport may not have been accurate. Checks after a complaint in September, revealed the portable scales were uneven and below approval standards. Jetstar’s been told to pull them out until they’re re-verified. Consumer NZ Advocacy Head, Jessica Walker, says if Jetstar charged too much, people could be entitled to repayment. "If they can prove that they were overcharged, then that would be ideal. But the fact that Jetstar is saying that people weren't overcharged absolutely makes this trickier."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Few details are known about a possible law to make tourists entering the US provide five years of social media history. It would affect those currently able to visit visa-free, including New Zealanders, Australians and Brits. Officials could request social media information, email addresses, phone numbers, and information about family members. US immigration lawyer Brian Hunt says based on previous policy, we can infer what the US hopes to achieve. "I think they're looking for pretty extreme language when it comes to anti-Semitism - and then they also said they're vetting for anti-American activity."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister says predictions cancer diagnoses will increase isn't cause for panic.  A new report has found the number's likely to double in the next two decades.  Simeon Brown says much of that will be down to the ageing population and general population growth. He says that should still prompt Government action.  "We have to continue to invest, to ensure that we have more access to cancer treatments, cancer medicines, diagnoses - all of the things that this report has highlighted." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis is defending her economic track record in the face of a lobby-group's satirical campaign. The Taxpayers' Union has sent MPs Nicola Willis-branded fudge, claiming she favours treats today and taxes tomorrow. It suggests Willis should cut spending more. Willis says the Government has reduced taxes and delivered significant cost savings - while keeping frontline services. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained why Nicola Willis is keen on making the debate with Ruth Richardson happen. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourists entering the United States could soon have to provide a five-year social media history. The proposed new requirement would affect those who are currently able to visit visa-free, including from New Zealand and the UK. It'll see officials requesting social media information, email addresses from the last decade, phone numbers, and information about family members. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says many Australians travel to the US every year, and this change will likely slow down tourism further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another leg-side strangle for the Black Caps post-lunch on Day 2 of the second cricket test against the West Indies in Wellington. Daryl Mitchell has joined Devon Conway in giving a little tickle to the keeper trying to glance the ball. The hosts are still on track to power past the Windies' first innings 205 - 220 for five at tea. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deregulation of the hemp industry could let seeds be sold freely around the country. Cabinet's agreed to loosen things up - removing the need for a licence to grow and handle it and just requiring farmers to notify police and MPI. The Government claims it'll generate an extra $40 million for the economy in the first 20 years. Brothers Green co-founder, Brad Lake, says he's hoping they'll be able to sell seeds on their website - and that licensing was the only aspect he can see holding that back. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's son says the US President might walk away from the peace efforts of Ukraine and Russia. The White House unveiled a new National Security Strategy last week - that the Kremlin's now said is largely consistent with Russia's vision.  It blames the EU for blocking US efforts to end the conflict and doesn't cast Russia as a national threat.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Reserve Bank Governor, Anna Breman, hosted an event for media earlier, allowing financial journalists to get their first look. Breman is monitoring the impact of tightening financial conditions, amid concerns about the state of the OCR. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent trading updates indicate the nation's leading retailers are feeling the pinch ahead of the busy season. The Warehouse and Kathmandu are among the big names that have been seeing significant losses over the past few months. Milford Asset Management's Michael Luke says there's hope things will pick up in the next few weeks, given the demand brought about by Christmas and Boxing Day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the Supreme Court has delivered a huge win for family carers of disabled adult children - so where to from here? The Aussie social media ban is officially in play - so what happens when you take your kids on holiday there? In an extraordinary move, the NZ Cyber Agency is personally warning 26,000 Kiwis whose computers have been infected with malicious software. Plus, the Huddle debates why Finance Minister Nicola Willis is pushing for a debate against former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson. 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.

This Nicola Willis-Ruth Richardson showdown looks like it'll go ahead next week after the HYEFU release. As you'll know from listening to this show on Monday night, Nicola's not happy with Ruth. And Ruth isn't too happy with Nicola. We have a structural deficit and we're not addressing it. Surplus is probably going to be pushed out - again - to 2030. So we have a showdown. But you might be wondering why the current Finance Minister is debating a former one (of some 30-odd years ago) at all. Well, here's the comms strategy on this: Ruth has credibility, as least on the right. The left reckons she permanently scarred the country, but you can't deny something had to be done. And people forget the growth and jobs that followed. Nicola's still earning her credibility, and things have not been going terribly well on that front. Spending's higher than Grant and surplus keeps getting pushed out. The growth is anaemic. So this is a way of tackling Ruth's attacks head-on and putting them to bed. Usually, ministers

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Australian social media ban for teens under 16 kicked in today - does New Zealand need to follow their lead? What do we make of the big Nicola Willis - Ruth Richardson debate? Do we think this will happen? And should they bring it to Newstalk ZB? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cars could be returning to a section of Auckland's Queen Street, under a new proposal. Auckland Transport wants to let cars return to the section between Wellesley and Wakefield Street from between 7pm and 7am.  Private vehicles were banned from the area in 2022.  Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck says it's a sensible proposal, and she explained that the area has been negatively affected by the change.  "Last year, the foot traffic was down 36 percent on 2019 in that area - and the spending was down 57 percent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's looking to Australia as it explores ways prevent online harm to young Kiwis. On the day an under-16 social media ban began across the Tasman, our Education and Workforce Committee's released an interim report on its inquiry regarding New Zealand youth. It reveals issues range from sexual exploitation to self-harm.  Acting Chair Carl Bates says social media can do real harm, but it's not just about the content available. "It's also about contact and it's about conduct, so things like the intentional use of platforms to harm or abuse others - and also the commerce harms that not only young New Zealanders experience, but others as well."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Caps fast bowler Blair Tickner has been taken to hospital and is unlikely to take any more part in the second cricket test against the West Indies. Tickner had taken four wickets when he fell awkwardly diving to save a boundary at the Basin Reserve, with a dislocated shoulder the unwelcome outcome. NZME sports broadcaster Andrew Alderson says Tickner hit the ground hard - adding to the Black Caps' growing list of injuries. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.