Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 19 February, 2026, Chris Bishop on the Government's backdown on two million houses for Auckland. A relaxing of rules around serving alcohol at community and sports clubs. Why grocery tourism is becoming a popular pursuit for holidaymakers. And on the Huddle, Phil Goff and David Farrar lament the Government ditching a referendum on a four-year term. 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.

Auckland Airport says it's gaining momentum. It's reported a four percent increase in revenue in its half-yearly results.  The airport says that lift in revenue is being driven by a two percent increase in passenger numbers to 9.6 million. Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui says there's still more work to do - since numbers still haven't caught up to pre-pandemic levels.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City Council wants local authorities to have more power to curb heritage listings when it comes to planning law reforms. The council’s submission asked for powers to strip buildings’ heritage listings to avoid paying compensation and to make granting heritage listings to be by consent only. Wellington deputy mayor Ben McNulty says there's been many cases that inspired this move, including when the Gordon Wilson flats had to be pulled out through legislation.  "We've got things like private homes that have the same heritage significance as Parliament House - that statistically zero percent of New Zealand will ever visit, cost double the insurance to maintain and you've got to get a resource consent if you want to re-roof or re-glaze."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a new travel trend that's taking the world by storm for 2026, and it's set to give local stores an extra boost. Over the last few months, 'grocery tourism' has seen foreigners exploring supermarkets on their travels and seeking out products they can't buy at home. Sarah Pollok from the NZ Herald says travellers are looking to cut costs and get an authentic look at the places they visit, and nothing quite matches that description like the weekly shop. "There's a bit of nostalgia there - there's old American candy or British products that they want to bring home. But then sometimes it's just the bizarre things that you'll find in other countries, like different flavours."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's speculation that US President Donald Trump is about to launch a major bombing campaign against Iran.  US aircraft have been moving towards the Middle East, and a Washington DC source has told international media there's a 90 percent chance of war in coming weeks. Waikato University's Al Gillespie says it's entirely possible, given Donald Trump's desire to show strength. But he says it could have major consequences.  "Everyone's thinking Venezuela - like, you cut the head off the snake, but here, it's a very big snake. If you removed the Ayatollah, you're likely to have problems with the Revolutionary Guard." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's suburban, heritage, and green areas aren't guaranteed immunity from housing intensification.  The Government has revised the city's housing capacity number in a new plan - from just over 2 million, to 1.6 million, with more focus on the city and transport hubs.  It follows pushback from Aucklanders - particularly in National strongholds like Ōrākei, Mt Eden and Franklin. But Housing Minister Chris Bishop says it's ultimately up to the council where houses are built.    "If they wish to take growth out of the suburbs, then they can do that. The strong feedback coming through is that that's what they want to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has been accused of racism in Parliament by Labour and the Greens following his comments in Parliament yesterday. Peters singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage - and Labour's Willie Jackson was quick to voice his concerns in the House today.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the events.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson sparked outrage in Australia over the suggestion that there are no 'good' Muslims and criticised the Government for 'bending over backwards' for migrants. Hanson later issued a partial apology, but claimed she would not apologise for speaking out against Islam - and the threat she believed it posed to Australia. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been quick to criticise these comments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has earned a silver medal in the snowboard slopestyle at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, her fifth across three Games. She sat in fourth as the last rider up, before registering 87.48 with her final attempt. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less confusion over a drink at the local club, as options increase for serving alcohol.  Currently, local sport clubs, RSAs and community clubs can only serve alcohol to members and their guests. The Government's today announced clubs can now choose to stick with their current license or apply to serve the wider public - like a restaurant or bar. Clubs NZ CEO, Lucy Waterreus, says many people didn't know these restrictions exist.  "You might have someone that decides to pop into their local club, support a community event - only to discover they actually can't be served." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK police are evaluating information regarding private flights linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Reports claim Epstein used London's Stansted Airport to fly women in and out of the UK - according to the new release from the US Justice Department. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's been multiple reported incidents of alleged victims being flown through the airport.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Reserve Bank Governor is standing by the first OCR decision she's overseen - keeping the cash rate at 2.25 percent. Anna Breman said the Bank isn't happy with inflation being at 3.1 percent, but it's likely it will drop later in the year. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An improving financial situation for one of our largest companies, Fletcher Building. It's announced half-year results, weeks after agreeing to sell off its construction arm. The company's confirmed a half-year loss of $11 million - compared to a loss of $134 million in the year before. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton unpacked the reactions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telecommunications company Spark's mobile and broadband businesses delivered some revenue growth over the first half, contributing to an 83 percent increase in net profit. The company is reporting a net profit after tax of $64 million, compared with $35 million from a year ago.  Spark CEO Jolie Hodson says the company's still recovering, but there's clear signs things could go up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute 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! Anna Breman made her first call as Reserve Bank Governor and left the OCR unchanged at 2.25 percent. Do we think this is the right move? Do we need to start putting down more dangerous dogs? The recent attack in Northland has sparked discussion - and some outrage. Do we need tougher regulations for dogs, or owners?  Heather says the Foo Fighters are the greatest modern rock band in existence. Do we agree with that? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 18 February, 2026, we hear from the new Reserve Bank Governor on the first big call of her tenure - keeping the official cash rate at 2.25 percent. We talk to Northland MP Grant McCallum about Shane Jones' call to kill "homicidal" dogs. The head of Christchurch's new Te Kaha stadium hints there's more than just the Foo Fighters to come. And on the Huddle, do Jack Tame and Tim Wilson support Heather's call that the Foo Fighters are the greatest modern rock band? 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.

We’ve had the first monetary policy decision from the new Reserve Bank Governor, and it’s not until you get a new captain at the helm that you realise just how little confidence you had left in the previous one. Now, to be fair, it’s early days for Anna Breman. We’ll judge her by what she does from here on in. But she does start with a clean slate - without us reading too much into her decisions or second-guessing every move because of a poor track record.  And that, I’d say, is a very welcome change from just a few weeks ago before she took over. Her assessment is that inflation is fine. Yes, it’s a little high right now - 3.1 percent, outside the target band - but it’s expected to fall back within the band by this time next year.  The economy is improving. The green shoots that were previously limited to certain regions and industries are becoming more widespread. Households are getting more money in their pockets, but they’re still cautious - and that’s a problem. Because unless they’re confident

Pharmac is proposing funding two new leukaemia medications in pill form from May. It could relieve pressure for hospitals. It could also apply to people currently paying for it, who'd receive funding for the treatment in a private hospital - subject to meeting criteria. Associate Health Minister David Seymour says Pharmac will sign off on this - and it's likely this will move forward. "There'll be two new blood cancer medicines and they'll help an estimated 80-90 people every five years, with what is quite a rare, but brutal disorder."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hints that Christchurch's brand-new stadium will be soon hosting an event no other city will have. American rock band Foo Fighters are the first international act confirmed for One NZ Stadium, scheduled to open in April. Other major events lined-up include Super Rugby’s Super Round and a concert featuring Six60 and Synthony in May. Venues Otautahi CEO Caroline Harvie-Teare says a New Zealand-exclusive event announcement is coming soon. "They're the things that really shift the dial when it comes to visitation here in Christchurch and they're the things that we want to see here in Christchurch, and this is why we've got this beautiful new venue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building says it's not out of the woods yet, but their financial situation is improving. It recorded an $11 million half-year loss  - down from $134 million the year before. Earnings are out of the red at $45 million, compared to $-88 million the year before. Chief executive Andrew Reding says they'll take a while to get back on track.   "We're not forecasting great times for our financial year 2026, and indeed think that the calendar year 2027 is when things are lined up and moving properly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.