Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Labour's Chris Hipkins recently claimed no-one outside of Newstalk ZB is fussed about the Auckland lockdowns from 2021. Does he have a point? Will we find out come November? Yesterday, Prime Minister Chris Luxon said he'd always choose social cohesion over businesses bottom lines when it comes to immigration. Labour's Chris Hipkins has raised concerns, especially following some other comments from Winston Peters and Shane Jones. Does he have a point?  How badly did we get ripped off if it’s true we paid $3 million to get Robbie Williams here - especially if Singapore reportedly paid $3 million for six Taylor Swift concerts two years ago?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here’s a question for you: how badly did we get ripped off if it’s true we paid $3 million to get Robbie Williams here? Now, we don’t know for sure that's the amount the Government paid out of the Major Events Fund, but that is what Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has revealed in a fit of pique at the Government. And so far, nobody’s publicly denied it - not even Louise Upston, who’s the minister in charge of the money. Privately, we at the show have had at least one, what I would call, soft confirmation that the amount is correct. Now, if that’s true, $3 million for - as Wayne Brown calls him - a “tattooed Pom” is too much money. We’re wasting taxpayer money here, for a start. As excited as I personally am to be going to Robbie’s concert in November, I don’t think a 1990s pop star is what we imagined the Major Events Fund would be used for when it was set up after we missed out on Taylor Swift, Oasis and Lady Gaga. I mean, two in that list are proper A-list stars and one is a massively overdue reunion - a complet

Air New Zealand's CEO says the airline will trim more flights, with a forecast it'll be $390 million in the red this financial year. It's blaming the fuel cost hike lifting spending $240 million more than expected.  The airline told NZX it's already reduced overall capacity three to five percent since the Iran war began. Nikhil Ravishankar says cuts may continue even after jet fuel prices ease, with cuts for August to October announced soon. "We either sort of roll over the changes that we've made into July - or we might have to go a bit further, depending on what fuel's doing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins says Aucklanders have moved on from long lockdowns, and don't hold a grudge against Labour.  The Labour leader gave a speech today on the city's future, batting away questions on whether the Party kept the city too long in lockdown in 2021.  Chris Hipkins clarified that more Aucklanders are focused on the future of the city than what happened years ago. "Covid-19 was a very difficult time for everybody, and Auckland bore a disproportionate brunt of the effects of the Covid-19 restrictions compared to the rest of the country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new poll has National stuck in the high 20s, with Labour seven points ahead.  National's on 29 percent in the Talbot Mills poll, with Labour on 36. Both parties haven't moved since last month's poll.  NZ First is down one to 14 percent, and ACT down one on seven percent.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained what these results mean for the coalition's odds.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, opposition leader Angus Taylor has confirmed the coalition will restrict  the availability of welfare to foreigners if they win the next election. Taylor is set to deliver his first budget reply speech later this evening, and he's unveiled cuts will be made to the migrant intake in order to reduce housing pressures. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explained why this turn won't appeal to younger voters.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Whites World Cup squad's been named - with New Zealand clubs providing eight of the 26 players. Auckland FC has five representatives in Michael Woud, Callan Elliot, Jesse Randall, Francis de Vries and Nando Pijnaker, while the Wellington Phoenix supply three in Alex Rufer, Tim Payne and Sarpreet Singh. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s proposal to change funding criteria for more type 2 diabetes medicines based on clinical need. Under the proposal, 25,000 more diabetic Kiwis will gain access to the treatments over the next few years. David Seymour says there's a lot of potential in investing in more GLP-1 medications to prevent other health problems impacting people down the line. "We've made a lot of progress on this kind of whole of society approach to funding medicines that will save us money in the long term, but that's some of the challenges we've run into so far."  Pharmac has since confirmed the ethnicity criteria reference refers to the diabetes medicine consultation and they have separate recommendations for semaglutide funding applications. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The carnival of chaos continues in Downing Street, as British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets with one of the main contenders for his job - Health Minister Wes Streeting. Despite four ministerial resignations and 86 MPs calling for him to go, Starmer insists he is staying on as Prime Minister. UK correspondent Kay Oliver speculates ahead of the meeting. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is set to travel to China this week to meet with President Xi Jinping. The US president will arrive with tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, in order to discuss trade, technology, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Milford Asset Management expert Jeremy Hutton explains what this could mean for the market. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could this be the year that the Opportunity Party meets the threshold to get into Parliament? Phillip Mills, the founder of gym franchise Les Mills International, has always supported Labour and the Greens, but he's topped up donations to TOP. Political commentator Bryce Edwards says this upcoming election is TOP's best chance, as Labour, National and NZ First continue to lose favour.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners 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!  Chris Luxon made a speech to a Business NZ audience in Auckland ahead of the 2026 Budget. He's indicated that this year's Budget won't splash the cash despite the ongoing global conflicts impacting New Zealand. Are we surprised by this?  The idea of the All Blacks being downgraded to premium economy has been floated in order to help bring down NZ Rugby's costs. What do we make of this idea? Do they need to stay in business class? How can Waitaki District Council justify a 45 percent rates increase? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 13 May, 2026, a warning from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon that there'll be no treats in this month's Budget - we ask senior correspondent Katie Bradford how much is going on the credit card. Sociologist Paul Spoonley on why there's not really a brain drain. We talk to Retail New Zealand chief executive Carolyn Young on why Kiwi shoppers are loyal to local when they could get cheaper foreign goods. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Phil O'Reilly on whether the All Blacks should travel business class - but premium economy if they lose. 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.

New Zealand's international credit rating has hit a tipping point, and economists have raised concerns. Back in March, Fitch Ratings placed New Zealand’s AA+ long-term credit rating on a 'negative outlook', downgraded from 'stable'.  Moody's later followed suit, claiming the global economic and political uncertainty presented downside risks to growth. Fitch's Head of Asia-Pacific Sovereigns, Thomas Rookmaaker, says this was driven by a number of factors, including the Middle East conflict and Government debt.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, I’m fascinated by this article in the New Zealand Herald, which argues the All Blacks should be forced to give up business class and travel premium economy instead. The reasoning is the cost of international travel has become so expensive that moving our teams in black around the planet is now costing nearly $87 million a year. Dropping them back a class on the plane would bring that cost down to $80 million a year and nearly wipe out the $7 million loss that New Zealand Rugby just reported for the financial year, which is great maths. But the idea is ridiculous, isn’t it? I mean, you can’t ask a two-metre-tall man like Fabian Holland to move down from business class. But even the shorter guys - you can’t ask them to travel to South Africa in a few weeks, which is literally on the other side of the world. It’s close to a full day’s travel, even on the most direct route through Perth, and then expect them to get over their jet lag and start playing top-level rugby against the best team in the world. You’re

Kiwis appear to be shopping close to home, according to new reports.  Data from retail management platform Lightspeed shows about 77 percent of Kiwis surveyed prefer shopping in store above online.  40 percent shop at local businesses, and 34 percent buy online from New Zealand retailers. Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young says they want more of this, and for people to be proud of local stores. She says people should think about stores in their neighbourhoods that they really love. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing calls to drop the All Blacks down from business class to premium economy, as travel costs set to get worse during the fuel crisis. Dropping all of New Zealand's premium rugby teams down a flight class would reportedly save $6 million per year - as NZ Rugby looks to cut down losses. NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster says the All Blacks need to travel multiple times a year, and this downgrade would be a stretch.  "The All Blacks carry a huge load for us...so we're not just sending them halfway across the world and putting them there, we're flying them multiple times over long distances. So this is not a consideration." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has warned less cash would be thrown around in this year's upcoming Budget amid ongoing economic turmoil. Luxon told the audience at the pre-Budget BusinessNZ event that it's important for the Government to stay on track with their fiscal strategy as the election looms. NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford says Luxon's speech is meant to signal to voters that his Government values stability and social cohesion. "This is a very clear message he's trying to get out there - about how National is the party of sensible, stable planned approach going in here."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Australia, housing supply is emerging as a key issue, for yesterday's new Labor Government Budget. It's raising taxes on investment properties and some trust funds - to give working Australians a $250 tax break. 35,000 fewer homes are expected to be built, despite net migration of 300,000 people a year. New South Wales University Emeritus Professor, Peter Swan, says they're destroying the rental industry. "All citizens are going to have to put up with much higher inflation - not due to the war, but due to excessive Government expenditure."   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A promise of more public sector cost-savings, as Budget Day nears. The Prime Minister told business leaders today that the Government's cutting another $300 million dollars from the Budget operating allowance - to $2.1 billion dollars. Chris Luxon says responsible economic management and fiscal discipline are more important than ever. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this development was largely expected.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.