Larry Williams Drive

The state of the US Federal Reserve has always prompted responses from financial markets, but recent actions from the Trump administration have raised eyebrows. Trump recently came out and said he was going to fire Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook earlier in the week. Milford Asset Management's Andrew Curtayne unpacked the market reactions  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent energy crisis has rippled out to the big companies, with Meridian the latest to take a significant financial hit. Meridian Energy recently confirmed a $452-million-dollar loss, after being hit by periods of low wind, two major droughts, and a shortage of gas. CEO Mike Roan says the company's been through a tough year, but they managed to shield customers from the high prices. "We took a hit, no question about that - but we kept the lights on, so electricity flowed to people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States Government has been pushing for more full-fat dairy products, and one Kiwi expert confirmed there's health benefits. Robert F. Kennedy jnr has said for months that he wants the Government to endorse whole milk, reversing its earlier claims that Americans should consume low-fat milk and cheese to reduce the health risks. Nutritionist and AUT professor Caryn Zinn says there's a 'substantial' body of evidence that shows full-fat milk is healthier.  "Full-fat dairy products actually outperform low-fat dairy products when it comes to a number of chronic diseases - including lowering risk of childhood obesity, cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Transport has spent more than $63 million dollars on traffic management and road cones in the past year.  Mayor Wayne Brown is criticising the figure - saying it equates to about 3 percent rates rises across the city.  But AT says it isn't too much considering its over $1.2-billion infrastructure programme.  Road Corridor Access and Coordination Group Manager Tracey Berkahn says new Government guidance may lower costs.  "Now there's a lot more thought put into a principles-based approach to it. And so, necessarily, you'll have fewer devices out there." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government expects new supermarkets to pop up in months, rather than years - with planned reforms. It's introducing legislation to pass before the end of the year to allow supermarkets that boost competition to be up for fast-track approval. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says supermarkets can also apply for streamlined building consents. "Really, it's just a matter of how quickly they can build."  Costco's confirmed its looking at opening new stores in New Zealand, after success in West Auckland. Meanwhile, the Government's looking at the costs and benefits of breaking up the supermarket duopoly. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A build-up of industry income changes could have driven the pay gap between men and women to a historic low.  The pay gap for the June quarter is sitting at 5.2 percent, down from the 8.2 percent seen a year ago. It's the smallest margin seen since Stats NZ began collecting the data in 1998.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says sectors like transport, IT and finance have been pushing through higher incomes for female workers.  "We've also seen continued larger pay increases for a number of quite large female-dominated industries alike - of education and health." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government hopes more progress on competing with the supermarket duopoly will bring down prices. It's announced what it calls an express lane, allowing for new supermarkets to open in New Zealand. If a supermarket will boost either regional or national competition, it will be considered to be fast-tracked. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says these changes are set to be pushed through quite quickly. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a big day for Swifties - as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement. The multi-Grammy winner and NFL star took to social media this morning, sharing photos of the proposal. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says this story interrupted the US Open coverage - and even made its way into President Trump's cabinet meeting. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data from Consumer NZ reveals insurance costs have soared over the last two decades, and there's concerns less households could access it going forward. The report notes the cost of insurance has gone up 916 percent since 2000 - ahead of the increase in the price of cigarettes and tobacco, which went up 608 percent. Insurance Council Chief Executive Kris Faafoi says there's been many high-profile disasters over that timeframe, which have helped drive up premiums. "Inflation affects us too - when it costs more for building costs, then rebuilding a house ends up being more expensive." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Māori All Black Shane Christie has died in Nelson, aged 39. Friends of Christie have told NZME it was believed his death was self-inflicted and came after a period during which concern over his wellbeing had increased. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave paid tribute. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has voiced strong disapproval with Labour's migration strategy, and he's set to unveil his own solution. Farage will outline his party's plans to tackle small boats crossings, and he's already pledged to detain and deport people coming into the UK illegally. UK correspondent Enda Brady speculates ahead of the announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank's move to review banking capital rules has been welcomed by Federated Farmers. Banking spokesperson Mark Hooper says the stricter rules make it difficult for farmers to borrow money - and these changes will make things fairer. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to new reports, overseas interest in NZ-based companies is at a record high. A new survey by Simpson Grierson says 49 percent of international respondents considering moving more money into New Zealand, compared with 40 percent last year. Salt Funds managing director Matt Goodson explains what's driving this change. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, CTU economist Craig Renney and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! More than a hundred students at Lincoln University are being re-tested after suspicions they used AI to cheat. Is this the right move from the university?  Are we in favour of 4-year parliamentary terms? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 26 August 2025, we're one step closer to a referendum on four year terms. But do we have the right safeguards in place to protect us from rogue Governments and bad decisions? Australia's Channel Nine Chief Political Editor Charles Croucher has the latest on news that Iran has been accused of orchestrating antisemitic attacks in Australia. Fonterra's consumer arm, Pic's Peanut Butter, now Eventfinda - foreign investors are lapping up Kiwi businesses. What's making us so attractive to overseas buyers? Lincoln University's Chad Hewitt explains why they're making a whole class defend their assignments because many of them are suspected of cheating with the use of AI. Plus, the Huddle debates four year terms and whether Universities need to change their approach on AI in exams. 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 f

I think it is significant that David Seymour has walked away from supporting his own bill to bring in four-year terms for the Government. He was the one who introduced this bill - but he's now pulled ACT's support. Every other party in parliament appears to still back it, but he's pulled support because the safeguards that he wanted are gone. His idea was that we increase the terms from three to four years. So you vote the Government and you get three years - and now he wants to make it four years, which basically means giving the Government more power. But he was only okay with that if we balanced it out by taking away some power. And his idea was to allow the opposition parties to control every single select committee, giving them the power. But that part of the plan, the select committee part, has been removed. So David Seymour doesn't support his own idea anymore, which frankly, I think is a good idea, because he has ended up exactly where I have been this entire time. No to four-year terms unless there a

NZME is reporting an almost 12 percent rise in half-year earnings. The media company - which owns Newstalk ZB and the Herald - is reporting growth across audio, podcasts, subscriptions, and the OneRoof property website. CEO Michael Boggs says this is a strong result, given the tough economic environment, but there's hope for more growth.  "People are seeing green shoots, but sadly, I've been saying that for the last year in every one of our results announcements...this time, we've not done any forecast based on green shoots."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than a hundred students at Lincoln University are being re-tested after suspicions they used AI to cheat.  An entire post-graduate finance class is suspected of wrongdoing, with a threat of disciplinary action if they can't individually explain their workings in an in-person presentation involving coding and answering questions. The university's Provost, Professor Chad Hewitt, explained there are some cases where they allow the use of AI - but in this case, students were expected to use their own brain.  "The course has just identified a high number of suspected cases - as a consequence, the easiest thing to do is to bring the students in and ask them questions." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Events discovery platform Eventfinda could soon reach global markets, with help from Ticketek Entertainment Group. The live entertainment business has acquired Eventfinda, subject to conditions. Eventfinda will continue to operate under the same brand, and says clients can be assured that it’s business as usual. Co-founder James McGlinn says the team's 'overjoyed' with the new deal. "It couldn't come fast enough, we're really excited about it."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New intelligence reports have linked Iranian officials to multiple attacks against Australia’s Jewish community. Iran's ambassador to Australia and three other Iranian officials have been expelled and given a week to leave the country.  Australia's also suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran and designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist entity. Australian correspondent Charles Croucher says this is an 'unusual situation' and investigations are still ongoing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.