Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Government has confirmed it plans to investigate the City Rail Link project, after reports revealed it could have cost $2 billion less. Do we think this review is needed? Is it time to lift the Super age from 65? Another economist has warned we can't keep kicking the can down the road. What do we think?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 7 May, 2026, Steve Lancaster is finally confirmed as the new chief executive of New Zealand Rugby. We talk about the prospect of an Anzac test. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka on changes that could see reserve land put up for sale. Youthline chief executive Shae Ronald tells us about the biggest issues confronting those aged 12 to 24. And on The Huddle, Mark Sainsbury and Thomas Scrimgeour are aghast at Wellington City Council's highest earners still potentially getting "golden handshakes" if they're fired. 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.

Now, you would have thought that after all the publicity Wellington City Council has been getting - and the paid staff have been getting - for being caught doing things behind the backs of elected councillors, they probably wouldn’t do it again. And yet, here we are. They’ve been caught doing it again. The latest revelation is that they have decided to exempt themselves from a Government law brought in about three months ago. The law prevents employees who earn more than $200,000 from taking personal grievance cases against their bosses if they are fired. In other words, there will be no golden handshake if you’ve been sacked while earning that kind of money. But guess what? Wellington City Council bosses decided they weren’t going to follow that law and exempted 42 of their staff from it. That’s quite unbelievable, because the law is intended to make it easier for employers to remove incompetent managers who have been doing very little for years on end. And Wellington City Council knows it has a problem. A r

The Conservation Minister says the new planned reforms of conservation law will benefit Kiwi businesses and biodiversity.  It lays the groundwork for reinvesting revenue from charging international tourists - estimated at about $60 million a year - back into conservation land. It also speeds up the Department of Conservation signing off leases and permits. Minister Tama Potaka says this will modernise legislation that was in need of an update. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rise in AI has seen demand for professionally written CVs in a bid to stand out against algorithms. Experts say while AI can be useful to screen hundreds of applicants faster, it's created a transparency gap between employers and jobseekers. CVs by Sarah director Sarah Wrightson says the screening software rules out applicants before a human gets a chance to look at their CVs, and it results in qualified applicants getting filtered out. "I've had clients come to me saying that they've applied for 80 jobs and heard nothing back - and often, they've actually got really solid experience. The software's looking for alignment and clarity, humans read context, the software doesn't."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Infrastructure Minister suspects the grandeur of Auckland's City Rail Link stations will surprise users. Chris Bishop's announced the build will be reviewed - after the project's former boss claimed it could have been completed for half the $5.5 billion spent.  Bishop says the architecture is amazing, and some might describe the stations as palaces.  "They're going to be incredible, but they come at a price. And you've just got to weigh up whether or not it's worth the price, and like every other project, we should do a review once it's open."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has appointed Steve Lancaster as the organisation’s new chief executive, after he spent six months as the interim CEO. In a statement, NZR chairman David Kirk congratulated Lancaster on the appointment - and said he brings 'strong experience at all levels of the game'. Lancaster says he's intent on turning up and doing the best job he can and he's focused on making the business sustainable.  "I guess the board decided they're happy with the job I'm doing - so here I am."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's treading water, with a warning our increasingly overloaded pension system isn't sustainable. The latest OECD snapshot of our economy suggests unless we adjust systems, including the costs of health, long-term care and pension will increase by about five percent of GDP by 2060. It says it could be countered by changes including upping Superannuation contributions.  Economist Cameron Bagrie says we can't keep kicking the can down the road - and that we need to address entitlements, through lifting the retirement age or means testing.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's claims new legislation brings the most significant reform of conservation law in nearly 40 years. A Government bill's been lodged, to allow reinvestment of international visitor fees into conservation, with estimates it'll raise $60 million a year. The reform will also speed up DOC decision making, with claims it will add consistency to processes for applying Treaty obligations. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says tourism on conservation land brings in billions every year, and it helps create jobs for Kiwis.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's unveiled a new multi-billion -dollar fuel security package to keep things going amid the ongoing global uncertainty. The plan, to be included in the upcoming federal budget, will fund the creation of a Government-owned fuel reserve and expand onshore storage to boost fuel supply. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the opposition has raised concerns about this - and said it's not enough for the country. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chairman David Kirk's accepting responsibility for a worldwide search for a New Zealand Rugby CEO that has ended with them promoting one of their own. Community rugby boss and interim chief executive Steve Lancaster is the new boss, ending a months-long search for a replacement for Mark Robinson. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mental health organisations are struggling to get the attention of young people in need. The latest Youthline ASB State of the Generation report finds mental health is the largest issue, followed by lack of job opportunities and bullying.  The survey of 12-24-year-olds also suggests 41 percent don't know they can get help from support organisations.  Youthline chief executive Shae Ronald says there's an uptick in recent university grads that can't find any work, and it's concerning.  "I think we've got to support young people, to understand managing their mental health through applying for jobs is as important as polishing your CV... that we make sure there's opportunities."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weeks of uncertainty, over an outbreak of deadly hantavirus on a Dutch cruise ship travelling the Atlantic. Three people have died, with other cases confirmed and suspected. The 150 passengers are isolating in cabins, including one New Zealander.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says investigations are taking place into the outbreak, as it's unknown where it came from. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new test case for the standards of political neutrality expected in the public service. Craig Stobo has resigned as chair of the Financial Markets Authority, after an investigation found he'd voiced too many political views for someone in an apolitical public sector role. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CDC Data Centres – half owned by infrastructure investor Infratil – says it has secured the largest data centre contract in Australia’s history, a 555 megawatt deal that takes its total contracted capacity to over one gigawatt. The 30-year contract is with an as-yet-unidentified United States high-end investment-grade customer and is inclusive of renewal options of up to 20 years. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. 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!  The Minister for Internal Affairs has unveiled a new multi-choice test for migrants looking to get New Zealand citizenship. Applicants would have to answer 20 questions and get 15 correct to pass. Do we think this is fair?  The BSA is on its way out, with Minister Paul Goldsmith saying it's no longer fit for purpose. Do we agree that this change is long overdue? Do we think the media can regulate itself?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 6 May, 2026, we talk to Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith about the axing of the Broadcasting Standards Authority. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden explains the citizenship tests for would-be migrants. A parent coach tells us about an online guide to help parents navigate social media with their children. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Phil O'Reilly discuss whether the BSA was past its use-by date. 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.

Well, blow me down - I did not think that Paul Goldsmith had the courage or the inclination to do something as bold as actually scrapping the Broadcasting Standards Authority. I thought it was all talk when he kept dropping it as a possibility but it turns out I was wrong. He’s announced the BSA is gone; the laws will be drawn up in the next few months and they’ll be passed before the next election. Why this surprises me is because this is culture war-adjacent stuff. This is exactly the kind of thing the Nats have tried to avoid of late - anything that makes you feel just a bit icky. People aren’t going to like it. They’ve tried to get away from it because there is quite a high risk of blowback. If the Nats are accused of trying to protect their mates in the more fringe parts of the media, like Platform for example, that’s not necessarily a good look. And on the other hand, there’s little upside - other than making a few broadcasters like me, irritated by the BSA, happy. The BSA is funded by the media so ther

ASB is set to launch their own answer to Sharesies with their new app. ASB Share Central will include a mobile app and desktop platform, and it will allow Kiwis to make their own investments into shares.  CMC Markets managing director Chris Smith says it's 'exciting' ASB wants to take this step, and they're looking forward to working with the bank on this project. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Internal Affairs says an incoming multi-choice test for those seeking citizenship shouldn't be a barrier for people seeking to become a New Zealander.  The test will be imposed for people seeking citizenship from late next year.  Applicants would have to answer 20 questions and get 15 correct to pass.  Minister Brooke van Velden says says examples could be - what are our laws around domestic violence, or whether women and men have equal rights.  She says it's about understanding shared responsibility.  "If you're getting them wrong - really? We have to question citizenship there." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.