Larry Williams Drive

Pet cats are good at catching and hunting wild animals, but there's been concerns raised over what this means for the safety of our native fauna.  It's good for pet cats to roam, but growing awareness of the devastating impact they can have on our wildlife means owners need to take more responsibility, according to experts. Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa managing director Dr Helen Beattie says it's difficult to keep a pet cat confined to the home and it's important to keep them safe. She explained it's worth looking into a cat-proof fence to ensure they can't get too far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes the Iran war won't bring a big bump in unemployment. Stats NZ data shows the rate reached 5.3 percent in the March quarter, down from 5.4 percent in the three months to December. Infometrics expect it'll rise again throughout 2026. Principal Economist, Brad Olsen, says they're not expecting any mass firings. "It's more that those hiring intentions are likely to be more subdued - i.e., businesses probably won't be as keen to hire into the future just because of how uncertain things are."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority's not long for this world, with Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith announcing today it'll be scrapped. He says the body to monitor TV and radio is past its use-by date - and media can self-regulate using the Media Council.  No time-frame's set, but legislation will be drafted in coming months. Goldsmith says times have changed.  "The world's moved on and it's obvious to everybody how we get our information has changed dramatically, and it was sort of looking after a thin slice of broadcasting, so it no longer made sense."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority is being binned, and the Government's moving to let media companies regulate themselves.  The Authority was established in 1989 - but the Government says the media landscape's changed beyond its control. Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says print media already regulates itself through the Media Council, which broadcasters can join.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this move reflects the changing media market, and it'll save the taxpayers' money in the long run too.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's refusing to say what will constitute a breach of the Iran ceasefire - telling reporters they'll find out.  The US President said he's making 'tremendous' deals on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says two US commercial ships, along with military destroyers, have already safely moved through. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the US is looking to bide some more time as the conflict continues. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consortium Kanaloa Rugby, a group pitching to save the disbandment of the Moana Pasifika Super franchise, claims to have the necessary backing to take over the licence. However, chief executive Tracy Atiga says their bid to put up $15 million dollars - including debt settlements - is being ignored by the current owners. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacked what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spark and Parenting Place have launched an online course designed to help parents navigate social media. New research has revealed over one third parents feel out of their depth, and nearly one in five have to navigate meltdowns or arguments in order to manage devices. Parenting Place coach Sheridan Eketone says many parents have claimed they're feeling 'overwhelmed' with the new developments in social media and this course will help them manage the risks. "It gives all the perspectives, so we're gonna unpack with a parent - what are the risks? How do we keep them safe? What do we need to think about on screentime? How much is too much?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing speculation over Keir Starmer's future as Labour leader - especially with the local elections looming. Labour faces losing more than 1,800 council seats across England, including in key areas that have supported the party for decades. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's unknown who could replace Starmer, but there's some choices being floated.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Reserve Bank has lifted the country's Official Cash Rate 25 basis points, to 4.35 percent.  The move was expected by economists and financial markets, fearing the Middle East oil crisis could worsen inflation before it gets better. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham explained the move further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 5 May, 2026, we hear from Local Government Minister Simon Watts on an ultimatum to councils to amalgamate or the Government will do it for them. ACT leader David Seymour explains why he wants pharmacists to treat more illnesses and prescribe antibiotics. We hear why services to treat kidney disease are stretched throughout the country. And on The Huddle, Carmen Parahi and Jordan Williams debate whether it's good for schools to let children do a "fun run" instead of cross-country. 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.

Despite the mounting concerns about the economy and the ongoing Middle East conflict, New Zealand's rural sector is booming. Reports reveal farm worker pay growth has levelled off after a post-Covid period of rapid growth. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So at lunchtime today, I was catching up with one of our advertisers just across the road, having a cup of tea. He owns a health-adjacent business and we got chatting about community pharmacies - like the one I go to - and what they can do to survive at a time when the big players, like Chemist Warehouse, are taking over. I said to him that I feel community pharmacies need a real unique selling point. You can get almost everything you want from anywhere now, right? I think they need permission to do more prescribing themselves - that’s what will make them relevant again. Most of us would choose to go to our local pharmacy for a prescription if we could, rather than trying to get in to see our GPs, who are chocka and often unavailable, or standing in a queue with 25 other people at Chemist Warehouse. Instead, you’d walk into your local pharmacy and be one of two people in line. And just as I picked up my phone to leave this tea date, an alert came through: Seymour says pharmacists should treat more so you don’

Tonight on The Huddle, Tō Waha Media's Carmen Parahi and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Schools across Canterbury are splitting the athletic pupils from the rest of the pack by having the faster children run the cross country - and the others doing the fun-run. Do we think this is the right move, or are we encouraging kids to lose?  ACT wants pharmacists to take on more medical services in order to alleviate the pressure on the health system. Do we think this is the right move?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac's CEO says they have noticed changing customer habits in the backdrop of a tougher economy. The bank's half-year profit is up four percent, with its net profit rising to $545 million dollars. It's down 19 percent on the previous six months. CEO Catherine McGrath says businesses are getting good at controlling what they can. "There's a little bit less money being spent on things like hospitality and retail spend - with businesses, some of them are pausing a bit on whether they want to do their expansion plans." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A grievous assault involving dirt-bike riders in East Auckland has prompted a warning from the local board and police.  Footage circulating online shows a motorist being cut off and swarmed at the intersection of Pakuranga and Fortunes Roads - and getting attacked as he tried to get away. Howick Local Board Chair Bruce Kendall says this is a symptom of an international phenomenon of people being reckless. "They end up in a bit of a mob mentality and they end up doing some pretty bad things. And I don't know how this situation got to this particular point - I've only seen the video from the point that the car is stopped...and it looks pretty dangerous to me."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cross-country running can be hard on Kiwi kids who aren't athletic, and some Canterbury schools have proposed an alternative solution. They're splitting the race in two, where the athletic kids will run the standard cross-country race and the ones who aren't as excited about running will take part in the 'fun-run'. Primary Sports Canterbury sports director Michael Wilson says meaningful participation is important for education and development.  "Just like in the classroom, you don't give the same book to every child - so we think having multiple opportunities for kids to participate is a good thing."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hope that the ACT Party's latest election promise will alleviate pressure on the wider health sector. David Seymour recently announced ACT would expand pharmacists' powers, including letting them treat more minor ailments, manage long-term medications and monitor some conditions. Seymour says most of the world is looking to better utilise their health professionals to take the load off GPs and Emergency Departments.  "What's happened around the world is that pharmacists have got much greater use of robotic prescribing, so there's a lot less - as one pharmacist said to me - counting and pouring. And as a result, all of these countries are starting to make greater use of having a pretty well-trained health professional, usually in your community."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Minister says a pathway's been made for councils to fast-track reform - because they're raring to go.   The Government's announced councils have three months to submit rough merger plans, for becoming unitary authorities.  In November it said it would abolish regional councillors, and reform local Government over a number of years, while encouraging district councils to merge.   Simon Watts says councils have been so receptive, they've invited them to fast track it.  "I don't want to set the pace of this reform by the slowest council - actually, the opposite, we want the ones that are ready to go to have a pathway to do that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RMA Reform Minister says simplifying our councils is a crucial part of changes to Resource Management.  The Government's today announced a fast-track amalgamation process - asking councils to submit proposals for merging with neighbours to form unitary authorities.  They have three months to submit a rough plan. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained what this could mean going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 47 year old Australian man accused of killing a five-year-old girl in Alice Springs has been remanded in custody.  Jefferson Lewis was due to appear by video link but was excused, and the case adjourned until July 30.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds explained why this was put on hold.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.