Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 29 August 2025, Reserve Bank chair Neil Quigley has quit with immediate effect. Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather if he hadn't left voluntarily, she would have sacked him. The Marokopa fugitive dad and his kids have burgled a dairy this week - but police don't sound like they're actively trying to find them. Why did Heather have to apologise to TVNZ CEO Jodi O'Donnell? A member of the Mongrel Mob has asked a judge for his confiscated patch back and the judge has said yes.. because of tikanga. Law Professor Al Gillespie says it was a good call. Plus, the Sports Huddle on this week's discussion about the risk of longlasting brain injuries from rugby - and whether more needs to be done to prevent them. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, I've got a huge amount of respect for the police, and I very much, almost weakly appreciate what it is that they do for us, but I think we have to call it. Tom Phillips is embarrassing them. I mean, the fact that he is still out there with his kids coming up 4 years now is embarrassing for the police because it looks like they're having rings run around them by a skinny guy from Mara Koppa. He makes a mockery of them every single time he pops up to nick milk from a dairy or shop in full view of the public in Bunnings, or do a job on a bank. Every time someone in the family pleads for him to come home, every time an international media outlet writes another fascinated piece about him being out there. Every winter, when our own media remember that the family are still out there and draw attention to it again, every time that happens, we are reminded that our police cannot find a guy and his kids in the bush around Mara Koppa. Now, I don't know what's going on here. I have a suspicion, I've shared it with y

The British court of appeal is set to make a decision on the 'asylum hotels' around the country.  Asylum seekers have been staying in hotels at the taxpayers expense, and the government is expected to make an announcement later today. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey says that tension around these hotels is rising and protests outside these hotels are getting 'pretty fraught.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 25,000 visitors from around Australasia are headed to Tauranga for the AIMS games this weekend. Around 14,000 kids from across the continent will be competing in 27 different sports. AIMS Games tournament director Kelly Schischka told Heather duPlessis-Allan that there are 431 schools being represented, including new competitors from Fiji and the Cook Islands.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reserve Bank board chairman Neil Quigley has resigned “with immediate effect” in the wake of the shambolic handling of Adrian Orr’s resignation as Governor. Finance Minister Nicola Willis made the announcement just before 6pm on Friday - the day after the Reserve Bank revealed Orr temporarily stepped down as Governor a week before the public was told he resigned The Finance Minister says she did not ask the Reserve Bank Chair to quit, following news he's resigned with immediate effect.  Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan that having completed key work streams with the bank, Quigley said the timing was appropriate. Willis says she raised criticism around the board's handling of information relating to the former Governor's exit. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on the Huddle, Rugby editor Elliott Smith and Canterbury sports reader Nick Bey join Heather duPlessis-Allan to discuss the latest sports news.  Does rugby need a rule change to protect against CTE? And how much are people willing to pay to watch the FIFA world cup next year? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legal expert has recommended that the Government re-write its poorly written gang patch law.  It follows a judge's recent decision allowing a Mongrel Mob member to have his patch back.  Waikato University Law Professor Al Gillespie says the judge interpreted the law fairly. He says the law is ambiguous as it doesn't say the patch must be destroyed.  Gillespie says the law will need to be straightened out back in parliament.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have a balance to manage as they continue the hunt for Marokopa fugitive father Tom Phillips and his three children. Police have released CCTV footage of a retail burglary in the King Country town of Piopio on Wednesday involving two people they believe to be the Marokopa father and one of his children. Lawyer Matthew Hague, who has served in the Police and Defence Force, says Police need to balance bringing this to a conclusion - with the risk of Phillips having weapons. But he told Heather du Plessis-Allan that this doesn't mean Police will be passive. Hague says they'll be working with the community, and using a variety of resources - but they'll be trying to avoid a direction confrontation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are questions over whether TVNZ cut too many jobs as it turns a surprisingly strong profit.  The broadcaster's reported an after-tax profit of nearly $26million dollars - after an $85million dollar loss last year.  But it comes after the broadcaster cut jobs - including canning production of programmes like Fair Go, Sunday and the midday and night-time news bulletins.  Talking to Heather Du-Plessis Allan, CEO Jodi O'Donnell denied that the cuts were excessive.  She says the company had to make decisions to ensure the business remained sustainable into the future.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consultation on the Government's proposed overhaul of the main secondary school qualification's open to mid-September.  It includes axing level one, and replacing levels two and three with certificates, that aim to be internationally comparable.  Auckland Principal Claire Amos doesn't want the system scrapped, and told Heather du Plessis-Allan that we need a system that has wraparound support.  She says we need more structure and support around teaching and learning.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fears of a new political crisis swept through France - as it looks likely Francois Bayrou will be ousted in a crucial confidence vote. France’s embattled Prime Minister stunned the country when he asked President Emmanuel Macron to convene an extraordinary session of parliament in September. UK correspondent Enda Brady speculates ahead of the big day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luxury spending has been booming over the last couple of decades, but many high-end brands have been taking a financial hit. Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton have been seeing significant revenue falls since the Covid-19 pandemic. Fisher Funds' Sam Dickie reveals what could be behind the downturn. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pāmu, formerly Landcorp, recently reported a net profit after tax of $120 million for the year ended June 2025, which will see it return a $15 million dividend. It's a significant turnaround compared to last year, when the company posted a loss of $26 million. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Council's Maurice Williamson and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  We've got councillors laughing at rate rises in Grey District - how outrageous is this? Or was it out of context? The Government has made moves to loosen liquor laws. They're not cutting the hours, but they're making it easier for bars to operate. Is this the right move - or opening us up to more harm? AT recently defended its $63 million dollar spend on road cones, claiming it takes two years to implement the new safety guidelines. Do we believe this?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 28 August 2025, Nicole McKee tells Heather why the Government is loosening liquor licensing rules. Air NZ boss Greg Foran has delivered his final annual result before he leaves the airline - and he hints at his next job. Will a few new Costcos around the country really result in cheaper groceries? Former Costco NZ Managing Director Patrick Noone speaks to Heather. Plus, the Huddle debates whether Grey District Councillors were completely out of line for breaking out in laughter after a question about critics of the 13% rates rise. 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 it's fair to say World Rugby's copping it today, even more so than yesterday. This is following the death of Shane Christie, the former Highlander who had the headaches and the memory loss and all those other symptoms that were consistent with CTE from too many head knocks. A former Wales #8 with early onset dementia, Alex Popham, has gone straight to World Rugby and the All Blacks' Twitter accounts and told them they've got blood on their hands.  And our very own Scotty Stevenson has written a piece saying it's time to stop spending money on PR - this is obviously for rugby - and start spending money on helping the former players with these symptoms. Absolutely. I mean, there is no doubt that World Rugby could be doing more, right? The stand down period for a professional rugby player for a suspected concussion is - what do you think? 12 days. That's ridiculous.  In boxing, it's 30 days. And if they actually lose consciousness and they know they've lost consciousness, it co

Pāmu, formerly Landcorp, is seeing a significant financial turnaround, having reported a net profit after tax of $120 million for the year ended June 2025, which will see it return a $15 million dividend. It's a significant turn compared to last year's results, where the company posted a loss of $26 million. Chief executive Mark Leslie says he's 'thrilled' to be reporting these results. "It's great to post the result - but equally, I'm thrilled for all our people as well because there's a lot of people right through the organisation who work hard every day." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's frustrations over yet another delay to a possible extension of the Port of Tauranga wharves.  The Stella Passage development fast-track application has been halted, days before an expert panel was due to begin discussions.  A High Court judge has directed it must not be considered, pending further orders from the court. Tauranga Business Association CEO Matt Cowley says this is down to the application missing a few words.  Cowley explained the judge therefore ruled it didn't fit the scope, adding it's amazing a sand dune has impacted millions coming into the economy.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's new reforms are being welcomed by the alcohol industry body. The Government's proposing making businesses have further zero and low alcohol products on sale, to meet growing demand. It's also allowing businesses to respond to objections on licensing, and permitting wineries and breweries to have both an on and off license. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains why many are welcoming these changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government hopes businesses will be in favour of an alcohol regulation shake-up. It's allowing breweries and wineries to have both an on and off license - and is also letting businesses respond to objections around them having a license. Objections need to come from the local community. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says it's important for people to have concerns to have a real voice - but there's been plenty of outside perspectives. "The majority of New Zealanders that drink, drink responsibly. And I want to make sure they have the opportunity to do that. We want to re-grow our sector, it means also having tourism and having people being able to go out there and enjoy a night out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.