Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 10 April, 2026, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown signs the country's first city deal. He tells us why he couldn't get the bed levy across the line this time. Judge Ema Aitken gets to keep her job. Former Attorney General Chris Finlayson tells us if that was the right call. What was Melania Trump up to with that press conference? Bo Erickson is Reuters US Politics correspondent and was in the room. He gives us the inside scoop. And Alex Powell and Andrew Gourdie discuss why parents don't volunteer on their kids sports teams anymore. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hands up—who knew the ANZ Premiership starts tomorrow? This is netball. I’m guessing not many hands went up, which is a worry. It’s somewhat forgivable, given the state of netball’s head office at the moment. It doesn’t have a permanent CEO, and the chair and several board members have recently resigned. So you can understand why things are a bit of a mess and the communication strategy isn’t quite working. But it’s also not forgivable, because this is a pivotal season for netball. This season has to work. It probably won’t, but it at least needs the best possible chance, because professional netball in this country is fighting for its life. There’s no broadcast deal this year. Sky pulled out at the end of last year, so netball has had to pay TVNZ just to get it on TV2. That means there’s no money coming in from Sky, and players have had to take a 20% pay cut—those who are still here, anyway. Nine Silver Ferns have already moved to the Australian competition, where they earn double what they do here. And that

A new alliance has formed to oppose the proposed LNG facility including groups like Master Electricians, Consumer New Zealand, and the Sustainable Energy Alliance. Smart Energy Alliance spokesperson Gareth Williams told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "our view is that it's very short-sighted, that it doesn't really address the real challenges that New Zealand's electricity system faces." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Lady Melania Trump made a seemingly unprompted announcement earlier today denying any ties with Jeffrey Epstein.  Speculation has arisen online that she made this statement to get ahead of some news that may come out about her, but Reuters White House press correspondent Bo Erickson believes it's just an important issue to her.  "Obviously this has been bugging her, and the way that she did it is very exceptional when it comes to contemporary first ladies who don't really lean into controversies," he told Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A conduct panel has decided not to stand Judge Ema Aitken down from her position as District Court Judge following an incident at Auckland’s exclusive Northern Club in 2024 Aitken was investigated after she, and her husband, crashed a NZ First event and allegedly shouted at the speaker.  The panel called her actions “a serious breach of comity" but did not find grounds to revoke her position.  Former Attorney General Chris Finlayson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about the decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Backlash against Donald Trump on his social media site 'Truth Social' is building following the US President's R-rated Easter rant.  Although, US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan the backlash likely stems from a feeling of betrayal surrounding the war in Iran.  They also speak about fighting fire with sound waves, and anxiety bags. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A deal signed by Christopher Luxon and Wayne Brown was announced today to work together to bolster Auckland.  The partnership aims to boost economic growth and improve living standards across New Zealand. Some of the key commitments of the Auckland City Deal include; investing in Eden Park and the Auckland Tennis Centre to support international events, jointly developing a destination and major events strategy, establishing a c30-year transport strategy, and working together on the additional Waitematā Harbour crossing project and more efficient transport network management. Wayne Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "there'll be an end to sort of unexpected bits of legislation which don't work that we haven't been told about, or it'll be an end to unfunded mandates that we haven't been told about." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supermarket chain Woolworths is looking at closing down its in-store butchery departments across the entire South Island to instead only stock pre-packaged meat.  Woolworths are attributing their decision to the difficulty of hiring butchers, but Workers First Union national secretary Rudd Hughes says butchers are only leaving because they can "see the writing on the wall". "So, although it's only a trial, many of them feel it's a fait accompli, and so they're getting ahead of it and getting out before they can," Hughes told Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK's Prime Minister says there is a lot of work to do to make the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran hold.  Iran's Revolutionary Guard says shipping has once again stopped through the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli attacks on Lebanon.  The US rejects claims Israel's attacks breached the ceasefire agreement - because Hezbollah was never apart of it.  Parties are expected to meet in Pakistan later this week to further discuss Iran's ten-point proposal.  UK correspondent Enda Brady explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump named Kevin Warsh as his choice for Federal Reserve chair earlier in the year, and he's set to have an impact on the US economy. Warsh's confirmation hearing is set to take place next Wednesday and there's speculation growing about what this means for interest rates.  Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers says farmers are experiencing fuel shortages, with some two to three weeks behind their normal fuel drops. The US and Iran have reached a two-week ceasefire, and negotiations are planned in Pakistan this week, on a longer term settlement. Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean says there's no signs of this going away amid the ongoing uncertainty. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand sheep and beef farmers are set to see strong returns for the 25/26 season, but there's global factors impacting the outlook. Concerns have been raised over the US tariffs situation and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday 9 April. 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.

Jacinda Ardern is back in the news after transcripts of her behind-closed-doors testimony to the Royal Commission were published by the New Zealand Herald today. While the contents of the testimony contain few surprises, the transcript is notable as much for what it omits as for what it includes. There are no expressions of regret, no apologies, and no acknowledgment of wrongdoing - an outcome that may not shock those who followed the Government’s approach during the COVID-19 pandemic. The exchanges themselves are largely evasive, particularly on the issue of vaccine mandates. At one point, the Commission chair told Ardern it would be remiss not to ask whether she had divided the nation. Ardern responded by asking, “In what regard?” - a reply that struck many as disingenuous, given the scale of public opposition at the time, including prolonged protests directly outside her Beehive office. The testimony also reflects the familiar style critics associate with her leadership: lengthy explanations and abstract l

Tonight on the Huddle, lawyer and political commentator Liam Hehir and artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The results are in, and Fords have topped the list of the worst cars to own. Do we agree with this?  We're one day into the US-Iran ceasefire - and the agreement appears fragile, with Israel increasing their deadly attack on Lebanon and Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. What do we think of this? Do we think things will change following the peace talks? The Royal Commission reportedly 'grilled' Jacinda Ardern behind the scenes over her Covid-19 response. Do we think this was really necessary?  More people are getting into iced coffee - do we like it? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer NZ says ongoing mechanical problems put Fords to the top of its list of the worst cars to own. The US brand produced the two least reliable cars - in its survey of almost 6,000 owners. The Focus and Escape Models won the top spots. Product test journalist, Bryan Wall, says out of all cars, they had the most major faults reported. "Their cars were off-road for, probably, an extended period of time, because the engine wasn't working or the gearbox had failed or there's an electrical problem." Volkswagen's Tiguan and BMW three series make up the top four.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flat whites are out and iced coffees are in - and there's a wide range of factors behind this change. Cafes across the nation have noticed an uptick in younger customers reaching for cold drinks over hot. Flight Coffee co-founder Richard Corney says there's been a rise in people buying iced drinks, as well as chilled RTD coffees. "I don't have stats off the top of my head in terms of value now, but we've definitely seen a big consumer shift in how coffee's being consumed - mainly lead by Gen Z."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The alarm's being raised on sextortion, and ways young people can get help. A Coroner's found an 18-year-old took his life hours after sharing intimate images with someone pretending to be a young Timaru woman. The scammer - who was later traced to Africa - demanded $5000 and threatened to share their conversation. Netsafe's Chief Online Safety Officer Sean Lyons says young people should ask parents or others for support. He says the last thing they should do is hide it. "Because it is that shame, it is that horror that's on many young people - and specifically, the young and their vulnerability." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions have been raised over whether both parties are serious about achieving a ceasefire in Iran. The pause appears shaky - with Iran keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed in response to Israel's deadly attacks on Lebanon. The US maintains the ceasefire never applied to Hezbollah. Negotiations on a longer-term peace agreement are expected in Pakistan this week - attended by US Vice President JD Vance. CBS Correspondent Linda Gradstein says there've been positive developments. "Many are hoping, you know, the ceasefire kind of takes on a life of its own and it holds. And, that's what we've seen in Gaza, even though there is still fighting in Gaza." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says all US forces in the Middle East are staying in place and loading up until a 'real agreement' is reached.  The two-week ceasefire announced yesterday appears fragile - and Iran's keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed in response to Israel's continued deadly attacks on Lebanon.  Negotiations on a longer-term peace agreement are expected in Pakistan this week.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has criticised the ten-point plan - and concerns have been raised. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.