Larry Williams Drive

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 31 October. 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.

A pump station overflow north of Auckland has resulted in the temporary closure of Oyster farms and the destruction of thousands of contaminated oysters. In an email sent on Thursday, Watercare said the pump station overflowed at about 2.30pm to the stormwater pond and wastewater began entering the Mahurangi River but the overflow was not stopped until 8am the next day. Chair of the Mahurangi Oyster Farms Association, Lynette Dunn, said to Andrew Dickens that this was far from the first time this type of incident had occurred. "I think by recording, we might be up to about 38 or 39 times for the whole year," she said.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chase UK star Shaun Wallace, aka Dark Destroyer, is touring New Zealand hosting quiz events to raise money for Cure Kids.  The Chaser will also host the 25th New Zealand Quiz Championships in Eden Park on November 8.  Wallace is not a Chaser for soon-to-debut The Chase NZ but he told Andrew Dickens, "I would really like to see a New Zealand chaser, because there's some very, very good quizzers over here". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns over potential US nuclear tests have arisen after Donald Trump posted on X saying 'I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis'. The announcement left questions about whether the US President meant testing weapons systems or actually conducting test explosions, which the United States has not done since 1992. Vice-President JD Vance failed to provide any clarification, telling reporters the President’s statement “speaks for itself".  US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Andrew Dickens he wasn't convinced the threats will be followed through- "as we know, the president tends to speak first sometimes and think after he has spoken". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Bayly, the MP for Port Waikato, stood down as ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister after allegations of unprofessional behaviour.  While speaking to Newstalk ZB yesterday Bayly said he was told the allegations made against him had been corroborated by three other people - he now has evidence it was not. Speaking from Korea overnight Luxon reiterated he would have fired Bayly had he not resigned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Okava has been investigating the use of GLP-1 receptors in cats and found it has similar effects to weight-loss drugs on humans. The San Francisco-based company is hoping to develop a long-acting implant as opposed to regular injections. But, Healthy Pets New Zealand trustee and vet Dr Cath Watson says weight loss drugs should not be the first option for pets.  Watson told Andrew Dickens that pet obesity levels are "pretty bad and getting worse". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two men arrested last week have partially admitted their role in a brazen heist from Paris's Louvre museum. Crown jewels worth millions of dollars were taken last week, when four people used a hydraulic crane to break into a window in broad daylight, then fled on motorbikes. UK correspondent Elizabeth Callaghan explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows AI is still holding strong in current financial markets. Meta, Microsoft and Google recently unveiled their earnings, and the data indicates there's clear demand for AI. Same Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 30 October 2025, National MP Andrew Bayly tells Heather he was misled and now thinks it was a mistake to resign from his ministerial portfolios. Why won't Health NZ make it easier for parents who want to vaccinate their babies against measles? Fonterra's CEO Miles Hurrell is stoked farmer shareholders have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a deal that will see a French company buy its consumer brands. Chris Luxon has invited Donald Trump to come to New Zealand for a round of golf with... former PM John Key! Key tells Heather which golf course he'd take the US president to. Air NZ boss Nikhil Ravishankar in studio with Heather... does he regret asking the Government for a subsidy in his first week? Plus, the Huddle debates Andrew Bayly and whether Chris Luxon's wealth is fair game for Chris Hipkins. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESe

The best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman will go head-to-head tomorrow, as the 2025 Trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial Test series. Running over two days, the competition will see elite handlers and their dogs from New Zealand and Australia battle it out for the Wayleggo Cup. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! National's Andrew Bayly has revealed why he resigned in February and attempted to clear up the situation with ZB's Barry Soper earlier today. What do we make of all this? Luxon and Trump had their first big face-to-face meeting today - how do we think it all went? The chat was about hair and golf, did we expect more?  Is it okay for Chris Hipkins to take shots at Chris Luxon's wealth? Was that a low blow? Parents are struggling to get their babies vaccinated against measles and the Ministry of Health can't explain why they're making it so hard. Is this unreasonable? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've got an update for you on the social media ban for kids situation - over in Australia, the social media companies have now admitted they can kick underage kids off their platforms, and they've admitted that they will start enforcing the ban when the ban in Australia comes into effect on December 10th. Now, this is not a surprise to me that they can actually do it, because I never believed the nonsense when they said: “Oh, it's impossible to age verify, we couldn't possibly.” Because guess what? They can. Reddit over in the UK does this - it age verifies and stops people seeing content. It's completely possible to do. And it's pretty obvious that they already have a rough idea of how old the kids are, because that's why they feed teenage content to teenage people. What I think we should take from this, though, is that we should never believe the social media companies when they say they can't stop kids using their products. What I think you should do is kind of take the approach of treating them a lit

Air New Zealand says it's committed to maintaining regional connections, despite the Government turning down its offer.  CEO Nikhil Ravishankar last week pitched a temporary subsidy for lesser used domestic flights, saying it might be necessary to keep them operational.  But Prime Minister Chris Luxon says a subsidy isn't the answer, and Air New Zealand should shift its focus. Ravishankar says it still isn't planning to leave the regions.  "We know that it is a lot more than a commercial decision, it's a lifeline service at times. And we will do everything we can and everything we should be doing to ensure that connectivity remains." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National MP Andrew Bayly wants to clear up details of events that led him to resign his ministerial roles.  It was after allegations in February he'd placed a hand on a staffer's upper arm, during what he called an animated discussion. No formal complaint was made - but he says that's contrary to what he was led to believe and he now regrets resigning.  He says multiple things prompted him to quit. "It wasn't just the formal complaint, it was the statement that three people corroborated the allegations and that was what made me get to a position where I offered my resignation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Health says the measles outbreak isn't at the point where they'd routinely immunise babies under 12 months.  We have 13 infections - and 2000 close contacts. Parents have worried vaccinating babies early can cost more than $200.  The Ministry's Public Health Director, Dr Corina Grey, says allowing vaccinations earlier is a decision for health officials. "We'll continue to track the outbreak and review the evidence - but encouraging everybody who is eligible to get vaccinated." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra's farmer shareholders should get a decent payout from the sale of consumer brands like Anchor and Mainland. They've overwhelmingly voted for a $4.2 billion dollar sale to French company, Lactalis. ASB economists predict the sale will deliver a tax-free capital return of $3.2 billion - or $400,000 per farmer.  Chief executive Miles Hurrell says that's close, with a wide spectrum of farm sizes.  "Everyone will get their own cash in time accordingly, but yeah, $2 tax-free per share is a decent wedge of cash for most farmers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young cricketer, Ben Austin, was killed after he was struck in the neck by a cricket ball thrown at speed using a hand-held training device. Paramedics treated the 17-year-old at the scene before he was taken to Monash Medical Centre in Clayton in a critical condition - where he later died in hospital. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this took place at an after-school practice session. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Bayly is fighting to clear his name and claims he was misled about the allegations against him before he resigned as a Cabinet Minister. Bayly, the MP for Port Waikato, stood down as ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister after he “placed a hand” on a staff member’s arm during what he described as an “animated discussion” in February. Bayley says the fact that no complaint had been made against him was contrary to what he was led to believe at the time - and he's determined to set the record straight. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper confirmed Bayly's now taken legal advice.  "There was never a formal complaint laid against Andrew Bayly, but he was led to believe that there was some serious complaints made against him." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shock in rugby league as the Melbourne Storm reluctantly grant fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen an early release, with one year left on his NRL contract. Papenhuyzen says he's taking a break away from the game to consider his future. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has offered Donald Trump a day's golfing in New Zealand with Sir John Key - if he visits.  Chris Luxon had his first face to face conversation with Trump on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in South Korea. The US President mentioned visiting New Zealand a long time ago, calling it beautiful.  Key, says he'd have no problem having a round with Trump. "I showed Obama round New Zealand, he was the former president at that point - but beautiful golf courses, why not? It'd be an entertaining chat for four hours on the course, wouldn't it?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.