Larry Williams Drive

Labour's leader is doubling down on his concern about the India-New Zealand free trade agreement's $33 billion Kiwi investment target.  The party's finally agreed to support the FTA, but is warning businesses to proceed at their own risk.  Chris Hipkins says the multi-billion-dollar target is unrealistic.  He says down the line, it could affect businesses that redirect exports to India.  "You've redirected product where you've developed a market - you could find that the constraints that have stopped you doing that until now are suddenly reimposed."   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's agreed to support the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, but isn't speaking highly of the negotiations with the Government.   National needed Labour's support to pass the FTA into law, because it was opposed by coalition partner New Zealand First. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained why the agreement is better for New Zealand's future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ratings have slumped in The Kyle and Jackie O Show's former slot, and the duo's former employer is looking to recoup millions in lost profits. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson both face a counter-suit from ARN, which claimed the pair cost them key advertising revenue after their sacking. Australian correspondent Murray Olds unpacked ARN's case.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricanes co-owner Malcolm Gillies has warned he'll walk away from his Super Rugby investment without drastic change. Five months into his involvement, the board chair says the current model isn't set up for investors, players or New Zealand Rugby to succeed. He's pushing for privatisation of the competition - and says he won't be patient awaiting change. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ACT MP believes she was targeted by a haka over the weekend.  The haka, performed by former Te Pāti Māori president Che Wilson at a Waikato festival, appeared to mock Indian culture.  Parmjeet Parmar wasn't at the event, but says she believes she was targeted - as she supports equal rights for Māori and immigrants.  "I would say that it's deeply concerning, because it's not just about me, it's about the wider community as well. Any anti-migrant sentiment - that needs to be called out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK inflation rate rose by 3.3 percent in the year to March, after the US-Israel war with Iran caused the largest jump in petrol and diesel prices in over three years. The increase in the pace of price rises - up from 3 percent in the year to February - was in line with economists' expectations. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour is still mulling whether to back the India free-trade agreement, despite it being set to be signed on Monday. Speaking to the Herald after Labour’s caucus met on Tuesday, leader Chris Hipkins couldn’t say how close the party was to finalising its position on the agreement, but said it was continuing to talk to the Government “in good faith”. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ongoing uncertainty about the Middle East conflict is impacting the markets, but there's some hope. Initial ceasefire talk saw things pick up, but enthusiasm took a dive after the weekend. Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Hill International is set to trial customisable engagement rings across some of its stores. The popularity of its TenSevenSeven brand has highlighted the increasing popularity of custom-made jewellery - and the company's looking to utilise that as part of a restructure. Michael Hill CEO Jonathan Waecker says more people want to build something special and unique - and they want to create that experience. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view Donald Trump's got himself in a bind in his war on Iran - as he extends the ceasefire. The US President is claiming Iran's leadership is fractured and needs more time to produce a proposal.   He's continuing to blockade Iranian ports saying it's until Iran comes to the table with a plan. Middle East journalist Gordon Robison says Trump was looking for an excuse not to re-escalate the conflict. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, lawyer Liam Hehir 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!  National has turned their attention to Winston Peters and indicated he could switch sides to Labour if they win the election. What do we think Winston Peters will do?  Will the US-Iran ceasefire actually last?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fightback has started, hasn’t it? National’s leadership team have clearly come out of yesterday’s caucus meeting with very clear instructions: get the National Party vote back off New Zealand First. And they’ve come out hard. It started with Nicola Willis on Mike Hosking just after 7am, warning that Winston Peters might pick Labour after the next election. The attack from her on that show was so pointed I was actually surprised - because these two are mates. They drink together, they work together, they’re on the same floor as each other in the Beehive. But then, five hours later, the Prime Minister is on The Country with Jamie Mackay, saying almost exactly the same thing. Which tells you Nicola didn’t just react in the heat of the moment, coming off the high of what happened in caucus. These are the lines they’ve decided to go out with. They have decided to attack New Zealand First. The question is: what took them so long? Because this is what they needed to do months ago, when it became obvious the

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 22 April, 2026, we talk to a former CIA officer about whether the US-Iran ceasefire will last. National goes on the attack, trying to eat into support for New Zealand First - we hear from Winston Peters. We explore whether your smart watch really is an accurate gauge of your well-being. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Liam Hehir discuss whether National's trying to spook voters into believing New Zealand First could go into another coalition with Labour. 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.

Millions of people around the world rely on their smartwatches to track their calories, sleep hours and workout stats, but new data has raised concerns. Reports indicate that smartwatches don't measure most of these metrics directly, with many common metrics just being estimates. Body Torque Personal Training founder Alex Flint says things like calories burned, fitness scores, and hours slept aren't accurately tracked. "I use it as an overall guide, I think probably the best thing that I would use it for is just to see how I feel - compared to what my watch is telling me." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister Chris Bishop says he's confident the Infrastructure Commission has the expertise to advise frankly, and to the point, on big projects. It'll take over the role for publicly funded infrastructure projects in November, taking responsibility from Treasury.  Bishop says he and the Finance Minister have been concerned by the quality of information on infrastructure offered to Government this term.  He says the Commission will give a more assertive, yes-or-no take on future work.  "That's exactly what ministers need when it comes to making investment decisions."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Party senior whip Stuart Smith is continuing to deny he attempted to contact party leader Christopher Luxon over concerns his support was dropping. Smith faced the media today and reiterated his claim he had not tried to highlight concerns about caucus support for Luxon. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former CIA officer suspects Iran's regime will be allowed to remain in power at the end of the conflict - more hardline than ever. The US President claims Iran's leadership is fractured and needs more time to produce a proposal.   Donald Trump's continuing to blockade Iranian ports, saying it will continue until Iran comes to the table with a plan. Glenn Carle says the best deal we can hope for now, is for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen and inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. "Trump, whatever happens, will of course declare a victory. And since he won't invade, he'll basically walk away, I'm afraid."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the battle of two 1990s Black Caps teammates for the New Zealand Cricket chief executive job. The New Zealand Herald reports Geoff Allott and Lee Germon are the final two for the gig - vacated by Scott Weenink late last year. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The leaders of NZ First and National have been trading jabs today, as points of friction get discussed. Winston Peters has voiced opposition to the Free Trade Agreement with India, which the Government is signing in New Delhi next week - despite not having the numbers to pass it into law. Winston Peters says despite this, he's not negotiating with Labour, even if they win the election. "I said, four years ago, clearly...I was never going to go back with Labour, for the reasons I laid out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schools are pushing to be exempt from Official Information Act requests.  The Secondary Principals’ Association is seeking legal advice, after an Auckland law student sent an onerous request to nearly 2500 schools. Darfield High School Principal Andy England says requests like these burden already-stretched principals.  "It meant digging through board minutes and conversations and outlining policies and procedures that are publicly available, in most cases, for the sake of somebody doing a bit of a research project." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.