Larry Williams Drive

There's hopes a new move by the Reserve Bank will bring about positive changes for New Zealand's banking sector. It is changing the mix of capital banks are required to hold, aiming to reduce funding costs.  It is also targeting closing the gap between bigger and smaller banks - making the market more competitive. The Co-Operative Bank chief executive Mark Wilkshire says this will encourage competition and remove certain constraints impacting the banking sector. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions remain about the significance of the Bondi's terrorists' recent trip to the Philippines.  Sunday's terror attack at a Jewish celebration claimed 15 lives - and 20 people are still in hospital.  The father and son gunmen spent much of November in a Philippines region known as a 'hotbed of Islamic extremism'. But Australian National University criminologist Dr Clarke Jones says it's an interesting link.  "When there was a connection to the recent terrorist attack in Bondi, I was, well, surprised there was some sort of link to the Philippines - but not surprised that terrorism is probably still active."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's calling the Government road cone complaints hotline a complete waste of public money. It's wrapping up six months early - after site visits showed 86 percent complied with the rules on cone quantities.  Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere says the pilot cost $150,000 by September, after beginning in June. He says there were and more effective solutions to the issue. "They should have picked up the phone, had a conversation with councils, worked with them to get the information that they needed - it certainly wouldn't have cost them more than $150,000." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Abel Tasman walk has been returned to its original owners - but the Conservation Minister's unsure how it'll affect the iconic tramp's price-tag. The Government's today signed an agreement to restore thousands of hectares of land in the upper South Island to descendants of original owners, Te Tauihu. It includes a 25-year agreement to continue the Great Walk. Minister Tama Potaka says walk management remains with the Department of Conservation, public access guaranteed.   "There are arrangements in place around a number of issues - those arrangements remain confidential." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jevon McSkimming received several discounts at sentencing in Wellington District Court today.  The disgraced former Deputy Police Commissioner has been given nine months home detention for possessing questionable material.   Judge Tim Black began with a starting point of three years prison - with reductions for a guilty plea, remorse, and significant rehabilitation efforts. NZ Herald reporter Melissa Nightingale says that brought the potential sentence down to 18 months in prison. "Once a sentence drops to about two years prison or below, it's then available to potentially be switched over to home detention - which he's chosen to do in this case."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's delivered his final parliamentary speech for the year, handing out plenty of praise for his Government and jibes for the Opposition. Parliament's wrapping up for the year, with party leaders getting in their last say. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the final speeches. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The son of Hollywood director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele has been charged with murdering his parents - found dead in LA on Sunday. Reiner is famed for directing the iconic When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men, among others. 32-year-old Nick Reiner is charged with two counts of first degree murder, with a special circumstance of multiple murders.  US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says these charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole, or the death penalty. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIFA has introduced a new ticketing tier for next year's World Cup, following an uproar over the prices to attend games. The sport's governing body has announced a new 'supporter entry tier' in response to criticism of the highest prices in World Cup history that were labelled extortionate. Prices have increased several-fold from Qatar, with the cheapest ticket for most pool games costing several hundred New Zealand dollars with the most expensive in the thousands. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's encouraging numbers on retail crime in New Zealand, according to new reports. Data from retail crime intelligence company Auror shows year on year for the 10 months to October, weapon use fell 12 percent and violent events dropped 6 percent. In Australia, the same kinds of incidents are trending upwards. Auror spokesperson Nick McDonnell says there's a reason such crime is dropping here. "Retailers have really led the way in leaning into it, and then the police on the other side of the system have also leaned into this earlier than other markets - and are really collaborating together through the platform." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, Chief of defence staff Sir Richard Knighton says war with Russia is at risk. Knighton says Russia is a growing threat to the UK, and the 'sons and daughters of Britain' will need to be prepared. UK correspondent Enda Brady says people across Europe are starting to get worried. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 16 December 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis defends the state of the Government books, despite surplus being pushed out and debt growing more than previously predicted. The Bondi hero who tried to stop the two terrorists is fighting for his own health in hospital. Ryan Bridge speaks to a woman who has been by his bedside. A lawyer convicted of groping law students at a Russell McVeagh Christmas Party has been cleared to return to practicing law. Ryan asks the victims' lawyer Steph Dyhrberg how she feels about James Gardner-Hopkins getting a second chance. Auckland Council has listened and voted down a trial to move to fortnightly rubbish collections. Plus, the Huddle reacts to news that Ruth Richardson has officially pulled out of the big debate against Nicola Willis. 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 f

Food and fibre exports are set to reach a record $62 billion next year, up from the $60.4b record set this year. According to new reports, meat and wool revenue is set to rise 7 percent, horticulture 5 percent, forestry 2 percent, and dairy 1 percent. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The disgraced lawyer at the centre of the Russell McVeagh #MeToo scandal has been granted a new practising certificate by the Law Society, which says he’s fit to return as a barrister. Do we believe in second chances? The Government has pushed out the return to surplus for another year - and Ruth Richardson has responded by calling off the debate between her and Nicola Willis. What do we make of this? Auckland Council has moved to scrap a proposed trial for fortnightly rubbish collection in some Auckland suburbs. Do we think this is the right move? Will the new MCERT mega-Ministry actually improve anything? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online marketplace Trade Me has been hit with a $138 million write-down of the value of its marketplace business unit. This comes as revenue continues to drop for the online retailer. Massey University marketing professor Bodo Lang says Trade Me still leads its current market, but its status is under threat. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, of course you heard it here first last Monday - the surplus has been pushed out again. It's like waiting for Christmas when you're a ten-year-old, the whole month of December feels like an eternity. This lot have now pushed it out three times and changed the definition of surplus. Not only have we moved the goalposts, we've lowered them, too. Next year's deficit is almost $14 billion, that's $1.8 billion worse than they thought it would be in May. We're not back in black till 2030 now, instead of 2029. That's what happens when you borrow a bunch of money you have to pay back and then fail to grow your way out of it. Basically, Grant Robertson went and bought a brand new lambo on the credit card and then when he buggered off, we got Nicola who promised she'd get us some more work to pay for the debt so we wouldn't go broke.  But that extra work hasn't quite happened yet - so here we are. The good news is - it is coming, they tell us. More than 3 percent next year. In theory. All going to plan. And W

Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update has painted a concerning picture for the Government books. It forecasted the deficit will peak at $16.9 billion dollars, and only drop to $60 million in the 2029-2030 financial year.  Independent economist Cameron Bagrie says this forecast doesn't come with many surprises. "If you look at the bigger picture, we're now going to have a decade of deficits. And if you look at the last two years, the situation's actually been worsening."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The lawyer representing victims of a former Russell McVeagh partner, whose behaviour helped ignite New Zealand’s #MeToo movement, says it’ll be up to clients whether they want to work with him. James Gardner-Hopkins was found guilty of six misconduct charges by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal in 2021 - and suspended for three years. He’s now been granted a new practising certificate by the Law Society, which says he’s fit to return as a barrister. Steph Dyhrberg says the decision will put some clients off, but others may not see it as a barrier. "That's the thing about having a practicing certificate, you've sort of got a brand on you from the Law Society that you're a fit and suitable person." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council's trashing a plan to trial fortnightly rubbish collection - but the idea hasn't yet been removed from the picture. The trial would've included 10,000 households in Te Atatu Peninsula, Panmure, Tamaki, Clendon Park and Weymouth. Of more than 5,000 submissions, 78 percent opposed the trial. Councillor Daniel Newman says the possibility for fortnightly collection lives on in the current Waste Management Minimisation plan. "Some of us were trying to permanently move the whole region to a weekly service next year when the matter comes up, and we'll have to consult on it then. it's very painful." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bondi hero who wrestled the firearm off a gunman has a long recovery ahead. Syrian-born Ahmed al-Ahmed has catapulted to international fame for intervening during the terror attack that killed 15 and injured more than 40. A GoFundMe page has raised more than $2 million to help the 43-year-old father of two, who's in hospital, shot in the shoulder. Australians for Syria Association spokesperson, Lubaba Alhamidi Alkahil says there was a lot of fear the Muslim community would get the blame. "But who was the one who rushed to help? Who endangered himself? It was the Muslim one, right? So he proved that we are not terrorists." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's still aiming for a surplus this decade, despite today's bleak economic news. Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows more delay to getting the books back to black.  The deficit's expected to deepen more to a high of $16.9 billion and not narrow to $60 million dollars until 2029-30. Nicola Willis says a 2029 surplus is very achievable. "What that will take is just a small revision to the growth upwards, combined with fiscal discipline. And those are two things that our Government is committed to."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.