Larry Williams Drive

Deregulation of the hemp industry could let seeds be sold freely around the country. Cabinet's agreed to loosen things up - removing the need for a licence to grow and handle it and just requiring farmers to notify police and MPI. The Government claims it'll generate an extra $40 million for the economy in the first 20 years. Brothers Green co-founder, Brad Lake, says he's hoping they'll be able to sell seeds on their website - and that licensing was the only aspect he can see holding that back. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's son says the US President might walk away from the peace efforts of Ukraine and Russia. The White House unveiled a new National Security Strategy last week - that the Kremlin's now said is largely consistent with Russia's vision.  It blames the EU for blocking US efforts to end the conflict and doesn't cast Russia as a national threat.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Reserve Bank Governor, Anna Breman, hosted an event for media earlier, allowing financial journalists to get their first look. Breman is monitoring the impact of tightening financial conditions, amid concerns about the state of the OCR. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent trading updates indicate the nation's leading retailers are feeling the pinch ahead of the busy season. The Warehouse and Kathmandu are among the big names that have been seeing significant losses over the past few months. Milford Asset Management's Michael Luke says there's hope things will pick up in the next few weeks, given the demand brought about by Christmas and Boxing Day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the Supreme Court has delivered a huge win for family carers of disabled adult children - so where to from here? The Aussie social media ban is officially in play - so what happens when you take your kids on holiday there? In an extraordinary move, the NZ Cyber Agency is personally warning 26,000 Kiwis whose computers have been infected with malicious software. Plus, the Huddle debates why Finance Minister Nicola Willis is pushing for a debate against former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson. 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.

This Nicola Willis-Ruth Richardson showdown looks like it'll go ahead next week after the HYEFU release. As you'll know from listening to this show on Monday night, Nicola's not happy with Ruth. And Ruth isn't too happy with Nicola. We have a structural deficit and we're not addressing it. Surplus is probably going to be pushed out - again - to 2030. So we have a showdown. But you might be wondering why the current Finance Minister is debating a former one (of some 30-odd years ago) at all. Well, here's the comms strategy on this: Ruth has credibility, as least on the right. The left reckons she permanently scarred the country, but you can't deny something had to be done. And people forget the growth and jobs that followed. Nicola's still earning her credibility, and things have not been going terribly well on that front. Spending's higher than Grant and surplus keeps getting pushed out. The growth is anaemic. So this is a way of tackling Ruth's attacks head-on and putting them to bed. Usually, ministers

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union 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!  The Australian social media ban for teens under 16 kicked in today - does New Zealand need to follow their lead? What do we make of the big Nicola Willis - Ruth Richardson debate? Do we think this will happen? And should they bring it to Newstalk ZB? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cars could be returning to a section of Auckland's Queen Street, under a new proposal. Auckland Transport wants to let cars return to the section between Wellesley and Wakefield Street from between 7pm and 7am.  Private vehicles were banned from the area in 2022.  Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck says it's a sensible proposal, and she explained that the area has been negatively affected by the change.  "Last year, the foot traffic was down 36 percent on 2019 in that area - and the spending was down 57 percent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's looking to Australia as it explores ways prevent online harm to young Kiwis. On the day an under-16 social media ban began across the Tasman, our Education and Workforce Committee's released an interim report on its inquiry regarding New Zealand youth. It reveals issues range from sexual exploitation to self-harm.  Acting Chair Carl Bates says social media can do real harm, but it's not just about the content available. "It's also about contact and it's about conduct, so things like the intentional use of platforms to harm or abuse others - and also the commerce harms that not only young New Zealanders experience, but others as well."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Caps fast bowler Blair Tickner has been taken to hospital and is unlikely to take any more part in the second cricket test against the West Indies. Tickner had taken four wickets when he fell awkwardly diving to save a boundary at the Basin Reserve, with a dislocated shoulder the unwelcome outcome. NZME sports broadcaster Andrew Alderson says Tickner hit the ground hard - adding to the Black Caps' growing list of injuries. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A landmark Supreme Court ruling means those providing full-time care for severely disabled family members are entitled to pay and other benefits. It was brought by two parents, Christine Fleming and Peter Humphreys, who care for severely disabled adult children.  Lawyer Paul Dale KC says parents in this position are now entitled to the legal benefits that come under the Employment Relations Act. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A signal from the Reserve Bank's led Westpac to hike rates - and one economist expects other banks could follow.  Westpac lifted two five-year fixed rates by 30 basis points yesterday. The bank's chief economist, Kelly Eckhold, says it seems the Reserve Bank's unlikely to cut the OCR again any time soon.  "We kind of expected that they would cut the rate by 25 basis points, but we didn't expect them to call time on the easing cycle. It sort of scared the markets a little bit."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Taxpayers' Union has raised concerns about Nicola Willis' skills as a Finance Minister - and one of her predecessors has expressed interest in a debate. Willis challenged Ruth Richardson to a debate yesterday, after Richardson criticised the Government's fiscal track.  Richardson's agreed - but a date's yet to be set.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump is defending his controversial economic policies amid ongoing concerns about the cost of living. Data shows two-thirds of Americans say the Trump administration has fallen short of expectations in handling inflation and economic turmoil. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says Trump has blamed the Democrats and the previous Biden administration for the state of the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have been sent an unprecedented email from our National Cyber Security Centre. It's emailed 26,000 addresses warning malicious software, called Lumma Stealer, could have infected their devices. It's designed to steal sensitive information - and some stolen passwords are connected to Government agency systems and bank accounts. Aura Information Manager, Patrick Sharp, says international partners revealed the threat to our cyber security centre. He explained that presumably means an agency's uncovered a trove of stolen data and alerted the NCSC about the email addresses of concern. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A ray of sunshine for the Black Caps on the opening day of the second test against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand newbie Michael Rae has stepped up on debut, taking his maiden test wicket - luring West Indian opener John Campbell into flashing an edge to first slip Daryl Mitchell after lunch - Campbell made 44. Blair Tickner had earlier stalled the tourists' progress after an opening stand of 66 - securing the lbws of recalled batters Brandon King and Kavem Hodge. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the big RMA reform is finally here. RMA Minister Chris Bishop explains what resource consents you will soon not need anymore. The Education Minister reacts to all the dubious spending by schools and principals that's been highlighted by the Auditor General. Economist Brad Olsen finally settles the debate over whether our long summer holidays are hurting the economy. Plus, New Zealand Navy's Commodore Shane Arndell reveals the messages the Chinese war ships sent our navy while the HMNZS Aotearoa was patrolling near North Korea and Taiwan. 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.

These RMA changes hit the nail on the head by putting private property rights front and centre. These rights are basically what keeps rich countries rich and their absence keeps poor countires poor. If a council wants to infringe on them, it should compensate you for it. And these changes lower the threshold for compensation, which is a good thing. Want to suddenly invent a Significant Natural Area or label something 'heritage'? Well, that may cost you, Councillor. It'll make councils think twice before imposing some of this stupid stuff on property owners. We've had too examples of councils just making these up and restricting land use on a whim. On an airy fairy idea. The reason property rights are so important is simple. You use your land as collateral to borrow. To build. To invest. Owning acts as an incentive to build assets. It creates growth and production. This production is then taxed. The taxes pay for nice, communal things that everybody likes. Like classrooms and hospitals. What we need now is for

We learnt this week that A New Zealand Navy vessel was followed by 7 Chinese Warships while patrolling Asian waters. The HMNZS Aotearoa had crossed through the Taiwan Strait, and was patrolling international waters to curb North Korean war programmes.  Commodore Shane Arndell told Ryan Bridge that this is a routine practice, and communication was open between the HMNZS Aotearoa and the Chinese fleet.  'We communicate, we let each other know what we're doing, we keep it all nice and safe and everything is respectful.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RMA is out and is set to be replaced with two new laws - one based on planning and one based on the environment.  The new laws are expected to cut the number of consents and permits by 46%, and speed up the ones currently in the pipeline.  CEO of the Property Council Leonie Freeman told Ryan Bridge she hopes that, "the reduction of 100 plans down to 17 will provide a lot more consistency." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.