Larry Williams Drive

Former Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio says she has not had any contact with the national side’s management since making herself unavailable for selection last year. The 35-year-old revealed she has not spoken with head coach Dame Noeline Taurua since stepping away from the Ferns, a decision she made midway through 2025 in order to prioritise her physical and mental wellbeing. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than 60 percent of schools have adopted a new assessment and reporting policy, and many have no intention of using it. SMART launched in February, replacing a 20-year-old framework. It gives parents of year zero-to-10 students progress markers, and twice-yearly updates. Masterton’s Douglas Park School has signed up - with no plans to bring it in. Principal Gareth Sinton says he doubts the system lives up to its name. "But I just don't think we need to use a new tool, an overseas tool, that wasn't actually designed and developed for New Zealand kids when there are better options available inside our own country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is reviewing whether Kanye West should be allowed to enter the country after a major festival sparked outrage. Wireless Festival announced West as the headliner, causing several major brands to withdraw their sponsorships from the three-day event.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's unlikely Kanye West will get approval, and the festival will need to book a new headliner. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert says it's important Auckland makes the most of what it has in terms of infrastructure, rather than daydreaming about future mega-projects. Infrastructure New Zealand is calling for more investment in Auckland's transport woes in order to boost the city's productivity.  CEO Nick Leggett says Auckland needs to unlock the right tools to make the most of the city - and said a congestion charge is needed to fund more infrastructure.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The average sheep and beef farm is forecast to make double what they did last year - according to new projections.  The Mid-Season Update by Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Economic Service is forecasting an average profit before tax for 2025-26 of $287,600 per farm, following two difficult seasons for the sector. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Tō Waha Media's Carmen Parahi joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Tova O’Brien asked Prime Minister Chris Luxon how many Māori MPs are in the National Party portion of the Cabinet following the recent reshuffle. What do we make of this? Do we think this matters?  US President Donald Trump is warning the US military will obliterate Iranian power infrastructure and bridges within four hours, if Tehran doesn't agree to his deadline for a deal tomorrow. Do we think Trump will follow through on this?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says these increasing fuel prices will be tough on Kiwis as the Middle East conflict continues on. Fuel supplies remain stable with the Strait of Hormuz still blocked, but petrol and diesel prices have continued to surge. US President Donald Trump's threatening to obliterate all Iran's bridges and power infrastructure - if Iran doesn't do what he wants by tomorrow. Nicola Willis says New Zealand is experiencing a price shock in line with the rest of the world - and it's tough. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 7 April, 2026, we ask a former CIA officer if Donald Trump's serious with tomorrow's midday deadline for Iran. Air New Zealand's cutting flights - we talk to the Airports Association chief executive on who'll be affected. Fancy a bird? Why Oamaru is giving them away. And on The Huddle, Jordan Williams and Carmen Parahi debate whether the Prime Minister should know how many Maori he has in Cabinet. 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.

Midday tomorrow - our time. That is the deadline Donald Trump has given Iran. Now, if your reaction is something along the lines of not really caring because Donald Trump has set plenty of deadlines before and then walked away from them, that’s fair enough. All of that is true. But this one does feel ever so slightly different. This time he has set a very specific deadline - an exact hour on an exact day. He doubled down on it this morning in a lengthy news conference. It isn’t weeks away. And the threat itself is very specific: he says he will target bridges and power plants. It also appears the administration has, to some degree, thought through how such an attack would unfold. Trump has even claimed it would take a precise amount of time - four hours. Now, even if he sounds more serious and more prepared, that doesn’t mean he’ll actually go through with it. The obvious off-ramp is the same one he’s used before: announcing that Iran has come to the table, that progress has been made in peace talks - progres

A potential new law could restrict Crown funds reaching gang-linked organisations. Takanini National MP Rima Nakhle's proposed amendment to the Public Finance Bill has been pulled from the biscuit tin.  It would prohibit agencies from providing money to organisations run, administered or associated with gangs.  Nakhle says the last Government gave $2.75 million to gangs via Kainga Ora.   "There's no doubt that there's people that choose to change their lives, but we're not going to accept that public money goes to gangs, basically, when they're the ones selling the drugs. So how do they become the saviours?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're in search of a budgie or a pheasant or even a sulphur-crested cockatoo, Waitaki District Council may bring good news. The council is looking to re-home over 48 birds as it plans to demolish two aviaries that are no longer fit for purpose. Waitaki mayor Mel Tavendale says these birds are all free to good homes - and they've seen over 50 applications from interested prospective owners. She explained the council's trying to find a better life for the birds, as the aviaries can no longer offer that. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An intelligence expert's looking at Donald Trump's reputation of walking back on threats.  An expletive laden social media post from the President over the the weekend warned Iran the US would destroy power infrastructure if it doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz by tomorrow.  Former CIA intelligence officer, Glenn Carle, says Trump often turns up the heat with ultimatums - before turning it down again. "I wouldn't dismiss it - obviously, he lost the attack, but I find it hard to imagine that even he would obliterate the infrastructure of the country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no surprise regional flights are some of the first on the chopping block for Air New Zealand. The airline says rising jet fuel prices are making it cut about four percent of flights, including many for Tauranga and Nelson. Affected customers will be told this week - and most put on same-day alternative flights. It axed more than a thousand flights in March. Airports Association chief executive, Billie Moore, says it's not just about reducing fuel costs. "One return flight to New York, for instance, would use the same amount of fuel as 170 return flights to New Plymouth. So this is about broad commercial optimisation."   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran has less than 24 hours to make a deal, before Donald Trump's threats of total obliteration could take effect.  Trump's rhetoric is growing increasingly violent - threatening to decimate Iran's bridges and power beyond repair, after tomorrow's deadline passes.  But Tehran's rejected a temporary ceasefire proposal, saying it wants a definitive end to the war.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's another Trump deadline that's set to pass, and it's unclear what Trump's terms are.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's most decorated soldier has been arrested over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The ABC reports Ben Roberts-Smith has been arrested at Sydney Airport, and is expected to be charged with five counts of murder. In 2023, a Federal Court found on the balance of probabilities, Roberts-Smith was involved in the murder of four unarmed men, rejecting his defamation suit against several newspapers. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Roberts-Smith is currently in custody - with more set to be unveiled this evening.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shannon Frizell has set his sights on a third trip to a Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks, returning to New Zealand Rugby later this year. The 33-test All Blacks flanker will return from Japanese club Toshiba mid-year to join Tasman for the NPC before linking up with the Highlanders for Super Rugby in 2027. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push for policymakers to veer away from an outright social media ban for under-16s. A select committee inquiry's recommending tightening rules on content, advertising and algorithms, and limits for young users. Social media giant Meta wants stronger protections prioritised over age bans. Waikato University Cyber Law lecturer Rachel Tan says a duty of care model would address harms better. "If this is a statutory duty of care, it legally imposes an obligation onto these platforms to actually act." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Prime Minister's signalling much closer ties with the European Union, forced by the war in Iran.  Sir Keir Starmer's warning the conflict will impact the UK, and although they're preparing to whether the storm, it won't be easy.  He says it's becoming increasingly clear their long term national interest requires a stronger partnership with Europe. UK correspondent Enda Brady says no-one wants this war - and he wouldn't be surprised if the UK joins up with the EU by the end of the decade.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has been taking place for five weeks, and it's started to impact financial results. Data shows business confidence has plunged over the last month, airlines are cutting down projected results and retail and construction have taken a hti. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi farmers have voiced concerns about the long-term impacts of the Middle East conflict. Data shows the conflict will lead to slowdowns for firms in almost every sector - with increased economic uncertainty. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.