Larry Williams Drive

If you were listening to the previous show - Tyler’s show - you’ll have heard that not everyone loves the package the Government has just announced to help families pay their fuel bills, because it’s not for everyone. Pensioners have complained that they should be helped as well because they don’t have enough money. Beneficiaries have complained. Diesel users have complained because their fuel has actually gone up much more than petrol. Then, there are also wealthy people complaining because they don’t have kids - they’re saying they’re once again getting nothing while the 'breeders' are and that they’re the ones subsidising them. Now, I understand the sentiment from everyone. All of it is fair. But I think the Government is right to have limited this package the way they have because we are simply too broke as a country to shell out 50 bucks a week for everyone, including millionaires. Plus, we’ve just spent four years fighting inflation. We know what that feels like, right? We know how hard that is. The las

The Reserve Bank Governor says the central bank is closely monitoring fuel prices, but won't rush into reacting. Anna Breman says the Iran war is likely to lead to higher inflation and lower growth in the short term. Breman says that's unlikely to make them hike the Official Cash Rate - but things could change if higher fuel prices pressure the economy. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie says it's important to keep an eye on the 'second-round' effects from the conflict in order to determine future OCR changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An international relations expert says Donald Trump's messaging on Iran could be misleading. The US President says he's holding off on threats to strike Iranian power plants for five days - after earlier promising to attack if Tehran didn't let ships through the Strait of Hormuz.  He's claimed the US and Iran reached agreements in talks over the weekend, which Iran denies. International relations expert Matthew Schmidt says there may have been talks, but not directly involving Trump or the new ayatollah. "It's been cut-outs in between, and Trump is exaggerating what's going on and making it sound like it was more direct than it is." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lotto's ramping up its prizes and number of winners and lifting the biggest win from $50 million to $60 million. It's adding another four Powerballs - which reduces the odds of winning Division One from one in more than 38 million, to about one in almost 54 million.  Chief executive Jason Delamore says many things have changed since the last change-up to offerings 19 years ago. "Our population's actually increased by over a million people, so it's very normal for lotteries to tune the Powerball in their lottery games, in keeping with the population."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden has announced she won't stand at the 2026 general election. She made the announcement in Parliament earlier today, surrounded by her Caucus and leader David Seymour. Van Velden will continue to serve for the rest of this term as the MP for Tamaki and in her work as Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations minister. She says she's excited for the next chapter, but it was a hard decision to step away from politics. "I also, right in my heart, feel like I want to live a bit more of life and see what other opportunities there are out there for me." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's announced $50 a week in temporary relief for low and middle-income families hit by high fuel prices. The in-work tax credit boost comes into effect from April 7, and the Finance Minister says it'll help about 143,000 working families with kids. Nicola Willis explained that the country's still recovering from the debt built up over Covid, and the Government had to make some hard choices.  "Just about every New Zealander and every business is feeling it right now, and I get it. Everyone wants relief - the Government finds itself in a difficult position." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 143,000 families are in the line for relief under a temporary Government boost to the in-work tax credit. The Finance Minister's revealed the targeted support will kick in from April 7 - to help counteract skyrocketing fuel costs.  It'll give eligible families with children an extra $50 a week.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says opposition parties have taken issues with this move, particularly the Greens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen have unveiled the details of a new trade deal today. This deal has been eight years in the making, and almost all EU tariffs will be lifted on Australian agricultural products such as wine, fruit and vegetables, olive oil, seafood, most dairy products and wheat and barley. Australians will also now have access to cheaper European wine, spirits, biscuits, chocolates and pasta. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this deal is worth about A$10bn and will benefit both nations.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks' new defence coach knows what he's getting into with his new job. Tana Umaga is one of three new faces under head coach Dave Rennie, with Jason Ryan the only assistant left standing from the last regime. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's shock from vegetable growers at news frozen food company McCain is shutting its Hastings processing plant next year. McCain says it reflects a shift in how it'll supply vegetables within New Zealand and Australia. Heinz Watties also announced this month plans to close its Hastings packing site, and three manufacturing sites. Process Vegetables NZ chairman, David Hadfield, says growers will have to start exploring other options. He says McCain didn't let anybody know this was happening - even larger growers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to chair an emergency meeting on the economic fallout from the ongoing Iran war. The conflict has entered its fourth week, and concerns have been raised over the economic impacts - especially with living costs going up for households.  UK correspondent Kay Oliver says petrol costs keep going up, and it's getting 'scary'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports indicate more overseas visitors are cancelling trips to New Zealand, generating more concerns about the nation's economic recovery.  A new survey shows that 77 percent of tourism operators have seen more cancellations over the last month.  Tourism Export Council CEO Lynda Keene says she's not too concerned just yet, despite the ongoing international crisis impacting air travel.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices have risen as the fall out continues from the ongoing Middle East crisis. Brent Crude oil rose about US$1 to be just above US$113 a barrel in early Asia trade. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more. Credit ratings agency Fitch has downgraded New Zealand's rating - should we be worried about this? Does this go bigger than the Middle East conflict? The Government has confirmed plans are in place to reveal a package to help households with the cost of fuel. Do we think this is a good idea? Winston Peters delivered his State of the Nation speech yesterday - what did we think of this? Do we think this will help NZ First in the election? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now we’ve got to talk about Winston. If you hadn’t noticed yet - or maybe you didn’t believe it - take a look at Winston Peters’ State of the Nation speech yesterday and you’ll see the proof that this election is shaping up to be New Zealand First’s election. More than a thousand people turned up in Tauranga to hear him speak. They even had to use two overflow rooms. Compare that with the same speech last election, which was held in a church with a capacity of just 100. More importantly, New Zealand First used the event to announce they’ve recruited Alfred Ngaro, the former National Party MP. Now, it was a bit of a running joke in the crowd that they didn’t know who Alfred was - but commentators do. And I think most of us can see this for what it is: the recruitment of an incredibly well-liked former National MP with a strong Christian faith. That won’t offend Winston’s older voters - in fact, it’s likely to appeal to many of them. More significantly, it’s a signal of what’s happening and what could accelerat

Major credit rating agency Fitch needs more confidence our Government will lower debt before it will change our rating.  It reduced New Zealand's AA+ rating outlook from stable - to negative - over the weekend.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's proof of the importance of fiscal discipline. Agency primary rating analyst Sagarika Shandra says the Government has a plan to reach a surplus, but needs to stick to it.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 23 March, 2026, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones on why we'll now let Australian-grade fuel into New Zealand. New Zealand Cricket backs an NZ20 franchise competition - but a former international's quit the board as a result. How a social media post on Rocky the dog got tenants in trouble with their landlord. And on The Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani on how Winston Peters is whipping up his party's popularity in election year. 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.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed plans are in place to unveil a package to help households with the cost of fuel. She says more details will be revealed tomorrow, and she's worked with Inland Revenue and Treasury officials to develop this planned relief. Willis explained that this plan won't go against the Government's fiscal strategy ahead of the upcoming election. "We will be funding it from this year's Budget operating allowance...we are going to prioritise our Budget in order to be able to fund this in a temporary, timely and targeted way." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Lower Hutt couple have been taken to the Tenancy Tribunal by their landlords after they refused to disclose they had gotten a dog. A video surfaced on social media revealing the couple had gotten a dog without asking, confirming the landlords’ suspicions after the smell of urine had gotten so bad the carpet had to be replaced.  Solicitor Mike Thornton says the landlords were entitled to use the publicly available information in their investigation. "If there's publicly available information, once the landlord knows about it, they can go to the tenant and say - hey, I've learned this, do you have a dog? And that's exactly what happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a view Fonterra's strong result today is unlikely to climb much more. The dairy giant's reported a 2.8 percent rise in first-half net profit to $750 million. It's also announced a 20 cent lift in the farmgate milk price - and a $9.70 midpoint per kilo of milksolids. Federated Farmers Dairy Chair, Karl Dean, says given global uncertainty, he doesn't think the midpoint will reach $10. "The futures market is sitting around the $9.70-$9.80 mark, so Fonterra's got it pretty much where the futures are." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.