Larry Williams Drive

The Government's considering a wider inquiry into last week's Mount Maunganui landslide tragedy. Six people remain missing - with recovery efforts slow faced by the unstable land, with floral tributes surrounding the cordon. Cabinet's discussing allocating funding to areas hard hit by severe weather. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell says he's spoken to Tauranga mayor Mahé Drysdale - but the council may still proceed with their own investigation.  "Obviously, they'll have to work through their own process in terms of what they want to do, but Mahé knows that we're committed to doing a Government inquiry." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament returned today for the first session of 2026, and the focus has turned to campaigning for the upcoming election. Hipkins and Luxon made their statements, with Luxon applauding the coalition's track record and Hipkins accusing the Government of being all about slogans, not delivery. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the debate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, a 31-year-old man was charged after a homemade bomb was thrown into a crowd at an Invasion Day rally in Perth yesterday. The man was charged with committing an unlawful act with the intent to harm, and making explosives under suspicious circumstances, and he's set to appear in court later this week.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the bomb was reportedly made out of ball bearings, screws and liquid in a glass container - with investigations still ongoing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A child psychologist thinks social media use is hindering young men from making friends.  Data from Outward Bound shows one in four young men tell them they have no close friends.  Psychologist Sara Chatwin says that's abnormal against historic behavioural patterns. But she says her profession's seeing the trend firsthand and social media is making the young passive and isolated.  "It means that they're just sitting there and looking at stuff and roaming around and allowing algorithms to lead them down rabbit holes. They're not actively seeking out friendships." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks head coaching vacancy came too late for Vern Cotter's consideration. The Blues head coach will switch to the Queensland Reds for the 2027 and 2028 Super Rugby seasons. Cotter meets NZR's criteria, having coached Fiji and Scotland, but was blindsided Scott Robertson's axing. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, policing efforts are set to see a significant shakeup with the launch of a new 'British FBI'. The UK Government unveiled plans for a new National Police Service designed to take on fraud, cyber-crime, and terrorism, leaving local police to focus on everyday issues.  UK correspondent Mike Pearse says the National Police Service will work with police forces worldwide to bring down crime. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been growing debate over how Auckland's CBD can be revitalised after years of uncertainty and economic decline. The $5.5 billion City Rail Link is due to be built at the second half of the year and it's promised to bring in economic benefits, but it's unclear if it'll get the city in motion.  Kiwi entrepreneur Andrew Barnes says a lot of shops and businesses have been closed, and it's not as attractive to prospective visitors.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has been upping the pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut rates. The US Federal Reserve is set to convene next week, and it's looking likely that they'll keep rates on hold at this stage. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly unpacked the speculation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Donald Trump sparked some outrage following his criticism of allied efforts, including New Zealand, in Afghanistan. Were his comments out of line?  New Zealand Rugby has unveiled their updated criteria for a new All Blacks coach - applicants must be from New Zealand and have international head coaching experience? Do we think this is the right move?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 26 January, 2026, we explore how long Mount Maunganui's likely to remain off-limits in the wake of the landslide. Interim New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Lancaster gives us details of the search for the next All Blacks coach. An entrepreneur outlines how he'd give Auckland's CBD a makeover. And on The Huddle, Phil Goff and Trish Sherson have harsh words for Donald Trump's criticism of allied efforts, including New Zealand, in Afghanistan. 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.

As the human tragedy at Mt Maunganui continues, the timeline around warnings and what authorities knew and when they knew it is becoming clearer. Fire and Emergency has confirmed it received a 111 call about landslides on the Mount before 6 o’clock on Thursday morning. As you would expect, it has a robust record-keeping system, which records that call as being at 5.48am. The slips at that time did not affect life or property, and so three minutes later at 5.51am, Fire and Emergency says it notified Tauranga Council as the landowner responsible. But here’s where it gets tricky. Tauranga City Council’s CEO initially said there was no record of the call at the council’s end. Then he was corrected - and that the council did actually receive that call. But given all of the staff who were working and the various calls they were receiving as they responded to weather problems that morning, it’s going to take a bit of time and the independent review to work out the timeline at the council’s end. Personally, I had no

Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hoping inflation can drop back into the Reserve Bank's target band off the back of the latest data. The annual inflation rate for 2025 was 3.1 percent, up from 3 percent for the year to September. Willis says the Government supports the Reserve Bank getting back to their target band of 1 to 3 percent. "It's inflation that's the broadest driver of the cost of living. At the same time, interest rate reductions have been really important to recovering our economy after a very difficult period, but it's always the case that as the economy recovers, you do expect that eventually interest rates do go up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief among experts that New Zealand depends on the World Health Organisation for disease prevention and health promotion.  The US officially withdrew from the WHO last week.  Now Winston Peters has questioned the organisation's effectiveness and how it's using its funding.  Former WHO director Dr Rob Beaglehole says while the WHO has room to improve, New Zealand ultimately benefits from membership - especially given that future pandemics are 'inevitable'. "The only way to respond effectively, apart from closing borders for a short time, is going to be to work with other countries together." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is the benefactor of the World Surf League granting its athletes the left hand break they've been begging for. Raglan's Manu Bay will host the newly instated New Zealand Pro in late May. Surfing New Zealand CEO Ben Kennings says says this is 'huge' for the sport's place in New Zealand. "We can't wait to host those best surfers in the world, it's going to be pretty spectacular." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby interim CEO Steve Lancaster has insisted today's coaching policy change isn't an admission of fault when hiring Scott Robertson. NZR has invited Kiwi coaches with international experience to apply for the vacant All Blacks job, something Robertson didn't have. Lancaster says New Zealand is 'incredibly blessed' to have a high calibre of potential coaches and he's confident the right choice will be found. "We're confident that there is a good number of coaches, both here in New Zealand and around the world that are capable of coaching the All Blacks and we don't think we need to go outside of that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of Mount Maunganui's Mauao is unclear, as efforts to recover six people buried in a landslide continue. Iwi leaders say they are yet to have a hui to discuss what the long term plan is.  Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti Ranginui historian Buddy Mikaere says a rahui is being placed on it now, and there does need to be a rest - which should be taken advantage of. "Have a proper review of the entire Maunga, the track system, to see where likely hazards might be, and to note those and put in place actions that might prevent this from happening again."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament is set to return from tomorrow for a single-week sitting block, but the big day's already been overshadowed. Last week's extreme weather has made a significant impact, with Prime Minister Chris Luxon skipping  Rātana to visit the impacted areas.  Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says it's likely Parliament will pay tribute to those lost to the extreme weather to start the year off. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Australia Day today, and the holiday's sparked protests, division and debate about the meaning of the day. Thousands of people took to the streets for the Invasion Day march protesting the holiday, only to clash with protestors out for the March for Australia rally. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says people have raised concerns about the polarising nature of the holiday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby is determined to nail an expedited process, as they open for applications for All Blacks head coach. The criteria for Scott Robertson's replacement states the new person needs experience internationally and must be a New Zealander. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns about how many investigations will be held into Mount Maunganui's deadly landslide, with six people still buried and careful recovery work continuing. WorkSafe will look into organisations with a duty of care at the holiday park, the Council's reviewing events beforehand, and Fire and Emergency could launch a probe. The Institute of Safety Management's Mike Cosman says police will investigate on behalf of the Coroner, and could do so in their own right too. He says others may also be looking deeper. "One of my concerns here is that when you've got multiple simultaneous investigations going on - is witnesses, whanau, first responders having to retell their stories multiple times to multiple different agencies. It can be incredibly traumatic." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.