Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, took to social media to discuss the feud impacting the family, and reveal why he doesn't want to reconcile. What do we make of all this?  US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap escalating tariffs on European countries opposing his bid to take over Greenland. Why is he so keen on this? Does it go deeper than just wanting minerals? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports show China's 2025 birth rate was lower than expected, and that's impacted A2 Milk's shares. Data out of China revealed there were 5.63 live births per 1000 people in 2025 - the country’s lowest reading since 1939 and the fourth straight year of declines. Forsyth Barr analyst Matt Montgomerie says A2 Milk was halted on the Australian stock exchange, prompting further concerns.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, recently took to social media to reveal the details of a feud in the family. The 26-year-old claimed his parents tried to ruin his relationship with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, and said he doesn't wish to reconcile with his famous parents. TV producer and host of the Beefing podcast, Alexandria Funnell, says Victoria was reportedly bringing Brooklyn's exes around the family in a bid to stir up drama. "One of the younger Beckham brothers was dating one of Brooklyn's exes - bringing them into the fold, inviting them to family events, which made Brooklyn and his partner very uncomfortable."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 20 January, 2026, US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley on the remarkable reason Donald Trump is pushing to seize Greenland. We talk to a school principal about the teacher shortage just days from schools starting again. Brooklyn Beckham's shock comments about his parents - who's side should we be on? Plus on The Huddle we debate family dynamics and Trump's moves on Greenland. 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.

I was at the movies recently and the first three ads that came up in the shorts beforehand were pretty interesting. We had a fast food ad... I think it was KFC... some new chicken thing you can eat, then we had a Burger Fuel ad, and for dessert, to top things off, we had a Wegovy ad. There was a woman climbing stairs, out of breath, and a chubby guy struggling to get into a wetsuit. The message was simple: take this drug and get you life back. If you look at the fattest countries in the world, we're a podium finish. We're the third biggest developed country on earth. The Americans are, unsurprisingly, ahead of us. If you go to the movies, you see cause and affect in the space of three minutes of ads. Too much processed food + lack of exercise = obesity. Divided now by Wegovy, of course. Now the debate is - who should pay. I heard an argument yesterday which was interesting, because you hear about people putting all the weight back on once the drugs wear off. If the state pays for the drugs, the argu

The US President is ramping up pressure on European nations in order to seize Greenland - an autonomous Danish territory. Donald Trump's threatening escalating tariffs for European nations opposing a US takeover of the Arctic Island, which says it has no interest in being bought. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says Trump wants minerals and resources from Greenland. "Some of these resources are critical for the construction of missiles and the bolstering of defence resources, so it's critical on that front."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A shark expert says there's very little risk of sharks taking on swimmers in New Zealand - as they are in New South Wales.  Four attacks over the past two days have left two people in hospital with critical leg injuries.  Auckland Museum Marine Biology Curator, Clinton Duffy, says they're by bull sharks, which are one of the only species big enough to attack humans.  He says New Zealand's climate is not appropriate.  "The waters would have to warm up an awful lot before bull sharks would make home here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome news for shareholders from one of our largest companies' change in direction. Fletcher Building is selling its construction arm to French multinational Vinci Construction in a deal worth up to $334 million. The sale is subject to regularity approval, and reflects Fletcher’s move to focus on manufacture and distribution. Mark Lister from Craigs Investment Partners says it'll help the company get back on track - simplifying business and bringing down debt. "They hadn't had a dividend since 2023, so I think they want to get into a position where they can reduce debt levels and start paying dividends again." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 election is due to take place this year, but it's still unclear when the big day will take place. Prime Minister Chris Luxon is set to announce a date in the coming days, kicking off the official campaign season to determine the next Government.  Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says it's likely the election date will be confirmed at the upcoming caucus retreat - but the details are still unclear. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty Sydney beaches have been closed indefinitely, following a third shark attack within 24 hours.  A surfer is in a critical condition with serious leg injuries, after being bitten at North Steyne Beach at Manly in Sydney's north last night. It happened a matter of hours after an 11-year-old surfer had his board bitten by a shark a few kilometres away at Dee Why - and a 13-year-old boy was attacked while swimming on Sunday. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says experts have raised concerns about adverse weather conditions luring in the sharks, putting people at risk. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rumour mill's been in overdrive after Scott Robertson was stood down as All Blacks coach two years into a four-year contract. Jamie Joseph has emerged as the front-runner to step in, but speculation is still growing over who else could be picked for the role. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the rumours further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some schools are scrambling to fill teaching positions before term one. About 450 teaching and principal roles remain vacant - 12 percent more than this time last year. About 75 percent are in the North Island, with 125 in Auckland. The principal of Auckland's Northcote College, Vicki Barrie, says they’ll likely start the year with gaps in carpentry and Māori studies. "We've got some flexibility within the timetable and the teachers that we've already got, so we're making changes to the timetable to cover it temporarily."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 39 people died and at least 170 more were injured following a deadly train collision near Cordoba in southern Spain. Investigations are ongoing into the extent of the damage, with more still to be recovered. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the train travelling to north to Madrid, partly derailed just over an hour into its journey, hitting an oncoming train.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has warned eight European countries he'll impose and hike tariffs - unless he can take over Danish autonomous territory, Greenland.  Global leaders have held meetings in a bid to address the trans-Atlantic conflict. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained the economic impacts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing concerns in the world of air travel, as New Zealand currently lacks a 24/7 backup airport. Ohakea Airbase originally filled that gap, but it hasn't returned to full operation since the Covid-19 pandemic. Board of Airline Representatives NZ executive director Cath O'Brien explained why changes need to be made. 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! The 2026 election season is starting to get underway, and Prime Minister delivered his State of the Nation speech. What did we make of it? Did we feel inspired?  It's likely we'll find out the election date this week, when do we think it will be?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 19 January 2026, the Prime Minister has given his State of the Nation speech but the business community is yet to be convinced. Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Bridges tells Ryan Bridge what was missing from the speech. A North Auckland community is calling for action after their rockpools have been stripped of sea life. Finance Minister Nicola Willis reveals why Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman didn't call her before signing a support letter for Fed chair Jerome Powell. On the Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani debate the State of the Nation speech - and why it was the pot plants that really caught Trish's attention. Plus, Ryan explains why he thinks Chris Luxon should call an early election. 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.

It is election year, of course, and I reckon we should get this thing over and done with quickly. Let's rip the band-aid off - Luxon should go to the polls early. The argument's always been - and we talked about this a lot last year -  that they should wait till November, go late, let the economy recover. Make sure people feel the recovery and not just hear about it and read about it in the newspapers, but I think the political calculation has changed over the summer break. Luxon's grip on National, and the coalition more generally, has always been pretty weak, let's be honest. He struggles for cut-through. His colleagues are only really keeping him there because instability looks worse than his performance. This doesn't mean he's doing a terrible job. Inflation is coming down, recovery is underway, education is being dealt to, as is crime, this is good. But politics isn't always about facts, much as it should be. Because it's also vibes, isn't it? And it's been seen to be bold and be strong. N

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has outlined her goals for the new year, as the Government prepares for the upcoming 2026 election. Willis is hoping Kiwi voters will see the benefits of re-electing a National-led Government so that they can feel rewarded for their hard work. She says the economy grew as a whole last year, and voters can hope to see more in 2026. "So we see more job creation, more opportunities for Kiwis to get ahead - that is what we want to see."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of blue collar and working class New Zealanders have expressed clear disapproval for this Government.  The Council of Trade Unions' Mood of the Workforce survey this month asked more than 3500 people about the past year. More than 90 percent rated the Government performance at one - or two - out of five.  CTU President Sandra Grey says people feel exceptionally let down by the current Government - and that they don't feel looked after. "For all political parties, I think there's a message in there that says people want bold politicians who will actually do something about making sure that ordinary workers have a great life."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.