Larry Williams Drive

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 24 October. 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.

Te Pāti Māori's behaviour is once again a topic of discussion following bill burning and allegations of over-spending this week. Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Te Pāti Māori 'shouldn't be anywhere near Government'. Soper identified a possible link between the ongoing party controversies and it's culture of nepotism.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An NBA player and coach are among dozens of people arrested in an FBI investigation into rigged, mafia-linked poker games. Miami Heat's Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were named as those arrested. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the NBA stars were used as bait to draw players to the table with the rigged game. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prominent colorectal surgeon Frank Frizelle says it is now a necessity for dedicated cancer centres in New Zealand.  The Christchurch-based surgeon believes if New Zealand does not adopt comprehensive cancer centres, the system will fail patients. Frizelle told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "it's just about trying to give adequate volumes and concentrations of resources to try and get the best value for money". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar has suggested a “situational subsidy” to support regional routes when the economy is not doing well and demand is low. Ravishankar officially took over as CEO on 20 October 2025, replacing Greg Foran who stepped down after six years. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour tells Heather du Plessis-Allan that the implementation of a subsidy could allow for too much Government control over the agency which would be a 'complete disaster'.  Seymour also addresses the legalisation of melatonin for those aged under-55. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing calls to investigate Prince Andrew’s residence at Royal Lodge, with MPs in the UK expressing clear interest in an inquiry. Keir Starmer has indicated he is open to MPs questioning Andrew in person about his home in Windsor Great Park, where he's lived for over 20 years without paying rent.  UK correspondent Enda Brady explains whether Andrew is likely to agree to this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Quality stocks' such as healthcare companies are trading at their cheapest level relative to the market in decades. This is taking place while market concentration is at record levels. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MetService says the strong winds that battered the South Island and lower North are now easing - but there are still a few things to keep an eye on. Red wind warnings have lifted for Canterbury, Southland, Stewart Island, Clutha, Wellington and Wairarapa. Widespread power outages remain across Canterbury, Wairarapa, Manawatu-Whanganui, Marlborough and Southland, where some repairs could take more than a week. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks the damage further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more businesses are rolling back sustainability initiatives and DEI requirements, but one expert says it still pays to be progressive. The Net Zero Banking Alliance has shut down, Nestle has pulled out of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance and the Government recently loosened climate reporting requirements for companies. Despite this, former Starbucks Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Kobori says it's still good to make progressive choices to boost your business. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, lawyer and political commentator Liam Hehir and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The big mega-strike took place today - what have we seen? How do we think they went? Given protesters weren't able to march on Parliament, is the political sting missing? Marama Davidson's Right to Repair Bill was scrapped last night, because Davidson herself was late to the House. How bad does this look? Do we need to teach home economics at school? Shouldn't that be the parents' job? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 23 October 2025, teacher union negotiator Liam Rutherford disagrees with Heather's notion that the strikes were a bit of a fizzer. Ozempic is fast becoming somewhat of a super drug - with new research linking the weight loss drug to a 20% drop of heart attacks and strokes even in people who weren't overweight. Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie is scathing of alleged drug trafficking boats being blown up at sea by the US. Former Starbucks sustainability boss Michael Kobori explains why being woke is still good for business in today's world. Plus, the Huddle disagrees vehemently with Heather on whether or not we really need home economics at school. 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 have to be honest with you, because it's been a little while since I sat in the home economics class in Tuakau College - so there is a fair chance that my experience is a little out of date by about 20 years and I might just make a fool of myself with what I'm about to say next. But I do not understand the angst about Erica Stanford dropping home economics from the NCEA curriculum. There is an opinion piece in The Spinoff today, and it's arguing against Erica Stanford removing this 'vital' subject from our school subject list because it's a 'moral decision,' - because, quote, 'everyone deserves to know what's in their food, how it affects their health, and how to make choices that support their overall well-being.' Now, I tend to agree with that. You should know what's going on in your food. But from what I understand, home ec is still being taught and will still be taught to years 9 and 10 in some form or another, that's not going to change. And if you cannot learn in the space of 2 years that yo

US forces have struck another vessel alleged to be carrying drugs, this time in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Reports claim two on board the vessel were killed and no US forces were harmed.  Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie has voiced concerns over this incident - and claimed everyone deserves the right to a fair trial. "The process that he's doing is wrong, everyone has a right to a fair trial and they shouldn't just be executed on an assumption that they are a drug trafficker."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis will be able to buy a share in a house for as little as $100 with a new investment platform launched today that promises to break down the barriers to home ownership. Housies will allow investors to buy shares in a house and receive returns from rental income or long-term capital growth. Co-founder James Jordan says this will allow people to easily get access to a home if they invest enough. "They have skin in the game, they've got their own money in the property. The properties are all going to be new homes and they're going to look after them and we're going to support them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A disproportionate number of children in state care face harm when returned home. Oranga Tamariki's annual report shows an overall increase in abuse or neglect in state care, with 530 children experiencing harm in the year ending March. That's 23 up on the previous year. Independent children's monitor, Arran Jones, says about half of children return in an unplanned way. "You've got voices of parents there saying - I just wasn't ready for my young person to come home, I've got drug and alcohol issues, I've got mental health issues I haven't been able to address, I'm not ready to have them home." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both sides of an education pay dispute claim they were always open to negotiations.  The mega-strike is winding down after some 100,000 health workers, teachers, and public sector staff walked off the job.  Education Minister Erica Stanford says it's disappointing - considering the Government's been willing to keep the issue at the bargaining table.  NZEI's Liam Rutherford says so have they.  "We've never left the negotiating table - we had three afternoons last week, the primary teachers did, trying to get an offer out of the PSC and we've got dates to go back in the coming weeks as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Memories were shared of Jim Bolger as a devout Catholic, masterful farmer, family man and exceptional leader.  Colleagues and family shared remembrances of the former Prime Minister, as he was laid to rest in Kapiti today.  Former Prime Ministers, Governor-Generals, iwi leaders and the Māori Queen attended the funeral at Bolger's local parish. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped all the tributes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, Opposition leader Sussan Ley has walked back hear earlier comments calling for Kevin Rudd to resign as US ambassador. Ley earlier suggested Rudd leave the role after US President Donald Trump criticised him during a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explained the situation further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland will finish up in the role when his current contract concludes at the end of the 2025 season.  Holland confirmed his decision to All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson after the second Bledisloe Cup test match earlier this month. The players were informed today on the first day of camp ahead of tomorrow's departure for the Northern Tour.  Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explained what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research has confirmed Ozempic reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks by 20 percent - even in patients who weren't severely overweight to start with.  The study, which was led by University College London and published in The Lancet, found that weight loss accounted for only one third of this reduction. Auckland University molecular medicine professor Peter Shepherd says this is proof other factors are behind the slowdown of heart disease. "We know a few of them, we know a bit about how it effects heart tissue growth, we know a bit about the positive effects it has on the deposition of the lipids, but there's still a long way to go to fully understand its effects."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.