Larry Williams Drive

Britain has lost more billionaires than any other nation over the past two years, and there's fears a tougher wealth tax could drive these figures up. New research has found the UK lost nearly a quarter of its billionaires between 2023 and 2024, with many of the UK's wealthiest individuals moving their tax residency to low-tax jurisdictions.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says many of these rich-listers have moved to places like Switzerland, Monaco and Dubai - which have far more favourable tax regimes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the summer barbecue season continues in the US, Americans are paying record-setting prices for their beef.  The price for New Zealand-produced beef has surged amid ongoing demand among US consumers. The Country's Jamie Mackay reveals what this news could mean for Kiwi farmers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research from the Financial Services Council reveals that New Zealanders are quick to insure their cars, homes, and gadgets - but they're far less likely to protect their health, income, and lives. The report, titled Money & You: Valuing Belongings Over Ourselves, shows New Zealanders are twice as likely to have car insurance over life or health insurance. FSC CEO Kirk Hope says expanding access to private insurance through workplace schemes would help improve coverage across the population."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission is taking Foodstuffs North Island and its subsidiary Gilmours Wholesale to court, citing what it labels 'cartel conduct'. The regulator has alleged that the retailers pressured a supplier into an agreement to redirect supply through them. Competition lawyer Andy Matthews says it's all allegations at this stage, but New Zealand has very 'broad' cartel laws. "What it means is - pretty much any agreement with an actual or potential competitor probably has a cartel provision. And it's up to the party who's entered into the alleged cartel provision to demonstrate an exception that the Commerce Act applies." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Minister Stuart Nash and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!   David Seymour's rebuttal letter to the UN has ended in an awkward walkback after Prime Minister Chris Luxon told him off. What do we make of this? Australia is debating whether or not to put cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks. Do we need to follow their lead? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 15 July 2025, the Government is changing the law to force councils to focus on their core business. But the Minister for Local Government is struggling to explain to Ryan what councils have been doing that is nice-to-have. Former Australian ambassador to Russia, Peter Tesch, is not convinced that Donald Trump's ultimatum to Vladimir Putin will actually lead to peace in Ukraine. Deputy PM David Seymour has been reminded by the Prime Minister who is in charge of foreign affairs - and that's Winston Peters! Seymour tells Ryan he was just overeager to get his response to the UN in the mail. Plus, the Huddle debates whether cancer warnings on alcohol would make a difference. 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.

The Government's introduced a bill today to get local Government back focused on the basics. But the fact they've strayed so far from potholes, rubbish and waste water is as much our fault as the councillors and mayors running the budgets. The Government's bill contains the wildly controversial stuff like: "Prioritising core services when managing finances and setting rates." And "new financial performance measures for councils, with a requirement for regular public reporting." How scandalous. Honestly. We shouldn't need central Government to spend time and money clarifying such simple principles to their local Government counterparts, but it's 2025, and here we are. We shouldn't need a bill to stop wasteful spending. We just need more Andrew Tripes. He's the Whanganui mayor overseeing a 2.2 percent rate increase this year. Much less than the average 8.7 percent across the country. He went on RNZ this morning and basically said it how it really is. If you want low rates, spend less, save money, have a plan. A

David Seymour is standing by his letter to the UN - now withdrawn. He wrote responding to an official who'd expressed concerns about the impact of Seymour's Regulatory Standards Bill on Māori. The Prime Minister says that's a job for the Foreign Minister and Seymour's conceded it's better to a have a single Government response, led by Winston Peters. Seymour says he still needs to work out how to undo the letter he sent. "I'll probably have to go through Winston, he probably doesn't want me to write direct to the UN again - I think that would probably miss the whole point of the exercise."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TRA’s latest New Zealand’s Favourite Ads survey for June 2025 has revealed what ads Kiwis are loving the most - and one of the top contenders is powered by AI. Skinny's new ad campaign starring a digitally cloned 64-year-old Liz Wright - chosen from hundreds of entries in a nationwide search - rounded out the top 10 in a list including Tux, One NZ, KFC and Turners.  Spark's marketing and data director, Matt Bain, says AI has allowed digital effects in advertising to become more 'democratised'. "Brands like Skinny can actually do things like clone a customer and then create scenes that wouldn't have been possible on Skinny's budgets." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A significant moment for Ukraine - as the US falls into line with NATO.  President Donald Trump's pledged billions of dollars of weapons to Ukraine, through a sale to NATO.  He's also threatening Russia with 100 percent secondary tariffs if the Kremlin doesn't make a ceasefire deal within 50 days.  Former Australian ambassador to Russia, Peter Tesch says US policy is too fickle to make this a complete game changer. "It is an important signal - and a very welcome signal to Ukraine and NATO that the US won't hinder their efforts to defend Ukraine at their own expense." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Minister says new legislation in the works will give councils clarity.  An amendment bill's been introduced to Parliament to make local bodies focus on core services.  It also demands regular public progress reports - and disclosure on the cost of consultants and contractors.  Simon Watts says it's a return to bread and butter duties.  "Previously, terms like social, cultural and economic type activities - they were all just catch-all. And as a result, some councils across the country were doing stuff that was basically wasteful spending." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour's withdrawn a letter he sent to the United Nations after being called out by the Prime Minister.  A United Nations' official's letter was critical of the Regulatory Standards Bill, saying it excluded Māori traditions. Seymour, the Minister responsible for the bill, replied that as an indigenous New Zealander himself, he's deeply aggrieved by the UN's audacity in presuming to speak on his behalf.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper discussed the saga further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese and Xi Jinping have met in Beijing, kicking off high-level talks as Australia and China strive to focus on economic co-operation rather than their increasingly militaristic regional rivalry. With the Australian and Chinese national flags adorning the walls, it was a welcome befitting the charm offensive waged on the Australian Prime Minister since landing over the weekend. Australian correspondent Charles Croucher unpacked the pair's meeting further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues’ contract with Eden Park is drawing to a close, and a decision on where they will move their home games to is yet to be made. In a survey sent to supporters, the franchise asked fans whether they would be more likely to attend Blues matches if they were moved to Mt Smart instead of Eden Park next Super Rugby season. Sportstalk host Jason Pine weighs in on the discussion. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows that house prices have dropped for the fourth consecutive month in June. The Real Estate Institute of NZ shows that across the entire country, the HPI declined by 0.8 percent in June compared to May. Property commentator Ashley Church says the cause of this downturn goes all the way back to 2021, when Covid impacted interest rates. "The Reserve Bank, as a result of that, recognized what it had done, reversed course and increased the OCR, which had the effect of increasing mortgage interest rates over the following two years. So the result of that is basically what we're dealing with." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The EU's retaliatory tariffs on US exports have been delayed again - this time until early next month. The countermeasures, which were due to begin this month, came in response to President Donald Trump's initial import taxes on steel and aluminium. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Trump has recently threatened to bring in higher tariffs for the European Union on top of the earlier sanctions.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of New Zealand's leading building sector bodies is launching standard house designs that will be available to all, in an attempt to bring down costs. The Building Research Association of New Zealand has developed an accessible plan for building an affordable and sustainable home.  BRANZ General Manager of Research Dr Chris Litten says housing affordability is a significant issue in New Zealand - and the company's looking to develop a solution. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump is renewing his threats to Canada, vowing to slap a 35 percent tariff on its goods. He says he'll impose the tariff on Canadian goods starting in August. Trump's also made threats of blanket tariffs of 15 or 20 percent on most trade partners. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly reveals how the markets reacted. 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! New data shows more young Kiwis are having issues finding work. Do we have any inspirational messages for young people looking for jobs? How can they get ahead?  Is the UN interfering with NZ's sovereignty?  Ray Chung has since apologised for his infamous email to Tory Whanau - but the council's Crown observer is raising issues with the Minister and the council's CEO is looking to investigate a possible code of conduct breach? What do we make of this?  Donald Trump is now mulling increasing the baseline tariff for everyone from 10 percent to 15-20 percent. Should we try to make the best of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says revelations she wanted to keep numbers attending this year's Budget lock-up more restricted than she suggested is a mountain out a of molehill. After a wave of criticism directed at Treasury for restricting lock-up numbers - Nicola Willis said she stepped in to enable more people in. An extra 30 people were added to the list. But new OIA documents show it was actually Willis who pushed for tighter restrictions She says she had initially opted to stick to the same approach for the Budget, as had been used for the half-yearly fiscal update. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.