Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Journalist Clare De Lore and Economist Craig Renney joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 40 years since the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. Ryan has been wondering.. for all of our opposition against nuclear and nuclear weapons; are they actually what is keeping the world from erupting into even more serious conflicts right now? The owner of Woman's Weekly and Listener is looking for a buyer for the mags. Are magazines dead? Gold mine plans halted due to local lizards needing to be rehomed - should we risk hundreds of jobs for the protection of animals?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caleb Clarke as a power wing could be the tool that puts the ABs over France again, despite an underwhelming season. Head Coach Scott Robertson says he believes in the eye-test of what he sees, rather than what the stats say. He says it's about trusting players to step up, and for great players to stay consistent. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 10 July 2025, Victoria University's Emeritus Professor Jonathan Boston slams suggestion that thousands of homeowners should be left without the option of Government buy-outs when their homes get destroyed by weather related events. Forest and Bird's Nicola Toki explains passionately why we should put lizards before jobs when it comes to the Otago goldmine. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson tells Ryan why he thinks the ABs can make it 2/2 against the French on Saturday. Plus, the Huddle debates the 40th anniversary of the Rainbow Warrior and some of New Zealand's most well-known magazines up for sale - will they survive? 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.

Would-be customers are being charged for cancelling bookings. One customer was even pinged $250 for pulling out of a 5-person table. Consumer NZ Communication and Campaigns Manager Sahar Lone says people must be aware of the contract they enter when booking. However, she adds businesses must be reasonable and transparent with their policies to avoid controversy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Editor Jason Walls talks to Ryan Bridge about new poll results showing NZ First nearly acquiring double digits. He points out Labour and National have taken notable drops in the survey, with their respective bloc-parties having to make up the deficit. As it stands, the left-bloc doesn't have enough to form a government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elliot Smith joins Ryan Bridge to discuss the changes the ABs and Red Bull have decided to make.  Why would Christian Horner get sacked, and what does that mean for Max Verstappen's future with the team? What adjustments do the All Blacks need ahead of their second test with France? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's arguments against a recommendation the Government abandons property buy-outs.  An independent panel has prepared a proposal for flood adaptation to the Environment Ministry.  It says homeowners should be responsible for deciding to live in high-risk areas - and shouldn't expect the Government to stump up for weather-damaged homes.  Victoria University emeritus professor Jonathan Boston says he disagrees. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rotorua's Mayor, Tania Taspell, says a new water plan in the city addresses past wrongs.  The plan will see Karamū Tākina Springs co-managed by Ngāti Kearoa-Ngāti Tuara and Rotorua Lakes Council and land nearby will be returned to Iwi.  The springs provide 60 percent of Rotorua's drinking water. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of Conservation's declined a permit to clear vegetation at the Central Otago site - citing missing details on rehoming thousands of lizards.  Resources Minister Shane Jones has voiced frustration it puts hundreds of jobs at risk.  But Chief Executive of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, Nicola Toki, says the lizards' existence are already under threat so mining would put their population on the brink of extinction. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston's done it again. The old political workhorse of the Pacific just keeps getting more popular. New Zealand First has overtaken ACT in the latest Taxpayer's Union Curia Poll - it's now the third most popular party. I'll give you a break down of the numbers shortly, but this has got to be ego bruising for Seymour. He's just got his feet under the Deputy's desk and he's been overtaken in the polls by the bloke he's replaced. Not that simply being the Deputy PM gets you votes, but he's trying to make a good fist of it. Seymour's holding press conferences left, right and centre. Yesterday, a stand-up reacting to no change in the OCR. Today, a stand-up on Stats NZ numbers. Luxon's overseas on holiday. Winston's East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Seymour's been bogged down with Regulatory Standard's Bill, the Treaty bill and school lunches. Winston's been flying around the world keeping us in line with China and staving off Trump's tariffs... all while celebrating his 80th birthday. A

Germany has accused the Chinese military of targeting its aircraft during an EU operation over the Red Sea. The Chinese ambassador has been summoned to the German foreign ministry over the incident. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this comes as concerns mount over China's influence on critical technologies and security infrastructure in Europe. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unions are urging Uber to consider New Zealanders needs - after drivers protested outside the Supreme Court today. It's over an Uber appeal of a 2022 ruling that deemed four drivers employees, allowed things like sick leave and holiday pay. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank left the OCR on hold at 3.25 percent - with the bank claiming it was waiting for more economic data. Economists widely suspected the RBNZ wouldn't cut rates any further, and they believe there's more cuts to come. Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan unpacked the market reactions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government wants beneficiaries to help with the flood clean-up in the South Island. Is this a good idea? Is there a case to make work available under these circumstances? There's a plan to revive the moa from extinction. Good idea or waste of time? A survey of public servants has found more than half of them think their colleagues were not hired on merit. Do we sense a problem here? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ACT MP claims cultural requirements in resource consents are creating extra costs and slowing down solar farm projects.  Undersecretary for RMA Reform, Simon Court says at one Hawke's Bay site local hapu have to be invited to perform karakia every time a native tree is removed.  He says ultimately it will be consumers missing out.  "What this means is that if solar farms can't get built, or if they get built but there's all this extra cost, that's going to add to your power bill." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 9 July 2025, Infometrics' Brad Olsen breaks down today's OCR decision and tells Ryan Bridge when we might get another cut to interest rates. The Government is keen to get unemployed job seekers involved in the flood clean-up in Nelson/Tasman. MSD's Craig Churchill tells Ryan so far just six jobseekers have put their hands up. Zoologist professor Philipp Seddon is not a fan of trying to revive the moa and won't hold back on why it's a dumb idea. Plus, the Huddle debates why public servants think half of their co-workers didn't get the job on merit. 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 moa was a visionary bird well ahead of its time. Bringing them back from extinction makes perfect sense - we'll be setting them free. They can finally live their best life. Spread their wings - metaphorically, of course, cause they don't actually have wings. But they'll be free in this brave, new modern world. Firstly, they're vegan. So hip and trendy box number one - big tick. Wait till somebody introduces them to the incredible burger, or eggplant sandwiches with vegan slaw. They'll love that. But wait, it gets woker. The women are dominant - one and half times bigger than the men and two and half times the weight. Trendy, progressive box number two - tick. Number 3 - turns out they were quite oppressed back in the day. Victims, you could call them. Also very trendy today. Hunted to extinction by men with spears, slaughtered and eaten. You know what that means in 2025 - lived experience. Wait for the wellness podcast and the Oprah interview. And then there's the obvious but awkward issue of being a

The Public Service Commissioner says there's signs of optimism and room for improvement in this year's survey of public servants.  The poll of 40 thousand workers found 80 percent think there's a staff shortage and workloads are too high.  Commissioner Brian Roche says AI, not more staff, could be the answer.  He says he's not making much of the finding - a third of public servants thought they were underpaid. "I've never been in a workplace where there's an element of people who don't think they should get paid more." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lucky escape for a near-hypothermic Wellington tramper and his dog after the pair were rescued from freezing overnight conditions in the Tararua Ranges.  David Graham and Winnie were winched to safety in an Air Force helicopter about 4.30am yesterday, where he was given the best hot chocolate of his life.  Graham says he was well-prepared, but conditions deteriorated - and by 9pm, his sleeping bag froze.  "When my dog started shaking, I realised that the temperature was dropping pretty quick, and so at that point I got in touch with emergency services." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

600 Tasman jobseekers have the opportunity to help clean up flood damage in the upper South Island.  The Government's activated a beneficiary task force in Tasman and Marlborough. Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner, Craig Churchill, says they're targeting jobseekers closest to the area.  "We've actually had a lot of jobseekers register interest to help in events like this. And this is a significant event that's going to take quite some time to recover from, people are really willing to help." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.