Larry Williams Drive

Canada recently scrapped its digital services tax targeting US technology firms - just hours before it was due to take effect.  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump are set to re-open trade talks in order to agree on a deal by July 21, according to Canada's finance ministry. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strategic Pay's latest Directors' Fees Survey has uncovered an unexpected trend in the nation's private sector boardrooms. The data shows women are out-earning their male counterparts - despite still being somewhat under-represented. Strategic Pay managing director Cathy Hendry says this is 'surprising' - but it's still good to see. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 30 June 2025, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith explains why he's making coward punches a new offence with tougher penalties. Rental homes have to follow healthy homes rules by tomorrow - but many many don't comply. Heather asks Andrew Eagles from the Green Building Council whether the rules are simply too tough. Finance Minister Nicola Willis reveals what changes she's making to FamilyBoost to make sure more people are eligible. An etiquette expert weighs in on our worst ever phone manners. Plus, the Huddle chew over the crazy consent requirement hurdles Ikea had to jump over. 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.

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 Healthy Homes standards are set to kick in tomorrow - do we see the Government enforcing these?  The Government has recently released a string of new law and order announcements, the latest including tougher penalties for people who assault first responders and making 'coward punches' an offence. Do we agree with these changes?  Ikea's consent conditions included cultural monitoring, karakia and other cultural ceremonies with mana whenua among other things. What do we make of these measures?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone out there, hands up, who doesn't agree with the Justice Minister's plan to introduce harsher punishments for people who assault first responders? I feel like this is a complete no-brainer. I mean, there are some out there who would argue that no assault is acceptable at all and that if you create two tiers of punishment where you've got the police officers on one level and then the normal humans on another - what you're saying is that some assaults are more acceptable than others. And that's a fair argument to make, but I think reality has a role to play here, and the reality is different, isn't it? The reality is you and I, regular citizens, can just walk away if we see something happening, if we see there's somebody who needs a bit of help, but we can see it's not safe - we can just keep on going. First responders can't. For police and ambo workers in the fire service, it is their job to go into those situations that are often quite risky because people are upset or people have been substance ab

The Finance Minister says changes to the FamilyBoost scheme are on their way - after Cabinet made decisions today. The Government previously said it would announce changes to the childcare tax policy in June. It's been admitted the number of families initially thought eligible was wrong. Nicola Willis says there are two changes and they apply to fees incurred from tomorrow - with claims able to be made from October. "The first is to increase the amount of rebate, which will have the effect that people on lower middle incomes with lower rates of fees will be able to get a bigger rebate." Willis says the second is to reduce the abatement rate - so families earning more than 140-thousand dollars will be able to claim a bit more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's slamming the requirement for builders of a new Ikea in Auckland - to consult with seven mana whenua groups. Consent for the Sylvia Park store requires iwi consultation around erosion, stormwater treatment, and planting.  ACT's Simon Court flagged the issue, and the Prime Minister's called it insane. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says it's ridiculous - and why we can't have nice things in New Zealand. "And it's exactly the reason why we are ultimately repealing and replacing the RMA with new legislation. This is the red tape that gets in the way and drives up the costs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transpower says recent electricity generation simulations should not trigger panic, over declining gas supply. Two of three tests show improvements, looking a decade ahead into how our systems will cope with demand. But the third - the winter energy margin - finds worsening conditions, year-on-year. Transpower's James Kilty says it's not a big deal. "The tests include a buffer, so the fact that we're dipping slightly below the buffer does not mean that there'll be electricity supply shortages next year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research has been conducted into our texting habits - and it's raised a few eyebrows. A survey by BNZ indicates New Zealanders were responding to notifications in a variety of awkward locations, with one third of respondents replying in the bathroom, 41 percent in the middle of face-to-face conversations and 28 percent while in meetings.  Etiquette expert Anna Musson says many of us are terrible at multitasking, and picking up a phone during a face-to-face exchange has unfortunate implications. "If you're in the company of another person, it is criminal to pick up your phone and suggest that the other person is less interesting or less important, even if it's true." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Justice Minister's confirmed the Government aims to send a clear message to offenders as part of the latest legislation.  The Government recently announced 'coward punches' will be treated as a new offence, giving offenders longer sentences. The reform makes good on a National and NZ First coalition promise. Paul Goldsmith says the Government's hoping to disincentivise these 'unacceptable' attacks.   "We're going to send a very strong message from Parliament to the judiciary - that we expect serious consequences for serious crime." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is talking up our economic prospects - in challenging global times. He's just returned from meeting leaders in China and Europe, as mid-east tensions reached boiling point. Chris Luxon says we are throwing everything at boosting trade links so we can continue to grow. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan discussed further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian jury has begun its first day of deliberations in the trial of Erin Patterson - accused of deliberately manufacturing a murderous mushroom lunch. She's facing three murder charges and one of attempted murder over the toxic meal she served her estranged husband's relatives. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says there's just over an hour left of deliberating time today. "4:15 Melbourne time is when they will wrap up - and they've back in the court every day, including Saturdays, so they can reach a verdict." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Satisfaction for Liam Lawson after prevailing in a race long battle with a two-time world champion at Formula One's Austrian Grand Prix. The Kiwi driver has secured a career best sixth - one place ahead of Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns not all landlords will comply with the Healthy Homes standards set to kick in tomorrow. New rental compliance standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, and moisture in rental properties will come into effect from July 1. NZ Green Building Council CEO Andrew Eagles says it's likely a significant percentage of homes won't meet the standard by the deadline. "There's been an awful lot of assessments and work and I know that many are pushing to get it done in the final month, which is a real shame, because lots of people are booked up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump Administration has hit out at reporters pushing back against their official line on Iran.  US President Donald Trump continues to insist the strikes from the US obliterated Iran’s nuclear sites – a stance Iran’s Supreme Leader claims is exaggerated.   Fox News’ Pentagon Correspondent Jennifer Griffin questioned Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during a press conference, asking if the White House was certain all the highly enriched uranium was inside the Fordow Mountain – the location hit by the US.   US Correspondent Kirk Clyatt joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to break down the latest developments.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 27 June. 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.

The high street tailor "Crane Brothers" has been a fixture on the street for years - and it will remain so for even longer. Murray Crane - the man behind the business - has signed to keep the business in it's current location for another 25 years.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "[on High Street] we're seeing tenancies being refilled and leases being signed." Crane said that despite the CBD's post-COVID drop in footfall, he's confident in his decision to stay put.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEO Sir Russell Coutts has today announced the City of Sails as the second stop of next season's world tour. Auckland Unlimited revealed their million-dollar investment to the January regatta, which returned $5million. Head of Major Events Michelle Hooper told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they're looking to do it all again and continue to have Auckland host in the future. She says the intention by all parties is to have Auckland host in 2027 and beyond - but they just have to sort out long-term funding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Speaker of the house is being taken to the High Court for musical torture during the 2022 anti-mandate protest. A girl from Northland, who was 11 at the time, says Mallard weaponised songs like Disney's Let it Go - causing mental anguish, humiliation and de-humanisation. Her lawyer, Tudor Clee says blasting someone with music is a military-style torture technique. He says this is the first time this technique has been intentionally used on children. The girl is seeking 40 thousand dollars in damages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A draft Inland Revenue briefing supports lifting the GST rate if required - and notes tax credits could help people on lower incomes. The IRD briefing also brought up the lack of a capital gains tax, but did not endorse any specific view on it. Tax expert Geof Nightingale told Heather du Plessis-Allan that lifting GST is a fast and efficient way to raise revenue. But he says while quick, it's much harder on lower-income people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.