Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and Nick Leggett of Infrastructure NZ joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  There's renewed debate to introduce means-testing for NZ Super. Is this a discussion we need to have? Donald Trump used the f-bomb when criticising Iran and Israel in front of reporters. How do we feel about the President using profanities? Can we say that Trump has succeeded by getting NATO countries to commit to increase their defence spending to 5 percent? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadband company Chorus is celebrating an endorsement from the Infrastructure Commission for its planed extension. Chorus seeks to extend its ultrafast broadband network to another 160,000 homes and businesses at a cost of between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. Chorus CEO Mark Aue says now is the time to boost New Zealand's rural communities.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 25 June 2025, New Zealand is not getting bang for buck when we spend on infrastructure, but is the Infrastructure Commission really telling us anything new? Israel's ambassador Alon Roth speaks to Heather to discuss the shaky ceasefire with Iran. Auckland's skyline is about to radically change after the Government decided it will force the council to allow 15-storey apartment buildings near central auckland train stations. Auckland councillor Richard Hills explains which areas will be affected. Plus, the Huddle debates whether we should cut off the more than 9000 people who receive super while also earning more than $200,000. 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.

Have you caught up on the drama between the academics and David Seymour? Can I just respectfully suggest that the academics need to harden up? They are upset because David Seymour has published a 'Victim of the Day' on social media, and he seems to be doing it reasonably regularly. It's featuring academics who are upset about the Regulatory Standards Bill - and then it's mocking them for that. Now, they're not happy. They're accusing him of breaching the Cabinet Manual. They say that his posts are unethical, unprofessional, potentially dangerous to those who are targeted, and that he's trying to silence them. Thereby proving his point that they really are victims, aren't they? Now, I'm surprised at how thin-skinned these academics are. Let's be honest about it, none of us like to be skewered. It can sting. But it kind of comes with the territory, doesn't it? If you are in public, and especially if you choose to put yourself in public - which these academics are doing by choosing to, for example, pen

There's hope among Kiwi football fans after Auckland City FC bounces back from some disappointing matches.  After conceding a whopping 16 goals in their first two matches, the Oceania representative managed to draw 1-1 with South America's Boca Juniors in Nashville. Leon Grice, a businessman linked to Auckland City FC, says this feels like a step forward. "They play all over the world, they have the ability to rise and play." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussions are circling on whether now's the time to means-test Superannuation. 2023 Census data shows 33,000 over-65s earned $100,00-to-$200,000 dollars - and more than 9,000 topped that figure. Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson says if there is a strong economic argument Super isn't affordable, means-testing could be worth it. "If you're earning more than, say, $180,000 a year and you're claiming the super, then the cost to the taxpayer might be questioned." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran and Israel have had their first quiet night in almost two weeks, as a fragile ceasefire continues to hold. President Donald Trump is slamming a leaked intelligence assessment suggesting this week's US strikes have left Iran's nuclear programmes largely intact. He's posted calling it one of the most successful military strikes in history. New Zealand's Israeli ambassador Alon Roth-Snir says it has at least removed the imminent nuclear threat. "We are very, very thankful for what President Trump and the United States army have done." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing calls for New Zealand to get realistic about our infrastructure. The Infrastructure Commission's released a 30-year draft plan today  for future builds and upgrades to roads, hospitals and public buildings. It highlights how we're not getting value, despite spending a lot. Commission CEO, Geoff Cooper, says a large issue is our lack of spending on maintaining existing infrastructure. He explained we are running our assets into the ground, so repairs cost more - leaving less money for everything else. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can New Zealand plug its infrastructure gap by adopting spatial planning systems - or funding investment through user-pricing? They're among ideas mooted in a 30-year infrastructure investment draft, proposed by the Infrastructure Commission. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports claim US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities did not destroy the Iranian nuclear programme - and likely only set it back. Details of the initial damage assessment from the Pentagon's Defence Intelligence Agency were recently leaked and the White House has been quick to fire back against it. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump's conduct has been 'surprising' for a world leader.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oceania Football Confederation is proud of Auckland City's campaign at the FIFA Club World Cup. City bounced backed from two humbling losses by a combined 16 goals to draw 1-all with Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in Nashville. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland councillor says the Government requiring larger apartments in the neighbourhood of new CRL train stations is in line with other council requests.  The Government's announced Resource Management Bill amendments to allow apartments 10 and 15 storeys high around some central city terminals. Councillor Richard Hills says it ties into requests to remove medium-density residential housing rules. "We've also asked if we can downzone or restrict some areas in flooding and hazard zones - this change will legally allow us to do that, but on the proviso that we increase capacity elsewhere." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new design for the national memorial for Queen Elizabeth II has been unveiled - set to be built in St James's Park in central London. Lord Norman Foster's design team has been announced as the winner in the competition for a memorial to honour Britain's longest-reigning monarch. UK correspondent Enda Brady says a separate statue for the late King Philip will also be built. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Christchurch school kids are advocating to change the name of Rolleston Ave because of William Rolleston's involvement in leading the deadly invasion of Parihaka in Taranaki. Is there a case for a name change or should we refrain from erasing history? GPs will soon be able to diagnose ADHD - do we approve of this change or are we worried about people abusing this? Should the Government bring in rate caps for councils? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to one expert, last week's GDP figures are a sign New Zealand's economy is on the up. Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further, LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank Global Strategist Michael Every says Trump isn’t as “nutty” as people may think he is, as there can be upsides to trade wars and geopolitical crises. The Country's Jamie Mackay caught up with him ahead of the Primary Industries New Zealand Summit. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices have been going through a volatile period over the last couple of weeks, following the recent conflict in the Middle East. Prices spiked at the end of last week and then dropped as much as 8 percent, according to reports from earlier today. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I can see that this idea of forcing rate caps on councils is taking off. So can I just express my concerns about this early on? I personally love the idea of stopping councils from continually jacking up what they charge us, but I worry that this is not going to fix the situation, because it's not the actual problem, is it? The actual problem is that councils spend our money on stupid stuff. A la, the light up toilets in Wellington even when they've got no money. Wellington has got no money, but they keep on doing this stuff. So even if you stop them having much money because you put on a rate cap, they will continue to spend the money on the wrong things. A la, Wellington. So what will then happen if you put the rate cap on - is that after years and years and years and years of deferred capital expenditure, the pipes will break down cause Wellington hasn't spent money on them, and the roads will be in disrepair because Wellington hasn't spent money on them, and the buildings will need earthquake upgrade

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 24 June 2025, geopolitical expert Geoffrey Miller on the ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel. Has Trump been proven right in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities? Darrin Bull from ADHD NZ reacts to news that GPs and some nurses will soon be able to diagnose and treat ADHD, hopefully shortening waittimes for people significantly. Wellington's got itself another controversy - this time it's some very expensive toilets that even come with its own lightshow! Are the disco dunnies out of order? Probably. Plus, the Huddle debates a call from a group of Christchurch high school students who want to rename Rolleston Ave for his dark past. 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.

Halter, a New Zealand tech company specialising in virtual fencing and animal management technology, has raised $165 million in a Series D fundraising round, valuing the company at $1.65 billion. Started in 2016, Halter’s solar-powered, smart collars were guiding thousands of cattle by sound and vibration cues, allowing farmers to get rid of fencing on paddocks. CEO and founder Craig Piggott says the technology helps farmers be more productive - and sustainable. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.