Larry Williams Drive

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has earned a silver medal in the snowboard slopestyle at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, her fifth across three Games. She sat in fourth as the last rider up, before registering 87.48 with her final attempt. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less confusion over a drink at the local club, as options increase for serving alcohol.  Currently, local sport clubs, RSAs and community clubs can only serve alcohol to members and their guests. The Government's today announced clubs can now choose to stick with their current license or apply to serve the wider public - like a restaurant or bar. Clubs NZ CEO, Lucy Waterreus, says many people didn't know these restrictions exist.  "You might have someone that decides to pop into their local club, support a community event - only to discover they actually can't be served." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK police are evaluating information regarding private flights linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Reports claim Epstein used London's Stansted Airport to fly women in and out of the UK - according to the new release from the US Justice Department. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's been multiple reported incidents of alleged victims being flown through the airport.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Reserve Bank Governor is standing by the first OCR decision she's overseen - keeping the cash rate at 2.25 percent. Anna Breman said the Bank isn't happy with inflation being at 3.1 percent, but it's likely it will drop later in the year. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An improving financial situation for one of our largest companies, Fletcher Building. It's announced half-year results, weeks after agreeing to sell off its construction arm. The company's confirmed a half-year loss of $11 million - compared to a loss of $134 million in the year before. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton unpacked the reactions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telecommunications company Spark's mobile and broadband businesses delivered some revenue growth over the first half, contributing to an 83 percent increase in net profit. The company is reporting a net profit after tax of $64 million, compared with $35 million from a year ago.  Spark CEO Jolie Hodson says the company's still recovering, but there's clear signs things could go up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Anna Breman made her first call as Reserve Bank Governor and left the OCR unchanged at 2.25 percent. Do we think this is the right move? Do we need to start putting down more dangerous dogs? The recent attack in Northland has sparked discussion - and some outrage. Do we need tougher regulations for dogs, or owners?  Heather says the Foo Fighters are the greatest modern rock band in existence. Do we agree with that? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 18 February, 2026, we hear from the new Reserve Bank Governor on the first big call of her tenure - keeping the official cash rate at 2.25 percent. We talk to Northland MP Grant McCallum about Shane Jones' call to kill "homicidal" dogs. The head of Christchurch's new Te Kaha stadium hints there's more than just the Foo Fighters to come. And on the Huddle, do Jack Tame and Tim Wilson support Heather's call that the Foo Fighters are the greatest modern rock band? 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.

We’ve had the first monetary policy decision from the new Reserve Bank Governor, and it’s not until you get a new captain at the helm that you realise just how little confidence you had left in the previous one. Now, to be fair, it’s early days for Anna Breman. We’ll judge her by what she does from here on in. But she does start with a clean slate - without us reading too much into her decisions or second-guessing every move because of a poor track record.  And that, I’d say, is a very welcome change from just a few weeks ago before she took over. Her assessment is that inflation is fine. Yes, it’s a little high right now - 3.1 percent, outside the target band - but it’s expected to fall back within the band by this time next year.  The economy is improving. The green shoots that were previously limited to certain regions and industries are becoming more widespread. Households are getting more money in their pockets, but they’re still cautious - and that’s a problem. Because unless they’re confident

Pharmac is proposing funding two new leukaemia medications in pill form from May. It could relieve pressure for hospitals. It could also apply to people currently paying for it, who'd receive funding for the treatment in a private hospital - subject to meeting criteria. Associate Health Minister David Seymour says Pharmac will sign off on this - and it's likely this will move forward. "There'll be two new blood cancer medicines and they'll help an estimated 80-90 people every five years, with what is quite a rare, but brutal disorder."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hints that Christchurch's brand-new stadium will be soon hosting an event no other city will have. American rock band Foo Fighters are the first international act confirmed for One NZ Stadium, scheduled to open in April. Other major events lined-up include Super Rugby’s Super Round and a concert featuring Six60 and Synthony in May. Venues Otautahi CEO Caroline Harvie-Teare says a New Zealand-exclusive event announcement is coming soon. "They're the things that really shift the dial when it comes to visitation here in Christchurch and they're the things that we want to see here in Christchurch, and this is why we've got this beautiful new venue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building says it's not out of the woods yet, but their financial situation is improving. It recorded an $11 million half-year loss  - down from $134 million the year before. Earnings are out of the red at $45 million, compared to $-88 million the year before. Chief executive Andrew Reding says they'll take a while to get back on track.   "We're not forecasting great times for our financial year 2026, and indeed think that the calendar year 2027 is when things are lined up and moving properly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank says inflation's too high, but it's actually worried it could soon end up too low. It's kept the OCR unchanged at 2.25 percent. New Governor Anna Breman says they're not happy with headline inflation surpassing the one-to-three percent target band last quarter. But she says underlying core-inflation is much lower, and wage growth slow. She explained that unless the economy rebounds, they think inflation might actually fall below the target. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions in Parliament today - with barbs traded between the Prime Minister and Opposition leader. Chris Luxon took a swipe at Labour's Chris Hipkins at Question Time over inflation. Speaker Gerry Brownlee told numerous MPs to cool down, after heckling from both sides. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the action from today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fight for the oppressed and overlooked is encompassed in Jesse Jackson's legacy. The Civil Rights leader has died aged 84 surrounded by family.  Jackson built a career around activism - fighting alongside Martin Luther King Jr to improve the lives of Black people in America.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says President Donald Trump paid tribute - and so did some other former leaders. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outgoing Netball New Zealand chair Matt Whineray insists they will heed the lessons from the Silver Ferns coaching debacle. Whineray's ending his eight-year tenure alongside three other board members. The governing body came under intense scrutiny last year for their handling of Dame Noeline Taurua's standing down and eventual re-instatement. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest dog attack in Northland has sparked calls for urgency around manging savage canines.  Northland 62-year-old, Mihiata Te Rore, was killed by three dogs yesterday as she visited a home in Kaihu. NZ First's Shane Jones has suggested penalising owners of dangerous dogs with prison sentences. Northland MP Grant McCallum says councils need to enforce regulations to keep people safe - but some law changes are in order. "We've got too many dogs out there and you have to question some of the breeds, so the question becomes - do we look at a stronger de-sexing policy going forward? And also, some of the breeds of these dogs...are there just some breeds we don't need?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six companies linked to the former Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, are being wound down, according to new reports. One company is related to public relations, another to retail, and none appeared to be commercially active. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Ferguson was desperate for money, even emailing Epstein for help while he was in prison.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Infrastructure Commission's suggesting the Government spends less on roads and tolls Auckland's future additional harbour crossing. It's 30-year-road-map released today makes 10 recommendations for what should be prioritised over the next decade, with hospital investment topping the list.  The plan suggests the extra crossing in Auckland, tunnel or bridge, gets a $9 toll. National Road Carriers Association CEO Justin Tighe-Umbers says the infrastructure has be paid for - and solutions need to be found.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows wool sales are still up in the South Island. PGG Wrightson South Island auction manager Dave Burridge said exporter demand remains highly competitive - with the SWI lifting a further 47 cents. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.