Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 20 June 2024, Finance Minister Nicola Willis reacts to news that our economy grew 0.2% in the first quarter, lifting NZ out of recession. The power is out across large parts of Northland - Energy Minister Simeon Brown says it could take a few days to bring everybody back on line. Are police closing in on finding Marokopa dad Tom Phillips and his missing kids? The Huddle debates whether Wellington Council's Chief Executive is entitled to withhold information from elected councillors. Plus, Blues coach Vern Cotter talks to Heather ahead of the Super Rugby Final against the Chiefs. 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, David Farrar and Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Wellington Council's CEO is under fire for trying to hide information from councillors. Is this a bad move? GDP rose 0.2 percent, bring New Zealand out of technical recession. Is this good news for the economy - or is the worst yet to come? The Just Stop Oil protestors were caught vandalising Stonehenge, with two arrested. Is throwing paint on a historical landmark a step too far?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's nerves in the air as the Blues gear up for their Super Rugby final this weekend. It's been 21 years since the franchise lifted a full Super Rugby title - something they can end against the Chiefs at a sold-out Eden Park on Saturday. Blues head coach Vern Cotter says the team are hoping to play well, but they've seen what the Chiefs can do on the field. "We know it's a final and finals are played with utmost intensity... we've locked that in and the boys are trained well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ministers are keeping a close eye on Wellington City Council, over a stoush between councillors and officials. Some around the council table claim CEO Barbara McKerrow is withholding information from them. She'd devised new protocols limiting information councillors could request from officials. The proposal's been withdrawn after Local Government Minister Simeon Brown labelled it 'appalling'. Brown says it should never have happened. "The CEO of the council needs to realise that she is not elected, and that the councillors and the mayor is." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police don't think a letter from Tom Phillips is recent, or relevant to their search for him and his three children. Their mother, Cat, posted the letter on social media, while begging the public to help. Searches around Marokopa continue, with the $80,000 reward for information expiring in five days. Newshub reporter Karen Rutherford is in Marokopa - and she says there are strong indicators an end to the search is near. "They know who they're looking for and they know who they're targeting with this $80,000 reward. They are hoping that someone in that wider circle will cave." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says there's still better days to come for the economy as New Zealand exits a technical recession. Stats NZ figures show GDP rose 0.2 percent in the three months to March, and the same amount for the year. Minister Nicola Willis says it's still tough out there for Kiwi workers - and the Government still has work to do. "Good news is - the Government is doing everything right, we are forecasting inflation to come back under band. That means interest rates can drop and growth will recover." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New GDP data shows New Zealand's out of a technical recession - but the nation's not out of the woods just yet. Stats NZ figures show GDP rose 0.2 percent in the three months to March, and the same amount for the year. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's a good result for the new Government, but there's room for a bigger victory. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police are on the hunt as details about a deadly road rage accident in NSW continue to emerge. Authorities have revealed a 27-year-old was killed after he got out of his vehicle to respond to threats from the driver following him. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says witnesses have claimed the alleged killer was driving a ute - and an appeal has been made for dashcam footage. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leaked letter has revealed NZ Football plans to start a 'restorative process' to repair rifts within the Football Ferns weeks out from the Olympics. The moves were outlined in a letter NZ Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell sent to players after an employment investigation into coach Jitka Klimkova. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave speculates about what might come next. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Just Stop Oil protestors have been arrested after the vandalisation of Stonehenge. Activists from the group were caught spraying the monument with orange powder paint - and Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have condemned the incident. Extinction Rebellion Auckland member Caril Cowan is defending Just Stop Oil, claiming the paint they used did no permanent damage. "It's making a point that we've got a climate crisis. 80 percent of our population is concerned about the climate... and yet we've got Governments not only here in New Zealand, but around the world, who are just stalling." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, inflation has hit the Reserve Bank's target for the first time in nearly three years. Prices rose by 2 percent in the year to May, down from the previous 2.3 percent. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says these stats will likely come into play ahead of July's general election. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Luxon's managed to find himself in hot water after some off-colour comments about previous business delegations. Ahead of his trip to Japan, the Prime Minister said the calibre was lacking in earlier delegations, labelling prior groups 'C-list'. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains why Luxon's comments seemed particularly awkward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second carbon auction of the year failed with no bids made. 4,075,700 New Zealand Units were on offer at the June auction - prompting zero interest from potential buyers. ANZ agricultural economist Susan Kilsby explains why the market didn't feel the need to turn up for this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former market darling Lululemon's been having a rough year, with shares plummeting 40 percent in 2024. The famed athleisure brand is experiencing a drop in popularity after five years of steady growth. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor says this is down to inventory missteps and people turning away from discretionary spending. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 19 June 2024, Cricket boss Scott Weelink speaks to Heather after Kane Williamson relinquished his Black Caps captaincy. The PM is in hot water after saying some business delegations on past overseas trips were "C-list". But Barry Soper reckons he might have a point. The Huddle debates whether the Greens are a bunch of hypocrites after asking to use private carparks of some Wellington businesses. Plus, should you wear your boxers as shorts next summer? Vogue reckons you should. 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, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Newshub journalist Paddy Gower joined in on a discussion about the following issue of the day - and more! Prime Minister Luxon's found himself in hot water after calling previous business delegations 'C-list' before heading off to Japan. Is this a bad look for him? Kane Williamson is relinquishing the Black Caps captaincy in order to make more money playing in overseas tournaments. Is this the right move for him? The Greens have been caught asking local Wellington businesses to borrow their parking spaces for a party event after scrapping on-street parking for their cycleway. How hypocritical is this? More people are wearing boxer shorts as shorts - are we into this fashion trend? LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for his first visit to the country since 2000. The US and South Korea are accusing North Korea of agreeing to supply Russia with weapons, possibly in exchange for food and military aid. Otago University International Relations Professor Robert Patman says Putin's visit is likely for consolidating military support from North Korea. "In return, I think North Korea will want Mr Putin to provide advanced technologies, particularly for their space program - but also would want a substantial flow of Russian oil and food products." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several Greens members have been caught asking to use the private carparks belonging to Wellington retailers for a party event. These retailers were impacted by Green-led cycleway project, which took away on-street parking in the area. Independent Business and Residential Group chairwoman Urmila Bhana says this cycleway has negatively impacted several businesses. "Businesses are down 60, 80, 100 percent, they're either moving, closing, or heading into liquidation. And that's nothing to do with the recession, it's the carpark removal." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Computer chip producer Nvidia is now the world's most valuable company - overtaking Apple and Microsoft. Shares climbed 3.5 percent on Tuesday, making it worth $3.35 trillion (USD). The surge is driven by optimism about its AI technology. Sharesies co-founder, Leighton Roberts, says he can't predict whether it will fall as quickly as it's risen. He says it's hard to judge, but believes a lot of excitement is still to come. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink is calling for dedicated windows for international and domestic cricket. Black Cap Kane Williamson has turned down a central contract to pursue an overseas T20 league opportunity in January - but will still be available for most international fixtures. Williamson follows Trent Boult in doing so, and with Lockie Ferguson to do the same, Weenink says it's vital to achieve a universal approach to the calendar. "That's where I'd like to see us go. I think it's really important for the future of cricket that we get some windows agreed - which prioritise international cricket with domestic cricket playing around international cricket." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.