Larry Williams Drive

The latest civilian death at the hands of Federal Immigration Officers in the US could hurt the Republican party in midterm elections.  Donald Trump is kicking off the campaign in Iowa - a state neighbouring Minnesota, where ICE agents have now shot two protesters dead. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says many Republicans and Trump allies are questioning the immigration agents' tactics.  He says Democrats aren't the only ones concerned. "And a lot of this, I'm sure, has to do with the mid-terms that are coming up this year. Democrats are going to take any opportunity they can to turn something like this into a political soundbite."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fifth seed Elena Rybakina has taken the first set of her Australian tennis Open quarter-final against world number two Iga Swiatek 7-5. The weather is considerably cooler than yesterday's 45 degree high - it's currently 21 in Melbourne. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped today's action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of New Zealand’s most violent murderers is set to appear before the Parole Board for the first time this week. Clayton Weatherston was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 18 years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Sophie Elliott in 2008. Weatherston is now eligible for parole, but Sophie's father, Gil Elliott, says he hasn't availed himself of any rehabilitation measures. "I maintain that his mental state, when he went in, will be the same as his mental state now after 18 years. Why would it be any different?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 27 January, 2026, should there be two inquiries into the Mount Maunganui landslide - one by the council, the other the Government? And is the uprooting trees at the crux of the problem there? We look at why boys are finding it harder to make friends as they get older. The fitness trends that could do you more harm than good. And on the Huddle, David Farrar and Rob Campbell dissect the latest political poll that's  got Winston Peters on the up. 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.

Over in the UK, another high-profile member of the Conservative Party has defected to Nigel Farage's Reform Party.  Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, well known for championing the controversial Rwanda plan, has joined the party.  It follows defections from others like former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawai and Conservative Party leader candidate Robert Jenrick.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's damaging for the Conservatives to lose such a high-profile member. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week's extreme weather in the Upper North Island left a lot of damage behind, and concerns have been raised about the future. The Government last year established a loose framework for climate adaptation, on an expert panel's recommendation to transition from buying-out destroyed homes - but Minister Simon Watts says a better assessment is needed. Climate adaptation expert Dr Judy Lawrence says clearer adaptation plans are needed in order to better equip risky places.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite Labour raising some concerns with the Government's trade deal with India, the move has been welcomed by rural economists. Trade analyst Stephen Jacobi says the Government timed the deal perfectly - and might have had to wait years if they prolonged the negotiations. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and AUT Chancellor Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  There's growing calls to phase out branded uniforms as parents grapple with rising costs. Do we need to ban uniforms altogether - or figure out an affordable solution?  The Government has indicated that they want to launch their own inquiry into the Mount Maunganui landslide tragedy. Should this replace the one being run by Tauranga Council - or should they work together?  More polls out today, and the date shows NZ First's Winston Peters is on the up. Why do we think this is? What will this mean for the election?  New data shows a quarter of young men don't have any close friends - and more young people feel pessimistic about the future. What do we make of this? Should we be concerned? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ Post is being criticised for its radio silence, after announcing it's withdrawing services from inside 142 stores.  Despite the changes, 90 percent of customers will still be within four kilometres of an NZ Post store.  Postal Workers' Union organiser John Maynard says NZ Post hasn't talked about the hubs being set up to provide good services.  He says it shouldn't be on the unions to promote the positives.  "It's one thing for the company to adjust to changing mail volumes and people's communication methods, but it's quite another to consistently act in a manner which undermines people's confidence in the postal service." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right, it seems there’s a very good chance that Tauranga City Council is going to have the inquiry they’ve launched taken off them and run by the Government instead. The Government hasn’t actually said those words out loud just yet. What they have said is that there is a strong case for a Government inquiry. But you can read between the lines here - they’re preparing us, and probably most importantly preparing the Tauranga City Council, for the fact that they, the Government, are going to run this inquiry. And they should be the ones running it. The council can’t investigate its own actions like it’s planning to do. No one is going to believe the council if it concludes the council has done nothing wrong - if you follow what I’m saying. And there are plenty of reasons to think the council may actually have done quite a lot wrong here. From the 111 call they claimed wasn’t forwarded to them - until they realised, whoopsie, yes it was - through to reports that council staff were at the campground before the sli

A move for schools to leave branded uniforms to reduce costs for parents. Some are calling for rules to be modernised - to let students wear plain, generic clothing. It's been done in countries like Puerto Rico for years. Albany Senior High School Principal, Claire Amos, says it’s increasingly common for Kiwi students to wear coloured items without logos or embroidery. "They're often pretty much the same as what was their uniform - it's just no longer logoed, it's just a simple culottes, or skirt, or pants, and a top."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new year is well underway and people will be looking to get in shape, but one expert says not every social media trend is worth following on your fitness journey. Between the 75 Hard challenge and Zone 2 training, there are trends that work and trends that are less effective, depending on your level of fitness. Personal trainer Alex Flint says going too hard will lead to soreness, fatigue and late-night snacking, which can do more harm than good. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's considering a wider inquiry into last week's Mount Maunganui landslide tragedy. Six people remain missing - with recovery efforts slow faced by the unstable land, with floral tributes surrounding the cordon. Cabinet's discussing allocating funding to areas hard hit by severe weather. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell says he's spoken to Tauranga mayor Mahé Drysdale - but the council may still proceed with their own investigation.  "Obviously, they'll have to work through their own process in terms of what they want to do, but Mahé knows that we're committed to doing a Government inquiry." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament returned today for the first session of 2026, and the focus has turned to campaigning for the upcoming election. Hipkins and Luxon made their statements, with Luxon applauding the coalition's track record and Hipkins accusing the Government of being all about slogans, not delivery. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the debate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, a 31-year-old man was charged after a homemade bomb was thrown into a crowd at an Invasion Day rally in Perth yesterday. The man was charged with committing an unlawful act with the intent to harm, and making explosives under suspicious circumstances, and he's set to appear in court later this week.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the bomb was reportedly made out of ball bearings, screws and liquid in a glass container - with investigations still ongoing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A child psychologist thinks social media use is hindering young men from making friends.  Data from Outward Bound shows one in four young men tell them they have no close friends.  Psychologist Sara Chatwin says that's abnormal against historic behavioural patterns. But she says her profession's seeing the trend firsthand and social media is making the young passive and isolated.  "It means that they're just sitting there and looking at stuff and roaming around and allowing algorithms to lead them down rabbit holes. They're not actively seeking out friendships." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks head coaching vacancy came too late for Vern Cotter's consideration. The Blues head coach will switch to the Queensland Reds for the 2027 and 2028 Super Rugby seasons. Cotter meets NZR's criteria, having coached Fiji and Scotland, but was blindsided Scott Robertson's axing. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, policing efforts are set to see a significant shakeup with the launch of a new 'British FBI'. The UK Government unveiled plans for a new National Police Service designed to take on fraud, cyber-crime, and terrorism, leaving local police to focus on everyday issues.  UK correspondent Mike Pearse says the National Police Service will work with police forces worldwide to bring down crime. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been growing debate over how Auckland's CBD can be revitalised after years of uncertainty and economic decline. The $5.5 billion City Rail Link is due to be built at the second half of the year and it's promised to bring in economic benefits, but it's unclear if it'll get the city in motion.  Kiwi entrepreneur Andrew Barnes says a lot of shops and businesses have been closed, and it's not as attractive to prospective visitors.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has been upping the pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut rates. The US Federal Reserve is set to convene next week, and it's looking likely that they'll keep rates on hold at this stage. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly unpacked the speculation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.