Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, lawyer and political commentator Brigitte Morton and CTU economist Craig Rennie joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Labour MP Peeni Henare has confirmed he won't be seeking re-election - and that he wants to take a step back from politics and focus on his family, wellbeing and future, and will depart from Parliament in the coming weeks. What's really going on here? Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed there will be no more full drivers' license test from next year. After passing the restricted license test, drivers under the age of 25 will have to wait out a mandatory 12-month period as a restricted driver before they can apply for a full licence. Do we think this is a good idea? Does New Zealand need to become Australia's 7th state? Do we need the extra protection? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 3 February, 2026, we talk to champion driver Greg Murphy about changes to our driver licensing laws. Are parents to blame for children starting school without even being toilet trained? David Farrar tells us why it's time for New Zealand to become a seventh state of Australia. And on the Huddle, Brigitte Morten and Craig Renney discuss Labour's show of unity with the Greens at Waitangi. 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.

You know what that Labour and Green Party unity news conference at Waitangi today looked like to me? It looked like desperation. Parties don’t generally get other parties to stand next to them and hold their hands in an election year just to convince people to vote for them. Now, having said that, it’s obviously not the first time we’ve seen something similar from Labour and the Greens. You’ll remember that before the 2017 election, Grant Robertson and James Shaw did a similar-ish thing. They released their Budget Responsibility Rules to try to convince us they could be trusted with the Government’s finances. That was an act of desperation, because they’d been battered by Steven Joyce’s 'fiscal hole' allegations for so long they had to do something. And just like in 2017, this is an act of desperation, because Chippy knows his biggest problem this time around -trying to get into Government - is convincing voters that his coalition mates are not just a bunch of nut jobs, but can actually be trusted to run the

Senior Labour MP Peeni Henare's announced he's leaving politics, after what he calls a 'tough' 2025.  Henare says he's not seeking re-election for Labour this year, and will leave Parliament in the coming weeks.   It comes after he lost the Tamaki Makaurau seat to Te Pati Māori for a second time in last year's by-election, a seat he'd held for six-years from 2014 to 2020.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An upcoming visit by Israel's President is causing tension in Australia.   Isaac Herzog will visit New South Wales for a five day tour at the end of the week to honour victims of the Bondi terror attack.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says protests by pro-Palestinian have been banned in the state for the duration of his visit.  He says it follows other recent issues in the state.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Donald Trump's presidency creating extra challenges for the rest of the world, questions have been raised over what a small country like New Zealand can do for extra protection. Political commentator and former parliamentary staffer for the National Party David Farrar wrote an opinion piece claiming New Zealand should take up the 125-year-old invitation to become part of Australia. Farrar says the world has turned into a 'might-is-right' environment since Trump took office and that New Zealand needs to get bigger. "We're lucky, because we've got a country which we're very, very close to, we're culturally similar to, we're economically integrated to, and we'd be a lot safer if we're a bigger country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour and the Greens joined forces at Waitangi today to make their priorities clear ahead of the upcoming general election. Labour leader Chris Hipkins describes the party as fractured, and says the parties need to work through their internal issues. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says there's a lot of things the parties can work together on and they'll stand side by side to prove that to voters. "New Zealanders are going to be paying attention. That is a really exciting proposition for us as a country, and I don't think politicians or any political party is entitled to absolutely anything and I make that point, particularly, about the legacy parties."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's fears parents aren't teaching their children basic skills like talking, eating, or using the toilet. The Auckland Primary Principals’ Association reports 87 percent of schools say children now need more support than ever before. 92 percent say new entrants don’t know the letters in their own name. Psychologist Sara Chatwin says it raises questions about what's going on at home. "And then I think it speaks to how important good quality early childhood education is - in that it's really helping those kids transition from that state to school." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it's modernising the drivers licensing system, with the key change being the end to full license practical tests.   After passing the restricted license test, drivers under the age of 25 will have to wait out a mandatory 12-month period as a restricted driver before they can apply for a full licence.  Those aged over 25 will have to wait six months.  Kiwi motorsport driver and road safety advocate Greg Murphy says he supports some of this, but claims that the Government hasn't gone far enough. "It's not actually meaning we're going to have safer drivers on the road, it just means it's going to cost you a little bit less." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby has approached Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster to gauge interest in applying for the vacant role of All Blacks head coach, the Herald understands. However, it is unclear if either would be interested in returning to the role they vacated in 2019 and 2023 respectively. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacked the odds of the pair considering this move. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are less keen to hear offensive language in broadcasting, according to new reports. A BSA survey has found more than half of the words assessed are now seen as less acceptable in broadcasting than they were four years ago.  The N-word and the C-word were considered unacceptable by the highest percentage of people.  AUT Communication Studies lecturer Lewis Tennant says it seems that a lot of people object to the racism and sexism attached to those words.  "The long-term trend for naughty words is still much more relaxed overall than over the past few decades." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former British ambassador to the US has resigned from the UK Labour Party, over his links with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The BBC reports that Lord Mandelson, who was sacked as the ambassador last year, is now stepping down from the party entirely. The latest release of Epstein files suggested Epstein transferred Mandelson more than $125,000 in 2003 and 2004. UK correspondent Mike Pearse explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch is set to re-ignite the debate over asset sales, according to new reports. The council's commercial arm has floated selling certain assets, including Citycare, to pay for other projects. Councillor Sam MacDonald explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump revealed he's picked Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve Governor, to lead the central bank. Since taking office, Donald Trump has been critical of Jerome Powell and encouraged him to lower interest rates.  Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. 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! Fire and Emergency NZ has launched an investigation into the firefighter who got caught making a crude gesture at the PM on video. Do we think this is really necessary?  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is in the news again after the latest release from the Epstein files. New photos reveal the former royal crouched on all fours and touching an unidentified woman. What do we think of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 2 February, 2026, the Education Minister on new reporting guidelines for schools - what it means for you as a parent. Should the firefighter who made an obscene gesture behind the back of the prime minister keep her job? We talk to teenage running sensation Sam Ruthe's grandfather about what makes him so good. And on the Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani - who says Christopher Luxon is in danger of being outperformed by his lectern. 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.

So, Fire and Emergency New Zealand has launched an investigation into the firefighter in the video with the Prime Minister. You’ll know what I’m talking about, you’ve probably seen it already. It’s been doing the rounds since Friday. It’s the video of the PM touring the devastation on the East Coast last week. As he’s walking back to a Defence Force helicopter, he stops to talk to a volunteer firefighter who’s wearing the old high‑vis with 'Fire' written on the back. He does his political schmoozing - having the chat, getting up in the face, clapping the arm - then he heads off toward the chopper. The firefighter turns around, looks at the phone filming her and makes a crude gesture, which the Hauraki boys would describe as “feeding the birds". I saw that on Friday, I smirked, I thought, “Oh, that’s a bit funny,” and then I shut it down and got on with my life. Fire and Emergency NZ, however, does not think it’s funny at all. They’ve completely overreacted to it and, after questions from the Herald, have deci

AA Insurance's decision to stop offering new home insurance policies in Westport due to flood risks has prompted discussion about the future of climate-based buyouts. There's been debate over whether the Government will fund buyouts for homeowners living in areas at risk for weather damage, with many experts ruling the move as unlikely.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says there's a Natural Hazards scheme in place for homeowners impacted by flooding or landslides - and it's important to ensure people have the right insurance measures in place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of a mineral extraction company says New Zealand's rich in some of these sought-after critical minerals.  New Zealand and the United States are reportedly discussing a 'non-binding' framework relating to critical minerals as the US looks to reduce reliance on China.  Geo40 CEO John Worth says there's silica, lithium and antimony to name a few.  "I think we're relatively small by international standards, but there's enough interesting stuff here."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An employment law expert says a firefighter who used an obscene gesture about the Prime Minister brought Fire and Emergency into disrepute.  A clip posted on social media shows Chris Luxon speaking with a person before heading towards a Defence Force helicopter. The volunteer firefighter then turns to the camera and makes an obscene gesture. Fire and Emergency is now investigating.  Employment law expert Max Whitehead says volunteers don't have the same rights as a career firefighter, and explained she wouldn't be able to sue the organisation if she were fired.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.