Larry Williams Drive

Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who intensified a political crisis by resigning earlier this week, indicated Emmanuel Macron could name a new PM soon. Lecornu’s comments on France 2 public television had been eagerly awaited after Macron gave him until today NZT to find a way out of months of deadlock over an austerity budget. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained the situation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence technology continues to attract attention from investors, but there's growing concerns over an 'AI bubble' situation. Officials at the Bank of England recently flagged the risk that tech stock prices pumped up by the AI boom could burst. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been concerns out of Parliament over Fonterra's future. Peters is asking the dairy giant questions about its proposed nearly $4 billion dollar sale of brands like Anchor and Mainland to a French company. He's laying out a number of questions, including how long the deal is, and if it's repeating mistakes from the past. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and former head of Health NZ, Rob Campbell, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Nestle has quit a major alliance to reduce methane emissions from dairy suppliers. Does this mean New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate change, like ACT suggested? The Māori Party announced their big reset ahead of the 2026 election - hours after Speaker Gerry Brownlee had to suspend the House again after a haka broke out. What do we make of all this?  Are we surprised to learn that Hamas and Israel agreed on the first phase of a peace deal in Gaza? Do we need to give Donald Trump some credit? There's growing drugs to decriminalise drugs in New Zealand - do we think this is a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's happened again, unfortunately - the Māori Party has hijacked Parliament once again with a haka. It played out like this: Oriini Kaipara, who's their new MP replacing the late Takutai Tarsh Kemp, delivered her maiden speech because today’s her first day in Parliament. Afterwards, there was a song and the public gallery was involved. She stepped out of her seat into the aisle, onto the floor to receive the song. As soon as the song ended, someone - sounded like it was somebody up in the public gallery - started a haka and she started to haka back. From news reports I’ve read, one of the other MPs, Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, also started to haka. Speaker Gerry Brownlee said, “Oh no, not that.” He went on to say that was not the agreement that had been struck, but they didn’t stop, they basically ignored him. He got to his feet, at which point the House is usually supposed to stop everything it’s doing and go quiet to allow him to speak, and they just completely ignored him. He threw his hands in the ai

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 9 October 2025, huge development for Gaza. Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire deal. The Maori Party announced a reset on the same day another haka disrupts Parliament proceedings. Former Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell speaks with Heather about the party's direction. The Drug Foundation wants to decriminalise all drugs - but would it really solve our issues with rising meth and cocaine use? Plus, the Huddle debates whether the Maori Party can make itself look like a responsible coalition partner to Labour and the Greens. 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.

Treasury has revealed the state of the Government’s finances, and it's been revealed that spending has dropped. The country's still in an operating deficit of $9.3 billion, but tax take has gone up and growth in total expenses has slowed. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen unpacks what's behind this recent data. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, prompting speculation. This follows other companies backing out of climate initiatives, with the Net Zero Banking Alliance confirming it was set to shut down earlier in the week. Agribusiness expert Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says it's likely the Alliance didn't move fast enough for Nestle, and they're taking their support elsewhere. "The Alliance has not worked as well as they thought - and remember, Nestle's done some really good work around the world with regenerative agriculture, with cropping... so they're putting their money where they're actually getting action." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tenants and landlords may soon have more powers to end an agreement over methamphetamine contamination. The Government is establishing clear standards for the amount of contamination legally allowed in rentals.  If there is meth residue levels of 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres, the landlord must address it. Tenancy Advisory Director Sarina Gibbon says a tenancy can be quickly ended if levels are double this - and she explained that in these cases, it is quite likely meth has been manufactured on site.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's confidence Israeli hostages will be released as early as this weekend, with Hamas and Israel today agreeing to the first phase of a peace plan. It includes Hamas releasing hostages and Israel withdrawing some forces from Gaza.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the news - and urges Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution. Australian National University lecturer Anas Iqtait says this first phase could be carried out in the next 72 hours. "It is highly likely that Israeli captives in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention camps and prisons will also be released." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori's pledged to concentrate on policy - and listen more.  The party held its promised reset event at Parliament this afternoon, reflecting on its history and looking towards next year's election. Former Te Pāti Māori co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says a party reset would be a good move. "What that means in terms of translating into policy gains, what it means in terms of taking an approach to the country and reflecting the original kaupapa for Te Pāti Māori - I think still remains to be seen." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oriini Kaipara is promising to use te Reo Māori as much as possible, as she launches her political life. The newly sworn-in Te Pati Māori MP presented her maiden speech to Parliament today, followed by a number of waiata in the House. Parliament was temporarily suspended when people in the public gallery broke out in a haka - met with dismay by Speaker Gerry Brownlee. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the day's events. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of a peace framework for Gaza.  Mediators in Egypt have been overseeing negotiations over several days. The first phase includes releasing all hostages - and initial withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of the Strip. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Australian Government has voiced support for these new measures. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Breakers are on the board in their ANBL basketball campaign with a 117-88 win over the Hawks in Auckland. Guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 20 points and registered a franchise record 17 assists. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing support for a call to decriminalise drugs in order to reduce harm. The Drug Foundation's released a report calling drug laws of the past 50 years a 'colossal failure'.  It is pushing for decriminalising use - and more investment in health and addiction services.  Victoria University criminology professor Fiona Hutton says the status quo isn't working.  "Things like drug overdoses are rising, addiction hasn't really been properly addressed, things like methamphetamine use are causing real harm in our communities." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharesies is launching its own debit card today and promising the new product will be a change from traditional card reward programmes. The micro-trading platform says the Sharesies Debit Mastercard will earn customers 1% “Investback”. That meant earnings accrued from using the card would automatically be invested on a weekly basis into a nominated investment on the Sharesies app. Sharesies Personal General Manager Scott Nixon joined the Afternoons team to discuss further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it has no intention of decriminalising drug use, despite a confronting new report.  The Drug Foundation paper suggest the Misuse of Drugs Act has compounded harm - and needs overhauling.  But Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says change isn't on the agenda this term.  NZ Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm joined the Afternoons team to explain further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top British security officials will face questions over an aborted China spying case brought by its chief prosecutor, which collapsed as it is seeking to rebuild economic ties with the country. The case against Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash, who were charged last year under the Official Secrets Act over allegations they spied for China between 2021 and 2023, was dropped last month. UK correspondent Gail Downey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank today slashed the OCR by 50 basis points to 2.5 percent, prompting markets to make readjustments. This recent cut wasn't full priced in, and it's got some experts re-thinking their OCR outlooks ahead of the end of the year. Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Eight international rugby unions, including New Zealand, have tried to warn their players off joining the proposed Rugby 360 league. What do we make of all this?  The OCR dropped another 50 basis points today - should we be celebrating? Or could the central bank have done more? National recently dropped below 30 percent in the latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll. Should the coalition be worried here? New reports on truancy have found that many families are still taking their kids out of class for holidays. Do we need to stagger holidays around the country so that flights to Fiji aren't so expensive for a specific 2-week period? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.