Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 6 March, 2026, prime minister Christopher Luxon is adamant he's not standing down after another poor poll for the National Party. We talk petrol prices with one of our fuel companies. TVNZ's chief executive insists its news coverage isn't biased. And on the Sports Huddle, Elliott Smith and Clay Wilson discuss the Warriors chances in the NRL this season. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Soper joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to wrap the political week.  The war in Iran and it's implications are top of mind, including the potential effects on New Zealand's fuel prices. They also chat about today's National Party and Luxon news following the release of a damning poll this morning. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council has revealed it's latest plan for Western Springs including allowing space for concerts of up to 30,000 people, while still retaining the Ponsonby Rugby Club.  Councillors are set to make a final vote on the plan by the end of March.  Concert promoter Brent Eccles joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about the plan.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about the latest news out of the United States.  Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem has been sacked, and is set to be replaced by Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin at the end of the month.  Trump also wants to see changes in the Iranian government as he seeks to be involved in the appointment of the country's next leader. And, pop icon Britney Spears has been arrested in California for suspicion of driving under the influence. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Taxpayers'-Union Curia poll revealed this morning that Christopher Luxon’s National Party has sunk to its lowest result in the poll since 2021. National is sitting on 28.4%, down 2.9 points from February’s poll. The result sparked conversation around whether Luxon should step down.  Luxon joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to defend his position and says he is 'absolutely not' stepping down.  LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queues are forming at petrol stations as concerns over increasing fuel prices brought on by the war in Iran. International oil prices have increased since the start of the war as traffic halts in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s crude oil is transported. Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about the near-future of our gas prices.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK is preparing a British warship to protect a military base in Cyprus, but it's not expected to sail until next week, according to new reports. The HMS Dragon is being loaded with ammunition in Portsmouth, as defensive capabilities in Cyprus are set to increase amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.  UK correspondent Enda Brady has voiced concerns about what this means for the UK's military. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Punishing strikes continue across the Middle East as Iran retaliates to US-Israeli attacks - with Gulf states busy blocking incoming fire. Israel continues to pummel Tehran, and has launched fresh attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Iran has launched an attack on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie revealed what this week's developments could mean for investors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Federated Farmers Confidence Survey indicates more farmers are turning a profit, but there's still some industry concerns to consider. Of nearly 650 farmers who responded to the survey in late January and early February, 70 percent said their farm was currently profitable - the highest since the survey was launched.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and former Green MP Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government is looking to possibly scrap the Clean Car Standard, and a review is under way. Do we think this is likely to go ahead? Trade Me is ditching their 'success fees' and bank transfers as part of a new overhaul. Do we think this is a good idea? Do we prefer Facebook Marketplace anyway? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 5 March, 2026, we ask Transport Minister Chris Bishop why the government's looking at scrapping the clean car standard altogether. A Gisborne farmer tells us why he's got a beef with changes to the rural school bus service. Black Cap Cole McConchie on what it was like having a front-row seat to Finn Allen's blistering century - the fastest-ever at a T20 World Cup. And on The Huddle with Jordan Williams and Gareth Hughes we hear how there could be more polling bad news for National. 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 the latest climate drama involving this Government is that they’re being accused of lining up to scrap the Clean Car Standards altogether. And I would say to the EV lobby group pushing this line that they may want to just settle down. Even those of us -and I’m looking straight at myself here - who want to see the standards dropped altogether do not think it’s going to happen. That would take political courage and I do not think this Government has that on a subject like this in an election year. Now, what I’m talking about, if you don’t follow all of the details, is the twin of the ute tax. This is the other part of that policy that was brought in at the same time. It’s a penalty that importers have to pay for every dirty car they bring into the country, in the hope that it will encourage them to instead go for the cleaner cars - the EVs. It was recently dropped right down at the end of the year and it’s now up for consultation. The Government is considering overhauling the system. One of the questions bei

People will have to pay with cash after a Trade Me sale if they want to avoid a fee. The company's removing its 7.9 percent 'success fee' for casual selling - keeping only a small service fee. Along with Afterpay and cash, Trade Me uses its own payment system, Ping - taking just over two percent from every sale.  Trade Me’s Head of Marketplace Lisa Stewart says bank transfers will now be against their policy. "We've got teams of folks who scan the site to check that nothing dodgy is going on, if they catch that that kind of behaviour's happening, we'd look to educate our customers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps have been launched into the T20 World Cup final, and the Kiwi side's thrilled. New Zealand have thrashed previously unbeaten South Africa by nine wickets in the first semifinal, with Finn Allen smashing 100 not out from 33 balls. Black Caps player Cole McConchie says Allen gave a 'world-class' performance. "That was some innings, he had to put out a performance like that in a semi-final from him - that was incredibly special." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Transport says scrapping the Clean Car Standard's being considered.  The standard imposes fees on importers bringing high emitting vehicles into the country. A Transport Ministry-led review recently involved consultations with the vehicle industry, where they were asked for their thoughts on possible abolishment.  Chris Bishop says this type of review, by definition, must look at the need for something overall.  "It would be fair to say not that many people are keen on scrapping it altogether, we're going through a process with industry right now and we do want to see cleaner cars in New Zealand over time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Young men are increasingly the focus of our security agencies - as they're captured by extremist content online.  That's according to the boss of the Security Intelligence Service, who fronted MPs at Parliament yesterday.  Massey University Senior Fellow at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, John Battersby, says many of those being radicalised are isolated.  "I think we're probably talking about a fairly small minority of individuals who possibly don't feel they belong somewhere - a little bit detached from the real world. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's still unclear when our Defence Force will be able to evacuate New Zealanders out of war-afflicted areas in the Middle East. Kiwis there are being urged to alert SafeTravel, with 3000 already registered in the region. Defence Minister Judith Collins says our planes will leave in the coming days and will take people to safer nearby areas, when conditions allow. She says they're prepared to take thousands if necessary. "Well, if they wanted to go, we would simply have to make it happen, but we would obviously have to do it in relays."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadcasting minister Paul Goldsmith says he may have' grunted' at TVNZ's board chair after Andrew Barclay raised a crime story with him. Goldsmith was quizzed about the exchange by Labour's Reuben Davidson in Question Time on Thursday afternoon. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined his Australian counterpart to call for international co-operation following 'consecutive crises'.  Carney says Canada and Australia should work together as 'strategic cousins' and team up to boost  sovereign capabilities including in the areas of critical minerals, defence and AI. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Carney called for smaller nations, or 'middle powers' to lead the way in repairing 'what's left of the world order'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps have reaped the rewards of preparation at cricket's T20 World Cup, reaching their second final at the tournament. That came courtesy of the fastest century in the tournament's history. Finn Allen's 100 not out off 33 balls resulted after an opening stand of 117 in 9.1 overs with Tim Seifert, who also took 33 deliveries to make 58. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped the action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.