Larry Williams Drive

There's growing calls for the Government to pay rates on Crown land. Wellington mayor Andrew Little has announced he'll lobby for changes to the Local Government Act to repeal the measure as part of his council’s triennium plan. Currently, most property owned by central Government, such as schools and hospitals, is exempt from paying rates. Little says local councils provide a lot of infrastructure to Crown-owned buildings - and more revenue is needed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief not enough children are learning Te Reo to become a bilingual nation. New data shows more than 28,000 students were taught the curriculum through Māori more than half the time last year, 71 percent up on 2000. Māori language advocate Stacey Morrison says 250,000 kids still aren't taught anything in Te Reo - so there's work to do. "I do think it's an 'everybody' thing, not just the teachers who are already there and fluent. One thing is valuing bilingualism, because there's a lot of benefits, and then we can go - okay, so how are we going to do that?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NZX has fallen 3.1 percent as the US and Israeli war on Iran dents people's investment portfolios.  Closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz has ignited supply concerns over crude oil - now costing more than $100 US dollars a barrel.  Shares in Auckland Airport and Fisher and Paykel Healthcare have tumbled.   Generate investment specialist Greg Smith says the market's accounting for what might happen, and it could turn. He explained it's also affected by Iran appointing a new leader and Donald Trump refusing to back down - which has pushed out the time frame for resolving everything. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's working to stay ahead of the effects of the war in Iran. Crude oil prices have topped $100 USD a barrel for the first time since 2022, and our petrol prices surged another 14 cents over the weekend. An economic security Ministerial Oversight Group is being set up - to focus on fuel and supply chains. Associate Energy Minister and Resources Minister Shane Jones says it'll need high-quality, regular information. "In respect of logistics, supply lines and shipping arrangements, this needs to be stood up ASAP." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's setting up a Ministerial Oversight Group on economic security to focus on fuel and supply chains. The Middle East conflict's forced crude oil over $100 USD a barrel, and made New Zealand's sharemarket plunge, 3.27 percent down so far. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the group will be briefed by MBIE weekly and have input from Treasury, the Reserve Bank, MFAT and others.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government's acknowledged the Middle East crisis will be tough on everyone, but New Zealand can stay in good shape. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's sharemarket has taken a hammering as investors voice concerns over the escalating conflict in the Middle East. After it resumed trading today, the ASX 200 slumped 260.30 points or 2.9 per cent to 8590.708 - and dropped by 4 percent overall. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this is the worst day for the Australian markets since last year's 'Liberation Day'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The post-mortem has begun into New Zealand's 96-run T20 World Cup cricket final loss to India at Ahmedabad. The hosts defended their title and won the tournament for a third time after amassing 255 for five. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recapped the action further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has always led in track and field at the Commonwealth Games, but concerns have been raised ahead of the 2034 event. New Zealand is in the running to host the 2034 Commonwealth Games, but there's currently no suitable athletics venue to host the sport. Athletics NZ chief executive Cam Mitchell says if we're looking to host the 2034 Games, our infrastructure needs improvement.  "If we are looking to host international athletics and we're also looking to grow our sport and create special moments like we had on Saturday night with track stars, then the infrastructure needs - they grow."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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