Larry Williams Drive

The recent conflict in the Middle East has sparked concerns about the wide-reaching implications for the global economy. The US and Israel launched strikes at Iran over the weekend, killing Ayatollah Khamenei - and Iran has since launched strikes from Tehran. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns about what the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could do for oil prices and inflation. Iran's sent retaliation strikes across the Middle East after US and Israeli attacks killed their Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamene. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen unpacked the short and long term concerns. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson of Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The US and Israel have launched strikes in Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and kicking off more conflict. What do we make of this? How will this impact our economy? The Government has given councils permission to authorise the killing of protected species under incoming RMA replacement bills, according to new reports. What do we make of this? Is this a good idea? New research out of Australia has raised concerns about the microplastics in chewing gum. Should we be concerned about this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Okay, let's talk about the debate Helen Clark has sparked on whether New Zealand should be condemning the US air strikes on Iran. As you’ll have noticed, New Zealand hasn’t condemned the strikes. In fact, in a radio interview this morning, the Prime Minister said that our position aligns with Australia’s - and Australia has openly supported the strikes. The logical conclusion, then, is that we support the strikes too, even if we’re not saying so explicitly. That lack of condemnation has upset Helen Clark because, as she points out, the air strikes are illegal under international law. And she is right about that. But can anyone seriously argue that the strikes shouldn’t have happened? Consider the counterfactual - the strikes didn’t happen at the weekend. Ayatollah Khamenei is still alive. He continues to kill tens of thousands of Iranians for protesting, continues to fund Hamas to attack Israel, continues to fund and support the Houthis as they cause turmoil in the Middle East, continues backing Hezbollah to

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 2 March, 2026, we talk to a New Zealand journalist in the Middle East on whether the US-Iran conflict will really last only four weeks. Why councils can now kill native or protected species like geckos. An Australian researcher tells us why you should discourage your children from chewing gum. And on The Huddle, we ask Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani if it puts them off chewing gum. 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.

The conflict has seen oil prices jump, and could mean higher costs at the pump. But Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it doesn't mean we need to re-think the Marsden Point oil refinery. It ceased refining operations in 2022 and has been converted to an import-only fuel terminal. Willis says it would still have needed to import the oil - but adds there's some resilience in the system. "Last year, the Government made changes to regulations, which mean that fuel suppliers in New Zealand have to keep 28 days worth of fuel on supply." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns have been raised over the presence of microplastics in gum. A health researcher has warned he wouldn't want his own children chewing on gum, due to the health risks associated with consuming the microplastics.  University of Technology Sydney Associate Professor Brian Oliver says the health risks are 'unknown', but there's a lot of harmful conditions that could happen.  "Inflammation's sort of the precursor to a lot of chronic conditions, so diabetes, respiratory conditions - so we know that the impetuous is there. What we don't know is actually how much inflammation, and exactly how bad."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US and Israel launched strikes at Iran over the weekend, prompting concern and outrage from experts. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have criticised Iran's counter attacks, prompting Helen Clark to call the Government's response 'one-sided'. Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie has said this attack was illegal by the standards of international law. "There's nothing in the UN charter that says you can bomb someone who won't negotiate...the exemption to that was if this was a pre-emptive attack and it was an overwhelming necessity, and that cannot be seen in this instance."   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More countries are being pulled into combat since the US and Israel began bombing Iran, trying to topple its regime.  Tehran has sent strikes across the Middle East - in retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hezbollah is siding with Iran and has struck into Israel, which has shot back a wave of attacks on Lebanon. MFAT is aware of 1750 New Zealanders in affected countries. Kiwi journalist Perry Wilton is in Doha. He says Iran claims it's mostly targeting US assets - but the attacks are unfocused. "Everything from US military bases to residential apartment buildings, Kuwait Airport, has been really badly damaged." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for RMA Reform says letting councils give companies permissions relating to killing protected animals during work is a matter of reducing red tape.  A law passed last year let DOC extend this permission to companies to reduce development liability.  Under incoming RMA replacement Bills, councils can also give such permissions. Greenpeace has condemned the proposed change, saying councils don't have the environmental know-how. But Chris Bishop says this makes sense. "Regional councils in particular, when it comes to the environment, they are the administrator of environmental management within their areas."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regional conflict is erupting in the Middle East - as the US and Israel ramp up aggression against Iran. Tehran has fired across surrounding states in retaliation for the killing of its Supreme Leader, with the US continuing bombardment, as Israel targets Lebanon. The White House says three US soldiers have died and it expects more casualties in coming weeks. MFAT says least 1750 New Zealanders are in the region, more than a thousand in the UAE.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon confirmed New Zealand stands with the people of Iran during this conflict. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Government has ruled out getting the military involved in the conflict unleashed by United States-Israeli strikes on Iran. It's been confirmed Australia has 115,000 nationals in the Middle East who are unable to fly out because of airspace closures as a result of the attacks.  Australian correspondent Sam Emery says Foreign Minister Penny Wong is in discussions with airlines, but the Government's hoping commercial flights would resume to help people leave.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golfer Daniel Hillier's saluted partisan support for spurring him to a first New Zealand Open triumph at Millbrook. The 27-year-old's won the tournament by two strokes, finishing at 22-under overall after a final round four-under par 67. Jason Pine recapped all the action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs is again trying to bring its North and South Island operations under one roof, after failing two years ago.  The company's heading to the High Court to appeal a 2024 Commerce Commission decision blocking its plan.  Grocery Action Group chair, Sue Chetwin, says letting it do so would only strengthen the duopoly.  She says upstream, suppliers would have less choice on whom they could sell goods. "So at the moment, they've got the North Island and the South Island Foodstuffs and Woolworths - but if you merged the North and South Island Foodstuffs, you'd be down to two." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 27 February, 2026, we talk to the secondary school teachers' union about teacher shortages. A Wall Street Journal reporter on the significance of Netflix walking away from a deal with Warner Brothers Discovery. Weta maestro Sir Richard Taylor tells us about his new robot project after receiving his latest international award. And on the Sports Huddle, Nicky Styris and Jeff McTainsh discuss the mess the Wellington Phoenix are in. 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.

Tell me if I’m wrong, but it seems to me that every single year the Anglican Church in this country delays repairing the Christchurch Cathedral, the public cares a little less about seeing it restored. And yet again, the Anglicans are asking for money to fix the thing. You might recall that 18 months ago they asked the government for $60 million. They got a no. So this time, they’re targeting Christchurch ratepayers. They say they’ve stopped any meaningful fundraising and they’re asking ratepayers to plug the gap — a gap of about $45 million. This will now go out to consultation. If ratepayers say yes, the additional cost will simply be added to rates. Whatever your rates are now, expect that cost on top. I don’t rate the Anglicans’ chances here because rates in Christchurch — like everywhere in the country — are already at record highs. And in Christchurch, they’re proposed to rise another 8% this year. On top of that, the Canterbury Museum has also just asked for another $260 million for its rebuild. There

Premium apple demand is at the core of a strong financial result for T&G Global. Its revenue has increased by 14% to $1.6 billion and its net profit after tax is $16 million, up from a loss of $9.9m. Global Chief Executive Gareth Edgecombe told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the Chinese and US markets in particular have been buying more of the premium Jazz, Jolie and Envy apples. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist says benefit sanctions aren't working.  The traffic light system was introduced last year and beneficiaries who failed obligations like taking part in Work and Income assessments.  Infometrics principal consultant Rob Heyes says the number of beneficiaries has continued to rise after they were introduced.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it's goal of getting people into work hasn't come to fruition, and says the job market has been tough with vacancies drying-up.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No individual has had more of an impact on modern Hollywood visual effects than Sir Richard Taylor.  The Co-Founder and Chief Creative force behind Weta Workshop has now received well deserved recognition from his peers, as he has won the Visionary award from the Visual Effects Society in LA. Sir Taylor told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he wasn't expecting to win the award. "I was a little overwhelmed when I heard that I was going to collect this. I actually thought maybe they'd made a mistake, but it turned out they hadn't." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix has backed away from its proposal to buy Warner Bros Discovery, clearing the way for Paramount Skydance to win the months-long bidding war. Warner Bros, which put itself up for sale last year, says Paramount's latest bid was superior to Netflix's, which in turn refused to raise its offer. The massive media company owns Harry Potter, DC Comics and CNN. Wall Street Journal's Joe Flint told Heather du Plessis Allan that there are now concerns about major job cuts in the impending merger. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.