Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

This Nicola Willis-Ruth Richardson showdown looks like it'll go ahead next week after the HYEFU release.

As you'll know from listening to this show on Monday night, Nicola's not happy with Ruth. And Ruth isn't too happy with Nicola.

We have a structural deficit and we're not addressing it. Surplus is probably going to be pushed out - again - to 2030. So we have a showdown.

But you might be wondering why the current Finance Minister...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

The Australian social media ban for teens under 16 kicked in today - does New Zealand need to follow their lead?

What do we make of the big Nicola Willis - Ruth Richardson debate? Do we think this will happen? And should they bring it...

Cars could be returning to a section of Auckland's Queen Street, under a new proposal.

Auckland Transport wants to let cars return to the section between Wellesley and Wakefield Street from between 7pm and 7am. 

Private vehicles were banned from the area in 2022. 

Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck says it's a sensible proposal, and she explained that the area has been negatively affected by the change. 

"Last year, the ...

The Government's looking to Australia as it explores ways prevent online harm to young Kiwis.

On the day an under-16 social media ban began across the Tasman, our Education and Workforce Committee's released an interim report on its inquiry regarding New Zealand youth.

It reveals issues range from sexual exploitation to self-harm. 

Acting Chair Carl Bates says social media can do real harm, but it's not just about the content ...

Black Caps fast bowler Blair Tickner has been taken to hospital and is unlikely to take any more part in the second cricket test against the West Indies.

Tickner had taken four wickets when he fell awkwardly diving to save a boundary at the Basin Reserve, with a dislocated shoulder the unwelcome outcome.

NZME sports broadcaster Andrew Alderson says Tickner hit the ground hard - adding to the Black Caps' growing list of injuries.

LI...

A landmark Supreme Court ruling means those providing full-time care for severely disabled family members are entitled to pay and other benefits.

It was brought by two parents, Christine Fleming and Peter Humphreys, who care for severely disabled adult children. 

Lawyer Paul Dale KC says parents in this position are now entitled to the legal benefits that come under the Employment Relations Act.

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A signal from the Reserve Bank's led Westpac to hike rates - and one economist expects other banks could follow. 

Westpac lifted two five-year fixed rates by 30 basis points yesterday.

The bank's chief economist, Kelly Eckhold, says it seems the Reserve Bank's unlikely to cut the OCR again any time soon. 

"We kind of expected that they would cut the rate by 25 basis points, but we didn't expect them to call time on the ea...

The Taxpayers' Union has raised concerns about Nicola Willis' skills as a Finance Minister - and one of her predecessors has expressed interest in a debate.

Willis challenged Ruth Richardson to a debate yesterday, after Richardson criticised the Government's fiscal track. 

Richardson's agreed - but a date's yet to be set. 

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further.

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US President Donald Trump is defending his controversial economic policies amid ongoing concerns about the cost of living.

Data shows two-thirds of Americans say the Trump administration has fallen short of expectations in handling inflation and economic turmoil.

US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says Trump has blamed the Democrats and the previous Biden administration for the state of the economy.

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Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have been sent an unprecedented email from our National Cyber Security Centre.

It's emailed 26,000 addresses warning malicious software, called Lumma Stealer, could have infected their devices.

It's designed to steal sensitive information - and some stolen passwords are connected to Government agency systems and bank accounts.

Aura Information Manager, Patrick Sharp, says international partners r...

A ray of sunshine for the Black Caps on the opening day of the second test against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

New Zealand newbie Michael Rae has stepped up on debut, taking his maiden test wicket - luring West Indian opener John Campbell into flashing an edge to first slip Daryl Mitchell after lunch - Campbell made 44.

Blair Tickner had earlier stalled the tourists' progress after an opening stand of 66 - s...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the big RMA reform is finally here. RMA Minister Chris Bishop explains what resource consents you will soon not need anymore.

The Education Minister reacts to all the dubious spending by schools and principals that's been highlighted by the Auditor General.

Economist Brad Olsen finally settles the debate over whether our long summer holidays are h...

These RMA changes hit the nail on the head by putting private property rights front and centre.

These rights are basically what keeps rich countries rich and their absence keeps poor countires poor.

If a council wants to infringe on them, it should compensate you for it. And these changes lower the threshold for compensation, which is a good thing.

Want to suddenly invent a Significant Natural Area or label something 'heritage'? We...

We learnt this week that A New Zealand Navy vessel was followed by 7 Chinese Warships while patrolling Asian waters.

The HMNZS Aotearoa had crossed through the Taiwan Strait, and was patrolling international waters to curb North Korean war programmes. 

Commodore Shane Arndell told Ryan Bridge that this is a routine practice, and communication was open between the HMNZS Aotearoa and the Chinese fleet. 

'We communicate, we ...

The RMA is out and is set to be replaced with two new laws - one based on planning and one based on the environment. 

The new laws are expected to cut the number of consents and permits by 46%, and speed up the ones currently in the pipeline. 

CEO of the Property Council Leonie Freeman told Ryan Bridge she hopes that, "the reduction of 100 plans down to 17 will provide a lot more consistency."

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The Auditor-General has released its annual report on questionable spending by schools - and some stand out more than the rest. 

Sutton Park School spent $11,000 on a staff planning meeting at Sky City, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mangere spent $22,000 on a boat cruise, and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Tonga o Hokianga spent $6,000 on a trip to Turkey for the principal with 'No clear business purpose.'

The Ministry of Education says...

The length of New Zealand's summer holiday - isn't as bad for the economy as some may think. 

Prime Minister Chris Luxon's weighed in on debate - saying after working overseas, he's used to returning to work about January 3  - which he'll probably do again this summer. 

Infometrics Chief Executive, Brad Olsen, says supermarkets and tourism boom over the period. 

He says the professional services industry shuts d...

ACC has backed down and will continue to let staff work from home three days a week. 

The corporation had proposed cutting that allowance back to two days a week at home - so the public service association then complained to the commerce commission. 

National Secretary of the PSA Fleur Fitzsimmons told Ryan Bridge that there was no problem before the proposed change, and that the staff's strong response contributed to the...

The Resource Management Act is officially bound for the scrapheap.

The Government's replacing the hefty legislation with two new laws - one based around planning, and the other on the environment.

The new laws will cut consent and permit numbers by 46-percent, and speed up those still required.

Barry Soper told Ryan Bridge that he's 'overwhelmed' with the scrapping of the Resource Management Act, and says he agrees with Chris Bisho...