Larry Williams Drive

A private Australian firm has bought a majority stake in the famous Kiwi peanut butter firm Pic’s. The hugely successful Nelson-based company is now 51.3 percent owned by Melbourne-based Scalzo Foods, with founder Pic Picot keeping the rest. Picot says he's happy with this move, as the company needs the extra money. "We have big plans and we were getting sort of stuck with a bit too much debt - and I'm ready to do other things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pharmacist says her industry's under an unsustainable amount of pressure, off the back of two high-profile cases. New reports revealed a pharmacist failed to consult a man's GP three times on his blood thinner medication before he suffered a fatal brain bleed. Meanwhile, a Dunedin woman suffered an overdose of fentanyl after being given six times her prescribed dosage. Mangawhai Pharmacy director Lanny Wong says we need to rethink how pharmacists are funded. "For the last two decades, we've been doing the same type of work for less. So in order to keep our business viable, we need to dispense more prescription." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A banking expert believes changes to capital requirements would impact home loans and other lending. The Reserve Bank's seeking feedback on proposals to lower the requirements. The Government is concerned the current settings are inhibiting economic growth.  Head of Massey University's Finance school, Dr Claire Matthews, says a lot of people have said the bank's gone too far with those requirements. "It's just taken the Government intervention to actually force them to have another look at it."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's stressing he doesn't tell the Reserve Bank what to do, but does offer his view. Chris Luxon told Mike Hosking this morning he gives interim Governor Christian Hawkesby his reckons before the OCR's set. Speaking this afternoon, Luxon denied he has any influence over the bank's decisions.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper wonders if this is still too much for Luxon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deadly mushroom cook Erin Patterson will face members of her husband’s family for the first time after a jury found she murdered three people with a poisoned beef Wellington. Patterson was found guilty of  three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder last month relating to a fatal lunch she hosted in the Victorian country town of Leongatha more than two years ago. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says over a dozen members of her victims’ families arrived for the hearing - but Patterson has yet to make a statement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hope among fans that the All Blacks can bounce back as they gear up to face the Springboks next week at Eden Park. The All Blacks crashed to their first loss to Argentina on Argentinian soil - and fourth defeat to Los Pumas overall. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon recently claimed he wants a constant flow of events to draw in international guests in order to stimulate the economy. This follows big names in the tourism sector, like Sudima Hotels, calling for further investment into major events.  Eccles Entertainment founder Brent Eccles says the nation's major events fund has only covered sporting events, not concerts. "It's quite a long lead time to access the fund - and with contemporary music, you don't have that lead time, it's pretty hard and fast. So we'll never quite be able to qualify." Steve Armitage Hospitality NZ chief executive agrees extra funding is needed to bring more events to New Zealand.  "There are a lot of other artists I think it'll be great to bring here - Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles... first class, international entertainment works well in a stadium." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seems to me that Peeni Henare's shenanigans in the by-election right now is exactly the kind of thing that Labour has to knock on the head, quick smart, if they want to be in the game at the election next year. Now, as we were discussing earlier, even though Carmel Sepuloni has told Peeni off for saying that he wants to repeal the gang patch ban, he is not backing down. Right? He said it on Wednesday, they told him off on Thursday, and today he's not backing down. He's repeated it because he says it's his personal view. If not the Labour party’s, and he has whānau experience. Now, why he's actually doing this, in my opinion, is because the Māori Party's doing it. That's the real reason, because if you have a look at what actually happened on Wednesday night in that by-election candidates meeting, it was the Māori Party candidate Orini Kaipara who first answered the question.The question was, will you repeal the ban? She said, yes, and after she said yes, Peeni Henare then said yes too. Now, maybe he does trul

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 22 August 2025, Fonterra's agreed to one of the biggest ever deals in NZ business history. Chief Executive Miles Hurrell tells Heather why he's selling Anchor, Mainland and co for almost $4 billion.   Police Minister Mark Mitchell explains how a big tech upgrade will allow first responders to find your location if they have concerns for your NZ Rugby chair David Kirk explains where you'll be able to watch the rugby next year after signing a new five year deal. Plus, the Sports Huddle debates whether the player exodus from the ANZ Championship will hurt NZ's netball futures. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Trump and Russian President Putin have been deadlocked in negotiations around the war in Ukraine, leaving space for China to benefit from this pause.  Asian Correspondent Peter Lewis says that China stands to gain two things from this situation.  Firstly, China can continue important oil and other products from Russia, as no final deal with the USA has been reached.  Secondly, the delay in trade negotiations has given China more time to create a new world trading order, keeping itself at the centre.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SkyTV is set to broadcast every All Blacks’ game for the next 5 years, and TVNZ will broadcast all 93 of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) matches.  Chair of NZ Rugby David Kirk told Heather duPlessis-Allan that reaching this deal has been a ‘long, long journey.’  ‘Both parties have worked hard, and I think we've got to a place which works for both of us.' LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on the Huddle, sports reporter Nathan Limm and sports journalist Lavina Good join Heather duPlessis-Allan to discuss the latest sports news.  What does Sky's new broadcasting deal mean for viewers? And netballers are still leaving for Australia, what needs to change to keep Kiwis at home? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's introducing stricter measures across its childcare centres in efforts to better protect young children.  CCTV cameras will be trialled at more than 300 centres - with work also commencing to develop a national register of childcare workers. It follows child sexual abuse allegations surfacing against one Victoria worker. Australia correspondent Oli Peterson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that some states have already banned personal mobile phones in centres.  He says you've got to give the state and federal governments credit here for reacting to the situation and trying to beef up regulations as quickly as they could.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benjamin Netanyahu has called a number of western nations – including New Zealand – ‘shameful’ for their support of Palestine.  These comments come as the NZ Government moves closer towards recognising a Palestinian state.  Senior political correspondent Barry Soper says a statement about recognising Palestine will likely happen soon.  “We probably will do; I would imagine at the General Assembly in New York next month.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament's finance and expenditure committee released the findings of its banking inquiry today, making 19 recommendations - 14 of which have cross-party support.  It concluded there is no silver bullet for more competition in the sector.  Committee member Todd Stephenson saysthe first step is reducing barriers to entry.  He says a large part of that is capital requirements for new players.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erik Menendez has been denied parole 36 years after he confessed to killing his parents.  He and his brother Lyle were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for murdering their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez.  Since then, further details around abuse from their father have surfaced, leading to public debate over their sentencing.   US Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley told Heather duPlessis-Allan that Eric Menendez will have to wait another three years before requesting parole again.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra is confident farmers will vote to sell major brands like Anchor and Mainland.   It's reached a deal to sell its consumer and associated businesses to French dairy giant Lactalis for $3.845billion.  The deal still needs the approval of shareholders.  Fonterra Chief Executive Miles Hurrell told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the offer is above expectation, and there will be a $2 capital return per share.   He says, while the public have a strong emotional connection with the brands - the feedback has been positive.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe is calling on US President Donald Trump to deploy fighter jets in Romania in order to protect Ukraine, according to new reports. Military leaders from the U.K., Germany, France, Finland, and Italy have urged US officials to provide additional support to Ukraine as the conflict continues. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While experts are weighing up the results of US-based tech giants, one Chinese company is dominating markets. Tencent is a Chinese multinational technology conglomerate - and one of the highest-grossing multimedia companies in the world based, on revenue. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra has increased its farmgate milk price forecast for the 2024/25 season to $10.15 per kg of milksolids from $10.00/kg, and has narrowed its forecast range for the current season. The forecast range for 2024/25 has narrowed from $9.70-$10.30 per kilo of milk solids (kgMS) to $10.10-$10.20/kgMS, with the final price to be released alongside the co-op’s final result, due in September. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.