Larry Williams Drive

People calling themselves "the tyre slashers" have been attacking tyres on SUVs and utes in two Auckland suburbs.  Leaflets left on the vehicles say SUVs are a disaster for the climate – and the owners should be walking, cycling or using public transport.  Extinction Rebellion's James Barber told Heather du Plessis-Allan his group wouldn't do that sort of thing ... but they understand the slasher's concerns. “The climate crisis is a global crisis, it’s a structural socioeconomic problem, but the answer to that isn’t targeting individuals and calling on sort of small individual changes.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The price at the pump is expecting to rise again. Despite the Government slashing excise this year, fuel prices propelled past three dollars a litre and because of Russia's war on Ukraine, the cost of petrol is creeping back up.  AA Principal Advisor Terry Collins told Heather du Plessis Allan 95 and 98 are already overtaking three dollars in some places. “If we put out 30 cents back on, which is roughly what the FED and the GST is, there is not a fuel product you’ll buy that won’t be at least 3 dollars, and some of them will be halfway to 4 dollars.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Minister Poto Williams has made some big accusations against the opposition, claiming National was in bed with the Australian government when it started to deport NZ-born criminals the, so-called 501s.  Both former Prime Minister Sir John Key and the former Foreign Minister Murray McCully told us this afternoon no deals were ever done over the 501s. Now we asked Poto's office what exactly she meant by that. They claim she meant to say National should have done more to stop the policy. Mark Mitchell, National's police spokesperson, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some more details from the Deputy Prime Minister on the Government's plan to deal with ram raids. National has backed the Government's emissions budget. How political was this?  Why is the PM isolating? Is she not an essential worker? Chief political editor Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest election debate between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese is a bit of a mess. The judge overseeing the trial of Guy Sebastian's former manager has a medical episode and dies suddenly. Sydney lollipop lady posts a TikTok about how much she gets paid – and now everyone wants to be one. 6PR Perth Live Presenter Oliver Peterson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are the Blues the new Crusaders? It must be hard to be a Warriors fan at the moment.Sports commentator Phil Gifford joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's every parent's worst nightmare – sudden infant death syndrome.  Now a breakthrough study out of Sydney suggests there is a genetic marker that makes some kids more at risk to SIDS than others.  Lead researcher Dr Carmel Harrington from the Children's Hospital Westmead joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government looks set to announce a range of climate initiatives and plans this month ahead of the Budget.That might mean companies may have to check their own climate goals as well.The first step of this will be on Monday when James Shaw will lay out how the Emission Reduction Plan has been created.Business commentator Rod Oram joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A statue of King George V in Matakana has been beheaded for the fourth time in 20 years.The statue’s conservator Adrienne Miller has said on social media that she wants to move it somewhere else and is clearly not safe there.Adrienne Miller joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's top leader Xi Jinping has issued the strongest warning yet against anyone who questions the country's zero-Covid policy, as stringent, frequent lockdowns fuel public discontent and deal a devastating blow to the Chinese economy.At a meeting chaired by Xi on Thursday, the ruling Communist Party's supreme Politburo Standing Committee vowed to "unswervingly adhere to the general policy of 'dynamic zero-Covid,' and resolutely fight against any words and acts that distort, doubt or deny our country's epidemic prevention policies."This is the first time Xi, who according to state media made an "important speech" at the meeting, has made public remarks about China's battle against Covid since public furor erupted over the harsh lockdown in Shanghai."Our prevention and control strategy is determined by the party's nature and mission, our policies can stand the test of history, our measures are scientific and effective," the seven-member committee said, according to government news agency Xinhua."We have won t

People in Britain voted Thursday in local elections that will decide the makeup of local authorities across the country — and possibly the fate of embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson.Polling stations were open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. (2100GMT) in contests for thousands of seats on 200 local authorities in in England, Scotland and Wales. Most results are due Friday.Opinion polls suggest the governing Conservatives will lose hundreds of seats in elections that are considered a barometer of public opinion.In Northern Ireland, voters are electing a new 90-seat Assembly, with polls suggesting the Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein could win the largest number of seats, and the post of first minister, in what would be a historic first.The local-authority elections will decide who collects garbage, fixes potholes and handles other essential services across the country.Johnson, who voted at a polling station near his 10 Downing St. residence — accompanied by his dog, Dilyn — said in a social media video that “it’

We’re a couple of weeks away from this year’s Budget and people are starting to come out with wish lists for Finance Minister Grant Robertson.An MYOB survey found business and consumers alike think the Government needs to focus on relieving the effects of rising costs.Consumers are after a permanent reduction in petrol taxes and more action on housing affordability and SMEs are predominantly after a reduction in the company tax rate to 25 percent and ongoing lower road user charges.Employers & Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy and Strategy Alan McDonald joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Super Rugby teams will be licking their wounds ahead of this weekend’s round.Last weekend saw the Crusaders and the Hurricanes lose to the Waratahs and Brumbies respectively, and the Force were able to gain a bonus point in a narrow loss to the Blues.Real Madrid pulled off a legendary comeback against Manchester City mid-week in the UEFA Champions League semi-final.They looked certain to be down and out before two injury time goals equalled the tie and an extra time penalty was enough for Los Blancos to qualify for the final against Liverpool in Paris.The Warriors certainly had an interesting couple of weeks in the buildup to the Sharks match this weekend.After a record drubbing against the Storm, the Warriors followed that up with another golden point win against the Raiders.Phil Gifford and Abby Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss the week's sports newsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown businesses have reached a new level of worker shortage.There are now more job vacancies than ratepayers in Queenstown and hospitality venues are paying unqualified staff up to $27 an hour.And even with more money on offer, they're struggling to get locals to fill the slots in time for international visitors.Queenstown Chamber of Commerce CEO Ruth Stokes joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone knows about Wordle, and some people may have heard about Heardle - a game for guessing songs.Heardle got a Kiwi makeover for New Zealand Music Month.Musician James Mac, who developed this version of the game, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KiwiSaver provider Milford Asset Management will try to engage with DGL Group instead of excluding the company.Company CEO Simon Henry made offensive comments about My Food Bag's Nadia Lim.Other Kiwi Saver providers Kiwi Wealth and Simplicity have added the company to their exclusion list.Milford Asset Management's Frances Sweetman told Heather du Plessis-Allan their sustainability policy is to try and work with the company on the issue before restricting it.“Our first strategy is to get in contact with the company, share our views about this issue, what we want to see happen and go from there.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Competition may be the driving force behind Countdown's decision to drive down costs.From Monday, the supermarket chain will freeze prices on 500 essential over the winter months in response to the cost of living.It includes a wide variety of staples - from tinned tomatoes, to butter, sugar, flour and more.Nite n' Day general manager Matthew Lane told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's likely a result to The Warehouse breaking into the market.He says it's hard to break into this market due to the major competitors, so The Warehouse is giving a good nudge with the likes of $4 butter and $3 milk.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacinda Ardern has weighed in on Simon Henry’s comments on Nadia Lim.Ardern said this afternoon that the comments do a complete disservice to Nadia and it would’ve been insulting to all women.Meanwhile, the Government is spending $10 million on removing coal boilers from schools.The move is going to reduce carbon emissions buy around 35,000 tonnes over the next ten years as part of a wider $23 million announcement as part of decarbonisation.The buildup to the Budget later this month continues.In this week alone, there have been announcements on driver licenses, truancy issues and biosecurity.Newstalk ZB Chief Political Reporter Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Joe Biden on Thursday named Karine Jean-Pierre to be the next White House press secretary, the first Black woman and openly LGBTQ person to serve in the role. Incumbent Jen Psaki is set to leave the post next week.Jean-Pierre takes on the role as the White House faces an uphill battle to help Democrats hold onto the House and Senate in this fall's midterm elections, and as the administration struggles to address Americans' concerns about soaring inflation and the state of the economy. She also comes into the job as Biden faces a daunting array of foreign policy challenges, including the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and North Korea's escalating nuclear testing program. Biden is set to visit South Korea and Japan later this month and Europe in June.Biden is also bringing back longtime Democratic strategist Anita Dunn as his senior adviser. She had served in the Biden White House last year for several months after Biden was sworn into office.“Karine not only brings the experience, talent and int

Tauranga bus drivers will no longer stop at three of the city's main bus stops if they see youths gathered.The boycott comes as drivers fear for their safety amid incidents of violence and aggression from young people at bus stops, most notably the Willow Street interchange.Police say they were called to deal with a youth who was found with an offensive weapon on Willow Street on Wednesday.First Union organiser Graham McKean told Heather Du Plessis-Allan bus drivers have no option but to avoid key bus stops for their own safety.“They’re totally feeling threatened. It’s just a matter of time before some of them are seriously injured, harmed, or beyond that.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.