Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Donald Trump has every right to crack down on the American border. There are problems there that we, down here in little old New Zealand, just don't understand. Illegal migration sounds to us like a far away and non-threatening concept because, well, it is. Thank you, ocean. And if you believe everything the liberal international media serves up and that this is an issue invented by tyrants like Trump to retain their grip on power, look at Starmer, the lovely leftie Labour leader of Great Britain. In case you missed it - Starmer, this week, has signed a piece of paper asking Europe to kindly redefine human rights because the current definition is a little too generous. Yes, Labour's man at number 10 wants to narrow human rights. He wants to be able to kick more asylum seekers out of Britain, because the cost and burden of daily arrivals of boats is simply unsustainable. And the British public had enough of it long ago. Enter Farage. So this is not a figment of a dictators' imagination, but a genuine political problem. So, back to Trump. He's cracking down at the border and new rules are coming for us Kiwis, and other visa waiver countries. This applies to tourists - a visit to Hawaii is all it takes. In order to gain entry, you will have to hand over five years of your social media activity. It's mandatory. You'll also need to supply your telephone numbers for the past five years and email addresses for the past decade. Now, I'm no terrorist - but this sounds like a lot. So I probably won't be visiting America anytime soon. Too hard basket. If you had to go for a funeral or and event or something important, you would. But to be honest, I'll probably just go to Mexico. Getting over the bureaucratic wall to the States is feeling a little too hard basket. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 11 December 2025, the Health Minister reacts to a report that predicts the number of cancer diagnoses is expected to skyrocket - and why he wouldn't eat KFC. US Immigration lawyer Brian Hunt explains why travellers to the US will soon be asked to provide five years worth of social media history - and what border officials will look for. Jetstar has been rapped over the knuckles for using dodgy scales at Wellington Airport. Plus, the Huddle debates Nicola Willis' fudge and why the big debate against Ruth Richardson has taken on such a life of its own. 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 water service delivery plans have been submitted by local councils and evaluated, and the total is set to hit over $47 billion. Councils handed over these proposals as part of the Government's Local Water Done Well scheme and the Local Government Minister is hopeful these plans will go on to benefit ratepayers. Minister Simon Watts says these proposals have all been signed off and things are in a good place to get going.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Singapore Government has teamed up with New Zealand-founded start-up The Fractional Directory for a new pilot programme. The project will pair fractional leaders - experienced professionals who work with multiple organisations on a flexible basis - with Singaporean companies. Company CEO Michelle Allbon says this may seem similar to consultant roles, but there's some key differences. "The different between consulting and fractional is that a fractional leader is fully embedded...we've seen this be really, really effective, it's not just giving them advice and throwing their PowerPoint over the wall." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered diplomats to start using the Times New Roman font again, reversing a change made under the previous administration. Rubio's predecessor, Antony Blinken, made the switch to Calibri in 2023, saying it was more accessible for people with visual disabilities - a change Rubio labelled 'wasteful'. Monolith typeface designer Alistair McCready says Calibri's more suited to readers by design, but it depends on the individual.  "There's all sorts of things that go into reading, not just the way you see or how clearly you can see - it's how you interpret letters and shapes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer NZ says travellers could struggle to get a refund - after revelations two Jetstar baggage scales at Wellington Airport may not have been accurate. Checks after a complaint in September, revealed the portable scales were uneven and below approval standards. Jetstar’s been told to pull them out until they’re re-verified. Consumer NZ Advocacy Head, Jessica Walker, says if Jetstar charged too much, people could be entitled to repayment. "If they can prove that they were overcharged, then that would be ideal. But the fact that Jetstar is saying that people weren't overcharged absolutely makes this trickier."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Few details are known about a possible law to make tourists entering the US provide five years of social media history. It would affect those currently able to visit visa-free, including New Zealanders, Australians and Brits. Officials could request social media information, email addresses, phone numbers, and information about family members. US immigration lawyer Brian Hunt says based on previous policy, we can infer what the US hopes to achieve. "I think they're looking for pretty extreme language when it comes to anti-Semitism - and then they also said they're vetting for anti-American activity."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister says predictions cancer diagnoses will increase isn't cause for panic.  A new report has found the number's likely to double in the next two decades.  Simeon Brown says much of that will be down to the ageing population and general population growth. He says that should still prompt Government action.  "We have to continue to invest, to ensure that we have more access to cancer treatments, cancer medicines, diagnoses - all of the things that this report has highlighted." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis is defending her economic track record in the face of a lobby-group's satirical campaign. The Taxpayers' Union has sent MPs Nicola Willis-branded fudge, claiming she favours treats today and taxes tomorrow. It suggests Willis should cut spending more. Willis says the Government has reduced taxes and delivered significant cost savings - while keeping frontline services. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained why Nicola Willis is keen on making the debate with Ruth Richardson happen. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourists entering the United States could soon have to provide a five-year social media history. The proposed new requirement would affect those who are currently able to visit visa-free, including from New Zealand and the UK. It'll see officials requesting social media information, email addresses from the last decade, phone numbers, and information about family members. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says many Australians travel to the US every year, and this change will likely slow down tourism further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another leg-side strangle for the Black Caps post-lunch on Day 2 of the second cricket test against the West Indies in Wellington. Daryl Mitchell has joined Devon Conway in giving a little tickle to the keeper trying to glance the ball. The hosts are still on track to power past the Windies' first innings 205 - 220 for five at tea. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deregulation of the hemp industry could let seeds be sold freely around the country. Cabinet's agreed to loosen things up - removing the need for a licence to grow and handle it and just requiring farmers to notify police and MPI. The Government claims it'll generate an extra $40 million for the economy in the first 20 years. Brothers Green co-founder, Brad Lake, says he's hoping they'll be able to sell seeds on their website - and that licensing was the only aspect he can see holding that back. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's son says the US President might walk away from the peace efforts of Ukraine and Russia. The White House unveiled a new National Security Strategy last week - that the Kremlin's now said is largely consistent with Russia's vision.  It blames the EU for blocking US efforts to end the conflict and doesn't cast Russia as a national threat.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Reserve Bank Governor, Anna Breman, hosted an event for media earlier, allowing financial journalists to get their first look. Breman is monitoring the impact of tightening financial conditions, amid concerns about the state of the OCR. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent trading updates indicate the nation's leading retailers are feeling the pinch ahead of the busy season. The Warehouse and Kathmandu are among the big names that have been seeing significant losses over the past few months. Milford Asset Management's Michael Luke says there's hope things will pick up in the next few weeks, given the demand brought about by Christmas and Boxing Day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the Supreme Court has delivered a huge win for family carers of disabled adult children - so where to from here? The Aussie social media ban is officially in play - so what happens when you take your kids on holiday there? In an extraordinary move, the NZ Cyber Agency is personally warning 26,000 Kiwis whose computers have been infected with malicious software. Plus, the Huddle debates why Finance Minister Nicola Willis is pushing for a debate against former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson. 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.

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 is debating a former one (of some 30-odd years ago) at all. Well, here's the comms strategy on this: Ruth has credibility, as least on the right. The left reckons she permanently scarred the country, but you can't deny something had to be done. And people forget the growth and jobs that followed. Nicola's still earning her credibility, and things have not been going terribly well on that front. Spending's higher than Grant and surplus keeps getting pushed out. The growth is anaemic. So this is a way of tackling Ruth's attacks head-on and putting them to bed. Usually, ministers don't give oxygen to debates because it gives their opponent equal standing with them. A bit of the Treasury bench rubs off and can make your opponent seem credible. Which is why you wouldn't see Luxon near Hipkins outside of a Bollywood dance off - except during mandatory campaign debates. So, sorry Chlöe and sorry Barbara, this is a Ruth thing. But there's also a smarter strategy going on here from Willis, I reckon. By debating somebody on the right, she makes herself seem more centrist in the public's eyes. She distances herself from the Scrooge argument. She highlights how much they are still spending and haven't cut. And will argue cuts now would mean job losses and less growth. It's basically framing the economic debate as one between the right, and even more right. Which leaves the left out in the cold. And also looking a little trigger happy on the country credit card. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 to Newstalk ZB? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 foot traffic was down 36 percent on 2019 in that area - and the spending was down 57 percent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 available. "It's also about contact and it's about conduct, so things like the intentional use of platforms to harm or abuse others - and also the commerce harms that not only young New Zealanders experience, but others as well."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 easing cycle. It sort of scared the markets a little bit."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 revealed the threat to our cyber security centre. He explained that presumably means an agency's uncovered a trove of stolen data and alerted the NCSC about the email addresses of concern. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 - securing the lbws of recalled batters Brandon King and Kavem Hodge. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 hurting the economy. Plus, New Zealand Navy's Commodore Shane Arndell reveals the messages the Chinese war ships sent our navy while the HMNZS Aotearoa was patrolling near North Korea and Taiwan. 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.

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'? Well, that may cost you, Councillor. It'll make councils think twice before imposing some of this stupid stuff on property owners. We've had too examples of councils just making these up and restricting land use on a whim. On an airy fairy idea. The reason property rights are so important is simple. You use your land as collateral to borrow. To build. To invest. Owning acts as an incentive to build assets. It creates growth and production. This production is then taxed. The taxes pay for nice, communal things that everybody likes. Like classrooms and hospitals. What we need now is for politicians to stick to this plan. And not mess with it. The new bills will pass first reading next week, and the first bits will come into effect by the end of 2026. Half the consents currently required will no longer be needed. Anyone who's been through the consenting process will be celebrating this. But only if the changes stick. Only if Labour promises not to touch them. Because this is not our first rodeo. Remember, it was Labour who first repealed the RMA and replaced it with 2 new bills. 900 pages long. The Coalition got in and one of the first things they did was ri[ it up. We reverted back to the RMA. Now the Coalition's bills are out. 900 pages. The test of how long they remain law is not lasting another term of Coalition, but a first term of Labour, whenever that may be. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 let each other know what we're doing, we keep it all nice and safe and everything is respectful.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 that over 2400 schools were audited and only a handful were 'commented on' by the auditor-general.  Education Minister Erica Stanford blamed the previous government, saying that, 'It wasn't particularly fit for purpose and it didn't have good guard rails to prevent exactly what's happened.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 down longer, but that's not the entire economy.  Olsen says March quarterly GDP relative to average quarterly GDP - and it's only two percent below the average for the rest of the financial year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 company's decision to back down.  'We took legal action, we went to the Commerce Commission. And really all of those things have countered towards ACC's decision today.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Bishop's claim that this is the largest economic reform in a generation.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many aesthetic changes to buildings will no longer need consents - under the Government's Resource Management Act shake-up. The replacement Planning and Natural Environment Bills are being introduced to Parliament today - and will pass next year.  RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says planners won't be able to block projects because of visual changes - as long as other people aren't affected. He told Ryan Bridge that planners have got involved in some cases, to a ridiculous degree.  Bishop says that includes the direction doors face and where televisions were placed in living rooms.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Greens are warning student debt is stopping New Zealanders coming home for Christmas. Its survey of 400 expat Kiwis found 71 percent were overdue on payments - and 82 percent are worried about their loan. The Green Party's calling for a cross-Parliament inquiry into the repayment scheme for Kiwis living overseas. Spokesperson Lawrence Xu-Nan told Ryan Bridge that inflexible repayment schemes, interest rates and penalty fees are driving people away. He says these are people with skills gained overseas we want to eventually attract back to contribute to New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push to get Kiwis talking about systemic issues leading to child abuse. The Dear Children campaign has launched today - with a letter to kids and parents countrywide, focusing on preventing all forms of child maltreatment Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad says child homicide cannot be ignored. She told Ryan Bridge on average, one child is killed every five weeks, but it's not too late for change, so eventually children will grow up in New Zealand feeling safe. She says it starts with awareness. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public transport users in the Capital can start using debit and credit cards and phones on buses and trains - from next March. Greater Wellington Regional Council will introduce contactless payments - at a cost of 5.5 million dollars.  It's jumping the gun on the Government National Ticketing System, scheduled for mid-2027.  Council Chair Daran Ponter told Ryan Bridge they don't trust the timeline.  He says he's sick of telling Wellington commuters they can't have something that's available in Auckland and Australia. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 8 December 2025, the EMA's Alan McDonald outlines why tomorrow's RMA overhaul is so desperately needed and why he thinks the Government is coming with the bazooka approach. Will the big Netflix-Warner Brothers deal lead to fewer films in cinemas? Media commentator Duncan Greive weighs in. The Children's Commissioner has launched a campaign against child homicide, but are the country's worst parents really going to pay attention? Labour's Chris Hipkins rejects Andrew Coster's assertion he'd been briefed about the McSkimming affair - and says he has a witness. Plus, the Huddle debate the Children's Commission's campaign against child homicide and whether the days of boozy and lavish Christmas parties are over. 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.

Smaller electricity retailers and generators are worried impending power market reforms won't create the level playing-field promised.  The Electricity Authority's proposed a non-discrimination rule that will force gentailers to play fair when deciding to sell electricity to itself or other companies.  Some smaller players, including Electric Kiwi, have written to the authority saying the rule doesn't go far enough.  Its Chief Executive Huia Burt told Ryan Bridge the rule only applies to leftover electricity.  But she says that could be a very insignificant amount of the total volume - which doesn't create a level playing field.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve had it with people running around pretending we’re going to solve big global problems. Australia’s banning kids from social media on Wednesday. They’re going to lead the world. Sounds very appealing. Stop the brain rot, etc. Except kids will be kids and will get around it. They’ll do this the same way I was able to use Facebook in China—despite the big firewall—by using a VPN. You just log in to an app and piggyback off another country’s internet. Or they might get a fake ID, or set up a fake account in another jurisdiction. Good luck with this actually working. Same goes for climate change. Remember when we were once world-leading? Well, the problem with being world-leading is that you actually need others to follow. Otherwise, you’re not world-leading—you’re just an anomaly. What’s the point in stopping your cows from burping if the Aussies keep mining, the Chinese keep burning coal, and the Saudis keep drilling for oil? Climate change and the internet pose similar problems because they are global in nature. And because they are global in nature, you need kumbaya from all corners of the globe to address them. Look how that’s working out for the UN. It doesn’t. The truth is this: if we really wanted to solve these problems, the quickest, most effective way would be individual action. We could, each and every one of us, tomorrow, take phones off children and put them in the bin. We could walk to work and stop driving our cars. But we won’t. A poll out of Australia says 70% of parents support the ban. Guess how many said, in the very same poll, they would actually enforce it on their own children? Less than a third. It’s that same logic that has seen the Ford Ranger ute—a gas guzzler, big macho bull of an A-to-B—be the top-selling vehicle in this country for the past ten years running. And that’s the real problem with these global issues: governments make a big song and dance, but fundamentally, individually, we don’t actually see them as real problems, do we?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A geopolitical expert says it's a good thing a New Zealand navy ship was on its own in waters around East Asia - when it was shadowed by seven Chinese warships. The vessel was patrolling last month as part of international efforts to monitor and restrict North Korea’s nuclear and missile activity. The Defence Force says the Chinese ships followed at a safe, professional distance. Geoffrey Miller told Ryan Bridge we'll have to wait and see if there are further repercussions. He says China's usually more offended by joint actions with other Five Eyes countries - so it's probably better our Defence Force was alone. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Falls for the Greens and Te Pati Maori in the latest 1 News Verian Poll - which gives the coalition more than enough seats to govern. National is on 36 percent, up two - while Act is also up two to 10 percent, and New Zealand First steady on nine. In the left bloc, Labour was up three to 35, but the Greens dropped four to seven, and Te Pati Maori - after weeks of infighting - fell two points to one percent. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge they're focused on doing things to make sure people are better off, can get ahead, and have strong public services. She says it's positive to see that most people, if given the chance to vote tomorrow - would re-elect the current Government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employers and Manufacturers Association has high hopes for tomorrow's reveal of the Resource Management Act overhaul. The Government's announcing significant changes tomorrow, foreshadowing it as one of this term's biggest pieces of reform. It says it'll be introduced this year - and pass before next year's election. EMA Advocacy Head, Alan McDonald, told Ryan Bridge councils interpret the current RMA for themselves - letting planning differ from region to region. He says the old RMA system did not protect the environment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Ryan Bridge about today's political hot topics. Luxon sold the RMA reform we'll see tomorrow from Chris Bishop and Simon Court. Minister of Police Mark Mitchell is at odds with former police commissioner Andrew Coster over who knew what and when in the McSkimming scandal. A New Zealand war ship is being shadowed by a Chinese fleet near Taiwan.  And, Helen Clark's father passed away. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix is set to acquire Warner Bros Studios in a Netflix agrees to acquire Warner Bros Studios in a $125B deal including HBO Max.  Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has said theatrical releases will become more limited, as Netflix sees them as not 'consumer friendly'. Media commentator Duncan Greive told Ryan Bridge: "historically, Netflix has been at best tepid, probably more accurately hostile, towards movie theatres." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 5 December. 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.

HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to consider the question, will New Zealand ever be a rockstar economy again? The phrase 'survive until 25' promised economic prosperity this year, but in reality little growth was seen.  But, Bloxham says the key is to "aspire to try and be a rock star." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Sports Huddle sports journalist Nathan Limm and Jeff McTainsh from Sky Sport joined in on a discussion about the sports issues of the week - and more! TVNZ cricket commentator Scotty Stevenson called Christ College students 'syrup suckers' on live TV. Was he out of line? A proposed cricket league is causing a stir. Are former cricketers right to be concerned about the NZ20 league? And, should Etzebeth have to miss international tests for his eye-gouging incident? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.