Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The European Parliament is planning to suspend approval of the US trade deal that was agreed to last July, according to new reports. Donald Trump has been ramping up his efforts to acquire Greenland, including threatening new tariffs over the issue. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this could see US-based companies barred from EU contracts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts have indicated the Reserve Bank could be done cutting the OCR for the moment, and there's questions about what this could mean for homeowners. The window of time borrowers had to lock in longer term fixed rates after the OCR cut and before they started rising was narrow, and reports indicate they could have missed their chance. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accounting software business Xero has started 2026 on a low note, with the share price dropping significantly. This is in line with other challenges in the technology sector, which have seen noticeable drops. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners 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! We've finally got an election date - it's November 7th. Who do we think will win at this stage? Any other predictions?  New data shows 65 percent of Kiwis want to ban under-16s from social media. Will this be a vote winner this election cycle?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So we've got an election date, and it's the date pundits have been picking since late last year - November 7th. This election is National's to lose. The only question really is how much influence ACT and or New Zealand First will have in any future Government. Don't get me wrong - it'll be a close race. Here's some easy picks - National will get more votes than Labour, New Zealand First will outperform ACT, New Zealand First will steal from Labour and nip at their heels, Te Pati Māori's reputation is already in the bin so the Māori seats are anyone's guess at this point. And Winston Peters, as always, will decide who actually wins the election. He's ruled out working with Chippy but not Labour. Here's the crucial point. Winston Peters cannot, politically, enter a deal propped up by or supported by the Greens or Te Pati Māori. In pretty much every poll this term, Labour has needed both of them to get close to the magic 61 seats. Now, you could argue that National might stumble and Labour could surge. But the chances of this happening - I would put at around 20-30 percent. So very unlikely. The economic recovery's underway. Summer will be round the corner come November. But most importantly, people won't switch horses mid-stream when that recovery has been so hard fought. The memory, particularly in Auckland, is too short for voters to forget about Labour's Covid mess and unbridled spending on outrageous and expensive things. Chris Hipkins today also announced a date - his wedding. He says it'll be held in 2027. That means Toni is likely going to marry an unemployed bloke from the Hutt. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 21 January, 2026, Christopher Luxon's announced the election date - we look at who's in poll position. A witness to a shop worker's stabbing in Auckland tells us how he confronted the attacker. Martin Snedden on the difficulties of the job with our three top sports - rugby, netball and cricket - without leaders. Plus, on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Phil O'Reilly debate the election and the overwhelming support for a social media ban among Kiwis. 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.

Three of New Zealand's biggest sporting bodies have seen their leaders depart, and it's prompted concerns about what this could mean for the sector. NZ Rugby head Mark Robinson is set to depart the role, Netball NZ CEO Jennie Wyllie resigned at the end of last year and NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink recently resigned following a scandal. Former NZ Cricket CEO Martin Snedden says the leadership role's always come with challenges, but social media backlash makes scandals more noticeable. "These are very difficult jobs. Sport is volatile, stakeholders' expectations, sometimes broad expectations, are disproportionate to what the resources are of an organisation - and burnout is a huge issue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT leader David Seymour says voters need to see the result of coalition policies before heading to voting booths. The Prime Minister's announced the election will be held on November 7 - a later date than the past two, which were held in October.  Seymour says the Government's done a lot of work on the economy, and a later election will give voters time to see that.  "And I think it's only fair that people get to judge the Government on the benefits of its policies delivered before they choose." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's doubts police are getting bang for their buck on recruitment spending. The Post reports police spent just over $1 million to market recruitment - between December 2023 and the following November. That surged to $2.76 million in the year after Richard Chambers took over as Police Commissioner. Police Association President Steve Watt says all organisations have to spend to make themselves attractive. "But when we're still struggling to get the 500 officers target, you'd have to wonder if that was money well spent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new challenger's taking on Auckland in the race for the most expensive properties.  Trade Me data shows the Bay of Plenty's average asking price has dethroned Auckland's for the first time in 10 years.  It's sitting on $963,000 - $11,000 above Auckland.  But Opes Partners economist Ed McKnight says that doesn't translate to higher sale values.  "The median sale price of a house in Auckland is still about $150,000 more than over in the Bay of Plenty." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Civil Defence in Tolaga Bay East Coast says low-lying households near Hikuwai River should evacuate now. Surface flooding has stranded several East Coast communities - with no easing yet of the tropical storm battering the North Island.  Tairawhiti has now joined Whangārei, Hauraki, Thames-Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty in declaring States of Emergency. Red rain warnings for Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and parts of Gisborne will start expiring between 11pm and 11am tomorrow. Hauraki District Council says some homes in Whiritoa have been evacuated, and the Surf Club has been set up as a Civil Defence site.  In Thames Coromandel, Mayor Peter Revell says Whitianga, Cooks Beach and Pauanui are cut off, with near record rain already last night.  "There's going to be significant volumes of rain in the next four or five hours, so that will certainly load up the rivers and threaten slips on roads and what have you." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's not announcing any changes to the team, as parties tee-up political campaigns. The Prime Minister's confirmed a November 7 date for this year's general election - speaking from National's annual caucus retreat in Christchurch. Chris Luxon says any members retiring will announce it themself, and he doesn't feel compelled to reshuffle for the sake of it. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Luxon will be hoping for the economic recovery to be more noticeable by the time the voting booths open up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump celebrated the first anniversary of his second term with a near two-hour press conference, boasting about economic achievements and holding up photos of detained immigrants.  The US President said he was confident God was on his side - and that he thinks God would be proud of the work he's done so far. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump is looking forward to arriving in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, where he's expected to defend his ambition to seize Greenland.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Caps coach Rob Walter has revealed he's relatively set on playing XI options for next month's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The team begin their build-up five-match T20 series against India in Nagpur overnight. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what fans can expect ahead of the series. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A private eye says he was running on pure instinct when he helped apprehend a teen accused of stabbing a shop worker over Pokémon cards in a hobby store in Auckland's Newmarket.  A Hamilton 16-year-old will appear in Youth Court. Thomas James says such incidents and lower level crimes are fairly common in the area.  He says it was a dangerous situation.  "He made a decision when he left the house that morning, or wherever he left, to carry a knife on him. You only carry a knife if you're prepared to use it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says European leaders should focus on Ukraine, as he promises to follow through with Greenland tariff threats. The US President's warning he'll hit eight European countries with increasing tariffs from next month if he can't buy the arctic island.  UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says tariffs are completely wrong.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says Starmer has a clear interest in maintaining a good relationship with Trump and this development will complicate things.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new year is well and truly under way, and there's growing hopeful predictions about the state of the economy. GDP is projected to grow by 2.5 percent, according to new reports from HSBC. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The next GDT auction is due to take place tonight, and farmers are speculating about the tone this could set for the new year.  The last GDT auction, held on January 7th, saw a 6.3 percent bounce back in the Index, but farmers are unsure of what this could mean. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, took to social media to discuss the feud impacting the family, and reveal why he doesn't want to reconcile. What do we make of all this?  US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap escalating tariffs on European countries opposing his bid to take over Greenland. Why is he so keen on this? Does it go deeper than just wanting minerals? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports show China's 2025 birth rate was lower than expected, and that's impacted A2 Milk's shares. Data out of China revealed there were 5.63 live births per 1000 people in 2025 - the country’s lowest reading since 1939 and the fourth straight year of declines. Forsyth Barr analyst Matt Montgomerie says A2 Milk was halted on the Australian stock exchange, prompting further concerns.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, recently took to social media to reveal the details of a feud in the family. The 26-year-old claimed his parents tried to ruin his relationship with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, and said he doesn't wish to reconcile with his famous parents. TV producer and host of the Beefing podcast, Alexandria Funnell, says Victoria was reportedly bringing Brooklyn's exes around the family in a bid to stir up drama. "One of the younger Beckham brothers was dating one of Brooklyn's exes - bringing them into the fold, inviting them to family events, which made Brooklyn and his partner very uncomfortable."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 20 January, 2026, US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley on the remarkable reason Donald Trump is pushing to seize Greenland. We talk to a school principal about the teacher shortage just days from schools starting again. Brooklyn Beckham's shock comments about his parents - who's side should we be on? Plus on The Huddle we debate family dynamics and Trump's moves on Greenland. 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.

I was at the movies recently and the first three ads that came up in the shorts beforehand were pretty interesting. We had a fast food ad... I think it was KFC... some new chicken thing you can eat, then we had a Burger Fuel ad, and for dessert, to top things off, we had a Wegovy ad. There was a woman climbing stairs, out of breath, and a chubby guy struggling to get into a wetsuit. The message was simple: take this drug and get you life back. If you look at the fattest countries in the world, we're a podium finish. We're the third biggest developed country on earth. The Americans are, unsurprisingly, ahead of us. If you go to the movies, you see cause and affect in the space of three minutes of ads. Too much processed food + lack of exercise = obesity. Divided now by Wegovy, of course. Now the debate is - who should pay. I heard an argument yesterday which was interesting, because you hear about people putting all the weight back on once the drugs wear off. If the state pays for the drugs, the argument goes that you'd be less likely to keep the weight off because you're not as financially invested in the outcome as you would be if you paid out of your own pocket. Is it more effective if paid for by an individual? I don't know the answer to that question, but the problem we have in New Zealand - which they don't have so much in America, is a public health system - where the costs of being overweight, heart disease, diabetes etc. is worn by all of us. The indirect costs are between $7 billion and $9 billion per year. The cost of handing out free Wegovy could be as high as $3 billion a year. Pharmac's budget is $1.7 billion a year. So the question for Pharmac is simple - do the costs outweigh the benefits? And if you fund the drug, will people stay on it and actually keep the weight off? In the USA, RFK's just flipped the food pyramid and put protein at the top. There's an 'eat real food' campaign kicking off. Given the amount of fast food and Wegovy ads we're being bombarded with, would it not be sensible to also have some ads telling people about all the fresh NZ meat, dairy and veges they should be eating everyday? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US President is ramping up pressure on European nations in order to seize Greenland - an autonomous Danish territory. Donald Trump's threatening escalating tariffs for European nations opposing a US takeover of the Arctic Island, which says it has no interest in being bought. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says Trump wants minerals and resources from Greenland. "Some of these resources are critical for the construction of missiles and the bolstering of defence resources, so it's critical on that front."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A shark expert says there's very little risk of sharks taking on swimmers in New Zealand - as they are in New South Wales.  Four attacks over the past two days have left two people in hospital with critical leg injuries.  Auckland Museum Marine Biology Curator, Clinton Duffy, says they're by bull sharks, which are one of the only species big enough to attack humans.  He says New Zealand's climate is not appropriate.  "The waters would have to warm up an awful lot before bull sharks would make home here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome news for shareholders from one of our largest companies' change in direction. Fletcher Building is selling its construction arm to French multinational Vinci Construction in a deal worth up to $334 million. The sale is subject to regularity approval, and reflects Fletcher’s move to focus on manufacture and distribution. Mark Lister from Craigs Investment Partners says it'll help the company get back on track - simplifying business and bringing down debt. "They hadn't had a dividend since 2023, so I think they want to get into a position where they can reduce debt levels and start paying dividends again." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 election is due to take place this year, but it's still unclear when the big day will take place. Prime Minister Chris Luxon is set to announce a date in the coming days, kicking off the official campaign season to determine the next Government.  Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says it's likely the election date will be confirmed at the upcoming caucus retreat - but the details are still unclear. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty Sydney beaches have been closed indefinitely, following a third shark attack within 24 hours.  A surfer is in a critical condition with serious leg injuries, after being bitten at North Steyne Beach at Manly in Sydney's north last night. It happened a matter of hours after an 11-year-old surfer had his board bitten by a shark a few kilometres away at Dee Why - and a 13-year-old boy was attacked while swimming on Sunday. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says experts have raised concerns about adverse weather conditions luring in the sharks, putting people at risk. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rumour mill's been in overdrive after Scott Robertson was stood down as All Blacks coach two years into a four-year contract. Jamie Joseph has emerged as the front-runner to step in, but speculation is still growing over who else could be picked for the role. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the rumours further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some schools are scrambling to fill teaching positions before term one. About 450 teaching and principal roles remain vacant - 12 percent more than this time last year. About 75 percent are in the North Island, with 125 in Auckland. The principal of Auckland's Northcote College, Vicki Barrie, says they’ll likely start the year with gaps in carpentry and Māori studies. "We've got some flexibility within the timetable and the teachers that we've already got, so we're making changes to the timetable to cover it temporarily."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 39 people died and at least 170 more were injured following a deadly train collision near Cordoba in southern Spain. Investigations are ongoing into the extent of the damage, with more still to be recovered. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the train travelling to north to Madrid, partly derailed just over an hour into its journey, hitting an oncoming train.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has warned eight European countries he'll impose and hike tariffs - unless he can take over Danish autonomous territory, Greenland.  Global leaders have held meetings in a bid to address the trans-Atlantic conflict. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained the economic impacts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing concerns in the world of air travel, as New Zealand currently lacks a 24/7 backup airport. Ohakea Airbase originally filled that gap, but it hasn't returned to full operation since the Covid-19 pandemic. Board of Airline Representatives NZ executive director Cath O'Brien explained why changes need to be made. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The 2026 election season is starting to get underway, and Prime Minister delivered his State of the Nation speech. What did we make of it? Did we feel inspired?  It's likely we'll find out the election date this week, when do we think it will be?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 19 January 2026, the Prime Minister has given his State of the Nation speech but the business community is yet to be convinced. Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Bridges tells Ryan Bridge what was missing from the speech. A North Auckland community is calling for action after their rockpools have been stripped of sea life. Finance Minister Nicola Willis reveals why Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman didn't call her before signing a support letter for Fed chair Jerome Powell. On the Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani debate the State of the Nation speech - and why it was the pot plants that really caught Trish's attention. Plus, Ryan explains why he thinks Chris Luxon should call an early election. 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.

It is election year, of course, and I reckon we should get this thing over and done with quickly. Let's rip the band-aid off - Luxon should go to the polls early. The argument's always been - and we talked about this a lot last year -  that they should wait till November, go late, let the economy recover. Make sure people feel the recovery and not just hear about it and read about it in the newspapers, but I think the political calculation has changed over the summer break. Luxon's grip on National, and the coalition more generally, has always been pretty weak, let's be honest. He struggles for cut-through. His colleagues are only really keeping him there because instability looks worse than his performance. This doesn't mean he's doing a terrible job. Inflation is coming down, recovery is underway, education is being dealt to, as is crime, this is good. But politics isn't always about facts, much as it should be. Because it's also vibes, isn't it? And it's been seen to be bold and be strong. Now, Jacinda Ardern - you won't like this, some of you - but a lot of people did. Initially, when she shut the borders, when she closed the country, it was bold. People liked it, it projected strength and it showed us who was boss. Of course, it all fell apart, but the principle of leadership is the same. Luxon should be bold and go to the polls in late July or early August. You can credibly claim a recovery is underway. You can say international events, you know, new tariffs, military action, these are unstable things and we need stability. Put your money where your mouth is, show people that you actually believe the recovery is happening and you're willing to put your job on the line to prove it. Show some leadership, surprise people. Use one of the few levers that you have as an MMP Prime Minister in a three-way coalition to put the willies up your opposition, up your opponents. But more importantly, and crucially, cut in half the amount of time that will be spent this year bickering with your cabinet colleagues, Seymour and Peters, who are after oxygen, of course, and Bishop, et al, who are after your job. The Māori Party is an absolute shambles, why give them more time to sort their act out? If Luxon is not just sleepwalking into this election, he'd be wise to take advantage and show himself as a genuine player of the game, I think. Being a good leader means knowing your limitations and your foibles. The question I'd be asking myself is whether a significant number of voters are going to miraculously warm to him between the months of July and November this year. I think, given the poll trends, this is highly doubtful. What they might not warm to, they may at least respect if he does the big boy bold move and heads to the polls with an autumn campaign season, give us some gumption. We need a Prime Minister, not a Prime Manager. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has outlined her goals for the new year, as the Government prepares for the upcoming 2026 election. Willis is hoping Kiwi voters will see the benefits of re-electing a National-led Government so that they can feel rewarded for their hard work. She says the economy grew as a whole last year, and voters can hope to see more in 2026. "So we see more job creation, more opportunities for Kiwis to get ahead - that is what we want to see."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of blue collar and working class New Zealanders have expressed clear disapproval for this Government.  The Council of Trade Unions' Mood of the Workforce survey this month asked more than 3500 people about the past year. More than 90 percent rated the Government performance at one - or two - out of five.  CTU President Sandra Grey says people feel exceptionally let down by the current Government - and that they don't feel looked after. "For all political parties, I think there's a message in there that says people want bold politicians who will actually do something about making sure that ordinary workers have a great life."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chocolate products could be in for a shake-up, as manufacturers race to develop cocoa alternatives. A Rabobank report shows food companies are looking into new technologies to substitute traditional beans. Climate-related pressures are driving up global cocoa prices, and disrupting supply chains. RaboResearch analyst Paul Joules says companies will look into fermenting plants like oats and seeds for an alternative - to use in products like chocolate fillings. "The taste can be a little bit different, it can be a bit more sour if they don't quite get the fermentation right - and it's not necessarily a direct replacement for a typical chocolate bar." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New drug data shows a fall in the cost of methamphetamine seems to relate to increased consumption. The New Zealand Drug Trends Survey reveals a gram cost about $334 last year - compared to $563 in 2017.  Over the same period, the proportion of respondents using the drug every week rose from 27 percent to 57. Massey University drug researcher Chris Wilkins says that like with any commodity, people will consume more when the price is down.  "It seems that it's just current users that are using more because the price is cheaper." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Criticism over a lack of detail - as the Prime Minister delivered his State of the Nation address to business leaders in Auckland today at the International Convention Centre's first event. Chris Luxon says two years of hard work by Government and business owners will pay off this year, with more jobs and growing incomes.  Business Chamber head, Simon Bridges, says he'd have liked more vision in the speech. "For not just sort of here and now - but for if there's another term, what that's going to look like. I think that's what the business community, the struggling middle, New Zealanders would want." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says voters shouldn't expect any big election promises this year, as the Government looks to keep the books in order. Chris Luxon's given his State of the Nation speech in Auckland before 600 business leaders. Luxon declared the economic recovery is here, and pointed to Kiwisaver, RMA and education reforms as this year's policy planks. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says the Government's dialled back the rhetoric this time round, as part of a 'low risk, low reward' strategy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, new polls indicate Pauline Hanson is gaining political momentum. A recent Newspoll claims One Nation’s primary vote has risen seven points to 22 per cent over the past two months, raising questions from experts. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Hanson's overtaken the Coalition on primary votes, according to new data.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Robertson's axing as All Blacks coach has prompted speculation about who will replace him in the top job. Robertson was relieved of his duties two years into a four-year contract, following a scathing review that found multiple frailties within the team and reports of player unrest. Sportstalk host Jason Pine weighed in on what we know so far, and addressed the rumours that Jamie Joseph  could replace Razor. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes the Government will slap a two-year ban on collecting shellfish and marine life from rockpools on Auckland's Whangaparāoa Peninsula.  Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says he's seeking advice on protecting the area.  Protect Whangaparāoa Rockpools founder, Mark Lenton, says there's been an increase in people removing sea life from the area over the last couple of years. "As a long-term local of this beautiful place, it's just heart-breaking to me and people who have spent their entire lives here, surrounded by natural beauty, oceans and abundant marine life." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First of all, can I start by offering an apology to TVNZ? I gave them a bit of grief last night for starting the news bulletin with the peaches, but it turns out I was wrong and they were right. This has sparked a flurry of debate over whether we prefer our Wattie's peaches from Hawke's Bay or whether we don't really care if it comes from China or not.  It's also prompted a statement from Wattie's asking us to support local growers. In other words, can we please buy New Zealand made? Now, that is a very nice sentiment, but let's be honest, that's all it is. It is a sentiment and it's not going to work. I mean, this is me, this is not me being cavalier about how hard this must be for the Hawke's Bay peach growers who are losing their Wattie's contracts. For them, this must be absolutely devastating and I feel terrible for them. But this is me being realistic about the prospect of any 'Buy New Zealand Made' campaign working. Wattie's New Zealand peaches, according to Pak’nSave's online store, are $3.90 a can. Pam's cheap peaches are 99 cents a can. That's a no-brainer, you're gonna buy the 99 cent can. Who is buying the $3.90 can? Grey Lynn? That makes no sense whatsoever. I mean - look, maybe if I thought about it a little bit, which I don't, but if I did, maybe I would pay 10, 20 cents, 40 cents at a push, more for a New Zealand made product. But I would not pay four times as much, it's far too expensive. And I wouldn't even do it in the first place because buying New Zealand made never works, does it? It never has. If it did, we would still be wearing Bata Bullets and buying Juliet Hogan and eating Sanitarium peanut butter. We wouldn't be reading about the closure of manufacturing businesses every other month, which today, by the way, is the Carter Holt Harvey mill in Tokoroa. I do the shopping in our house 90 percent of the time and I don't even know the provenance of the food I'm buying. I do not know where the canned food comes from, I absolutely do not know where the dried goods come from. And often, I'm not even really looking where the fresh fruit comes from. Yep, I know where the meat comes from, but that's basically a given, isn't it? It's simple economics, it always will be. And even if Wattie's has this tiny little hope that there might be a last-minute public rally for the New Zealand grown peaches, I think they already know the outcome, which is why they've already cut the contracts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's talk about this business with the pension age. Chris Luxon has said twice today that he wants the pension age to go up to 67. He said it once on Kerre’s show this morning, and then at a post-Budget lunch speaking to business leaders, he repeated it and he told them that this is basically going to be election policy for National next year. Now, regardless of how you may feel about this, I mean, you'd have to be coming around to the realisation, wouldn't you, that we are inching closer and closer to this thing actually happening. Especially after the changes that the Government made to our KiwiSaver retirement funds yesterday. It's not long now. I think that the Government will have completely wound down its government support of KiwiSaver, and then it's gonna come after the pension next, isn't it? This is where I think it gets tricky, because this is not just about money for people. This is emotional. Let me lay out the emotional argument for you as it plays out in my head, okay? It goes like this: don't touch my pension. You can touch anything else. Do not touch my pension. I don't care if they take away every other piece of welfare that is available to me and other people. In fact, I would actually welcome it, because I think there is way too much welfare in this country for the middle class who don't actually need it. You get a best start payment for having a newborn. You're having a baby. They give you money. You get the winter energy payment. You get Working for Families, which I think is a crime. You get the subsidised childcare for sending your kid to kindy. You get free tertiary education for the 3rd year, God only knows why. Free government money for your KiwiSaver. Now, as far as I'm concerned, there's way too much of that stuff going on. They can take all of that away. If they don't want to take it away, they can means test it so that actually the most, and only the most needy in this country get it. But I will do everything I can to stop them touching my pension. Because I have earned that money. This is not a question about whether I need that money, it is that I have earned that money. I, like you, have contributed huge amounts of tax to this country, and actually I have not claimed very much back for myself. It's certainly not anywhere near how much I have put in. The only thing that stops me from being very sour about how much money they take out of my pay packet every year and the wasting of that money and the bludging by some on that money is the knowledge that when I hit 65 and want to retire, I will get a little bit back. Call it a goodwill gesture from the government, if you like, a government who I have helped prop up just like you have for donkeys' years, by the time that money comes into my bank account. So, good luck to Chris Luxon getting this one across the line. I think it's going to be one of the hardest fights to win because of the emotional argument that I have just laid out for you. I think they might find it easier to take away a lot of other welfare first. And unless they take away a lot of other welfare first, I am not budging on the pension.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Rotten, corrupt': Tiki Taane takes aim at Spotify as Kiwi artists boycott platform Many of New Zealand's biggest musicians are boycotting Spotify and ditching the platform amid accusations of exploitation. Tiki Taane and The Bats are among the big names getting behind Boycott Spotify NZ and other Kiwi bands like Carb on Carb, Synthetic Children and Recitals have signed the statement calling for better treatment.  Taane has cited greed, corruption and investment in European defence technology company Helsing as some of the key reasons why he's walking away. "I love music, I love creating music, but I also have to take a stand against corruption, against greed, against war, against murder - the easiest thing for me to do to help support that is to take my music off the platform and cancel my subscription."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's growing calls to scrap NCEA - and the Government is looking to make some changes to the qualification. What do we make of this? Coldplay's Chris Martin is now warning adulterers to disentangle before the kiss cam comes on. What do we think of this saga? Should the CEO have had to resign?  The Government has confirmed the new Waikato medical school is under way - do we see the costs blowing out? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In November China's economy showed clear signs of strain as investment, consumption, and industrial output all weakened more than anticipated.  "I think the most worrying thing is fixed asset investment actually, which has now declined for the 3rd month in a row," Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Andrew Dickens "We've never seen that before." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.