Larry Williams Drive

Economist Tony Alexander says we could face a recession later this year if consumers cut their spending as much as they're planning to. In his latest survey, Tony found that 20% of people were planning on cutting spending in the near future, up from 11% in the first three months of the year. Tony Alexander joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re not a fan of the kinds of climate activists that glue their hands to walls, then brace yourself because I have got next level douchebaggery to tell you about. There is a group in the UK called Tyre Extinguishers who go around deliberately deflating the tyres of SUVs and utes because these vehicles are considered the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide on the road. They have just set up a branch in Auckland of someone – because it’s probably just one lonely, bored hand wringer at this stage – who went around deflating tyres in Sandringham last week. They then popped a flyer on the windscreen of the vandalised cars that said: “ATTENTION – your gas guzzler kills. We did this because driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge consequences for others” This is not going to win anyone over, is it? Is anyone targeted by these people going to get on board with the climate message and realise maybe they should ditch that SUV and catch the bus instead? I doubt it. And get a load of this: The fl

The budget's a week away, do you think this is the Government's chance to claw back some political points?  Jacinda Ardern will be hoping she doesn't come down with Covid as well. She's got a big trip to the US planned. NZME business commentator Fran O’Sullivan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has tried to stem the bad crime headlines with a half-billion-dollar announcement on law and order. They've promised action on ramraids but don't have much detail on that yet. Talk is the Government is going to continue the public transport subsidy – but if they do that should they also continue with the discount on the fuel tax. What do you make of climate activists who deflate SUV tyres? Prince Harry has an announcement to make on Māori Television tonight. Is it ok to leave a message in your neighbour's letterbox to tell them to mow their berm? Hayden Munro, former Labour Campaign Manager, and Phil O’Reilly, former Chief Executive at Business NZ, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan on the Huddle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AA reckons we'll see the price of fuel hit $4 a litre this year are you going to extend the discount on fuel taxes and public transport fares? Budget next week... will this bring some meaningful relief on cost-of-living issues for all Kiwis? We spoke to the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce on Friday... Queenstown now has more staff vacancies than ratepayers... When is the Government going to make it easier to bring staff in to deal with labour shortages? Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The director of a clothing chain hit by ram raiders says we should reach out to kids on social media to stop them. Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson says the Government could potentially assist stores to install anti-crime measures. Yesterday's law and order package included a commitment to help retailers, but lacked detail on exactly how. Huffer Director Kate Berry told Heather Du Plessis Allan we could launch a social media campaign on the likes of TikTok. “To say ‘crime is not ok’ and actually, these people should put their time and efforts into positive educational facilities rather than destroying the fronts of our stores.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.