On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 16 April 2025, Wellington's worst kept secret is out of the bag: former Labour leader Andrew Little is running for mayor. He tells Heather what he'd do with the much-debated Golden Mile.  

Finance Minister Nicola Willis gets a grilling over the Reserve Bank's funding - is the bank getting a budget cut or actually a boost?

Why Heather doesn't think cracking down on junk food advertising will do anything to help with kids eating junk food.

Plus, the Huddle debates the Māori Party's call that Māori should get the NZ Super 10 years early.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 16 April 2025, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/andrew-little-former-labour-leader-on-his-bid-to-run-for-mayor-of-wellington/">Wellington's worst kept secret is out of the bag: former Labour leader Andrew Little is running for mayor. He tells Heather what he'd do with the much-debated Golden Mile. &nbsp;</a>
Finance Minister Nicola Willis <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/nicola-willis-finance-minister-says-shes-satisfied-with-the-balance-struck-over-reserve-bank-funding/">gets a grilling over the Reserve Bank's funding - is the bank getting a budget cut or actually a boost?</a>
Why Heather <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/lisa-te-morenga-researcher-on-the-barrage-of-junk-food-ads-targeted-at-children/">doesn't think cracking down on junk food advertising will do anything to help with kids eating junk food.</a>
Plus, the Huddle <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-will-andrew-little-get-votes/">debates the Māori Party's call that Māori should get the NZ Super 10 years early.</a>
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Full Show Podcast: 16 April 2025 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6c90b7e4-9a97-4a12-bcdd-b2c10076b4c2/transcript

Let's not underestimate just how bold Netball New Zealand's decision is to hand control of the ANZ Premiership to private investors.

To be fair, the netball bosses have probably had little choice. The sport was heading towards ruin in this country without outside help.

Eighteen of our best players have signed contracts to play in overseas competitions next year. That includes almost the entire Silver Ferns squad that went to the Commonwealth Games, with the exception of just two players, one of whom has suffered an ACL injury.

No broadcaster wanted to put netball on television without Netball New Zealand covering the production costs. And in a single season, Netball New Zealand lost $3.7 million simply trying to keep the engine running.

This could not continue much longer. Probably not even for another year. That's why the netball bosses have likely had no real option but to let private money take over.

But the fact their backs were against the wall doesn't detract from how bold this decision is.

Netball is the first of our traditional sports to truly pull the trigger on handing control to private interests.

You could argue rugby went first with Super Rugby, but rugby's administrators never really ceded much control. In fact, they didn't give up any meaningful control at all.

You could also argue cricket got there earlier with the T20 deal announced this year. But we don't know the full details of that arrangement, if the parties themselves even do. And that competition isn't due to start until January 2028, whereas this netball deal has to be finalised within weeks.

The licence will soon be handed over to Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray. It's happening.

This is the beginning of the privatisation of our traditional sports.

Netball has probably been forced to move first because it's in the greatest financial trouble. But that may also prove to be its silver lining. Going first means getting the money first.

And not just the money. It also means gaining the commercial expertise of successful business people such as Anna Mowbray.

Don't underestimate the value of that.

Here's hoping it works.

Frankly, it probably couldn't have gone much worse than where it was headed.

LISTEN ABOVE

Let's not underestimate just how bold Netball New Zealand's decision is to hand control of the ANZ Premiership to private investors.
To be fair, the netball bosses have probably had little choice. The sport was heading towards ruin in this country without outside help.
Eighteen of our best players have signed contracts to play in overseas competitions next year. That includes almost the entire Silver Ferns squad that went to the Commonwealth Games, with the exception of just two players, one of whom has suffered an ACL injury.
No broadcaster wanted to put netball on television without Netball New Zealand covering the production costs. And in a single season, Netball New Zealand lost $3.7 million simply trying to keep the engine running.
This could not continue much longer. Probably not even for another year. That's why the netball bosses have likely had no real option but to let private money take over.
But the fact their backs were against the wall doesn't detract from how bold this decision is.
Netball is the first of our traditional sports to truly pull the trigger on handing control to private interests.
You could argue rugby went first with Super Rugby, but rugby's administrators never really ceded much control. In fact, they didn't give up any meaningful control at all.
You could also argue cricket got there earlier with the T20 deal announced this year. But we don't know the full details of that arrangement, if the parties themselves even do. And that competition isn't due to start until January 2028, whereas this netball deal has to be finalised within weeks.
The licence will soon be handed over to Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray. It's happening.
This is the beginning of the privatisation of our traditional sports.
Netball has probably been forced to move first because it's in the greatest financial trouble. But that may also prove to be its silver lining. Going first means getting the money first.
And not just the money. It also means gaining the commercial expertise of successful business people such as Anna Mowbray.
Don't underestimate the value of that.
Here's hoping it works.
Frankly, it probably couldn't have gone much worse than where it was headed.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Let's hope the private investment into domestic netball works out

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/459b2670-8891-4d3a-8c1d-b4b80078ee80/transcript

An illicit tobacco expert says it's clear the trade has established a foothold here.

The Government has already created an action group of Customs, police, and health officials - with improved planning and joint operations to fight the illegal trade.

The industry estimates around one in three cigarettes consumed here are illegal.

Former Australian detective Rohan Pike says he's already managed to buy an illegal pack.

"It took me about one minute after landing on Sunday night to find these at a convenience store straight across the road from my hotel."

LISTEN ABOVE

An illicit tobacco expert says it's clear the trade has established a foothold here.
The Government has already created an action group of Customs, police, and health officials - with improved planning and joint operations to fight the illegal trade.
The industry estimates around one in three cigarettes consumed here are illegal.
Former Australian detective Rohan Pike says he's already managed to buy an illegal pack.
"It took me about one minute after landing on Sunday night to find these at a convenience store straight across the road from my hotel."
LISTEN ABOVE

Rohan Pike: former Australian detective issues warning about illegal tobacco trade growing in New Zealand

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/eedb53b2-d935-48b5-9ec5-b4b800779a3f/transcript

The Public Service Minister says decisions on cutting the amount of Government departments are expected after the election.

Newstalk ZB has recently revealed Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche last year recommended the Government reduce the 42 agencies to between 15 and 20.

Minister Paul Goldsmith says there's plenty of countries the same size as New Zealand that can get by with less. 

"There's no magic number, and we certainly haven't made any final decisions - but it's something that we've given some thought to."

LISTEN ABOVE

The Public Service Minister says decisions on cutting the amount of Government departments are expected after the election.
Newstalk ZB has recently revealed Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche last year recommended the Government reduce the 42 agencies to between 15 and 20.
Minister Paul Goldsmith says there's plenty of countries the same size as New Zealand that can get by with less.&nbsp;
"There's no magic number, and we certainly haven't made any final decisions - but it's something that we've given some thought to."
LISTEN ABOVE

Paul Goldsmith: Public Service Minister voices support for reducing the number of Government departments

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c12955a6-e952-4a70-800f-b4b80074f238/transcript

Full Show Podcast: 16 April 2025

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