Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour MP Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

Wellington City Council wants local authorities to have more power to curb heritage listings. Do we think this is a good idea?

Chris Bishop today confirmed the Government is revising the city's housing capacity number in its new plan and focusing more on building in the city and by transport hubs. Why do we think the Government had to back down? 

Winston Peters copped some backlash over some comments that Labour and the Greens have dubbed 'racist'. Do we think this backlash is fair?

Why do we think the Government hit pause on introducing four-year terms?

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Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour MP Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
Wellington City Council wants local authorities to have more power to curb heritage listings. Do we think this is a good idea?
Chris Bishop today confirmed the Government is revising the city's housing capacity number in its new plan and focusing more on building in the city and by transport hubs. Why do we think the Government had to back down?&nbsp;
Winston Peters copped some backlash over some comments that Labour and the Greens have dubbed 'racist'. Do we think this backlash is fair?
Why do we think the Government hit pause on introducing four-year terms?
LISTEN ABOVE

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

The Huddle: Why do we think the Government had to back down on Auckland housing?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b67127c5-1aa4-4a7b-a112-b3f6007339e9/transcript

I know there’s a suggestion that maybe - just maybe - Moana Pasifika can be saved. But do yourself a favour and don’t waste your time hoping for it because I think this is going to be the club’s last season.

I don’t relish saying that because Moana Pasifika was absolutely one of the highlights of last year’s Super Rugby season. But it has never stacked up financially, has it?

The only reason it was able to pay its way for a while was because it received a temporary injection of Government money from various agencies. There was a bit of financial help from New Zealand Rugby, a bit from World Rugby and of course the fact it was majority owned by a charity that drew tens of millions of dollars in Government income.

Once that Government contract was cut, the financial support came to an abrupt end. Now the money has run out.

It’s lost its big star - Ardie Savea is now in Japan. It’s losing games, sitting at the bottom of the table again and the fans have drifted away. You could argue - and it would be a fair argument - that Moana Pasifika was never really given a fair go because it doesn’t even have a true home ground.

But even if you gave it a home ground and even if you had a star like Ardie Savea every single season, I’d still say it wouldn’t make enough money to wash its face - because none of the clubs do. Or very few of them, anyway.

So if you’re hoping against hope that someone swoops in to save Moana Pasifika, tell me who? It can’t be New Zealand Rugby - because if they step in for Moana Pasifika, are they also going to start bailing out the Hurricanes when they make a loss?

It can’t be the Government either, especially with the prospect of a global recession hanging over us.

That basically leaves private business. And if private business people do step in, it will be entirely out of generosity. And how long does generosity last if there are no results in the bank and no results on the field?

So I’d say: put your hopes away. This will be Moana Pasifika’s last season.

LISTEN ABOVE

I know there’s a suggestion that maybe - just maybe - Moana Pasifika can be saved. But do yourself a favour and don’t waste your time hoping for it because I think this is going to be the club’s last season.
I don’t relish saying that because Moana Pasifika was absolutely one of the highlights of last year’s Super Rugby season. But it has never stacked up financially, has it?
The only reason it was able to pay its way for a while was because it received a temporary injection of Government money from various agencies. There was a bit of financial help from New Zealand Rugby, a bit from World Rugby and of course the fact it was majority owned by a charity that drew tens of millions of dollars in Government income.
Once that Government contract was cut, the financial support came to an abrupt end.&nbsp;Now the money has run out.
It’s lost its big star - Ardie Savea is now in Japan. It’s losing games, sitting at the bottom of the table again and the fans have drifted away. You could argue - and it would be a fair argument - that Moana Pasifika was never really given a fair go because it doesn’t even have a true home ground.
But even if you gave it a home ground and even if you had a star like Ardie Savea every single season, I’d still say it wouldn’t make enough money to wash its face - because none of the clubs do. Or very few of them, anyway.
So if you’re hoping against hope that someone swoops in to save Moana Pasifika, tell me who? It can’t be New Zealand Rugby - because if they step in for Moana Pasifika, are they also going to start bailing out the Hurricanes when they make a loss?
It can’t be the Government either, especially with the prospect of a global recession hanging over us.
That basically leaves private business. And if private business people do step in, it will be entirely out of generosity. And how long does generosity last if there are no results in the bank and no results on the field?
So I’d say: put your hopes away. This will be Moana Pasifika’s last season.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Put your hopes away for Moana Pasifika

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/127e33a5-baed-452d-b1d1-b4310042a5df/transcript

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 17 April.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 17 April. 
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 17 April 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7392b89e-89f4-43d6-a377-b42f00767358/transcript

A construction expert says customers could soon face price hikes of 25%.

Stats NZ data shows petrol prices rose almost 19% last month, while diesel prices were up almost 43%.

AUT Professor John Tookey says the industry heavily relies on oil for producing and transporting materials.

He says the destruction of oil wells and processing facilities in the Middle East could take years or decades to rebuild. 

Tookey says, if it continues, there will be major problems which could become the new normal.

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A construction expert says customers could soon face price hikes of 25%.
Stats NZ data shows petrol prices rose almost 19% last month, while diesel prices were up almost 43%.
AUT Professor John Tookey says the industry heavily relies on oil for producing and transporting materials.
He says the destruction of oil wells and processing facilities in the Middle East could take years or decades to rebuild.&nbsp;
Tookey says, if it continues, there will be major problems which could become the new normal.
LISTEN ABOVE

John Tookey: AUT Professor of Construction Management discusses construction industry crisis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5971e60e-ccb2-4eb3-bf23-b42f00749e57/transcript

The Huddle: Why do we think the Government had to back down on Auckland housing?

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