Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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.