Donald Trump's son says the US President might walk away from the peace efforts of Ukraine and Russia.

The White House unveiled a new National Security Strategy last week - that the Kremlin's now said is largely consistent with Russia's vision.

It blames the EU for blocking US efforts to end the conflict and doesn't cast Russia as a national threat.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further.

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The new Reserve Bank Governor, Anna Breman, hosted an event for media earlier, allowing financial journalists to get their first look.

Breman is monitoring the impact of tightening financial conditions, amid concerns about the state of the OCR.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further.

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Recent trading updates indicate the nation's leading retailers are feeling the pinch ahead of the busy season.

The Warehouse and Kathmandu are among the big names that have been seeing significant losses over the past few months.

Milford Asset Management's Michael Luke says there's hope things will pick up in the next few weeks, given the demand brought about by Christmas and Boxing Day.

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the Supreme Court has delivered a huge win for family carers of disabled adult children - so where to from here?

The Aussie social media ban is officially in play - so what happens when you take your kids on holiday there?

In an extraordinary move, the NZ Cyber Agency is personally warning 26,000 Kiwis whose computers have been infected with malicious software.

Plus, the Huddle debates why Finance Minister Nicola Willis is pushing for a debate against former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson.

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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This Nicola Willis-Ruth Richardson showdown looks like it'll go ahead next week after the HYEFU release.

As you'll know from listening to this show on Monday night, Nicola's not happy with Ruth. And Ruth isn't too happy with Nicola.

We have a structural deficit and we're not addressing it. Surplus is probably going to be pushed out - again - to 2030. So we have a showdown.

But you might be wondering why the current Finance Minister is debating a former one (of some 30-odd years ago) at all. Well, here's the comms strategy on this:

Ruth has credibility, as least on the right. The left reckons she permanently scarred the country, but you can't deny something had to be done. And people forget the growth and jobs that followed.

Nicola's still earning her credibility, and things have not been going terribly well on that front. Spending's higher than Grant and surplus keeps getting pushed out. The growth is anaemic.

So this is a way of tackling Ruth's attacks head-on and putting them to bed.

Usually, ministers don't give oxygen to debates because it gives their opponent equal standing with them. A bit of the Treasury bench rubs off and can make your opponent seem credible.

Which is why you wouldn't see Luxon near Hipkins outside of a Bollywood dance off - except during mandatory campaign debates.

So, sorry Chlöe and sorry Barbara, this is a Ruth thing.

But there's also a smarter strategy going on here from Willis, I reckon.

By debating somebody on the right, she makes herself seem more centrist in the public's eyes. She distances herself from the Scrooge argument. She highlights how much they are still spending and haven't cut. And will argue cuts now would mean job losses and less growth.

It's basically framing the economic debate as one between the right, and even more right.

Which leaves the left out in the cold. And also looking a little trigger happy on the country credit card.

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Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union 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!

The Australian social media ban for teens under 16 kicked in today - does New Zealand need to follow their lead?

What do we make of the big Nicola Willis - Ruth Richardson debate? Do we think this will happen? And should they bring it to Newstalk ZB?

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Cars could be returning to a section of Auckland's Queen Street, under a new proposal.

Auckland Transport wants to let cars return to the section between Wellesley and Wakefield Street from between 7pm and 7am.

Private vehicles were banned from the area in 2022.

Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck says it's a sensible proposal, and she explained that the area has been negatively affected by the change.

"Last year, the foot traffic was down 36 percent on 2019 in that area - and the spending was down 57 percent."

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The Government's looking to Australia as it explores ways prevent online harm to young Kiwis.

On the day an under-16 social media ban began across the Tasman, our Education and Workforce Committee's released an interim report on its inquiry regarding New Zealand youth.

It reveals issues range from sexual exploitation to self-harm.

Acting Chair Carl Bates says social media can do real harm, but it's not just about the content available.

"It's also about contact and it's about conduct, so things like the intentional use of platforms to harm or abuse others - and also the commerce harms that not only young New Zealanders experience, but others as well."

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