Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A geopolitical expert says it's a good thing a New Zealand navy ship was on its own in waters around East Asia - when it was shadowed by seven Chinese warships. The vessel was patrolling last month as part of international efforts to monitor and restrict North Korea’s nuclear and missile activity. The Defence Force says the Chinese ships followed at a safe, professional distance. Geoffrey Miller told Ryan Bridge we'll have to wait and see if there are further repercussions. He says China's usually more offended by joint actions with other Five Eyes countries - so it's probably better our Defence Force was alone. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Falls for the Greens and Te Pati Maori in the latest 1 News Verian Poll - which gives the coalition more than enough seats to govern. National is on 36 percent, up two - while Act is also up two to 10 percent, and New Zealand First steady on nine. In the left bloc, Labour was up three to 35, but the Greens dropped four to seven, and Te Pati Maori - after weeks of infighting - fell two points to one percent. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge they're focused on doing things to make sure people are better off, can get ahead, and have strong public services. She says it's positive to see that most people, if given the chance to vote tomorrow - would re-elect the current Government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employers and Manufacturers Association has high hopes for tomorrow's reveal of the Resource Management Act overhaul. The Government's announcing significant changes tomorrow, foreshadowing it as one of this term's biggest pieces of reform. It says it'll be introduced this year - and pass before next year's election. EMA Advocacy Head, Alan McDonald, told Ryan Bridge councils interpret the current RMA for themselves - letting planning differ from region to region. He says the old RMA system did not protect the environment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Ryan Bridge about today's political hot topics. Luxon sold the RMA reform we'll see tomorrow from Chris Bishop and Simon Court. Minister of Police Mark Mitchell is at odds with former police commissioner Andrew Coster over who knew what and when in the McSkimming scandal. A New Zealand war ship is being shadowed by a Chinese fleet near Taiwan.  And, Helen Clark's father passed away. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix is set to acquire Warner Bros Studios in a Netflix agrees to acquire Warner Bros Studios in a $125B deal including HBO Max.  Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has said theatrical releases will become more limited, as Netflix sees them as not 'consumer friendly'. Media commentator Duncan Greive told Ryan Bridge: "historically, Netflix has been at best tepid, probably more accurately hostile, towards movie theatres." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 5 December. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to consider the question, will New Zealand ever be a rockstar economy again? The phrase 'survive until 25' promised economic prosperity this year, but in reality little growth was seen.  But, Bloxham says the key is to "aspire to try and be a rock star." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Sports Huddle sports journalist Nathan Limm and Jeff McTainsh from Sky Sport joined in on a discussion about the sports issues of the week - and more! TVNZ cricket commentator Scotty Stevenson called Christ College students 'syrup suckers' on live TV. Was he out of line? A proposed cricket league is causing a stir. Are former cricketers right to be concerned about the NZ20 league? And, should Etzebeth have to miss international tests for his eye-gouging incident? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Heather du Plessis-Allan about today's political hot topics. Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has been reinstated to Te Pāti Māori, for now, after she took her expulsion from the party to court. A leaked phone call between European leaders shows confidence in Trump's loyalty to Ukraine is not strong. And, ten years ago we voted against changing the flag. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi’s membership of Te Pāti Māori has been reinstated after she took her expulsion from the party to court. Although, the decision is an interim measure ahead of a substantive hearing on February 2, where legal expert Graeme Edgler believes her reinstatement will be reversed.  Edgler told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "ultimately, if Te Pāti Māori wants to get rid of this person from their party, they'll probably be able to do it, and the courts will probably let them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.