With Christmas just around the corner, Trish Sherson and Tim Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to Wrap the Year.   They discussed Liam Lawson, drinking, and revealed their politicians of the year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Red Bull have given Liam Lawson his Formula 1 wings.  Lawson will take the Red Bull team's second seat for 2025 following the departure of Sergio Perez.  The Kiwi driver has raced 11 times across the previous two seasons as an emergency or mid-season replacement.  F1 Commentator Bob McMurray told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the task in front of Lawson is massive.  He says he’ll be expected to match —or better— a four-time world champion in a team he’s moulded around himself. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashburton's incoming second bridge is being viewed as an economic lifeline for the South Island.  Work on the project will begin in 2026.  The Government will pay for its construction while the district council will foot the bill for the joining road.  Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson says the current bridge has been washed away multiple times.  She told Heather du Plessis-Allan that significant volumes of freight pass through Ashburton daily.  Watson says it goes up to the Christchurch Airport and Lyttelton Port, so a bridge closure makes things difficult for businesses.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A potential US government shutdown is on the cards as Donald Trump calls on Republican lawmakers to reject a cross-party funding bill.   The incoming president's urging Congress to scrap the deal and pass a streamlined bill.  His intervention follows heavy criticism of the bill by tech billionaire Elon Musk.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan the deadline for an agreement is tomorrow night.  He says so far they won't have the bi-partisan vote numbers by that time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's uncertainty if the Reserve Bank will change tack following the revelation of New Zealand's deep recession.  Stats NZ figures out yesterday show GDP fell 1% in the three months to September.  It’s also revised the preceding quarter down to 1.1% contraction.  Former Reserve Bank Economist Michael Reddell says it did achieve its goal of bringing inflation under control.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan he doubts they'll ramp up the size of OCR cuts next year in response to the recession.  Reddell says it's more likely they'll go ahead with a 50 basis point cut, then tail them off next year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand's falling behind in its target to lift childhood vaccination rates.  The agency's quarterly performance report to the end of September shows immunisation rates for children at 24 months has fallen.  There was also a reduction in the number of people being seen in less than four months by a specialist.  Stays in emergency departments are shorter as more newborns are enrolled with GPs.  Chief executive Margie Apa told Heather du Plessis-Allan they're keeping a close eye on declining vaccination rates.  She says they've learned through covid it can be really helpful to get trusted people in the community.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A proposed law change will prohibit universities from adopting positions on issues that aren't related to their core role and functions.   They'll be required to actively promote an environment where ideas can be challenged, controversial issues discussed, and diverse opinions expressed.   Universities will have to adopt a statement on freedom of speech and report annually on it.   Former Victoria University dean and NZ Initiative senior fellow Michael Johnston told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's not a silver bullet to solve the culture problem at universities, but is necessary.   He says problems on campuses are in part a result of a political bias pretty strongly to the left.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most surprising things about that judge allegedly yelling at Winston Peters in the Northern Club is that she is still in her job.  I want to be clear; I don’t want her to lose her job over this, and I don’t even want to be seen to be calling for her head.  I’m just pointing out that she should lose her job.  Because what happened was actually quite serious. We are talking about a judge yelling, not denied, at the deputy Prime Minister, the second most senior politician in the country.  She also accused him, again not denied, of lying in front of a room of people.  Now, you flip that around and imagine it’s a senior minister doing the same, yelling at very senior judges and saying they’re lying in front of a room full of people.  Tell me, does that minister keep their job?  No way. They go.  There’s no way that would be tolerated because no Government would want to be seen to tolerate that kind of behaviour, and it’s got to be the same for the judiciary. They cannot be seen to tolerate verbal attacks on ministers of Government.  Particularly right now. Maybe a few years ago it wouldn't have mattered quite as much.  But right now, there is actually considerable tension between the judiciary and the Government to the point it's actually boiling over at times.  We’ve got courts and lawyers taking cracks at Parliament and that Parliament passing multiple laws to reign in judges.  We’ve got accusations of the Waitangi Tribunal overreaching, Shane Jones making comments about so-called "activist judges" and there is a real concern that comity, which is the mutual respect between the two, is breaking down.  This is so fundamental to a democracy likes ours working.  It is so bad for the judiciary to be perceived to be this hostile towards the current Government.  I can’t see how Ema Aitken keeps her job. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Kiwis will know the name Mark Hadlow.  The NZ Order of Merit recipient is best known internationally for his roles in King Kong and the Hobbit, but he has his fingers in many pies.  In 2017, Hadlow had a one man show called MAMIL (Middle Aged Man in Lycra), exploring the male midlife crisis and the way many of them turn to road cycling.  The show received rave reviews, touring the country for eight years.   Seven years on, Hadlow has created a sequel – GOMIL, standing for Grumpy Old Man in Lycra, premiering in Christchurch in early 2025.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it was great being back in the saddle – literally.   “The show opens with a big sequence, so it’s really interesting getting back on the Pinarello again,” he said.  “Oh goodness me, that was fun.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As always, there are winners and losers in High Performance Sport’s latest funding round.  In the lead up to the LA Olympics in 2028, the organisation has allocated $163 million to 36 different sports.  Rowing, yachting, athletics, cycling, and canoeing all got a funding boost, while sports like hockey, equestrian, and men’s sevens are worse off.  Director Steve Tew says past performance was key when making the decision.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan they really need to hone in on the sports, athletes, and teams that are tracking towards a top eight or podium in LA.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.