Best Rod Wallace Podcasts (2026)

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Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the US' actions in Venezuela, Trump's focus on oil 5:24

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10h ago5:24

5:24

US taxpayers could be on the hook to subsidise the rebuilding of Venezuela’s oil infrastructure. The US launched strikes over the weekend and took President Nicolas Maduro into custody, shipping him back to New York under duress and detaining him on drug-trafficking charges. It’s pressuring Venezuela to end drug smuggling and let in American oil co…

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Chlöe Swarbrick: Green Party Co-Leader on the polls, 2025, plans for 2026 9:41

14h ago9:41

9:41

Despite a wobble in the polls last year, Green Party Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick thinks the party is in a good place. Over this term the party's reached as high as 15% in some surveys, but it dropped to 7% in the last 1News Verian poll of 2025. Swarbrick told Andrew Dickens she’s proud of the plans they’ve put on the table and thinks they’re in a rea…

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Summer with the Mayors: Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Peter Revell 5:31

14h ago5:31

5:31

The days of cyclone recovery are over, and the Coromandel is open for business this summer. Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Peter Revell joined for a chat about the region’s recovery, rates, and all the gorgeous places you can visit on your summer roadtrip. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Carolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on the proposed closure of EB Games' New Zealand stores 3:13

15h ago3:13

3:13

Retail New Zealand's Chief Executive says the closure of Australian retailer EB Games would have a wide-reaching impact. The Australian video-game retailer's proposing shutting its 38 New Zealand stores and its Distribution Centre. Staff reportedly have until Monday to feed back on the plan. Retail NZ's Carolyn Young told Andrew Dickens the retail …

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Holly Brooker: Child Online Safety Advocate on the need for stronger restrictions for pornography access 7:13

15h ago7:13

7:13

A child online safety advocate's calling for stronger restrictions on access to pornography after a coroner's linked a teen's death to content found on the internet. The inquest found the teen had probably been attempting to imitate sexual acts seen online in 2024. Advocate Holly Brooker told Andrew Dickens New Zealand's done little to regulate the…

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Deidre Vercoe: Department of Conservation Kakapo Recovery Manager on breeding season starting 3:39

15h ago3:39

3:39

Conservationists are expecting a lot of breeding action from threatened kakapo over the next month. The nocturnal, flightless parrots reproduce in tune with rimu, which have a mast season of extra growth every three or four years. The Department of Conservation says there are 83 breeding-aged females this season, up from 55. Kakapo Recovery Manager…

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Noris Argotte Soto: France24 Latin American Correspondent on the tense peace, armed police in Caracas in the wake of Maduro's arrest 3:49

14h ago3:49

3:49

Residents of Venezuelan capital Caracas are avoiding the streets as armed police patrol the city. President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are being detained in New York after being captured by US forces over the weekend in a violent attack. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has taken over the reins, with some normality returning to the country But Franc…

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Rod Liddle: UK Correspondent on the response to the US' abduction of Venezuela's President 6:01

1d ago6:01

6:01

The UK Prime Minister is in an awkward position following the US’ action in Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro was taken in a US military operation over the weekend, and is soon to stand trial in New York on drugs and weapons charges. Keir Starmer told the BBC he will shed no tears over the end of Nicolas Maduro's regime, but is not prepared to co…

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Catherine Field: France Correspondent on Paris courts finding ten people guilty of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron 7:20

1d ago7:20

7:20

A Paris court has found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying France's first lady Brigitte Macron with false online claims about her gender and sexuality. Their sentences range from cyberbullying awareness training to eight-month suspended prison sentences. Some of their posts suggested Macron was transgender, born a man, and were viewed tens of thousa…

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Nicolas Lamperin: ASB Classic Tournament Director on the 2026 tournament 10:05

1d ago10:05

10:05

Summer has returned to Auckland and with it the ASB Classic. The two-week long tennis tournament begins today, and the competition is hot. Elina Svitolina, Emma Nacarro, and Stan Wawrinka are some of the world-class names taking to the court this year. Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin told Andrew Dickens it’s the atmosphere around centre court …

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Kelvin Davidson: Cotality's Chief Property Economist on house prices falling 1% in 2025 3:07

1d ago3:07

3:07

New Zealand may be in for a more positive property market in the new year. Cotality’s January Home Value Index shows that property values were down 1% in 2025 – a drop of 17% from the 2022 peak. Regional performance varied, with Aukland and Wellington remaining weak, but Southland districts and provincial centres such as New Plymouth and Queenstown…

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Jordan Williams: Taxpayers' Union Executive Director on Tourism New Zealand spending over $9 million on influencer advertising 2:56

1d ago2:56

2:56

Concern Tourism New Zealand's chasing clicks, with no breakdown available for the millions spent on social media influencers. A response to the Taxpayers’ Union shows $9.4 million has been spent since 2023 on 65 influencers across global markets. They were engaged to promote campaigns ranging from destination marketing to Minecraft downloadable con…

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Summer with the Mayors: Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker 5:50

1d ago5:50

5:50

Dunedin was in the news a fair bit last year, and its time in the spotlight has continued into the new year with the death of former Mayor Jules Radich. Current Mayor Sophie Barker joined Andrew Dickens to pay tribute to her predecessor, as well as discuss the city's growth and the story that got the most airtime: the hospital. LISTEN ABOVE See omn…

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Logan Church: 1News US Correspondent on the arrest and trial of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro 5:59

2d ago5:59

5:59

Venezuela's Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, has been formally sworn in as acting leader. US forces seized President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas in the weekend, who today denied drug and weapons charges in a New York court, alongside his wife He told the 92-year-old judge he is an innocent, decent man, and still Venezuela's leader. 1News US Correspon…

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Simeon Brown: Health Minister on the review into Manage My Health's data breach 7:25

2d ago7:25

7:25

Manage My Health expects to start working in coming days through notifying people caught up by last week's data breach. The privately-owned health platform has now identified who's affected. Health Minister Simeon Brown says it needs to do better at informing the public what's happening. But he told Andrew Dickens the notification process will be c…

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Wayne Mapp: Former Defence Minister on how New Zealand should respond to US invasion of Venezuela 4:42

3d ago4:42

4:42

After months of strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats the USA conducted air strikes on multiple military targets in Venezuela's capital Caracas and captured President Nicolas Maduro. Foreign Minister Winston Peters made the government's first statement following the invasion, saying in a post on X: "New Zealand is concerned by and actively monit…

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Liz MacPherson: Deputy Privacy Commissioner advises on how to keep safe from data breaches 3:22

3d ago3:22

3:22

Two major data breaches rattled New Zealand's online privacy last week with both Neighbourly and Manage My Health becoming victims of a cyber attack. Personal information and sensitive medical records are now on the dark web after the hackers, who call themselves 'Kazu', issued a low-ball ransom demand of $60,000. Liz MacPherson spoke to Andrew Dic…

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Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Bondi Beach heroes receiving standing ovation at Ashes test 4:22

3d ago4:22

4:22

Ahmed Al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the shooters in the Bondi Beach attack, along with other first responders and community members, were honoured in a special ceremony before the first day of the final Ashes test in Sydney. "There was this rolling applause, standing ovations. It was tremendous, it really, it gave you goosebumps," Australian corres…

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Glen Scanlon: Water Safety NZ CEO on the 2025 drowning toll increase 3:52

3d ago3:52

3:52

On December 22 New Zealand reported that 70 people had lost their lives from drowning, in the nine final days of 2025 eight more died. Water Safety NZ's CEO Greg Scanlon joined Andrew Dickens to analyse how we fared in the water last year, and how to stay safe for the remainder of the summer. "Look at the common sense things you can do to keep your…

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Dr Matthew Schmidt: International relations expert says Trump's actions are unconcerned with international laws or norms 5:53

3d ago5:53

5:53

At around 2am local time on January 3 the USA conducted strikes on Venezuela's capital city of Caracas in an alleged effort to remove sitting President Nicolás Maduro. The US has accused Maduro of leading a criminal drug-trafficking organisation. A mix of celebration and protest have spread through Venezuelan communities, but the question remains o…

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Dave Faulkner: Hoodoo Guru lead vocalist and guitarist on upcoming NZ shows 7:21

5d ago7:21

7:21

The Hoodoo Gurus are returning to New Zealand to perform at the Greenstone Summer Concert series, alongside Iggy Pop and Joan Jett, and New Zealand's very own Zed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

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Hayden Brown: How to stick with your New Year's resolutions 3:39

5d ago3:39

3:39

A study by Strava found that only 8-9% of people stick to their New Year's resolution until the end of the year, and over half give it up by the second Friday of the month. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

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Wattie Watson: Firefighters start year with hour long strike 3:09

5d ago3:09

3:09

If your house catches fire today, you better hope it happens after 1pm. The Professional Firefighters Union is set to strike again today at 12pm - but only for one hour. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

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Vino Ramayah: Manage My Health Chief Exec on data breach 6:55

5d ago6:55

6:55

A major breach of the country's largest collection of health data has privacy experts concerned. Manage My Health is an app which allows patients and their GPs to privately communicate, send prescription information and share test results. Due to a cyber attack, 120,000 of the app's 1.8 million kiwi user's data has been compromised. LISTEN ABOVE Se…

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Summer with the Mayors: John Glover 5:36

6d ago5:36

5:36

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor John Glover joins to sum up the year for the countries leading district in tourism. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

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Nadia Yousef: Cyber security expert on health data breach 4:16

6d ago4:16

4:16

Data breaches aren't as uncommon as you'd like to think - if you don't think your passwords are being sold somewhere online you're dreaming! But when it comes to some of your most private data, like doctor's appointment notes and test results, you'd probably be right to be a bit more concerned. This is the case for users of Manage My Health, a pati…

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Zoi Sadowski-Synnott: Gold medalist on 2026 Olympics 10:32

6d ago10:32

10:32

She made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics, bringing home a gold medal in the slopestyle and a silver in the big air. But after an injury disrupted her 2024, she's once again dominated this year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

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Steve Greally: Road toll sees reduction for third consecutive year 4:39

6d ago4:39

4:39

The provisional number of road deaths in 2025 is currently 272, down from 292 in 2024. This marks three years in a row that road deaths have seen a reduction, due in large part to Operation Open Roads. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

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Lanny Wong: Nursing that New Year hangover 3:39

6d ago3:39

3:39

You wanted to celebrate the new year appropriately, but you don't want the first day of the year to be a complete write-off - so what do you do? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

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George Seton: What happens to all those tents left at festivals? 3:22

7d ago3:22

3:22

We've seen the photos and videos on social media going viral every year, showing the mountains of rubbish that have to be dealt with after every new year's festival. Tents that got hit by the weather, covered in mud, with festival-goers who just don't want to deal with packing it back in their cars. But the clean up still has to be done, so what ha…

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Alon Roth: Why Israel is stopping some aid organisations from working in Gaza 6:17

7d ago6:17

6:17

Israel has announced it will stop dozens of humanitarian organisations from working in Gaza from January 1st. It says these organisations - including Doctors Without Borders - have failed to meet new requirements to hand over details of international staff in the territory. But the Israeli Embassy says the combined contribution of these organisatio…

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Summer with the Mayors: Mahe Drysdale 6:27

7d ago6:27

6:27

Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale joins to sum up his second year as mayor, discuss councillors getting a 15.56% raise, and One Love cancelling its 2026 event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

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DJ SuperGran: 81 year old DJ steals the show at Rhythm and Vines 3:43

7d ago3:43

3:43

An 81-year-old's smashing stereotypes - choosing DJ decks rather than knitting needles. Molly Pardoe - who goes by the stage name DJ SuperGran - is making history as the oldest performer to take the stage at Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines Festival. She also chairs festival partner charity, SuperGrans Tairawhiti Trust. Pardoe says music has always been…

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Scott Dixon: Kiwi IndyCar legend awarded Knighthood for contributions to sport and charities 6:09

7d ago6:09

6:09

One of the country's leading figures, in motorsport is becoming a Knight in today's New Year Honours List. The country's most successful modern motorsport champion, Scott Dixon, claimed his sixth IndyCar Series championship and his fourth 24 Hours of Daytona victory in 2020. With 59 victories and six series championships, the “speedster” has been a…

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Coral Shaw: Former Judge and Chair of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and faith based care made a Dame for contributions to society 4:36

7d ago4:36

4:36

Three new Dames have made today's New Year Honours List. Former judge Coral Shaw has led a range of public sector reviews, notably, chairing the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and faith based care. She served as a district court judge before becoming the first female employment court judge from 1999 to 2009. She told Andrew Dickens…

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Leighton Smith: NewstalkZB's own made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit 5:41

8d ago5:41

5:41

Leighton Smith is being made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Broadcasting. He hosted the Mornings Show on ZB for 33 years, and after retiring in 2019, he started his podcast which is running to this day. When asked about his commitment to the industry, he told Andrew Dickens that, "Radio is radio. It represents everything…

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Sir Rod Drury: Xero founder receives Knighthood for infrastructure and philanthropy projects 6:19

8d ago6:19

6:19

Leading figures, in motorsport, business, medicine and the arts are becoming Knights in today's New Year Honours List. Xero founder Rod Drury, of Ngāi Tahu, has supported multiple infrastructure and philanthropy projects - particularly in Queenstown Lakes District. He told Andrew Dickens that the title, "Doesn't kind of roll off the tongue yet, tha…

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Nick Smith: Nelson Mayor comments on anniversary of Police Seargent's death 6:07

8d ago6:07

6:07

New Year's Eve celebrations in Nelson tonight will have a tinge of sadness, as the city marks one year since Police officer Lyn Fleming was killed on the job. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers will be joining beat patrols in the city tonight. Chambers says he wants to back up staff who were working alongside Fleming a year ago, and to remember h…

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Pita Tipene: Northland Regional Council Chair discusses proposed rates freeze 4:47

9d ago4:47

4:47

Northland local government leaders are reacting cautiously to news of Te Tai Tokerau’s first proposed rates freeze in a decade. The zero-rate increase has been put forward by Northland Regional Council for its 2026/2027 financial year and would affect 100,000 ratepayers. Chairman Pita Tipene told Andrew Dickens that council had been looking for sav…

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Thapi Makgabutlane: MetService forecaster says conditions expected to settle in the coming week 2:26

9d ago2:26

2:26

Wind warnings remain in effect across the lower North Island, upper South Island and West Coast. Foxton residents are being asked to urgently conserve water, and thousands of homes are without power in Manawatu, Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast and north of Westport. State Highway 57 is closed south of Palmerston North, and motorists on the Desert Road are…

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Casey Spearin: Know Your Stuff General Manager discusses importance of drug testing over party-period 3:47

9d ago3:47

3:47

It's New Year's Eve tomorrow, and many Kiwis will be celebrating the New Year with parties and late nights. However, accidental overdoses and spiked drugs are the major issue with hospital visits for cocaine, ketamine, methamphetamine use. Know Your Stuff General Manager Casey Spearin told Andrew Dickens that, "We work with the end user to say, 'wi…

1
Kieran Spillane: Live Nation Festivals Director says Rhythm and Vines team are prepared for New Years 5:05

9d ago5:05

5:05

Organisers of Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines festival are prepared for every eventuality. Thousands have descended on Waiohika Estate vineyard for the three-day music and camping festival - running since 2003. Festival-goers remain in high spirits - despite heavy rain last night and light rain forecast today. Live Nation Festivals Director Kieran Spil…

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Karen Ritchie: K Road Community Safety co-founder says anti-social behaviour is too common 5:05

8d ago5:05

5:05

Safety in central Auckland's back in the spotlight, after Sunday morning's mass brawl on Karangahape Road, leaving three people with serious head injuries. A 21-year-old man's appeared in court, but Police are still looking for other people involved. K Road Community Safety co-founder, Karen Ritchie, told Andrew Dickens that public violence, anti-s…

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Rehette Stoltz: Gisborne Mayor says Rhythm and Vines rocks on despite bad weather 5:36

9d ago5:36

5:36

Rain hasn't dampened the party atmosphere at Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines festival. Thousands of festival-goers have descended on Waiohika Estate vineyard for three-day music and camping festival - running since 2003. Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz told Andrew Dickens that locals once loathed the event but it's now embraced by almost everyone. He say…

1
Alan Wallace: Auckland Transport head of road maintenance on avoiding summer roadworks 3:35

9d ago3:35

3:35

Over 450 kilometres of Auckland roads will be getting a refresh in the coming weeks as droves of Aucklanders head out of town for summer. Auckland Transport's head of road maintenance Alan Wallace joined Andrew Dickens to chat about how people can best avoid the roadworks. Wallace said, "everything we're doing, we're trying to do it in a way that m…

1
Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader looks ahead to next year's election 9:00

10d ago9:00

9:00

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says he is confident ahead of next year's election. He told Andrew Dickens that the party is focused on gaining more confidence from the public, and says he will still be the Labour Leader when the election rolls round. 'Our our public support's been, really building, and we've got some real momentum going into this camp…

1
Jimmy Rushton: Kyiv based Foreign Policy and Security Expert discusses Russia's bombing of civilian targets 4:43

10d ago4:43

4:43

More attacks from Russia - as the Presidents of the US and Ukraine prepare to hold talks in Florida. Russia has bombarded Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with strikes by missiles and hundreds of drones - knocking out power and heat in parts of the capital. Kyiv based Foreign Policy and Security Expert, Jimmy Rushton, [told Andrew Dickens that this …

1
Chris Abercrombie: PPTA President says students are more likely to choose life skills over subjects 3:49

10d ago3:49

3:49

The PPTA says the popularity of school life skills and personal development classes reflects a shift in what students want from school - not just parents. Ministry of Education figures reveal nearly 68 thousand students enrolled in courses in this field in 2025 - up from about 49 thousand in 2021. PPTA President, Chris Abercrombie, told Andrew Dick…

1
Richard Arnold: US Correspondent gives updates on Zelenskyy-Trump peace talks 5:35

10d ago5:35

5:35

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has travelled to Florida to begin talks with President Trump about a peace plan. This is the first visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago by Zelenskyy, and the talks aim to narrow the issues on the US sponsored peace plan. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Andrew Dickens that while Zelenskyy has been negotiating peac…

1
Aksel Bech: Waikato Mayor discusses Hamilton's future, summer tourism and small-town living 5:51

10d ago5:51

5:51

The Waikato district is the 4th largest region in New Zealand, covering 25,000 square kilometres. Waikato Mayor Aksel Bech is encouraging Kiwis to take a trip to the Waikato over summer, saying that there's more going on than people may think. 'The Waikato region's got lots to offer, not just future facing, but, some of the old-time charms as well'…