On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 17 May 2024, flights in and out of New Caledonia have been delayed until at least Tuesday as riots continue. Air NZ's Captain Hugh Pearce tells Heather how tricky the security situation is for crew and passengers.

Green MP Julie-Anne Genter has been doing the mea culpa media round, so will all be forgiven and forgotten?

Three A-league players have been arrested in Australia for alleged betting corruption, including an All Whites player and a former Phoenix captain. Former Phoenix player Paul Ifill reacts and the Sports Huddle weighs in too.

Plus is this the worst sound ever? A crunchy burger?

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A man has been charged with attempted murder, over an apparent attempt to assassinate Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Fico remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being shot several times during a walkabout.

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis Allan there’s been reports that the suspect is a 71-year-old, but other than that not much is known.

Grey said “Others are saying his motive was the Slovak government’s stance on the media – they are cracking down on Newspapers.”

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Vladimir Putin has arrived at Harbin, China’s ‘Little Russia’.

He is visiting a China-Russia trade fair today to highlight the strong economic ties between the superpowers.

Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis Allan “Putin wants ongoing support from China, and access to China’s financial system.”

Lewis said Putin needs to pay for things in other than USD, because Russia doesn’t have access to that system.

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Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper wraps the political week.

We’re two weeks away from the Budget, the deadline by which government agency chief executives were asked to find 6.5 percent in savings.

But Chris Luxon says it doesn't end with the Budget -- he wants it to be the start of a permanent culture shift within ministries.

Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “Chris Luxon’s budget speech didn’t tell us much, except not to expect a lolly scramble.”

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Donald Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen has been accused of lying about phone call at Trump hush-money trial.

Trump has been charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for allegedly paying off film star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had sex with him.

US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis Allan “They were throwing everything they could against him - to try paint his entire testimony as a giant lie.”

Mitchinson said “I think this was one of the few times that Trump actually opened his eyes in court.”

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All White Clayton Lewis reportedly among three A-League players arrested by New South Wales Police for match-fixing.

This comes as the A-League’s finals rapidly approach - Wellington's Sky Stadium has sold out Saturday’s semi-final between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory.

Weekend Sport Host Elliott Smith told Heather du Plessis Allan “They couldn’t have picked a worse time for this to come to light.”

Smith said “It’s cast a shadow over the game.”

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All White Clayton Lewis is reportedly among three A-League players arrested by New South Wales Police for match-fixing.

According to Australian media, all three play for Macarthur FC. Lewis was arrested alongside captain Ulises Davila and midfielder Kearyn Baccus.

Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Heather du Plessis Allan “Davila was possibly taking instructions from a Mexican cartel.”

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Air New Zealand has confirmed Nouméa airport in New Caledonia is closed until Tuesday, as civil unrest continues.

Air New Zealand says it will only resume services when it can guarantee safety for ground staff and customers.

Air New Zealand’s Captain Hugh Pearce told Heather du Plessis Allan that it’s one thing for the airfield to be opened and operating, but it’s another thing for people to safely get to and from the airfield.

Pearce said “Our thoughts are with those people on the ground.”

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