Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Hostilities have ignited again between Iran and the US, undermining the fragile memorandum of understanding.  US Central Command claims it's bombed more than 80 Iranian targets - the vast majority being small boats in the Strait of Hormuz.  It says this is retaliation for Iran attacking three commercial vessels in the waterway. Middle East correspondent Gordon Robison says it's not clear...

The final quarterfinal spot at the football World Cup has been decided via penalties in Vancouver. The Swiss have eliminated Colombia 4-3 on penalties, after playing out a scoreless match over 120 minutes. They'll meet defending champions Argentina in the final eight on Sunday, who came from 2-nil down to beat Egypt 3-2. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystud...

Labour says its solar policy will benefit renters and rural communities, not just city-dwelling homeowners.  National and Labour's election policies would both let homeowners pay back low-interest loans for solar through their rates.  But Labour's plan announced today also lets local lines companies provide loans - repaid back through power bills.  Leader Chris Hipkins says this pla...

US President Donald Trump is headed to Türkiye for the NATO summit, and anticipation is growing. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is set to be top of mind, but other concerns up for discussion include the US-Iran conflict and America's earlier attempt to acquire Greenland.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says more defence deals are in the pipeline, but it's unknown what Trump's mood is. LISTEN ABOVES...

Relentless rain is driving more evacuations in Kaikōura, which is under a state of emergency. At least 150 households have been told to evacuate in Kaikōura, most recently from upper Red Swamp. State Highway 1 is closed between Waipara and Ward, and expected to stay shut overnight. The Country's Hamish Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Green MP Gareth Hughes and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Is Erica Stanford right to not put restrictions on VPNs? What did we make of this? Did we think she was going to introduce restrictions?  China launched their missile test today - did we over-react? Should we be worried...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 7 July, 2026, Education Minister Erica Stanford on whether she's considered restrictions on VPNs - or not - as part of an under-16 social media ban. Former police senior sergeant Tony Bouchier tells us whether he agrees with the Supreme Court overturning two murder convictions for the Red Fox Tavern shooting more than 40 years ag...

Let's talk about the Chinese test of that nuclear-capable missile. More specifically, let's talk about New Zealand's response to it, which was quite full-throated in its criticism of China. I find myself unable to get as worked up about this as Winston Peters because, please correct me if I'm wrong, I can't see that China has actually broken any rules here. Before firing the missile, China alerted...

Genesis is backing a Parliamentary petition to ban incandescent light bulbs, and it's prompted concerns from some. These bulbs are already banned in the Australia, the EU, the US, Canada and many other countries.  However, physique specialist Tim Bean says people who are constantly exposed to LED lights have a strong 'blue spectrum' and it interferes with our sleep-wake cycles. "It does disru...

Plugging a a solar panel into your own wall is currently illegal in New Zealand, but the Government's looking into changing that. In a post on Facebook, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says work is currently under way to make this change happen. Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey has welcomed this move, saying this development would be 'amazing'. "It's something that we thought needed to happen in New...

Has a second NRL team in New Zealand edged closer to a reality after the NRL's new multi-billion dollar broadcast deal? The Australian Rugby League Commission has signed a new seven-year TV rights deal with its existing partners on both sides of the Tasman, including Sky TV, starting in 2028. The NRL wants to increase to 20 teams during that period, with Christchurch considered a candidate for an...

Tauranga residents are up in arms over NZTA's plan for a second toll point on the new Eastern Link. Drivers passing through the Pāpāmoa East Interchange would be charged $1.10, on top of the $2.30 already charged. A public meeting tomorrow's expected to be fiery.  City Councillor Steve Morris says it's not fair for people living in Pāpāmoa East. "What's worse is that 80 cents out of that $1.1...

A criminal defence lawyer has highlighted the challenges around convicting people in historic cases. Lawyer Tony Bouchier's comments come after the Supreme Court overturned two guilty murder verdicts in a cold case killing. James Henry Wilson and Mark Joseph Hoggart were found guilty in 2021 of killing Red Fox Tavern publican, Chris Bush. Bouchier's says the evidence wasn't strong enough, especial...

The Education Minister denies ever considering banning Virtual Private Networks as part of the social media ban for under-16s, but says the tool was talked about. The Post reported this morning Erica Stanford was looking at prohibiting VPNs, which lets internet users mask their location and online address. The Prime Minister and Stanford rejected the claim. She says they discussed VPNs in a differ...

The Government's celebrating the new diesel storage tanks opening at Marsden Point. The Northland site will store 93 million litres emergency reserve, ordered at the peak of the fuel crisis, in April.  It paid Channel Infrastructure to upgrade its tanks.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government's looking to boost up emergency supplies following the unce...

The Australian Government has raised concerns over China's decision to test their ballistic missile in the Pacific. The missile was fired from a Chinese submarine, landing between Kiribati and Tuvalu. China says it complied with international law - and didn't target any nation. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this follows Australia inking the Vuvale Union Treaty with Fiji. LISTEN ABOVESe...

Belgium have banished the United States from their home Football World Cup after a crushing 4-1 win in round-of-16 action in Seattle. The eighth ranked side in the world were in command from the outset, taking the lead in the ninth minute. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped the action further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will spend just one day in Auckland as he tours the South Pacific, but one planned event has sparked controversy. A Kia Ora Modi event is planned for that night at Spark Arena, organised by the Indian High Commission - with 12,000 people expected to attend. Massey University professor and researcher Mohan Dutta has raised concerns that the rally will be a 'Hindu...

Later this week, a court verdict will be determine whether nationalist frontrunner Marine Le Pen can stand in next year's presidential election.  Recent opinion polls indicate the leader of the National Rally is well-positioned to become France's next head of state. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says if the appeal follows the original verdict, Le Pen will be declared ineligible for public offic...

It's been a turbulent time for AI-based investments. The AI capital expenditure-leveraged Korean and Japanese share markets have recovered from last week's drop, but experts say things are still 'volatile'. Shane Solly from Harbour Asset Management explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sleep Store is celebrating 20 years of helping families find the right products for their kids. The brand has gone from a kitchen table start-up to filling more than 150,000 orders per year. Co-founder and director Louise Tanguay says it's 'wild' to look back at how much the brand has grown. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 6 July, 2026, questions over a team of specialists at Starship Hospital who decide if parents abuse their children. Newsroom investigative journalist Melanie Reid tells us where they've got it wrong. Greens co-leader Marama Davidson explains why the party wants a ban on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. We celebrate 20 years of the S...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! National is looking to prioritise seven new free trade deals if they get re-elected again. Do we think this is a good idea?  Winston Peters says voting is a 'privilege' and only citizens should get to vote. What do we make of t...

How good was that All Blacks test? I want to say I'm a little surprised by the number of commentators moaning about it and saying they're not impressed - but if I'm completely honest with you, I'm not that surprised. Some of the criticism is fair. There were fumbles, there were discipline issues, the French scored first, they threatened throughout the game and it was a very close scoreline in the...

The Finance Minister is hopeful that New Zealand's exports will grow significantly over the next ten years. If reelected, National says it will pursue trade negotiations with Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association.  It would seek talks with a further six trading nations over the next decade.  Nicola Willis says it's likely the...