Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Nick Hill is the principal of Christchurch Boys’ High School, and I have no doubt he is a very good headmaster with the best of intentions. But I am not exaggerating when I say I am shocked by the argument he seems so keen to advance. Last month, he wrote an article for the Herald, and this month he has doubled down on those views in a letter to principals. In that letter, he urges schools to stop...

For the first time, the odds driving past an NZ-built motorhome are higher than ever. After a boom-bust cycle during COVID, New Zealand's motorhome market is starting to stabilise, and it's no longer a boomer-dominated market.  Kiwi motorhome company TrailLite's joint Managing Director Shaun Newman says, "for a lot of people, a holiday house isn't a viable option for them anymore." He says mo...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 23 October, 2026, is the election over for Chippie after the gang fiasco? We question the Labour leader. An expert's warning to check your connections after a cyber security flaw takes down websites around the world. Business is booming for motorhomes - and it's not just Boomers buying them. And one of our Sports Huddlers, Nathan...

Oh, I tell you what, I cannot see Chris Hipkins winning the election now. I mean, if you thought that Mongrel Mob fiasco was bad before, it's got so much worse for Labour. Their candidate has quit and Chris Hipkins himself now looks like he's been fibbing to the public. It turns out, now that we've seen the video of Kerrin Leoni at the Mongrel Mob event, that it wasn't at all the family gathering...

Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper sits down with Heather du Plessis-Allan to review the week in politics.  Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni has cut ties with the party after a video circulated of her campaigning with the Mongrel Mob.  The debates are wrapped up, Barry picks his winners...and losers.  And the founder of the Opportunity Party says the party is leaning too far to...

Tonight on The Huddle, NZ Herald Sports Journalist Nathan Limm and Sports Commentator Lavina Good join Heather du Plessis-Allan to the review this weeks' sports.  The Northland Taniwha have soldiered to the NPC final, can they defeat heavyweights Canterbury and take the trophy home? The Constellation Cup continues over the ditch, can the Silver Ferns maintain momentum? And why was Grace Nweke...

India have won the first match against the Black Caps of the T20I series.  They beat the Black Caps by a narrow four wickets at Hagley Oval, taking the first win of the 5 match series.  Cricket Commentator and former Black Cap Scott Styris told Heather du Plessis-Allan that, 'the six frontliners on that surface, which looked a good one for betting, didn't quite have the key to unlock tha...

The Defence Force Chief is resigning after 42 years of service due to an undisclosed inappropriate relationship.  Air Marshal Tony Davies says he's taking responsibility for errors of judgement he made in the past.  He says he regrets not disclosing the relationship when given the opportunity, and his actions run contrary to Defence Force values. Military Lawyer Matthew Hague told Heathe...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he wasn't told the full truth about the gathering that led to Kerrin Leoni's resignation as Tāmaki Makaurau candidate.  At a debate this week, Te Pati Māori's Oriini Kaipara accused Leoni of visiting a gang pad a week before she did - which Leoni denied.  Footage surfaced yesterday of her campaigning this month at a family event including gang members, we...

Tough new sanctions on criminals who skip their sentencings will come into effect next year. Judges in England and Wales will soon be given stronger powers to block prison visits and keep offenders in their cells for weeks after the fact. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained these new terms further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a big week for the tech sector, with Meta and SpaceX recently publishing their earnings. Elon Musk recently claimed third-quarter revenue went up to $14.6 billion year over year, beating out the $12.86 billion analysts projected.  Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie unpacked what this result means for investors. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feilding High School has called for agricultural and horticultural science to remain a standalone subject for Year 11 students, and Federated Farmers has voiced support for this move. Under proposed changes to the school curriculum, agriculture would be folded into general science for Year 11 students, with Year 12 and 13 instead having the option to take Food and Fibre Systems from 2029.  Th...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 22 October, 2026, are TVNZ workers making a political statement by going on strike just before the election? A mum jailed for bashing her baby is going to the Court of Appeal - for a second time. We talk to the journalist who's campaigned to overturn the conviction and sentence. Why young people are being urged to add video to...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and former Green MP Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! NZ First has recently unveiled their plan for defence spending, including increasing defence spending to 3 percent of GDP, merging the Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters, capping executive pay, creating a NZ Marine Force and inc...

I'm surprised because TVNZ journos basically never strike. The last time they did was 20 years ago, in 2006. Yet, when they finally decide to strike, they choose to do it just nine days before an election. Surely they're smart enough to realise how political that's going to look. Now, I'm not saying they're necessarily trying to be political but I'd bet the two unions organising the strike absolut...

New reports indicate more young job seekers are being asked to submit short videos - alongside the traditional tailored CV, cover letter and filled-in questionnaire. While this trend is more popular overseas, more Kiwi employers are looking to utilise videos to sort through applicants as well. Student Job Search CEO Louise Saviker says many of the roles advertised through the platform are front-fa...

One expert says it looks like New Zealand First is preparing for conflict with its new defence plan.  The party wants to increase defence spending to three percent of GDP, up from the current goal of two percent.  It proposes merging the Army, Navy and Air Force HQs, creating a Marine Force and increasing personnel by more than 5,000. Massey University Professor Beth Greener says it does...

Winston Peters has voiced his disapproval with the High Court overturning the ban on puberty blockers. The Government last year banned the treatment for new patients with gender dysphoria and incongruence. The court's ruled in favour of the transgender support group fighting the regulation. labelling the ban discriminatory and disproportionate. The New Zealand First leader claims allowing the medi...

TVNZ journalists will walk off the job next Thursday for the first time in two decades. About 140 unionised newsroom staff will strike for an hour from 1pm, protesting the state broadcaster's 2.5 percent pay rise offer. E tū national secretary Rachel Mackintosh says the broadcaster is in a better financial position than expected following the success of the World Cup. "They are actually in a bette...

The September quarter's reprieve from inflation is likely to be temporary, according to one expert. The Consumers Price Index measure of household expenses rose 3.7 percent in the year to September - down from 4.1 annually to June. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says changes since mean it'll go up again - pushed by many costs. "Going through into building costs, we've seen the likes of...

Labour's leader says he's confident candidate Kerrin Leoni didn't visit the Mongrel Mob, as alleged by a Te Pāti Māori MP. Oriini Kaipara and another party MP visited the mob HQ - alongside a Green Party MP and candidates, posting photos online. In a Whakaata Māori election debate, Leoni denied Kaipara's claim she'd visited the week before. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper sa...

Australian MP Helen Haines has now lost both of her legs after she was struck by a vehicle outside her electorate officer earlier this week. Haines' left leg was amputated shortly after the attack, and surgeons recently confirmed her right leg had to be removed as well.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says she's 'critical, but stable' and people from across the country have been wishing...

The Silver Ferns have managed to hold onto the lead following their second Constellation Cup match.  They've defeated the Diamonds 62-50 in Christchurch, taking a 2-nil lead in the four-match Constellation Cup series. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped last night's match further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The case of a mother who was jailed after Starship Hospital doctors testified that her baby had been deliberately injured is set to have her conviction reconsidered by the Court of Appeal. The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the conviction after new evidence was uncovered in an investigation led by Newsroom.  The Newsroom investigative journalist leading the charge, Melanie Reid...

KiwiSaver provider Milford Asset Management’s performance has been lagging compared to its competitors in recent times. In the year to September, its active growth KiwiSaver fund returned 3.4% (after fees and before tax) – a result well below others in the market that delivered above 10%. NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenee Tibshraeny joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to break down why, and if...