Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley and senior NZ Herald correspondent Katie Bradford joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!   The fallout from the Michael Laws comments continues - what do we make of all this? Will this cost NZ First votes? Does Winston Peters need to take more action on this?  The US mid...

Police are set to be embedded in fire stations and will travel alongside fire crews in order to crack down on potential Bonfire Night disorder.  This move is part of widespread police operations in Scotland designed to stop harmful incidents amid ongoing concerns.           UK correspondent Enda Brady says Bonfire Night is a big night for 'hooligans' and this wil...

The US midterms have wrapped up, with the Democrats securing a resounding victory and winning the House and Senate. This has had a significant impact on the markets, with Wall Street stocks bouncing up. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie unpacked the results further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 5 November, 2026, Sean Plunkett says underfire Michael Laws has a sore arm but will be back at work on Monday. A top US political analyst says Democrats will now be trying to talk Donald Trump out of war with Iran. On The Huddle, Oscar Kightley and Katie Bradford reveal what they think of the struggling Australian department sto...

Rabobank's newly released November Agribusiness Monthly report is reporting some positive results, but there's some industry concerns surfacing ahead of the summer season. The report shows there's strong livestock returns and firmer dairy prices, but the incoming El Niño could create adverse conditions, impacting farming costs. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

I am no defender of what Michael Laws has said, and I made it pretty clear that I think what he said was quite weird and gross. But I would also find it really weird and over the top if it turns out that New Zealand First fires him as an MP for this. I mean, that does seem to be a possibility here, right? It's possible that Winston is just stalling for time. He's saying there's going to be a board...

One industry expert says the downfall of David Jones is the sign of a bigger problem impacting the retail sector.  The Australian department store has officially gone into voluntary administration, following failed discussions between the 188 year old company and its landlord Scentre Group. Australian consumer and retail analyst Barry Urquhart says all department stores around the world are s...

A four-year contract is a huge step forward for St John. The Government's announced $258 million in funding, going towards day-to-day costs.  It'll also help recruit 220 frontline staff, and pay for  200 new ambulances, starting soon. Chief executive Peter Bradley says they'll soon be fully funded. "Within two years, we'll have all our operating costs fully covered by the Government for...

Exclusive Brethren Church global head, Bruce Hales, has been in the country this week, protected by a significant security presence. Stuff reports residents in Palmerston North's Fitzherbert have seen masked guards in combat gear with dogs, checking vehicles. Brethren spokesperson Arnie Deck says third party contractors recommended such security. He says like other faith groups, they're under incr...

Michael Laws' radio boss claims he's being cyber-bullied in backlash over his denigrating remarks on air about women candidates. The New Zealand First candidate isn't fronting for his slot on The Platform tomorrow. Laws has been condemned for insulting Opportunity Party candidates on the show, including a reference to sex. Platform director, Sean Plunket, says Laws was injured in a fall on Sunday,...

There's growing speculation whether Republican politicians will turn away from their President before the 2028 elections.  A blue wave has hit the US as the Democrats regain power in the House of Representatives with 54 seats, and the Senate with 240. US political analyst Eric Ham says returning Republicans will be assessing where political advantages lie, and it's not President Donald Trump....

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is adamant he won't bow down to any Green demand for a wealth tax.  The Greens want to set a 2.5 percent tax on net assets above $10 million belonging to the super-rich - excluding the family home.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says if the left bloc wins the election, it's likely something will have to give during coalition negotiatio...

Department store chain David Jones Group has been placed into voluntary administration and receivership after months of turmoil. McGrathNicol has been appointed voluntary administrators, with FTI Consulting as the receiver. David Jones employs more than 6,000 staff across its 38 stores, which include one New Zealand site at Auckland’s Westfield Newmarket. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says...

India have dominated New Zealand at a rain-affected opening one-day cricket international in Auckland. The visitors chased a Duckworth-Lewis Method adjusted 143 to win by five wickets with 56 balls to spare - Virat Kohli top-scored with 74. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An MSD paperwork mountain's being blamed for stopping parents getting childcare subsidies. They're encouraged to apply up to four weeks before needing the Ministry subsidy for care and recreation. It pays for up to 20 hours a week of before-and-after school care. The CEO of sKids, Sharleen McKinnon, says busy parents find it overwhelming. "They have to do a renewable form every school term, every...

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been summoned to the High Court to give evidence in a fraud trial in December, according to new reports. Mountbatten-Windsor was not accused of wrongdoing, but he's set to give evidence and take questions in relation to a case where a wealthy woman alleges she was misled by her former financial adviser. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says it's unclear if he will appear...

Some traders in financial markets have expressed concerns about the impact of a potential left-wing Government as the 2026 election enters the final stretch. The concerns are around more Government spending and more policies aimed at lifting wages without boosting productivity, which could add more pressure to inflation.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further...

The major tech companies have reported their results, and the data is offering some new insights into the sector. Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet have reported positive results, but their share prices have dropped.  Milford Asset Management expert Stephanie Batchelor unpacked the results further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! NZ First candidate Michael Laws has faced backlash from all sides of the political aisle after making some questionable comments about Opportunity Party members. How bad does this look? Will this incident cos...

The 2026 election is set to wrap up this coming Saturday, and Labour's Barbara Edmonds is feeling hopeful. The major parties have been reaching out to voters, and Labour will be feeling a boost off the back of recent polling data. Edmonds says the mood feels different from the 2023 election. "Chippy's had a hard three years, he's had to keep us unified - and then here he is, three days left... aga...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 4 November, 2026, a top pollster on why a blue wave against Donald Trump in the Midterms is good for the US but bad for New Zealand. NZ First's Michael Laws v Opportunity - the sexist comments that could count out a post-election coalition. On The Huddle, Jack Tame and Maurice Williamson on whether Opportunity's now a certainty...

Opportunity's Leader has put the ball in New Zealand First's court - over candidate Michael Laws' sexist comments. Laws insulted the demeanour and dress of Opportunity candidate Kayla Kingdon-Bebb and leader Qiulae Wong on his radio show - also making a sexual reference.  Texts seen by our newsroom show Laws apologised to Kingdon-Bebb - saying he didn't mean to cause offence.  Wong says...

There's signs the economy's still shaky, with the unemployment rate now the highest it's been in years, at 5.7 percent for the September quarter. Unemployment was last this high 11 years ago - and it's 13 years since it was even higher. ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner says businesses are likely waiting to make staffing changes. "If you're a business, it's risky to hire people and it's risky to...

Mackenzie District Council's flushing the idea of letting people pee for free, with a new $1.50 fee at public toilets. Councillors have approved the user-pays model at Fairlie, Lake Tekapo, Pukaki and Twizel, hoping to ease the load on ratepayers. People will pay through an app developed by Kiwi company, Penny. Founder Chris Wagner says there'll always be critics of having to pay - with a good rea...

Well, I mean, who is shocked that Michael Laws has said something controversial, right? He was always going to say something to offend people, wasn't he? And so he has, just days before the election. Now, the comments actually date back to last week. They were made on his show, The Platform, where he was talking about Opportunity and, in particular, their candidate, Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, whom he was...