Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

So the Government just announced what they’re calling the biggest change to road funding in 50 years. Once these changes kick in, petrol taxes are out and RUCs - road user charges - are in, for everyone. Not just truckies, not just EV drivers, not just diesel users, every single one of us. This is not really a surprise, the Government flagged this two years ago. But now the work is starting a...

New World shoppers have been left disappointed by the supermarket's latest giveaway, as key items have been running out weeks into the promotion. The braiser is both the most sought after - and most expensive - item up for grabs, but many customers have reported a shortage of stock. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says 70,000 of these braisers were ordered, but the company didn't expect thi...

Competition's lacking in the supermarket sector and Kiwis are struggling to put food on the table.  The Commerce Commission's Annual Grocery Report's revealed our grocery prices are the fifth-highest in the developed world.  It highlights the market isn't supportive of new players, and major supermarkets continue to wield power over smaller stores. Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden...

The Transport Minister says the petrol tax needs replacing - to keep up revenue for maintaining roads. Chris Bishop's announced universal road user charges will be implemented for all vehicles, to be paid like a bill. The Government wants payments to reflect road-use, not a vehicle's fuel-efficiency. Bishop says with 350,000 hybrids on the road, fewer people are paying fuel taxes. He explained the...

New Zealand businesses owe more than $1.4 billion in unpaid GST and PAYE from the 2025 tax year, according to new reports. Of 2025's number, $432.9 million relates to employer activities and $1.047 billion to GST. IRD Customer Segment Manager Tony Morris says this data's in line with what's happening overseas - but it's an area they aim to put more focus on. "What we're seeing is a bit of an incre...

The sluggish job market is another bump in our road to economic recovery, according to some recent predictions. The unemployment rate's sitting at 5.2 percent - its highest point in five years.  In late 2021, it was just 3.2 percent.  Westpac senior economist, Michael Gordon, says it shows our economic slowdown's ongoing.  He says it's not too surprising, given the Reserve Bank's mo...

The Government has unveiled a new plan designed to level the playing field for all motorists. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop's announced the Government plans to implement universal road user charges, to be paid like a bill. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this sounds like a good concept in theory, but there's some key flaws. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystud...

Elon Musk’s reputation has taken a noticeable dive, according to the most recent data. Gallup surveyed Americans about what they thought of  14 well-known U.S. and global figures, with 61 percent of respondents having an unfavourable opinion of Musk. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says that other people in Trump's inner circle also had negative net favourability ratings, with RFK Jr and JD V...

Fishing practices are facing a major overhaul, on a scale not seen for decades.  Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says his new reforms remove obstacles to growth, for the $1.5 billion dollar industry.  The changes include simpler land and discard rules for fishers on monitored vessels - and the exclusion of on-board camera footage from the Official Information Act. Sport Fishing...

Nigel Farage has called on the police to release the immigration status of the suspects charged with crimes following the arrest of two men in connection with an alleged rape in Warwickshire. The Reform UK leader said he 'absolutely' thinks such details should be released when asked about the matter at a news conference. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com...

The latest unemployment statistics for New Zealand are due out tomorrow, and experts are divided ahead of the announcement. Many are projecting the market will have deteriorated further, but some are hoping things would have picked up. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump surprised New Zealand businesses with a new 15 percent tariff, and experts have crunched the numbers to find out what this could mean for our key sectors. The imposition of the new tariff on Kiwi exports is projected to cost the red meat sector an estimated $300 million and wine exporters $112 million. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour minister Stuart Nash joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Should NZ on Air fund reality TV? What about netball getting a boost? What do we think of all this? Another week, and more stories about small children being abused at the hands of their carers. Why do w...

I want to talk about kids being bashed by their families. We've had a really bad run of it - I don't know if you've realized - in the last few weeks. As far as I can see, just in the last 8 weeks, we've had the toddler in the suitcase, and we've had the baby in the bin in Auckland. We've also had a 2-month-old go to hospital with serious injuries that happened today, we've had a 3-month-old taken...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 5 August 2025, the Education Minister wants AI to mark most school exams by 2028. Heather asks the teachers union's Chris Abercrombie whether that's a good idea. The software retailers use to report theft is so good, it's overwhelming police with 8000 reports just last month. Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says it's a...

Rules are being slashed for homeowners building small garden sheds and sleep-outs.  The Government today announced there will soon be no boundary distance rules for detached buildings smaller than 10 square metres.  Currently, the distance must at least match their height. Construction Minister Chris Penk explained that the rules needed to be updated for people trying to do more with les...

A candidate claims his running for two different mayoralties is not an issue. Andrew Maxwell Clark's put his hat in the ring to replace his brother, Nobby Clark, as Invercargill's mayor. But he's also campaigning in his hometown, Tasman. He's campaigning as Andrew in Invercargill - and as Maxwell in Tasman. Clark says he put his hand up for Tasman before he knew the incumbent was running again. LI...

New World customers are struggling to get their hands on Smeg kitchenware, available under a 12-week promotion. They can collect one sticker for every $20 spent. But the highest-value option, the braiser, is running out - and New World says there won't be any extra deliveries.  Consumer NZ, CEO Jon Duffy, says New World has specified this is 'while stocks last'. But he says it's also required...

Police systems used to track crime may be struggling to cope, with a growing number of reports coming in. Auror is an Auckland intelligence platform used by retailers to give police information on potential offenders.  It shows retail theft reports have doubled from 4000 a month in 2022 - to 8000 a month this year.  Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says the volume gives a good...

A secondary teachers' union is dubious AI could adequately grade almost all school assessments within three years. The Government plans to replace NCEA with a system emphasising literacy and numeracy more.  The Education Minister is also now saying AI is already partly in use for marking - and NZQA is confident it could do almost all assessments by 2028. PPTA President, Chris Abercrombie, say...

The Government's unsure if foreshore and seabed changes will spark major backlash. It's going ahead with plans to make it more difficult for iwi to get customary marine titles, giving them rights over certain coastline activity. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper weighed in on the changes - and speculated about the possible reactions.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/liste...

The latest ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index shows Australian consumer confidence has reached the highest level in over three years. More Australian households have reported feeling better off financially, with levels expected to grow in the coming months. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the RBA is set to meet next week - and economists are hopeful a rate cut will come. LISTEN ABO...

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has revealed a State of Origin game in New Zealand could become a reality. Reports claim the NRL is in negotiations with New Zealand government and tourism officials to take Origin to either Auckland or Christchurch in 2027. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversial new foreshore and seabed legislation is expected to pass within months. The Government has confirmed it'll go ahead with changing the Marine and Coastal Areas Act. It follows a Supreme Court ruling, opposing an original Court of Appeal decision that could've made it easier for iwi to have ownership rights over coastlines. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says there will be...

The weather is set to take a turn in the UK, with storm warnings setting off travel alerts. Weather warnings have been upgraded for most of Scotland as Storm Floris bears down on the UK. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.