Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

There's no shortage of research on the dangers of not sleeping enough, but sleeping too much has been found to be worse for your health than expected. New research has revealed that people who sleep over nine hours per night are 34 percent more likely to live shorter lives than those who sleep the ideal 8-9 hours a night. Dr Alex Bartle from the Sleep Well Clinic says if you frequently sleep longe...

The Government's scrapping card surcharges at the till, which collectively cost Kiwis $150 million each year. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson confirmed they'll ban in-store credit and debit card surcharges, like paywave fees.  He says it's important for consumers to have transparency when it comes to pricing.  "In a competitive world, businesses understand the price-...

A frosty reception for the Prime Minister at the ANZ Premiership grand final in Auckland yesterday - with booing from the crowd. Chris Luxon is brushing it off, and says he was well-looked after at the event. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon's taken the backlash in his stride, and acknowledged the backlash that comes with politics.   LISTEN ABOVE See omny...

Anthony Albanese recently claimed Israel is 'quite clearly' breaching international law by withholding aid from civilians in Gaza. He added that he would respect formal processes for determining any breaches - but said the actions were a 'breach of decent humanity and morality.' Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says there's been pressure on Albanese to join France in recognising a Palestin...

The Warriors' bid for a bounce back NRL season will come against a Dolphins side likely to have a returning pair of veteran props. Both Felise Kaufusi and Mark Nicholls are set to be nack in the mix for Friday night's game at Mt Smart.  Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains whether the Warriors can turn their luck around. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's aiming to strike a balance between cutting red tape and keeping people safe on work sites. Officials are consulting with the construction sector on changing rules on scaffolding. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Brooke van Velden, says over-compliance makes jobs cost more - and take more time. Building Industry Federation chief executive Julien Leys says health and safety...

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 25 July. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First up, we need to talk about Gaza.  I'm not gonna be graphic, and, and I'm not gonna talk about what it is hap what's happening there in detail. You already know, you can choose to read about it yourself, and I recommend that you do just to the point that you can kind of handle it.    Credit, today, to Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia.   He has stopped pussy...

Ghislaine Maxwell, a key former associate to Jeffery Epstein, is due to meet with the Deputy Attorney General of the US for a second day in a row tomorrow.  These meetings come as the controversy surrounding the release of the Epstein files continues to grow.  US Defence Attorney Randy Zelin told Heather duPlessis-Allan that 'there are two paths for Ms. Maxwell to get home.’  ‘One w...

There are doubts that high-strength beers are causing as much harm as critics say.   The products are sold as singles in supermarkets and liquor stores and are stronger than RTDs, ranging from seven to 16 percent.   'Communities Against Alcohol Harm' has been raising the issue at a number of public hearings - calling for a ban.   But Brewers Association Executive Director Dylan Firt...

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Bollier) has died at the age of 71. He was the face of the WWE in the 1980s, and stayed involved in the sport long after his retirement from professional wrestling. Sharon Mazer, author of ‘Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle’, told Heather duPlessis-Allan, ‘He was the one in the bright light at the end of the night, and generally the victor.’ S...

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark wants New Zealand to recognise Palestine as a state.  The United Nations calls the war a nightmare of historic proportions - as concerns are raised over aid being withheld.  French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined his support for a two-state-solution, recognising Palestine.  Helen Clark told Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealand needs to do the...

Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced the first major changes to the GP clinic funding model in over 20 years.   He says from this time next-year, the money will be better distributed based on the needs of the population.   But Royal Colleges of GPs President Samantha Murton says clinics could lose money if the funding pool stays the same.   She hopes funding will be level - an...

India and Britain are set to sign a free trade deal to cut tariffs on goods and increase market access for the two countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the UK to sign the deal, and he's set to have further discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America's healthcare sector is at a crossroads. The US spends almost 20 percent of GDP on healthcare - nearly double the OECD average - but there's pressure to cut down on wastage. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protestors who are not fans of being pepper-sprayed, handcuffed or locked up in a police cell were taught how to avoid these unsavoury events at a training event. The Protest Skills Night event, organised by Climate Liberation Aotearoa was held in Otago and aimed to show protesters how to demonstrate their points using "non-violent direct action techniques". The Country's Jamie Mackay had some str...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 24 July 2025, the Government is making significant changes to voting rules. Same day enrolments are gone and you must now enrol to vote before early voting starts two weeks before election day. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith speaks to Heather. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she still has confidence in the chair of the Rese...

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  A group of healthcare workers want MPs to waive their and their families' private healthcare during their time in office to ensure they're not insulated from the realities of our public health system. What do we make of this? The G...

Let's be honest with each other about something. That increase in rough sleeping that the cities are anecdotally reporting to that homelessness report will be caused by the shutting down of those emergency motels. I know the Government's trying to avoid having to admit that, but that is the big thing that's changed since the election. They've shut down the motels and some of the people who we...

There's growing calls for politicians and their families to give up private healthcare when making decisions for the country.  A letter signed by health workers argues MPs should rely on the public EDs, waitlists and services used by everyone else.  Spokesperson Doctor Marcus Lee says health workers are frustrated with the public system.  The Northland cardiologist says it comes dow...

Stock exchange operator NZX chief executive Mark Peterson has resigned from the role - and will step down at the end of April 2026. Peterson explained that the time was right for him to stand down and for the board to look for a new chief executive. He says he's overseen plenty of challenges and successes in the role over the last few years. "You've got to make these tough calls - but we've also,...

The Green Party is pushing to reinstate passenger rail across the country - starting by connecting Tauranga and Auckland.  It's launched a petition targeting the Minister for Rail to get it done.  The party says it would cost $10 million over four years to extend the Te Huia train to Tauranga.  But Transport Spokesperson Julie Anne Genter says it will cost more to achieve the long-t...

The Finance Minister's repeating dismay over the Reserve Bank handling of its Governor's abrupt resignation. It's been confirmed chair Neil Quigley apologised to Treasury over Adrian Orr's behaviour, just weeks before he quit. It wasn't released through official information requests - and follows the central bank also apologising over its management of the departure. Nicola Willis says she was awa...

The Government says its overhaul of electoral laws - will bring swifter and simpler election processing. It plans to end same-day enrolments - with a cut off 13 days before election day.  The Justice Minister says late enrolling contributed to vote counting ballooning to three weeks.  Paul Goldsmith says it could have grown to four weeks, without change. "More and more people have been e...

The Justice Minister is moving to overhaul electoral laws, calling them outdated and unsustainable. He'll end same-day enrolment and prohibit offering free food, drink and entertainment near a voting place. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper agrees with these proposed changes - and suggests it could speed up the vote-counting process. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...