Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The EU's retaliatory tariffs on US exports have been delayed again - this time until early next month. The countermeasures, which were due to begin this month, came in response to President Donald Trump's initial import taxes on steel and aluminium. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Trump has recently threatened to bring in higher tariffs for the European Union on top of the earlier sanctions.&nbsp...

One of New Zealand's leading building sector bodies is launching standard house designs that will be available to all, in an attempt to bring down costs. The Building Research Association of New Zealand has developed an accessible plan for building an affordable and sustainable home.  BRANZ General Manager of Research Dr Chris Litten says housing affordability is a significant issue in New Ze...

US President Donald Trump is renewing his threats to Canada, vowing to slap a 35 percent tariff on its goods. He says he'll impose the tariff on Canadian goods starting in August. Trump's also made threats of blanket tariffs of 15 or 20 percent on most trade partners. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly reveals how the markets reacted. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

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! New data shows more young Kiwis are having issues finding work. Do we have any inspirational messages for young people looking for jobs? How can they get ahead?  Is the UN interfering with NZ's sovereignty?  Ray Chung has...

The Finance Minister says revelations she wanted to keep numbers attending this year's Budget lock-up more restricted than she suggested is a mountain out a of molehill. After a wave of criticism directed at Treasury for restricting lock-up numbers - Nicola Willis said she stepped in to enable more people in. An extra 30 people were added to the list. But new OIA documents show it was actually Wil...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 14 July 2025, how much money did we waste on the Te Pukenga experiment? Minister for Vocational Training Penny Simmonds tells Ryan Bridge the shocking cost, and why we're going back to 10 independent polytechs from next year. A Tasman community has yet again been hit by mountains of slash. Ngātīmoti resident Steph Jewell reports f...

Put your hand up if you've ever had a bus suddenly pull out in front of your car while you're driving along, minding your own beeswax. I know. It's happened to everyone. They're long things aren't they, buses? So you can be halfway past one when they pull out, and all of a sudden you're slamming on the brakes or you're pushed into the wrong lane. I don't mind admitting that until this very morning...

There's immense pressure for young New Zealanders trying to find work as opportunities decline. Stats NZ data shows 16 percent of Kiwis aged 15-24 are unemployed. NZ Careers Expo director Mark Gillard says the market conditions show it's a tough market for young workers. "It's not anybody's fault, the onus is certainly there on employers, on industry organisations to engage with young people. Ther...

Paul Gallen is speaking out after things got heated between him and Sonny Bill Williams ahead of their high-profile match in Sydney. The pre-fight press conference initially saw both fighters seemingly ready to skip the verbal jabs in exchange for the in-ring shots on Wednesday. However, the latter stages saw Gallen accuse Williams of drug use - and for charging large sums for his community work.&...

The Government's assuring industry groups they'll still have influence as polytechnics change. Next year, 10 polytechs will return to regional governance - but four remain under Te Pūkenga's umbrella. More decisions will be made mid-next year.  Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says these 10 institutions are following a planned pathway designed to boost long-term viability. "This i...

Huge landslides in Tasman have caused widespread destruction in the past week's damaging storms.  The area's State of Emergency continues - but recovery efforts are in full swing after flooding, slips and power outages. More than 800 properties are being assessed for damage in Tasman and Nelson. The town of Ngātīmoti was badly hit. Local Steph Jewell says logjams that meant homes flooded - ar...

Moves have been made to restore regional governance to 10 polytechnics.  The Government is undoing Labour's merger of institutes under the Te Pūkenga umbrella.  The 10 selected are deemed to be on a path to financial viability - and will stand alone from next year.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says these changes will hopefully help the regions boost employ...

Anthony Albanese will use high-profile meetings with top business leaders in Shanghai to boost the Chinese-Australian trade relationship. The Prime Minister is also expected to back industry efforts to decarbonise China's huge steel sector.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Albanese will also meet with Xi Jinping tomorrow - to further discuss trade. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co...

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's hinting some more experienced squad members yet to get a run against France could get their opportunity in Saturday's third test in Hamilton. An unassailable 2-nil series lead affords the hosts the chance to mix up their selections for the final match. Robertson says they'll be balancing opportunity with continuity in picking their 23. Sportstalk host Jason Pine...

New data shows there's been a noticeable surge in high school students passing NCEA numeracy and literacy assessments. Latest results show 57 percent achieved the maths standard across all year levels in May this year, up from 45 percent in the same month last year. 61 percent met the reading standard for all year levels - up from 58 percent. Education Minister Erica Stanford says she's 'proud' to...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 11th July 2025, the mayoral campaign for Wellington councillor Ray Chung appears to be in tatters after a sex gossip email he sent about Tory Whanau was made public. Chung told Ryan Bridge he stands by the email, and makes a jaw-dropping admission.  Deborah Hart, the chair of the Holocaust Centre, is warning that antisemitism...

Jewish leaders are calling for New Zealand to follow in Australia's footsteps and formulate an antisemitism strategy.  The Australian special envoy's plan includes harsher hate speech laws and stripping funding where possible from broadcasters, universities and arts institutions.   It follows a string of antisemitic attacks in Australia in the past few months.  Holocaust Centre of N...

The Wellington Mayoral race was supposed to be winding down into boring town.  Tory went wild, had a tipsy whirlwind on Courtenay Place. A bit of booze, a bit of dine and dashing. It was salacious, it was scandalous.  As stories of late-night escapades and unpaid bills and missed council meetings flooded the newspapers, the streets flooded, literally. Every time a scandal burst onto the...

Embattled Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung is refusing to pull out of the race, despite being ditched by a major financial backer.   It comes after the Herald revealed Chung sent emails detailing an unsavoury sexual rumour about Mayor Tory Whanau – rumours she's categorically denied.   The scandal has led to high-profile Wellington philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschik withdrawing hi...

Last week saw the All Blacks defeat France by a narrow four points.  Despite facing a greener Les Bleus side, the All Blacks struggled a bit in getting that victory over the line.  Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Ryan Bridge that last week’s result could influence France in one of two ways.  He says their close score could either be motivational, or they could think that Dunedin...

The Victoria University of Wellington Students Association is turning heads with its new campaign.   “No work. Sh*t pay. Why stay?” is the slogan for their “Where’s the Work?” campaign.  The group is aiming to draw attention to the record number of students ditching the country for prospects overseas.  Engagement Vice President Aidan Donoghue told Ryan Bridge they’ve seen within the...

It's been 40 years since the French sunk the Rainbow Warrior. They wanted to stop the protests against nuclear testing at Mururoa. The terrorist attack by an allied country on on our soil was outrageous. Two years after the event, we cemented our nuclear free stance.   We're officially against nuclear weapons. Testing is bad for the environment, no doubt. But let me ask you a question. Since...

Illegal immigrants from France are still arriving in the UK. Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are set to announce a deal that addresses this. Junior Doctors are also going on strike despite pay-rises from union-negotiations. UK correspondent Enda Brady says they're lacking public sympathy as everyone's already struggling financially. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Fisher Funds' Sam Dickie explains how Tesla shares have dropped significantly. He says the company is suffering from Elon Musk's alignment to Trump, and from Chinese brands making better products. He says they need a CEO who's focused on the company, and not distracted with other ventures. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Listener, Woman’s Weekly and Woman’s Day are up for sale as owners Are Media go on the market. The sale raises the inevitable question of the future direction of the magazines under any new ownership – and whether they will remain under one umbrella. Founder and Managing Editor for The Spinoff Duncan Greive says magazines are just a tough market to be in, everywhere in the world. He says despi...