Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A charity focused on helping Kiwi youth get ahead is at risk of closure after losing out on required funding. Lower Hutt-based charity Youth Inspire missed out on $60,000 worth of funding for its driving school, which provides lessons and training for at-risk Kiwis looking to build up their skills. CEO Zainab Ali says they're not sure why the Government isn't offering them the funding, and they've...

Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to announce a crackdown on social media for teens in the coming days. A speech from the Prime Minister, which will include a new policy on social media, is planned for next week. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the tech companies aren't happy with this development, but Starmer has confirmed this is going ahead.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

New data shows Australian business confidence is on the up - but things are still gloomy across the Tasman. The survey from National Australia Bank showed its index ​of business conditions held at +3 in ​May, ending four months of losses. Confidence ⁠improved modestly to -14, from -23 in April. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Doubling funding for the QEII National Trust would be the best bang for buck conservation investment the next Government could make, Federated Farmers says. The National Party recently announced it will double the trust’s funding if it’s part of the next Government. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Brigitte Morton from Franks Ogilvie and former Green MP Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Apple has announced a significant overhaul of Siri, as well as a suite of changes to its trust and safety features designed to keep users safe - will this motivate us to buy new iPhones? The Government is moving forward with t...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Andrew Dickens for Tuesday, 9 June, 2026, we ask Energy Minister Simeon Brown who'll pay for a billion-dollar liquefied natural gas import terminal now he's dropping the levy. We talk to Independent Children's Monitor chief executive Arran Jones about how Oranga Tamariki is letting down Maori children. Jetstar chief executive Stephanie T...

So the LNG power plant is set to go ahead to protect us when renewables run low. The Government must be satisfied that the business case stacks up, because that’s what they said they would consider. At the same time, the Government will be cracking down on power companies during dry-year shortages. Fines for failing to secure enough backup electricity could jump from $2 million to as much as $10 m...

Amid the ongoing fuel crisis, Jetstar is celebrating a major milestone. The airline is celebrating 17 years of operating in New Zealand, and they see the nation as a solid growth market. Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully says it's a big milestone, and the company's marked the occasion with a big sale. "It's important for us, and we get excited when we have big sales - and we always have a big birthday s...

A report on Oranga Tamariki has concluded the agency's letting down Māori children.  The Independent Children's Monitor's found 65 percent of Māori who grew up in care, have children who follow the same path. It also shows 95 percent of Māori youth offenders had been the subject of reports of welfare concerns to OT. Monitor chief executive Arran Jones says Māori fare worse in the system under...

Apple's announced digital assistant, Siri, is getting an upgrade - expected later this year - to become Siri AI.   The company is promising a better artificial intelligence experience for users.  With the help of Google, Siri will remember past conversations, have a more conversational tone, and help across apps.  BusinessDesk's Peter Griffin says Apple isn't trying to compete with...

The Government is pressing on with their proposed LNG Import Terminal build, but they're binning a proposed levy to fund it. The Energy Minister says says gentailers are being consulted on a fair funding model, but Kiwis can be certain they won't be charged in their power bills.  Simeon Brown explained it's the job of the big power companies to manage the dry year risk - and the Government's...

Kiwis drinking less could hurt the Government tax take, according to new reports. Stats NZ data published last week shows total beverage volumes have fallen 10.7 percent since 2020 The Brewers Association estimates Treasury is likely overstating total alcohol excise revenue as much as $180 million dollars a year - up to 2029. Executive Director Dylan Firth says it's been overestimated in Budgets f...

A drive-by shooting targeting a funeral has prompted a bigger investigation carried out by Australian police. In an exclusive interview, Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook from NSW Police said the recent surge in shootings, kidnappings and firebombings was a sign of a 'shift' in the world of organised crime.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police are investigating 'violence brokers'...

Former Warriors forward Kane Evans has come out as gay - and opened up about a long battle with addiction and his mental health. Evans says he's also dealt with homelessness and has told Channel Nine he's lived in denial for years. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two new Woolworths stores have opened in the South Island, but you can't get the weekly shop done there.  The educational facilities in Dunedin and Invercargill are giving young people with disabilities training for jobs in a supermarket environment, creating 'launchpads' for future employment. Front-Line Training chief operations officer Nadia Steedman says this will allow people to work in...

Over in the UK, the number of patients dying after enduring long waits in A&E departments has risen almost tenfold in a decade. Nearly 16,000 deaths in England last year were linked to such delays - the equivalent of more than 300 every week. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the Government needs to look into a long-term solution to bring these figures down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Andrew Dickens for Monday, 8 June, 2026, Labour leader Chris Hipkins defends the process followed by police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo before being named on the party's list. Otago University zoology teaching fellow Hanna Ravn tells us what to do if confronted by a sea lion. We talk to the most talkative MP in Parliament - the Greens'...

The US sharemarket took a hit last Friday, largely due to weakness in the information technology sector. The semiconductor sector was hit hard, and experts are unpacking the economic implications. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand has indicated its long-running engine problems may have come to an end. Air New Zealand’s chief has claimed the airline reached a breakthrough in Brazil this weekend after years of crippling engine issues. Aviation industry expert Grant Bradley explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's no policy out of Labour just yet, but the party's unveiled their list. What did we make of it? Who stood out? Should Rakesh Naidoo have been allowed to stand? New data shows Kiwi renters are better off than they were a yea...

Something has finally emerged from the silent, yawning abyss that is the Labour Party. Unfortunately, it’s not policy - it’s their list. Seventy-two names, 30 new candidates. Party president Jill Day and leader Chris Hipkins say the lineup reflects modern New Zealand. They’ve got candidates from business, farming, the public service, unions, and community services - Rhodes scholars, Fulbright scho...

The Finance Minister is promising more detail is coming regarding a billion dollar pre-Budget allocation. The funding's been labelled 'secret spending' by Labour. Nicola Willis says this reflects the Government's provision for a potential capital to operating forecast change in transport spend - that can be subject to future decisions. "That is literally what it is, and we will be taking policy de...

Auckland Council is trialling Afterpay at its dog pounds as owners grapple with pet costs amid the rising cost of living. After one month of the eight-month trial, 15 percent of payments at the shelters had been made through the option. Auckland Council regional animal shelter manager Nikki Cripps says the trial is still in its early stages, but it's seen positive results so far. "We have seen an...

Analysis has showed first-term MP Lawrence Xu Nan has spoken more in Parliament than any other MP this term. The Sunday Star Times says the Green MP has said 420,000 words, more than four times the 102,000 word average.  Xu Nan says the job of MPs as part of Parliament is to do two things - scrutinise bills and legislation, and budgets.  "I think that everyone should hold this ability to...

A new report has found New Zealand renters are better off than a year ago. The Regional Rental Affordability Index found affordability improved in most of the country over the past 12 months, as rents ease and incomes rise. Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball says it's not the same story in every region, but renting is definitely more affordable. "If you look at Auckland - ren...