Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Kiwibank's chief economist says GDP figures released today show good momentum - but the next report isn't looking as good.  Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter. It's much higher than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury. Jarrod Kerr says there is less optimism around the quarter ending June.  "The data that we talked about...

The Foreign Minister's pushing back on suggestions our geopolitical stoush with the Cook Islands will impact our relationship with China.  Winston Peters this morning confirmed the Government's halted development aid to the Cooks, with his Ministry unhappy over the lack of clarity around the island nation's cooperation deal with China.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Peter...

After weeks and weeks of hearings, Erin Patterson's deadly mushroom trial is nearing its end. The 50-year-old is accused of intentionally serving a poisonous mushroom dish to her estranged husband's family in 2023. She maintains her innocence. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the jury is set to retire soon - and then a verdict will be unveiled. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The Chiefs and Crusaders are set to face off this coming Saturday in the Super Rugby Pacific final. The event sold out Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium and fans are gearing up for a memorable match. Sportstalk host Jason Pine outlined his predictions ahead of the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One single psychiatrist has been approved to prescribe psilocybin or 'magic mushrooms' for treatment-resistant depression. That psychiatrist is Professor Cameron Lacey, who welcomed the approval as an opportunity to provide treatment that can change people’s lives. Lacey says there's been a great deal of interest since he got permission to prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. "...

Genetic testing giant 23andMe is being fined millions of pounds by the UK's privacy watchdog following a high-profile data breach. The breach saw the personal information of seven million people stolen. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this is the most severe punishment the watchdog can impose. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's revealed top-level legal advice was sought over the Reserve Bank's battle with Treasury for funding.  The bank received less money than it anticipated in the latest funding round - which prompted Adrian Orr to quit as Governor.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the issue further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

The conflict between Israel and Iran is continuing on - and it's sparked concerns among investors. US President Donald Trump has demanded Iran's unconditional surrender, as he weighs up whether to join Israel's targeting of nuclear sites. Milford Asset Management expert Andrew Curtayne explains the impact of the conflict. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  How do we feel about the Government overruling councils on decisions that negatively impact economic growth, development and employment? Is this necessary? The Government has confirmed they're going to s...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 18 June 2025, you'll never have to fill out another census form! The Statistics Minister explains why he's getting rid of it. US media are reporting Donald Trump is considering whether or not to join Israel in bombing Iran's nuclear facilities. Melatonin will soon be available to buy over the counter for anyone struggling to sl...

New data shows consumer confidence has gone up - but overall levels show people are feeling more pessimistic than optimistic about the economy.  The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence index rose two points in June to 91.2, a modest rise from last quarter's drop. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says negative news and the rising cost of living are contributing to an uncertain...

The Inland Revenue Department has unveiled the horticulture sector hasn't paid their fair share of taxes. Over the last 10 months, the IRD has found $45 million dollars of undeclared tax - and almost 100 audits are in the works now, within the sector. Inland Revenue spokesperson Tony Morris says the department is seeing people being paid under the table, undeclared cash sales and withholding tax g...

New Plymouth's mayor is backing Government changes to take away power from local authorities.  Housing Minister Chris Bishop says new regulation in the Resource Management Act would stop councils stalling housing developments.  It would let him override councils on the grounds of their decisions negatively impacting economic growth.  Mayor Neil Holdom says as it is, elected official...

To strike or not to strike.  The US President has had talks with officials on joining Israel's attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. Since the initial attack on Friday, strikes have killed at least 224 Iranians and 24 Israelis. Otago University International Relations Professor Robert Patman says the split in Trump's supporter base will make things difficult.  Patman says many MAGA supporter...

The Crusaders are hoping Chiefs fans will come check out the action at this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch - but they've suggested leaving the cowbells at home. In a LinkedIn post, Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge promised this would be a game fans would enjoy, but there's no room for cowbells in the stadium. Mansbridge jokingly claimed they'd be melted down and turn...

The Statistics Minister says his agency is well up to transforming how the Census is done in New Zealand, despite previous short-comings. The five-yearly census is being replaced by a smaller, annual survey - and using Government department data. Stats NZ has faced past criticism over poor Census response rates  But Shane Reti says it's ready to turn that around. "There's been some fall-overs...

The Prime Minister is pushing for diplomacy and trade in China  - as he visits with ministers and senior business leaders. Discussions will be held on boosting education and tourism, including attempting to attract more international students to New Zealand. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says the Government could look at making visa changes to make it easier on Chinese tourists....

The US is making veiled threats towards Iran - and demanding the country's unconditional surrender. Donald Trump is back in the White House after leaving the G7 summit in Canada early, to deal with escalation in the Middle East. The US President has spoken with Israel's Prime Minister, and says his administration knows exactly where Iran's supreme leader is. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says th...

The Crusaders don’t want Chiefs fans to bring cowbells to the Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch on Saturday. The final is set up as the perfect crescendo to a compelling 2025 season, with the Chiefs, the number one ranked team in the round robin and second ranked Crusaders to duke it out. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the ban ahead of the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

Changes to allow over the counter sales of sleep drug melatonin in New Zealand - alongside relaxing rules on magic mushrooms as medicine. MedSafe's approved melatonin for sale to adults without a prescription. Psilocybin remains unapproved, but one specifically qualified psychiatrist is now permitted to prescribe it for treatment-resistant depression. Associate Health Minister David Seymour is sta...

You know what I’m not going to miss? The census. If there anything that showed how bad Governments can be at embracing technology, it was the census. At a time when Governments collect huge amounts of electronic data about us, it seemed ridiculous that they were also asking us to fill out a paper form and send it in. They already know what we’re earning, the IRD has that. They already kn...

Keir Starmer and Donald Trump today signed off a UK-US trade deal at the G7 summit in Canada. The two leaders then presented the deal, revealing that the UK aerospace sector will face no tariffs at all from the US, while the auto industry will have 10 percent tariffs, down from 25 percent. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this will come as good news for the UK's auto industry - and jobs will be sa...

Farmer confidence remains at a near-record high, according to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey. Farmer confidence in the broader agri-economy was unchanged at a net reading of +44 percent following consecutive lifts in the previous three quarters. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks the survey results further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food prices increased 4.4 percent in the 12 months to May 2025, following a 3.7 percent increase in the 12 months to April 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ. Higher prices for the grocery food group and the meat, poultry and fish group contributed most to the annual increase in food prices. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen unpacks the factors behind this data. LISTEN ABOVE...

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Ali Jones from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issue of the day - and more! Minister Chris Bishop has given the green light for the demolishing of the Gordon Wilson Flats after stripping them of their heritage status. What do we make of this? Why do we think most of Gen Z aren't interested in pursuing leadership positio...