Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer is "on the wrong side of humanity."  It's after Starmer called for an end to the war in Gaza.  Meanwhile 20 prisons in England will pilot the chemical castration of sex offenders, and Denmark's set to have the highest retirement age - 70-years-old. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks to Heather du Plessis-All...

The first real indicator of the impact of the trade war is coming out of China. The country cut their key lending rates by 10 basis points on Tuesday in an effort to boost the economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) trimmed the 1-year loan prime rate, which influences corporate and most household loans in China, to 3.0% from 3.1%. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Heather du Ples...

Political Editor Jason Walls talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the week that was. What were the highs and lows of budget day? The debate about the punishment for three Te Pāti Māori MP’s begun ... but didn’t head anywhere quickly. And Winston Peters had an argy-bargy run in with a member of the public. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hit go on commercial building developments, oil and gas exploration, dam builders and more. In a new investment boost programme, businesses can now deduct twenty percent off the cost of a new asset. There’s no cap on how much the asset can cost. Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the new scheme. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio....

Newstalk ZB’s Andrew Alderson and Sports Journalist Nick Bewly join Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle. Supercars will officially race in a Kiwi double-header in New Zealand from 2026-2028. Can the country sustain two Supercars events? Super Rugby referees have admitted they got it wrong in the Blues-Moana game. How far back should the video referee be able to go? Are they too hogtied...

Another huge weekend is in store for Go Media Stadium with two sold out games. Auckland FC’s second semifinal's on Saturday, before the Warriors take over on Sunday. The stadium’s just won the prize for the best stadium atmosphere by the football players association. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media influencer and mental health advocate Jazz Thornton says a social media ban would be dangerous for kids mental health. She says kids are able to access free mental health resources through social media. But is it worth the negative effect it comes with? Clinical Psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the implications of a social media ban for kids. L...

Yesterday’s budget confirmed there will be no changes to superannuation. Means testing for KiwiSaver input’s in, but nothing for super. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reaffirmed his party’s support for raising the retirement age to 67. But his deputy and coalition partner Winston Peters doesn’t agree. Associate Finance Minister and ACT Party leader David Seymour talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan...

US President Donald Trump’s administration has revoked Harvard’s right to enrol foreign nationals – more than a quarter of the student body – in an escalation of his fight against the prestigious university. Current international pupils will have to transfer, leave the country or risk deportation. The US Government’s already pulled $2.6 billion-US-dollars from grants at the university. Crimson Edu...

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins wouldn’t confirm his party’s commitment of returning the $13 billion taken from pay equity schemes by the National Party. Half of the new spending in the budget came from these cuts. His colleague Barbara Edmonds, however, says Labour’s committed to finding the money. Political Editor Jason Walls talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the confusion. LISTEN ABOVE. S...

A man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after an Israeli embassy couple were shot dead in Washington. The 30-year-old Chicago man was detained at the scene – the Capital Jewish Museum. He shouted “free Palestine” after being taken into custody. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weekend’s biggest sports gamehave sold out. The Warriors will play on Sunday after Auckland FC on Saturday – both at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium. The Warriors will be looking to redeem themselves against the Raiders, who beat them in Las Vegas for the season opener. Sports Contributor Jason Pine talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the games. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Supercars will officially race in a Kiwi double-header in New Zealand from 2026-2028. Ruapuna raceway in Christchurch will host a supercars championship each year, with it expected to continue after 2028. Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the announcement. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A member of Irish rap group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert, police said on Wednesday. Liam O’Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, is accused of showing support for the Lebanese militant group, who are proscribed by British authorities, during a performance on November 21. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains furt...

An increase in default KiwiSaver contribution rates announced in Thursday's Budget could leave some households better off for retirement - but experts warn not everyone will benefit. The Government will halve the member tax credit available to people who contribute at least $1042 in a year to $260.72. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Experts believe Budget Day is a useful tool for outlining the latest forecasts for the economy. Treasury has responded positively so far - with GDP predicted to rise, unemployment predicted to drop and house prices predicted to go up again. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, CTU economist Craig Renney and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!   The 2025 Budget was unveiled today - what did we think of it?  Do we agree cutting down Government KiwiSaver contributions was the right move? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22 May 2025, Heather is live from Parliament for Budget 2025 and gets first up reaction from Labour Leader Chris Hipkins. She asks Finance Minister Nicola Willis whether she's gone far enough to get spending under control and why she is making changes to Kiwisaver. Plus, the Huddle debates the details in the Budget and whether i...

High praise for South Africa's president after being confronted by Donald Trump at the White House. There was a tense exchange this morning between the US President and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa. Trump alleged white farmers are fleeing South Africa en masse, with thousands being massacred there. He demanded video be played that he claimed backed up his allegations. South Africa's High Commiss...

The Government's bid to bring hope back to New Zealand's gas sector has been met with approval from industry experts. In the Budget, the Government said it would set aside $200 million over four years for co‑investment in new gas fields. Former CEO and president of Methanex, Bruce Aitken, says this is a good idea. "Anything that encourages exploration for natural gas is great - it's a real pity th...

Nearly 9000 young people will no longer be eligible for the unemployment benefit when the Government brings in stricter rules in 2027. Budget 2025 includes a change which places the responsibility for financially supporting 18- and 19-year-olds back on parents, rather than the state. Former Work and Income Boss Christine Rankin says she loves the Government plan to kick young people off the benefi...

The infamous Runit Championship League made its debut in Auckland this week and one former NRL star is defending the event. The sport involves rival participants running straight at each other at full force - and many leading neuroscience experts have condemned it and outlined the risks. George Burgess says the competitors know what they're doing and they're not aiming to hurt each other. "Every s...

The Finance Minister says refusing unemployment benefits to teenagers is about helping parents.  This Budget makes 18 and 19-year-olds ineligible for JobSeeker, if their parents can support them.  Nicola Willis says the Government has the same expectations as most parents.  "I have met parents who say - look, I've got a 19-year-old who spends all day on the couch playing PlayStation...

The 2025 Budget has been unveiled and it's been met with divided responses across Parliament. Cost-cutting measures have pulled back $4.8 billion per year - a large portion from the recent rushed overhaul of pay equity claims.  Savings have also come from halving its KiwiSaver contribution, slashing family Best Start payments and restricting 18 and 19 year olds' access to welfare - moving the...

Thousands have been left stranded by flooding overnight in New South Wales. NSW State Emergency Services personnel have rescued hundreds of people from floodwaters and rooftops in the Mid North Coast and Hunter region - while thousands have lost power or been isolated by inundated roads.  One person has died and five have been reported missing. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says multip...