Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The debate on Te Pāti Māori's proposed punishment has been paused until June - but it's still sparked discussion among some. Debate was set to begin today on proposed suspensions for the Te Pāti Māori MPs who did a haka during voting on the Treaty Principles Bill - before the Government moved to adjourn it. Despite this, former co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has spoken in defence of Te Pāti Māori. "T...

Health professionals have voiced concerns as the Runit Championship League makes its debut in Auckland. The controversial new combat sport has players running full force at each other. Stacey Mowbray, Headway CEO, says this sport presents high risks of brain injury - and the research agrees. "One thing that worries us is - have these people been fully informed? Listening to people involved in it,...

The tide looks to be changing for Gull as the leader of low-priced petrol offerings. Fuel-finding app Gaspy is reporting Taupo's Gull Ātiamuri has been undercut by Z-Energy's Waikaraka U-GO in South Auckland. AA Principal Policy Advisor Terry Collins says Gull paved the way with its New Zealand- owned self-service model.  He explained it has a low cost entry, with electronic payment options m...

The ACC Minister denies his comments last week played into the agency now pausing its sexual violence prevention programme.  Scott Simpson suggested he was looking at narrowing the scope of ACC responsibilities to sexual abuse victims. ACC has confirmed it's paused the nationwide rollout of Hikitia - as it aligns itself with Government plans. Simpson now says there's no connection, and he has...

The Leader of the House says postponing the debate on Te Pāti Māori MPs' sanctions is the right thing to do.  Debate began today on proposed suspensions for the Te Pāti Māori MPs who did a haka during voting on the now-rejected Treaty Principles Bill.  But 20 minutes in, the Government moved to adjourn it - to leave this week free to be all about the Budget.  The opposition wer...

A stay - for Te Pāti Māori MPs expecting debate on possible suspension today. The Privileges Committee recommended suspensions for Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for a protest haka during voting on the contentious Treaty Principles Bill. But 20 minutes after the debate began, Parliament's voted to adjourn it. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacked to...

Australian's opposition has split - officially ending the Liberal-National coalition. National leader David Littleproud has confirmed his party will stand apart from Sussan Ley's Liberals, but he's leaving the door open.  The coalition had an election thrashing this month. Leader Peter Dutton lost his seat and Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese scored a second term.  Australian corres...

Sonny Bill Williams is adamant that his upcoming boxing bout against Paul Gallen will be the last time he steps in the ring. The former All Blacks and Kiwis star has finally been confirmed to fight State of Origin league enforcer Paul Gallen on July 16 in Sydney. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures from the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance show Auckland Council has invested $3 million on communications and advertising alone for the green waste bins. This follows the email campaign aimed at mayor Wayne Brown opposing the $36 million spent on the green bins so far. Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance spokesperson Sam Warren says this doesn't make sense from an economic perspective. "Aucklan...

Negotiations to reset the UK's post-Brexit relations reached a turning point - with leaders holding talks ahead of an upcoming summit. Both regions recently reached a 12-year deal giving fishing access for EU boats in UK waters. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moody's cut the US credit rating by one notch, citing rising debt and interest payments that outpace those of similar sovereigns.  The downgrade to 'Aa1' from 'Aaa' follows a change in the outlook on the sovereign in 2023 due to wider fiscal deficit and higher interest payments, according to new data. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/lis...

Commercial users of gas are likely to be hit hard by 'unsustainable' prices this year, according to sector regulators. The Gas Industry Company’s latest quarterly report said average spot prices rose sharply in the first three months of 2025 as production continued to decline and demand remained relatively constant.  Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie explains what this could mean fo...

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! Is Auckland Council out of line for making the owner of a Mt Eden villa remove the new windows because they violate heritage rules? Is this over the top?  Budget 2025 is due out this week - but will the Te Pāti Māori saga overs...

I've got a life tip for you - Grownups should not post their opinions on social media. Case in point, Gary Lineker. Now, Gary is about to announce that he's leaving his job at the BBC because of a social media post. This, in the UK, is very big news. Gary's a very popular host. He's the highest earner at the BBC because of how popular he is. He gets a salary of about $3 million New Zealand do...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 19 May 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis speaks to Heather ahead of Budget Day later this week. Is she worried the debate about the suspension of Maori Party MPs will overshadow her big week? US Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley has details about former President Joe Biden's terminal cancer diagnosis. Butter has got so expensive...

The 2025 Budget is due out this week - and the Finance Minister's feeling hopeful despite the concerns around Te Pāti Māori's antics. Prime Minister Chris Luxon made it clear earlier today that National will not make any concessions on the Privileges Committee's recommendation to suspend three Te Pāti Māori MPs from Parliament. Nicola Willis says this week is all about the Budget - which aims to a...

The owners of a Mt Eden villa has voiced disapproval after Auckland Council demanded they remove double-glazed windows from their house to comply with heritage rules - claiming the order is 'expensive' and 'unnecessary'. The new windows have aluminium frames instead of the traditional timber frames - and open up to the outsides, rather than side upwards like the traditional sash windows. Alex Witt...

A bustle of butter-buying at Auckland's Costco - where it costs $10 a kilo. Stats NZ figures show the price of a block of butter has soared 65 percent in the past year. Videos on social media show shoppers piling boxes of the spread into carts at the bulk-buy supermarket. Former Costco managing director, Patrick Noone, says the store's very unlikely to try to stop bulk buying.  He explained t...

The Associate Energy Minister says reversing natural gas policies will take time.  Production fell 20 percent in the first quarter - compared on the year before - to 22.85 petajoules.  Industry spokespeople say available gas is depleting and exploration of new fields is banned. Shane Jones says the last Government wanted the sector shut down - and faith needs to be restored it has a futu...

There's concerns over extreme staff shortages in rural hospitals - as the Government announces funding to help urgent and after-hours care.  Patient Voice Aotearoa has revealed more than 20 rural hospitals across the country are looking for one or more locum doctors. The Far North's Dargaville, Bay of Islands, and Kaitaia hospitals are doctor-less - and relying on telehealth. Chair Malcolm Mu...

The Finance Minister says the Budget's designed to give businesses even more confidence for the future. The Budget, released on Thursday, will put aside $65 million over four years, for loosening rules that might put off overseas investors from choosing New Zealand. Nicola Willis says we can't let debt keep blowing out forever - and would risk the economy crumbling away if we allow major extra tax...

Grieving Australian families feel 'insulted' by silence around the death of two teens in Laos last year. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles died alongside four others staying at Nana Backpackers hostel - after accidentally drinking methanol in alcohol shots. In latest news, up to 13 people may face charges related to food and health security, eliminating evidence, and unlawful business.  Australia...

It's been another successful weekend for Auckland FC - and all hopes are on the Kiwi side ahead of the A-League Grand Final. The Black Knights are returning home with no injury concerns from the 1-nil away win over Melbourne Victory in the first leg of the semi-final. Sportstalk host Jason pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis has come after earlier intense public scrutiny of his health fitness for the presidency.  The former US President has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, with possible treatment available, although it's not curable and has spread to his bones.  US correspondent Jonathan Kearsly says it comes at an interesting time - when his legacy is being questi...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 16 May 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather why she's begrudgingly signed off on an almost 600 million dollar subsidy for film productions. Woolworths boss Pieter de Wet has hit back at the Government, saying its the cost of GST that's making New Zealand's groceries more expensive than in Australia. Auckland FC Coach...