Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The chief suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance, who is currently serving a sentence for a rape conviction, is set to be released from prison in Germany later than originally scheduled. Christian Brückner, 48, was convicted of raping a 72-year-old American tourist in Portugal in 2005 and had been scheduled for release in September, but this could now be pushed back to early next year. H...

The trade war between the United States and China has settled down for 90 days. President Donald Trump’s agreed to reduce tariffs by 115 percent. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the developments, Japan’s conditions on singing a trade deal with the US and China’s exports growing sharply - just not in the US. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

I just want to be clear, I don't want to start a disagreement between shows here on Newstalk ZB, but I did listen to Mike Hosking this morning talking some smack, and listening to it, I felt, no, I'm gonna have to say something about this just to restore a bit of balance to this debate. In defence of instant coffee, the stuff is great. I love it. I drink it nearly every day, little flat white in t...

Wellington’s potential next Mayor is making headlines for dishing out suggestions to the current mayor. Andrew Little called on Tory Whanau to not sign any more contracts in the Golden Mile redevelopment – calling it unethical to do so before a new Mayor is elected in October. In a statement to Newstalk ZB, Whanau said candidates “do not have the mandate to demand that our Council cease progress o...

One News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and Sports Journalist Jim Kayes join Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle. Auckland FC are facing a huge challenge this weekend as they take on the Melbourne Victory. The Sports Huddle discusses if the team’s prepared for the match. America’s Cup fans will have heard the discourse about Team New Zealandsailing in Italy helmed by an Australian. Does it m...

Auckland FC have 180 minutes to secure their place in the grand final, when they take on the Melbourne Victory tomorrow. Melbourne Victory are regarded as one of the league’s most dominant clubs, boasting four championships and three premierships. Auckland FC Head Coach Steve Corcia talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan ahead of the momentous game. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

New reports show cruise ships are giving New Zealand a miss. Next season will see a 28 percent decrease in port visits nationwide. Cruise Association CEO Jackie Lloyd says cruise ship companies have a negative perception of New Zealand. “They think New Zealand’s unwelcoming, that we’re not wanting crews, and they’re reflecting that in their deployment decisions for the next couple of years,” she s...

The Waitangi Tribunal is urging the Government to “immediately halt” the Act Party-promoted Regulatory Standards Bill set to be introduced to Parliament on Monday. In a report, released today, the tribunal condemned the Government not consulting with Māori when developing the legislation, thus violating its Treaty obligation. Author of the bill David Seymour talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LIST...

The finance minister’s making more commitments ahead of next week’s budget. In her pre-budget announcement, the finance minister said $577 million will be injected into film and television projects over the next four years. Willis said the approach is necessary to compete with our neighbours across the ditch and further abroad. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACC minister’s questioning whether ACC is the right outfit for people needing compensation after experiencing sexual assault. In 2023 the Court of Appeal ruled that sexual abuse survivors were entitled to compensation for the loss of potential earnings from when they were abused. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s not clear what the minister’s intention...

The United States Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the appeal of three orders to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to someone in the country illegally. Four federal judges have expressed why they believe President-Trump's birthright citizenship is unconstitutional. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about what was said in the cour...

The Warriors will take on the Dolphins this weekend in a bid to keep their winning streak going. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine says they’ve got it in the bag. “They’re just finding out a way to win the tight wins, whereas last year, they more often than not, didn’t win the tight ones,” he said. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Woolworth’s says Kiwi shoppers are getting a good deal from supermarkets. The supermarket giant’s blaming GST for New Zealand’s grocery prices rising higher than Australia and the UK. They say food prices could rise as much as six percent if the government was to intervene. Woolworths interim managing director Pieter de Wet talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the claims. LISTEN ABOVE. See omny...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 15 May 2025, is the proposed punishment for Te Pati Maori MPs too harsh? Speaker Gerry Brownlee says a proposed 21-day ban is very severe and reminded MPs they can still change their minds. Labour leader Chris Hipkins clashes with Heather on the c-word debate. Meth use is skyrocketing, and it's got us asking if more workplaces s...

It sounds like Gerry Brownlee thinks that the Māori Party punishment is too harsh. He started Parliament today with the Speaker's ruling and he dropped some pretty strong hints that he thinks that 21 days without pay for Debbie and Rawiri over that haka is too much. He called the punishment very 'severe' and unprecedented because up til now, the harshest punishment has been 3 days, not 21 days. He...

The Privileges Committee report on Te Pāti Māori's haka last year will be debated and voted on next Tuesday, with Parliament's Speaker calling the proposed punishment 'very severe'. The Committee suggested Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke be suspended for seven days - and co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi for 21 days. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacked the ongoing issue....

Golfer Ryan Fox admits his preparation for the PGA Championship - starting tonight - has been the opposite from his ideal buildup to a major. The Kiwi secured entry by winning the Myrtle Beach Classic via a playoff in South Carolina on Monday. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has landed in Indonesia as part of his first overseas trip since his election victory earlier in the month. Albanese is set to stay there for one full day before flying to Rome to meet European leaders and attend the pope's inauguration mass. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explains what this means for Albanese's key foreign policy priorities for his second ter...

Labour's leader says he would reverse the Government's pay equity changes - but that doesn't mean going back to how things were before.  Laws passed under urgency last week halted 33 existing pay equity claims, and increased the threshold for future filings. Chris Hipkins says he can't be specific about which settings Labour would reinstate if returned to Government next year.  He explai...

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are looking noticeably left in the lurch without the Kremlin's leader.  Vladimir Putin has backed out of a face-to-face meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Turkey - and US President Donald Trump followed suit soon after.  It may have shattered other world leaders' hopes of a resolution.  Ukraine ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko says the meeting...

A 9-year-old Auckland boy has been told he can no longer play age-grade rugby with his friends because he’s over the weight limit. The student was one of 106 children who applied for a weight dispensation in the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union club competition - and after being denied, has opted out of playing any winter sport this year. The union explained structures are in place to ensure...

This year’s Primary Industry New Zealand Award finalists have been announced. The seventh annual awards are part of the two-day Primary Industry New Zealand (PINZ) Summit, at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on June 24 and 25. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government has warned prisons are running out of room - and they're aiming to get new structures built to address the shortage. Three new prisons - totalling £4.7 billion - will be built, starting this year. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Is the proposed punishment for the Māori Party too harsh? Gerry Brownlee says it's severe and is suggesting Parliament can still change its mind. What do we make of this?  Drug tests have found more workers are doing meth. Do...

Butter, cheese and milk were the biggest drivers of a rise in food prices for the year to April 2025, new figures from Stats NZ show. Food prices increased 3.7 percent in the 12 months to April - well ahead of the annual inflation rate at 2.6 percent. That follows a 3.5 percent increase in the 12 months to March 2025. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what's going on. LISTEN AB...