Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A driving instructor says the full-license test is important for weeding out bad habits.   The Government is proposing scrapping that last exam for new drivers - letting them move from a restricted to a full licence after 18 months, as long as they have no driving offences.  It's calling the current system 'expensive' and 'inefficient'.  But A1 Driving School owner Harald Leeuwenbur...

The Prime Minister's dismissing suggestions of tension with his deputy over US tariffs and trade.  Winston Peters last week said Chris Luxon was premature in calling other leaders - and yesterday labelled some language used around trade 'hysterical'.  But Luxon says all the Ministers responsible, which includes Peters, are aligned on the fact a trade war would be bad for New Zealand. NZ...

Ahead of the Australian election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a new housing policy designed to 'unlock' 100,000 new homes for first home buyers. This scheme will only be available to first home buyers and the Government plans to make it easier to get approval for a mortgage. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says it's unlikely this promise will be able to address the root o...

Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett feels senior squad members let the team down in their heavy NRL defeat to Melbourne.  Their winless run against the Storm stretched to 17 games after the 42-14 drubbing at AAMI Park. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports reveal AI is seeing wider use across public and community services. The Public Service Association surveyed more than 900 of its members, with 55 percent of respondents saying AI is used at their place of work. Of this number, 45 percent admitted using it personally. PSA national secretary Kerry Davies says the increased use of AI isn't the key issue here - but the lack of training and...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 11 April 2025, the Government's expanding the definition of who is a veteran... but is it just a token gesture? Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton on why skipper peter burling is stepping away after 10 years with the team Plus number of expelled students is skyrocketing - what's going on? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Ful...

It’s been another big week in politics. The Government has committed 12 billion over four years to defence, Winston Peters thinks the Prime Minister’s free trade talks are premature, and the Greens were the target of billboards by the sensible sentencing trust. Senior Political Editor Barry Soper talks to Ryan Bridge about all this and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

China appears to beattempting to form a united front against Washington, by drawing on support from other nations. President Donald Trump has temporarily backed down on his initial tariffs on most nations except for China. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Ryan Bridge about the latest out of China, China’s President Xi Jinping heading to Southeast Asia, and why Japan might be the fi...

The Government has announced local wool products will be used in future construction and refurbishments of state buildings. It's part of the New Zealand First coalition agreement with National. But producers of local buildings are saying ‘what about us?’ Kiwi timber organisations have been lobbying the Government for a similar deal for years, and are now feeling left out in the cold. New Zealand T...

Oceania Football Confederation Communications Manager Matt Brown and Sportstalk Host D’Arcy Waldegrave join the Sports Huddle this week.   Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton said a big number was put in front of Peter Burling, but the offer was pulled when it wasn’t signed. What does the Sports Huddle make of Burling’s departure? Viewership numbers for Super Rugby have impressed this yea...

You've got to hand it to Winston Raymond Peters. On this his 80th birthday... he's jetting round the Pacific representing his country. Keeping us close to our friends in the region as China circles and America wanders. He's visited more than 40 countries since Luxon took over. The stamina. The discipline. The confidence. The work ethic... all things to be admired. Doesn't matter what side of polit...

Chinese retailers like Temu and Shein could be looking to increase their influence in New Zealand.  The e-commerce giants will have excess stock after US President Donald Trump put a 145 percent tariff rate on China.  Ethically Kate founder Kate Hall talks to Ryan Bridge about why this might not be the best thing for New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Longtime helmsman Peter Burling is departing Emirates Team New Zealand due to contracting disagreements. Burling was the youngest helmsman to win an America’s Cup, aged 26. Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton talks to Ryan Bridge about the departure. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is changing the definition of a veteran, expanding the term to cover roughly 100,000 more ex-soldiers, sailors and aviators. However, eligibility for support entitlements will not be expanded under the Veterans Support Act. The move comes as war hero Willie Apiata called on Chris Penk for better support for veterans. Veterans Minister Chris Penk talks to Ryan Bridge about the decisi...

The Prime Minister is defending his absence from Parliament yesterday as the Treaty Settlement Bill was voted down. He said he doesn’t regret not being there as he was preoccupied with trade issues. Senior Political Editor Barry Soper talks to Ryan Bridge about the Luxon’s absence, Phil Goff’s unfiltered comments on Trump, and Winston Peters 80 th birthday. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listene...

6 people have been killed after a helicopter crashed in New York City’s Hudson River. Three adults and three children were on a sightseeing flight when the helicopter lost control and crashed. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Ryan Bridge about the crash, teething problems arising from Trump’s tariffs, and the athlete getting a billion dollar contract. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/liste...

Peter Burling is bidding farewell to Team New Zealand, after leading the team to three America’s Cup wins. Is Sail GP affecting the retention of sailors for the America’s Cup teams? Sports Contributor Jason Pine talks to Ryan Bridge about what the departure means for sailing in New Zealand, and are Moana Pasifika Auckland’s favourite rugby team? LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

A Labour MP is pushing for change on alcohol sales on certain holidays. Kieran McAnulty's new bill will let licensed businesses already open on ANZAC Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas sell alcohol. It's been voted through to Select Committee today. McAnulty says he's open to amendments to get the Bill through. He says if it turns out the majority of MPs don't want Christmas Da...

Over in the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned the economy is likely to struggle regardless of the tariff situation. US President Donald Trump has adjusted every other tariff, except China's, to 10 percent for 90 days. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's clear negotiations between the UK and US are taking place behind the scenes - but the economy will still feel an impact. LISTEN ABOVE S...

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! One Gisborne District Councillor has copped some backlash once it was revealed they attended just 41 percent of meetings since October. Should attendance for councillors and MPs be mandatory? After today's big reading - the Treaty Pr...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursdsay, 10 April 2025, the Treaty Principles Bill is dead, but its architect David Seymour is already vowing a referendum might be his bottom line by the next election. China investment expert David Mahon on what New Zealand should do as the trade war between China and US escalates - who will blink first? Labour MP Kieran McAnulty on w...

It's been an interesting week for global markets - with figures dropping or rising at a rapid rate. As Donald Trump's tariffs spark fear - or elation - among investors, questions have been raised over how we can make smart financial choices during a turbulent time. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains how people can make investments amid the chaos. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

United States beef prices haven't budged much since the implementation of the 10 percent tariff by President Donald Trump - but Kiwi exporters aren't safe. A subsequent tumbling in the value of the NZ dollar has pushed up farmgate prices in New Zealand dollars by nearly 5 percent. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains what this means for Kiwi beef exporters. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

Reports indicate the bond market ultimately prompted Trump to pull back on his stream of tariffs. The US President announced on social media that he paused tariffs against 75 countries for 90 days - with China being a notable exception. NZ Herald business editor Liam Dann explained further - and unpacked the market reactions since Donald Trump made his u-turn. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/liste...

The OCR dropped 25 basis points again yesterday - but many homeowners have wondered why their mortgage rates haven't followed. Many people currently on floating rates have yet to see the impact of the cuts materialise, and there's usually a week-long delay OCR changing and banks following suit with their various mortgage rates. Kent Duston from the Banking Reform Coalition says it's unclear why it...