Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Warriors are pleased to have a bye round to recover from the tense 20-18 loss to NRL-leaders Penrith in Sydney. Coach Andrew Webster says his team's carrying a few niggles, including star second-rower Leka Halasima tweaking a hamstring. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patients could soon reap the benefits if digital-first Tend Healthcare acquires Green Cross Health's medical division, The Doctors. In July, it'll ask shareholders to approve the conditional sale and purchase agreement for a $270-million-dollar sale. Tend Chief Executive, Cecilia Robinson, says it's all about improving access to care - as they have in their current clinics. "We've significantly im...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 29 May, 2026, Variety chief executive Wayne Howett tells us organisations need to team up to tackle burgeoning child poverty. Arts and Culture Minister Paul Goldsmith says he's not surprised by Lynda Tool's criticism of the lack of money for music in the Budget. Simon Dallow reveals whether he's missing newsreading while enjoying...

Newstalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat all things budget week. They also discuss the other political news you may have missed in all the budget noise. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While presenting Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nicola Willis shared a prediction that New Zealand will reach a $2.6 billion surplus by 2028-29. ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Heather du Plessis-Allan the prediction was 'a little bit rosy'.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geez, how sorry do you feel for Paul Goldsmith at the Music Awards, eh? So, he's invited to the awards and he hasn't got his mate Chris Bishop with him this time. Bishop didn’t go after what happened with Don McGlashan last year. Paul Goldsmith’s not invited to speak—apparently no one is—which means that when Lynda Topp gets up and starts speaking and tells him off, he’s got no right of reply.&nbs...

Variety - the Children's Charity - CEO Wayne Howett says that organisations who care about child poverty should collaborate, rather than fighting for the cause alone.  Howett told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "1 in 7 Kiwi kids that are living without the basics food, warmth, transport, school costs, and healthcare, and we're not making any margins on that." "And, when you look at what's happenin...

US President Donald Trump's face could appear on a $250 bill despite a law currently stating no living president can appear on currency. It is proposed to be a part of the Trump administration's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the country. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan, Trump will try and put his face on anything possible, "I think it's just his personality,...

Former TVNZ anchorman Simon Dallow is returning to an old role after 30 years at the national broadcaster. Dallow spent three years in his twenties working in Europe as a tour manager at Contiki Tours, and is now returning to tour managing, with his first trip already scheduled for September.  He joined Heather du Plessis-Allen to chat about the new chapter in his life. "It's a chance to imme...

Global transport company Mainfreight's full-year net profit is down 8.5 percent on the year earlier, despite an improved performance in the second half of the year end in March. Despite this, the company's hopeful that things can turn around, despite the conflict in the Middle East. Mainfreight CEO Don Braid explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tax expert says it's good to draw a line under recent changes to charity rules. This year's Budget tweaks the Research and Development Tax Incentive, simplifies the fringe benefit tax, and expands the Foreign Investment Fund rules to all taxpayers.  It also caps the tax credits that can be received on not-for-profit donations.  Deloitte tax partner Robyn Walker says it's still very gen...

Budget 2026 was unveiled today, and there's discussion about what these changes mean for Kiwi farmers. The Government's revealed it plans to extend the Waikato Expressway, and the 6-kilometre stretch will reach the intersection of State Highways One, and 29 at Piarere. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 28 May, 2026, Nicola Willis debuts her 2026 Budget - sugar hit not included. She tells Heather why she didn't cut harder. Chris Hipkins gives his take on the Budget. He says the Government continues to fail at making life better for Kiwis. How good will a newly announced extension of the Waikato Expressway be? Cambridge Mayor Mi...

Well, you would have done well to heed Nicola Willis’s warnings ahead of this Budget that there would be no spend-up, because there is no spend-up. There is no money for - well, there is money for the important stuff. You’ve got the schools and the classrooms, and the hospitals, and the Waikato Expressway, and Winston Peters’ pet projects. But everywhere else, there is just no new money. It is tig...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has described superannuation as a 'time bomb' that is here now and political parties need to be honest about it. Delivering the Budget today, Willis said National will enter the election with changes to ensure superannuation is affordable.  NZ First's Shane Jones has confirmed the party's not budging on this issue. "The reality is, our economic growth rate...is...

Tonight on The Huddle, NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford and Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Budget 2026 was unveiled today - what did we make of it? Do we think we'll reach surplus by  2028/29? Will debt really come down? Nicola Willis also says we need to have a discussion around superannuat...

There's relief the Waikato Expressway extensions can finally proceed, with $1.7 billion allocated in Budget 2026. The 16-kilometre stretch will reach the intersection of State Highways One, and 29 at Piarere. Waipā mayor Mike Pettit says it's exciting news.  "It helps with New Zealand GDP, but it definitely helps with Waipā - but more importantly, Waikato GDP. If you can move freight in a mor...

The surplus train's left the station early in Budget news today, with the country expected to be out of deficit by 2028/29, a year ahead of predictions. Government Ministers are trumpeting that figure, alongside a focus on health and infrastructure.  The Waikato Expressway will get 12 more kilometres, Whangarei a new hospital wing and new police stations are on the horizon for Whanganui and G...

The 2026 Budget was delivered by Finance Minister Nicola Willis today, and it aimed to be more 'careful' amid the ongoing economic turmoil and international conflicts. Healthcare, education, and infrastructure were the key priorities - and the Government's claimed the books will return to surplus in the 2028/29 financial year.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Winst...

The Australian Government is suing US manufacturing giant 3M over its alleged use of toxic 'forever chemicals' in their firefighting foam. It claimed 3M withheld and misrepresented details about the foam and its environmental impact, after it reportedly contaminated dozens of defence bases across the country. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explained the case further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is not impressed by the Budget. The party's promising an alternative fiscal plan, but says it will be more than a few weeks away, as Labour goes line by line to criticise the spending. Hipkins says Kiwis are being hit hard by the cost of living, and this Budget is asking those with the least to make the most sacrifices. "I certainly wouldn't have prioritised raising ren...

Warriors coach Andrew Webster reckons Queensland could feel hard done by in the opening State of Origin loss to New South Wales in Sydney. The Blues mounted the greatest comeback in Origin history once Maroons fullback Kayln Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge, resulting in head-to-head contact. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped the action. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Over in the UK, household  energy prices will rise by 13 percent a year in July, as soaring wholesale costs caused by the impact of the Iran war hit bills for the first time. Energy costs have jumped as a result of Iran blocking the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping route - where a fifth of the world's oil and gas is carried. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says even if the Strait was unblocked t...

Accountants are hopeful the Government will use the Budget to do something about the secret little wealth tax those with offshore investments are currently paying. As it stands, most people with more than $50,000 directly invested in assets offshore, including shares in companies listed on stock exchanges, need to pay tax on a portion of the value of their investments, regardless of if they receiv...

The Reserve Bank has opted to keep the OCR on hold at 2.25 percent today. Most markets had priced in a hold, but the views on what will happen next are split, especially considering concerns around inflation.  Milford Asset Management's Remy Wisenberg explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.