Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Infrastructure New Zealand's Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Could Andrew Little be the next mayor of Wellington? What do we think he'll bring to the role? The world is grappling with Donald Trump's tariffs - and the economic uncertainty that they bring. Do we think the Government is doing...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton are set to face off in the first election debate of the campaign. The debate is set to air on Sky News at 9:30pm (NZT) - and both leaders will be looking to boost up their campaigns and showcase their policies. 7 News political editor Mark Riley says opposition leaders stand to gain more from debates - and the pressure's on for Dut...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 8 April 2025, former Finance Minister Steven Joyce tells Ryan Bridge we're in unchartered territory when it comes to the global economy. Minister for Children Karen Chhour explains why she's happy Oranga Tamariki is ditching a target to place kids with their wider family. Black Caps coach Gary Stead wants to stay on as test coach...

The Government has revealed the New Zealand Green Investment Finance will stop making new investments - and will wind down its' existing portfolio. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says it has invested almost $400 million into various projects, with 'limited' results. Watts says there's no need for the Government to be involved in this particular market going forward. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

China’s commerce ministry has vowed to fight US tariffs 'to the end' after Donald Trump threatened them with new levies. One ministry spokesperson has labelled these threats a 'mistake on top of a mistake' - and claimed China would not accept this. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says this is starting to resemble the beginning of a full-on trade war. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

Long-serving Labour MP David Parker has confirmed he's departing from Parliament.  Parker has been an MP for 23 years - holding portfolios in trade, revenue, energy, and transport. He says it was important that he ended his career on a positive note. "You're never finished in this job - but it felt the right time, and I'd just sort of reset Labour Party policy around foreign affairs." LISTEN...

The second phase of police withdrawal from mental health callouts starts in parts of the country next week.  From Monday, detained mental health patients will be handed over within 60 minutes at Waitematā, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Nelson-Marlborough, and West Coast EDs.  Police will also tighten custody rules to reduce unnecessary assessments.  Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson...

A former Finance Minister says New Zealand faces uncharted territory - as the world grapples with Donald Trump's tariffs.  New Zealand, Australian and Asian markets tumbled yesterday, but regained some ground today. Current Minister Nicola Willis is warning the tariffs and world events will impact the Government books.  Steven Joyce says given the daily uncertainty which will slow invest...

The Children's Minister says 'outdated' requirements could be institutionalising kids by limiting resources.   The Government is scrapping Oranga Tamariki targets for placing children with family and investing with Māori organisations.  A Bill passed last week to remove Treaty provisions from the Children's Ministry.  Children's Minister Karen Chhour says she hears non-Māori caregiv...

Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul is again dismissing criticism of her views on policing. Billboards depicting Paul and Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick have popped up in Wellington and Auckland -- with the tagline - 'Defund the Police, vote Green'. The Sensible Sentencing Trust is behind the ads, and claims the Greens have expressed copyright concerns about their use of official candidate p...

Over in Australia, the ASX has seen a slight rebound following a drop from earlier in the week. The S&P/ASX 200 Index lifted 2.1 per cent, or by 151.5 points, to 7494.8 after recouping some of Monday’s 4.2 per cent loss as part of the fallout from Trump's newest tariffs. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the tariffs have also damped business confidence across Australia, according to ne...

New Zealand Cricket admit there's a chance they'll turn Gary Stead down if he decides he wants to continue as Black Caps test coach. The long-serving mentor has stepped down from the white-ball formats, but is yet to decide whether he wants to continue in the red-ball role. The governing body is deciding whether to split the coaching role or bring in a new, singular coach. Sportstalk host D'Arcy W...

A victims' advocate wants authorities to investigate the finances of offenders refusing to pay reparations.  Ministry of Justice data shows more than 10-and-a-half thousand payments are overdue - out of the 24,000 ordered by courts. More than $105 million is owed across the country.  Chief Government Victims Advisor Ruth Money says she isn't seeing much due diligence. She says some will...

The UK Government is stepping in to make things a little easier for car manufactures following Trump's latest tariff update. A ban on producing new petrol and diesel cars is set to come into effect in 2030 - but Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed regulations would be relaxed ahead of the deadline. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Donald Trump's 25 percent levy on cars imported to the US...

The NZX50 index had fallen around 3.7 percent at the close of market today as Donald Trump's tariffs continue to reverberate globally. It hasn't had a fall of this magnitude since the pandemic. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacks the economic fallout. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 7 April 2025, Defence Minister Judith Collins has revealed a huge boost for New Zealand's defence capabilities. She tells Ryan what's on the shopping list. Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Ryan New Zealand's economic growth is expected to take a hit from Trump's new tariffs. Is there a risk that we're not just fostering footba...

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! The Government has unveiled their new Defence Capability Plan - designed to inject an extra $12 billion into the Defence Force to boost jobs and equipment over the next four years. Do we agree with this move?  The Sensible Sent...

There is relief among New Zealand's wood exporters - who've escaped the import tariffs set by the US. Imports of timber and lumbar products into the US have dodged tariffs, as confirmed by President Donald Trump, The United States was New Zealand's third largest market for timber exports, after China and Australia. Wood Processors & Manufacturers Association of NZ CEO Mark Ross says this doesn...

The Finance Minister has been getting updates about the financial fallout from the latest batch of Trump tariffs. New Zealand goods have been hit with a 10 percent tariff, as part of President Trump's trade plan.  Nicola Willis warns these changes will come with 'profound' economic implications for New Zealand. "We will finalise our economic forecasts, which feed into the Budget - in the next...

Auckland FC says a fan was involved in an assault that left a man hospitalised.  Police are considering charges against a 46-year-old man after the attack at Saturday's match against Western Sydney Wanderers. Eight people were evicted from Mount Smart Stadium and two were arrested - and a visiting Wanderers fan needed facial surgery.  Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker says the accused man does...

The NZX50 index had fallen about 3.7 percent at the close of market today - as Donald Trump's tariffs continue to reverberate globally. It hasn't had a fall of this magnitude since the pandemic. Sharesies Co-CEO Brooke Roberts says it's hard to say how long markets will keep rattling around. "Look, it's unprecedented times in terms of the shock that has happened to the markets at the moment based...

The Government's keeping its cards close to its chest  on how it'll fund a mammoth defence splurge. It's injecting $12 billion over the next four years into building up our Defence Force workforce and equipment.  It's signalling it'll go into system upgrades, replacing helicopters - and enhancing maritime strike capability. Defence Minister Judith Collins says the investment includes $9...

The Prime Minister says a multi-billion dollar boost for the Defence Force is about our national interest.  The Government's unveiled its Defence Capability Plan, including $12 billion dollars of funding over four years - with $9 billion of new spending.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the plan's 'surprising'. "Remember, we said last week when it comes out th...

Drivers in South Australia will be watched by  artificial intelligence cameras aimed at cutting traffic and boosting economic activity. The South Australian Government believes every 5000 motorists stuck in traffic for 20 minutes costs the state $33,000. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the AI will use data to reduce congestion and tweak traffic light cycles. LISTEN ABOVE Se...

A pit strategy gamble has failed to pay off on Liam Lawson’s return to Racing Bulls. He has come 17th in Formula One’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. Lawson was eighth at the time of his only pit stop, but the decision to change to soft tyres with 19 laps to go didn’t yield the projected return. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...