Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A somewhat unexpected stance on the Treaty Principles Bill from Labour's Justice spokesperson. Parliament's Justice Committee is reporting the Bill back to the House tomorrow - a month earlier than anticipated.  This means thousands of submissions won't be considered, with not enough time to get through them all.  Duncan Webb says although he disagrees with many submissions - they still...

The Government's questioning the numbers the US is using to justify new tariffs. The Trump administration claims it is imposing a 10 percent tariff on our goods, in response to New Zealand's 20 percent tariff on US goods. But Trade Minister Todd McClay says our tariffs average under 2 percent, with the highest about 5 percent. "It looks like they've used a different type of calculation as to balan...

Donald Trump has finally unveiled his sweeping tariff plan - and many countries have been caught up in it. The US President's announced 10 percent tariffs on almost all imports to the US. They're much higher for some countries and products - including 25 percent on vehicles, 34 percent on China, and nearly 50 percent on some other countries. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper s...

US President Donald Trump has singled out Australia’s beef trade as part of his announcement that the United States would impose a 10 percent global tariff as well as 'reciprocal tariffs' on many countries. Australia banned US beef in 2003 to protect the country from mad cow disease, foot and mouth disease and other conditions. Trump claimed that if Australia doesn't want their beef, the US will s...

An admission out of Red Bull Racing surrounding the premature promotion of their Formula One drivers. The issue is a hot topic ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix - after Liam Lawson's demotion in favour of Yuki Tsunoda just two races into the season. Team boss Christian Horner's told Sky Sports F1 that the Kiwi driver isn't the first driver to be swiftly removed from the seat. Sportstalk...

President Donald Trump has today confirmed a roll-out of 10 percent tariffs on almost all imports to the US. They're much higher for some countries and products - including 25 percent on vehicles, 34 percent on China, and nearly 50 percent on some other countries. Republican strategist Jeanette Hoffman says domestically, Trump is taking a major political risk. "If prices go up, we hit a recession...

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has called on people to rally in the centre of Paris this coming weekend in support of Marine Le Pen. Le Pen was recently banned from running for public office for five years after being found guilty of the embezzlement of European parliamentary funds. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the judges who made the ruling have been subject to backlash and...

Tomorrow at 9am NZT, investors, economists and financial experts will be tuned in to watch Donald Trump's much-anticipated update regarding tariffs.  Many nations are bracing themselves for the potential economic impacts - but there's hope New Zealand could escape the worst of it. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton speculated ahead of the big day. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listene...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Te Pāti Māori have skipped out on their hearing with the Privileges Committee - and it's generated controversy. ACT's David Seymour has recommended their pay get docked, what do we make of this?  New...

Another famed Kiwi restaurant has been forced to close its doors amid the ongoing economic downturn. Sid and Chand Sahrawat are shuttering Ponsonby's KOL, citing challenging trading conditions. Chand Sahrawat says they're tried a number of solutions set to fix the concept - but they're hoping to take on a new challenge. "I think there is some other concept out there - we've got some ideas of what...

The Reserve Bank wasn’t planning to announce former governor Adrian Orr’s resignation until after it had hosted a big international conference. But the unexplained resignation was brought forward by five days to March 5 - the day before the conference, new documents reveal.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

The Government has unveiled some new measures designed to create more consequences for 'cowboy builders'. Tales of shoddy work have heighted concerns - encouraging the Government to introduce self-certification for builders and remote inspections. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says more clarity is needed to alleviate these concerns. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 2 April 2025, a review has found a litany of failures led to an 11 year-old being mistaken for a woman in her 20s, restrained and drugged. Ryan Bridge speaks to chief medical officer Dr Richard Sullivan. Maori Party MPs will get another chance to front up to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee, but Act MP David Seymour says...

Property sales have reached the highest point in years - but the number of unsold homes is at a record high. Barfoot & Thompson has revealed March was a record month for house sales, but unsold stock numbers have been climbing, with 5300 places unsold in January and 5900 in February but 6200 last month. Property investment expert Ed McKnight says vendors aren't willing to take risks at this po...

Trump's tariffs are coming tomorrow - and he's basically playing God with the global economy. I've found the stuff we should know: The presser is 4pm Eastern time in the Rose Garden at the White House. That's 9am NZT. The reason it's late over there is because they want markets closed when he announces it. This is big league stuff. This guy has the power to make or break countries, marke...

A Napier accommodation provider is doubling down on turning away Americans - saying it's a protest against the Trump administration 'betraying' Ukraine. Bluff Hill Lighthouse B&B has cancelled every US booking since February. Owner Mario Schmidt is blaming the President - and his adviser, billionaire Elon Musk. He says he made the decision after Donald Trump's meeting with Ukraine President, V...

ACT Party leader David Seymour says Te Pāti Māori should be penalised for shunning their Privileges Committee hearing. Co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi instead called a press conference and confirmed they intended to hold their own hearing at Parliament on May 7. Seymour says he's not trying to influence the Committee - but he's suggested they recommend cutting the MPs’ pay. "Wh...

Health New Zealand has apologised and says it's a top priority to make sure a case of mistaken identity never happens again. Police mistook an 11-year-old for a distressed woman in her 20s - and she was restrained and given drugs meant for adults at a Waikato mental health facility. Chief clinical officer Richard Sullivan says it's clear human error was a factor - and they need to learn from this....

Te Pāti Māori says it isn't sorry its MPs did a Haka in the house last year - and would do it again in a heartbeat.  An MP has been called before the powerful Privileges Committee today, but the Party's snubbing the summons. Te Pāti Māori says the Committee turned down its request to change the date so its counsel could be present.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls explains furth...

The US Justice Department is seeking the death penalty if Luigi Mangione is found guilty. Mangione is on federal charges for allegedly shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson dead in Manhattan last December. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Mangione has pleaded not guilty so far - but discussions are ongoing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pakistan will require a hero in Hamilton to avoid a crushing defeat in the second one-dayer against the Black Caps. The tourists, chasing 293 to win, are in dire straits at 65 for five in the 21st over. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A prescription weight-loss drug embraced by celebrities now has the green light in New Zealand.   Wegovy injections limit appetite and reduce food cravings.   It will cost patients between $600 to $1,000 a month - and will be used to target obesity here as soon as possible. GP and physician at the Weightless Clinic Dr Lara Courtenay says this medication is meant to help Kiwis who are ser...

The UK is expecting to be hit by new US tariffs on Wednesday, with Downing Street indicating a new deal with the US won't be reached in time.  President Donald Trump is set to unveil a raft of tariffs tomorrow - and it's widely believed they'll hit all countries, not just those with the biggest trade imbalances with the US. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Prime Minister Starmer doesn't plan...

The Government's move to reject an Auckland America's Cup bid has been met with divided responses. The play for 2027 series can't go ahead without an extra $75 million dollars - and the Government didn't feel like it could be justified. Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen weighs in. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Reserve Bank has moved to hold the OCR steady at 4.1 percent following this afternoon's meeting. Interest rates started to drop in February - but the Central Bank opted to hold off on going further for the time being. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains what inspired the market to make this move. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.