Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog's David Farrar 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!  The Reserve Bank has left the OCR in place at 2.25 percent, but it's likely a rise is in the cards within the next few months. When do we think things will change?  Should an MP get $36,000 to stay in a home he's...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 27 May, 2026, Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman gives us details on the close vote to keep the official cash rate at 2.25%. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little tells us how he's managed to keep a rates increase at less than 6%. Why tradies are being urged to do warmup workouts before work. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and David Farr...

Well, that Official Cash Rate decision is probably one of those moments where you find out whether you're a glass half-full or glass half-empty person. Because on the bright side, the Official Cash Rate didn’t go up. On the downside, it looks like it’s definitely going up next time. So yes, it’s a reprieve - but it’s only a reprieve for six weeks, excuse me, before the screws on the economy start...

Auckland Council has released a new document, seeking potential interest from 'an exclusive funding and naming rights partner for a landmark activation initiative that will transform the Auckland Harbour Bridge into a dynamic storytelling canvas through light.' The project - expected to be a multi-year tourism initiative starting in August next year - is likely to attract widespread interest among...

Wellington's mayor is talking up cost savings, as the council chases a lower 5.8 percent rates rise. It proposed 7.4 percent during public consultation. Some fees and user charges are increasing and big projects like the Town Hall and refurbishing the Botanic Gardens' Begonia House will continue.  Andrew Little says they made cuts to keep rates down. "Finding savings isn't an annual activity,...

Tradies are being encouraged to warm up before work in order to reduce the impact of injuries. The construction industry is a high source of of work-related ACC claims, and some managers are educating their teams on the benefits of warming up. Chris Polaczuk from Construction Health and Safety NZ says there's still a 'macho culture' in the trades, where too many people see pain as a badge of honou...

A suggestion Kiwi drivers should focus on themselves, with the myth blaming foreign drivers for our worst crashes busted. Ministry of Transport data shows overseas drivers were involved in only 18 of New Zealand’s 292 road deaths in 2024. Of 2400 crashes resulting in serious injuries, only about 100 involved overseas drivers. Automobile Association safety spokesperson, Dylan Thomsen, says he'd lov...

Former Minister Peter Dunne says it's time to look at MP allowances. NZ First MP Andy Foster's claiming a $36,000 accommodation allowance for the Wellington family home he bought 26 years ago.  He's moved to the Wairarapa, but lives in the capital when Parliament sits. Dunne says MPs should be reasonable.  "Fair enough if you're required to commute to Wellington each week to get some acc...

The Reserve Bank Governor says she's mindful of the weak economy, as she weighs up Official Cash Rate settings. Anna Breman made the final call to keep the OCR unchanged at 2.25 percent today. The Monetary Policy Committee had been evenly split on hiking or holding, and is now signalling it'll go up in September. Breman says they consider the factors pushing inflation up, but also the weak economy...

The Reserve Bank Governor acknowledges many Kiwis are doing it very tough right now. Anna Breman used her casting vote today, to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25 percent. The six-member Monetary Policy Committee was evenly split on hiking or holding the rate. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

United States President Donald Trump underwent another medical check-up as concerns loom ahead of his 80th birthday. It was Trump’s third medical examination since returning to office last year and follows mounting speculation about issues including bruising on his hands and apparent sleepiness during meetings. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump is reportedly up at all hours, adding to con...

Another twist in the tale of the decision around who will be All Blacks captain in 2026. Incumbent skipper Scott Barrett could be out for the rest of the year, if a three-to five month timeline for recovery from a back operation lands at the longer end of the forecast. New coach Dave Rennie has yet to announce if Barrett will be retained as captain or if he was planning a change. Sportstalk host D...

Temperatures hit record highs for May in the United Kingdom over the weekend, with experts warning of a prolonged period of extreme heat across Europe throughout the week. The Met Office weather agency said this is some of the hottest May weather on record, with temperatures hitting 34.8C. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

Infrastructure investor Infratil has made a strong full year result. This was driven by  investments in Australasian data centre business CDC and United States renewable energy business Longroad Energy. Chief executive Jason Boyes explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 26 May, 2026, PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons on MPs about to get a 2 percent pay rise when so many New Zealanders are struggling with a cost-of-living crisis. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown tries to justify a 7.9 percent rates rise. An Auckland university law expert tells us how do-it-yourself AI-generated legal defences are...

Rural lending specialist Rabobank expects the 2026-27 dairy season to be another strong one for farmgate milk prices, but says rising inflation will take its toll. After a string of strong Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions, Rabobank expects a robust opening milk price from dairy co-op Fonterra of $9.50 to $10.00 per kg of milksolids for the 2026-27 season. However,  the bank said the inflatio...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and Tō Waha Media's Carmen Parahi joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! A man in Napier reached the end of his tether after boy racers kept his household awake for months on end - and eventually shot them with a paintball gun. He was sentenced to community service as a result, but do we think this is f...

Here’s a PR tip for the coalition Government: if they want to win support for their ongoing budget cuts - which affect some of the poorest people in this country - they should consider giving up something themselves. Now, I don’t know if you saw this last week, but Stuff ran a damning story on Louise Upston, the Social Development Minister, who is a lovely woman and a very capable minister - but t...

Auckland's mayor says says residents shouldn't be complaining, with the council set to deliver its biggest-ever rates hike. Councillors voted to back Wayne Brown's 7.9 percent increase - 15 votes to 7, with one abstention.  A last-ditch amendment hoping to reduce it to 5.9 percent was voted down.  Brown says this is the responsible thing to do to achieve their budget.  "This is basi...

A father in Napier was fed up with boy racers keeping the household awake for months on end - and he eventually took matters into his own hands. In February, he grabbed his paintball gun, crept up to a vantage point with a good view of dozens of youths gathered around their cars, and fired 500 paintballs at them over several minutes. As a result, he was sentenced to 40 hours community work and had...

The winter season can bring chills, sniffles and seasonal illnesses - and not just for humans. The cold weather and drier indoor air has been found to impact pets as well, but one expert has revealed there's some ways to protect our furry friends. Healthy Pets NZ chair Dr Hayley Hunt says we're all spending more time indoors, and pets can pick up infections at the kennels or cattery. LISTEN ABOVE...

There's hesitation around moves to beef up regulations guiding electricity gentailers. From July, the big four gentailers mustn't give their retail arms better deals on power contracts than independent companies. Penalties for serious breaches are also ramping up.  Electric Kiwi CEO Huia Burt says this is a good start, but she sees a remaining problem. "We're asking those gentailers to act in...

MP perks won't be reined in, at a time the Government's tightening the belt elsewhere.  Two percent salary rises in July will give MP's $181,000, Cabinet Ministers $327,000 and the PM more than $520,000. They get at least $19,000 a year for expenses.  The PSA's Fleur Fitzsimons says this isn't the time for pay bumps, and it leaves a sour taste.  "This Government has increased the mi...

MPs are set to receive a pay rise from July of about 2 percent. The base salary for the MPs will increase to $181,200, while Cabinet ministers will get $327,100, and the Prime Minister’s salary will jump to $520,500. Newstalk ZB senior correspondent Barry Soper says this increase is on the lighter side, compared to other political pay bumps.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

A second group of women and children linked to the Islamic State are expected to arrive back in Australia tonight. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed seven women and 12 children have made plans to travel from Syria to Australia, after spending years in a refugee camp.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the status and location of the group is currently unknown. LISTEN ABOVE See...