Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Delegates from some of the world's largest banks and investment firms have arrived in Auckland for the Government's first Infrastructure Investment Summit. Cabinet Ministers are expected to front a raft of sessions over the next two days - and it's believed a series of announcements will be delivered regarding New Zealand's future. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls is set to be at tomorrow'...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 12 March 2025, with a Ukraine ceasefire deal now on the table - is Russia going to agree? Ryan Bridge speaks to Russia expert Alexey Muraviev. CTU president Richard Wagstaff tells Ryan why he wants the government to hold on to its living wage rules for procurements. Why is Briscoes boss Rod Duke telling the Government to get it...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Kiwiblog's David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Where to we see this short-term Russia-Ukraine war ceasefire going over the next few days? Will Russia agree to it? All eyes will be on the Government's big Investment Summit tomorrow. Should we be expecting anything much?...

One Hamilton City Council staffer is speaking in defence of food scrap bins. Whanganui District Council has made the decision to ditch food scrap bins for good- because they've been dubbed 'expensive' and 'unpopular'. Hamilton City Council's Tania Hermann argued that food scrap bins were good for households - as they helped reduce waste. "What we're aiming to do is stop rubbish going to landfills....

The Energy Minister says he's doing his best to improve the stability of energy supply.  A new gas well at the Pohokura Production Station in Taranaki was switched on this morning.  It will provide 4 petajoules of gas a year, which could power about 146,000 homes annually.  Shane Jones says it won't be a silver bullet - but it will help.  "So I'm working on various proposals as...

Unions are disputing the Government's reasoning for scrapping living wage contract rules. This move is part of a wider proposal to simplify the procurement process for companies wanting Government contracts. Council of Trade Unions President, Richard Wagstaff, says the argument that small businesses are missing out because they can't afford wages doesn't make sense.  "What it is, basically, i...

It's unclear if Australia will hit the US with counter-tariffs after Donald Trump's recent announcement. The US President has confirmed Australia won't be exempt from new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from tonight. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the tariffs 'entirely unjustified'.  Australian political strategist Bruce Hawker says locals know it's probably not...

A Ukraine ceasefire could be a while away yet, according to one expert. Ukraine's agreed to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, after Washington and Kyiv officials held talks in Saudi Arabia today. Curtin University associate professor, Alexey Muraviev, says the US would need to make some significant compromises for Russia to consider it. He explained that's what it would take for Vladimir...

Banks are hanging tough despite tough economic conditions.  A KPMG report has found the sector's net profit for 2024 increased just 0.25 percent from the previous year. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this still adds up to $7.22 billion. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Department of Education has initiated mass layoffs, reducing its workforce by nearly 50 percent.  Impacted staff will be placed on administrative leave from March 21, according to a statement from the Department.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says DOGE team lead Elon Musk has expressed interest in getting rid of the Department of Education altogether - and it's unclear how poss...

A hint of irony from Manchester United's new stadium plans, at least from a New Zealand perspective. Part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is behind plans to build a new $4.5 billion dollar, 100 thousand-seat environmentally-friendly ground before demolishing Old Trafford. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briscoe Group's revenue has stayed virtually flat, with profit taking a hit. Total revenue for the owner of Briscoe Homeware and Rebel Sport decreased 0.06 percent - to $791.5 million - for the year to January. It's reporting net after-tax profit of $60.6 million, dropping 38.9 percent on the year before. Managing director, Rod Duke, says the Government needs to put some new solutions forward to h...

One person is in hospital, and 36 others are safe and accounted for, after a cargo vessel collided with an oil tanker in the North Sea. The vessels promptly burst into flames, sending thick dark smoke into the air. UK correspondent Enda Brady says investigations into the incident are ongoing - and there's concerns it could have long-running implications.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/liste...

Stock markets across the US have taken a significant hit over concerns about the negative economic impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs. After the President refused to rule out a recession, the S&P 500 dropped 2.7 percent, the Nasdaq fell 4 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says US markets have a right to be worried...

Following a surge in the second half of 2024, the golden run for New Zealand farmgate beef pricing has continued in the early part of 2025.  Returns are also expected to stay strong throughout the rest of the year- as US demand for Kiwi beef is expected to stay elevated. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Is the school lunch programme doomed? Libelle Group, one of the lunch providers, has been tipped into liquidation. What does this saga mean for the Government? The Commerce Commission is taking legal action against Hel...

A man is in police custody after a series of vandalism attacks on electric vehicles took place in Auckland. Cars including Teslas and a Polestar electric vehicle were reportedly spray-painted - making them unsafe to drive.  Auckland City Electric Vehicles director Greg Larsen says the Tesla brand has become a 'political football' as a result of CEO Elon Musk's recent actions. "It's quite inte...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 11 March 2025, is the free school lunch programme at breaking point? One of the providers has been tipped into liquidation. The Minister responsible, David Seymour, speaks to Ryan. Should it be easier to cancel your subscriptions? Consumer NZ says yes! It's official. Women are better at money than men . But EnableMe financial adv...

SkyCity and the TAB have complained there won't be a level playing field when the new regulations for online gambling kick in. The Government is set to auction off 15 online casino licences - and both local and international companies will be allowed to bid on the licences.  Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says it's important proper regulations are put in place. "We are enabling p...

Wellington Water Chair Nick Leggett says he's not going anywhere.  The mayors of Wellington and Upper Hutt - Tory Whanau and Wayne Guppy - both say they have no confidence in him.  A recent critical report found the organisation was potentially wasting millions of dollars on infrastructure contracts.  Leggett says he'd like Wellington to transition to a different water entity. ...

Research showing Kiwi women are more financially literate than men suggests they could be more confident about money. Financial Services Council statistics show 66 percent of women answered three or more literacy questions correctly, compared to 57 percent of men.  But women saw themselves as less knowledgeable.  EnableMe Financial Advisor Shelley Palman says literacy doesn't always tran...

A drug researcher is warning more fentanyl will arrive in New Zealand.  The Government's working to tighten controls on 23 substances - helping to allow a police and Customs crackdown. Health Minister Simeon Brown want to categorise three drugs similar to fentanyl as Class A substances, with harsher penalties for manufacture. Massey University's Chris Wilkins says fentanyl is a cheaper altern...

David Seymour's confident the Government's school lunch programme will continue without issue - despite a provider going into liquidation. Libelle Group was contracted to make about 125,000 meals each day. Minister-in-charge David Seymour says its collapse won't cost anything extra. He says the contract remains between the Ministry of Education and Compass. "Any issues that may be reported in the...

The Prime Minister's yet again been forced to defend David Seymour over the school lunches saga in the House.  The Opposition was relentless at Question Time today - with Chris Hipkins taking aim at the Government over the school lunch programme. Yet again, it was up to Chris Luxon to fend off the the attacks.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks today's events...

Details are being revealed about the Sydney caravan hoax - described by police as a 'fake terrorism plot'. NSW police were given a tip-off in January about a caravan at a property in Dural, filled with explosives and a note referencing Jewish targets. Police have now revealed it was a con job - manufactured by organised crime. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the police say they knew earl...