Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

T20 franchise globetrotters Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Seifert will return to the Black Caps for the home T20 series against Pakistan starting on Sunday. Michael Bracewell has been named captain and is one of seven players from the Champions Trophy runners-up who'll join the squad. There's no Kane Williamson, Bevon Jacobs, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and u...

More consumers are falling into subscription traps - prompting warnings from advocacy groups.  The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against HelloFresh. It's accusing the meal company of reactivating subscriptions without clearly seeking customers' permission - during cold calls between February 2022 and July 2023. Consumer NZ's Sahar Lone says it's important to check your bank a...

A 29-year-old who scaled Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster in central London has been charged by police after the incident took place. Daniel Day has been charged with causing a public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site after climbing the clock tower - resulting in the closure of Westminster Bridge and Bridge Street. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Day is expected t...

New Zealand is hoping for an economic reprieve - but experts warn that's less likely to happen this year. Donald Trump's ascension to the presidency has generated plenty of economic concern, with many worried it could contribute to the ongoing downturn. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has declined to rule out a recession this year as his administration's tariffs spark economic concern. It comes after a volatile week for US financial markets as investors grappled with ongoing uncertainty as a result of the administration's trade policies.  Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 10 March 2025, Chris Hipkins has overtaken Chris Luxon in the latest political poll - and we'll dig into what's going on with the PM's popularity. Who is Mark Carney? Ryan Bridge tells you everything you need to know about Canada's new PM. Ryan asks Finance Minister Nicola Willis when she found out about Adrian Orr's shock resigna...

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! Another new poll shows the Government is losing popularity - and Chris Hipkins has overtaken Luxon as preferred Prime Minister. Should the coalition be worried? Will this hurt Chris Luxon in 2026? Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark C...

Despite some less-than-ideal poll figures, Minister Nicola Willis doesn't believe Kiwis have lost faith in the Government.  The latest Taxpayers Union-Curia Poll has Labour on 34.1 percent, overtaking National on 33.6 percent. Chris Hipkins is also ahead of Chris Luxon as preferred Prime Minister. Nicola Willis says there's plenty of polls left between now and the 2026 election - and she's fo...

Auckland Council’s Community Committee is urging the Government to help the city as rates of homelessness grow. This comes as new data shows the number of people sleeping rough in the city has gone up by 53 percent since September. Committee Chair, Councillor Angela Dalton, says she's never seen a spike like this before. She also explained that this tied in with a number of other changing factors...

Canada's new Prime Minister is expected to tout his economic expertise as he enters the job.  Mark Carney has served as Governor of Canada's and England's central banks.  He'll lead the Liberal Party into this year's general election.  Canadian correspondent Rachel Aiello says it's important for Carney to sell himself as a numbers man.  "At this current moment, with the ongoing...

An Auckland community leader says mandatory police body cameras would help everyone. David Letele is behind a petition calling for the change - a petition that's garnered nearly 10,000 signatures so far. A 45 year-old man died a week ago at Auckland's Ōrere Point, after he and another person fled police.  Faasala Samu Matue lost consciousness after being tasered and pepper-sprayed - when he t...

Another poll is showing a clear drop in support for the coalition Government - and some are wondering if it's cause for concern. The newest  Taxpayers Union-Curia Poll has Labour on 34.1 percent, and National on 33.6 percent - and Hipkins in the lead for preferred Prime Minister. ACT has fallen 2.3 points to 7.7, and New Zealand First is just above the threshold on 5.1 percent. Jordan William...

Labour has overtaken National - and Chris Hipkins has leap-frogged Chris Luxon as preferred Prime Minister in a new poll. The Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll has Labour on 34.1 percent and National on 33.6 percent - leaving the coalition unable to form a Government. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon doesn't appear to be bothered by this data - and he's focused on gettin...

Severe weather warnings remain in some eastern parts of Australia recovering from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred. Flood warnings ranging from minor to major still apply in northern New South Wales - with rain expected to ease - and southeast Queensland. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says people should keep clear of dangerous powerlines, likely to be across the Northern Rivers Region to Coffs Har...

India have chased 252 to beat New Zealand by four wickets with an over to spare in the Champions Trophy final at Dubai on a pitch that could've been used to re-enact the moon landing. Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 63 off 101 balls but the Black Caps struggled at times, including an 81-ball gap between boundaries from the 14th to 27th overs. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOV...

Pharmac's board chair says the drug buying agency has a management issue with listening to patient voices. A review of consumer engagement with the Government agency finds it's seen as 'defensive'. It also says Pharmac's slow to respond and lacks respect for patient advocates. Chair Paula Bennett says the organisation had become insular and inward-looking - more often than not. "And instead of pro...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 7 March 2025, Ryan Bridge talks to Winston Peters about NZ First's new members bill to remove 'woke' DEI hires for the public sector.  Health Minister Simeon Brown discusses the re-creation of the Health NZ Board - what's next for Lester Levy?  The Mayor of Byron Bay Sarah Ndiaye gives us a latest on cyclone Alfred as it...

US Ukraine talks are headed to Saudi Arabia next week, with President Zelensky saying he hopes it'll be a meaningful meeting. It has been revealed around 20 countries are now interested in joining what's being called a coalition of the willing to help Ukraine. They're largely taken from the Commonwealth and from Europe, spearheaded by the UK and France.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks to R...

How is China feeling amid the trade war coming out of the United States?  Tariffs have been on and off under Trump's direction, but when it comes to China they have been consistent.  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Ryan Bridge about what's been happening in China in the aftermath.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man at the centre of the economy for eight years has resigned, leaving without notice or explanation.  Adrian Orr stepped down from his role as Reserve Bank governor on Wednesday.  Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper says it would be beneficial to hear from Orr.  "H e's either accepting absolute defeat in what he set out to do, or he's saying ... ' I've done the job, now...

U.S President Donald Trump has paused tariffs on Mexico and Canada, again, after first doing so one month ago.   The executive actions mean products covered under the USMCA treaty won’t be subject to a tariff until April 2 nd . What is the President’s game plan?  Executive Director of the International Business Forum Stephen Jacobi talks to Ryan Bridge. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/l...

Sports Commentator Andrew Gouride and Newstalk ZB Rugby Commentator Paul Allison join Ryan Bridge on the Sports Huddle. Super Rugby is taking a hit after the Fijian team were forced to right in the back of a truck on their arrival in Napier. How bad is this for the tournament? The Champions Trophy is getting underway on Sunday – could the Black Caps win? What does the Huddle think of a new review...

The Fijian Drua have reported several travel issues before their Super Rugby game in Napier last month.  A photo showing the rugby team crammed into the back of a truck has circulated online, leading to officials blaming a breakdown in communication as the culprit.  FBC Sports Journalist Indra Singh talks to Ryan Bridge about the incident.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

New film Tinā is shaping up to be a Kiwi classic and has already earned more than $1 million.  The film ranks third as the biggest opening weekend for a New Zealand film. Director Miki Magasiva talks to Ryan Bridge about the movie and why it's connecting with audiences nationwide.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyclone Alfred continues to head towards Queensland.  Four million people are set to be directly affected according to the latest numbers.  Several towns have been evacuated and thousands are without power.  Byron Bay Mayor Sarah Ndiaye gives Ryan Bridge an update on the situation.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.