Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Government is reinstating the board of Health New Zealand, only eight months after it was scrapped. Lester Levy was appointed as commissioner and replaced the board last year. What does the new model look like?  Health Minister Simeon Brown said the recruitment process has begun for a new board and talks to Ryan Bridge about the change. LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Health Minister Simeon Brown is making major changes by bringing back the board of Health New Zealand.  It comes as an audit of the public health agency found financial difficulties and "significant concerns."  Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper tells Ryan Bridge one of those concerns was senior management not having a meeting for two years.  "I f it was laughable, you'd say...

Cracks are showing in the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Trump gathered his cabinet to distinguish what power Musk has.  The President's new guidance says that DOGE will play an advisory role and that's it. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Ryan Bridge about the change, and Trump's pause on Mexico-Canada tariffs.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/lis...

Can the Black Caps beat India on Sunday night to with the ICC Champions Trophy? The teams will come up against each other in Dubai at 10pm NZ time. The final follows a record-breaking victory against South Africa in the semi-final of the tournament. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meal deals have been a staple across UK retailers - and some outlets are offering consumers a new lunchtime option. Companies like Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco are offering up salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta and more - and non-alcoholic beer has entered the mix.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says this has been met with mixed reactions, with many labelling this move 'desperate'. LISTEN ABOVE Se...

Equity markets across the world have taken a dive - and one expert has explained the sudden drop. Donald Trump's tariff threat and collective concerns about the administration's new Department of Government Efficiency have sparked aversion among experts. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s red meat sector is on track for a strong rebound, with export returns and overall profitability expected to rise. According to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s mid-season update, strong global demand is expected to boost results for the sector.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good news for Kiwi motorists - they can look forward to lower fuel prices in the next few days. The price of oil is at its lowest level in more than three years as fears about lower global growth combine with Opec plans to boost production. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog's David Farrar and former Labour minister Stuart Nash joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Foreign Minister Winston Peters made the decision to sack Phil Goff as High Commissioner to the UK after he questioned President Donald Trump's understanding of history. Was this the right call? The Government has revealed it plans to low...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 6 March 2025, Ryan Bridge talks to Jessica Walker - Head of research at Consumer NZ about calling for an outright ban on card payment surcharges. Health Minister Simeon Brown discusses the Government's announcement on lowering the age for free bowel cancer testing. Winston Peters has given Phil Goff the flick as the High Commiss...

Medical lab scientists and technicians across the country are set to go on strike in the coming days. Rolling strikes will take place across Pauanui, Pathlab and various med labs - beginning on the 22nd of March. The union has revealed 123,000 fewer patient tests will take place as a result of the strike action.  APEX National Secretary Dr Deborah Powell says important tests will still be car...

An Auckland-based Canadian billionaire previously linked to an alternative news venture has taken a substantial holding in media company NZME. NZME owns the NZ Herald, BusinessDesk and Newstalk ZB. E tū negotiator Michael Wood says many are concerned about a potential change in editorial direction. "The concern here is that we clearly have an individual that is highly motivated to take control of...

Air New Zealand is in for a change - with CEO Greg Foran resigning from October. He's told the board the airline is in a good place and this is the right time to step down. He took on the role in February 2020. Aviation commentator Irene King says the airline should take this opportunity to restore confidence at home. "Air New Zealand has really got to focus on its core New Zealand market - and I...

New research reveals Kiwis check their devices for notifications up to 50 times per hour. According to a survey by Kindle, 86 percent of respondents check through their notifications before they go to sleep - which has been found to contribute to increased stress levels and poor sleep quality. Neuroscientist Dr Mark Williams says many people have also developed 'phantom buzz' syndrome as a result...

There's support for the Foreign Affairs Minister sacking Phil Goff as High Commissioner to the UK.  Goff questioned President Donald Trump's understanding of history at a public Chatham House event. Winston Peters says that's ultimately made his position as High Commissioner untenable.  Former New Zealand Consul-General to LA, Maurice Williamson, says diplomats are clearly warned no...

The Health Minister says higher testing rates are key to better bowel cancer outcomes. The Government is lowering eligibility for free screening to 58 from late this year. It's using funding set aside from the previous Government's plan to lower screening for Māori and Pasifika - who have worse early onset death rates - to 50. Simeon Brown says this will save more lives - but he explained they'll...

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has sacked Phil Goff as British High Commissioner. The Foreign Minister acted after Goff - a former Labour leader and Cabinet Minister in Clark's Government - questioned Donald Trump's understanding of history.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Trump needs to be handled with care, as the US President could retaliate and impact New Zea...

Australia's Prime Minister is reassuring locals bracing for Cyclone Alfred that the Government has their back.  The category two storm is expected to hit tomorrow between the Sunshine Coast and northern New South Wales. More than 200 NSW schools are closed, the Defence Force is activated - and Qantas and Virgin are suspending Brisbane flights. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says over 20...

Kane Williamson has rotated the strike with a Lahore cat at the media conference after New Zealand's 50-run Champions Trophy semi-final cricket win over South Africa. He didn't need nine lives with his 102 alongside Rachin Ravindra's 108 as part of 362 for six to cat-apult the Black Caps into a decider against India in Dubai on Sunday. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABO...

There's renewed calls for an outright ban on card payment surcharges.  Consumer NZ says the Commerce Commission's considering lowering interchange fees, but there's no guarantee it'll reduce what consumers pay. It says a proper ban would be more consistent and fairer for buyers and merchants. Research Acting Head Jessica Walker says there's been adjustments to interchange fees in the past - a...

The US vice-president is back-pedalling over a comment he made - thought to be in relation to key allies, the UK and France. JD Vance said a US stake in Ukraine's economy is a better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from 'some random country' that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Vance has denied this statement was targeted - but didn't elaborate which c...

It's a big week for the New Zealand stock market, and one expert is taking a look at the highest performers. As results reporting continues, some companies are bringing in more for investors than others. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major question marks over the shock-resignation of Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr. Orr's laid out areas of his work he's proud of, but gave no reason for quitting almost half-way through his second, five-year term. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacked the reactions to this announcement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday March 5 2025, Former Reserve Bank economist Michael Reddell joined Ryan Bridge to discuss Adrian Orr's shock resignation as Reserve Bank Governor. Trade Minister Todd McClay has also c onfirmed he's keeping a close eye on potential trade disruptions that could impact New Zealand as Trump's tariffs kick in. Former ACT leader Rich...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and AUT chancellor Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr stunned the country by announcing a shock resignation earlier today. What do we think caused this? Did he want to leave - or was he pushed out?  Recycling bin inspectors will be fitted with body...