Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Beer is reclaiming its popularity - in large part due to options with lower carbs and alcohol levels. Stats NZ has revealed the volume of beer for consumption has risen 5.4 percent to 296 million litres, after successive years of declines.  Volumes of wine and spirits have fallen. Brewers Association Executive Director, Dylan Firth, says low-carb beer makes up about 20 percent of the market a...

The presence of Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea could indicate New Zealand needs to strengthen relations with China. The Defence Force is monitoring three warships that have now entered Australia's exclusive economic zone, south of Tasmania. Acting Prime Minister David Seymour says there's no reason to panic - but it shows how the world's changed.  Channel Seven's foreign editor, Dr Keith...

The Government hopes criminals will be deterred as it proposes loosening restrictions on citizen's arrests. It would mean businesses could arrest and detain people stealing at any hour, and use reasonable force. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says this doesn't mean people can't tackle others or force them to the ground - but they will be able to directly intervene. "The definition of reasonable f...

The Justice Minister says it's not possible to have a police office on every corner, as he announces plans to beef up citizen's arrests.  The Government is aiming to legislate proposals from a retail crime advisory group - letting businesses detain, restrain and use reasonable force against people stealing. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper has some concerns about these n...

Ukraine and the US have agreed to a framework for a minerals deal, according to Ukrainian officials. The broad outlines of the deal would grant Washington partial access to Ukraine’s minerals, oil and gas, part of an effort by the Trump Administration to recoup the cost of US war aid. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in Washington i...

Toulon have taken a page from the Dad's Army recruitment manual, re-signing 42-year-old All Black great Ma'a Nonu to their roster as medical cover. He's previously had a couple of stints at the French Top-14 side. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's warnings significant change is needed, as Oranga Tamariki continues to fall short. The Independent Children's Monitor's fourth annual report to July - shows the Ministry still isn't meeting National Care Standards, formed in 2019. It's not facilitating enough social worker visits and more children are being abused or neglected under its watch. Monitor head Arran Jones says state care still...

Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet his American counterpart in Washington as talks about Ukraine's future continue. The Prime Minister has already locked horns with Donald Trump - and accused him of repeating Russian disinformation after he called Zelenskyy a 'dictator'. UK correspondent Enda Brady offers speculation about the upcoming meeting. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

'Special Economic Zones' or energy precincts could be established to strengthen New Zealand's fuel and energy security, according to the Government. Cabinet will consider a range of options in the first half of this year. Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says special economic zones - areas with less regulations - are already used widely overseas. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen unp...

It's a good start to the year for wool farmers, as prices leap up to a historic high. Following a Covid-induced downturn, growth has returned to the sector - allowing farmers to do more than scrape by. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Infrastrucuture New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!  British streaming platform DAZN are being courted by New Zealand Rugby to make an 11th hour bid for the rugby rights deal after the body got into a stalemate with Sky. What do we make of this? The Police Minister is cred...

If you've ever lent money to a friend or family member and never seen that cash again - a new app could turn that situation around. A former banker turned Hawke’s Bay farmer has created a peer-to-peer lending app designed to simplify and formalise loan agreements between peers or friends, and it's believed to be the first of its kind in New Zealand. Amico creator Tom Aitken says this service is le...

Campervan company Tourism Holdings is being hit hard by a tough economic climate, according to new reports. The company's net profit for the six months ended December was $25.3 million compared to $39.7 million in the previous period - a 36 percent decline. CEO Grant Webster says there's an upside - as New Zealand rentals and sales have gone from 'strength to strength'. "New Zealand's been our sta...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 25 February 2025, Police Minister Mark Mitchell talks to Ryan Bridge about crime figures being down for the first time since 2018. Minister for Resources Shane Jones talks about the Government's plans for a new special economic zone for Marsden point. The President of the Auckland Primary Principals Association explains why fast...

Saudi-backed service DAZN has reportedly entered the battle for New Zealand Rugby's broadcasting rights. The national body are yet to come to a new agreement with incumbent rightsholders Sky - who are understood to have submitted a smaller bid than their current deal. NZ Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul initially broke the story, and he says NZR felt the need to reach out to a potential bidder who...

There's relief in the education sector as Erica Stanford moves on teacher shortages. The Immigration and Education Minister is changing immigration rules to fast-track primary teacher residency. Annual forecasts predict schools will be short 1250 teachers this year, upturning an original projection of a surplus approaching the same figure - about 1061. Auckland Primary Principals Association Presi...

The Police Minister is crediting officers and Corrections staff for success from a crackdown on violent crime.  The Government's celebrating a two percent decline in victimisations in 2024, compared to 2023. It's alongside a 40 percent increase in foot patrols.   Ram raids more than halved - but retail crime rose 12 percent.  Mark Mitchell says New Zealand should be the safest count...

The Associate Energy Minister wants climate advocates to embrace the potential for fewer regulations around Marsden Point. Cabinet is planning to look into options to increase energy security this year. They could include creating special economic zones, which have reduced regulations and increased support around customs and trade. Shane Jones says it could be a significant point for energy transi...

France's President claims today's discussions with Donald Trump are a turning point for settling the war in Ukraine.  Emmanuel Macron and the US President have held talks at the White House, while virtually attending the Kyiv G7 meeting.  In translation, Macron says both parties want peace as soon as possible, and neither want a weak agreement.  ZB senior political correspondent Bar...

Network Ten has been ordered to pay journalist Lisa Wilkinson $1.15 million to cover the court costs incurred during the Bruce Lehrmann case. Lehrmann had taken Ten and Wilkinson to court - claiming he was defamed by an interview with Brittany Higgins. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Wilkinson and Ten stepped up to defend themselves. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

British streaming platform DAZN are being courted by New Zealand Rugby to make an 11th hour bid for the rugby rights deal up after this year. Talks between Sky and New Zealand Rugby continue, but the pair have failed to reach an agreement on a scaled down offer from the current agreement. The New Zealand Herald reports NZR is talking to DAZN - who are currently in the process of buying Australia's...

A Government plan to extend repeat prescription terms to 12 months could follow international trends. The current supply limit is generally three months - possibly longer for contraceptives and overseas travel.  The Ministry of Health opened consultation last year. General Practice New Zealand chair, Doctor Bryan Betty, says Australia, the US and the UK have already made similar moves. "There...

So it looks like, on paper at least, that this is a big win for the Government's crackdown on crime. Violent crime is down for the first time in five years - sure, it's only by two percent, but at least it's not going up.  2019 - up. 2020 - up. 2021, 2022, 2023 - up, up up. 2024 - down.  And over those five years of increase, violence went up 51 percent. You basically had to just walk do...

Police in Spain have arrested 48 people in connection with a suspected human trafficking ring - believed to have lured over 1000 women to the country for sex work. Authorities found evidence these women, who were mainly from Venezuela and Colombia, were made to believe they were taking beauty or cleaning jobs. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says these women were kept under constant video surveillance...

Retailers are hoping a sales rebound means an industry uptick has begun. Stats NZ data shows total retail sales increased 0.9 percent in the three months ending December - against the quarter before. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says this is a good sign for the economy - but warns companies not to get ahead of themselves. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.