Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Donald Trump described the Ukrainian president as a 'dictator'. Starmer called Zelenskyy and told him it was 'perfectly reasonable' for the Ukraine to suspend an election amid the ongoing conflict with Russia - as the UK did the same during World War II. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Starmer is set to meet with Trump next week...

Farmer confidence has risen to its highest level in over a decade, rebounding from record lows in recent years, Federated Farmers says. The advocacy group has released its latest farm confidence survey, which shows falling interest rates, rising incomes and more favourable farming rules have led to the improved outlook.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio...

The Reserve Bank is urging the Government to take a hard look at Stats NZ, with a view to improving the timeliness and accuracy of key economic data. The department has been put under the microscope, with the central bank highlighting dramatic revisions to GDP (gross domestic product) as one of the reasons for a controversial reversal in its rate track in 2024. NZ Herald business editor at large L...

Acclaimed film director James Cameron says investment and innovation, especially in the film sector, is the key to Wellington’s future. Cameron spoke at Vision for Wellington’s inaugural public event and said the capital’s film sector sets it apart from other cities in New Zealand - but needs more financial support from the Government. SPADA President Irene Gardiner says Wellington's film sector b...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  A senior police officer hit his kids with a belt several times, but was only censured for it by police. The IPCA has said that is grossly inadequate, but nothing will happen as a result. What do we make of this?  Should public...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 20 February 2025, the latest stats show child poverty is going nowhere - Social Development Minister Louise Upston tells Ryan the solution to the crisis. Air NZ boss Greg Foran is forecasting turbulence on the horizon and apologises for the airline's on time performance. Defence Minister Judith Collins says she's keeping an eye...

Three Chinese navy vessels have entered the Tasman Sea, off of Australia's coast. The New Zealand Defence Force is monitoring the vessels - which are about 280 kilometres east of Sydney. Defence Minister Judith Collins says this is the first time China's sent such capable war ships this far south. "They're really quite stunning pieces of equipment and we've never seen them in this area before...

A law expert says it was assault when a senior police officer hit his children with a belt.  The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found the North Island officer struck his three children multiple times, on their lower body. He admitted using his belt to 're-set' his kids - and has been censured by police for serious misconduct. Auckland University law professor Mark Henaghan says crim...

A New Zealand-born teen threatened with deportation has mixed emotions, now that he's allowed to stay in the country.  Daman Kumar faced deportation with his long-time overstayer parents to India, a country he'd never visited.  Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk has granted the 18 year-old a resident visa - but has ordered Kumar's parents to leave immediately.  Kumar's lawyer...

Air New Zealand is brushing off criticism from Aotearoa's largest airport. Auckland Airport CEO Carrie Hurihanganui has suggested the national carrier's too dominant in the domestic market, holding an 84 percent market share. She stated Air New Zealand wasn't meeting the needs of consumers or the regions. Its Chief Executive, Greg Foran says there've been adjustments in recent months - particularl...

The Child Poverty Reduction Minister attributes stagnant progress to tough economic conditions.  Annual figures to June show no real change since 2018, despite a cross-party commitment to halve the rate by 2028. More than 143,000 children are estimated to be living in material hardship.  But Minister Louise Upston says a growing economy will start to help.  "For some families, the c...

More debate over calling New Zealand Aotearoa in the House, taking up 10 minutes during Question Time. Yesterday, Winston Peters objected to Mexican immigrant Ricardo Menendez-March using the name. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Aotearoa is perfectly acceptable to use in the house - despite Peters' obstinance on the subject.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Australia's unemployment rate rose to 4.1 percent in January from 4 percent in December, in line with expectations from economists. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, employment increased by 44,000 last month, with full time positions increasing and part time roles dropping. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Reserve Bank is largely hoping the unemployment rate keeps grow...

An opening Champions Trophy triumph for New Zealand over Pakistan at Karachi in their one-day international. The hosts struggled to 260, chasing 321 to win. Earlier, Will Young made 107 and Tom Latham an unbeaten 118 in a fourth-wicket stand of 118. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recaps the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's latest campaign to draw in more tourists from Australia has been met with mixed responses.  One leading Australian travel compensation lawyer has warned prospective Aussie travellers to 'go at your own risk'. Peter Capner, Director of Carter Capner Law, says travellers to New Zealand cannot access compensation for injury or death due to the fault of someone else. "Speaking on be...

New medical tests have shown further complications in the condition of Pope Francis. They reveal the 88-year-old pontiff has developed bilateral pneumonia. The Vatican says laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father's clinical condition continue to present a complex picture. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the Pope's scheduled appointments and appearances for the next few days have been c...

Fonterra appears to be advancing its plans to sell off Anchor, Mainland and its other consumer brands.  The co-op hasn't decided whether or not to sell the brands to another business in a trade sale - or whether to list the in an IPO. NZ Shareholders Association CEO Oliver Mander weighs in on what Fonterra's next move could be. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank started 2025 off with some good news for homeowners and slashed the OCR by 50 basis points. The Central Bank also implied more rate cuts will come - and at a quicker pace than previously indicated.  Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan revealed how the markets responded. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Banks have begun slashing shorter-term mortgage rates following today's cuts to the OCR, but experts have issued a warning to homeowners. Reserve Bank policymakers are again warning borrowers not to hold their breaths for substantive cuts to longer-term mortgage rates. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the factors behind today's cuts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/li...

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The OCR was slashed again by 50 basis points - what does this mean for the economy and the cost of living? Do we think more cuts are the way to go? The Consumer Guarantees Act (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill is set to have its...

Fletcher announced a $134 million net loss after tax for the December 31, 2024 half-year, up on the previous $120m net loss. Losses climbed partly due to the disastrous Perth leaky pipe problems after Fletcher’s Iplex finalised and signed a $170m provision in this 2025 financial year in what it called the Western Australian plumbing industry response. Fletcher Building CEO Andrew Reding says many...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 19 February 2025, there was a 0.5 percent cut to the Official Cash Rate - Brad Olsen breaks down what it means for your mortgage, your savings and the economy.   Auckland mayor Wayne Brown speaks to Ryan Bridge after announcing he's running for re-election. Fletcher boss Andrew Reding on how he wants to turn his company ar...

The All Blacks will be looking to avenge a historic defeat as part of this upcoming test season. The Kiwi side will face off against Ireland in Chicago - nine years on from Ireland's first win between the countries. NZ Rugby Chief Executive Mark Robinson says there's room to grow the sport in the US ahead of future World Cups. "There's a lot of opportunities around the United States in general at...

New data shows a drop in fatalities on the road - with older drivers at higher risk for deadly crashes for the first time. A new analysis by Road Safety Education Limited reveals that deadly accidents among younger drivers have halved over the past 25 years. Road Safety Education's Maria Lovelock says as drivers get older, their cognitive abilities and eyesight decline, putting them at risk. "But...

Auckland's mayor is asking for the chance to finish the job he's started. Wayne Brown will run again for the city's top job in October - saying he's delivered on most of the policies he set out to achieve when first elected in 2022. He says Auckland ratepayers should back him again. "We expect to deliver the lowest rate rises in the country, we expect to deliver value for everything." LISTEN ABOVE...