Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A New Zealand-born Indian teen facing deportation has been granted a brief reprieve. It's now been paused, as Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk decides whether Daman Kumar will be sent to India, a country he's never visited.  The 18-year-old's parents have been overstayers for more than two decades - with the three told to leave the country or face deportation. Kumar's lawyer, Alastai...

Kiwi diners have mixed feelings on replacing human service with technology, with many preferring face-to-face interaction. Those 46 and older showed negativity towards QR code and app-based ordering, with half 18-to-35-year-olds neutral on the topic. Restaurant Association president Mike Egan says many diners prefer the tactile experience of using a menu they don't have to scroll through. He also...

An economics expert says cutting the Official Cash Rate is unwarranted. The Reserve Bank is set to release its first 2025 OCR decision on Wednesday. Many economists are predicting a 50 basis point cut - from 4.25 percent to 3.75. Auckland University economics professor Robert MacCulloch says the bank's only meant to focus on inflation, which is already on target. "They're not looking at the inflat...

There's concerns the US and Russia are having peace talks without involving anyone else - including Ukraine. Ukraine's European allies are set to gather in Paris for an emergency summit on the war tomorrow. It comes as a US envoy is expected to meet Russian officials for the first time in Saudi Arabia later this month. Kiwi K.A.R.E founder Tenby Powell says this is a stark example of geopolitical...

There's renewed calls to evaluate Destiny Church's charitable status and tax treatment after their actions last weekend. Followers of Destiny Church  - the religious movement spearheaded by Hannah and Brian Tamaki - stormed an Auckland library on Saturday to protest a drag king reading to children. Followers of the church then disrupted Auckland's rainbow parade - actions Auckland's mayor cal...

Peter Dutton has vowed to 'deal with' insurers if they do not drop premiums in higher risk areas. The devastating floods in north Queensland have drawn attention to the fact that many Australians that live in disaster-prone areas are struggling to secure affordable insurance - and this will likely escalate as climate change ramps up.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says insurance pr...

Motivation for revenge has inspired Auckland FC to yet another win in football's men's A-League. A pair of quick goals to end the first half has helped the league-leading Black Knights to a 2-nil win over Western United in blustery conditions just outside of Melbourne. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recaps the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump's advisers are on their way to Saudi Arabia to begin negotiations with Russia to end the war with Ukraine - but Ukraine appears to have been left out of the discussion.  European leaders are determined to not get left behind, with an emergency summit set to take place in France between European and NATO leaders. Jeffrey Price, a former US Defence Department official, doubts a deal will...

Newstalk ZB Sports News Director Clay Wilson and Sports Journalist  Nick Bewley talk all things Super Rugby: The impact of Will Jordan and Scott Barrett, the team they predict will loose.  Over to Australia, Joe Schmidt has abandoned his role as coach, can the All Blacks take him on?  With the Blues, Warriors, Breakers, Auckland FC, and Moana Pasifika, can Auckland support another s...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 14 February 2025, there’s more upheaval in the health sector with the Director General of Health being the third high profile resignation in just a week.  Concerns about schools inappropriate spending - we'll take you through some questionable receipts.  Plus, Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge speaks to Andrew Dickens ahea...

The first Super Rugby Pacific game is kicking off tonight. Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge joins the show to discuss the season and the changes his team has made. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

German Counter-terrorism officers have taken over the investigation into the incident yesterday in which a car drove into a crowd in Munich. At least 30 people were injured, some in critical conditions. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey discusses the suspected attack, the senior UK minister reported to have exaggerated her work experience, and the price people are paying for being single in the UK. LIST...

Cook Island’s Prime Minister Mark Brown is in China as a deal is being signed between the two country’s. Has China spoken about what the deal involves? Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis discusses the deal, growing fears of a trade war between China and the US, and how Asia is responding to reciprocal tariffs imposed by Donald Trump. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

The top 100 highest paid athletes in the world are all men. Christiano Ronaldo holds the top spot at US$260 million last year. How can women catch up? Auckland University's Sports Sociologist Professor Toni Bruce joins the show to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tokoroa’s Kinleith Mill owner has confirmed plans to permanently end paper production. From June the change will be implemented and roughly 230 factory workers will be jobless. South Waikato District Mayor Gary Petley says the impact on the town will be ‘huge.’ LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour is pushing for New Zealand to adopt a four-year parliamentary term. The ACT Party leader says in a longer term, select committees would be organised differently to ensure the opposition always has a majority there. Political Commentator Peter Dunne says the government will soon put the issue to a referendum. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Super Rugby is back - can the Crusaders redeem themselves?  Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith discusses major player losses, what to expect in the Blues v Chiefs match tomorrow, cricket's tri-series final tonight, the ongoing Ineos sponsorship issue and more.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another week has seen another Ministry of Health official’s resignation. Was Dr Diana Sarfati pushed out? A former defence and foreign minister is sounding the alarm about New Zealand’s position in the Pacific – should we be worried? Newstalk ZB’S Political Editor Jason Walls joins the show. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In another downfall for the health sector, the Director-General of Health Diana Sarfati has resigned. Sarfati will leave the role “promptly.” The news comes as the Director of Public Health stepped down on Monday, following in the footsteps of Health New Zealand’s Chief Executive resigned one week ago. Former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell joins the show. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Donald Trump has announced more tariffs, and Robert F Kennedy Jr has been sworn in as Health Secretary – what will he do with his new powers? It’s Valentine's Day! Are men more romantic than women? US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson joins the show. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questionable spending by schools has been flagged by the Auditor General. According to a new report, 54 schools had spent money in ways that personally benefited their principals in 2023. Expenses include Pilates classes and even overseas family travel. New Zealand Principals Federation President Leanne Otene discusses the issue. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed talks to end the war in Ukraine will start immediately, although the US is indicating it won't regain all its territory. A prisoner exchange is also likely. Trump has also spoken with Russia's Vladimir Putin, calling the phone call 'lengthy and productive'. UK correspondent Enda Brady suspects Donald Trump is looking to win a Nobel Peace Prize - and this is...

The expanded tariff measures announced by President Donald Trump are contributing to economic uncertainty held by multiple companies, according to experts. Major trade partners, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil and the EU will likely be impacted by the incoming 25 percent tax on steel and aluminium imports into the US. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains how these changes could impact...

A series of livestock sales making way for blanket afforestation on a productive hill-country station on the Hokonui Hills in Southland isn't being received well by local farmers. The Government announced changes to limit the amount of full farm to forestry conversions in December last year, with changes set to kick in by October. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks the community backlash. LISTEN A...

The Government has confirmed it plans to create more competition between the supermarkets as part of its growth plan. Finance and Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says this means potential crackdowns on pricing and helping new entrants access land and properties for development. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this scheme could include - and whether or not it could...