Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The hoo-ha over TJ Perenara's message before leading the All Blacks final haka last year has erupted again. His speech in te reo before the test against Italy in Turin came after the march to parliament to protest the Treaty Principles bill. The Herald reports many within the All Blacks felt blindsided regarding the politicisation of the issue, with a limited number made aware of the halfback's in...

High insulin levels in babies - used to convict UK nurse Lucy Letby - could have occurred naturally.  A jury found the 35-year-old guilty of the murder or attempted murder of 14 babies. Some experts have suggested in a report that the deaths could be from errors or natural causes.  Canterbury University professor, Geoff Chase, assisted in the report. He says Letby was found guilty of add...

Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK Party overtook the Labour Party to become the country's most popular political party in a new YouGov poll. The poll showed that if an election were held tomorrow, 25 percent of British voters would pick Reform, 24 percent would choose Labour and 21 percent would pick the Conservative Party. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this will give Farage a boost ahead of...

Australia has kept their official cash rate on hold for an entire year - but one expert believes that's likely to change. The nation has been committed to bringing down inflation, but HSBC's Paul Bloxham predicts a rate cut will come this February. He explained the factors contributing to this choice, and outlined his predictions for the rest of 2025. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Experts are hoping for a good result ahead of tonight's GDT auction. Jarden economists are expecting a 4 to 5 percent lift - off the back of a solid auction in January. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 4 February 2025, Kainga Ora has got a turnaround plan, and it involves selling off 900 old state houses yearly. KO Chair Simon Moutter tells Ryan Bridge how he's getting the flailing agency's finances under control. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is under pressure from farming groups to explain the Government's emissions red...

Treasury has warned the Government that 'significant reforms' or 'reductions to public services' will be needed in the not-too-distant future if it sticks to its current, restricted spending track. New reports reveal the Government will not post a surplus under the traditional Obegal measure until 2031 - even with this relatively tight spending. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and former Health NZ chair Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Wellington housing valuations have taken a dive, with new data showing values have fallen 24.4 percent since 2021. What do we make of this?  The new plan to turn Kāinga Ora around includes selling off 900 older homes a...

The Prime Minister has taken aim at the chief executives of New Zealand’s largest banks saying it was 'utterly unacceptable' that some were withdrawing banking services from petrol stations and mines. Chris Luxon joined Mike Hosking earlier today to explain that the banks needed to keep funding businesses Kiwis need to keep moving forward - and expressed concern at rural petrol stations in particu...

There's optimism from the head of Super Rugby Pacific that players and coaches will stay genuine with their votes for the competition's new award. The Player of the Year gong will be voted on by the captains and head coaches, who will dish out points to their top three players from the opposing team after every match. Jack Mesley says the sport had a really good year last year - and they're hoping...

Wellington housing valuations have taken a dive, with no suburb unscathed.  QV valuations show house values have fallen 24.4 percent since 2021, with the average house value now sitting just under $1.1 million. Auckland valuations are expected to show little movement since 2021.  City Councillor Ben McNulty says it won't change rates bills much. "The council has decided it needs 13 perce...

New Zealand could have one of the least competitive corporation tax rates - but that could change by May. The Prime Minister has hinted this year's Budget could make way for relief.  The rate has stayed on 28 percent since 2011 - but Finance Minister Nicola Willis is making comparisons with countries like Ireland, with a 12.5 percent rate. Advisory expert Robin Oliver says such a change would...

Kāinga Ora is focused on bringing down its building costs going forward. The Government is taking aim at its pricing - saying it is refocusing the state landlord on basics. A new review judged Kāinga Ora was paid about 12 percent more for building houses, when compared to the market. Chair Simon Moutter says the costs were partly due to higher design specs than needed. "Social housing does require...

Mexico's ambassador met with Winston Peters at Waitangi today following last week's infamous comments made by Shane Jones. The NZ First MP made headlines after he called out 'send the Mexicans home' in Parliament. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper outlined the mood before the meeting. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jo Haylen has quit as the New South Wales transport minister after it was revealed she used a ministerial car for personal purposes. It recently emerged that Haylen had asked her chauffeur to take her and some friends to a winery lunch on the Australia Day holiday weekend in a 13-hour 446km round-trip. It was also reported that Haylen used a taxpayer-funded driver to ferry herself and her children...

Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley feels they've landed on the best possible format for the competition's new Player of the Year award. Captains and coaches will vote on their top three players from the opposing team on a 3, 2, 1 basis after every match. The votes from each game and an updated leaderboard will be published on the competition website and social media channels every Tue...

The Climate Minister is reiterating support for climate targets. Act leader David Seymour's suggested New Zealand could pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement - following the lead of the US President. Foreign Minister Winston Peters says questions need to be asked if large nations aren't signed up. Climate Minister Simon Watts says we need to do all we can to meet climate targets. "We've set a ta...

The former president of Spain's football federation, Luis Rubiales, is set to go on trial later today. Rubiales stands accused of sexual assault for kissing the player Jenni Hermoso, in a case which has fed into wider discussions about sexism and consent.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains what we can expect in this case. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump is set to impose new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China - and the markets took a tumble overnight. Canada and Mexico are facing 25 percent tariffs and China will be hit by a 10 percent tariff. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert believes the US could potentially establish a Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand. Donald Trump is set to meet with the leaders of Canada and Mexico after both nations revealed they planned to impose their own tariffs in response to the President's newest scheme. Former US ambassador to New Zealand Scott Brown says he hasn't heard any plans to impose tariffs on New Zealand. LISTEN ABO...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Palmerston North City Council is looking to ban fizzy drinks from eight venues - including sports stadiums. They claim it's to 'promote healthier lifestyle choices for residents and visitors'. Do we think this is a good idea...

More details could be coming this week about the procuring company for the Interislander ferries. In December last year, the Government announced it would set up a company to procure the ferries, freeing up Kiwirail.  It's committed to a March deadline.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she believes Minister-in-Charge Winston Peters has a handle on the process - and will be incorporat...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 3 February 2025, Trade Minister Todd McClay speaks to Ryan Bridge as fears of a US trade war grow bigger. Also, Trump insider and former US Ambassador to New Zealand, Scott Brown reveals how to deal with Trump and why an FTA might actually be a possibility. Loud gasps at the Grammys - why did Kanye West's girlfriend turn up naked?...

The 67th Grammy Awards took place today - and plenty of the biggest names in music got to take home some awards and accolades. Chappell Roan won the Grammy for best new artist, Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' scored record of the year and song of the year, and Beyoncé took home album of the year for Cowboy Carter - a career first. The ceremony took place a month after the LA wildfires began, with p...

One councillor's standing by a proposed fizzy drink ban, despite community pushback. Palmerston North City Council has proposed to include Central Energy Trust Arena in its sugary drinks ban - among other venues. The council says the draft policy's aim is to promote a healthy lifestyle. Councillor Brent Barrett says he knows pushing for the right thing isn't always popular.   "We know there's...