Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Prime Minister's revealed he'll be spending this year's Waitangi Day in the South Island.  Chris Luxon is not visiting the Treaty Grounds this week - he's instead sending a Ministerial delegation including Erica Stanford, Tama Potaka, Paul Goldsmith and Mark Mitchell.  Luxon's office has this morning revealed he'll celebrate the public holiday with Ngāi Tahu, at Banks Peninsula's Onu...

Northern Queensland floods are yet to reach predicted levels.  Parts of the north-east have had about a metre of rain since Friday, and a woman died when a rescue boat capsized - and parts of Townsville are evacuating. Authorities claim the rain is currently easing - but the worst is still to come. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says many residents have battened down the hatches to...

Melbourne is closing in on securing a NFL regular season game in 2026. The Herald Sun reports that Melbourne has beaten Sydney to the race to win hosting rights for the first competitive NFL game to be played down under. The two cities had been jostling in recent months, but it's understood the first game will be set down for the Melbourne Cricket Ground in October next year - and will be a multi-...

Bed, Bath & Beyond has been fined $230,000 for selling more than 27,000 products without proper labelling or instructions. The company sold 3700 sets of children's pyjamas without fire-hazard labels - and more than 23,000 hot water bottles without safe usage instructions.  The General Manager accepts responsibility, but notes no products were found to have physical faults.  The Comme...

New Zealand's Trade Minister isn't speaking out against Donald Trump's tariffs just yet, but admits they'll impact Kiwi businesses. The US President has imposed tariffs between 10 to 25 percent on Canada and Mexico. Canada is slapping levies on US goods in response, and Mexico's threatening to do the same. Todd McClay says his focus is on our relationship with the US.  "We are talking to them...

There's belief the job market is tougher for teens without any experience than ever before. Hawke's Bay local Kaitlin Elsworth has spent two years searching for her first paid job. The 18-year-old says rejection letters usually blame it on a lack of experience. Swivel Careers founder Kate Ross says that's always the hardest aspect for teens - but they shouldn't give up. "I encourage people of that...

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 31 January. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People smuggling is seeing a crackdown in the UK after roughly 37,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats last year.  The new criminal offence will see tough consequences for individuals involved in any part of the journey, including preparation.  In retail news, retailers are saying shoplifting has become out of control in Britain.  UK Correspondent Gail Downey said, "thieves...

Chinese company DeepSeek is shedding light on the nations censorship and information control, and causing mass interest in doing so. Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis talks to Ryan Bridge about what the AI company means for China, how it has been received in the country, and more.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report has found that beer makes up almost 1% of our country's GDP. Brewing accounted for $3.6 billion of our GDP last year and 1.3% of the national workforce is employed in the brewing industry, but alcohol excise duties often outpace inflation, and this is having an effect on the industry. Garage Project co-owner Jos Ruffell is calling for smaller hikes in excise tax to support the in...

Sports Journalist Nicky Styris and Sports Commentator Andrew Gourdie on the Huddle.  Who will the new Warriors captain be? The Huddle throws Mitchell Barnett, James Fisher-Harris and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the ring as contenders.  The Australian Open saw runner up Alexander Zverev heckled over domestic violence allegations - does protesting have a place in sports stands? Moana Pasifika a...

An oven issue is responsible for delaying school lunches across Auckland today.  It is another blow for the scheme that saw principals likening the meals to "dog food." Compass Managing Director Paul Harvey said the company is bringing in additional resources to ensure things run smoothly.  "It's been a tough week, and really the key message is we're continuing to put in additional conti...

Resources Minister Shane Jones wants to double mining exports by 2035, claiming it will let the country reach three billion dollars in mineral exports by 2035. It comes as Coal and gold have been added to the critical minerals list in New Zealand in the hopes we can double our mineral exports in a decade. The proposal is bringing in questions of sustainability, while also positive projections for...

Simeon Brown has confirmed plans for Dunedin's new hospital, unveiling details of the project, which will cost 1.88 billion dollars to complete. The last government had promised to build a new hospital on the old Cadbury Chocolate Factory site, but initially the National Government put those plans on hold in September because of budget fears.  After looking into two alternative options, the H...

The quality of school lunches is the talk of the town after lacklustre images have circulated of the meals.  In day 4 of the scheme, Labour's Education spokesperson Jan Tinetti made a vital error when criticising the lunches online, without realising she was referring to a school lunch meal from when Labour was in government.  Dunedin is getting their new hospital - but how has Simeon Br...

More than 40 bodies have been pulled from the wreckage after last nights plane crash in Washington DC.  US Correspondent Logan Church said Air Traffic Control staffing issues are being called into question in the aftermath of the crash.  "There have been reports here that one controller was perhaps doing a two person job and also questions over the helicopter itself," he said.  Chur...

Pre-season matches are underway in Super Rugby this weekend for all six New Zealand-based sides.  What has led to Auckland FC sitting at the top of the league halfway through the season?  The team is set to play Macarthur FC in Auckland tomorrow.  Sports Contributor Jason Pine talks to Ryan Bridge about what's to come for sport over the weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystu...

Almost half of New Zealand's public servants are working from home one day a week, according to data released by The Public Service Commission.  The IRD and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities have more than 80% of their staff working from home at least once a week.  Public Service Association Acting National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said it might not be a bad thing.  "We want a s...

Bristol could potentially become the first major city in England to cut their black waste bin collections down to once per month. The Green Party-led authority says this move would reduce costs and cut down on the environmental impacts - but it's not without its detractors.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says residents are concerned more pests will be drawn to the area. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

There's been plenty of volatility in the tech market this week off the back of the recent DeepSeek fiasco. Despite things picking up after this week's crash, experts are still wondering what's set to happen next. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kāinga Ora has announced it will allow wool carpet providers the chance to tender for supply of carpet and underlay in its homes. The agency has spent the last few years using nylon carpets - citing durability and cheaper prices.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Federal Reserve has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, due to stubbornly high inflation. US President Donald Trump has voiced his disapproval with this move and accused the central bank of mishandling the economy. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks this result - and explains why it's unsurprising rates were left on hold. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! We're into week one of Parliament for 2025 - and it's been a big week for race issues. Shane Jones made some questionable comments about Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March and Te Pati Māori is claiming Karen Chhour doesn't get the 'essence of being Mā...

Growing demand for burger meat has super-charged New Zealand's exports to the United States. The US has recently overtaken Australia as New Zealand’s second-largest export market last year, according to new Stats NZ data. ANZ economist Henry Russell says this is good news for New Zealand's beef industry, which has been hit hard by decreased demand from China. "The US market has actually overtaken...

Dame Sophie Pascoe believes the time is right to hang up her swimming cap and goggles. The 32-year-old is retiring as New Zealand's greatest-ever Paralympian, having won 11 gold medals since her first Games in Beijing in 2008. She says she had to take a step back from the sport after welcoming her first son - and she's keen to carry on with her next venture. "It just really felt comfortable for me...