Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A triumph to finish the test cricket year for New Zealand. They have won the third and final match against England by 423 runs in Hamilton, but lost the series 2-1. That margin equals the country’s largest triumph by runs set against Sri Lanka at Christchurch in 2018 and marked an appropriate farewell to Tim Southee after a 16-year, 107-test career. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains furth...

The Chief Ombudsman says our treatment of New Zealand's most dangerous prisoners does not support rehabilitation.  The Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit holds 13 of the countries worst offenders, including the Christchurch mosque shooter.  Peter Boshier says their treatment is cruel, inhuman, and degrading - breaching the UN Convention against torture.  He says his conversations with i...

Israel’s foreign minister says Israel will close its embassy in Dublin over the 'extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish Government'.  Gideon Saar said the Republic of Ireland had crossed 'every red line'. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Israel has voiced fury and disapproval with recent moves from Ireland.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The finance industry is approving a shake up to KiwiSaver. The Government is looking at loosening the rules about where people can put their savings - as part of a package of reforms it's considering to unlock capital. Harbour Asset Management spokesperson Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing demand for changes to building regulations to prevent new-build townhouses from overheating in the summer. Homeowners from across the nation have seen their townhouses reach temperatures exceeding 50C. Team Green Architects co-founder Sian Taylor says many townhouse windows aren't built with external shading - adding to summer heat issues. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The police are facing some pushback after they took an organised cultural trip to China. Was this a bad move? The Government has announced some changes to the Local Government Act to encourage them to get back to basics and cu...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 16 December 2024, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown tells Ryan he's looking into limiting local government rates increases as part of a big council crackdown. Assistant Police Commissioner Sam Hoyle defends a group of police officers taking a trip to China amongst concerns they might have been victims of political interferenc...

The Finance Minister isn't feeling too optimistic ahead of tomorrow's financial outlook update.  The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update will give Kiwis more insight into financial and economic forecasts for the next few years - in comparison with last May's Budget. Nicola Willis says the Government's inherited some very challenging economic conditions for their first year. "Tomorrow, the Tr...

The Assistant Police Commissioner says a trip police officers took to China is no different to any Kiwi going on holiday. More than 30 police staffers visited in October.  Concerns have been raised over the potential for foreign interference, but police say it was a private, self-funded trip to encourage cultural competency. Sam Hoyle says individuals paid for every little part of the trip. "...

A Fijian resort at the centre of a suspected alcohol poisoning debacle is said to be cooperating with investigations. A number of Australians staying at the high-end Warwick Resort are understood to be critically ill after drinking Pina Coladas at its bar. Fiji Tourism CEO Brent Hill says investigations are underway. "The resort's been great - they're very distressed, but they have been really hel...

The average New Zealand home chews twice as much data each month, as its Australian counterpart. Chorus recorded its busiest day for ultrafast broadband fibre on November 2, driven by an update to the video game, Fortnite. Of this year's 17 biggest spikes - 14 came from Fortnite updates. Chorus network strategy manager Kurt Rodgers says fibre is the main difference with Australia. "Fibre's really...

The Government has announced a suite of reforms set to hold councils to account. The Local Government Act is being stripped of well-being requirements - as part of Cabinet efforts to prioritise the basics.  It will also benchmark performance with a yearly report on financial and delivery outcomes.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government is helping put...

The Local Government Act is being scrubbed of requirements to consider social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being.  The Government says its reforms will refocus councils on basics - like fixing pipes, filling potholes, and delivering core services.  It will also benchmark council performance and modernise rules to drive cost savings.  Local Government Minister Simeon B...

The Australian Prime Minister's thanking the Indonesian President as five men arrested almost two decades ago in a drug smuggling ring have returned to Australia. Five remaining members of the group known as the Bali Nine are back on Australian soil. The group was arrested in 2005 after an attempt to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin out of Indonesia. Australian correspondent Oliver Pete...

Kane Williamson has been dismissed for 156 - after recording his 33rd test century - as New Zealand build an imposing lead over England on day three of the third test in Hamilton. Moments ago the Black Caps were 353 for five, leading by 557, with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell at the crease. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

Domestic travel prices are rising as the year draws to a close. Stats NZ says fares rose nearly 11 percent in November on the month before - the biggest lift since July last year. Aviation commentator Peter Clark says, to a degree, it's down to supply and demand.  "Then I think sometimes the airline doesn't have the supply to offer, so they capitalise on filling every seat at the last minute...

What's worse than somebody who doesn't give a s*** about poor people and victims of domestic violence?  Somebody who says they care about them, spends billions of dollars in vain trying to fix it and actually makes the problem worse. At the weekend, Minister Karen Chhour launched the family violence action plan, which is basically a re-do of a 25-year plan that her predecessor, Marama Davidso...

Tonight on The Huddle, Sports Journalist Nicky Styris and Newstalk ZB Rugby Commentator Paul Allison talk all things sport.  Does Tim Southee deserve to play in the Black Caps test against England in Hamilton tomorrow?  The FIFA World Cup is going to Saudi Arabia and Kiwi's are complaining about it.  This and more on The Huddle.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener...

The Government is making changes to get more capital flowing around the economy.  Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bailey says he is going to make it easier for KiwiSaver funds to invest in unlisted companies and assets.  Financial Services CEO Kirk Hope talks to Ryan Bridge.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ferry debacle, what a way to finish the year! The big four trade banks are being told to become more competitive while Kiwibank'sto get a $500 million cash injection. Greyhound racing gets the chop by Winston the dog lover. Opinion polls out this week, ACT the big winner in the Curia poll. The Māori Party leadership and the Haka leader sent to the Privileges committee along with Labour's Tau Henar...

It should come as no surprise to anyone, driving on our roads is about to get more expensive. Simeon Brown's come out this afternoon and whacked tolls on 3 new highways or expressways. Otaki to north of Levin -  $2.70 for a car. $5.40 for a truck. Takitimu North Link - that's the Tauranga to Te Puna. 4 lanes. $2.10 off peak. $3.10 peak. Double that for trucks. Penlink in Auckland - $2 off pea...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday,13 December 2024, the Government has agreed to toll three new roads following public consultation - Transport Minister Simeon Brown explains the decision. Far-right expert Byron Clark talks about officials u-turn on allowing Candice Owens into New Zealand. Plus the Sports Huddle debates whether or not Papua New Guinea should have b...

President Yoon vowed to “fight until the last moment” on Thursday, in his second public appearance since his unsuccessful martial law gambit. Yoon lashed out at critics of his failed attempt last week to impose military rule on the country. Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power party, signalled he was preparing to support Yoon’s impeachment on Saturday. On Wednesday, South Korea’s corru...

Hospitals in England are being hit by a "tidal wave" of flu and other winter viruses, NHS bosses say. Data released showed there were an average of nearly 1,900 beds occupied by flu patients last week – up 70% on the week before. The service is running at near bed capacity and getting worse. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey joins the show to discuss this and more. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/liste...

Controversial US Commentator Candace Owens has been granted a visa to work in New Zealand. This comes as Owens initial visa denial was overturned by Associate Minister Chris Penk. Her visa was denied last month after the cancellation of her Australian work visa.  Owens began her career as a conservative activist.  Author and expert on far-right and alt-right extremism Byron Clark joins R...