Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

England overcome a rough start in the cricket, while the Black Caps display 'safer hands' in this test.  Auckland FC and the Wellington Phoenix to play their second derby tomorrow.  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine says the Wellington Phoenix are in for a shot despite Auckland FC not letting a goal in in 5 games.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A six-month facial recognition trial at 25 Foodstuffs North Island stores reduced harm by 16% across the board. The initiative prevented more than 100 serious in-store incidents, including assault. General counsel for Foodstuffs North Island Julian Benefield speaks with Heather du Plessis-Allan about this as well as the ‘onion trick’ being used at checkouts. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listen...

Gregg Wallace's ghostwriter is the latest person to come forward with sexual harassment allegations concerning the MasterChef presenter. Shannon Kyle, the ghostwriter behind Wallace's  2012 autobiography, accused him of inappropriate conduct and touching while she worked on Life On A Plate. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Kyle originally signed an NDA - but broke the contract because she fel...

New reports show there's been a significant decrease in lambs for spring 2024, compared with this time last year. The B+LNZ 2024 Lamb Crop Report indicated 1.1 million fewer lambs were tailed/docked compared to 2023, bringing the total lamb crop to an estimated 19.2 million.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains what this means for the market. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Auckland Council has sold its remaining 9.7 percent stake in Auckland International Airport. The sale will return at least $1.31 billion dollars for the Future Fund. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this means going forward. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing calls for energy reform to avoid New Zealand's de-industrialisation. Around 60 leaders from the Upper North Island energy sector gathered today to develop solutions to the sector’s deep-seated structural problems. Northern Infrastructure Forum executive director Barney Irvine says there's a serious supply and demand imbalance - and a solution is needed before demand ramps up. LISTE...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 5 December 2024, police bosses are warning the Government's election promise to train 500 new officers could take longer than its self-imposed two-year deadline. Associate Police Minister Casey Costello reckons the deadline is still very much achievable. Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister on the show with his...

Tonight on The Huddle, Infrastructure NZ head Nick Leggett and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!   New research has revealed  the Bank of Mum and Dad has helped a significant percentage of millennial and Gen Z Kiwis into their first home. What does this say about the state of the economy? It's Spotify Wrapped...

Dairy giant Fonterra has  raised its forecast milk price payout to a midpoint of $10 - the second rise in less than a month. The company says this new forecast reflects strong international demand, particularly from China and Southeast Asia. Fonterra's CFO Andrew Murray says this news has been received positively by farmers. "US production is very flat and European production is down - so the...

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister - and Defence Minister - says it's time to strengthen the relationship with New Zealand.  The Foreign and Defence Ministers of New Zealand and Australia are meeting tomorrow.  Australia's Richard Marles says in terms of relationships - his country's had more dialogue with China and reinstated trade, but there are also significant security anxieties.&nbsp...

France has reportedly decided it’s not in their best interest to take a test against the All Blacks in the United States next year. Last week, it was revealed NZR was considering moving an All Blacks home test against France next year to the US as a potential test double-header with England and the USA Eagles. However,  French Rugby Federation president Florian Grill today revealed that all t...

The Government is looking to crack down on merger rules. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is reviewing the Commerce Act - which could lead to blocking more proposed mergers and acquisitions.  It's also hoping to give the Commerce Commission more teeth. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayley says they're making sure the laws are fit for purpose. "We've got a nu...

The Government has faith it will hit its target of 500 new police officers by next November - despite the new Commissioner's scepticism.  Richard Chambers says because he refuses to lower the quality of trained officers, June 2026 is a more realistic deadline.  Associate Police Minister Casey Costello says she has no reason to believe the date should shift. "I've been reassured that we a...

The Trade Minister appears to be tempering expectations on delivering a free trade deal with India.  Pre-election, National promised to get an agreement within its first term. Todd McClay has met his Indian counterpart six times this year - and the Prime Minister had a sit-down meeting with President Modi in October.  NewstalkZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says McClay&nbsp...

Spotify has released its annual Wrapped results for 2024 - and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese copped a bit of backlash after he shared his. Albanese posted his list to social media this morning, showing his top songs were Australia by G Flip, Letting Go by Angie McMahon, Still Have Room by Hockey Dad, Pedestal by Lime Cordiale and Get Me Out by Stingray. Australian correspondent Murray...

The Wellington Phoenix are readying themselves for a raucous reception in Saturday's return Kiwi football derby against Auckland FC.  One section of the sold out 26,000-seat Mt Smart Stadium has been dedicated to Phoenix fan group Yellow Fever. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what fans can expect ahead of the match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One in three first home buyers in New Zealand have received financial help from the Bank of Mum and Dad, new reports claim. A Kiwibank study has found high property prices are keeping young people out of the market - meaning more Gen Z and millennial buyers have turned to parental support to get on the ladder. Lesley Harris from the First Home Buyers Club says the Bank of Mum and Dad remains the n...

Over in the UK, the new Covid corruption commissioner has launched his first investigation into PPE fraud. Chancellor Rachel Reeves appointed Tom Hayhoe to recoup billions in fraudulent contracts. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there was significant demand for PPE during the pandemic - and an investigation was needed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It hasn't been a great year for the NZX, but one expert believes things are in place for a better 2025. The reduced interest rates could lead to a better outlook for investors going forward, according to new reports. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has unveiled plans to reduce the amount aggrieved employees can be compensated by their employers – to zero in some cases. Minister Brooke van Velden has detailed proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act, which are aimed at giving egregious employers more power in disputes with employees, who have behaved badly themselves.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tib...

Good news for New Zealand's universities - international students enrolments are back up again. There were 73,535 international enrolments between January to August 2024, up 24 percent compared to the same period last year. Universities NZ CEO Chris Whelan says a majority of these enrolments are coming from China or India - but other countries are contributing too. "We would like to grow in other...

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Early Edition host Ryan Bridge joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Labour's Ayesha Verrall raised a few eyebrows after she accused Health Commissioner Lester Levy of 'cooking the books' in his previous DHB rules. Should we take these accusations seriously? Kāinga Ora has ruled out putting wool carpe...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 4 December 2024, Tingjun Cao has been found guilty of murdering Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao. Labour's Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall is refusing to apologise for accusing Health Commissioner Lester Levy of "cooking the books". Levy is considering defamation action. The science community is outraged after the G...

The Government has introduced new legislation set to limit the amount of full farm to forestry conversions. The rule changes will stop Category 1 to 5 land being converted into forestry - and those with Category 6 land will only be allowed to convert 15,000 hectares. Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay says National had promised voters these changes were coming - and took the full year to make sur...

Labour's Ayesha Verrall has stepped up to defend her accusations against Health Commissioner Lester Levy. Levy - who was brought in to replace the agency's board after financial concerns were raised - is being grilled by MPs for the organisation's Annual Review.  Verrall accused Levy of having 'a reputation of cooking the books' - citing examples of past roles.  She says recent accounts...