Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

There's strong opposition from the science community to the new Government approach to research funding.  The Science, Innovation and Technology Minister is refocusing the Marsden Fund on core science projects, disbanding its humanities and social sciences panels. Minister Judith Collins says it's to prioritise research of economic, environmental, or a health benefit to New Zealand.  &nb...

Chinese national Tingjun Cao has been found guilty of murdering Yanfei Bao. The Christchurch woman's body was found in a shallow grave this year - more than a year after going missing. Cao killed Bao after a private property viewing - before trying to dispose of evidence and leave the country.  Newstalk ZB's Emily Ansell has been at court. She says the jury deliberated for just over an hour-a...

The Chief Ombudsman says the Ministry of Social Development's payment scheme for survivors of abuse is 'unreasonable'. Peter Boshier's expressed the opinion after a complaint by a law firm representing 1000 claimants. He says the Ministry’s criteria for accepting claims is too narrow, and there's no clear way for people to review refused claims. "We've found that aspects of this are unreasonable,...

Barry Soper met with Boris Johnson again - hours after delivering a 'critical' summary of his first meeting with the former Prime Minister. Soper met with Johnson over lunch again earlier today, and Johnson was quick to bring up yesterday's radio recap. "If you're listening at the moment, Boris, you're not a bad bugger. He was pretty good - today's lunch was hosted by General Finance, it was aroun...

President-elect Donald Trump - and his legal team - are using Joe Biden's recent pardoning of his son Hunter to argue that Trump’s hush money case should be dismissed. Trump was prosecuted earlier in the year for falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels in 2016. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Biden's choice has come with political blowback - from both...

Black Caps bowling coach Jacob Oram is questioning the logic behind the ICC's sanctioning of the New Zealand and England cricket teams for their slow over rate in the opening test in Christchurch. Both teams have been fined 15 percent of their match fee and docked three World Test Championship points, which further dampens the Black Caps' odds of making the final. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave...

Kāinga Ora has copped some backlash for scrapping wool carpets in favour of nylon synthetics in state houses. The agency has released a request for proposal for companies to provide carpet and underlay for its state homes - but claimed nylon was 34 percent cheaper than wool alternatives. Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson has voiced 'disappointment' with this choice. "We're trying to re...

The French Government is all but guaranteed to collapse in the coming days after far-right and left-wing parties submitted no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Michel Barnier. If this goes forward, Barnier's coalition will be the first French Government to be forced out by a no-confidence vote since 1962. UK correspondent Enda Brady says France is the second strongest economy in Europe - a...

The Ministry for Primary Industries says it's possible there'll be more cases of bird flu at an Otago egg farm. The culling of 80,000 chickens at the Mainland Poultry property in Moeraki will begin tomorrow. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained this won't create too much trouble for the sector - as there's millions of layer hens in the country. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

One expert has offered a theory about why SolarZero met the end that it did. The Kiwi-founded solar and battery firm was placed into liquidation - costing over 160 employees their jobs. Lightforce Solar owner John Harman says SolarZero offered an 'amazing' deal for consumers - but economic factors have created additional trouble for the sector.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Finance Minister has indicated charities could be subject to tax changes in the next Budget. Is this the right move? All Black Sevu Reece has admitted to a charge of wilful damage after a party in Christchurch last year. The jud...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 3 December 2024, All Black Sevu Reece has been discharged without conviction after admitting to a charge of wilful damage. NZ Herald Senior Crime Reporter Anna Leask tells Jack why he was discharged despite pleading guilty - and whether being an All Black had anything to do with it. Defence Minister Judith Collins warns 'everythi...

Energy Resources Aotearoa says gas producers were severely damaged by the previous ban on oil and gas exploration.  It's asked the Government to underwrite the risk of oil and gas exploration.  Government ministers say they've made no decisions.  Energy Resources Aotearoa chief executive John Carnegie says it would only protect the sector from pernicious future policy changes. ...

Newstalk ZB's own Barry Soper spent the day with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson - and left hoping for more stories. The former UK leader held a 'long lunch' in Auckland to promote his book Unleashed.  Barry Soper described Johnson's speech as ' the slow unravel of a mohair jersey' - and wondered what would come of it. "He dithered his way - I couldn't understand many of the things he was...

Research has revealed some vegan alternative products are worse for the environment than meat and dairy. Vegans hoping to save the planet should stick to eating beans and avoid almond milk and lab-grown meat, according to new reports from Oxford University. Nutritionist Nikki Hart explains fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are good for overall health and the climate - but they're best i...

The Electoral Commission admits a polling booth shouldn't have operated at a Marae run by a candidate.  The Public Service Commission is investigating claims Manurewa Marae misused Census data for Te Pati Māori's election campaign.  Its winning candidate for the Tamaki Makaurau electorate - Takutai Tarsh Kemp - was Marae chief executive at the time. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Wal...

The Health Minister says he's dissatisfied by bargaining between workers and Health New Zealand.  About 36,000 nurses, midwives and health care assistants have walked off the job until 7pm today.  The Nurses Organisation says Health NZ has indicated its bargaining parameters are restricted to one percent of total employee costs.  Health Minister Shane Reti says the workers are still...

Details of the criminal charges against All Black winger Sevu Reece have emerged - ending today in a discharge without conviction. The 27-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to taking a car 'dishonestly and without claim' and intentionally damaging a property. But he's admitted a reduced charge of wilful damage - and lost name suppression today. Herald crime reporter Anna Leask says it took plac...

Over in Australia, economists have accused the Reserve Bank of mishandling the OCR. Experts claim the central bank has been too focused on keeping unemployment high - impacting the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of Australians. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Reserve Bank is in a tough spot - but it can't undo months of progress. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Liam Lawson is a favourite to join Red Bull's top Formula One team, after reports Sergio Perez will be relieved of his seat. Team boss Christian Horner hinted at Perez's potential departure after he failed to finish the Qatar Grand Prix. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judith Collins has revealed the Defence Force's major spending blueprint release has been delayed until next year, citing escalating world tensions. Speaking after appearing before a Select Committee this afternoon, the Defence Minister says the capability plan has been pushed back because she's taking the time to get things right.   Collins says there's more 'militarisation' efforts coming o...

A huge political victory for Auckland mayor Wayne Brown. Having campaigned on taking greater control over Auckland’s CCO’s (Council Controlled Organisations), the mayor is set to get his wish when it comes to Auckland Transport. Transport Minister Simeon Brown has confirmed that Auckland's transport policy and planning will shift from AT back over to Auckland Council. Remember, under the current m...

Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace is denying accusations he made sexual comments toward staff and celebrity guests. The 60-year-old's stepped back from presenting the TV show as an investigation begins. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says more complaints have emerged since his departure - and there's been outrage over the BBC's response to this.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

President-elect Donald Trump's latest policy announcements continue to have an impact on capital markets. Trump's pick of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary sent long-term Government bond yields lower and the US share market higher - as investors felt more confident in a 'seasoned' choice taking on the role. However, his threated tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico created a divided response amon...

Te Papa has made $750,000 since it started charging international visitors an admission fee two months ago. The change came in during September to help fund rising energy, insurance, and staffing costs at the museum. Te Papa head of marketing and communications Kate Camp says New Zealand's tourism industry is a rich area with plenty of room for 'once-in-a-lifetime' experiences. "You're not here fo...