Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

There's questions over what will come next for the OCR after today's 50 basis point cut. The Reserve Bank has hinted more cuts will come in the new year. However, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen has warned this might not be the right approach. "A lot of economic forecasters are wondering - when do we get back to those more normal and considered steps, given that the economy is already s...

Homeowners can expect some relief - as the Reserve Bank cuts the OCR down in its final update of the year. The central bank has slashed the rate 50 basis points today - to sit on 4.25 percent. It's now forecasting 4.1 percent by March next year, 3.6 percent by the end of next year, with an endpoint of 3.1 percent by March 2027. ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says Governor Adrian Orr has wa...

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has claimed Donald Trump's proposed tariffs would do nothing to stop the flow of migrants coming through the US border. Sheinbaum has also warned Mexico would hit back with tariffs of its own in response to Trump claiming he would introduce a 25 percent increase on all imports from the region. US correspondent says Canada and China haven't responded favourabl...

New Zealand Rugby are weighing up the option of taking an All Blacks home test against France to the United States next year. The move comes a month after confirmation France would be sending an understrength squad on the tour to New Zealand. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Agency is telling bus and train providers to take in more money, which could force fare hikes. Wellington's Regional Council is rejecting the call from NZTA. Transport Committee Chair Thomas Nash says it would mean unaffordable 70 percent fare increases during a cost of living crisis.  "You'd end up just pushing people back into cars, more people will be on the road and it would...

A petition calling for a second UK election is growing in support - and tech billionaire Elon Musk has voiced his support for it. Musk labelled the UK a 'tyrannical police state' and boosted a video by a jailed far-right figurehead. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is unlikely to resign based on this poll. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

Donald Trump's return to the White House could lead to a more complex landscape for global food and agricultural trade, according to a new report by Rabobank. Rabobank says the implications of Trump's proposed policy shifts could be potential disruptions to established trade relationships, shifts in export demand, and rising costs for consumers and businesses alike. The Country's Jamie Mackay expl...

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to hit Mexico, Canada and China with new tariffs as soon as he takes office. In a post on social media, Trump promised to charge Mexico and Canada an additional 25 percent tariff on all products they send to the US - and an additional 10 percent tariff will be placed on Chinese goods. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says these trade changes co...

The Reserve Bank is set to make its final decision for the Official Cash Rate for the year tomorrow afternoon.  The general consensus among experts is that the OCR will be cut by at least 50 basis points. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says the Reserve Bank needs to strike the right balance for the economy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 26 November 2026, Sir John Key pays tribute to former National MP Nikki Kaye who passed away at just 44 years old. He tells Heather Nikki had been much sicker than people realised. Heather asks Education Minister Erica Stanford whether she's going to get rid of NCEA Level 1 after another damning report. And Heather reveals the ne...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Former National MP Nikki Kaye died aged 44 after a lengthy battle with cancer. People from all sides of the political spectrum came together to pay tribute to her - what made her so special? What will we remem...

There's frustration for some at Wellington City Council, as the city's Long Term Plan is laid out. Budget cuts were a big part of the discussions - as the city needs to bring in more money after the plan to sell the airport shares fell through.  The Council's proposed demolishing the Botanical Gardens' Begonia House and they plan to chop upgrades for venues and a development of Frank Kitts Pa...

One East Coast MP seeks to overturn the law banning people from indulging in a cuppa at the hair salon. It's currently an offence to serve a drink in a salon's service area as it's been deemed unsafe under health regulations. Dana Kirkpatrick has added a bill to the ballot to remove the law. Kirkpatrick says the same law says it's illegal to bring a dog to the hairdressers. "For some reason, they...

Award-winning UK singer Kate Nash has revealed she plans on selling pictures on OnlyFans to help fund her tours. Nash explained that live music has become increasingly financially unsustainable - and she hopes monetising pictures of her behind will help bridge the gap. Concert promoter Brent Eccles says artists have to keep 'feeding the machine' in order to sustain a career and make money. "You ha...

The Health Minister says he's confident people aren't being booted from hospital waitlists so Health New Zealand can meets targets.  A letter obtained by RNZ reveals some referrals from a Palmerston North orthopaedic clinic are being knocked back, due to a lack of resources. Shane Reti says checks are in place to ensure targets aren't gamed. He says Health New Zealand is investigating the let...

I wouldn't be surprised if Education Minister Erica Stanford actually ends up scrapping NCEA level one. Because she's already concerned enough to order a review - and the review has come back slamming it, so she's got all the ammo she needs to pull the trigger if she wants to. And I hope she does, because it has become apparent, especially in the last three years, that NCEA is a massively flawed s...

Former Prime Minister John Key has fondly remembered Nikki Kaye as a brave warrior. The former National deputy leader and Auckland Central MP has died aged 44 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Kaye served as an MP from 2008 until 2020 - the only National MP to win the electorate. In her valedictory, Kaye recalled Prime Minister Key swearing and telling her she wasn't going anywhere, when she was...

Politicians from all parties are coming together to pay tribute to Nikki Kaye. The former National deputy leader and Auckland Central MP has died, aged 44. Kaye served as an MP from 2008 until 2020 - taking leave from the House in 2016 for breast cancer treatment.  John Key, Helen Clarke, Jacinda Ardern and Chloe Swarbrick are among those who have shared tributes, and  Prime Minister Chr...

Australia's new social media ban for under-16s is being met with backlash from various MPs and critics alike.  Opposition leader Peter Dutton has voiced disapproval with the idea and prospective voters have wondered how these restrictions will be implemented. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says people have also suggested the Government direct their attention to sugar taxes and regulatin...

A new face will bat at three for England in the first cricket test against the Black Caps, starting Thursday in Christchurch. Warwickshire batter Jacob Bethell will debut at the spot, with Ollie Pope keeping wicket and batting at six in the absence of the injured Jordan Cox. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister agrees NCEA level one doesn't work in its current form. The Education Review Office has called for a rethink of the qualification- after a review revealed it's not a fair or reliable measure of knowledge and skills. Minister Erica Stanford says she's going to take the findings of this review on board to re-evaluate the standards. "At the moment, it's trying to be a level up...

Over in Britain, Storm Bert is lashing the region - bringing snow, wind, flooding and heavy rain. Homes, schools and businesses were destroyed as a month's worth of rain hit England and Wales. UK correspondent Kay Oliver says the storm has been responsible for four deaths - including a 75-year-old dog walker. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand isn't going into the 2025 financial year with rosy expectations.  The airline expects its first-half pre-tax profit to be in a range of $120 million to $160m, down from $185m in the previous comparable half year. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacked the mood of investors. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City Council’s 'highest-ever' investment in water infrastructure will see less than 1km of pipes replaced this year, Wellington Water claims. After a summer of leaks and taps running dry, the Council promised to increase spending on water infrastructure to address the damage. Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty says it's up to Wellington Water to determine where that money goes. "The...

Tonight on The Huddle, David Farrar of Kiwiblog and Curia and Child Fund's Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! TJ Perenara raised a few eyebrows following his controversial haka at last week's All Blacks match. Was this appropriate to do before the game?  It's been a full year since the new Government was sworn in. What do we think so far?...