Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

New research shows anxiety is spiking during downpours, as more weather disasters threaten people's property and safety. A new survey shows 73 percent of respondents in the Hawke’s Bay region feel anxious about the weather and 57 percent of respondents nationwide are concerned. Professor Holly Thorpe from the University of Waikato says people in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, who were hit hard by Cyclo...

Some people have turned to an unexpected source to help boost their workouts. A piece in the New York Times claims people in pot-friendly US states have turned to marijuana ahead of their workouts - to treat energy levels, anxiety and pain. Health advocate and activist Dave Letele raised questions over these claims, but he phoned a friend to see if there's anything to this. "Apparently, it's a thi...

Ahead of Budget 2026, there's a promise of $131 million for education - which includes taking on students falling behind. The pre-Budget funding announcement pledges to give schools more maths and literacy resources and 36 extra maths intervention teachers.  Education Minister Erica Stanford says educators and principals have already voiced their excitement about the additional funding to her...

A former Finance Minister once forced to bail out BNZ says buying it back would be lunacy.  New Zealand First is proposed re-nationalising the bank, buying it back from Australia's NAB and merging it with Kiwibank. Leader Winston Peters says bank profits should remain in New Zealand.  But Ruth Richardson says the idea has no weight.  "It makes New Zealand look like a tinpot country,...

A $131 million education boost aiming to lift maths results and teachers' confidence teaching it has been revealed. Funding's going to new workbooks and digital tools, as well as a Year Two literacy check and Year Five maths check. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Erica Stanford's responding to the needs of teachers, and ideally they'll support these changes.  LISTE...

The first round of polls following the Australian federal Budget are out, and the Albanese-led Government is taking a hit. New data shows Opposition leader Angus Taylor is in front as the preferred Prime Minister, and One Nation's support is on the up.  Australian correspondent says this Budget has sparked backlash among business owners and older Australians - but it's too early to say what t...

The Warriors have dismissed a Brisbane NRL hoodoo with a convincing 42-12 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round. It's the first time the Warriors have beaten the Broncos at Brisbane since 2018. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recapped the action. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A survivors' advocate is welcoming the Government's proposal to scrap 'good character' sentencing considerations for sexual offenders. National's Justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith has announced the party will prohibit the practice at sentencing.  He says the assessments only serve the interests of offenders and rarely the victims.  Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money says it's a problem f...

We need to talk about what Chris Hipkins has said about immigration. First of all, Labour can frankly shut up accusing the Nats of anti-migrant rhetoric because this is a party that hasn’t got a leg to stand on when it comes to migration.  This is the party - and some of the very same people are still there - that campaigned on reducing immigration by up to 30,000 people in 2017, produced a l...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 15 May, 2026, we talk to a constitutional lawyer about the Waitangi Tribunal finding the Government breached treaty principles with education changes.  B416 co-chair Cecilia Robinson tells us why she's still confident there'll be a social media ban on under-16s before the election.  We hear from the controversial Dunedin...

The Wellington Phoenix Women's team might be the sports story of the year.  They've gone from a wooden spoon team to making the grand final tomorrow, making them the first kiwi team to ever make the A League final.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maori Queen Te Arikini Kuini Nga Wai Hono I Te Po is in London visiting Buckingham Palace, where she met with King Charles and Prince William.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A social media ban on children under the age of 16 is on hold. Education Minister Erica Stanford says the Government is undertaking a wider programme of work on it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Waitangi Tribunal is calling on the Government to immediately stop its planned changes to the education law.  The Government has confirmed today that it is planning to remove the Treaty Principles within the Education and Training Act.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dunedin City Councillor Benedict Ong has made quite the name or himself in the seven months since he was elected to council.  He has put tape on his face, read aloud from Franz Kafka's The Trial, leaked confidential documents, and he's now facing his second code of conduct complaint.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So I once heard someone say the best stories you could hope to read in the newspapers are always found in the sports sections—and I was reminded of that by the incredible story of the women’s Phoenix football team. These ladies are going to play in the grand final of their A-League competition, which is remarkable when you consider that, in two of the past five years, they’ve finished as the woode...

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has taken a swing at the Government's $70 million major events fund - while seemingly revealing its spend on bringing Robbie Williams here this year. Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner says he can't confirm that figure and Wayne Brown's comments are disappointing. "The mayor - part of his role is to advocate for our city.  Now, I’m not privy to the investment le...

There's ongoing speculation about Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership future, and it's looking more likely challengers could appear. Health Minister Wes Streeting's allies have claimed he's looking to launch a contest for Starmer's job. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are among the weight-loss drugs that more people are taking - but questions have been raised about their economic impacts. These drugs will also have an impact on other sectors, including healthcare and food, and research is still ongoing.  Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synlait chief executive Richard Wyeth is leaving - after one year in the job.  The South Island dairy processor's released an NZX market update, saying Leon Fung will be acting CEO, effective immediately.  Wyeth will remain supporting the transition, until the end of June.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Hotel developments are quietly disappearing and 'ghost communities' are on the rise as Christchurch's council has raised concerns over Airbnbs. Four motel and hotel operators urged elected members at a policy and planning committee meeting to support a mandatory registration system for short term accommodation providers. Councillor Nathaniel Herz Jardine wants Christchurch to take charge in rallyi...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 14 May, 2026, we confront Labour leader Chris Hipkins on his claim not one person outside of Newstalk ZB is raising Covid lockdowns with him. Air New Zealand's chief executive tells us how it'll cope with a loss of nearly $400 million. A Christchurch City Councillor on his warning that Airbnb is turning parts of the city into "g...

Tonight on The Huddle, artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Labour's Chris Hipkins recently claimed no-one outside of Newstalk ZB is fussed about the Auckland lockdowns from 2021. Does he have a point? Will we find out come November? Yesterday, Prime Minister Chris L...

Here’s a question for you: how badly did we get ripped off if it’s true we paid $3 million to get Robbie Williams here? Now, we don’t know for sure that's the amount the Government paid out of the Major Events Fund, but that is what Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has revealed in a fit of pique at the Government. And so far, nobody’s publicly denied it - not even Louise Upston, who’s the minister in ch...

Air New Zealand's CEO says the airline will trim more flights, with a forecast it'll be $390 million in the red this financial year. It's blaming the fuel cost hike lifting spending $240 million more than expected.  The airline told NZX it's already reduced overall capacity three to five percent since the Iran war began. Nikhil Ravishankar says cuts may continue even after jet fuel prices eas...