Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Police Minister has defended deporting 11 Vietnamese nationals, believed to be part of an organised crime group, after a major drug bust. The operation targeted 30 rented Auckland properties. About 3000 plants were destroyed, along with 48 kilograms of dried cannabis - valued at $18 million. But Mark Mitchell says deporting looked to be less of a hassle than going through the courts. "They wer...

The Government is trialling an intensive maths tutoring programme to pick up students falling behind. It'll run over the first two terms of next year, for about 2,000 Year 7 and 8 pupils. The trial will use small-group tutoring and supervised online tuition for 30 minutes, up to four times a week. Education Minister Erica Stanford says it's the first of its kind.  "This is going to be a hybri...

There's high expectations for a lawyer's tactics in defending Brian and Hannah Tamaki.  The pair are facing court over organising protests in Auckland during Covid-19 lockdowns. Brian Tamaki faces four counts of breaching the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act, with possible penalties of up to six months in prison and thousands in fines.  Lawyer Steve Cullen says it'll be interesting to...

Prime Minister Chris Luxon raised a few eyebrows after he called voters 'customers' in a sit-down interview. Luxon later clarified to RNZ that he didn't need to scrap the corporate speak - and defended the claim that he was out of touch. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says voters should be encouraged to expect things from politicians - and the terminology doesn't matter. LISTEN ABOV...

There's questions whether polls from Iowa will affect Republicans on election day. Donald Trump previously won the state in 2016 and 2020 - but is three percentage points behind Democratic candidate Kamala Harris  Political analyst Henry Olsen says those figures seem out of step with Iowa's usual trend. "I can see Trump doing a little worse, but it's hard to see Trump losing a state that he c...

Most Australian politicians and their staffers have opted to fly Qantas, despite rules stating the cheaper fare must be chosen. Virgin Australia has raised concerns - and pointed out the preference for the pricier airline is costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars every year.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Virgin's services leave a lot to be desired - and they don't offe...

Auckland FC are jubilant after becoming the second team in history to win their first three franchise A-League games. A critical error from Wellington Phoenix keeper Josh Oluwayemi saw Jake Brimmer grab his first of two in the Kiwi derby in the Capital. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recaps the season further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest thing that isn't a big deal but will have a big deal made of it - because it's the Prime Minister - is that Chris Luxon has called us voters 'customers'. He did it in a sit down interview where he was asked about being seen as out of touch, and he was saying he was because he talks to people all the time. He said -“It’s been a belief system of mine, talk to the customer, to the public,...

A school bus service that has operated in Hawke's Bay for the last two decades has been cut by the Education Ministry - impacting plenty of students, parents and educators. The Ministry has cut the Clive school bus service after a review, claiming there were public buses the students could use instead. Havelock North Intermediate principal Nigel Messervy says the public bus route would be a longer...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 1 November 2024, there's worry that police will stop attending some mental health callouts from Monday - but Health NZ doesn't have a plan to deal with the additional work. A Canterbury University professor says students literacy skills are shocking and he wants unis to become more elite again.   Rugby editor Elliot Smith spe...

Death toll rises while rescue efforts continue in Spain as it mops up following its worst flooding disaster in decades. At least 158 people are now confirmed dead and dozens more missing after huge rains swept the eastern province of Valencia and beyond. More than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward to lawyers over allegations of sexual misconduct against former Harrods owner Mohame...

China is said to be considering approving an additional $1.4 trillion in borrowing to boost the economy. Plus, Asia Business correspondent Peter Lewis shares how the US election is being discussed in China. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Industry groups are rejoicing at the news of a trade deal with several Middle Eastern countries. The deal concludes an almost two-decade effort by successive New Zealand governments and eliminates almost all tariffs on kiwi exports to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Chair of Beef + Lamb NZ Kate Acland tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the Gulf nations are a high value market f...

Newstalk ZB Sportsreader Andrew Alderson and Sport News Director Clay Wilson join Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle to discuss Joe Marler’s apology over his Haka comments, benching Damian McKenzie, the first A-League kiwi derby, and Liam Lawson’s nice guy persona. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra security has been added for Saturday’s derby between Wellington Phoenix and newcomers Auckland FC amid claims of threats of organised violence from visiting fans on social media. Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the claims of threats are absolute nonsense. “I’ve asked Wellington to send me their proof and they haven’t sent me anything.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.c...

The All Blacks will face England at Twickenham on Sunday morning NZT. The kiwi side sees Beauden Barrett start at first five, Jordie Barrett return from injury and Ethan de Groot dropped for failing to meet ‘internal standards’. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith tells Heather du Plessis-Allan Beauden Barrett at 10 is the “right move” as a solid position to steer the All Blacks from. LIST...

A Suicide Prevention fundraiser in Dunedin has been granted a liquor license at a special hearing, despite concerns from Police and others that it would be inappropriate at such an event. ‘More Than Just A Fashion Show’ will be held at Wall Street mall tomorrow night, with proceeds going towards the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust. Event organiser Tegan Vickery tells Heather du Plessis-Allan...

Mental health nurses are worried the public, patients and health workers will be put at risk when Police stop attending some mental health callouts. From Monday, Police won’t attend ‘low risk callouts’ where there is no immediate risk to life and safety. Instead, Health NZ is expected to pick up the work. Leaked documents show only interim standard operating procedures have been developed by Healt...

A free-trade agreement has been struck with the six Gulf nations, after an almost two-decade effort by successive kiwi governments. Senior political correspondent Barry Soper tells Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealand should look forward to this deal with great enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Te Paati Māori is in trouble again as MP Takuta Ferris makes inappropriate remarks before the Justice Select Commit...

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are both campaigning in Nevada tonight. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the Republicans have a stronghold on the state but that Harris is coming up. Meanwhile, Trump supporters are ramping up their ‘Stop the Steal’ campaign as they spread the belief that Trump can only lose the election through fraud. And, Donald Trump is suing CBS for...

A university lecturer has fired shots at the education system, claiming the number of tertiary students who are “functionally illiterate” is at crisis level. Associate Professor of Sociology at Canterbury University Mike Grimshaw believes New Zealand is under-educating and over-qualifying. He tells Heather du Plessis-Allanit’s a wider societal issue of how we value education, fund it and what we w...

The Haka drama is back today, isn't it? Because Joe Marler has now backtracked completely on what he said and has apologised for it and specifically has apologised to New Zealand fans for, in his words, “my poorly articulated tweet earlier in the week, I meant no malice New Zealand”. What have you done? Are we honestly that sensitive about the haka that we can't handle it when a rugby prop - not k...

Over in the UK, chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled her first Budget in the role. The budget will raise taxes by  £40 billion, the capital gains and inheritance taxes have been increased, minimum wage will increase by 6.7 percent - and a new 10-year plan for the NHS has been unveiled. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this has been dubbed the 'shock and awe' budget - with plenty of short-ter...

There's green shoots emerging for New Zealand's struggling red meat sector, according to new reports. The Meat Industry Association claims exports to China in August were down 50 percent to $107 million compared with the same time last year. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plenty of celebrities have expressed their support for supplement giant AG1 - but an investigation has dug up some questionable details about the company's founder. Founder Chris Ashenden has resigned amid a Newsroom investigation that raised questions over his criminal history and unpaid fines and reparations by his now-defunct firms.  Newsroom Pro managing editor Jonathan Milne says Ashende...