Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Chris Hipkins says Aucklanders have moved on from long lockdowns, and don't hold a grudge against Labour.  The Labour leader gave a speech today on the city's future, batting away questions on whether the Party kept the city too long in lockdown in 2021.  Chris Hipkins clarified that more Aucklanders are focused on the future of the city than what happened years ago. "Covid-19 was a very...

A new poll has National stuck in the high 20s, with Labour seven points ahead.  National's on 29 percent in the Talbot Mills poll, with Labour on 36. Both parties haven't moved since last month's poll.  NZ First is down one to 14 percent, and ACT down one on seven percent.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained what these results mean for the coalition's o...

Over in Australia, opposition leader Angus Taylor has confirmed the coalition will restrict  the availability of welfare to foreigners if they win the next election. Taylor is set to deliver his first budget reply speech later this evening, and he's unveiled cuts will be made to the migrant intake in order to reduce housing pressures. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explained why this tu...

The All Whites World Cup squad's been named - with New Zealand clubs providing eight of the 26 players. Auckland FC has five representatives in Michael Woud, Callan Elliot, Jesse Randall, Francis de Vries and Nando Pijnaker, while the Wellington Phoenix supply three in Alex Rufer, Tim Payne and Sarpreet Singh. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/lis...

Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s proposal to change funding criteria for more type 2 diabetes medicines based on clinical need. Under the proposal, 25,000 more diabetic Kiwis will gain access to the treatments over the next few years. David Seymour says there's a lot of potential in investing in more GLP-1 medications to prevent other health problems impacting people down...

The carnival of chaos continues in Downing Street, as British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets with one of the main contenders for his job - Health Minister Wes Streeting. Despite four ministerial resignations and 86 MPs calling for him to go, Starmer insists he is staying on as Prime Minister. UK correspondent Kay Oliver speculates ahead of the meeting. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listen...

Donald Trump is set to travel to China this week to meet with President Xi Jinping. The US president will arrive with tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, in order to discuss trade, technology, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Milford Asset Management expert Jeremy Hutton explains what this could mean for the market. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Could this be the year that the Opportunity Party meets the threshold to get into Parliament? Phillip Mills, the founder of gym franchise Les Mills International, has always supported Labour and the Greens, but he's topped up donations to TOP. Political commentator Bryce Edwards says this upcoming election is TOP's best chance, as Labour, National and NZ First continue to lose favour.  LISTEN...

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Chris Luxon made a speech to a Business NZ audience in Auckland ahead of the 2026 Budget. He's indicated that this year's Budget won't splash the cash despite the ongoing global conflicts impacting New Z...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 13 May, 2026, a warning from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon that there'll be no treats in this month's Budget - we ask senior correspondent Katie Bradford how much is going on the credit card. Sociologist Paul Spoonley on why there's not really a brain drain. We talk to Retail New Zealand chief executive Carolyn Young on why...

New Zealand's international credit rating has hit a tipping point, and economists have raised concerns. Back in March, Fitch Ratings placed New Zealand’s AA+ long-term credit rating on a 'negative outlook', downgraded from 'stable'.  Moody's later followed suit, claiming the global economic and political uncertainty presented downside risks to growth. Fitch's Head of Asia-Pacific Sovereigns,...

So, I’m fascinated by this article in the New Zealand Herald, which argues the All Blacks should be forced to give up business class and travel premium economy instead. The reasoning is the cost of international travel has become so expensive that moving our teams in black around the planet is now costing nearly $87 million a year. Dropping them back a class on the plane would bring that cost down...

Kiwis appear to be shopping close to home, according to new reports.  Data from retail management platform Lightspeed shows about 77 percent of Kiwis surveyed prefer shopping in store above online.  40 percent shop at local businesses, and 34 percent buy online from New Zealand retailers. Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young says they want more of this, and for people to be proud of local stores....

There's growing calls to drop the All Blacks down from business class to premium economy, as travel costs set to get worse during the fuel crisis. Dropping all of New Zealand's premium rugby teams down a flight class would reportedly save $6 million per year - as NZ Rugby looks to cut down losses. NZ Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster says the All Blacks need to travel multiple times a year, and this downg...

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has warned less cash would be thrown around in this year's upcoming Budget amid ongoing economic turmoil. Luxon told the audience at the pre-Budget BusinessNZ event that it's important for the Government to stay on track with their fiscal strategy as the election looms. NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford says Luxon's speech is meant to signal to voters that hi...

In Australia, housing supply is emerging as a key issue, for yesterday's new Labor Government Budget. It's raising taxes on investment properties and some trust funds - to give working Australians a $250 tax break. 35,000 fewer homes are expected to be built, despite net migration of 300,000 people a year. New South Wales University Emeritus Professor, Peter Swan, says they're destroying the renta...

A promise of more public sector cost-savings, as Budget Day nears. The Prime Minister told business leaders today that the Government's cutting another $300 million dollars from the Budget operating allowance - to $2.1 billion dollars. Chris Luxon says responsible economic management and fiscal discipline are more important than ever. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says thi...

The US and Chinese Presidents are gearing up for face-to-face talks on all things Middle East, trades and tariffs.  Donald Trump's en route to China for the first visit by a US President in almost a decade. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the ongoing Middle East conflict is likely to be top of the agenda, but Trump has confirmed he won't need help in Iran. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com...

One of the NRL's most decorated coaches has announced he is standing down at the end of the 2027 season. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed he is calling it quits. Cleary led his side to four straight premierships between 2021 and 2024 and they are top of the table this season. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

A sociologist warns we should refrain from comparing our immigration with overseas. Prime Minister Chris Luxon's pointed the finger at immigration - for driving lower social cohesion and trust in institutions worldwide. He's indicated National will say more on the topic ahead of the election. But Massey University's Paul Spoonley says it's worth having a debate about our settings - but we need ski...

A senior UK Cabinet minister is the latest to call for Sir Keir Starmer to step aside after poor local election results last week. Four Labour MPs have quit as ministerial aides and more than 70 MPs, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, have publicly urged the Prime Minister to resign or set out a timetable for leaving.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's unknown who could take over S...

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to deliver the next Australian federal budget, and reports indicate it's going to be focused on housing. It's likely new property tax reforms will be unveiled, with an expected crackdown on capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank has just released their latest agribusiness monthly report for May, and it's good news for Kiwi farmers. The report has positive prospects for beef and dairy, thanks to ongoing international demand. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Can Auckland afford a second Harbour crossing? Chris Bishop has said we'll hear more about it in the coming months, but is this just an election promise?  Can Keir Starmer bounce back from the local election drubbing? Sho...

The manufacturing sector has been hit hard over the past few years, but ongoing global conflict has worsened current market conditions. Average profit margins have plunged to 31.53 percent, the lowest since records began in 2018. This has resulted in more manufacturers clearing out their warehouses, with stock on hand dropping to historically low levels.  Unleashed Head of Product Jarrod Adam...