Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

There's more criticism of central city roadworks in Wellington. Retail NZ, Hospitality NZ and the Bus and Coach Association are asking the council to review its Golden Mile pedestrianizing project. A number of businesses say roadworks and cycleway projects have forced them to close. Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says it's 'disappointing' that mayor Tory Whanau says the Golden Mile is a b...

Some experts believe the Government can't rest on its laurels.  A recent 1News Verian poll found 40 percent of people think the country is in worse shape since election day, a year ago.  Former United Future Party leader and political commentator, Peter Dunne, says people aren't happy - but there's no sign they prefer the Opposition more. He says other recent polling shows National needs...

The incoming Public Service Minister will serve for two years and eight months - not the usual five-years.  Sir Brian Roche will step into the job on November 4.  ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says time will tell if this is the right move from the Government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, there's growing calls to base speeding fines on the offending driver's individual income. A new report by think tank The Australia Institute claims flat-rate traffic penalties for speeders are 'unfair' amid the current cost-of-living crisis. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this might bring down the death toll on Australian roads - but other solutions should be cons...

Bristling but unbowed - Sir Ben Ainslie's backing Britannia to recover from a 3-nil deficit in the first-to-seven America's Cup match against Team New Zealand. The British skipper's taken umbrage with a misunderstood question from the host broadcaster that his syndicate is somehow inadequate off the coast of Barcelona. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVE ...

One of New Zealand's biggest summer music festivals - Bay Dreams - will not go ahead in 2025 as promoters struggle to draw big artists into the country. The organisers had hoped to book Kendrick Lamar as a headliner, but a successful 2024 for the rapper meant the costs to bring him here doubled. Rhythm and Alps founder and director Alex Turnbull says many brands are putting themselves in a 'danger...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Friday 11 October 2024, the Electricity Authority has been told to get more competitive as it tries to curb soaring electricity prices. Energy Minister Simeon Brown joins Francesca to discuss the Government's expectations. Sailing Professor Mark Orams discusses Team New Zealand taking on the British team of INEOS Bri...

The British government is investigating 37 UK-linked businesses for potentially breaking Russian oil sanctions. The sanctions were introduced when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but critics have claimed they’re ineffective with latest figures showing Russia’s economy is growing. It’s thought a lot of the affected businesses under investigation are maritime insurance firms, which are potentially e...

One New Zealand has been given the green light to begin testing of their Starlink satellite to mobile service over the next 10 weeks. It'll allow texting and messaging from many places currently without coverage. Currently 40 percent of the country has no mobile coverage, and the telecommunications company says satellite to cell plays a vital role in keeping people connected. One New Zealand chief...

A step forward for New Zealand-India relations. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in Laos for the East Asia Summit, where he met with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, who invited him to visit in the new year. Luxon says New Zealand’s relationship with India is moving in the right direction with the two discussing trade and other ways to work together. Pre-election, National pledged to secure a...

Inflation appears to be easing, although some figures are continuing to surge. Latest Stats NZ figures show petrol is 14.9 percent cheaper than a year ago, while food prices rose 1.2 percent. Fruit and vegetables are 8.3 percent cheaper, while olive oil is 58 percent pricier. Butter, chocolate biscuits and alcohol have also been getting darer. ASB senior economist Mark Smith joined Francesca Rudki...

Newstalk ZB Sports News Director Clay Wilson and NZ Herald Sports Editor Alex Powell joined The Huddle to discuss the week's sports news. The 37th America's Cup is set to get underway this weekend, with Team New Zealand defending its title against INEOS Britannia in Barcelona. Shaun Johnson has come out of retirement to rejoin the Kiwis for the upcoming international window amid a halfback shortag...

A sociology expert says the inequality is likely contributing to people leaving New Zealand in droves. New Stats NZ figures show New Zealand had an annual net migration gain of nearly 54,000 people in the year to August. The 134,000 departures are the highest on record — driven by more than 81,000 Kiwis heading offshore. Auckland University sociology professor Francis Collins told Francesca Rudkin...

The big dance is about to get underway in Barcelona. Starting Sunday morning overnight, defending champions Emirates Team New Zealand will take on INEOS Britannia in a best-of-13 series for the Auld Mug. New Zealand will be looking to win the America’s Cup for the third straight time, while Britain is competing in the event for the first time in over 60 years. AUT sailing professor Mark Orams join...

The Energy Minister says he's focused on making sure Kiwis pay reasonable prices for power. The Government's released its Policy Statement on electricity - outlining the role of the Government and the Electricity Authority. Simeon Brown says their role is ensuring correct market settings - and enabling private investment. He says the Authority's job is driving a more competitive sector that avoids...

The cleanup is underway in Florida after Hurricane Milton. At least 16 people have died, but Governor Ron DeSantis expects more casualties, while there were more than 100 Kiwis caught up in the storm, and left more than 3 million homes without power. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has lambasted Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for spreading misinformation about FEMA money in relation...

A jam-packed schedule for the Prime Minister's final day in Laos. After a day of introductions and talks with foreign counterparts, Chris Luxon is now attending the East Asia summit. Senior Political Reporter Sophie Trigger told Francesca Rudkin this is a significant forum - that's brought together world superpowers - including the US and Russia. She says Luxon's saying regional security...

In April last year, it was announced New Zealanders living in Australia were suddenly afforded similar rights to Australians who live in New Zealand when it comes to having a pathway to citizenship. The change meant that from 1 July 2023, New Zealanders who have lived in Australia for four years on temporary or special category visas and met the standard Australian citizenship criteria could apply...

New Zealand’s America’s Cup defence is set to get underway. Last week Team Britannia confirmed their challenger status after beating Italy’s Luna Rossa in the preliminary Louis Vuitton Cup. NPC quarterfinals are also set to get underway, with Wellington taking on Counties Manukau in Wellington tonight, which will see TJ Perenara play his final game on New Zealand soil before jetting off to Japan....

Less than two months ago, Auckland appeared ready to change its rubbish collection to a fortnightly service. But now councillors have voted to trial the change instead of implementing it or retaining the weekly service. It will start two-weekly collections in up to three areas for up to 4000 households, before deciding on region-wide rollout. Manurewa-Papakura Ward councillor Angela Dalton joined...

In a crucial step towards reducing scams, banks will introduce a Confirmation of Payee system next month to be fully in place by Easter of next year.  The system notifies a customer if the name and account they are transferring money into don't match up.  Similar schemes have been successful in Australia and the United Kingdom.  New Zealand Banking Association Chief Executive Roger...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Thursday 10 October 2024, Hurricane Milton has made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm. Channel Nine reporter Alison Piotrowski joins Francesca out of Tampa with an update on the latest conditions. Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses the deepening deficit on the Crown books, after Treasury revealed the Go...

Wellington City Councillors have voted against selling it's airport shares.  Council currently owns a 34% stake in Wellington Airport, and the shares needed to be sold in order to make it's recently adopted long-term plan viable.  Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty joins Francesca Rudkin to discuss what this means for the council. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Tonight on the Huddle, former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro and KiwiBlog & Curia Pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Mysterious Death of Pauline Hanna is a TV drama announced by South Pacific Pictures, centred around the Polkinghorne trial. The Government deficit widens by more than expected, mostly due to Health NZ and highe...

The high profile murder trial in which Philip Polkinghorne was found not guilty of murdering his wife Pauline Hanna is set to be turned into a drama series.  Development of the dramatised storytelling was announced today by South Pacific Pictures.  Professor of Media and Communications at Canterbury University Donald Matheson joins Francesca Rudkin with more.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnys...