Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

New research claims the costs of adding improved insulation onto Kiwi homes is far lower than initially reported.  Earlier in the year, Minister Chris Penk wanted to roll back insulation standards, citing reports of overheating issues and standards adding extra costs to new homes. New Zealand Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming says the cost of improved insulation for Kiwi homes is...

Health New Zealand says some vape stores are putting profit over the health of our children. In July, the agency sent underage volunteers to 600 stores to attempt to buy vape and cigarette products. 63 retailers were caught - and will face infringement fines. National Public Health Service Compliance Manager Jo Pugh says it's very disappointing. "As a result, we sent out more infringement fines of...

Philip Polkinghorne's defence team says the Crown's accusations against him have been an insult. The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna, in 2021. In his closing remarks Ron Mansfield KC says a lack of injuries on Hanna's body must mean she took her own life. Herald reporter George Block says Mansfield also gave an explanation for Polkinghorne deleting his messages w...

A major police crackdown on the Comancheros motorcycle gang has landed nearly all its members with criminal charges. A total of 137 charges have been laid and police allege the group has been involved in money laundering, drug trafficking and military-style training. Detective Superintendent Greg Williams says the police operation focused heavily on those higher up the ranks. "That's all the leade...

Chris Hipkins says there's lessons New Zealand's Labour party can learn from its British counterpart. He's attending the UK Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool this week to meet with members of the recently elected Government. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this comes off the back of an underwhelming poll result for Labour - and Hipkins is getting philosophical about...

A probate court in Nevada has begun reviewing evidence to determine who gets to control Rupert Murdoch's media empire after his death. Evidentiary hearings in the case are scheduled to run until next week - with the court keeping the hearings closed to the public and the media. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Rupert aims to ensure control of the businesses is kept in the hands of his old...

The All Blacks are determined to shake off their bad luck in Cape Town and bounce back in training. The team is set up up to play against the Wallabies in Saturday's opening Bledisloe Cup test. D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 39 million people could die of   antibiotic-resistant infections  between now and 2050, according to a study published in  The Lancet . The study says older people are most at risk of driving up infection-based fatalities.  Emergency physician Dr John Bonning says this has been a worry in the medical community for quite some time.  "People don't seem to necessarily realise that not only are t...

The Crown has painted Philip Polkinghorne as a tinderbox ready to catch fire at any point - in its closing remarks.  The Auckland eye surgeon's accused of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna, but his defence says she committed suicide.  The prosecution says Polkinghorne's meth use, infidelity and rising anger created a perfect storm.  Herald Court reporter George Block told Heather du Plessis-Allan th...

A second assassination attempt against Donald Trump is under the FBI microscope.  Secret Service agents noticed a rifle barrel sticking out of a fence - after shots were fired at the former President's Florida golf course this morning. A 58-year-old suspect has been detained - after a witness spotted him fleeing.  Florida Correspondent Lauren Tomasi says suspect Ryan Routh is politically vocal on...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 16 September 2024, US correspondent Lauren Tomasi joins Heather from Florida where Donald Trump survived a second assassination attempt today.  The Crown prosecutor reveals the most important single piece of evidence during the summing up of the Polkinghorne murder case.  Heather asks the Finance Minister Nicola Willis whether she...

The Justice Minister says he expects rising crime statistics may not reflect what's happening now. The Government's set a goal of 20-thousand fewer victims of crime by 2030, but says recent crime data shows the scale of the challenge ahead. A recent survey shows an increase in people's experience of crime over the past two years, but Paul Goldsmith told Heather du Plessis Allan this means there is...

Jetstar says it's buzzing to be able to help Hamilton and Dunedin get international flights again. The airline's launching new routes from Hamilton to Sydney and the Gold Coast from June next year. It's the first time the city's had international flights since 2012. Dunedin will also return to the international schedule - with flights between the city and the Gold Coast from next June.  Jetstar CE...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 13 September 2024, the public sector has been told to prioritise need over ethnicity. Public service Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather why the directive is needed.   Donald Trump won't debate Kamala Harris again. A Republican strategist reckons it's a good call .   Turns out teachers at a South Auckland school have been eating...

Host of the All Sport Breakfast Wellington, Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joins the Sports Huddle to discuss the new Super Rugby finals format, Black Caps v Afghanistan controversy, and the Black Ferns hugging King Charles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses on Wellington’s Thorndon Quay look set to receive $1500 to help them stay afloat during ongoing roadworks and disturbances.   Wellington Council voted in favour of investigating whether to give businesses this “micro-grant” but the mayor has stressed it is not compensation.   Chairman of Thorndon Quay Collective Paul Robinson tells Heather du Plessis-Allan losses are in the millions for...

Changes are coming to Super Rugby Pacific.   The competition has gone from 12 teams to 11 with the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels and in 2025, will move to a six-team playoff format.   All six teams who qualify for the post-season will feature in the quarterfinals, with the three winners and the highest-seeded loser making up the four teams in the semifinals.   That lucky loser will drop one see...

New data from Trade Me suggests 59% of kiwis are “dream scrolling” - scrolling through property listings out of their price range.   38% would rather do it than watch rugby, and 12% would even prefer it over sex.   Property commentator Ashley Church tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the dream scrolling is driven by escapism.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has ruled out another Presidential debate ahead of the US election in November.   Both Trump and opponent Kamala Harris claimed victory following the debate this week, but polls suggest Harris performed better.   In election polls, the candidates are neck and neck.   Republican strategist Amy Tarkanian tells Heather du Plessis-Allan that another mishap could result in Trump losing tho...

The Government has issued a directive to all central Government organisations, to prioritise public services on the basis of need rather than ethnicity or other forms of personal identity.   Government contracts will also be awarded on the basis of public value, removing the previous Government’s target for 8% of Government agencies annual contracts to be awarded to Māori businesses.   Minister of...

Cabinet has issued a circular laying out expectations that public services should be delivered based on “the needs of all New Zealanders”, fulfilling a coalition agreement secured by Act and New Zealand First that “need” should be prioritised over “race”.   Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper tells Heather du Plessis-Allan this should have been the case all along, but unfortunately, hasn’t...

Donald Trump has ruled out another presidential debate against rival Kamala Harris before November’s election.   Both Trump and Harris claimed victory after the debate this week. Polls indicate the candidates are neck and neck ahead of the election, but that Harris performed better than her Republican opponent in the debate.   Harris responded that voters are owed another debate.   Harris’ team ar...

Children are allegedly missing out on free school lunches because staff are eating them first.   A parent of students at Tuakau College says her children have missed out for a month, coming home hungry. The students were also denied access to a phone to request their mother bring them food.   Associate Education Minister David Seymour says he has asked the Ministry of Education to investigate.   S...

Over in the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to propose significant reform for the NHS. A new report revealed ballooning wait times, delays in getting urgent medical treatment and cancer care and rising costs are harming public health - and costing lives. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Starmer claims the health system needs 'major surgery'. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Some experts believe huhu grub faming could be the way of the future. Huhu grubs are being touted as an alternative protein source that could solve food security issues - and potentially help the nation's forestry slash problems. The Country's Jamie Mackay says there's a history of huhu consumption in New Zealand, with Māori confirming the grubs are safe for consumption.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystud...