Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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...

Chocolate, olive oil, butter and takeaway meals have been blamed for pushing up food price inflation in August, according to new reports. Fresh fruit and vegetable prices kept falling, down 12 percent. Falling kūmara, potatoes, and lettuce prices led the way. Potatoes are now the cheapest they’ve been in three years. NZ Herald business editor at large explains the factors driving this data. LISTEN...

G.J. Gardner, New Zealand’s largest franchised group house-building business and biggest residential builder, is planning to expand further. The business is aiming for a 30 percent growth in franchise numbers in the next year, according to new reports. G.J. Gardner's Grant Porteous says there'll always be demand for housing - even during economic downturns. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

The stage is set for the first ever all-civilian commercial spacewalk. Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, alongside a a pair of SpaceX engineers and a former Air Force pilot blasted off earlier this week - and if all goes well, the walk will take place in a few hours. Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki explains that space is an inhospitable environment for humans - meaning the crew is carrying out a r...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Donald Trump dominated the post-debate discussion with his outlandish statements about immigrants, abortion and the economy. Will the 'cats and dogs' and 'transgender operations' comments hurt his campaign - or do supporters not care? Can Hea...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 12 September 2024, how will Health NZ actually slash waiting lists and improve cancer care? Counties Manukau Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Connolly tells Heather about the plan to hit the Government's health targets. What's behind Donald Trump's claim that immigrants in Ohio are eating cats and dogs? 1News US correspondent Log...

Tech giant Google is being accused of playing hardball with the Government and media companies over the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. The bill would force Google to pay for the journalism and news content that help drive its business model. NZME editor-at-large Shayne Currie says it's unlikely Google will pull away from New Zealand altogether - despite the company's threats. "They will certai...

About this debate in Australia on banning social media for kids - I have just come across an article that makes the best comparison yet for how we should deal with this issue. Treat it like sex. This article is by an academic in Australia and she argues that the best way to protect kids from social media is by teaching them its dangers, like we do with sex. I think we know now that banning sex for...

Donald Trump's out-the-gate claim that migrants eat people's pets has gone viral. In yesterday's presidential debate, the former President claimed migrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating dogs and cats. US correspondent Logan Church says Trump got it from a social media post. "There was absolutely no proof or evidence of anything like this actually happening. But that rumour started spreading lik...

Some experts believe mayor Wayne Brown's second Auckland harbour crossing won't fly. Brown revealed a proposal to build a bridge stretching from Meola Reef to Kauri Point on the North Shore. Auckland University senior lecturer of architecture and planning Bill McKay says there'd need to be a number of feeder motorways through Point Chev to get to the bridge. "You know, the pushback from the locals...

There's support for more use of private hospitals to help the health system. Minister Shane Reti's outlined plans for reaching five health targets set in March, spanning wait times, immunisations and cancer treatment. He's discussed increasing public hospital beds and operating theatres and using private hospital capacity more. Counties Manukau chief medical officer Andrew Connolly says private he...

There's clear consensus among experts that Kamala Harris emerged victorious after yesterday's action-packed debate against Donald Trump. The pair clashed over economy, abortion and foreign policy - with Trump spouting outlandish claims about late-term abortions and migrants eating people's pets. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the fallout from the debate in Pennsylvania. LIS...

Over in Australia, the ongoing anti-war protests in Melbourne have entered their second day. Police have beefed up security, after yesterday's violent clashes left several officers injured. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says yesterday's events were 'disgraceful' - with protestors flinging faeces and acid at police.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day four of the one-off test between the Black Caps and Afghanistan has been abandoned before the scheduled start of play, as rain fell over Greater Noida, India. For the fourth day in succession, rainfall has forced the match to be called off before a single ball was bowled. The final clash is still scheduled for Friday - but hints of poor weather leave the event in doubt. Sportstalk host D'Arcy...

Auckland's counting down to hosting a star-studded film production, which kicks off in October. The Wrecking Crew stars Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista and Temuera Morrison - with filming likely to run at least two months. Auckland Tataki Unlimited CEO Nick Hill says it's the largest production done here since The Rings of Power series. He says locals will get a chance to catch filming around the city....

The UK economy unexpectedly failed to grow in July, after flatlining in June, for the second month in a row. Analysts had originally forecasted a slight growth of 0.2 percent. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says drops in the manufacturing and construction sectors contributed to the downturn. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As birth-rates decline and the population gets older, investors are grappling with a new set of challenges. Recent data indicates the proportion of Kiwis over the age of 65 will be expected to double by 2050. Milford Asset Management's Deborah Lambie says this demographic shift is expected to have an impact on the healthcare system - and lead to a worker shortage. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com...

The Government has confirmed buy now, pay later providers will be able to charge whatever fees they want going forward. Cabinet has agreed to remove some consumer protections from the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) to enable BNPL providers to set late or default fees at whatever levels they wish. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains what this could mean...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off in their first televised debate ahead of the election. Who won this round? What did the candidates need to work on? The text of David Seymour's proposed Treaty Prin...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 11 September 2024, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off in their first presidential debate. So who won? US historian Allan Lichtman , senior political correspondent Barry Soper , former US correspondent Jack Tame and Heather all weigh in. In another blow for regional New Zealand, Methanex has announced it's looking to scale...

Today's highly-anticipated face-to-face presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump included a heated back-and-forward over inciting political violence. Stand-out moments included inaccurate statements about abortion rights and Trump repeating his running mate's baseless claim immigrants were eating people pets. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there's no debate to...

The Ngāti Toa Rangatira iwi isn't impressed with David Seymour's contentious Treaty Principles Bill. The three principles to be included in the bill have been released today - including 'Civil Government', the 'Rights of Hapū and Iwi Māori' and the 'Right to Equality'. Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik says Seymour's proposition is lacking. "Tino rangatiratanga speaks to the...

Contact Energy has confirmed it reached an agreement to take over electricity generator Manawa Energy in a near $2.3-billion merger. Contact would pay a combination of cash and its own shares to the equivalent of $5.95 for each Manawa share - and it hopes to finalise the arrangement by early next year. CEO Mike Fuge says this investment will help diversify Contact's generating portfolio. "What thi...

New Plymouth's mayor is blaming the last Government's gas policy for Methanex's proposal to scale down. The country's largest gas user plans to move from a two-plant operation to one, and lay off staff for the foreseeable future. Its managing director says policy settings since 2018 haven't been conducive to sustaining gas supplies for more than one plant. Neil Holdom says it'll be a blow for the...

The Government's recent report into the East Coast floods concludes action is urgently needed. The review in part points the finger at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the Wairoa District Councils for poor management of the river mouth and bar. Wairoa mayor Craig Little is relieved with this report - and claims the bar should be cleared more often. "No one's rung me from the regional council o...