Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Today's action-packed Presidential debate has wrapped, leaving many convinced it was a victory for Kamala Harris. She and Donald Trump traversed a battlefield covering inflation, abortion and foreign policy. The contrast between the two was clear - with Harris more future-focused, and Trump hailing back to his Presidency. US historian Allan Lichtman says Harris's win was crystal clear. "She was go...

Taylor Swift has come out and endorsed current Vice-President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris for President. Shortly after the first debate between Harris and Donald Trump wrapped up, Swift released an Instagram post confirming she would vote for Harris and Tim Walz. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this is good marketing for the Harris-Walz campaign.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

Kiwi mixed martial artist Navajo Stirling is being unleashed on the UFC. The light heavyweight's knockout win over Phillip Latu on the latest Contender Series card in Las Vegas has earned him a contract with the company. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 50 high-profile sporting identities and former Olympians have signed an open letter urging the Government to rethink the guiding principles for transgender athletes participating in sports. The letter claims Sport New Zealand’s guidelines disregard the rights of female athletes and go against scientific evidence. Former Olympian Dave Gerrard says allowing athletes to compete under self-identi...

The Princess of Wales has confirmed she's completed her chemotherapy treatments in an emotional video message. Kate Middleton says she's focused on staying cancer-free and will be making more public appearances in the coming months. UK correspondent Enda Brady says there's concern Kate may not be as well as she's letting on. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi sheep famers will have to brace themselves for another tough earnings season. Beef and Lamb New Zealand’s new season outlook says farm profit margins were being hit by high costs, especially interest payments, reaching low levels similar to those seen in the 1980s and 1990s. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains the issue further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

The Ruapehu district has been dealt a huge blow - as Winstone Pulp International confirms it will close the two mills in the region. Over 230 workers will lose their jobs, and mayor Weston Kirton is 'gutted' the Government couldn't broker a deal and save the mills. Infometrics principal economist unpacks the economic impact of this announcement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

One council member believes Auckland Council needs to rethink its plan to slash transport emissions by 2030. The council aims to halve car use, encourage a 13-fold increase in cycling, and increase public transport trips from 100 million a year pre-Covid to 550 million. Auckland Councillor Daniel Newman says these ideas need to be shelved in favour of something more realistic. "What we have is a m...

Tonight on The Huddle, Nick Mills from ZB's Wellington Mornings and Toby Manhire from the Spinoff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Courts will be able to ban gang members from wearing patches in the home thanks to an amendment the Government made to the bill. Is this a step too far? Winstone Pulp International announced its pulp and saw mills in the Ruape...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 10 September 2024, hundreds of people will lose their jobs in a huge blow to the Ruapehu district. Mayor Weston Kirton tells Heather he's gutted the Government wasn't able to broker a deal. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are about to square off for the first time in a presidential debate. Former debate moderator Dominic Carter re...

Experts believe a changing retail market and the evolution of influencers have forced online companies to make some changes.  British e-retailer ASOS has confirmed it plans to charge shoppers to return items unless they keep £40 of their order. Meanwhile, Boohoo recently introduced a freight charge into New Zealand, Nike has stopped shipping here altogether and other brands have reduced their avai...

The Law Society says pumping up the proposed gang patch bill gives police intrusive search powers. Cabinet has agreed to add a clause to the bill banning patches in public to ban them in the homes of members repeatedly defying the public ban. It was added in August, after the bill had gone through the Select Committee process, even though Ministers were briefed on options in March. The Society's C...

'Chrono-working' could be the next employment fad to wash up in Aotearoa. It lets workers choose their hours dictated by their circadian rhythm, instead of the usual nine to five. Robert Walters Commercial Director Stuart Nash says people have worked to circadian rhythms for thousands of years. He says working this way optimises output. "What we're saying now is - you know what, the best way to ge...

Pattrick Smellie, who has been a regular contributor to this show, is back from his long European sabbatical - and he reckons we need to cheer up in New Zealand. He's written a piece for BusinessDesk saying that the headlines he’s seeing here at home suggest we’re as miserable as we were back in the early 1990s during Ruth Richardson's recession. And he points out that all 9 countries he visited a...

An epic showdown is expected at tomorrow's presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The VP and former President are facing off in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. Millions are expected to tune into the ABC-broadcast clash - which has no live audience, with microphones muted when candidates aren't explicitly in speaking time. Former US debate moderator Dominic Carter says...

Two North Island mills have failed to strike a deal to save their operations. Winstone Pulp International announced its pulp and saw mills in the Ruapehu District will close indefinitely, putting more than 200 people out of work. Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says they'd been talking with Government Ministers and electricity providers trying to save the mills, but with no luck. He says he's devastat...

Parliamentarians honoured Kīngi Tūheitia with speeches this afternoon - before the House adjourned early. The leader of the Kiingitanga died almost a fortnight ago, following heart surgery. He's succeeded by his daughter - 27-year-old Kuini Ngā Wai hono i te pō. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks today's tributes from all sides of the political aisle.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

Two children were discovered dead in a Blue Mountains home, with a woman en route to hospital under police guard. New South Wales authorities said officers were called to the location on Tuesday afternoon to investigate the welfare of the woman and two children. The boys, aged 9 and 11, were found dead in the home by a family member. Australian correspondent Sam Emery says investigations are still...

There's fears another day may go by without any start to the maiden cricket test between the Black Caps and Afghanistan. Despite clear skies at Greater Noida - on the outskirts of Delhi in India - a sodden outfield means there's still been no toss for the one-off fixture. An inspection has been scheduled for 6.30pm (NZT). Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says it's likely the match will be called...

New legislation will stop Australia's youth from accessing social networks like Instagram, Snapchat, Discord and TikTok. The Australian Government will introduce legislation by the end of the year to create a minimum age for accessing social media. Professor Lisa Given from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology wonders if a wide-scale ban is even possible. "The question is, are there workaro...

Great Ormond Street Hospital in London has launched an urgent review of 721 cases that were treated by a former surgeon. The hospital has revealed multiple children had come to severe harm under the care of Yaser Jabbar, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says it's alleged Jabbar conducted inappropriate procedures on these children - causing permanent damage in some.  LI...

Volatility has returned to US markets, with a significant drop on Friday. Weak employment data saw markets price in larger cuts to US official interest rates by the US Federal Reserve - which is due to meet on the 17th of September. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further, LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 400 Christian leaders have written an open letter asking the Government to stop the bill from going to Select Committee. This list includes senior leaders of Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Salvation Army and Vineyard denominations. Very Reverend Jay Ruka from Taranaki Cathedral is one of the signatories - and he said the bill is built on an incorrect premise. "I just think it's unwise - such...

Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and Brigitte Morten from Franks Ogilvie joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! ACT's David Seymour has outlined some new changes to the Treaty Principles Bill amid growing calls to not let the bill progress to select committee stage. Will this turn public opinion around? Will National change its mind about the...

The Finance Minister has voiced support for more action to be taken against the grocery sector.  The Grocery Commissioner's report into the sector has found no meaningful improvement in competition, increasing margins and high profitability. Nicola Willis says most households would support a crackdown led by the Commissioner.  "I think most New Zealanders would agree that competition between the m...