Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Many people dream of becoming social media influencers - but the reality is a lot less glamorous.  According to new data from the IRD, only 60 people in New Zealand are working full-time as influencers, with the average annual income being $46,000. Thompson Spencer co-founder and CEO Melanie Spencer is surprised by these statistics. "We have influencers earning well over $10,000 per piece of conte...

The Local Government Minister is pulling no punches about gang members wearing patches in Hawke's Bay Regional Council's chambers, which is illegal. The Council yesterday voted unanimously to keep its Māori Wards - but photos posted on Facebook afterwards included patched gang members celebrating. They've since been taken down The Council has replied it acknowledges people's concerns, but it doesn...

Is anyone else getting the feeling the Greens have underestimated just how far Darleen Tana will go to to mess with them? I feel like they might have bit off a bit much with this one. Because so far - it’s 2-nil to Darleen. She won the first round when she refused to quit Parliament. The Greens clearly thought that after they’d finished the report she’d just slink off in shame - but she refused to...

Darleen Tana will still be in Parliament at least another two weeks, as the Greens push back a party vote until her legal challenge against them has concluded. The independent MP filed an injunction to stop a party meeting on Sunday discussing using waka-jumping legislation to remove her from Parliament. Otago University law professor Andrew Geddis says Tana's arguing she didn't really resign from...

The Green Party denies it's been out-manoeuvred by ex-MP Darleen Tana, whose legal proceedings have delayed this weekend's party vote. Delegates planned to decide on Sunday whether to use waka-jumping laws to force Tana from Parliament, now she's no longer a party member. That'll now be deferred until court proceedings on her injunction conclude. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says...

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being questioned about a private conversation where he joked with the US Deputy Secretary of State about splitting the cost of the Pacific Policing Initiative. The initiative was announced in Tonga on Wednesday - and last night, a Kiwi journalist caught Albanese and Kurt Campbell jokingly discussing the plan. Later, Albanese brushed off the exchange and...

The All Blacks are set to face off against the Springboks this weekend - their first clash since last year's Rugby World Cup. Coach Scott Robertson is likely to stick with what worked last time out when he names his side to face the Springboks. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave outlined his predictions here today.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister Shane Jones has been on the receiving end of some backlash after his comments on the judiciary. Attorney-General Judith Collins plans to speak to Jones following a recent incident where he called a High Court judge a 'communist' - prompting concern from New Zealand Bar Association. Law Association Vice President Julie-Anne Kincade says respecting the judiciary is vital in a democracy. "I...

The UK is set to start talks on a new co-operation treaty with Germany, as the Labour Government looks to 'reset' relations with Europe. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz - and he explained the deal was part of a bid to 'turn a corner' on Brexit. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the agreement will address trade opportunities - and cover en...

Air New Zealand's financial results are out tomorrow - and hopes aren't flying particularly high.  The airline has been hit with plane engine troubles, increased competition and decreased consumer demand. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton outlined some predictions about the airline's financial state. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elevated interest rates have encouraged mortgage holders to switch banks at a record rate. The value of mortgages refinanced by a new bank climbed to $1.75 billion in July – the largest amount since at least 2017, when the Reserve Bank started publishing this data. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the market factors encouraging homeowners to bank-hop.  LISTEN ABOVE See...

Ever since Singapore introduced congestion charges in the 1970s, other cities have tried to emulate its success. Wellington is the latest major New Zealand city to look at introducing congestion charges as a means of reducing traffic and improving public transport? Tony Canavan, EY's Global Transport Leader for the Government and Public Sector, explains how the right projects can boost a city's gr...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 28 August 2024, ex-Green MP Darleen Tana is taking her old party to court to avoid them kicking her out of Parliament. Trouble with NCEA? Almost half of our NCEA students have failed maths and writing exams they have to pass to receive their qualifications. Principal Kate Gainsford tells Heather this looks like trouble brewing....

Tonight on The Huddle, Brigitte Morton and Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Secondary school principals are worried at the huge number of kids that are failing literacy and numeracy tests - meaning they won't receive the right NCEA qualifications. Do we need a rethink here? Disgraced ex-Green MP Darleen Tana has filed an unprecedented injunct...

Meridian Energy - the country’s largest power generator - has reported strong earnings in the June year, but warns the year ahead looks challenging. The partially state-owned company’s net profit went from $95 million to $429 million - with much of the increase influenced significantly by net gains on hedge instruments of $249 million. Meridian CEO Neal Barclay says earnings will likely drop in th...

The Infrastructure Minister hopes to get bi-partisan support for major long-term projects. Minister Chris Bishop today outlined intentions for the infrastructure sector - including developing a 30-Year National Plan and National Agency.  Bishop says he was inspired by similar efforts happening overseas. "If you look at what Australia does, which is where we've picked up the idea from, both in NSW...

Thousands of young people have failed new co-requisite NCEA literacy and numeracy tests. It's the first year students have needed to pass them to achieve NCEA - and in May, 54 percent failed the maths test. Secondary Principals' Council chair Kate Gainsford says it's not the end of their NCEA journey because students get repeated opportunities. She explained there's the online external and extra s...

Kiwi Oasis fans can stop crying their hearts out - but pray Eden Park's boss will pull out the stops to lure the UK rock band over. The Gallagher brothers yesterday announced their first tour in over 15 years. Fourteen concerts are planned for the UK and Ireland in July and August. CEO, Nick Sautner says he's confident Eden Park's upcoming modifications will encourage the band to look at a New Zea...

The clear consensus among experts shows Darleen Tana is hanging on for their political life. The former Green MP has filed an unprecedented injunction trying to prevent their former party convening a Special General Meeting this weekend. ZB political editor Jason Walls says the Greens clearly didn't see this coming - but they're not too worried. "They're clearly waiting to see what happens tomorro...

A Green Party meeting's still planned this weekend, despite former MP Darleen Tana taking out an injunction hoping to prevent it. The meeting was to consider using waka-jumping legislation to expel Tana from Parliament, because they're refusing to resign, despite quitting the Party. Tana's challenge against the Party will be heard in the Auckland High Court tomorrow. ZB senior political correspond...

Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her prospective VP Tim Walz are due to sit down for their first joint interview of their presidential campaign. The pair will be interviewed by CNN in their first in-depth on-the-record exchange since Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris as his replacement. Guardian Washington Bureau Chief David Smith says Harris has been accused of dodging the...

Light heavyweight boxer Jerome Pampellone is intent on making the most of his second chance at a world title shot this evening. He'll fight Australian Conor Wallace in an IBF title eliminator in Sydney, having suffered his first professional loss to Malik Zinad in an eliminator back in April. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what viewers can expect. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listen...

There's questions over how frontline work can be done, as Health New Zealand offers voluntary redundancies. The PSA says these cuts are to jobs in admin, procurement, policy, communications, information, research and monitoring. It says they come on top of a hiring freeze of backroom staff in June, that left hundreds of roles unfilled. Nurses Organisation chief executive Paul Goulter says cutting...

British rock band Oasis said today they would reunite after 15 years, with brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher planning a series of live shows in 2025. The pair confirmed on social media that tickets would go on sale on August 31, with first show taking place in Cardiff on July 4 next year. UK correspondent Enda Brady recalls his experience meeting Noel Gallagher. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

Sources claim dairy giant Fonterra is set to make a big announcement tomorrow. This follows the company predicting a 50 percent increase to the milk forecast price.  The Country's Jamie Mackay speculates about what the upcoming announcement might reveal. LISTEN ABOVE     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.