Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Climate Change Minister believes slashing 24 million carbon credits will fix the struggling Emissions Trading Scheme. Companies buy the credits in quarterly auctions - to offset their pollution output. Repeated failures to sell credits triggered the Climate Change Commission to advise there are too many cheap units available, in order to drive down emissions. Minister Simon Watts says it's a s...

The Finance Minister aims to put an end to the 'cosy pillow fight' between banks and bolster sector competition. A Commerce Commission report has found that the four big Australian-owned banks are turning high profits, far out-stripping international peers. The Commission has recommends open banking practices and tweaks to Reserve Bank rules to ease access for small players. Finance Minister Nicol...

Joe Biden's reflected on his legacy - and laid a case against Donald Trump in a rousing address. The President's speech ended the first day of the Democratic National Convention, where Kamala Harris will accept the presidential nomination. Biden says Harris will be a President the nation can be proud of - and will put her stamp on America's future. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper say...

After three years of planning, Team NZ is set to compete in the 2024 America's Cup. On August 22, the six   America’s Cup  teams will take to the water in their new AC75 race vessels for the third and  final preliminary regatta  before the moments that truly matter. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief the Christ Church Cathedral will be rebuilt eventually, despite ongoing funding issues. The Reinstatement Group has announced it's pausing work - until more funding is found. The Finance Minister confirmed this month that no more cash will go to the project, leaving it short $85 million. Project chair Mark Stewart says the Government needs to play a part in the rebuild, but acknowle...

The UK Government has established emergency measures to ease prison overcrowding as more rioters are being sentenced for their role in the recent unrest. The system, known as Operation Early Dawn, means defendants waiting for a court appearance will be kept in police cells until prison space is available. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says hundreds of people have been arrested over the last few week...

Logistics and courier company Freightways has recorded a 5.8 percent decrease in net profit after weathering what its leaders believe to be the worst of the economic cycle in New Zealand and Australia. Freightways announced its 2024 results to the NZX on Monday. It reported net profit after tax of $70.9 million, a reduction from its 2023 result that the company said was largely due to higher inter...

BNZ’s performance of services index - which measures sentiment across services firms - was up 3.9 points to 44.6 in July from a rock-bottom level of 40.7 in June. While it’s better than June it’s still a very low result - a result below 50 indicates activity is contracting for the fifth straight month. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains how this adds to the proof that the Reserve Bank...

Tonight on The Huddle, Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's growing calls to bring back the Wellington-Auckland sleeper train as an alternative to pricey air travel. Is this a good idea? The Government has announced a new crackdown on dangerous drivers to bring down road deaths. Will...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 19 August - The Government is facing pressure to encourage households to reduce their gas usage. Is this a good idea? Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie unpacks this. Police have voiced concerns about the 'organised criminal element' within the increase in boy racers following last weekend's incident in Waikato...

The Government has seen support in the latest political poll. The 1News Verian poll has National on 38 percent, ACT on 7 and New Zealand First on 6. Christopher Luxon has jumped 5 percent to 28 percent as preferred Prime Minister. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's good to see. "We don't watch the polls too closely, they go up and down, but I think New Zealanders can see that we're doing the...

A driving instructor says one student drove 500 kilometres to sit his full licence test because of months-long wait times. Counties Driving School's Alistair McGregor says the man drove from Pukekohe to Dannevirke. The Government scrapped free driving test re-sits this year to cull long wait times. McGregor says it's taking time to see any effect. "The existing tests need to be worked through, so...

Support is re-igniting for a Wellington to Auckland sleeper train, as air fares soar. The idea was floated at a Wellington council meeting last week. Greater Wellington Regional Council climate chair Thomas Nash says tracks between Auckland and Wellington are seriously under-utilised. He says night trains are popular overseas, particularly in Europe, as a more affordable and lower emission option....

One commentator says enforcement is critical for road safety. The Government's announced it wants 3.3 million roadside alcohol breath tests a year, with a $1.3 billion budget over three years. $7 million is for incentives for police - for when they meet targets. Greater Auckland transport blog director Matt Lowrie says police haven't done enough breath tests for a long time. "It's only in the last...

The Police Minister says boy racers are terrorising communities throughout the country. Four police vehicles were rammed at a Waikato gathering over the weekend, and an officer suffered minor injuries. Police say a ute involved was stolen, with fake plates - and two people in the picture they've released weren't involved with the meet. Minister Mark Mitchell says they're facing similar issues with...

The latest 1News-Verian poll is due to be released tonight - and it's generated plenty of speculation. The previous poll had National on 38 points, Labour on 29 points, the Green Party on 13 points, ACT at 7points and NZ First on 6 points. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper outlines what to expect. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have bounced back and defeated Argentina - but they'll need to maintain momentum for the Rugby Championships.  While a convincing win in the rematch with Argentina was a big improvement on an upset loss in the competition opener - 35 of the 42 points they scored at Eden Park came in the first half. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

Sydney's long-awaited driverless metro train line has been launched, with up to 200,000 commuters being expected to use the service.  The line runs from Chatswood in Sydney's north to Sydenham in the inner west via tunnels under Sydney Harbour. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the project is expected to draw in more international visitors, offsetting the $20 billion spent on the proje...

Experts have warned the Government that there isn't enough gas for both households and industry - meaning users could face increased prices and potential shortages. The Green Building Council says households need to be encouraged to reduce their gas usage, freeing up supply for industrial exporters. Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says work needs to be done to find a better...

Te Papa is going to start charging a $35 entry fee for international tourists starting next month. The national museum says it's because rising energy costs, insurance and paying staff is all becoming too expensive. The move's expected to bring in an additional $5-$10 million per year. Te Papa spokesperson Kate Camp told Heather du Plessis-Allan it will be good value for visitors.   See omnystudio...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 16 August 2024, the Waitangi Tribunal says the Government's Treaty Principals Bill is discriminatory and unfair. Former Waitangi Tribunal historian Dr Sam Carpenter explains what the issue is. Consumer NZ is hitting out at supermarkets and the Grocery Commissioner after news that shoppers still regularly get overcharged at the til...

Not everyone loves the idea of LIV golf holding an event in Christchurch. Rumour has it that the saudi-backed breakaway competition is looking at holding a tournament in the garden city, possibly as soon as next year. LIV officials have visited christchurch golf club to have a look. Sir Bob Charles is a patron of that club and told Heather du Plessis-Allan they're creating turmoil in the golf indu...

New Zealand and Australia have committed to working "in lock step" like never before over security issues. Christopher Luxon and Anthony Albanese have wrapped up their bilateral meeting in Canberra. Luxon says they have agreed to activate the alliance if either nation faces a severe cyber attack, and have invited defence ministers to renew closer ties. International geopolitical analyst Geoffrey M...

The Waitangi tribunal released it's first take on the government's Treaty Principles Bill and it doesn't like it.   The tribunal says it's unfair and discriminatory - and should be abandoned.   The prime minister has already pushed back, saying it's a coalition commitment with Act to pursue the bill to first reading.   Former Waitangi tribunal historian, Dr Sam Carpenter told Heather du Plessis-Al...

The Commerce Commission says shoppers are likely to be losing millions of dollars a year due to supermarket pricing errors. Grocery commissioner Pierre van Heerden has called them out for times when the price on the label doesn't match what you end up paying at the counter.  He believes when that happens they need to give you the product for free. Head of research and advocacy at Consumer NZ, Gemm...