Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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!  The Olympics are over and done with - what did we think? What were our favourite moments? The Police Association and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee have been butting heads over new firearms laws - what do we make of this?...

The Finance Minister is open to all options when it comes to increasing competitiveness in the banking sector. The Commerce Commission is expected to deliver their report examining banking competition issues - and drafts have hinted changes need to take place. Minister Nicola Willis says she's awaiting next week's findings. "I've committed that I will be completely open-minded about what changes m...

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Police Association won't be left out of consultation on the firearms registry. Association President Chris Cahill has penned an open letter asking for Nicole McKee's role in reviewing the law to be stripped and given to the Police Minister. McKee says the association wasn't asked for early consultation but police were - she says they will get their...

Famed Australian children's band, The Wiggles, will be headlining an upcoming dance festival for kids this summer. Anthony, John, Tsehay and DJ Dorothy will be performing at the Sound System Dance Party at Baypark Arena on January 5. Event promoter Mitch Lowe says there's a market for events catering to younger audiences.  "The reception's been crazy - we've had 500 people sign up in the last 3-4...

Week three of Phillip Polkinghorne's murder trial has kicked off with testimony from Pauline Hanna's niece. The Auckland eye doctor's accused of murdering his wife in 2021, but his defence claims she killed herself. The court's today heard from Hanna's niece, Rose, who made a covert recording played last week - in which Pauline discussed issues within her marriage. ZB's Chelsea Daniels says they'v...

The Social Development Minister says new sanctions will give beneficiaries less choice for spending money. The Government is ramping up obligations for those on Jobseeker benefits, and a Traffic Light System of punishments when they aren't met. People hitting 'Red' can expect half their benefit income to be put on a payment card, used only for accessing essential items. Louise Upston says the card...

Prime Minister Luxon has congratulated the Kiwi athletes after a record-shattering Olympic Games - but claimed hosting a victory parade would be difficult. The idea of a post-Olympics victory parade was floated to the Prime Minister, but Luxon says arranging this event isn't as easy as it sounds. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there was an 'incredible' turnout for this Olympiad...

Investigations are under way in Cairns into whether a helicopter that crashed into a hotel in the middle of the night was stolen. The pilot died after hitting the DoubleTree by Hilton about 2am, with propeller blades landing in its pool and the main street. New reports claim charter company Nautilus Aviation say its helicopter was stolen, and police are waiting for the pilot to be identified. Aust...

The All Blacks are hoping to bounce back this weekend following their recent 38-30 loss to Argentina. The team has completed their usual Monday review session before prepping for Saturday's rematch at Eden Park. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Labour leader's broken ranks with his Party, in supporting AUKUS pillar two. Former Defence Minister Andrew Little has claimed the current Government is right to investigate the military intelligence-sharing agreement with the US, the UK, and Australia. Little says the nation needs to update its defence technology to address possible threats. "There are threats in our region that are new,...

Another problem for Aratere.   The Interislander ferry's expected to be out of action for a few days after crashing into the dock in Wellington.   More than 100 passengers and 40 crew were on board - none was injured.   Maritime Lawyer Troy Stade told Heather du Plessis-Allan that speaking with the crew, there are concerns generally about how things have gone over the last few months.   LISTEN ABO...

Today on the Sports Huddle Heather was joined by Sports Commentators Nicky Styris and Jim Kayes too look at some of the stories coming out of the Olympics.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The knives appear to be out for Auckland Transport.   Wayne Brown's putting forward a proposal to strip AT of its policymaking functions and have elected representatives control it.   It also includes plans to abolish the council’s development agency and its events and economic development agency.   He'll need the backing of councillors, and in the case of AT's control, a law change.   Brown told...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 9 August 2024, Pan Pac Managing Director Tony Clifford explains why sky-high electricity prices have meant he's had to stop Hawkes Bay's paper pulp mill.   Christchurch City Councillor Tim Scandrett reacts to news that the Christ Church Cathedral is set to be mothballed as it's run out of money.   Turns out the Olympic medals are n...

This year’s Olympic medals don’t seem to be up to standard.   A US Olympic skateboarder has criticised the quality of his bronze medal after it began to deteriorate only a week after he won it.   The backside of the medal is chipped, and it’s already losing its bronze colour.   Former Olympian Ian Ferguson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that his are 40 years old and look exactly the same as the day...

Nicola Willis has made the right call to not give any more taxpayer money to the Christ Church Cathedral rebuild.   It’s tough call. It's got consequences, as they’re saying, it looks like the Cathedral night be mothballed because they can’t figure out how else to raise the money.    But frankly, the country can’t afford to give them another $60 million.   We're living on our credit card. We’ve al...

Soaring energy prices have been a topic of conversation at the moment as multiple mills are at risk of shutting up shop.   Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has issued a warning to generators, telling them to sort it out or else the Government will get involved.   Nicola Willis and Simeon Brown have stated that they’re making inquiries into the situation, and Winston Peters has gone a step...

A Christchurch city councillor says there could be options to come to a deal regarding the rebuild of Christ Church Cathedral.   Its future's in doubt as the Government refuses to step in to plug a $114 million funding gap for the restoration.   Asked if the Church could be sold rather than rebuilt, Tim Scandrett told Heather du Plessis Allan there are possibilities, but none have been presented t...

Pan Pac Forest Products says part of its operations could be on hold for another two months.   The Napier mill says a major spike in electricity prices since Saturday has made its export pulp production unviable.   Managing director Tony Clifford says the business can't generate profit with the cost of electricity at the current level.   He told Heather du Plessis Allan either it has to rain a lot...

The polls are pointed in Kamala Harris’ favour.   The Democratic candidate has taken an eight-point lead over the Republican’s Donald Trump, and with the addition of third-party candidates, Harris is leading 50% to Trump’s 42%.   This is a significant change from a few months ago, where Joe Biden was trailing a few points behind Donald Trump.   US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Heather du Plessis...

The All Blacks are opening the Rugby Championship this Saturday evening.   They’re facing off against Argentina in Wellington’s Sky Stadium, and there are still tickets available.   Sportstalk Host D’Arcy Waldegrave told Heather du Plessis-Allan there’s probably a couple of reasons behind this.   He said that one factor could be that no one has the money for tickets, another could be the lack of b...

Warnings that price hikes for international visas could chill the workforce.   The Government is increasing costs across almost all categories from October to bring in an extra $536 million over four years.   The cost for a skilled residence visa will rise by over $2000, and work visas are more than doubling in price.   New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment chair Arunima Dhingra tol...

The UK is still rife with unrest, over a week since the fatal stabbing of three girls in a Southport dance class. Far-right protests were sparked from a wave of false messaging online that wrongly identified the suspected killer as an Islamic migrant. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains the latest developments.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a turbulent week for financial markets - have things bounced back?  Japan's stocks have rebounded after their crash, but there's mixed results from around the rest of the world. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A veteran Scottish shearer who is the only woman to qualify in the top 30 at the Golden Shears in Masterton has shattered a world record set by New Zealander Sacha Bond just six months ago. Shearing at Trefranck Farm in Cornwall, 51-year-old Una Cameron was chasing Bond’s solo women’s nine-hour strong wool ewes record of 458 and finished at 4am today (New Zealand time), with a new record of 517. T...