Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Auckland's High Court has heard from those first on scene - where Pauline Hanna was found dead. Auckland eye surgeon Phillip Polkinghorne is accused of killing Hanna at their Remuera home in 2021. The defence says she took her own life. ZB reporter Chelsea Daniels is attending the trial. She says the court's heard about Polkinghorne's immediate reaction after Hanna's death. "St John paramedic Hann...

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Film Commission has copped some backlash after they spent over $16,000 on four events amid proposed budget cuts. Is this outrage justified? Are we concerned about New Zealand's lack of medals at the Olympics - or do we need to be patient? ...

The Film Commission is facing heavy scrutiny for its celebratory spending. It's been revealed it spent close to $17,000 on four parties last year - welcoming and farewelling incoming and departing chief executives. Jordan Williams from the the Taxpayer's Union says anyone trying to do that in the private sector would be marched down the road. He says he highly doubts the last Government would defe...

An apology's been made in the House, over a comment labelled 'racist' and unacceptable. Green MP Ricardo Menendez-March, who is originally from Mexico, was speaking to a question on boot camps when Trade Minister Todd McClay interjected. Menendez-March says McClay told him 'you're not in Mexico now, we don't do things like that here', and Speaker Gerry Brownlee questioned McClay if that was true....

There's growing calls to sack Barnaby Joyce following some colourful comments he made at a recent protest.  Joyce told protesters attending an anti-wind farm rally to 'get ready to load that magazine' and vote out Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's unlikely Joyce will be fired over these comments. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Pollution levels in the Seine have forced the Olympic organisers to postpone men's triathlon. The event was set for 6pm this evening - and has been pushed back to 8:45pm tomorrow night, straight after the women's event. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains how this delay will impact the Olympics. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chief Executive of Women's Refuge says police haven't yet implemented a policy to withdraw from family harm callouts. Police did 3000 fewer police investigations of family harm last month, compared to December 2023. Dr Ang Jury says it's not entirely accurate to compare these two months, as December is often high-volume. But she says she has been talking about the policy with the Police Commis...

There's a fresh wave of concerns about the water quality in the Seine for the Paris Olympics.  A training session for the Olympic triathlon event has been cancelled due to unsafe levels of pollution, with heavy rain from the opening ceremony reviving recent fears. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says tests have confirmed the water is not up to scratch for swimming in. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/l...

One Wellington property developer is calling on the Reserve Bank to make it easier to repurpose vacant commercial buildings. Alex Cassels has set up several new apartment buildings in Wellington - and is looking to expand to Auckland. He explained how this scheme would alleviate the housing crisis and provide affordable rents.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New inflation data out of the US has experts speculating potential rate cuts in the coming months. The Federal Reserve is set to meet on Thursday - and it's likely they'll offer an update about when rate cuts will come. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 29 July 2024, a successful eye surgeon has been accused of strangling his wife and making it look like suicide. Chelsea Daniels reports from the first day of the Polkinghorne trial. Tax cuts are finally coming to your bank account this week. The Finance Minister says you might just want to double check your payslip this week. Worl...

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 Greens have raised a few eyebrows over their decision to give Darleen Tana 21 days to resign from Parliament before they vote to invoke the waka-jumping legislation. Do they need to take quicker action? A man in brightly coloure...

The Finance Minister has promised relief is on the way for Kiwi households. The Government's highly-anticipated tax changes officially take effect this coming Wednesday - meaning over three million people can expect a little more in their pay packets. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Government has been working with payroll providers across the country to ensure these tax cuts go smoothly....

Several Kiwi rugby stars are representing New Zealand on the world stage in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The New Zealand women's sevens side have beaten Canada 33-7 and China 43-5 in pool matches at Stade de France on the opening day. The men's sevens team have finished in fifth, with France taking gold after a 28-7 thumping of Fiji in the final. World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin says this year's Olympics h...

An Auckland plant-based café is beefing up its menu, hoping to increase customers and reduce production costs. Kind Café says the cost of living has forced the change. Owner Cathie Cottle says they're hoping it'll be temporary - and the café will be able to later return to its principles. She says vegetarian options tend to be more expensive than meat. "Our chefs had to go to a lot of effort to ma...

The Government is backing its gang crackdown. The proposed Firearm Prohibition Order laws would ban people from holding a firearms licence, over lower-level offences - and allow warrantless police searches of suspects. The Justice Select Committee is asking the Government to scale back the plan, citing concerns it gives police too much power. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is firm, but sa...

Philip Polkinghorne's relationship with his wife has been a key theme on the first day of his murder trial. The Auckland eye surgeon has accused of killing Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home in 2021, but his defence claims she took her own life. Lawyer Ron Mansfield says the couple had an open and loving relationship. Chelsea Daniels has been in court. She says the prosecution has laid out its th...

The long-promised Government tax cuts will land in Kiwi wallets this week. The changes to tax thresholds come into effect on Wednesday - for about three-and-half million people. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says the Government will be expecting a positive response - and a boost in the polls - for delivering these cuts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shaken up several political portfolios, including immigration and housing, ahead of the coming election. Clare O’Neil and Andrew Giles have been axed from the home affairs ministry and replaced with Tony Burke - who also took over immigration and multicultural affairs. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this refresh follows a disappointing...

Olympian Erika Fairweather is confident she has gas in the tank after qualifying seventh-fastest for tomorrow's women's 200 metre freestyle finale. She says she's recovered physically from her fourth place in the 400 metres 'splash of the titans'. ZB sports commentator Nick Bewley explains further. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief speed humps hindered emergency responders rushing to help a dying man. Fire and Emergency New Zealand says it's concerned Wellington roading changes are slowing response vehicles. A man reportedly collapsed and died in his Karori home last week - with responders arriving too late to resuscitate him. City Councillor Ray Chung claims speed humps and raised crossings are to blame. "The...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 26 July 2024, NZ Olympic chef de mission Nigel Avery joins Heather from Paris where the Olympics Opening Ceremony is just hours away.   Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has announced he won't be seeking a second term. The Crime Prevention Group has high hopes for whoever takes over for him.   The Sports Huddle debates what should...

An investigation continues into an incident at Manchester Airport, where an armed officer was filmed stamping on a man’s head.   The officer has been suspended, and the family has been demanding compensation.   But UK correspondent Gavin Grey says it’s alleged there was a lot more that went on leading up to the incident.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s government has set out over 300 reform measures during its Third Plenum this week.   The meeting – which takes place every five years – covered two major issues of national security and China’s economic recovery.   Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis says China wants to be global players in technology to avoid reliance on the West, but he isn’t convinced that will be enough to solve ec...

Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and sports commentator Andrew Gourdie joined Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle.   The Football Ferns’ 2-1 loss to Canada has been mired in controversy, after the Canadians were found to have used drones to spy on the team’s training.   The All Blacks Sevens’ Olympic campaign has ended before the opening ceremony, after losing to South Africa 1...