Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

As you might have heard earlier, the Prime Minister is copping a bit of flak because he’s going to cut one of his regular media opportunities on Tuesdays from here on in. It's been a convention for years now that the Prime Minister stops on the way to Parliament’s Question Time on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday if he's there and he'll let the Press Gallery ask him questions. That's now going to...

Compensation may be on the way for Northlanders affected by a massive power outage last month. Local MP Grant McCullum has been asking Transpower to compensate people with discounted transmission fees for a year. Nearly 100,000 people lost power when a tower toppled after maintenance crews unbolted three legs of a pylon at once. McCullum says Transpower acknowledged to him it owes the region. "We'...

The Commerce Commission is looking into regulating fees for PayWave and online card payments. The market watchdog says adding regulation could save Kiwis $250 million dollars, from the $1 billion a year they spend on fees in-store and online. Chair John Small says they're exploring changes that could reduce surcharges to 0.7 percent. "Part of what we're doing here is trying to simplify these rates...

The Green Party gave Darleen Tana a cold reception as she returned to the House as an independent MP. Tana has been asked to resign from Parliament following the release of a review into alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says leader Chloe Swarbrick is looking into other options for Tana ahead of this weekend's AGM. LISTEN ABOVE See omn...

Nearly 13 million Australians have had their medical data stolen and sold on the dark web, following a recent hack. Names, addresses, phone numbers and prescriptions were among the information stolen in a MediSecure hack in May. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the information is being sold for over $25,000. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors are set to unveil their latest squad ahead of their weekend clash against the Tigers. There's speculation that key players like Shaun Johnson could return from injuries - but enthusiasm among fans is dwindling.  Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says it's lucky the Olympics may distract viewers from a disappointing season. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

Many Kiwis are concerned the costs of being a parent have reached an unreasonable level. According to new research from Kiwibank, 70 percent of people believe the financial and child-care pressures on parents have gotten harder in the modern world. Kiwibank's Chief People Officer, Charlotte Ward, says people feel there's a 'penalty' that comes with choosing parenthood. "We know from phrases like '...

With less than a week to go until the upcoming Paris Olympics, France has recalled a line of branded water bottles for children. The bottles were found to contain excessive levels of Bisphenol A, according to new reports. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says these chemicals have been linked to breast cancer and infertility.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's Minister for Food Safety doesn't approve of some proposed changes impacting the distribution of infant formula. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has written a lengthy proposal to overhaul formula regulations, including changes to how formula can be labelled and where it can be sold.  Ministers from Australia and New Zealand will meet this week to discuss the proposal - which will...

The US dollar and Treasuries are likely to see a knee-jerk bid higher after Joe Biden dropped his re-election bid. Investors will see this development as bringing a fresh level of uncertainty about the final outcome of the US elections. Shane Solly from Harbour Asset Management says this is definitely a spanner in the works. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 22 July 2024, Washington correspondent David Smith speaks with Heather after news that Joe Biden has pulled out of the presidential race and endorsed Kamala Harris instead. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti tells Heather why he's sacked the board of Health NZ and replaced it with a commissioner. Animal welfare staff from the Ministry...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Joe Biden has officially dropped out of the US presidential race - and pulled his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Is the way he stepped down problematic? Does Kamala Harris stand a chance? Is the Warehouse struggling?...

The Government is strongly opposing proposed changes to infant formula laws. Minister from Australia and New Zealand will meet this week to discuss a 400-page proposal, which would overhaul baby formula regulation - including labelling laws. Some groups fear it would cause plain-packaging and cripple New Zealand's exports. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the impacts would be too severe. "There...

It's unclear what the Warehouse Group's next steps will be. Founder Sir Stephen Tindall, who remains a majority shareholder, has shown potential interest in acquiring its shares with Andamantem Capital Partners. The company has confirmed it's received an approach, and is advising investors not to sell shares, pending further advice from directors. Shareholders' Association CEO Oliver Mander says t...

Moana Pasifika's higher-ups are looking forward to welcoming Ardie Savea aboard. Savea has signed with the Auckland-based Super Rugby franchise until his New Zealand Rugby contract expires in 2027, departing the Hurricanes after 11 years. Moana Pasifika chair Sir Michael Jones says this is hugely significant for the world of Pacific rugby. "His influence in the game is massive, so we do think that...

The Health Minister has confirmed some changes will be made to Health NZ to reduce their multi-million dollar monthly overspending. The agency's board will be replaced with a Commissioner to prevent future financial deficits. Minister Shane Reti says people will lose jobs as a result of the new direction at Health NZ. "From 2018 to now, 2500 back office administration and management staff have bee...

Money and support is flowing in for the top pick to take on Donald Trump in the US presidential election. Joe Biden is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris after abruptly announcing he's quitting the race. Endorsements from top Democrats are mounting, with more than $50 million already raised for Harris. Guardian Washington correspondent David Smith says it's given the Democrats a shot in the ar...

There's growing concerns surrounding the implications of Joe Biden's recent announcement.  Biden has thrown support behind Kamala Harris after announcing his decision to drop out of the presidential race - leaving his Vice President a short timeframe to boost support for the party. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says a Trump presidency wouldn't be good for New Zealand's economy. LIS...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has thanked Joe Biden for his leadership and service. Biden has announced his decision to back out of the US presidential race - and voiced support for Vice President Kamala Harris. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says both leaders have demonstrated similar beliefs, values and commitments. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Do you know what’s surprised me the most about Joe Biden quitting this morning? It's obviously not that he’s quit - I mean that was predictable, it clearly needed to happen. But what’s surprised me is that he’s been so badly behaved about it. First of all, it shouldn’t have taken him more than three weeks to quit. It should've been obvious to him immediately after the debate that it probably wasn'...

It appears All Blacks vice captain Ardie Savea will have the option of a second sabbatical from Super Rugby in 2026. Savea will move to Moana Pasifika next year as part of a new three-year deal with New Zealand Rugby until 2027. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks this new development. LSITEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rapid assessment of Orana Wildlife Park's conditions today will determine the truth of claims of poor welfare standards. More than 20 current and former staff at the Christchurch zoo have told 1News about animal deaths, with some going unreported. Ministry of Primary Industries staff have visited today. Investigations Director, Gary Orr, says it's a requirement to document all animal injuries. "...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 19 July 2024, Donald Trump has given his much anticipated first speech since an assassin nearly killed him.   Auckland restaurateur Mandy Lusk has a plea to businesses to help save the hospitality industry. Horizon Regional Council has a serious question for residents: Do you want to listen to music on the bus or not? And what kin...

Leeds has been rocked by riots overnight, which has seen a police car overturned and a double-decker bus set on fire.   It began after police were called to a disturbance involving agency workers and children at an address in the Yorkshire city early in the evening, which then escalated into violence.   UK correspondent Gavin Grey says no injuries have been reported.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio....

Donald Trump believes Taiwan should be paying the US for its defence, as covered in an interview ahead of the Republican National Convention.  He also claimed Taiwan took 100 percent of the US’s chip business, due to Taiwan’s huge investments into its local semiconductor manufacturing company TSMC – the world’s biggest chip foundry.  But Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis says Taiwan already...