Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Minister in charge of the GCSB in 2021- when a cyber incident targeted Parliamentary entities - has revealed more about what followed. The spy agency revealed today it became aware the intrusion, linked to a Chinese state-backed actor. China's ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong has called the accusations groundless and irresponsible. Andrew Little says he was told there had been a hack, b...

Winston Peters is threatening to refuse interviews with RNZ, unless it apologises over its reporting on his Party. The Court of Appeal has dismissed a Serious Fraud Office bid to overturn a court ruling two men were NOT guilty of obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars by deception for the New Zealand First Foundation. The money wasn't deemed a 'donation', because the funds weren't deposited in...

The Australian Council of Trade Unions are calling for a 5 percent pay rise for workers on minimum and award wages. The union body says inflation has left workers on these lower wages worse off financially, even when accounting for three years' worth of increases. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says over three million workers stand to benefit from this potential pay bump. LISTEN ABOVE See om...

NZ Rugby chair Dame Patsy Reddy has threatened calling time on her tenure as the seven month governance standoff with the provincial unions continues. Dame Patsy took the stance at a post-board briefing last week, insisting she would not support alternative reform proposals to the ones put forward by the non-binding Pilkington Report. Those stated NZ Rugby’s constitution and governance was not fit...

Growing divergence between the US and Israel, as UN members vote for a ceasefire resolution in Gaza. The US abstained and didn't veto the Security Council resolution, voted for by all 14 other members. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled meetings scheduled in Washington this week. Times Correspondent Harriet Alexander says it's a sign of how difficult the two countries' relatio...

France has raised their terror alert warning to the highest level following the attack in Moscow. At least 137 people are dead and 150 are injured after gunmen opened fire at a rock concert. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains why France feels concerned following these recent events. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and former Labour staffer Kaine Thompson joined in on a discussion about the following issue of the day- and more! Sir Russell Coutts has claimed Christchurch will never be able to host a SailGP event again after this weekend's debacle. Given Auckland couldn't host it- what happens with SailGP in New Zealand now? Kate Middleton shocked th...

The Government is still committed to delivering on their tax cuts, despite last week's announcement that New Zealand is in recession. Finance Minister Nicola has spent the last few days holding true to that Government promise. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan is among the many experts calling for the cuts to be delayed, amid concerns. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

The ratification of the free trade agreement with the EU is now complete after it gained Royal Assent. Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says it was ratified in a small ceremony at the Beehive today - and is now confirmed to come into effect from May. Zespri Head of Global Public Affairs Michael Fox says the timing is super helpful for the kiwifruit industry, after a couple of 'bumpy' yea...

The Government has unveiled their first pre-Budget financial announcement, in the form of their Family Boost scheme. It will let parents and caregivers claim back up to 25 percent of their childcare costs - up to $75 per week - from July. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this scheme comes with more short-term complications for parents. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The Finance Minister says the Family Boost scheme isn't exactly as promised pre-election. From July, parents and caregivers can claim back up to 25 percent of childcare costs, to a maximum $75 dollars per week. Nicola Willis says they'd hoped to reimburse parents every fortnight- but the IRD warned that their systems weren't sophisticated enough to deliver on that. "We're not prepared to delay, we...

Animal-focused charity SAFE wants an immediate ban on all greyhound racing after three dogs died in one week this month. Greyhound Racing New Zealand has suspended racing at Manukau Stadium for five weeks. It  says concerning increases in injuries require immediate intervention and more investigation. SAFE investigations head, Will Appelbe, says racing's moved to Cambridge, but there've been just...

Some relief for parents facing rising childcare costs. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has unveiled the Family Boost policy- which will let parents and caregivers claim back up to 25 percent of childcare costs, up to $75 a week. Parents are being told to start collecting invoices from July, to begin being refunded every three months from October. Early Childhood Council CEO Simon Laube says the opt...

Christchurch NZ is keeping the door open to SailGP, hoping racing can happen again in Lyttelton next year. Last weekend's event has been marred by debate on measures to protect dolphins, with SailGP CEO Russell Coutts casting doubt on future hosting plans. A dolphin sighting meant Saturday's race was cancelled. Christchurch NZ's Loren Aberhart says a contract's been signed, but they are still open...

Australia is short 90,000 tradies to meet new housing targets. The Government plans to build 1.2 million new homes over the next five years. Australia correspondent Oliver Peterson says they'll get tradies to finish their qualifications, or will poach some from overseas. But he says it has to compete with the mining industry. "That's just always going to be the lure for a lot of people who might b...

The future of SailGP in New Zealand may have sunk as a result of yesterday's cancellation of racing at Lyttelton Harbour. A dolphin sighting prevented three fleet races from taking place on day one, before four races yesterday with New Zealand winning the overall event. Fresh off his infamous interview with SailGP boss Sir Russell Coutts, Sportstalk host Jason Pine shared his thoughts. LISTEN ABOV...

Commitment to a major overhaul of Hawkes Bay's emergency response, which has been labelled 'not fit for purpose.' The Civil Defence Emergency Management Joint Committee has fully accepted the independent review of its disaster response to Cyclone Gabrielle. It highlights major issues ranging from communication failures to overwhelmed officials, and points to residents being told they were overreac...

A group of prominent Aucklanders have voiced disapproval with the planned long-term lease of the council-owned Port of Auckland. Over 30 high-profile figures have signed an open letter against the plan, including Lady Pippa Blake, Sir Stephen Tindall, Sir Ralph Norris, and Chloe Swarbrick. Stop Stealing Our Harbour spokesperson Michael Goldwater says the Council needs to consider its long-term vis...

I'd have to say, the cancer diagnosis of the Princess of Wales, Kate, was probably the biggest news over the weekend, wasn't it? Absolutely shocking.  There are a couple of things I reckon most of us will already agree on. The first is obviously just what an awful diagnosis cancer is for someone as young as Kate. And particularly for a mum of wee kids, this must be very scary for absolutely everyb...

Some commercial catch limits have been increased, and these changes will come into effect in April of this year.  Fisheries Minister Shane Jones discusses new limits with Heather.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ria Bond is a Member of Council in Invercargill.  Bond spoke to Heather regarding another city councillor, Nobby Clark, and his recent offensive comments.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Grebert-Craig hosts The Mushroom Cook podcast, looking into the infamous Mushroom Murders.  She joined Heather to discuss the latest updates in the case.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour MP Camilla Belich had her bill pulled out of the biscuit tin at Parliament today.  If passed, it would allow employees to discuss their wages with colleagues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the government announced hundreds of layoffs within the public sector.  Public service association solicitor Fleur Fitzsimons spoke to Heather on what impact this may have.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A MediaWorks data breach saw the personal details of 400,000 kiwis end up on the dark web. Cyber security expert Nadia Yousef spoke to Heather du Plessis-Allan about how you can protect yourself from leaks like this.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.