Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

There's growing accusations the previous Government was disingenuous on finances. The Government books were opened in September in the pre-election reveal - but Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she is now surprised how many projects' funding is about to expire. Willis says the true scale and urgency of the situation wasn't made clear to her before she started. "The effect of the Government not...

I'll tell you what's going to be really telling tomorrow with those Te Pāti Māori protests- it's how big they are. It's basically going to be an indication of how much pushback and resistance the new Government's going to get on its plan to roll back the Treaty out of law like they plan to do. I reckon for tomorrow, every single party in Parliament is going to be interested in that crowd size. Te...

New Zealand has won the first Fossil of the Day award at COP-28 in Dubai. It's been awarded for the National-led Government’s campaign promise it'll revoke the last Government’s ban on offshore oil exploration. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says Labour got the same award last year. He says it's just a distraction from the summit's real business. "We're focused on the things that really matte...

Huge support for a Te Whatu Ora employee accused of taking bulk Covid vaccination data. Barry Young appeared in Wellington District Court today, after data was posted on a conspiracy website. The 56-year-old appeared this morning, then returned to the dock this afternoon, and was granted bail so long as he's released by 1pm tomorrow. Herald Open Justice reporter Ethan Griffiths says Young was chee...

Protesters vowing to cause gridlock on highways tomorrow say they aren't fearful it'll alienate people. Te Pāti Māori are asking supporters to take to the streets in a nationwide day of action. It says the Government's policy programmes are an assault on tangata whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Te Runanga o Ngai Te Rangi Iwi Trust's Paora Stanley says regardless what Maori do, people will be annoy...

The allure of the All Blacks jersey remains strong. That's the view out of New Zealand Rugby after Beauden Barrett's call to re-sign through to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. He'll be available for test matches next year and the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific from 2025 after his sabbatical in Japan. NZR's General Manger of Professional Rugby, Chris Lendrum is 'stoked' to have Barrett re-joinin...

Australia's biggest supermarkets are set to be scrutinised in a Senate inquiry investigating their prices. Coles and Woolworths have been accused of profiteering during an inflationary period marked by increased food costs. Australia correspondent Oliver Peterson says the supermarket duopoly dominate the market- and people are feeling ripped off. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

New Zealand Rugby have welcomed the coveted signature of Beauden Barrett for another four years. The hybrid playmaker's resisted the temptation of further lucrative overseas deals and will remain available to the All Blacks and the Blues until the end of the 2027 World Cup. He'll be available for test matches next year after a season with the Toyota Verblitz in Japan. Sportstalk host Jason Pine ex...

Auckland ratepayers will be saddled with a bill of roughly $220 million each year to run the City Rail Link - once it opens. Chief executive Sean Sweeney says the project is 80 percent complete, but there's no guarantee the November 2025 deadline will be met. Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says there's no excuse for these extended cost blowouts and delays. "It's created a huge amount...

The Taxpayers Union has offered themselves up to re-brand Government departments on the cheap. The organisation wants to redesign logos at no cost, for departments required to be renamed under the new Government. Campaigns Manager Connor Molloy told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they don't want tax payers money spent unnecessarily, when agencies use the change as an excuse to do a full brand refre...

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark doesn't understand why the coalition government is yet to accept amendments to the World Health Organisation's regulations. The W-H-O is reassessing its guidelines for how countries should act in public health events, such as during a pandemic. Chris Luxon says he wants to make sure the amendments align with New Zealand's interests. Clark told Heather Du Plessis-A...

National's new Minister for Auckland, Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown met today for the first time since National took office. The pair talked congestion charges, abandoning Auckland's light rail and ditching the regional fuel tax. Simeon Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the meeting "went well", despite having previously clashed on issues like the Regional Fuel Tax.   LISTEN A...

Former Labour MP and minister Steve Maharey has resigned from the boards of Pharmac and ACC. He got in trouble earlier this year after penning opinion columns flouting the political neutrality expected of public service board members. There were also calls for his resignation after inappropriate emails were sent within Pharmac about journalist Rachel Smalley. Patient Voice Aotearoa's Malcolm Mulho...

Wellington Phoenix midfielder Chloe Knott Has spoken out following her sudden departure from the club this evening saying on X that her “values no longer align with the club or current management”. The club released an official statement earlier today claiming that the decision to step back from Football was due to the challenges of balancing a fulltime job and part-time   A-League  commitments. N...

A Royal expert says it would be highly unlikely for the Royal Family to sue Piers Morgan. The TV host named two senior royals accused of voicing concerns over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son Archie's skin colour, reportedly causing the royal family to consider legal action. Royal Correspondent Victoria Arbiter told Heather du Plessis Allan that historically the institution prefers not to give...

Talk show host Piers Morgan has named the royals who allegedly raised 'concerns' over Prince Archie’s skin colour. Shortly after Omid Scobie’s new book   Endgame was pulled from shelves in the Netherlands after accidentally revealing these senior members, Morgan took things into his own hands. UK correspondent Enda Brady won't name these individuals, but says it's easy to discover these identities...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Nick Mills from ZB's Wellington Mornings joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! More Wellington Councillors are calling on Tory Whanau to resign after she admitted to having an alcohol problem. Is there any way back for her now? Consumer NZ has launched legal action against Z Energy amid accusations of g...

Charlie Munger, investment guru and sidekick in Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway project, passed this week. Munger served as Buffett’s sounding board on investments and business decisions and led Berkshire as vice-chairman for decades. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds says Munger was an instrumental part of Berkshire's success alongside Buffett. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Surprising news out of the opposition, as Hipkins reveals his shadow Cabinet picks.  Many of the roles are a continuation of the portfolios MPs served while ministers in government- but some have been changed. The Country's Rowena Duncum was surprised to see Jo Luxton take over the Agriculture role, and wonders what that means for Labour's future. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

There's renewed optimism from New Zealand's business leaders about the state of the economy. In the latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, confidence increased by 8 points to +31 in the results for November. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains this boost in optimism. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins says there could be Labour MPs within his caucus uncertain about their political future. The Labour leader has outlined his shadow cabinet, revealing which MPs have what portfolios. He says none of his MPs have confirmed they plan to leave politics - but wouldn't rule out if he's had conversations colleagues about bowing out. ZB political editor Jason Walls says he wouldn't be surpri...

Genesis Energy is making moves to meet its promise of producing 95 percent renewable energy by 2030. The company plans to use profits from Kupe gas field to support a $1.1 billion programme to build solar and wind generation and grid-scale battery storage. Chief executive Malcolm Johns says it's likely Genesis will meet their target within the coming years. "We're not starting from a cold start, w...

After 24 seasons, the Wellington Lions are set to ditch Sky Stadium and downsize their venue for NPC rugby matches. It was revealed today that discussions have taken place- and the Lions will hold future matches at the Jerry Collins Stadium amid low attendance and challenging finances. Rugby commentator Ken Laban disagrees with this decision- and doesn't think it's the right way forward. "I don't...

The Labour Party leader says National's throwing away years of work for ideological reasons. Chris Hipkins has unveiled his shadow cabinet, and vows they're ready to hold the Government to account. Prime Minister Chris Luxon's revealed his 100-day plan, which includes reinstating the Resource Management Act- which Labour repealed. Hipkins says it won't take the country forward. "They were banging...

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown's public transport plan is being praised. The Public Transport Users Association says his idea to cap total transport costs at $50 a week will mean big savings for people who live further away from the CBD. National Coordinator Jon Reeves says allowing people to use pay-wave instead of HOP cards is great too. "That makes it a lot easier, because I know a lot of people ar...