Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Reserve Bank says it's still unclear what today's Iran ceasefire announcement - and resulting dramatic fall in oil prices - mean for New Zealand. The central bank's held the Official Cash Rate unchanged, at 2.25 percent. It's working off the assumption inflation will surge to 4.2 percent this quarter. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omn...

Both US President Donald Trump and Iran have portrayed the last minute ceasefire deal as a victory for their nations. The nations accepted Pakistan's proposal to pause fighting two weeks and Iran's agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Milford Asset Management expert Brendan Larsen says shares in the US, Australia and New Zealand have gone up off the back of the news. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio....

AI is taking up a significant role in New Zealand's employment operations, and one Kiwi company has opened up about the process. Employment Hero, which specialises in recruitment software, has revealed that AI has screened tens of thousands of CVs each month and overseen 1000 job interviews in March. Employment Hero's Neil Webster says business owners have revealed prospective employees have also...

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The US and Iran have announced a temporary ceasefire and they've accepted Pakistan's proposal to pause fighting for two weeks. What do we think will happen next? Will this help...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 8 April, 2026, we talk to a Middle East correspondent about whether the ceasefire between the US and Iran will hold. Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman on the warning bells ahead as she keeps the official cash rate at 2.25%. We talk to the owner about what you'll get if you buy Australia's smallest town. And one of our Huddlers,...

You might not like Donald Trump’s boorish ultimatums or his threats to end a civilisation but it worked, didn’t it? Iran backed down with 90 minutes to spare. The Strait of Hormuz will be reopened and they will go to Pakistan for ceasefire talks in two days. Now, some are arguing this is yet another case of Trump chickening out - but it isn’t. He got what he wanted, didn’t he? You accuse him of ch...

A supply chain expert says ships won't immediately return to normal frequency through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran and the US have accepted Pakistan's proposal to pause fighting two weeks, and Donald Trump's pulled back his extreme threat he'd obliterate Iran. Wollongong University's Ethan Nikookar says insuring shipments will still be difficult. "Insurers may still treat the area as high-risk, so t...

The two residents of Australia's smallest town have decided to sell up and move on. Cooladdi is a nine-hour drive west of Brisbane, and the new owner will be expected to keep busy - working as a postie, publican, motelier, restaurateur and shopkeeper. One of Cooladdi's residents, Carol Yarrow, says the town is on Australia's longest road, and it sees lots of people come through every day. LISTEN A...

The Reserve Bank says there are still plenty of unknowns, after today's Iran ceasefire announcement and resultant oil price drop. It's held the Official Cash Rate at 2.25 percent, but is forecasting inflation could surge to 4.2 percent this quarter. Governor Anna Breman says that figure could be much lower if things settle in the Middle East. But she says if not, fuel costs could rise more, pushin...

It remains an open question if Iran will continue to toll ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with moves to reopen the critical shipping lane. Iran and the US have accepted Pakistan's proposal to pause fighting two weeks. Israel says it supports suspending strikes on Iran - but not on Lebanon. Middle East correspondent Gordon Robison says Iran's made huge profits tolling the few ships it's...

Some mixed messaging on a ceasefire being worked through by Iran and the US, that quickly sent global oil prices below $100USD a barrel. Both countries have accepted Pakistan's proposal to pause fighting two weeks and the US President's backtracked on threats to obliterate Iran. Iran's put forward a 10-point plan, which includes letting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, with Donald Trump saying...

The White House is considering in-person talks with Iran - hours after Donald Trump pulled back his threats to obliterate the country. The US President says he's agreed to Pakistan's request for a two-week ceasefire, if Iran allows shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump says they're working through a10-point peace plan, proposed by Iran. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this news...

Former Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio says she has not had any contact with the national side’s management since making herself unavailable for selection last year. The 35-year-old revealed she has not spoken with head coach Dame Noeline Taurua since stepping away from the Ferns, a decision she made midway through 2025 in order to prioritise her physical and mental wellbeing. Sportstalk...

Less than 60 percent of schools have adopted a new assessment and reporting policy, and many have no intention of using it. SMART launched in February, replacing a 20-year-old framework. It gives parents of year zero-to-10 students progress markers, and twice-yearly updates. Masterton’s Douglas Park School has signed up - with no plans to bring it in. Principal Gareth Sinton says he doubts the sys...

The UK Government is reviewing whether Kanye West should be allowed to enter the country after a major festival sparked outrage. Wireless Festival announced West as the headliner, causing several major brands to withdraw their sponsorships from the three-day event.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's unlikely Kanye West will get approval, and the festival will need to book a new headliner....

One expert says it's important Auckland makes the most of what it has in terms of infrastructure, rather than daydreaming about future mega-projects. Infrastructure New Zealand is calling for more investment in Auckland's transport woes in order to boost the city's productivity.  CEO Nick Leggett says Auckland needs to unlock the right tools to make the most of the city - and said a congestio...

The average sheep and beef farm is forecast to make double what they did last year - according to new projections.  The Mid-Season Update by Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Economic Service is forecasting an average profit before tax for 2025-26 of $287,600 per farm, following two difficult seasons for the sector. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listene...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Tō Waha Media's Carmen Parahi joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Tova O’Brien asked Prime Minister Chris Luxon how many Māori MPs are in the National Party portion of the Cabinet following the recent reshuffle. What do we make of this? Do we think this matters?  US President Don...

The Finance Minister says these increasing fuel prices will be tough on Kiwis as the Middle East conflict continues on. Fuel supplies remain stable with the Strait of Hormuz still blocked, but petrol and diesel prices have continued to surge. US President Donald Trump's threatening to obliterate all Iran's bridges and power infrastructure - if Iran doesn't do what he wants by tomorrow. Nicola Will...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 7 April, 2026, we ask a former CIA officer if Donald Trump's serious with tomorrow's midday deadline for Iran. Air New Zealand's cutting flights - we talk to the Airports Association chief executive on who'll be affected. Fancy a bird? Why Oamaru is giving them away. And on The Huddle, Jordan Williams and Carmen Parahi debate whe...

Midday tomorrow - our time. That is the deadline Donald Trump has given Iran. Now, if your reaction is something along the lines of not really caring because Donald Trump has set plenty of deadlines before and then walked away from them, that’s fair enough. All of that is true. But this one does feel ever so slightly different. This time he has set a very specific deadline - an exact hour on an ex...

A potential new law could restrict Crown funds reaching gang-linked organisations. Takanini National MP Rima Nakhle's proposed amendment to the Public Finance Bill has been pulled from the biscuit tin.  It would prohibit agencies from providing money to organisations run, administered or associated with gangs.  Nakhle says the last Government gave $2.75 million to gangs via Kainga Ora. &...

If you're in search of a budgie or a pheasant or even a sulphur-crested cockatoo, Waitaki District Council may bring good news. The council is looking to re-home over 48 birds as it plans to demolish two aviaries that are no longer fit for purpose. Waitaki mayor Mel Tavendale says these birds are all free to good homes - and they've seen over 50 applications from interested prospective owners. She...

An intelligence expert's looking at Donald Trump's reputation of walking back on threats.  An expletive laden social media post from the President over the the weekend warned Iran the US would destroy power infrastructure if it doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz by tomorrow.  Former CIA intelligence officer, Glenn Carle, says Trump often turns up the heat with ultimatums - before turning...

There's no surprise regional flights are some of the first on the chopping block for Air New Zealand. The airline says rising jet fuel prices are making it cut about four percent of flights, including many for Tauranga and Nelson. Affected customers will be told this week - and most put on same-day alternative flights. It axed more than a thousand flights in March. Airports Association chief execu...