Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Iran has less than 24 hours to make a deal, before Donald Trump's threats of total obliteration could take effect.  Trump's rhetoric is growing increasingly violent - threatening to decimate Iran's bridges and power beyond repair, after tomorrow's deadline passes.  But Tehran's rejected a temporary ceasefire proposal, saying it wants a definitive end to the war.  Newstalk ZB senior...

Australia's most decorated soldier has been arrested over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The ABC reports Ben Roberts-Smith has been arrested at Sydney Airport, and is expected to be charged with five counts of murder. In 2023, a Federal Court found on the balance of probabilities, Roberts-Smith was involved in the murder of four unarmed men, rejecting his defamation suit against several newspa...

Shannon Frizell has set his sights on a third trip to a Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks, returning to New Zealand Rugby later this year. The 33-test All Blacks flanker will return from Japanese club Toshiba mid-year to join Tasman for the NPC before linking up with the Highlanders for Super Rugby in 2027. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

A push for policymakers to veer away from an outright social media ban for under-16s. A select committee inquiry's recommending tightening rules on content, advertising and algorithms, and limits for young users. Social media giant Meta wants stronger protections prioritised over age bans. Waikato University Cyber Law lecturer Rachel Tan says a duty of care model would address harms better. "If th...

The UK Prime Minister's signalling much closer ties with the European Union, forced by the war in Iran.  Sir Keir Starmer's warning the conflict will impact the UK, and although they're preparing to whether the storm, it won't be easy.  He says it's becoming increasingly clear their long term national interest requires a stronger partnership with Europe. UK correspondent Enda Brady says...

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has been taking place for five weeks, and it's started to impact financial results. Data shows business confidence has plunged over the last month, airlines are cutting down projected results and retail and construction have taken a hti. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi farmers have voiced concerns about the long-term impacts of the Middle East conflict. Data shows the conflict will lead to slowdowns for firms in almost every sector - with increased economic uncertainty. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  What's really going on with the Middle East conflict? Anthony Albanese, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have all delivered speeches this week, but they haven't really told us anything substantial. Should...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 2 April, 2026, Donald Trump says the US is "very close" to finishing its war with Iran - we talk to a former Republican communications director about the real motive behind the president's speech. Why a temporary boost to mileage rates for home and community support workers has come just in time. Foodstuffs boss Chris Quin expla...

If you were hoping Donald Trump scheduling a speech meant there would be some sort of development in the war -either the US pulling out, putting boots on the ground or opening the Strait - then, like me, you would have been disappointed. There was no news, was there? No announcement at all. Donald Trump was simply trying to convince American voters with PR - and it’s stuff he’s said before. T...

A farmer has revealed he gets paid 60 cents for 1kg of peas - which were selling for $5.79 at the local Pak’n’Save. This has prompted questions about where the extra margin goes, especially following the planned closures at McCain and Watties. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says it's unclear where the $5.79 figure came from. "It's certainly not easy, and I think that's what we're seeing wi...

The Associate Energy Minister says increased diesel storage at Marsden Point will be a great help to our fuel security.  Channel Infrastructure will re-purpose old storage tanks and increase storage by 90 million litres.  The Government's set aside $21.6 million dollars for the project, but Shane Jones says it might not all be spent.  Jones says it's good to have that stock on land....

Lessons from past space missions are thought to be guiding Artemis II. The Orion spacecraft is now orbiting Earth and will remain in orbit for the next 24 hours, marking the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. Kea Aerospace Founder and the first Kiwi in space, Mark Rocket, says significant work remains on the rocket launch system before a lunar landing can happen. He explained they've got a...

Home care workers are getting the help to pay for fuel they've been asking for. Health Minister Simeon Brown's announced home and community support workers will be getting a temporary 30 percent mileage rate increase to assist with the fuel crisis.  Home and Community Health Association CEO Lisa Foster says this is the right move forward - as workers have been getting increasingly stressed. "...

It's unclear why US President Donald Trump chose to address America today. Trump spoke earlier - claiming the US is nearing completion with all its objectives in the Middle East - and will be hitting Iran hard over the next two to three weeks. He says countries that need oil from the Middle East should now take the lead to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Former Republican Communications Director Doug...

US President Donald Trump is claiming regime change is close in Iran. He says the US is nearing completion with all its objectives in the Middle East and the job will be done 'very shortly'. Trump says discussions with Iran are ongoing - after earlier claiming Iran's leaders have asked for a ceasefire - which Iran's foreign ministry is calling false and baseless.  Newstalk ZB senior political...

UK and Australia have delivered speeches overnight - warning of potential impacts of the war in Iran and the resulting surge in fuel prices. In the UK, Sir Keir Starmer says he'll seek closer economic and security ties with the EU. In Australia, Anthony Albanese has called on people to try to reduce fuel consumption if they can. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Albanese's address left peo...

The Crusaders are hoping their new home at One NZ Stadium won't take away one of their greatest advantages. The most successful team in Super Rugby history will play a final match at their 14-year stop-gap stadium in Addington tomorrow night when they tackle the Drua. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cook Islands doesn’t want a New Zealand Navy base on its shores, but it does want stronger collaboration. Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown have signed a defence and security declaration, which includes restoring 30 million dollars in funding. The agreement eases tensions that flared when the Cook Islands struck a deal with China last year. Brown says h...

Spain's Supreme Court has ruled that a man kissing the hand of a woman without her consent can constitute sexual assault. This follows an incident from 2023, where a man approached a woman in Madrid, kissed her hand and made gestures to suggest she follow him and that he would pay her. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

ASB is facing a fine of around $6 million for breaching anti-money laundering rules.  Banks are required to do their due diligence with their money, in order to comply with existing legislation - but ASB hasn't followed the right systems.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After multiple delays, Kathmandu’s parent KMD Brands filed its half-year results, revealing details of a discounted capital raise and news that chairman David Kirk is stepping down. The company, which owns outdoor brands Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz, reported a net loss of $13.1 million, sparking concerns among investors.  Milford Asset Management expert Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTE...

Allbirds, the eco-chic footwear brand co-founded by former All White Tim Brown, has agreed to sell its 'intellectual property and certain other assets' to American Exchange Group. The brand will be sold for an estimated value of $68 million NZD - a fraction of the company's original net worth. NZ Herald senior business writer Chris Keall says the company's been in decline for years - with too many...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith says changes for the Broadcasting Standards Authority could be made after it deemed it has authority over online broadcasters, after it received a complaint against The Platform. Do we think...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 1 April, 2026, you can now have a beer at your local on Good Friday - without having to buy a meal. We ask Labour MP Kieran McAnulty why he pushed for the change. We talk to the Firefighters Union about their long-running battle for a pay rise while the Fire and Emergency board is getting a 79% increase. A therapist says yes, w...