Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Green MP Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The police have recently revealed the the Tom Phillips documentary will be a Netflix project. Are we surprised they allowed this to happen? Do we think this is a good idea? Are we worried about privacy? Labour has...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 26 March, 2026, we look at Labour's plan for who should pay the surcharge on credit cards. A big win for self-employed midwives in their court battle against the Health Ministry. We ask a psychologist if you should share your location with your partner. And on The Huddle, David Farrar and Gareth Hughes debate the danger of the T...

My overriding reaction to news that a Tom Phillips documentary is being made for Netflix is surprise. I’m surprised that the police are still allowing this to happen - especially now that it’s confirmed the documentary will appear on a platform as globally dominant as Netflix. Just think about how many people around the world will watch this. Imagine if the series takes off and becomes popular in...

A Los Angeles ​jury recently found Meta and Google guilty of designing harmful social media platforms that encourage addictive behaviour in users. The jury found Meta liable for $4.2 million in damages and Google for $1.8 million, and it's expected this case will inspire similar legal cases.  Senior public health researcher at UOA, Dr Samantha Marsh, says this is a historic moment for social...

It's been revealed the documentary on the disappearance of Tom Phillips will screen on Netflix. He and his children were missing for four years when the saga ended with a shootout in September - killing the fugitive.  Dame Julie Christie is creating a documentary on the case with the help of the police, and has been granted exclusive access.   NZME editor-at-large Shayne Currie says the...

Between phones, smartwatches and new apps, it's fairly easy for people to stay in contact and keep an eye on where they are. Some couples and families use location sharing to enforce trust and keep each other safe, but concerns have been raised as to when it crosses the line. Psychologist Sara Chatwin says it's important to discuss parameters and boundaries when it comes to location sharing. ...

The High Court's ruled the Crown breached its promise to ensure self-employed midwives are paid fairly and reasonably.  After 18 months of waiting, the decision's been published. Justice Cheryl Gwyn also says the Crown unlawfully discriminated against the midwives on the basis of sex - and breached their human rights. NZ College of Midwives chief executive Alison Eddy says workers weren't bei...

Labour may still hand a lifeline to the Government's much-touted surcharge ban.  The policy was announced with much fanfare last year - with Minister Scott Simpson promising it would be in force by May.  But he now says the bill's on pause, after David Seymour confirmed ACT won't back it.  National's now hoping for Labour's support for it to pass, with the Opposition keen to see ame...

The Greens are heading to the election, with a policy to reverse the Government's reintroduction of interest deductibility. It also wants to scrap no-cause evictions, and introduce a new register of landlords and property managers. The Greens say they want to cap rent-hikes at two-percent per year and introduce a new rental warrant of fitness. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper...

Over in Australia, the fuel crisis is getting worse, with hundreds of petrol stations running dry. Stations in NSW and Victoria have reported significant shortages, with metropolitan areas being hit the hardest. Australian correspondent Sam Emery says demand for fuel has been spiking - which has been driven up by panic-buyers looking to get ahead. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

The White Ferns have wrapped up a 4-1 T20 series win over South Africa, cruising to a 92-run win in the final game at Hagley Oval. Having already wrapped up the series, captain Melie Kerr was in imperious form - blasting 105 off just 55 balls to lead the hosts to 194 for six. South Africa couldn't get any partnerships going, held to 102 for nine in their run-chase. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrav...

The mother of a six-year-old boy with Down Syndrome says it was a punch in the guts to find out he's being deported.  The family arrived from South Africa on visitor visas two years ago and have been living in Waikato.  But a new rule means children of temporary visa-holders have to leave the country - if they have a severe cognitive or developmental disorder and require significant supp...

Over in the UK, concerns have been raised over an incoming fuel shortage as the Middle East conflict continues. The Government hasn't dismissed the possibility of fuel rationing due to the persistent conflict in Iran and the supply issues causing a spike in prices as a result.  UK correspondent Kay Oliver says discussions have taken place about future options.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

The Government is looking at potentially helping Channel Infrastructure increase its fuel storage capacity at Marsden Point. Channel - New Zealand’s largest fuel import terminal business - has identified some 'very preliminary options' for significantly increasing its diesel storage capacity more quickly than would normally be the case. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explain...

The New Zealand sharemarket turned downwards, finishing with a fall of over 1.53 percent. The conflict in the Middle East has continued on, and oil prices have kept going up as a result.  Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The US has sent over a 15-point peace plan for the Iran conflict. Do we think this is going to work? Do we see the conflict ending soon?   It's been revealed the National Party is offering the p...

Right, let’s talk about the National Party accidentally letting slip that they’re selling tables at a dinner with Christopher Luxon. The story is that the Mainland Dinner will be held in Christchurch next month and if you have a few thousand dollars spare, you can go along. Dinner at Chris Luxon’s table will cost you $10,000. Dinner at a minister’s table - a senior minister’s table - will cost you...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 25 March, 2026, Jetstar's cutting flights and an aviation analyst says it's hard to know when jet fuel prices will stabilise. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters on who made the call to backtrack on removing minimum size limits for commercial fishing. We hear from an astronomer on plans to build a base on the moon. And on T...

New Zealand's petrol supply has gone down, but officials say supply remains within normal levels. Just released figures are current to Sunday, when there were 48.7 days of petrol supply, down from 49.9 last Wednesday.  But diesel supply is up slightly, at 46.4 days compared to 45.5 on Wednesday. Jet fuel's at 43.4 days, down from 44.7.  Starboard Maritime Intelligence analyst Mark Dougla...

The jury's out on whether Iran and the US will come to an agreement anytime soon about ending the war.  Iran's still trading strikes with Israel - which appears less optimistic than the White House about Tehran putting pen to paper.  The US claims it's presented a 15-point plan to Iran and negotiations are taking place.    Former staffer to Marco Rubio, Matt Terrill, says the d...

NASA's new chief has unveiled an ambitious plan to create a $20 billion base on the moon. It's cancelled plans to deploy a space station in lunar orbit, and will instead use the project's components to build the base.  The US is pushing to return to the moon before China sends its astronauts there around 2030.  Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki says the base seems like a fever dream. ...

Winston Peters says the decision to back down on controversial fishing rule changes was only made today.  The Government's proposal would've allowed commercial fishers to catch undersized fish - including snapper.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon says he spoke to Fisheries Minister Shane Jones this morning, and he agreed to dump the change.  But Peters says the decision was made hours be...

An aviation commentator says it's hard to know when jet fuel prices will stabilise, as yet another airline cuts routes. Jetstar says it's made temporary changes to its Trans-Tasman schedule because of rising jet fuel prices from conflict in the Middle East, and other increasing costs. Routes between Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington are impacted - as well as flights to Sydney and Brisbane. Geo...

The Education Minister's blaming human error, after using her official email to promote a National Party video to schools. Erica Stanford sent principals guidance on a new assessment system, but included a link to a Party YouTube video in which she explains the tool. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Labour's Ginny Andersen has voiced concerns over this - which sparked fu...

Little is known about how the war with Iran will end, despite Donald Trump saying it's won. Reuters reports Israel and the US have handed over a 15-point plan to Iran, as part of negotiations.  Meanwhile, attacks continue across the Middle East.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and VP J.D Vance will play a key role in the negotiations, but it's unli...