Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Warriors utility back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is reportedly poised for a move to the UK Super League at the end of the NRL season. The Love Rugby League website claims the 32-year-old is set to sign a multi-year deal with Wakefield Trinity.  Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave addressed the rumours - and speculated on what this could mean going forward. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The Government's taking aim at pests, as it pays into work to make the capital an official predator-free city. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says $5.5 million dollars will go into to targeting pests over more than 18,000 hectares in Wellington over five years. Predator Free Wellington chair Tim Pankhurst says it's important for the city to protect what's already been cleared, so that new pests...

British police have confirmed they're investigating an online claim of responsibility for an arson attack after four volunteer ambulances run by a Jewish organisation were set on fire. Police have released a statement saying the attack is being treated as an 'antisemitic hate crime' and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the incident. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's believed the attac...

International airlines could be forced to cut flights in and out of New Zealand if fuel shortages lead to a rationing of supply. Concerns have been raised about airlines needing to make hard choices if fuel deliveries are disrupted by the ongoing Middle East conflict.  Board of Airline Representatives NZ executive director Cath O'Brien says there's still a low risk of planes getting stranded...

The fight is on to run New Zealand's largest farm. Five contenders have put up their hand to commercially farm in Marlborough's Molesworth Recreation Reserve. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Iran conflict continues for another week - do we think Donald Trump is right that talks are taking place? Or do we think this is an exaggeration?  The Government has announced their fuel relief package. Plenty of peop...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 24 March, 2026, help for families feeling the pinch at the petrol pump - we talk to the Finance Minister about $50 a week relief. Our youngest female cabinet minister tells us why she's leaving politics. An increase in prize money for Lotto Powerball - but it'll be harder to win it. And on The Huddle, Maurice Williamson and Phil...

If you were listening to the previous show - Tyler’s show - you’ll have heard that not everyone loves the package the Government has just announced to help families pay their fuel bills, because it’s not for everyone. Pensioners have complained that they should be helped as well because they don’t have enough money. Beneficiaries have complained. Diesel users have complained because their fuel has...

The Reserve Bank Governor says the central bank is closely monitoring fuel prices, but won't rush into reacting. Anna Breman says the Iran war is likely to lead to higher inflation and lower growth in the short term. Breman says that's unlikely to make them hike the Official Cash Rate - but things could change if higher fuel prices pressure the economy. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie says it...

An international relations expert says Donald Trump's messaging on Iran could be misleading. The US President says he's holding off on threats to strike Iranian power plants for five days - after earlier promising to attack if Tehran didn't let ships through the Strait of Hormuz.  He's claimed the US and Iran reached agreements in talks over the weekend, which Iran denies. International relat...

Lotto's ramping up its prizes and number of winners and lifting the biggest win from $50 million to $60 million. It's adding another four Powerballs - which reduces the odds of winning Division One from one in more than 38 million, to about one in almost 54 million.  Chief executive Jason Delamore says many things have changed since the last change-up to offerings 19 years ago. "Our populatio...

ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden has announced she won't stand at the 2026 general election. She made the announcement in Parliament earlier today, surrounded by her Caucus and leader David Seymour. Van Velden will continue to serve for the rest of this term as the MP for Tamaki and in her work as Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations minister. She says she's excited for the next chapter, bu...

The Government's announced $50 a week in temporary relief for low and middle-income families hit by high fuel prices. The in-work tax credit boost comes into effect from April 7, and the Finance Minister says it'll help about 143,000 working families with kids. Nicola Willis explained that the country's still recovering from the debt built up over Covid, and the Government had to make some hard ch...

About 143,000 families are in the line for relief under a temporary Government boost to the in-work tax credit. The Finance Minister's revealed the targeted support will kick in from April 7 - to help counteract skyrocketing fuel costs.  It'll give eligible families with children an extra $50 a week.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says opposition parties have tak...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen have unveiled the details of a new trade deal today. This deal has been eight years in the making, and almost all EU tariffs will be lifted on Australian agricultural products such as wine, fruit and vegetables, olive oil, seafood, most dairy products and wheat and barley. Australians will also now have ac...

The All Blacks' new defence coach knows what he's getting into with his new job. Tana Umaga is one of three new faces under head coach Dave Rennie, with Jason Ryan the only assistant left standing from the last regime. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's shock from vegetable growers at news frozen food company McCain is shutting its Hastings processing plant next year. McCain says it reflects a shift in how it'll supply vegetables within New Zealand and Australia. Heinz Watties also announced this month plans to close its Hastings packing site, and three manufacturing sites. Process Vegetables NZ chairman, David Hadfield, says growers will...

Over in the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to chair an emergency meeting on the economic fallout from the ongoing Iran war. The conflict has entered its fourth week, and concerns have been raised over the economic impacts - especially with living costs going up for households.  UK correspondent Kay Oliver says petrol costs keep going up, and it's getting 'scary'. LISTEN ABOVE See omny...

Reports indicate more overseas visitors are cancelling trips to New Zealand, generating more concerns about the nation's economic recovery.  A new survey shows that 77 percent of tourism operators have seen more cancellations over the last month.  Tourism Export Council CEO Lynda Keene says she's not too concerned just yet, despite the ongoing international crisis impacting air travel.&n...

Oil prices have risen as the fall out continues from the ongoing Middle East crisis. Brent Crude oil rose about US$1 to be just above US$113 a barrel in early Asia trade. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more. Credit ratings agency Fitch has downgraded New Zealand's rating - should we be worried about this? Does this go bigger than the Middle East conflict? The Government has confirmed plans are in place to reveal a package to help househ...

Now we’ve got to talk about Winston. If you hadn’t noticed yet - or maybe you didn’t believe it - take a look at Winston Peters’ State of the Nation speech yesterday and you’ll see the proof that this election is shaping up to be New Zealand First’s election. More than a thousand people turned up in Tauranga to hear him speak. They even had to use two overflow rooms. Compare that with the same spe...

Major credit rating agency Fitch needs more confidence our Government will lower debt before it will change our rating.  It reduced New Zealand's AA+ rating outlook from stable - to negative - over the weekend.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's proof of the importance of fiscal discipline. Agency primary rating analyst Sagarika Shandra says the Government has a plan to reach a su...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 23 March, 2026, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones on why we'll now let Australian-grade fuel into New Zealand. New Zealand Cricket backs an NZ20 franchise competition - but a former international's quit the board as a result. How a social media post on Rocky the dog got tenants in trouble with their landlord. And on The Huddle...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed plans are in place to unveil a package to help households with the cost of fuel. She says more details will be revealed tomorrow, and she's worked with Inland Revenue and Treasury officials to develop this planned relief. Willis explained that this plan won't go against the Government's fiscal strategy ahead of the upcoming election. "We will be funding...