Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Australian federal Government may have to change their current housing plan amid criticism from the Opposition and Greens. The Opposition has said that the Labour Government's current housing initiate will drive up inflation and add to pre-existing Government debt, as the money to fund the program will be borrowed. The Greens say the Government's plan won't do enough for renters, add to the sh...

The new Super Rugby Pacific season will introduce an in-game off-field review system to determine a yellow or red card threshold for all foul play incidents. Time limits at scrums, lineouts and kicks for goal aimed at reducing stoppages will also be adopted. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says these rule changes will speed up the matches, as viewers won't have to watch endless replays to see if...

Cyclone Gabrielle tore through the Coromandel Peninsula and effectively cut the region off from the country. 14 arterial roads in the district are flooded or blocked by slips, and a third of the region is out of power. Thames-Coromandel deputy mayor Terry Walker says Monday night was a destructive one for the Coromandel, with gale-force winds and 450 millilitres of rain landing in the region. Terr...

The central North Island is still being thrashed by Cyclone Gabrielle, with Hawke's Bay now bearing its brunt. The Defence Forces and emergency services have been helping with evacuations and rescues. That includes using helicopters and boats to help people in Napier from areas bordering the flooded Tutaekuri River. Evacuations have also been ordered in Waipukurau, with people asked to immediately...

Russian soldiers are dying in greater numbers this month than at any time since the Ukraine invasion began. Ukrainian data has confirmed that up to 824 soldiers have died per day in February, with the UK's Ministry of Defence saying these figures were "likely accurate."  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says that there may be a range of factors contributing to these deaths, including lack of trained pe...

Uber drivers have begun negotiations for their first-ever collective agreement with the company. Following the Employment Court ruling that a group of Uber drivers were employees and not contractors for the ride sharing company, hundreds more drivers have unionised. The Uber drivers will use these negotiations to push for better pay and working conditions. However, BusinessDesk tech columnist Pete...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins made an appearance at the Apec Business Advisory Council meeting last Sunday evening. Hipkins acknowledged that Auckland was currently going through a hard time due to the impending Cyclone Gabrielle, on top on the flurry of disasters impacting the region. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says that Chris Hipkins' appearance at Sunday's welcome reception was a...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has announced $11.5 million will go towards those responding to Cyclone Gabrielle. The Prime Minister delivered his post-Cabinet press conference over live-stream, as all domestic flights were grounded due to extreme weather. ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper says that this package will be reallocated from underspent Covid-19 relief funding. LISTEN ABOVE ...

On today's edition of The Huddle, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and independent journalist Clare de Lore joined in on a discussion about the following pressing topics: Auckland Grammar faced backlash online for being the only Auckland school that opened today, despite concerns surrounding Cyclone Gabrielle. Did they make the right decision by opening before the worst of the weather hit? Wou...

The minimum wage is set to rise by $1.50 to $22.70 in April, and businesses have voiced their disapproval. New data from Retail NZ has stated that 88 percent of retailers aren't in favour of this hike, and half of the survey participants plan to cut hours and jobs across stores.  Finance Minister Grant Robertson has defended the minimum wage hike, saying it's the right solution to the current cost...

The Taxpayers' Union have recently stated that Eleanor Catton should use her royalties to pay back her subsidies. This was as a response to an interview Eleanor Catton gave to RNZ over the weekend, in which she labelled the Union 'sinister' while promoting her latest book. Taxpayers Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says these comments from Catton came out of nowhere. Jordan Williams says t...

Rihanna marked her return to the stage at Super Bowl halftime show by teasing her second pregnancy. Today's performance at the Super Bowl was the star's first live concert appearance in seven years, and she performed a medley of hits from her long musical career. Fans took to social media to speculate on Rihanna's pregnancy, as the visible bump and promise of a “surprise guest” suggested the rumou...

It's understood only one school opened in Auckland today. Auckland Grammar ignored Ministry of Education advice to close, instead opening from 9am until 2pm with reduced breaks. Headmaster Tim O'Connor says that was based on information the weather would worsen about 3pm. He says Covid-19 has created a habit of school closures - which sends a subconscious message to students and parents that educa...

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says 2am will be a "tricky point" as Cyclone Gabrielle leaves her mark on the city. Heavy rain and severe winds are ramping back up in Auckland after a brief lull, returning with a southwesterly direction, with high tide at 2am. Mayor Brown says people should evacuate immediately immediately if their home floods, as there are 26 shelter locations across Auckland   A Stat...

Thousands of refugees will be settling permanently in Australia following the Albanese Government's latest overhaul. The Australian Government will be granting 19,000 migrants on Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV) and Temporary Protection Visas (TPVS) transitions to permanent visa status. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this decision has generated criticism, with opponents saying tha...

The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl LVII in a surprise comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes shook off an ankle injury and turned the Kansas City Chiefs around in the fourth quarter, giving them a final score of 38-35. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine says this is the second Super Bowl the Kansas City Chiefs have won in two years and Patrick Mahomes' work on the...

Rain is easing across Northland, which was battered by the cyclone over the weekend. A Whangarei weather station has recorded 334 millimetres since Saturday evening and people near rivers in the CBD were told to evacuate before high tide today. Whangarei mayor Vince Cocurullo says  it looks like they are through the worst of it. Seven North Island regions are now in a state of emergency, with Whak...

Out of all the schools in Auckland today, this is the list of schools that made the right decision re: the weather  Auckland Grammar. That’s the list. As far as we can tell, Auckland Grammar is the only school that opened today. Every other school chose to shut its doors and not teach kids today.  That decision has earned Auckland Grammar the opprobrium of social media, who have called the school...

It was a theft which rocked the small town of Dannevirke. A bird, and not just any bird, but a rare huia. It was unique. Part of a pair of birds shot in the late 19th century, preserved, and given as a wedding present, and passed down through the generations. In 1990, the pair were given to the Gallery of History in the Tararua District town where they could be kept in a glass-fronted case so visi...

Air New Zealand is asking people to reconsider their travel plans this weekend. CEO Greg Foran says they are expecting delays if cyclone Gabrielle hits with the forecast force, especially north of Taupo.  He says the airline has been contacting people through social media and directly. Mr Foran says that Air New Zealand will be offering customers flexibility. He says they will offer passengers alt...

A Wellington Council member is warning residents to stay vigilant after reports of falling street lights. Richard McLean says at least ten lamps have fallen out of their posts onto the street in the capital across the last two years. He says if a pedestrian were to be hit, it could be fatal and says people need to be extra careful. He says if anyone sees an insecure lamp flapping around in the win...

Ed Sheeran fans left fuming after their seats are changed days before the concert. Danielle Bardell told Heather du Plessis-Allan that she was put up in the 'nosebleeds' - and although assured by Eden Park she's quite lucky, she disagrees. Eden Park's Nick Sautner says he's disappointed this isolated incident has marred the positivity rising out of this weekend's concert. He assures there's no bad...

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskky has urged the UK to supply the region with fighter jets. Zelenskky is visiting the UK for the first time since Russia invaded and expressed gratitude for the equipment received so far, but warns supplies are running low. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said "nothing is off the table" for Zelenskky and the Ukrainian forces.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says Volody...

Nitrogen may be the solution to the growing CO2 shortage hitting New Zealand. Breweries have been impacted by the CO2 shortage and it will likely impact the price of beer later down the line. Shape Energy operations manager Neil Beeslaar says nitrogen may be the best replacement for CO2 in manufacturing. Neil Beeslaar says nitrogen is a good alternative because it's sustainable, easier to find, an...

Agricultural contractors in the Bay of Plenty say 60 percent of maize crops have been wiped out by the weather. The region is reporting the worst harvest figures in decades following the burst of rain and floods. Kiwifruit farms and orchards have also been damaged by the floods, and farmers are concerned about the upcoming harvest season. The Country's Jamie Makay says farmers have been doing it t...