Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 17 March, 2026, food prices are up - and a Kiwi staple, mince, is leading the way. We ask Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen if it's going to get worse. We'll tell you about a new ratings system for schools. An economist on why more of us should be working from home right now. And on The Huddle, we ask Jordan Williams and Gar...

The Resources Minister is insistent Crown funds should help heat the geothermal sector. A Government strategy has been released on its plan to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040. It's also ring fenced $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the development of geothermal energy projects.  Resources Minister Shane Jones says it's a worthy investment. "The Crown stepped up...

New reports indicate young people aren't going to op-shops as often, and experts have raised questions as to why this is. Despite the ongoing cost of living, it seems like younger people wanting discount fashion prefer other options - with less barriers. Otago University professor Lisa McNeil says the extra effort to look for quality pieces is perceived as a lot of extra labour, and young people a...

A top economist advises thinking about working from home to save fuel. Iran's maintaining its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz - retaliating to the continued bombing assault by the US and Israel. It's led Sri Lanka to move to a four-day working week from tomorrow.  Westpac economist Kelly Eckhold says unless things change quickly, something will have to be done within the next three weeks.&n...

There's fears there'll be no slowdown any time soon to the rapid rise in food prices. Stats NZ figures show they rose 4.5 percent in the year to February. Steak, mince and chocolate all shot up more than 20 percent. Infometrics head, Brad Olsen, says the spike in oil prices because of the war in Iran will do nothing to help.  "We know that not only oil prices are key to transport costs, but a...

A return towards decentralisation is being painted as Health New Zealand's next chapter. The Government's reverting to giving hospitals more control - letting them decide staffing, budgets, and service delivery from July. It's adamant it's not a return to District Health Boards, with planning still done nationally. Acting chief executive Andrew Brant says Health NZ's finances are looking good and...

Chris Hipkins says he won't discuss family matters publicly - verging on tears at a press conference this afternoon.  On Sunday, his ex-wife Jade Paul posted allegations on social media, none relating to unlawful conduct. The Labour leader denies them and says he hasn't spoken to Paul, who is overseas. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's clear Paul felt like she n...

The Australian Reserve Bank has increased interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, up to 4.1 percent. This is the second month the RBA has lifted rates, with the bank hiking up to 3.85 percent in February. Australian correspondet Murray Olds says the vote to increase rates was divided, but there's concerns about inflation brought on by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.  LISTEN ABOVE See...

The Government is copping heat today for cancelling the EV subsidy a couple of years ago. Critics now say it looks like a mistake, because oil prices are rising and, as a result, petrol prices are rising too. They argue that, of course, we’d all be better off in electric vehicles - which we supposedly would have been if the Government hadn’t cancelled the subsidy at the end of 2023. Now let me tel...

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing concerns. US President Donald Trump has reportedly called for reinforcements to keep an eye on the waterway after the Middle East conflict led to a spike in oil prices.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Starmer isn't offering to help police the area, but Donald Trump has spoken to other world leader...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 16 March, 2026, we talk to the Retail NZ chief executive about an increase in card spending - will it last? The boss of Freightways says people are getting a bit 'hysterical' about petrol price rises. We talk to an entertainment reporter in the US about this year's big Oscar winners. And on The Huddle, Josie Pagani and Phil O'Reil...

The Government is considering its options if petrol prices keep rising, but the head of Freightways is warning people not to panic. The conflict in the Middle East has entered its third week, but the Finance Minister has ruled out measures like reducing the fuel excise. Freightways CEO Mark Troughear says there's plenty of fuel in the country and more on the way - and there's plenty of supply to k...

The conflict in the Middle East has entered its third week and there's concerns about what it could do to the markets. Iran's still restricting movement through the shipping strategic choke-point as part of its retaliation for the relentless bombing by the US and Israel. Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Protesters gathered outside Wellington's High Court today, as a lawyers' group challenges Government climate moves. Do we think this is an over-reaction? As the crisis in the Middle East continues and concerns about fuel pric...

Protesters gathered outside Wellington's High Court today, as a lawyers' group challenges the Government's climate moves.  Lawyers for Climate Action alleges the Government's emissions reduction plan doesn't add up - and wants the Court to order it back to the drawing board.  Executive director Jessica Palairet says this is the first case of its kind in New Zealand.  "These kinds of...

The Finance Minister says there's no bail-out on the cards for Air Zealand at this stage - as the conflict in the Middle East causes a surge in jet fuel prices. The national carrier has already raised fares, and cancelled about 1100 upcoming flights. Nicola Willis says she thinks there will be some shifts in airline patterns around the world - which will mean jet fuel remains available. "And I thi...

A night of glitz and glam at the 98th Academy Awards in LA . One Battle After Another's taken out Best Picture, pipping horror Sinners for the top prize. It won six awards across the evening.  Director Paul Thomas Anderson says all nominees could have won. People Magazine senior reporter Sean Mandell says it was a close race for the top prize between One Battle After Another and Sinners. LIST...

There's hopes the war in Iran doesn't reverse gains in our retail sector by making shipping more expensive.  Stats NZ data shows back-to-back increases in electronic card spending for January and February.  Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young says it's not happened in a long time.  She says it would be a shame if the conflict dampens the upward trend. "Let's hope it's a short, s...

The Government's yet to make a call on whether New Zealand would ease sanctions on Russian oil, as the Iran war affects shipments. The US has eased some of its sanctions, as its barrage on Iran continues - alongside Israel. Crude oil prices have skyrocketed since Iran stopped ships traversing the Strait of Hormuz. Finance Minister Nicola Wills is urging Kiwis not to panic, as there's plans in plac...

Over in Australia, fuel prices have surged, sparking debate over whether fuel needs to be rationed as the Middle East crisis continues. Prime Minister Albanese has reassured consumers that petrol and diesel supplies remain unchanged and there's no need for anyone to engage in panic buying. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says farmers are concerned about the fuel shortages ahead of the bus...

Liam Lawson has claimed seventh in Formula One's Chinese Grand Prix. Starting 14th, he picked up seven places to finish as the best driver in the four-car Red Bull stable. 19-year-old Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has secured his first race win with teammate George Russell second and Lewis Hamilton third for Ferrari. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recapped the action. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

New Zealand Winegrowers are on Cloud Wine over proposed Government changes to alcohol laws. They include allowing licensed premises to meet legal obligations by stocking zero-alcohol drinks. Currently, licence holders must stock 'low alcohol' products containing no more than 2.5 percent alcohol.  Chief executive Phillip Gregan says it's a common sense change. "Frankly, I'm not sure that there...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 13 March, 2026, we look at whether people are over-reacting by panic-buying petrol. The Crusaders chief executive says media ban ... what media ban? An Auckland University researcher tells us why you shouldn't mow your lawn. And on the Sports Huddle, Lavina Good and Paul Allison discuss whether Liam Lawson will last the Formula On...

Senior political correspondent Barry Soper joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to wrap the political week.  The big topics this past week were former Chatham Islands Council CEO Paul Eagle's serious fraud office inquiry, reflecting on last Friday's Luxon chaos, and the Covid inquiry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Okay, here’s a prediction for you, because there have been headlines today about petrol stations running out of fuel because of panic buying: people will panic buy petrol this weekend. Yesterday was discount day at Gull so things went a bit crazy. Gull Ōtāhuhu ran out of 95; Gull Greville Road, Gull Henderson, Gull Torbay, Gull Takanini and Gull Takapuna were also out of at least one type of fuel....