Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Former senior minister and attorney-general Chris Finlayson's book Yes, Minister comes out tomorrow. The book is about his time working under John Key. He was the minister responsible for the 2014 deal with Tuhoe that gave them co-governance over Te Urewera National Park. Chris Finlayson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour will hold a caucus meeting to discuss Gaurav Sharma. Sharma has been vocal on Facebook about bullying within the party's caucus, including posting one just as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was about to speak at a post-Cabinet press conference. Viv Beck will not stand down from the Auckland mayoral race. The latest polls have seen her fall to around 12 percent, well behind the other centre-r...

Labour will hold a caucus meeting this week to discuss issues Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma has raised. Sharma has slammed party whips and the Parliamentary service - accusing them of gaslighting and bullying. The Party says investigations have found his claims to be baseless. Grant Robertson told Heather du Plessis Allan when there are issues such as this it's expected the caucus would discuss t...

By Phil Pennington of  RNZ Speed cameras that take two pictures at different spots in order to work out a vehicle's average speed could be in use within months. Transport Agency documents say law changes could allow them to be used against more offences including tailgating, and seeing inside a car to spot drivers using cellphones or not belted in. The OIA papers show Waka Kotahi has been working...

Labour MP Dr Gaurav Sharma has reiterated his claims of bullying within Parliament, now claiming he complained to the Prime Minister's chief of staff in December last year. In a social media post this afternoon, uploaded while Jacinda Ardern was speaking to media in Wellington, the Hamilton West MP purported to provide screenshots of messages from other MPs who he claims had also been bullied. Sha...

An Auckland Mayoral candidate says she isn't going anywhere. Former Auckland City mayor John Banks is calling on the business leader to throw in the towel to avoid splitting the vote with Wayne Brown. Beck's poll ratings have slumped from 20 percent in June to 12.5 per cent in last Friday's Ratepayers' Alliance-Curia poll, behind Brown and Councillor Efeso Collins. Viv Beck was asked by Heather Du...

Despite that amazing All Blacks win in over the weekend, the team is still mired in controversy. Head coach Ian Foster says he still isn't sure whether he'll be in the job by Argentina. NZR CEO Mark Robinson has refused to say one way or the other but has announced a review into the start of the season. Former NZR CEO David Moffett joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com...

Ukraine's ready to buy weapons and other military assets from countries around the world. We're sending 120 NZDF personnel to the UK over the coming weeks to help train about 800 Ukrainian infantry recruits. The contingent will be deployed until the end of November. Ukrainian Ambassador to New Zealand Vasyl Myroshnychenko told Heather du Plessis-Allan he met with our Prime Minister, Foreign Affair...

Governor-General David Hurley has confirmed he swore Scott Morrison into multiple ministerial roles – in some cases without the existing minister’s knowledge – but has distanced himself from the decision to keep the changes a secret. In March 2020, the former Prime Minister was sworn in as a second Health Minister and second Finance Minister, with the move never made public, even to his colleagues...

NZ Rugby are in a pickle with Ian Foster. Following the All Black's 35-23 victory over South Africa in Johannesburg, Mark Robinson kept his cards close to his chest in a press conference yesterday. The side were able to show a dramatic improvement in their second match after a record loss to the Springboks last week. A Warriors fan has been kicked out of Mt Smart Stadium for doing a shoey. Calley...

An Auckland local government veteran says changes to public transport are sensible. The Government's announced a change allowing local councils to take over and operate bus services themselves. Currently, bus fleets are contracted to private companies. Former Auckland Regional Council Chair Mike Lee told Heather du Plessis-Allan the danger is the operation becomes top-heavy with management. “If th...

Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to wrap the sporting news of the day, plus look ahead to the All Blacks second test against South Africa at Ellis Park on Sunday morning. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transport Minister Michael Wood plans to give councils the power to ban cars on roads at certain times and remove kerbside parking in favour of cycleways and bus lanes - without prior consultation. Wood also wants councils to restrict traffic outside schools to encourage parents and children to walk and cycle - improving exercise safety. But the minister has assured parents who drive their childre...

Well Gaurav Sharma should try to enjoy what’s left of his parliamentary career, because it’s going to end. They’re coming after him and I don’t think he’s going to survive this drama he’s created. I have no idea what made him think he could take on the Labour party and more importantly the Prime Minister’s office with that bullying column in the Herald yesterday.  The guys in the PM’s office are s...

It’s probably too early to say one way or the other whether this FBI raid is going to help Trump if he runs for the White House in 2024. But, it is a question people are asking - and with good reason. Because what’s already obvious is that it gives Trump relevance.  All of a sudden he’s back in the news and he’s a victim again (at least according to him) of a “corrupt” system.  We might see it dif...

Youth criminals are terrorising business owners at a mall in Palmerston North with seemingly no punishment. Around 30 teenagers smashed up downtown shopping centre, stealing items and causing chaos. They then came back the next day , taunting shop owners with the items they stole before attacking a daughter of a bakery owner and then attacking other staff as they tried to help. So far only two gir...

Alcohol companies are reducing their investment in grassroots sport. A recent Alcohol Healthwatch audit shows only three percent of Auckland rugby union teams have booze branding on uniforms. Most sponsorships were from local construction, real estate, and sportswear brands. Executive director Dr Nicki Jackson says concerns the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Amendment Bill will affect grassroots sport...

Newstalk ZB nighttime host Marcus Lush will be taking a tilt at the Invercargill Mayor. Lush will face off against eight other contenders and the long serving Sir Tim Shadbolt who has been in charge since 1998. He won't be hanging up his microphone though he says he'll keep his hosting job on his top rating radio show. Marcus Lush joined Heather du Plessis Allan Drive to discuss his upcoming mayor...

So you’ll have caught up on the news now that the government is making it easier for teenagers to get NCEA qualifications this year, for the third year in a row. They’ve lowered the standards, schools are again allowed to award extra credits called learning recognition credits and they get one for every 5 credits that the students achieves. The threshold for University Entrance has been lowered as...

Milford Asset Management's Sam Tretheway joined Heather du Plessis Allan Drive to discuss his profit predictions for companies on the NZX.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A plan to transform tourism, strengthen its workforce and ensure a greener future. The Government's launched phase one of the Tourism Industry Transformation Plan - the draft Better Work Action section. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash says as we recover from the pandemic, it's the perfect time to set out a new vision. He says the plan includes improving education and training, giving business owners...

National leader Chris Luxon says he's 'suspending judgment' about Sam Uffindell. The under-fire Tauranga MP's admitted to beating up a 13-year-old boy at Kings College when he was 16. Last night, fresh allegations emerged of aggressive behaviour while in university. He's been stood down from caucus during an investigation. Yesterday, Luxon told media Uffindell has a good character but he's now cha...

Questions around why National's leader wasn't told about a young MPs patchy past. New National Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell's been stood down from the caucus after serious allegations of past violence and aggressive behaviour at high school and university. Tauranga's campaign chair, Todd McClay, informed staff in the run up to Uffindell's bid to be the next electorate MP but leader Chris Luxon was ne...

Serena Williams plans to retire or in her words evolve away from tennis after the US Open, which begins this month. The 40-year-old has won 23 grand slam singles titles, one shy of Margaret Court's all-time record. She plans to develop Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm, and expand her family. Former Tennis Player and Commentator Belinda Cordwell joined Heather du Plessis Allan Drive to discu...

Students will now be feeling more confidence heading into exam season. The Government's announced changes to award one learning recognition credit for every five earned through assessment. Students working towards Level One can get up to 10 extra credits - with eight for those at Levels Two and Three. Greater Wellington Principals Association Chair Kevin Carter joined Heather du Plessis Allan Driv...