Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The government has approved OceanaGold’s Waihi North mining project, extending gold and silver extraction in the Waihi area until 2043, delighting the pro-mining crowd. It's a decision I agree with. Waihi has already been extensively mined and the environment beaten up. The decision will keep the town alive and provide hundreds of jobs. But make no mistake, this will not be an El Dorado for the wh...

Kiwibank has scrapped it's plans for partial privatisation after the Reserve Bank announced it's reduction of the amount of capital it requires banks to hold to protect their depositors in the event of a crisis. The bank had been talking to investors, seeking a $500 million capital raise after the Government gave it the green light to raise money to become more competitive.  Kiwibank CEO Stev...

US Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley joined Andrew Dickens to chat about the latest news out of America.  The alleged Brown University shooter, who killed two and injured more, was found dead. The House Oversight Committee Democrats released 68 more photos from Epstein's estate, including images of Bill Gates, Steve Bannon and Noam Chomsky. And, TikTok has agreed to a deal which will end the th...

Parliament’s youngest MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke of Te Pāti Māori, has teased a coming Waitangi Day announcement with an Instagram post to her 271K Instagram followers.  The post alluded to a collaboration between herself and Green MP Tamatha Paul. And, as election year approaches questions of Winston Peter's political alliance come to the forefront.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudi...

Consumers are being warned of a price hike for technology like phones and computers due to the rise of AI creating a shortage of computer chips.  The cost for parts like RAMs have also sky rocketed with some products already costing double, or triple, what they did a year ago.  "There's only so much production capability on the planet, and what we're seeing is where these chips are fabri...

UK teachers will be given training to spot the early signs of misogyny in boys in order to address concerns about online radicalisation. The Government is looking to clamp down on violence against women and girls, and there's hope that addressing the early roots will slow down the problem. UK correspondent Enda Brady says violence against women is on the rise, and the release of Netflix's Adolesce...

2025 has been a memorable year for global equity markets, and it's prompted speculation from investors.  Between economic downturns and tariffs, there's been plenty for experts to voice concerns about. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy farmer and agribusiness leader Nathan Guy is New Zealand’s new special agricultural trade envoy. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister of Agriculture, announced Guy’s appointment today. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Huge benefits for the Hauraki District - as a major mining project gets the green light to expand operations. The Government's granted fast track approval for Waihi North to expand its operations in Hauraki District until 2043. Resources Minister Shane Jones estimates it'll generate an additional $5.2 billion dollars from gold and silver exports across its 18-year life. Hauraki District mayor Toby...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 18 December 2025, we're finally seeing those much talked about green shoots in the economy. Brad Olsen speaks to Ryan Bridge as GDP grew 1.1% in the third quarter of the year. The Education Ministry is shutting down Gloriavale's school. Gloriavale leavers lawyer Brian Henry says it's the right thing to do - but where are the mor...

Tonight on The Huddle, CTU chief economist Craig Renney and Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  New data shows GDP has bounced up 1.1 percent in Q3. Is this a sign things are going to get better? The Ministry of Education is shutting down Gloriavale's school amid safety concerns. But with six weeks to go unti...

A quick Christmas message to all the PR people advising sports people and sporting organisations - could you please start talking? The less you talk, the dodgier you look. Stop hiding your CEOS and board chairs under bushes in the hope scandals and poor decisions will be overlooked and forgotten and swept under the carpet. Because if 2025 has taught us anything, it's that they won't and they...

Tauranga's mayor is hoping some of the public have suggestions of how the council can balance its books.  A Government-imposed rates cap means, from 2028, councils will only be allowed to increase rates 4 percent at most.  Tauranga Council is forecasting a 5 to 11 percent annual rise. Mayor Mahe Drysdale says it's already cut $38 million, but it isn't sure where more to cut.  "The b...

New Zealand's most scrutinised sports administrator of 2025 has resigned with immediate effect. Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie has been in the spotlight over the drawn-out Dame Noeline Taurua saga - where the Silver Ferns coach was temporarily suspended for high performance environment issues. Former Silver Fern Marg Foster says this is an opportune time for the sporting body to...

Gloriavale's private school has been ordered to close its doors, leaving a lawyer wondering how it ever managed to exist.  The Education Review Office highlighted ongoing safety concerns in July, and the Ministry put the school on notice in October.  The Ministry's confirmed it's cancelling the school's registration.  Gloriavale leavers' lawyer, Brian Henry, says he doesn't understa...

New Zealand's back on the road to financial recovery, according to new reports. The latest Stats NZ data shows the economy contracted 0.5 percent in the year to September. But it's grown 1.1 percent - faster than expected - in the last quarter. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says we're effectively returning to where we once were. "Momentum is starting to build, but it's building from a...

Most parts of the economy are growing again. Stats NZ data out today shows GDP fell further in the June quarter than reported - at 1 percent, not 0.9. But GDP rose 1.1 percent in the September quarter - with growth in 14 of 16 industries. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained what this means for the economy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

Australia's Government says it is entering new legal territory as it pledges to combat hate speech after Sunday's Bondi Beach terror attack.  Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured when two shooters opened fire at Jewish Hanukkah celebrations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced new powers will be given to target and crack down on people spreading hate speech and violence. Au...

Netball New Zealand is on the hunt for a new chief executive. Embattled Jennie Wyllie has resigned with immediate effect after nine years in the role, acknowledging 'challenges along the way'. Wyllie has been in the spotlight over the drawn-out Dame Noeline Taurua saga - where the Silver Ferns coach was temporarily suspended for high performance environment issues. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrav...

Questions have been raised over who deploys helicopters to transport rescue teams as police apologise over a miscommunication.  A 13-year-old girl was left clinging to a cliff in Coromandel Peninsula's Hahei for hours last year - when police mistakenly thought she was dead. They refused to foot the bill for a chopper and a rescue crew made a nearly two-hour car journey. The Professional Firef...

Resident doctors in England have begun their strike action after rejecting the Government's latest pay offer. The British Medical Association (BMA), and the health secretary, Wes Streeting, met in a final bid to reach an agreement, but none was reached. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reserve Bank Governor Dr Anna Breman is pushing traders in financial markets to focus on the bank’s November 26 Monetary Policy Statement. This has prompted investors to speculate that interest rates will remain low throughout 2026. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Jevon McSkimming was today sentenced to 9 months home detention. Did we expect more? The Government has scrapped the road cone hotline with six moths left to go. Do we think this is a total waste of money? Trump's chief of staff did a Vanity Fai...

Some of the most followed AI stocks have taken a hit over the last few days, prompting concerns about the sector's future. Both Oracle and Broadcom were down 10 percent, prompting concern from investors. Milford Asset Management expert Remy Morgan explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 17 December 2025, disgraced former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has been sentenced to home detention for possession of objectionable material including child sex abuse and bestiality images. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka won't say how much more users of the Abel Tasman Great Walk might have to pay as a result...