Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have been sent an unprecedented email from our National Cyber Security Centre. It's emailed 26,000 addresses warning malicious software, called Lumma Stealer, could have infected their devices. It's designed to steal sensitive information - and some stolen passwords are connected to Government agency systems and bank accounts. Aura Information Manager, Patrick S...

A ray of sunshine for the Black Caps on the opening day of the second test against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand newbie Michael Rae has stepped up on debut, taking his maiden test wicket - luring West Indian opener John Campbell into flashing an edge to first slip Daryl Mitchell after lunch - Campbell made 44. Blair Tickner had earlier stalled the tourists' progre...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the big RMA reform is finally here. RMA Minister Chris Bishop explains what resource consents you will soon not need anymore. The Education Minister reacts to all the dubious spending by schools and principals that's been highlighted by the Auditor General. Economist Brad Olsen finally settles the debate over whe...

These RMA changes hit the nail on the head by putting private property rights front and centre. These rights are basically what keeps rich countries rich and their absence keeps poor countires poor. If a council wants to infringe on them, it should compensate you for it. And these changes lower the threshold for compensation, which is a good thing. Want to suddenly invent a Significant Natural Are...

We learnt this week that A New Zealand Navy vessel was followed by 7 Chinese Warships while patrolling Asian waters. The HMNZS Aotearoa had crossed through the Taiwan Strait, and was patrolling international waters to curb North Korean war programmes.  Commodore Shane Arndell told Ryan Bridge that this is a routine practice, and communication was open between the HMNZS Aotearoa and the Chines...

The RMA is out and is set to be replaced with two new laws - one based on planning and one based on the environment.  The new laws are expected to cut the number of consents and permits by 46%, and speed up the ones currently in the pipeline.  CEO of the Property Council Leonie Freeman told Ryan Bridge she hopes that, "the reduction of 100 plans down to 17 will provide a lot more consist...

The Auditor-General has released its annual report on questionable spending by schools - and some stand out more than the rest.  Sutton Park School spent $11,000 on a staff planning meeting at Sky City, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mangere spent $22,000 on a boat cruise, and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Tonga o Hokianga spent $6,000 on a trip to Turkey for the principal with 'No clear business purpo...

The length of New Zealand's summer holiday - isn't as bad for the economy as some may think.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon's weighed in on debate - saying after working overseas, he's used to returning to work about January 3  - which he'll probably do again this summer.  Infometrics Chief Executive, Brad Olsen, says supermarkets and tourism boom over the period.  He says the pro...

ACC has backed down and will continue to let staff work from home three days a week.  The corporation had proposed cutting that allowance back to two days a week at home - so the public service association then complained to the commerce commission.  National Secretary of the PSA Fleur Fitzsimmons told Ryan Bridge that there was no problem before the proposed change, and that the staff's...

The Resource Management Act is officially bound for the scrapheap. The Government's replacing the hefty legislation with two new laws - one based around planning, and the other on the environment. The new laws will cut consent and permit numbers by 46-percent, and speed up those still required. Barry Soper told Ryan Bridge that he's 'overwhelmed' with the scrapping of the Resource Management Act,...

Many aesthetic changes to buildings will no longer need consents - under the Government's Resource Management Act shake-up. The replacement Planning and Natural Environment Bills are being introduced to Parliament today - and will pass next year.  RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says planners won't be able to block projects because of visual changes - as long as other people aren't affected....

The Greens are warning student debt is stopping New Zealanders coming home for Christmas. Its survey of 400 expat Kiwis found 71 percent were overdue on payments - and 82 percent are worried about their loan. The Green Party's calling for a cross-Parliament inquiry into the repayment scheme for Kiwis living overseas. Spokesperson Lawrence Xu-Nan told Ryan Bridge that inflexible repayment schemes,...

A push to get Kiwis talking about systemic issues leading to child abuse. The Dear Children campaign has launched today - with a letter to kids and parents countrywide, focusing on preventing all forms of child maltreatment Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad says child homicide cannot be ignored. She told Ryan Bridge on average, one child is killed every five weeks, but it's not too late for ch...

Public transport users in the Capital can start using debit and credit cards and phones on buses and trains - from next March. Greater Wellington Regional Council will introduce contactless payments - at a cost of 5.5 million dollars.  It's jumping the gun on the Government National Ticketing System, scheduled for mid-2027.  Council Chair Daran Ponter told Ryan Bridge they don't trust th...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 8 December 2025, the EMA's Alan McDonald outlines why tomorrow's RMA overhaul is so desperately needed and why he thinks the Government is coming with the bazooka approach. Will the big Netflix-Warner Brothers deal lead to fewer films in cinemas? Media commentator Duncan Greive weighs in. The Children's Commissioner has launched a...

Smaller electricity retailers and generators are worried impending power market reforms won't create the level playing-field promised.  The Electricity Authority's proposed a non-discrimination rule that will force gentailers to play fair when deciding to sell electricity to itself or other companies.  Some smaller players, including Electric Kiwi, have written to the authority saying th...

I’ve had it with people running around pretending we’re going to solve big global problems. Australia’s banning kids from social media on Wednesday. They’re going to lead the world. Sounds very appealing. Stop the brain rot, etc. Except kids will be kids and will get around it. They’ll do this the same way I was able to use Facebook in China—despite the big firewall—by using a VPN. You just l...

A geopolitical expert says it's a good thing a New Zealand navy ship was on its own in waters around East Asia - when it was shadowed by seven Chinese warships. The vessel was patrolling last month as part of international efforts to monitor and restrict North Korea’s nuclear and missile activity. The Defence Force says the Chinese ships followed at a safe, professional distance. Geoffrey Miller t...

Falls for the Greens and Te Pati Maori in the latest 1 News Verian Poll - which gives the coalition more than enough seats to govern. National is on 36 percent, up two - while Act is also up two to 10 percent, and New Zealand First steady on nine. In the left bloc, Labour was up three to 35, but the Greens dropped four to seven, and Te Pati Maori - after weeks of infighting - fell two points to on...

The Employers and Manufacturers Association has high hopes for tomorrow's reveal of the Resource Management Act overhaul. The Government's announcing significant changes tomorrow, foreshadowing it as one of this term's biggest pieces of reform. It says it'll be introduced this year - and pass before next year's election. EMA Advocacy Head, Alan McDonald, told Ryan Bridge councils interpret the cur...

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Ryan Bridge about today's political hot topics. Luxon sold the RMA reform we'll see tomorrow from Chris Bishop and Simon Court. Minister of Police Mark Mitchell is at odds with former police commissioner Andrew Coster over who knew what and when in the McSkimming scandal. A New Zealand war ship is being shadowed by a Chinese fleet ne...

Netflix is set to acquire Warner Bros Studios in a Netflix agrees to acquire Warner Bros Studios in a $125B deal including HBO Max.  Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has said theatrical releases will become more limited, as Netflix sees them as not 'consumer friendly'. Media commentator Duncan Greive told Ryan Bridge: "historically, Netflix has been at best tepid, probably more accurately hostile,...

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 5 December. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to consider the question, will New Zealand ever be a rockstar economy again? The phrase 'survive until 25' promised economic prosperity this year, but in reality little growth was seen.  But, Bloxham says the key is to "aspire to try and be a rock star." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Sports Huddle sports journalist Nathan Limm and Jeff McTainsh from Sky Sport joined in on a discussion about the sports issues of the week - and more! TVNZ cricket commentator Scotty Stevenson called Christ College students 'syrup suckers' on live TV. Was he out of line? A proposed cricket league is causing a stir. Are former cricketers right to be concerned about the NZ20 league? A...