Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A security expert is a bit puzzled by a call to action from Five Eyes spy agencies.  In a rare joint statement, the international agencies are warning Governments and businesses to act swiftly against the imminent threat of cyber attacks helped by AI.  Senior Massey University Defence and Security Centre Fellow, John Battersby, says he's concerned about artificial intelligence. But he sa...

It's thought the way is becoming increasingly clear for Andy Burnham to become the next British Prime Minister. Sir Keir Starmer has already stepped down as leader of the British Labour Party, outlining his plan to relinquish his position as PM.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Burnham's made a name for himself in UK political circles and he's got the right form. L...

The six passengers held in Perth after being on board the cruise ship exposed to hantavirus have been released from their 42-day quarantine. Five Australian citizens and a New Zealander were quarantined at the RAAF Base Pearce near Perth after being evacuated from the MS Hondius cruise ship in the Canary Islands in May. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the facility was built during Covid...

New All Blacks captain Ardie Savea denies he's worse off from having skipped Super Rugby to play a season in Japan. Savea returns to lead the national side for the upcoming Nations Championship tests after returning from Kobe in Japan. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Review Office says the current education system is failing thousands of at-risk students, and they're calling for an overhaul. It says the number leaving mainstream schools has doubled in the past decade to 8000 and it's recommended major changes to keep more at-risk teens in school. Long Bay College Principal CJ Healey says these concerns are a clear reality across many state school...

There's growing speculation about Keir Starmer's future as the Prime Minister of the UK. British media claims the leadership position is no longer tenable, with Starmer expected to resign in the coming hours. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says it would be best if Starmer left with his head held high, given the leadership challenges.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Iran and the US are trying to work out a peace deal, but discussions have hit some snags. Iran's team left talks in Switzerland today, after Donald Trump posted threats against Iran - but technical talks will continue through the week.  Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly unpacked the market reactions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch’s new stadium was completed almost six weeks early and millions under budget - which is set to be good news for the ratepayers. It has also been revealed that the project surpassed targets for engaging local workers and businesses on the build. New reports show the stadium also came over $26 million under budget Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says this is good news for everyone - and...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fun CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Greens have admitted to making some maths errors in their new tax policy. How embarrassing is this? What will this tax plan do for voters, anyway?  National's Simeon Brown compared coalition partners ACT and NZ First to chil...

Almost all New Zealanders chose to not opt out of increasing their KiwiSaver payments. Minimum contributions increased from 3 percent in April to 3.5, although people could remain at 3 percent if they wished.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's important the Government set out their direction to increase contributions further." "Setting the direction out now makes it clear where we're g...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 22 June, 2026, Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick explains an $800 million costing mistake in the party's tax policy. A Nelson City Councillor tells us why a new cycleway could come at the cost of 200 carparks. New All Black Anton Segner on his remarkable rise - nine years after making the move from Germany as a 15 year old. And on...

The Greens’ tax policy is only a day old and there is already a big maths problem with it. They counted $100 million a year as income when it was really an expense. It was money they had set aside to run the new tax system.  So, instead of $100 million over four years coming in, it is now going out, creating an $800 million hole in their budget. They didn’t see it. Brad Olsen, who checked the...

German-born Anton Segner is one of the new faces who got called up for Dave Rennie's first All Blacks squad. The Blues loose forward is joining Josh Moorby, Fehi Fineanganofo, and Xavier Numia as part of the All Blacks squad for next month's Nations Championship. He says it's been a 'crazy' 24 hours since he first heard the news, but he's very excited for this opportunity. "I got the phone call fr...

There's a new coffee trend direct from Melbourne that's got Kiwis talking. The Mont Blanc coffee is popping up on café menus everywhere, from independent businesses to the big coffee chains. Fitzroy Deli owner Scott Kennedy says he recalls seeing the cream-topped cold brew trend gain motion in the early 2020s. "It's definitely growing in popularity for sure, when we first started it 9-12 months ag...

The Greens say they've 'had words' with one of the country's most well-known economists over a maths mistake in its tax policy. It's issued a correction, saying the policy released yesterday will increase net revenue $5.15 billion dollars in the 2027/28 financial year - not $5.35 billion.  Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says consultancy Infometrics - headed by Brad Olsen - had the job of analysing...

Iran and the US are still following the path of negotiation, despite hitches. Iran's team walked out of talks in Switzerland today after Donald Trump publicly threatened to resume bombing and take over the Strait of Hormuz. Economist Middle East correspondent, Gregg Carlstrom, says it's not clear how much has been achieved. But he says there's agreement to continue technical talks. "One would imag...

Chris Luxon is in damage-control mode today, after Campaign Chair Simeon Brown made some strong comments at the Party's annual conference over the weekend.  Brown's likened the two minor coalition parties to children, and has warned that voting for them doesn't help National. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says National's at risk of losing votes to ACT and NZ First, ac...

Australian police have seized a record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden in plastic tubs buried underground on the outskirts of Sydney, according to new reports. It was the largest cocaine haul in Australian history, a joint organised crime investigation force said in a statement. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the cocaine is estimated to be worth A$800 million, and investigations are ta...

The All Whites are bitterly disappointed to have lost 3-1 to Egypt in their Football World Cup contest in Vancouver. New Zealand led 1-nil at halftime, only for the Pharaohs to net three goals and rise to the top of Group G on the back of a maiden World Cup win. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explained what's next for the team. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up to 200 car parks could be lost in a densely populated part of Nelson to make way for a cross-town cycleway.  The East-West bike path could link Waimea and Maitai Valley Roads, connecting students of half a dozen learning centres and Nelson's east and west. Councillor Mel Courtney says he's in favour, but the plan needs refining. "I want as many trees retained as possible and as few carpark...

Tell me something: does what’s just happened with the Golden Mile upgrade in Wellington restore your faith in the possibility that councils can actually be run properly? Because that thing - I don’t know if you’ve been following it over the years - but the Golden Mile upgrade has been an albatross around the necks of Wellington business owners and ratepayers since probably about 2016. It was alway...

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 19 June. 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.

I’m going to make a prediction that I’m fairly certain is going to bear out: no one is going to be shocked by reading in the Herald that Wayne Brown might be a bully. This has kicked off again this week with a complaint from a new Auckland councillor, Bo Burns, that Auckland Council is so dysfunctional she has packed up and walked out of meetings twice because of behaviour she considered unaccepta...

New Zealand's exporters are seeing success, with the total value of exports adding up to $8.9bn in May.  This is a rise of $1.4bn from last year, and red meat is the biggest driver. It's jumped 43% year on year - with frozen beef being particularly successful.  Beef and Lamb Chair Kate Acland told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the success is due to a combination of factors.  "High d...

Switzerland’s foreign ministry has announced the US Iran peace negotiations have been cancelled - after US Vice President JD Vance has called off plans to attend. Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed this week with the US, Iran's keeping the Strait of Hormuz open during the 60-day negotiating period. It appears open - with five ships reportedly moving through in the past 24 hours - but oth...