Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

China’s hotels are taking a hit, as a struggling economy hurts domestic spending.   China’s economy has been in decline for the past 4 years, and now budget hotels are having to slash their prices despite being full.  Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather duPlessis-Allan that this is partly due to unemployment rates, with 1 in 5 Chinese people under the age of 24 being une...

Three New Zealanders detained by Israel last week, have returned home. Rana Hamida, Youssef Sammour and Samuel Leason were in an aid flotilla to Gaza, intercepted by Israel's military in the Mediterranean. They were among hundreds from around the world, attempting to deliver food and medical supplies. Leason told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he's hoping the ceasefire announced yesterday, will hol...

Tonight on the Huddle: Rugby commentator Paul Ellison and NewstalkZB's own D'arcy Waldegrave join Ryan Bridge to discuss the latest sports news.  The story around Dame Noeline Taurua and her suspension continues, will there be an end to this drama? Why is TV coverage of F1  focusing on the celebrities, not the racing? And has progressiveness come at the cost of good refereeing?  LIS...

There are calls for a Government crackdown on some temporary pools, after five deaths in the past decade. Coroner Heidi Wrigley's reviewed the death of 20-month-old Aromaia Duff in Napier in 2023, after being found face down in a backyard pool. Wrigley says her death reaffirms concerns a pattern's emerging of drownings in such pools. Acting Water Safety NZ CEO Gavin Walker told Heather du Plessis...

Labour claims a promise isn't being kept - as the Government mulls selling its stake in Chorus.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis today said the Government's considering selling the 61 percent stake in the telecoms infrastructure company - now rollout of ultra-fast broadband is complete.  She says the money from a sale would be spent on hospitals and schools.  But Chris Hipkins told H...

Israel's counting down the days to Hamas releasing hostages.   Israel's Cabinet's signed off on a ceasefire deal for their return, as well as Israeli troops pulling back - and an end to hostilities.   Ambassador to New Zealand, Alon Roth says hostages could be freed as soon as Monday.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan Israel's army is starting to uphold its part of the bargain. &nbs...

The Kiwis on board the humanitarian aid flotilla set for Gaza have returned to New Zealand.  Three people arrived in Auckland airport, describing the poor conditions they were kept in and said they received little support from the NZ government.   Senior political respondent Barry Soper says that this contradicts what the government has said about the situation.   'I remember Winsto...

New Zealander’s are throwing away over 120,000 tonnes of food every year, and a new food rescue app is hoping to change that.  ‘Gone Good’ lets customers buy mystery bags of unsold food from cafes and bakeries to help reduce food waste.  Deliver Easy CEO Tim Robinson told Heather duPlessis-Allan that, 'the mystery idea is a bit of fun, but also make sure that we're truly targeting the fo...

Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who intensified a political crisis by resigning earlier this week, indicated Emmanuel Macron could name a new PM soon. Lecornu’s comments on France 2 public television had been eagerly awaited after Macron gave him until today NZT to find a way out of months of deadlock over an austerity budget. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained the situation f...

Artificial intelligence technology continues to attract attention from investors, but there's growing concerns over an 'AI bubble' situation. Officials at the Bank of England recently flagged the risk that tech stock prices pumped up by the AI boom could burst. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been concerns out of Parliament over Fonterra's future. Peters is asking the dairy giant questions about its proposed nearly $4 billion dollar sale of brands like Anchor and Mainland to a French company. He's laying out a number of questions, including how long the deal is, and if it's repeating mistakes from the past. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystud...

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and former head of Health NZ, Rob Campbell, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Nestle has quit a major alliance to reduce methane emissions from dairy suppliers. Does this mean New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate change, like ACT suggested? The Māori Party announced their big rese...

It's happened again, unfortunately - the Māori Party has hijacked Parliament once again with a haka. It played out like this: Oriini Kaipara, who's their new MP replacing the late Takutai Tarsh Kemp, delivered her maiden speech because today’s her first day in Parliament. Afterwards, there was a song and the public gallery was involved. She stepped out of her seat into the aisle, onto the floor to...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 9 October 2025, huge development for Gaza. Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire deal. The Maori Party announced a reset on the same day another haka disrupts Parliament proceedings. Former Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell speaks with Heather about the party's direction. The Drug Foundation wants to...

Treasury has revealed the state of the Government’s finances, and it's been revealed that spending has dropped. The country's still in an operating deficit of $9.3 billion, but tax take has gone up and growth in total expenses has slowed. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen unpacks what's behind this recent data. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, prompting speculation. This follows other companies backing out of climate initiatives, with the Net Zero Banking Alliance confirming it was set to shut down earlier in the week. Agribusiness expert Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says it's likely the Alliance didn't move fast enough for Nestle, and they're taking their support...

Tenants and landlords may soon have more powers to end an agreement over methamphetamine contamination. The Government is establishing clear standards for the amount of contamination legally allowed in rentals.  If there is meth residue levels of 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres, the landlord must address it. Tenancy Advisory Director Sarina Gibbon says a tenancy can be quickly ended...

There's confidence Israeli hostages will be released as early as this weekend, with Hamas and Israel today agreeing to the first phase of a peace plan. It includes Hamas releasing hostages and Israel withdrawing some forces from Gaza.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the news - and urges Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution. Australian National Unive...

Te Pāti Māori's pledged to concentrate on policy - and listen more.  The party held its promised reset event at Parliament this afternoon, reflecting on its history and looking towards next year's election. Former Te Pāti Māori co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says a party reset would be a good move. "What that means in terms of translating into policy gains, what it means in terms of taking an ap...

Oriini Kaipara is promising to use te Reo Māori as much as possible, as she launches her political life. The newly sworn-in Te Pati Māori MP presented her maiden speech to Parliament today, followed by a number of waiata in the House. Parliament was temporarily suspended when people in the public gallery broke out in a haka - met with dismay by Speaker Gerry Brownlee. Newstalk ZB senior political...

US President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of a peace framework for Gaza.  Mediators in Egypt have been overseeing negotiations over several days. The first phase includes releasing all hostages - and initial withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of the Strip. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Australian Government has voiced support for thes...

The Breakers are on the board in their ANBL basketball campaign with a 117-88 win over the Hawks in Auckland. Guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 20 points and registered a franchise record 17 assists. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing support for a call to decriminalise drugs in order to reduce harm. The Drug Foundation's released a report calling drug laws of the past 50 years a 'colossal failure'.  It is pushing for decriminalising use - and more investment in health and addiction services.  Victoria University criminology professor Fiona Hutton says the status quo isn't working.  "Things like d...

Sharesies is launching its own debit card today and promising the new product will be a change from traditional card reward programmes. The micro-trading platform says the Sharesies Debit Mastercard will earn customers 1% “Investback”. That meant earnings accrued from using the card would automatically be invested on a weekly basis into a nominated investment on the Sharesies app. Sharesies Person...

The Government says it has no intention of decriminalising drug use, despite a confronting new report.  The Drug Foundation paper suggest the Misuse of Drugs Act has compounded harm - and needs overhauling.  But Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says change isn't on the agenda this term.  NZ Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm joined the Afternoons team to explain further...