Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Incoming and outgoing MPs have arrived in Wellington as National's Chris Luxon and ACT's David Seymour form the next Government. Labour MPs have already begun handing over the reins and consulting National on future decisions- but no new policies will be implemented before November 3.  Jacinda Ardern's former Chief of Staff Mike Munro says the incoming MPs will be settling into their new roles- an...

Signs of camaraderie as we transition from one Government to the next. National's Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis says outgoing Finance Minister Grant Robertson has reached out to her. She says Robertson told her he was happy to discuss any aspect of the finance role. Willis says she appreciates that- and it's her intention to make some information requests of the Government over the next coupl...

New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa and England have booked their spots in the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-finals. Both matches will take place at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, and the winners of both matches will face off in next week's final. Former Springbok Kevin Putt is predicting an All Blacks-South Africa final come next Sunday. "Physicality wise, the French are known for proba...

A punter who won $10 million at the TAB on Saturday is choosing to stay anonymous. The Auckland man correctly predicted the finishing order of the 12 entrants in Sydney's Everest horse race. The odds were one in just over 479 million. Entain managing director Cameron Rodger says the man's just an average punter. "He's pretty stoked, he sort of said when I talked to him that it's all sinking in rig...

A former New Zealand First MP says the Party will be driven by its manifesto, and protecting past coalition gains. Incoming Prime Minister Chris Luxon is holding talks with potential partners, waiting for the final count on November 3. It could mean National and ACT need NZ First to rule. Now-Carterton Mayor, Ron Mark, says law and order and co-governance top the Party's list. "These things fit pe...

A majority of Australian voters rejected the Voice to Parliament referendum, with over 60 percent voting 'no'. This weekend, Australians were asked to vote on whether to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory body for the national Parliament and Government. If successful, Australia’s Constitution would have been amended with a new section. Australian correspondent Oliver Peter...

A taunt from All Black Rieko Ioane's been slammed as 'classless' by Irish media in the aftermath of the quarterfinal in Paris. The centre put his hand to his ear and allegedly shushed the Ireland supporters after the final whistle. There's also footage of an exchange between Ioane and a furious Johnny Sexton as the teams were shaking hands. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains the controversy furth...

The Jewish Council says events around Auckland Museum are 'distressing'. The Museum lit up with the colours of the Israeli flag last night, intending to express hope for peace. It's since apologised for offence caused, after a Pro-Palestinian protest outside the building. Council spokesperson Juliet Moses says the apology feels like a betrayal. "My community is feeling very much in pain, very much...

I feel like we need to deal with the elephant in the room- Winston’s going to be part of this Government, isn’t he? Nobody’s saying it out loud, but I think we can all see that it’s absolutely going to happen. Take the cue from the fact that he was offered the Speaker’s job. And as far as I can see, they’re going to need him because at the moment - assuming that they win the Port Waikato by-electi...

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in central Paris on Thursday, in defiance of a controversial new ban on pro-Palestinian rallies in the country. French police and members of the gendarmerie worked to disperse the crowds with tear gas and water cannons, visuals showed. The ban had been announced earlier in the day, according to a message sent by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin to the cou...

China has ruffled a few feathers weighing into the Israel-Hamas conflict. It’s called for establishing an independent Palestinian state, but stopped short of explicitly condemning Hamas. Its Foreign Ministry made a statement, again not mentioning Hamas or not condemning the violence against Israelis. Its UN representative put out a statement condemning civilian attacks, but also not mentioning Ham...

Sky TV has announced a mystery party wants to make a highly confidential offer to buy it. It comes after Sky’s own economic headwinds, with its full-year profit falling 18 percent to $51 million, and revenue rising 2 percent to $754 million. It also announced an on-market share buyback programme earlier this year, which was paused prior to the release of its full-year results. Business commentator...

Fletcher Building's dismissing claims from west Australian builder BGC about problems caused by its Iplex Pro-fit pipes. Fletcher has doubled down on its belief installation issues with the pipes causes them to leak in some 15,000 Perth homes. BGC alleges the pipes are the issue and says fixes will cost an estimated $1.92 billion dollars. Fletcher CEO Ross Taylor told Heather du Plessis-Allan they...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson of Sherson Willis PR and former Labour staffer Mike Munro talked about: What did we think of last night’s final debate? Did Chris Hipkins go too far? How will tomorrow night play out? How big a role will New Zealand First and Winston Peters play tomorrow night? Will he break his word? Will he work with ACT? What will happen after the dust settles? And should Ma...

The Ministry of Social Development is copping heat for a $36 million program connecting employers and beneficiaries. It's despite a Treasury warning the plan was dubious value for money. Employers and Manufacturer's Association CEO Brett O'Reilly says it's just not needed. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan there are already private sector options to match employers and potential employees. O'Reilly...

Australians are gearing up to vote tomorrow in their first referendum in decades. The country will have its say on whether an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice should be introduced, and change the Constitution. Latest polls show 45 percent of Aussies are planning to vote no, 38 percent yes, and 17 percent remain undecided. Guardian Australia's political reporter Amy Remeikis told Heather...

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has made a huge call ahead of the team’s with Ireland. Wing Mark Telea has been dropped from the side for the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal, for apparently missing team curfew. But that’s the least of the All Blacks’ concerns as they go into Sunday morning’s quarter as underdogs against the World Number 1. NZ Herald rugby writer Liam Napier joined Heather du Plessis-Alla...

Labour claims it's enjoying a last-minute surge in leaked internal polling. It puts Labour on 30 percent, National on 35, the Greens on 13, Act on 8, and Te Pati Maori on 4. It would have the left bloc overtaking the right - 47 percent to 43 percent. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls is urging scepticism. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan with New Zealand First on 6 percent, this still makes...

Israel's military has told the UN 1.1 million people living in north Gaza will need to leave in the next 24 hours. A UN Spokesperson says everyone living north of Wadi will need to relocate to southern Gaza. 1300 people have been killed in Israel, and more than 1400 in Gaza since Hamas launched its surprise attack on the city. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan the US Se...

All Blacks wing Mark Telea has been dropped for the weekend's quarterfinal with Ireland, after being stood down for disciplinary reasons. It's understood the Blues winger - who's scored three tries in two matches this World Cup - breached team curfew rules, and will be replaced by Leicester Fainga'anuku. Other quarterfinals this weekend are South Africa vs France, England vs Fiji and Wales vs Arge...

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has issued five of her councillors with a code of conduct complaint, alleging they breached confidentiality. Whanau confirmed she received a complaint about the conduct of five councillors from Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon and, after seeking advice, decided to proceed with issuing the complaint. “To assist me in my consideration of these allegations, I have initiated an in...

Anti-Semitic incidents have surged in Britain in the three days since Hamas attacked Israel. The Community Security Trust, a charity focused on protecting the UK's Jewish community has reported 89 anti-Semitic incidents in the region- a 320 percent increase. UK correspondent Enda Brady says property has been vandalised, flags have been taken down and security has been amplified. LISTEN ABOVE See o...

Tonight on The Huddle, Curia pollster and Kiwiblog editor David Farrar and Neale Jones from Capital PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!  What did we think of last night's political polls? Do we think the election result will be different from what they show? Will NZ First still be the kingmaker party? Are we surprised more New Zealanders are calling for a...

An expert warns the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict comes with ramifications for investors. The death toll on both Palestinian and Israeli sides has reached nearly 2500 in total, with 338,000 in Gaza displaced. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds says the impact of this tragedy can be weighed against the economic complications surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Sheep and beef farm profit margins are expected to fall a further 30 percent, according to Beef + Lamb NZ's Season Outlook. This lower profitability comes at a time where farmers are already struggling to rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and prepare for dry conditions ahead of El Niño, painting a grim picture in experts' eyes. The Country's Jamie Mackay says there's further downsides to this negativ...