Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Labour and Chris Hipkins took a significant tumble in a recent political poll. The 1News Verian poll puts the incumbent party down 4 points to 29 percent, while National gained 2 points to 37 percent. National could now form a winning coalition with ACT's 13 percent. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this is part of a wider trend, as Labour has descended in the last several politi...

Kiwi entrepreneur and Zuru co-founder Anna Mowbray has launched a new app designed for the younger wave of job-seekers. Dubbed as 'Tinder for jobs', ZEIL allows candidates to easily browse through and save jobs they're interested in applying for. Mowbray explains that the app will connect job-seekers and employers in a more engaging, enjoyable and intuitive way.  "What's really incredible as well...

Police have admitted that the information they released following the disappearance of a 12-year-old girl was 'inappropriate'. The girl went missing from Auckland's Bucklands Beach on August 11, and turned up safe 8 days later. Independent victim advocate Ruth Money criticised the police releasing her name and picture, saying the public release of this information will affect her re-integration in...

Backlash throughout New Zealand's rugby community as Sir Steve Hansen takes on a role across the ditch. The former All Blacks coach has joined the Australians in France as the Wallabies gear up to complete their tournament preparation against the World Cup hosts this weekend. Former All Black Josh Kronfeld says it's common for coaches to offer their services across the world once their time is up....

A tax expert says the Government changed the bright line test, against advice from a select committee at the time. Under the bright-line test, people could have to pay a capital gains tax on their family home if they leave it for more than a year. It was changed by Labour in 2021. OliverShaw Tax Partner Robin Oliver says the Government did this deliberately. "They weren't prepared to listen to peo...

After that poll last night - another one putting Labour in the 20s - the question now is: How low is Labour actually going to go? And I reckon it’s gonna be low enough to hurt them. They will keep falling from here, I think, for two reasons.  1- There is a downward trend already, Labour has fallen in every 1News poll this year. All the other public polls back up that decline trend.  2- They’ve now...

An anti-smoking group isn't keen on new Labour election vaping pledges. It's promising capping stores at 600, tougher penalties for underage sales and mandatory licensing for dairies, if re-elected. Action for Smokefree 2025 says it's unlikely to stop many children vaping. Director Ben Youdan says the plan doesn't address other problems. "It does create the opportunity for growth and a grey market...

Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme is undergoing a Government-commissioned review, as cost blowouts threaten the program's future. Professor Bruce Bonyhady, an original architect of the NDIS, is co-chairing the review and argued that a fundamental shift is crucial to the scheme's development. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the NDIS is growing by 14 percent per year as...

Sir Steve Hansen shocked rugby fans everywhere by seemingly defecting to New Zealand's greatest rugby rival. Hansen later revealed he joined up with the Wallabies as a favour to their coach - and his mate - Eddie Jones ahead of their final World Cup warm-up game against France. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau is dispelling worry over Middlemore Hospital's crowded emergency department. It yesterday treated more than 200 patients, and at one point over 70 people were waiting for beds. But Hospital and Specialist Services interim lead Vanessa Thornton says that's not unusual. "We've been very busy like this through the whole of winter, so this is not a new number for us. It's...

Police say the UK’s most prolific child killer of modern times may be linked to up to 30 more cases. Neonatal nurse Lucy Letby was found guilty of murdering 7 babies and attempting to murder 6 more- and is due to be sentenced. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says investigations are underway as to where else Letby may have worked or trained as a nurse. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and current affairs commentator Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! ACT announced that they would put public service chief executives on performance based pay, if they entered Government. The party also wants agencies to have outcome targets and public Key Performance Indicators. Is this...

The Labour Party has slumped in the latest 1News Verian opinion poll to below 30 percent. National has picked up 2 percent over the past month to 37 percent, and Labour's tumbled 4 percent to 29. These numbers tonight would see the centre-right forming a coalition Government, with ACT gaining a point to 13. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says that Hipkins will have to give the performan...

Senior Te Whatu Ora doctors and dentists feel they've been pushed into strike action by a poor pay offer. About 5000 staff will be striking from September 5. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins hopes issues raised in the looming strike will be resolved before then. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Hipkins kept encouraging doctors and dentists to 'go back around the bargaining table'- as...

Freightways have their sights set on a listing across the ditch, following a solid performance led by the Allied Express acquisition.  The company today posted a 29 percent revenue lift since the expansion- profit rose to $1.12 billion in the year to the end of June. Chief Executive Mark Troughear says the Australian market presents 'massive' expansion opportunities for the future. "The market sha...

The Finance Minister says Labour's GST policy isn't to blame for its latest slump in the polls. The latest 1News Verian results puts Labour on its worst numbers in 6 years - tumbling 4 points - to just 29 percent. National has climbed two points to 37 percent, which gives the party support to form a Government with ACT's 13 percent. The research was conducted right after Labour announced it will r...

Supercars will be returning to New Zealand for 2024, with Taupō hosting the upcoming season. The Australian motor racing championship lost access to Pukekohe Park Raceway after the 2022 season, and the venue since reverted to a horse training facility. Owner Tony Quinn is 'stoked' for the town of Taupō, as this presents the perfect opportunity for boosting tourism.  "The main target audience for t...

A claim safety outside Auckland schools will be a postcode lottery under an Auckland Transport plan. The AT school speed limits proposal is open for consultation until next Monday. Auckland University Population Professor Alistair Woodward says the plan leaves some areas worse off - with fewer speed limits. He rates Kaipatiki, Howick and Orakei the most dangerous areas, and Waiheke, Manurewa and M...

The Education Minister wants standardised teaching of maths, reading and writing across the country. The Government has announced it plans to legislate on its common practice teaching model. Jan Tinetti says she plans to change the Education and Training Act, making those core subjects a requirement. She says the focus is on creating a consistent curriculum. "At the moment, the order in what someb...

The first national strike from senior doctors and dentists reflects their ongoing frustration. About 5000 members have announced a strike on September 5. Salaried Medical Specialists Association director Sarah Dalton says members want raises to help staff keep up with inflation. "Our members have experienced real pay cuts since 2020, when Covid landed, and they have said enough is enough. We have...

The Australian Government has spent $1.7 billion on Tomahawk cruise missiles, making it the third region to have access to this technology. Defence minister Richard Marles says this investment will hold adversaries further from Australian shores and 'keep Australians safe'. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the region is boosting their defence systems in case of war- but Australia will...

National's Chris Luxon has promised to put $280 million into funding 13 cancer treatments over the next four years. This funding will be ring-fenced to Pharmac to cover lung, bowel, kidney, and melanoma cancer treatments- with free prescriptions scrapped to cover costs. Luxon says New Zealand's cancer mortality rate is 15 percent higher than Australia, and improving access to treatment can bridge...

England have failed to add the women's football World Cup to their cabinet, beaten 1-nil by Spain in the final at Sydney. The European champions were dominated in the first half, with Spanish captain Olga Carmona driving home the game's goal in the 29th minute. Sportstalk host Jason Pine breaks down yesterday's victory here. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Hall's lawyer still holds out hope that Arthur Easton's killer will be found. Hall's received five million dollars and an apology after being wrongfully convicted of Easton's murder in 1986. He spent just under 18 years in prison. Nick Chisnall KC told Heather du-Plessis Allan that he has some confidence that Police will conduct a robust investigation, as should have been done in the 1980s. L...

The Agriculture Minister is defending the decision to only give farmers 24-hours’ notice before an announcement on an emissions pricing plan. Damien O'Connor's unveiled the Government plan to reduce agricultural emissions, shifting reporting requirements to late next year and pricing to late 2025. Federated Farmers says there wasn't proper collaboration. Damien O'Connor told Heather du-Plessis All...