Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A victims' advocate says she's furious MPs from the Greens and Te Pāti Māori had a photo op with the Mongrel Mob. The Greens' Huhana Lyndon and Te Pati Maori's Oriini Kaipara and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke posed with gang boss, Harry Tam, surrounded by paraphernalia. The Greens' leaders aren't apologising - saying engagement is better than radicalising people by pushing them away. Claire Buckley cl...

National's taking aim at clogged suburban streets with a pledge to reverse a ban on requiring car parking spaces for new builds.  Councils will be able to require parking spaces in suburban areas outside city centres, and areas without rapid or frequent transport.  The plan was unveiled as part of its Auckland policy - aiming to tackle crime, build infrastructure and support economic gro...

Pope Leo XIV was recently diagnosed with lung cancer after a growth was found - but he's since had surgery, as confirmed by the Vatican. The 71-year-old underwent surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung earlier today. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says a lot of messages of solidarity and prayers have been shared since the diagnosis was revealed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/lis...

The Taranaki Bulls will charge into Christchurch with new cattle for Sunday's NPC semi-final against Canterbury. Co-captain Kaylum Boshier makes his starting return after finger surgery saw him miss a month of action, while former All Black Seta Tamanivalu comes into the 12 jersey for Daniel Rona - who's out with concussion. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omn...

Costco is eyeing up its next location - this time in the South Island. The US bulk retailer, which sells goods and groceries at discounted wholesale prices, opened its first New Zealand store in Auckland four years ago. Costco told Newstalk ZB last year it was 'working on' a potential expansion, and new reports indicate this store will be in Christchurch. Christchurch City Councillor Sam MacDonald...

Russell Brand has appeared in court in London for the start of his trial on rape and sexual assault charges. The 51-year-old is accused of groping women and forcing them into sexual acts over 10 years -from 1999 to 2009. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Brand has denied all charges so far.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest 1News-Verian poll has National and Labour tied on 28 percent - and Opportunity in the kingmaker position again. This data indicates both the left and right blocs would need Opportunity’s support to hold a majority in the House. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacked the data further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's aluminium extrusion industry has urged the Government to take action in order to reduce the impact of offshore competition.   Industry leaders have asked the Government to introduce tougher safeguard protection measures - a request the Government has since rejected.      McKechnie Aluminium Solutions managing director Dave Slomp says it's a 'dark day' for the...

The escalating conflict in the Middle East has sparked concerns about the state of the economy. The conflict and resulting impact on fuel prices has altered the current inflation outlook, but there's calls for further assessment following the recent attacks over the weekend.   HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and and Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!   A new estimate claims Wellington ratepayers will need to spend $80,000 per household over the next 25 years. What do we make of this? Why would anyone want to live in Wellington by this point...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 13 October, 2026, we've a poll that says voters don't like Labour's plan to ditch your kids' hour of reading, writing and maths. Kieran McAnulty attacks the Nats with his "cost of Luxon". We've lots of the familiar sounds of home with the lineup for the 20th Homegrown festival. And on The Huddle, we ask Phil O'Reilly and Matt Bal...

If you're a regular listener, you'll know we've spent a lot of time predicting that voters would hate Chris Hipkins' claim in the TVNZ leaders' debate that he would scrap the hour of reading, writing and maths for kids. And now I have the numbers to prove that prediction was bang on. I've been given a copy of a poll conducted by Curia in the days after that debate and it shows that 74 percent of K...

The Labour Party released their 'Cost of Luxon' document earlier today - which claimed a family with two children was paying $6235 more per year during Luxon's time as Prime Minister. However, leader Chris Hipkins later conceded the party’s calculations did not include reductions in mortgage rates or the Government’s tax cuts. Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty says the party also didn't factor...

Jim Beam Homegrown has announced the lineup for its 20th festival early next year, and it's promising a diverse roster for Kiwi fans. Fat Freddy’s Drop, Sir Dave Dobbyn, The Exponents, Devilskin, Shapeshifter and Gin Wigmore are among the big names set to headline the Hamilton event next April. Homegrown festival founder Andrew Tuck says Tadpole were also a big get - and they wanted to do somethin...

A warning Wellingtonians could be in for a substantial wait and a big price for water pipe repairs.  Each household is expected to pay $80,000 over the next 25 years.  Deputy mayor, Ben McNulty, says he'd like central Government co-investment on large water projects.  He says they won't be the only ones needing help, when other areas launch new water companies next year.  LISTE...

A new poll's showing overwhelming support for keeping mandatory hours of reading, writing and maths in schools. Labour leader Chris Hipkins said in last week's TVNZ leaders debate, they'd let teachers choose how to deliver the subjects.  A Curia Market Research poll has since found 74 percent support the requirement.  Parents' Alliance executive director Anya Zohrab says she thinks educa...

Labour has launched an attack on National's track record on the cost of living. It's released a 'Cost of Luxon' document, totalling increases for power, doctors' visits, petrol, public transit, and rates. It claims the average two-parent, two-kid family is paying $6235 more per year compared to the last election. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan has labelled this 'desperate' and says Lab...

There's growing waiting times in emergency departments across Australia, and experts are warning this crisis is likely to get worse.    A new State of Emergency report has revealed Australia's aging population is straining the health system, with many people waiting hours before they can get beds.     Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's a 'dire situation' as mor...

Auckland FC have found a way for Sam Cosgrove to be free to play in their A-League season opener on Saturday, despite the striker copping a two-match ban at the recent Intercontinental Cup. The Black Knights have successfully argued Cosgrove's two-match suspension was served in the first two rounds of our domestic National League. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE S...

Air New Zealand's partnership with Qantas is due to come to and end, and there's growing speculation a new partnership with Virgin Australia could replace it. If the deal is approved, Virgin Australia could become Air New Zealand's new official domestic partner for Australia - which opens up new opportunities for the airline. Forsyth Barr Head of Research Andy Bowley says Air New Zealand had a pri...

I don't want to bring you down but do you realise we have almost four full weeks of this crap ahead of us? Unbelievable. Four weeks of small-beer politics about the price of airline tickets and school uniform logos. Honestly, is that what the contest for control of our central government has come down to? How many logos you're allowed to have on your school uniform? Now, that's not to say it's not...

Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, Sherson Willis' Trish Sherson and Childfund CEO Josie Pagani have the insight and analysis as the campaign rolls on.  This week on The Front Bench, Heather asks the panel whether they think the campa...

Farmers say mobile phone coverage has got worse - since the 3G network closed down in March. A Federated Farmers survey of nearly 650, found 50 percent now only get coverage over half their land. Nearly two-thirds say they can't reliably call 111.  South Canterbury dairy farmer, Jimmy Emmett, told Heather du Plessis-Allan our economy relies on farmers  - and technology is critical for da...

The National Party has confirmed it doesn't have a firm policy on the Super age this election. It's campaigned in the past on gradually raising entitlement to 67 - which is still the position.  But it isn't part of the Party's fiscal plan, out today.  Finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis says there needs to be consensus.  She told Heather du Plessis-Allan she can't dance alone - and wh...

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 12 October. 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.