Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Finding a deal online is getting harder and harder, according to new reports. Delivery software firm Shippit has found standard New Zealand delivery fees have risen 30 cents this year, to an average of $10. Express delivery's gone up $3 to average $17.40 Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young says it's down to global factors.  "When the Middle East crisis started, we know that freight companies increase...

The Police Association says many members are considering moving across the ditch. Queensland Police have put up another poaching video on social media, promising New Zealanders better pay. In the year to May, 144 Kiwi officers headed to Australia - almost a third of police resignations. Police Association President Steve Watt says the post is tempting. "When you look at what's being offered over i...

A former trade negotiator doubts India will be fazed by Winston Peters claiming bad faith around our new trade deal.  The Foreign Affairs Minister accused National last week of covertly making immigration changes that could undermine the relationship between the two countries.  Immigration Minister Erica Stanford's confirmed initial decisions consistent with the FTA have been sent to Min...

The Government has made decisions on tightening immigration settings for Indian nationals, but concerns have been raised ahead of a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month. Speculation indicates Modi will visit on July 12, and Winston Peters has accused National of restricting immigration settings for India. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained fur...

Over in Australia, Andrew Hastie has vowed to recontest the next election as a Liberal, denying he was reconsidering his political future. This comes amid ongoing disputes within the party about how to tackle the surge of One Nation in the polls.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds speculates over Hastie's political future - and whether or not he could be the next leader of the Liberal Part...

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has sprung a couple of surprises in his first matchday 23. Ruben Love - the bookies' favourite to steer the side after a red-hot Super Rugby season with the Hurricanes - has been duly named to start at 10 in Saturday's test against France in Christchurch. But the intrigue comes arguably elsewhere - with Damian McKenzie to play at fullback with Will Jordan pushed to the...

The Government is taking urgent meetings after breakthrough research revealed airborne asbestos was present in children’s play sand. An AUT study in Auckland confirmed today that airborne fibres could be released from sand samples during simulated play. The discovery has prompted safety fears from parents. AUT associate professor Terri-Ann Berry says it's important that plenty of testing take plac...

Over in the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has outlined the nation's UK's long-delayed plan to invest in defence. In one of his final acts as Prime Minister, Starmer announced an additional £15bn will be spent on funding the armed forces, but analysts say he's left his successor with the unpopular task of finding almost £5bn to fund this. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this is a 'significan...

The International Monetary Fund is broadly happy with how the Government and Reserve Bank are steering the economy - but it's warned some changes need to take place. The agency says the Government will need to hike taxes, as well as continue cutting spending, to get the country’s finances on a more sustainable path forward. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained how this c...

2026 is halfway over, and experts have noticed which trends are leading investor conversations. The chips and computer hardware sector has seen some growth thanks to the AI boom, but the Middle East conflict has continued to generate concerns. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Are we surprised judges are still suppressing the names of serial sex offenders? A recent case has raised concerns and sparked debate about this issue - what do we think? A report out today has revealed ho...

I totally run the risk of being way too much of a fangirl about the Michelin stars handed out, but I am so excited about this. Mainly, I'm excited for the people who run those restaurants because I realise what this means for them. It means full bookings. It means international recognition. It means the ability to walk into a kitchen anywhere in the world and say, "I worked in a Michelin-starred r...

Wellington council has unveiled their new team aiming to help the capital get its mojo back. The council has brought together a lineup of business, property, technology and creative sector leaders to help shape a five-year plan to grow the city's economy. Mayor Andrew Little says Wellington's seen limited economic growth over the last few years, and the council's hoping to turn that around. "We've...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 1 July, 2026, we talk to Customs about how much a bust of more than a million illicit cigarettes has dented the black market. Planet Fun chief executive Jeremy Kirksmith tells us why he's so happy with updated toy safety standards. On The Huddle, Jack Tame and Jordan Williams discuss whether a sex offender's name should be perm...

There's concerns New Zealand's top netballers could be pushed to look overseas, amid concerns about the future of the nation's domestic competition.  The Northern Mystics recently won the ANZ Premiership, but there's no word yet from Netball New Zealand on plans for next season. Northern Mystics goal shooter and former Silver Fern Maia Wilson says there's a lot of 'uncertainty' around the fut...

There's been a surge in bookings for the world's first Michelin star Samoan restaurant.  Auckland's Tala was awarded a single star at last night's New Zealand Michelin Guide awards, alongside 14 other star-winners. It was first time the event was held on our shores - after a $6.3 million dollar Government investment.  Restaurant founder and chef Henry Onesemo says he's already noticed so...

Dairies have been named as the primary outlet for an illegal tobacco ring, now busted. The Illicit Tobacco Action Group has run a six-month op - seizing more than 1.3 million cigarettes, $170,000 in cash, and arresting five across Rotorua, Waikato and Auckland. Officers conducted 21 searches at eight outlets and six homes across Rotorua, Waikato and Auckland. Customs' Terry Brown says they caught...

The Free Speech Union says the court should show its workings over permanently suppressing a sex offender's name.  The man sexually assaulted a woman over five years, and had other convictions for similar offences. The judge says naming the civil servant would bring him extreme hardship and could harm his family.  Union chief executive, Jillaine Heather, says having a vacuum of informati...

World-class honours have been dished out to select New Zealand restaurants, with hopes they'll lead to a much-needed boost for the industry. Queenstown's Essence has been crowned our only two star Michelin restaurant - alongside 14 others awarded a single star, like Auckland's Tala and Christchurch's Inati. Ninety-five other venues received the Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected accolades. Newstal...

The US Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump's bid to restrict birthright citizenship - ruling 6-3 to maintain the current terms. Trump signed an executive order last year on the first day of his second term decreeing that children born to parents in the United States illegally or on temporary visas would not automatically become US citizens. US correspondent Gordon Robison says the Su...

Super Rugby has introduced a new play-off format, ditching the controversial 'lucky loser' component. The top two teams after the regular season will now have a week off as the teams ranked between three and six battle for spots in the semi-finals. Sportstalk host Nick Bewley explained the changes further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is aligning its toy safety standards with Australia.  The Ministry for Regulation says the change will save a net $6.8 million dollars over the next decade, by reducing the need to retest products already compliant with US and EU standards. Planet Fun CEO Jeremy Kirksmith has welcomed this decision and says it's about time these change were made.  "We import about 1500 differ...

The frontrunner to become Britain’s next Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is promising significant changes if he replaces Keir Starmer. Burnham's given his first major speech since launching his bid to replace Starmer, outlining plans to move parts of the 10 Downing Street operation to Manchester. He says handing power from Westminster to the UK's regions will create a more streamlined central Govern...

Rocket Lab is buying satellite network operator Iridium for $14 billion, causing the company's shares to jump 18 percent, according to new reports. This would put Rocket Lab in a position to go head-to-head with Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. BusinessDesk tech columnist Peter Griffin says this is an 'ambitious' move from CEO Peter Beck. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

New Zealand red meat exports reached a second consecutive monthly record in May, rising to $1.6 billion, according to the Meat Industry Association. The May result was 44 percent higher than the same month last year and exceeded the previous monthly record of $1.4 billion set in April. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.