On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 29 October 2024, trusted builders will soon be able to sign off on their own work without a council inspector. Building Minister Chris Penk tells Heather what happens if something goes wrong (a la leaky homes). Jack Tame speaks to Heather after spending the evening at a Donald Tru…

There's shock in the UK as thieves made off with over $650,000 worth of cheese from a London shop. Neal’s Yard Dairy said a con artist posing as a distributor for a major French retailer managed to steal a fortune's worth of cheddar before the company realised it was a scam and reported the crime. UK correspondent Enda Brady says authorities are lo…

The Country's Jamie Mackay has returned to New Zealand after a trip to the US - and he's seen the mood of voters first-hand ahead of the US election. After one of the most turbulent election years in America's history, voters will choose their next president one week from today. Jamie Mackay says it's a close race - but he's got a theory about who …

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! We've got a week to go until Election Day in the US - what do we think at this point? Between Trump and Harris, who's going to win? Labour's Ginny Andersen raised a few eyebrows aft…

The latest employment numbers for September 2024 show the job market is still in a tough spot. Annual filled jobs were down 0.9 percent compared to this time last year. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says this is a tricky point for the economy - and things aren't expected to get better until mid-2025. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/lis…

The Finance Minister has received early advice on how to better capitalise Kiwibank so it might compete better with the large Australian-owned banks. The advice is in response to the Commerce Commission market study on personal banking. Minister Nicola Willis says she hopes to bring more competition to the banking sector to improve things for Kiwi …

Freedom campers are pushing back at a Rotorua holiday park manager's claims they're breaking the rules. All Seasons Manager, Tracie Thornborough, is asking Rotorua Council to clamp down on freedom campers. She says they're staying too long - and don't support local businesses. But Motor Caravan Association CEO, Bruce Lochore, says Government resear…

The heat's being turned up in the US, with just over a week until Election Day. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are making their final pitches to voters on the campaign trail. Both have been visiting battleground states, where voters could have a deciding voice. Newstalk ZB's Jack Tame at Trump's rally in Georgia. He …

The Construction Minister says he is confident consenting reforms won't lead to a repeat of New Zealand's 'leaky homes' crisis. The Government is planning to give tradespeople working on basic housing projects the power to consent their own work. Businesses with a track record of mass house-building projects will be able to access a streamlined con…

Police are going back through Arthur Easton's case file - looking for the person who killed him nearly 40 years ago. Easton was stabbed in his Papakura home in 1985. Alan Hall's wrongful murder conviction was only overturned after he'd spent 19 years in jail. Police are now offering a $100,000 reward - until January 24 - for information leading to …

The Government is partly removing councils from the building consent process. It's announced an opt-in 'self certification scheme' will let qualified tradespeople forgo inspections. It'll open to those with a proven track-record, such as companies building scores of near-identical homes. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper expects people …

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been on the receiving end of backlash over the travel perks he received from Qantas. The opposition has criticised Albanese for soliciting 'freebies' from the airline when he was Transport Minister. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this goes against the Prime Minister's 'working-man' image, es…

Kiwi F1 driver Liam Lawson has apologised for flipping the bird at Sergio Perez during the Mexican Grand Prix. Lawson and Perez got into a wheel-to-wheel battle on the 19th lap - that quickly turned heated. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the controversy here today. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is asking for feedback on Kiwi postal services. It's proposing changes to NZ Post - including fewer weekly deliveries and reduced postal outlets People are sending 813 million fewer mail items than they were 20 years ago. MBIE Communications Infrastructure and Trade General Manager James Hartley s…

Big names are launching a lobby group in the capital with local body elections less than a year away. Dames Kerry Prendergast, Patsy Reddy, and Fran Wilde, along with Sir Bob Jones are some of the movers and shakers endorsing what's called Vision for Wellington. The group, which claims to be bipartisan, wants the council to rein in its spending and…

Andrew Gourdie and Nick Bewley joined Heather du Plessis-Allan for this week's Sports Huddle, capping off the week's sporting news. On the agenda tonight: Cricket Australia has overturned David Warner's ban - does he deserve to come back? Has Washington Sundar torpedoed the Black Caps' hopes of taking home the win in India? And what's the deal with…

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 25 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.Newstalk ZB által

The Ministry of Health is under fire for failing to declare a conflict of interest. It recently came to light that one of the officials advising Minister Casey Costello on tobacco reforms was the sister-in-law of Labour’s health spokesperson, Ayesha Verrall. Verrall is a vocal opponent of Costello’s policies. Senior Political Reporter Barry Soper t…

This time last year Arepa found themselves in hot water after the government officials decided that made unsubstantial health claims of cognitive and physical boosting abilities, they are forced to amend these claims and now back launching a new brain drink – Uplift. Co-Founder of Arepa, Angus Brown told Heather Du Plessis – Allan that this time ro…

The Government will be making an announcement on improving safety on Auckland's public transport network. A woman was fatally stabbed on a bus on Wednesday - and 37 year old Aucklander Kael Leona appeared in court today charged with murder. The ministers of Police and Auckland held talks with AT and Police this afternoon, and Simeon Brown will make…

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has apologised to Samoa's Government, over the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui this month. Chris Luxon and Political Editor Jason Walls is at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Luxon says his meeting with the king went well and that he was “very knowledgeable” about several issues. Walls says that the king …

West Auckland MP, Simon Court has lodged a new members bill to abolish New Zealand's last remaining liquor monopolies. He says its frankly condescending to the nearly 300,000 people who live in West Auckland as well as the people who live in Invercargill and Gore - that they can't enjoy the same access to hospitalityand purchasing beer or wine than…

Ahead of the upcoming US election, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has accused the UK's Labour Party of trying to interfere with the results. The Trump campaign has alleged that Labour sent party members over to key battleground states to campaign for his opponent, Kamala Harris. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the Trump campaign ha…

Plenty of Kiwi customers are still enjoying Netflix's output - and the company's doing well among investors. But as times get tough, the streaming giant has walked back on an earlier promise and looks to introduce ads on the service. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains why Netflix has made these changes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener…

The Minister for Trade and Agriculture is in Brazil on a New Zealand Trade Mission to São Paulo. Todd McClay is expected to meet with experts and business leaders to bring the nations closer together. The Country's Rowena Duncum explains the opportunities that could come out of these meetings. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in…

The Electricity Authority said market options were available to big power users during the winter price spike that some blamed for their closure. The closures prompted the EA – the regulator – to investigate the options available to big power users, and it found hedges available tended to be lower than the overlapping average ASX price at the time.…

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government is looking to bring public sector performance pay back by the next financial year. Do we agree with this move? A female passenger was stabbed to death on a bus in Onehu…

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 24 October 2024, Auckland Transport says it's putting more security patrols on public transport following the deadly bus stabbing. Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says Oranga Tamariki is still failing to keep kids in its care safe. Perhaps the weirdest interview of the year - with …

David Seymour's new school lunch programme has opened up more concerns - this time from environmentalists. The new lunches are expected to come in aluminium trays and non-compostable packaging, prompting worry about sustainability, with some suggesting the food should come in less 'wasteful' packaging. Ecoware co-founder James Calver has raised con…

The return of performance pay for public service bosses could be a good thing - if done right. The Minister-in-charge, Nicola Willis, confirms it will be back by the next financial year. In 2018, then-State Services Minister Chris Hipkins cut performance pay, attempting to slow CEO salary growth. Victoria University Researcher Geoff Plimmer says ma…

The Chief Ombudsman says we can't yet be confident Oranga Tamariki will keep kids safe following the release of a new report. This report revealed Oranga Tamariki failed to investigate an abuse case involving four children, despite nine separate reports of mistreatment by their mother's partner. Peter Boshier says Oranga Tamariki was also given pho…

Can we say it now? It might be a bit early, but I'm going to say it - Kamala Harris was a mistake. The Democrats should never have picked her to run against Trump. I mean, never say never, but it's becoming more and more likely that Trumpy's gonna win in a couple of weeks. I said that last week, that he's too close behind her in the swing states - …

Auckland Transport has spoken out after yesterday's fatal stabbing of a woman on an Onehunga bus. The man-hunt for a 37-year-old suspect ended this morning - when a man handed himself in at North Shore Police station. Police say the attack appears random and they don't think the victim and suspect knew each other. AT's Director of Public Transport,…

The Prime Minister's checked out the front-line of the HMNZS Manawanui clean-up in Samoa - as he attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Small amounts of oil and debris from the Kiwi Navy ship have littered the waters near Upolu, since it sank more than two weeks ago. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this still isn't…

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe recently claimed she pledged Queen Elizabeth's 'hairs' and not 'heirs' when she recited her parliamentary oath. Thorpe has been accused of violating her pledge to the monarchy after she shouted at King Charles during his Parliament House visit on Monday. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this raises question…

Swapping a seamer for a spinner is the Black Caps' major consideration heading into the second test against India starting in Pune this afternoon. New Zealand has been preparing for a slower, flatter pitch with more turn and much lower bounce compared to the first test in Bengaluru. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what fans can expect fr…

The Government is celebrating a drop in numbers of children living in emergency housing. Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says almost 1500 have moved to social housing since the Government's Priority One policy was introduced in April. He says the total children who've left emergency housing since they took office is closer to 2500. "Some of …

A new vaccine will be trialled in the UK to protect people from the worst of norovirus ahead of the winter season. The contagious stomach bug causes vomiting and diarrhoea - and can have a huge strain on workplaces, schools and the health system. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the effects of the vaccine on volunteers will be monitored on potentia…

There's relief from Federated Farmers after Otago Regional Council was forced to pause its proposed land and water regional plan. The council's plans were ground to a halt after the Government introduced a new amendment to the Resource Management Act. Federated Farmers Otago president Luke Kane says they had concerns about the council's plans - bef…

As the latest US earnings season picks up, one famed luxury good company has caught attention for all the wrong reasons. LVMH's earnings report left investors disappointed, with its key Fashion & Leather Goods division seeing a 5 percent revenue drop this quarter. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor explains what's causing this drop. LIS…

Experts from Australia and New Zealand are meeting with leaders in Malaysia to discuss how to improve business and security. The three groups are expected to discuss new opportunities and challenges - and outline new solutions. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explained what could come out of these discussions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio…

Fletcher Building's chief executive and board faced up to some very disappointed shareholders at today's annual general meeting. Company chief executive Andrew Reding revealed margins were under pressure - with revenue down 12 percent in September versus 7 percent down in July and August, compared to the year earlier. NZ Shareholders Association CE…

Tonight on The Huddle, motivational speaker and social activist Dave Letele and Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Councils around the country might be looking at their own finances after the Government appointed a Crown observer to Wellington City Council yest…

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 23 October 2024, some councils are worried the Government might come for them next after a Crown observer was announced for Wellington City Council. ANZ boss Antonia Watson was the first to front Parliament's banking inquiry. She couldn't remember how much her total salary is, i…

Unions have come out in force against Government workplace policies, with protests happening today across the entire country. The nation-wide event - Fight Back Together - was designed to respond to the scrapping of fair pay agreements, the return of 90-day trials and similar contentious policies. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says …

Kiwi squash champion Joelle King won't be adding to her collection of medals in the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The stripped-down Glasgow event will only feature 10 sports - with rugby sevens, hockey, cricket, road cycling and squash among the sports that got axed. King says she can't change this decision - but she's got the 2028 Olympics to soften th…

Uber Eats will be expanding into 12 new locations across the country, focusing on regional towns. From next month, its food delivery will be available in smaller towns like Taupō, Levin, Whakatāne, Timaru and Wānaka. Restaurant Association President and Monsoon Poon Owner Mike Egan says it's perfect timing - just before summer. "I can see the campg…

The chair of Parliament's Finance Committee is perplexed ANZ's head wasn't across the details of her pay packet. Chief executive Antonia Watson was among the banking heads grilled by MPs this morning, under pressure to justify a $2 billion profit during tough times for Kiwis. She says she's paid $2.5 million, but would need to give her total remune…

There's claims the Government needs to show its justification for intervening in Wellington City Council. It's appointing a Crown observer - claiming it is financial mis-management for the Council to plan to fund water infrastructure from rates revenue - rather than debt, using a Government tool. Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry notes the Government…

Over in the US, Election Day is less than two weeks out - so Trump and Harris are hitting the campaign trail to get all the votes they can. The pair are still in a tight race for the White House, meaning they're going hard to appeal to key swing states ahead of the November deadline. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Kamala Harris will be trying…