Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Over in the UK, another high-profile member of the Conservative Party has defected to Nigel Farage's Reform Party. 

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, well known for championing the controversial Rwanda plan, has joined the party. 

It follows defections from others like former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawai and Conservative Party leader candidate Robert Jenrick. 

UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's...

Last week's extreme weather in the Upper North Island left a lot of damage behind, and concerns have been raised about the future.

The Government last year established a loose framework for climate adaptation, on an expert panel's recommendation to transition from buying-out destroyed homes - but Minister Simon Watts says a better assessment is needed.

Climate adaptation expert Dr Judy Lawrence says clearer adaptation plans are nee...

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and AUT Chancellor Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

There's growing calls to phase out branded uniforms as parents grapple with rising costs. Do we need to ban uniforms altogether - or figure out an affordable solution? 

The Government has indicated that they want to launch their own inquiry into...

NZ Post is being criticised for its radio silence, after announcing it's withdrawing services from inside 142 stores. 

Despite the changes, 90 percent of customers will still be within four kilometres of an NZ Post store. 

Postal Workers' Union organiser John Maynard says NZ Post hasn't talked about the hubs being set up to provide good services. 

He says it shouldn't be on the unions to promote the positives. 

...

Right, it seems there’s a very good chance that Tauranga City Council is going to have the inquiry they’ve launched taken off them and run by the Government instead.

The Government hasn’t actually said those words out loud just yet. What they have said is that there is a strong case for a Government inquiry.

But you can read between the lines here - they’re preparing us, and probably most importantly preparing the Tauranga City Cou...

A move for schools to leave branded uniforms to reduce costs for parents.

Some are calling for rules to be modernised - to let students wear plain, generic clothing.

It's been done in countries like Puerto Rico for years.

Albany Senior High School Principal, Claire Amos, says it’s increasingly common for Kiwi students to wear coloured items without logos or embroidery.

"They're often pretty much the same as what was their uniform -...

The new year is well underway and people will be looking to get in shape, but one expert says not every social media trend is worth following on your fitness journey.

Between the 75 Hard challenge and Zone 2 training, there are trends that work and trends that are less effective, depending on your level of fitness.

Personal trainer Alex Flint says going too hard will lead to soreness, fatigue and late-night snacking, which can do m...

The Government's considering a wider inquiry into last week's Mount Maunganui landslide tragedy.

Six people remain missing - with recovery efforts slow faced by the unstable land, with floral tributes surrounding the cordon.

Cabinet's discussing allocating funding to areas hard hit by severe weather.

Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell says he's spoken to Tauranga mayor Mahé Drysdale - but the council may still proceed with...

Over in Australia, a 31-year-old man was charged after a homemade bomb was thrown into a crowd at an Invasion Day rally in Perth yesterday.

The man was charged with committing an unlawful act with the intent to harm, and making explosives under suspicious circumstances, and he's set to appear in court later this week. 

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the bomb was reportedly made out of ball bearings, screws and liqui...

A child psychologist thinks social media use is hindering young men from making friends. 

Data from Outward Bound shows one in four young men tell them they have no close friends. 

Psychologist Sara Chatwin says that's abnormal against historic behavioural patterns.

But she says her profession's seeing the trend firsthand and social media is making the young passive and isolated. 

"It means that they're just sitting ...

Over in the UK, policing efforts are set to see a significant shakeup with the launch of a new 'British FBI'.

The UK Government unveiled plans for a new National Police Service designed to take on fraud, cyber-crime, and terrorism, leaving local police to focus on everyday issues. 

UK correspondent Mike Pearse says the National Police Service will work with police forces worldwide to bring down crime.

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There's been growing debate over how Auckland's CBD can be revitalised after years of uncertainty and economic decline.

The $5.5 billion City Rail Link is due to be built at the second half of the year and it's promised to bring in economic benefits, but it's unclear if it'll get the city in motion. 

Kiwi entrepreneur Andrew Barnes says a lot of shops and businesses have been closed, and it's not as attractive to prospective v...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

Donald Trump sparked some outrage following his criticism of allied efforts, including New Zealand, in Afghanistan. Were his comments out of line? 

New Zealand Rugby has unveiled their updated criteria for a new All Blacks coach - applicants must be fr...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 26 January, 2026, we explore how long Mount Maunganui's likely to remain off-limits in the wake of the landslide.

Interim New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Lancaster gives us details of the search for the next All Blacks coach.

An entrepreneur outlines how he'd give Auckland's CBD a makeover.

And on The Huddle, Phil Goff and Trish Sherson have harsh words for Donald Tru...

As the human tragedy at Mt Maunganui continues, the timeline around warnings and what authorities knew and when they knew it is becoming clearer.

Fire and Emergency has confirmed it received a 111 call about landslides on the Mount before 6 o’clock on Thursday morning. As you would expect, it has a robust record-keeping system, which records that call as being at 5.48am.

The slips at that time did not affect life or property, and s...