Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive
With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.
Episodes
New research indicates New Zealand may be removing more carbon than it produces.
A new study from NIWA has highlighted a potential carbon sink in Fiordland's native forests - and researchers found our environment absorbs at least 170 million tonnes of carbon per year.
NIWA atmospheric scientist Beata Bukosa says it's still unclear where the carbon goes - and more research needs to be carried out.
"It's maybe potentially exported so...
Federated Farmers is calling on Revenue Minister Simon Watts to rule out new changes to the Fringe Benefit tax that would impact utes.
The IRD has proposed major changes to the way FBT applies to utes and farmers are concerned this would set them back thousands of dollars a year.
Federated Farmers' transport spokesperson Mark Hooper says this issue started drawing in more attention post-Fieldays.
"We've had a little bit of communic...
One expert has offered a positive view on Kiwi university ratings.
Four of our institutions have improved their standing in the prestigious QS World University Rankings.
Auckland University is highest at 65th place, and Otago is in the top 200 for the first time since 2022.
Universities NZ chief executive Chris Whelan says they're good results.
"Given the funding that we have per student is less than half of, say, the equivalent in...
There's claims the Cook Islands were left in the dark over New Zealand pausing funding.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says a $20-million-dollar pot of development aid won't resume until trust is restored between our countries, who operate under a special relationship.
Its Prime Minister signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, without giving New Zealand any insight on the deal.
Cook Islands journ...
Kiwibank's chief economist says GDP figures released today show good momentum - but the next report isn't looking as good.
Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter.
It's much higher than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury.
Jarrod Kerr says there is less optimism around the quarter ending June.
"The data that we talked about was for the first quarter - obviou...
The Foreign Minister's pushing back on suggestions our geopolitical stoush with the Cook Islands will impact our relationship with China.
Winston Peters this morning confirmed the Government's halted development aid to the Cooks, with his Ministry unhappy over the lack of clarity around the island nation's cooperation deal with China.
Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Peters made it clear that New Zealand's ...
After weeks and weeks of hearings, Erin Patterson's deadly mushroom trial is nearing its end.
The 50-year-old is accused of intentionally serving a poisonous mushroom dish to her estranged husband's family in 2023.
She maintains her innocence.
Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the jury is set to retire soon - and then a verdict will be unveiled.
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The Chiefs and Crusaders are set to face off this coming Saturday in the Super Rugby Pacific final.
The event sold out Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium and fans are gearing up for a memorable match.
Sportstalk host Jason Pine outlined his predictions ahead of the match.
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One single psychiatrist has been approved to prescribe psilocybin or 'magic mushrooms' for treatment-resistant depression.
That psychiatrist is Professor Cameron Lacey, who welcomed the approval as an opportunity to provide treatment that can change people’s lives.
Lacey says there's been a great deal of interest since he got permission to prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.
"I think it speaks to the demand and...
Genetic testing giant 23andMe is being fined millions of pounds by the UK's privacy watchdog following a high-profile data breach.
The breach saw the personal information of seven million people stolen.
UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this is the most severe punishment the watchdog can impose.
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The Finance Minister's revealed top-level legal advice was sought over the Reserve Bank's battle with Treasury for funding.
The bank received less money than it anticipated in the latest funding round - which prompted Adrian Orr to quit as Governor.
NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the issue further.
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The conflict between Israel and Iran is continuing on - and it's sparked concerns among investors.
US President Donald Trump has demanded Iran's unconditional surrender, as he weighs up whether to join Israel's targeting of nuclear sites.
Milford Asset Management expert Andrew Curtayne explains the impact of the conflict.
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Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
How do we feel about the Government overruling councils on decisions that negatively impact economic growth, development and employment? Is this necessary?
The Government has confirmed they're going to scrap the census - do we agree with ...
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 18 June 2025, you'll never have to fill out another census form! The Statistics Minister explains why he's getting rid of it.
Melatonin will soon be available to buy over the counter for anyone struggling to sleep - and magic mushrooms can soon ...
New data shows consumer confidence has gone up - but overall levels show people are feeling more pessimistic than optimistic about the economy.
The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence index rose two points in June to 91.2, a modest rise from last quarter's drop.
Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says negative news and the rising cost of living are contributing to an uncertain outlook, but confidence is likely ...
The Inland Revenue Department has unveiled the horticulture sector hasn't paid their fair share of taxes.
Over the last 10 months, the IRD has found $45 million dollars of undeclared tax - and almost 100 audits are in the works now, within the sector.
Inland Revenue spokesperson Tony Morris says the department is seeing people being paid under the table, undeclared cash sales and withholding tax going unrecorded or not being deduct...
New Plymouth's mayor is backing Government changes to take away power from local authorities.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop says new regulation in the Resource Management Act would stop councils stalling housing developments.
It would let him override councils on the grounds of their decisions negatively impacting economic growth.
Mayor Neil Holdom says as it is, elected officials have little input in the developm...
To strike or not to strike.
The US President has had talks with officials on joining Israel's attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.
Since the initial attack on Friday, strikes have killed at least 224 Iranians and 24 Israelis.
Otago University International Relations Professor Robert Patman says the split in Trump's supporter base will make things difficult.
Patman says many MAGA supporters want to stay out of foreign wars....
The Crusaders are hoping Chiefs fans will come check out the action at this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch - but they've suggested leaving the cowbells at home.
In a LinkedIn post, Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge promised this would be a game fans would enjoy, but there's no room for cowbells in the stadium.
Mansbridge jokingly claimed they'd be melted down and turned ...
The Statistics Minister says his agency is well up to transforming how the Census is done in New Zealand, despite previous short-comings.
The five-yearly census is being replaced by a smaller, annual survey - and using Government department data.
Stats NZ has faced past criticism over poor Census response rates
But Shane Reti says it's ready to turn that around.
"There's been some fall-overs with Stats NZ - and actually, part...
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