Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Yeah, I don't know what to make of Shane Jones's prediction last night that the days of building big roads are over. He was at this infrastructure debate in Wellington and he said, and I quote, I personally don't see ever another four-lane highway being built in New Zealand in my lifetime. The politicians are going to struggle to justify the cost.  

Now he can't be right. because Mill Road is supposed to be 4 lanes. Mill Road ...

There are beliefs that the latest autism figures better reflect society, with less people going un-diagnosed. 

An Otago University study has found autism rates have tripled over the past 15 years, with nearly 31,000 people diagnosed during the study period.

That's 1.3% of kiwi kids, and 0.14% of adults. 

Autism New Zealand Chief Executive Dane Dougan told Heather du Plessis-Allan that a diagnosis opens the door for suppor...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 6 July, 2026, Winston Peters says Christopher Luxon's pledge to look at a referendum on MMP is a sign of desperation.

We talk to a pharmacist about whether they're prepared to treat more conditions, as ACT wants them to do.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown on the number of passengers he hopes will catch the City Rail Link.

And on The Huddle, Mike Munro and Jordan Willi...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

Luxon announced earlier that he was going to hold a referendum on MMP, prompting questions and doubtful comments from Labour and NZ First. What do we make of this? Do we think Luxon is getting desperate? 

ACT is looking to give pharmacies ...

Yeah, well, if Chris Luxon's week wasn't already bad, it's not much better.

Not after he apparently announced off the cuff on ZB Mornings with Kerre that he's going to hold an MMP referendum if he wins the election.

Now, where do I start with the problems with him doing this?

The first is that it looks incredibly desperate. No one was asking for a referendum. It's not a topic of discussion.

I mean, sure, we can all see that MMP is ...

Labour says its new election policy aimed at small businesses is about making life a little easier.

If it gets into power, the Labour will raise the GST threshold, lift asset write-offs and require big businesses to pay up faster.

It would axe the current Government's Investment Boost, which lets businesses deduct 20 percent of the cost of a new asset.

Leader Chris Hipkins says small businesses shouldn't be a line of credit for big...

There's promises Auckland's City Rail Link's good to go, with an opening date announced for next month.

Passengers can ride the $5.5-billion-dollar lines from September 13, after extensive testing and dress rehearsals. 

Mayor Wayne Brown says this is a good project for Auckland, even if it was 'too costly and too slow.'

"It will be a good thing for Auckland, it's up to us now as a council to make sure that instead of having a ...

An energy sector specialist says new school subjects on offer, will bring students closer to workplace realities.

The Government's announced nine new subjects for Years 12 and 13, from 2029.

Industry Skills Board CEO, Philip Aldridge, says the new Energy and Infrastructure course is much more practical than subjects available now, and tailored to the industry. 

"It's about aligning the skills and the training and education to ...

There's concerns Kiwi bus drivers lured to Sydney for better opportunities are regretting the move. 

The job has a high turnover, with nine out of ten new drivers leaving within six months.

It's being blamed on onerous contracts and stressful working conditions.

Bus and Coach Association CEO Delaney Myers says Kiwi drivers are attractive to operators because they don't need visas to work, so employing them is cost-effective.

"...

Winston Peters has offered up a theory on why the Prime Minister has expressed interest in an MMP referendum.

Chris Luxon said he's like to get a public vote on MMP if National returns to power, alongside a four-year term.

Peters says there will not be any change to our electoral system - and that National's getting desperate because polling's not looking good.

"I've watched their body language and there's a huge stress on them at ...

Winston Peters believes the Prime Minister's suggesting an MMP referendum will backfire.

Chris Luxon says if re-elected, he'll support revisiting that, and discussing a four-year Parliamentary term.

Peters has suggested Luxon's poor polling is what's making him want another look at MMP.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the reactions to Luxon's statements. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener ...

Pauline Hanson has a big plan for migration reform in Australia, and it's aimed at bringing down numbers and reducing certain sectors.

Hanson voiced concerns about the nation’s skilled migration scheme, and says Australia needs to cancel the pipeline of 'dog walkers, nail technicians and Uber drivers'.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says One Nation wants to cut migration back to 130,000 people a year - and it's a hot-bu...