Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 20 November 2025, Education Minister Erica Stanford talks whether she's going to go further on digital restrictions in our schools.

Heather asks Wellington Mayor Andrew Little whether he'll cancel the Golden Mile project altogether - after the council voted to pause the works.

Predator Free New Zealand Trust CEO Jessi Morgan celebrates the government's move to ad...

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners 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! 

NZ First is looking to repeal the Regulatory Standards Act ahead of the election. ACT's David Seymour isn't thrilled - what do we make of this? What's Winston's plan here?

The Government has officially recognised feral cats as pests and a...

A promise the Government's working as quickly as possible on roading projects - but an admission some will take a long time.

The Transport Minister says he's trying to make expectations clear.

Officials estimate petrol tax and road user charges would need to be hiked 70 percent - to deliver all the $56 billion Roads of National Significance - within two decades.

Chris Bishop says the Government is committed, but these are very big ...

Wellington's mayor says scrapping the controversial Golden Mile project would be relatively easy, but they want to act in good faith.

Councillors voted 12-4 to hold fire, after warnings the project could balloon to $220 million up from the 2021 budget of $160 million.

Doing up Courtney Place could cost up to $25 million more than approved.

Andrew Little says there's no contract or exit costs - but there's an agreement with NZTA.&nb...

David Seymour isn't impressed with New Zealand First's promise to campaign on repealing ACT's Regulatory Standards bill. 

The Bill passed last Thursday - supported by New Zealand First, National and ACT - and became law two days ago. 

NZ First leader Winston Peters has since called it a 'terrible overreach' and 'not fit for a modern democracy'.

Seymour gave his opinion on this move. 

"People want to play politics - I...

The Government has officially recognised feral cats as pests and added them to the Predator Free 2050 list.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka described them as 'stone cold killers' and says they need to be dealt with to protect New Zealand's native species. 

Predator Free NZ Trust chief executive Jessi Morgan says they've been campaigning on this move for a long time and it's 'exciting' to see it in motion.

"I think New Zealan...

The Education Minister's not ruling out banning other digital distractions in schools.

An Education Review Office report shows three-quarters of secondary school teachers believe student behaviour's improved since cellphones were outlawed in class.

It's also recommending considering also excluding smart watches and social media.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says she's open to the ideas.

"We're certainly going to take ERO's rec...

There's growing speculation Chris Luxon is at risk of being rolled ahead of the election, with Chris Bishop being touted as a potential replacement. 

An opinion piece by Audrey Young was released today, and it claimed that Labour was going extra hard on Bishop over the cycleway project because he was likely to take over the party by 2026.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says National's taking a hit in th...

I’ve got a possibly controversial opinion about standing up at concerts.

Last night, I went to see Metallica. Incredible show - way better than I gave them credit for yesterday.

But here’s what happened.

We were in the stands, seated tickets. A few rows ahead, there was this guy who, the second Metallica hit the stage, jumped to his feet. Everyone else stayed seated, but not him. Hands in the air, devil horns flying, head-banging, ...

Australian teenagers have been warned their accounts of Facebook, Instagram and Threads will be shut down ahead of the country's incoming social media ban.

Meta has confirmed it has started notifying users between 13 and 15 years old by text, email and in-app messages that their accounts would be deactivated come December. 

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Meta has encouraged young users to download their content now,...

A long-term US study shows water fluoridation at recommended levels doesn't reduce cognitive ability.

The 40-year study found children who drank such water did slightly better in school tests.

By 60, that edge was insignificant, but fluoride didn't contribute to cognitive decline.

Dentist Justin Wall says this puts this particular argument to bed - but theories about fluoride are bound to continue.

"People would probably blame fluo...

The UK Government has confirmed it aims to ban people from reselling tickets from live events to make a profit.

Restricting ticket scalpers was one of the Labour Government's election pledges, and it comes after  Sam Fender, Dua Lipa and Coldplay urged Sir Keir Starmer to take action.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says more details of this plan will be revealed soon.

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The Government is delaying hiking the levy most home owners pay via their private insurers to fund the Natural Hazards Commission until 2027.

The $552 levy was supposed to go up by between $207 and $311, but reports claim ministers are still considering their options, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis saying she didn't want to make a 'hurried decision'.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further.

LIST...

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

The Government has moved to pause prescription on puberty blockers - what do we make of this? 

Winston Peters is celebrating how much money he's saving the country with our new Cook Strait ferries. Do we see the costs blowing out on this one?

The Breakers ar...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 19 November 2025, Rail Minister Winston Peters says he's saved taxpayers more than two billion dollars with his new Interislander ferry deal. But does the maths add up?

Rotorua's days as a emergency housing hotspot are officially over. Mayor Tania Tapsell reacts to news the last people have officially left emergency motel accommodation.

Health Minister Simeon Br...