Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Here’s a question for you: Was your first reaction to the news of sewage pumping into Wellington’s water something along the lines of, “Oh well, these things happen”?

I ask because I’ve spent the past 24 hours fighting the urge to wave this away as one of those unfortunate, unforeseen things that just happen from time to time. You know — mistakes happen.

I’m glad I resisted that urge, because the latest information actually makes t...

Last year, food giant Watties had to cut contracts with 20 peach growers, citing market dumping and Cyclone Gabrielle as the key factors for the decision.

An investigation by the government found that Chinese fruit company J&G International Co. Ltd. was indeed dumping peaches in to the market, causing 'material damage' to the industry. 

Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson told Heather du Plessis-Allan t...

Growing calls for an overhaul our 30-year-old dog control laws.

The Listener reports between 2020 and 2024, the cost of ACC claims for dog bites rose from just over 10 and a half million to just over 15 and a half million - with most occurring in private homes.

Ministry of Hound owner and dog trainer Diana Haggitt says she's in support of making changes.

She told Heather du Plessis-Allan that many of the problems stem from a lack o...

Belief from an Invercargill City Councillor the city doesn't need to rebuild its clock tower.

The council plans to spend two million dollars on the renovation work in Wachner Place.

Councillor Ian Pottinger says he believes the money could be spent on other things.

He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the money could go to a local high school which wants improved road safety.

Pottinger says councillors were told they don't have mo...

Revelations Wellington's wastewater treatment plant has been non compliant almost every month for the last two years - after a huge failure yesterday.

Heavy rain flooded the Moa Point plant's lower floors, causing it to shut down and millions of litres of sewage to pour into the ocean.

Wellington Water Chair Nick Leggett told Heather du Plessis-Allan that there's going to have to be significant money spent on Wellington's plants fr...

A higher level of security's been seen at Waitangi this year. 

Protestors and hecklers have made their presence known, but the increased security presence has deterred larger gatherings.

Political Reporter Ethan Griffiths told Heather du Plessis-Allan that there's a larger quantity of people with diplomatic protection, as well as Police at the grounds and around Paihia. 

He said that police-operated drones have been seen,...

There are discussions around bidders potentially giving Chateau Tongariro a fix-up.

A Government response to a petition confirms the Department of Conservation's been urged to speak with investors and iwi to potentially fund restoration for the heritage-listed hotel.

Demolition still remains an option.

Adrift Tongariro Guiding owner Stewart Barclay told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it's significant for employment - and would pay f...

Reports from across the ditch that a historic State of Origin rugby league game in New Zealand is all but a done deal.

The Daily Telegraph's reporting that the New Zealand Government has paid $5 million to secure game two of the 2027 Origin series at Eden Park.

The money will come from the $70 million Major Events Fund, designed to attract big events to New Zealand.

Former Kiwis and Warriors coach Tony Kemp says this is a big deal ...

A Wellington fusion energy start-up’s getting a major boost, with fresh funding to build a next generation research facility.

The Government will lend up to $35 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to OpenStar Technologies to help develop its nuclear fusion machine, known as Tahi.

Fusion is the process which powers the sun, and the company's hoping to create a fusion power source that can be scaled up for commercial use.

O...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute 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!

Stats NZ data shows unemployment was at 5.4 percent in the December quarter - the highest it's been in over a decade. What does this say about the economy? Will things finally turn around this year?

It could be months before Wellingtonians are gi...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 4 February, 2026, unemployment's at a 10-year high but Brad Olsen from Infometrics says it's not all bad news.

Why Wellington's sewage problem in the water could go on for months.

Former Warriors coach Tony Kemp tells us how big a deal a State of Origin match at Eden Park would be.

And on the Huddle, Tim Wilson and Jack Tame on the merits of Petone's Jackson Str...

On the face of it, the unemployment figure out today is not good. It’s gone up, it's now sitting at 5.4 percent, a high we haven’t seen in almost 11 years. The last time we were anywhere near 5.4 percent was September 2015.

But actually, there is a recovery story here if you look under the hood.

We’ve added 15,000 jobs to the economy. More people want to work, too. As Infometrics points out, fewer people are sitting on the sideline...

Trade Me’s seeing a rush on gold and silver listings.

Searches for both metals have surged on the site - and are now the second and third fastest-rising terms over the past week.

Gold and silver hit record highs late last month, before dipping and then rallying again.

Trade Me spokesperson Millie Silvester says the spike could be driven by buyers looking to melt the metals down.

"Or maybe they're hoping that actually, this is the s...

An opinion piece in the Herald reckons Wellington's Cuba St has a rival for the title of the region's coolest strip.

Lifestyle writer Joanna Wane says Petone's Jackson St has Cuba St beaten out for restaurants, cafes, pubs and boutiques.

Hill's Hats owner Simon Smuts-Kennedy says there's plenty available for visitors - and there's something for everyone.

"There's virtually everything available, and it's pumping. It's great...there'...

Blenheim residents say AA Insurance has stopped offering new home insurance policies in their town, following similar decisions in Westport and parts of greater Christchurch.

 The insurer would not confirm that Blenheim and the neighbouring settlements of Renwick and Seddon were subject to its temporary halt.

Insurance Council CEO Kris Faafoi says the insurer is still supporting their current customers, and it's important for ...

A warning we've been burnt by high hopes for economic recovery. 

Stats NZ data out today puts unemployment at 5.4 percent in the December quarter. 

The numbers were less severe than forecasts from Treasury, but still reflect a 10 year unemployment high. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says the talk about getting momentum back last year fell short.

"For businesses, they need to see stronger business s...