Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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

February 13, 2025 6 mins

US President Donald Trump has confirmed talks to end the war in Ukraine will start immediately, although the US is indicating it won't regain all its territory.

A prisoner exchange is also likely.

Trump has also spoken with Russia's Vladimir Putin, calling the phone call 'lengthy and productive'.

UK correspondent Enda Brady suspects Donald Trump is looking to win a Nobel Peace Prize - and this is what's driving this latest scheme.

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The expanded tariff measures announced by President Donald Trump are contributing to economic uncertainty held by multiple companies, according to experts.

Major trade partners, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil and the EU will likely be impacted by the incoming 25 percent tax on steel and aluminium imports into the US.

Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains how these changes could impact the US economy.

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A series of livestock sales making way for blanket afforestation on a productive hill-country station on the Hokonui Hills in Southland isn't being received well by local farmers.

The Government announced changes to limit the amount of full farm to forestry conversions in December last year, with changes set to kick in by October.

The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks the community backlash.

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The Government has confirmed it plans to create more competition between the supermarkets as part of its growth plan.

Finance and Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says this means potential crackdowns on pricing and helping new entrants access land and properties for development.

NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this scheme could include - and whether or not it could work.

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February 13, 2025 99 mins
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Managers of Auckland's City Rail Link are still shying away from naming a specific opening date, following last night's successful tests. 

A train made five trips through the new tunnels overnight - between Waitematā and Maungawhau Station. 

It started at a gruelling five kilometres an hour, but picked up the pace as technicians made their checks. 

CRL Chief Executive Patrick Brockie says it will open in 2026, but he...

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Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog contributor 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!

The Government has announced some new measures designed to create more competition in the supermarket sector. Do we think this problem can be solved? Does New Zealand need a third operator? 

The cost of car insurance is going up so mu...

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Netsafe say it's encouraging tech giant Meta to prevent scams in the country.

Across the ditch, social media companies are detecting and preventing such behaviour.

No such protections currently apply in New Zealand - but tech giant Meta is working to introduce defences against finance and celebrity based scam ads.

Netsafe Chief Online Safety Officer Sean Lyons says Meta still needs to be pushed to do more to shut down scams.

"We sh...

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There's hopes a fresh call for reform to break our supermarket duopoly brings meaningful action.

Economic Growth and Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced a new strategy for creating more competition.

The Government is receptive to cracking down on pricing - and helping new entrants access land and properties.

MonopolyWatch research director Tex Edwards says the devil will be in the details.

"Because there's been an overbuil...

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US moves to end the war in Ukraine could work in Russia's favour, according to one expert.

President Donald Trump says talks will start immediately - and he's had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Commentators say it's highly unlikely Ukraine will get back its pre-war borders - a bottom line for leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Canberra law professor Sascha Dov Bachmann says Putin will tell his people any territory Rus...

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A class action lawsuit launched in Auckland today questioning Johnson and Johnson cold and flu products follows similar suits worldwide.

JGA Saddler has filed a suit in the High Court, claiming the producer knowingly sold an ineffective product.

The US Food and Drug Administration has ruled a key ingredient in Codral, Sudafed, and Benadryl cold and flu products is ineffective when taken orally.

JGA Saddler director, Rebecca Jancaus...

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Not everyone's happy about an apology from Takuta Ferris last night, delivered in Māori.

In September, Te Pati Maori MP said describing MPs as 'masters of obscuring the truth' wasn't calling them liars.

The Parliamentary Privileges Committee called that a contempt - and recommended he apologise.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Shane Jones called for a second apology in a language 'most Kiwis understand'.

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Members of the medical community have voiced their disapproval with the two nurses who bragged about refusing to treat Israeli patients. 

Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, two nurses based out of Bankstown Hospital in Sydney's south-west have been stood down - and reports claim the police have spoken to the pair. 

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says investigations are still ongoing - but the pair will likely ...

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It appears boxer Joseph Parker is one win away from a shot at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

The New Zealander challenges British fighter Daniel Dubois for the IBF title in Saudi Arabia next weekend.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.

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Rising premiums are pushing more people into considering third party car insurance.

The average quote for comprehensive car insurance on comparison website Quashed has increased 41 percent in the past two years.

Insurance Council CEO Kris Faafoi says newer cars have more technology attached to them - which contributes to the rising insurance costs.

"It depends on the individual situation - the cost of the car, who's driving it, whe...

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The UK’s Labour Party has suspended 11 councillors in Greater Manchester as part of an investigation into a WhatsApp group where offensive messages were shared. 

These investigations have already resulted in the suspension of two other Labour MPs in the region - with Minister Andrew Gwynne losing his health portfolio.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says investigations are still ongoing - and it's not a good look for the Governmen...

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It's looking more likely that NZ First is on board with the new rules for foreign investors - including a shake-up for overseas buyers of property.

New reports claim NZ First is set to agree to allow wealthy people to purchase homes over a certain threshold - it's rumoured to be $5 million.

BusinessDesk's Pattrick Smellie explains further.

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The upcoming reporting season looks likely to reflect the tough times seen in the economy in the second half of last year, yet company 'outlook' statements may provide some optimism for the year ahead.

The season – comprising mostly second-half 2024 results – gets under way this week, and it's widely expected most major companies won't do too well.

Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further.

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The Government is running the ruler over the way the Accident Compensation Corporation manages its $50 billion investment portfolio.

The newly appointed minister responsible for the state injury insurer, Andrew Bayly, has commissioned consultants at Willis Towers Watson to review the performance of the Accident Compensation Corporation’s investments, its governance, and the approach it takes to managing its investments.

 NZ He...

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