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
Sir Keir Starmer's leadership has been flung into doubt, with the resignation of his closest aide.
The UK Prime Minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney's quit - taking responsibility for advising Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Mandelson's being investigated for claims he'd passed sensitive information to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
UK correspondent Mike Pearse explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omny...
More companies are reporting their profits from the final portion of 2025, and it's sparking investigation into what investors need to pay attention to.
Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is defending the financial track record of his regional funds - and says he's still committed to supporting investment in the regions. Do we support this?
There's growing debate over whether touch typing needs to ...
The former boss of Air New Zealand is jetting off to America.
It's been reported Greg Foran will be named as the new chief executive of retail giant, Kroger.
It operates supermarkets and multi-department stores throughout the US, and is regarded as one of the country's big four retailers.
Greg Foran says he'll have his hands full but he's looking forward to it.
"It's a business, does about $150 billion a year and just over 40...
The Finance Minister says the newly announced facility for importing liquefied natural gas will save Kiwi households more money.
The Government plans to impose a levy on electricity users to pay for the importation facility, expected to be around a billion dollars.
A contract's expected to be signed later this year.
Nicola Willis says this will help fund a more secure energy supply, meaning lower costs for households.
LISTEN ABOVE
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 9 February, 2026, our reporter tells us about changes to the Christchurch mosque attacker's appearance - as he fronts up to the Court of Appeal.
Shane Jones explains what's happening with his regional development fund.
Former Air New Zealand boss Greg Foran says that job has helped set him up for his new big venture in the U.S.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is defending the financial track record of his regional funds.
Around half of Crown Regional Holdings' loan book is considered at risk of default.
Most of the $433 million portfolio covers the Provincial Growth Fund and the current Regional Infrastructure Fund, were both looked over by Shane Jones.
Jones says his party supports investment in regions.
"Not too different from what the commerc...
Is it possible that some sporting events are just so big that they can more or less do whatever they want politically without suffering any real consequences?
I’m asking this because of what happened during the Super Bowl halftime performance. Bad Bunny was everything the MAGA crowd expected - and perhaps feared - he would be.
Some were already threatening to boycott the halftime show because Bad Bunny has been a vocal critic of Tr...
The role of touch-typing in schools is in the spotlight, as digital testing becomes the norm.
A new NZQA report reveals Education Minister Erica Stanford weighed up adding it to the curriculum last year.
The report doesn’t make a call, instead suggesting technical and cognitive skills be taught across subjects.
Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken says there are pros and cons - and schools are already struggling with...
The Government isn't giving a firm figure on what'll be paid to build a liquefied natural gas import facility in Taranaki.
It's aiming to sign a contract by mid-year.
It says it'll save the country about $265 million a year - about $50 dollars per household - and protect about 2000 jobs.
An electricity levy of $2-$4 per megawatt-hour will fund the infrastructure.
Energy Minister Simon Watts says limited gas supply contributed...
The mosque terrorist claims prison conditions essentially forced him to plead guilty to his crimes.
The shooter has addressed three Court of Appeal judges in Wellington in a bid to vacate his guilty pleas for murder, attempted murder, and terrorism - in March 2019.
He's serving life in prison.
Newstalk ZB's Emily Ansell says Tarrant told the court solitary confinement, being under constant observation and the lack of reading materi...
The Government is contracting to build a liquefied natural gas import facility, as a reliable backup fuel source.
It's expected to save the country about $265 million a year, equivalent to about $50 per household.
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains the project further.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is visiting Australia to honour the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack, but his arrival has prompted concerns.
Herzog's visit is facing nationwide protests by pro-Palestinian groups and authorities are warning people to be prepared for disruptions.
Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says thousands of people are set to gather in Sydney's CBD and workers have been warned to stay out of...
The Seattle Seahawks have shut down the New England Patriots to win the 60th edition of the Super Bowl in California.
The Seahawks have claimed a 29-13 win, keeping the scoreboard ticking over with four field goals to have a 12-nil lead before the game's only touchdowns came in the final quarter.
Sportstalk host Jason Pine recapped the action.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thousands of Air New Zealand customers are being warned to be prepared as the airline braces for an upcoming strike.
The airline has been forced to make schedule changes and 44 flights have been cancelled ahead of the industrial action planned for February 12 and 13.
Air NZ Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O'Brien says the airline will be ensuring that the impact on customers will be as minimal as possible.
"If you do need...
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 5 February, 2026, our political reporter at Waitangi tells us the prime minister got a harder time this year than ACT leader David Seymour.
We ask why the wastewater plant pumping poo into Wellington's water wasn't fixed earlier.
Is Invercargill not up with the times? The council's plan to spend $2 million on a clock tower.
And on The Huddle, Maurice Williamson a...
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...
Popular Podcasts
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.