Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The latest NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion has revealed business confidence has taken a hit for the March quarter.

Only a net 1 percent of firms expect better general economic conditions over the coming months on a seasonally adjusted basis.

EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald says people were expecting the economy to get better - and this conflict put an economic 'handbrake' on recovery. 

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Assurance MetService gave the most notice possible before yesterday's flash flooding in Wellington.

The record breaking 77-millilitre an hour deluge inundated the Capital from about 4am.

Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay south of Tutira still sit under an Orange heavy rain warning until later tonight.

A slip's burst a wastewater pipe in Vogeltown - forcing a household to evacuate.

Victoria University professor James Renwick say...

London Underground services are set to face significant disruptions, as the first of two 24-hour strikes by some Tube drivers begins.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, which represents roughly half the drivers on the network, are striking over a voluntary proposal to allow train operators to move to a compressed four-day week.

UK correspondent Enda Brady explained how this action will impact commuters this week.&nb...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 21 April, 2026, Christopher Luxon wins a confidence vote on his leadership at the National Party caucus. We ask if he'll last until the election.

A police boss tells us how successful a crackdown on retailers selling nitrous oxide, known as nangs, has been.

A climate science expert says the technology is there to better forecast weather disasters.

And on The Huddl...

Microsoft has today announced it will double its existing AI and digital skilling commitment in New Zealand, with a plan to train up over 200,000 Kiwis by 2028.

The company has observed this training will help many businesses, with survey data showing 59 percent of Kiwi business leaders say productivity must increase.

Microsoft's national chief technology officer, Sarah Carney, says upskilling will help unlock more opportunities fo...

Auckland-based company Lanaco had its EcoStatic air filters on board the Artemis II mission, NASA's first crewed lunar flyby in 50 years.

The filters were also on board an unmanned flight in 2022.

They can be used during a fire on board, which presents unique challenges in a weightless environment, because there’s not only smoke and other toxic particles, but water droplets floating around as well.

The Country's Jamie Mackay explai...

Well, blow me down - they had a leadership vote in caucus, called by Chris Luxon himself, and he survived.

Good on him for doing that. That is exactly what I said  he had to do if he wanted to shut this stuff down for the next week and a bit that Parliament has left to sit.

And even if you think sticking with Chris Luxon was the wrong call by the National Party - which, by the way, I do; I still think he needs to go before the...

The small Waikato township of Waitoa is losing its long-term access to free water. 

The local Fonterra factory is ending its more than 40-year old arrangement to supply locals water - originally to serve homes affected by factory dust. 

Matamata-Piako District Council is consulting the public on an 8.2-million proposed solution.

Mayor Ash Tanner says Fonterra likely wants to avoid responsibility for anyone getting sick.&n...

Inflation's already looking vulnerable, with the reality of worse economic blows still to come. 

Figures out today showed annual CPI unexpectedly held at 3.1 in this year's first three months, confounding expectations it would fall as low as 2.8. 

Economist Cameron Bagrie says the rate reflects what was happening to prices, just as the cost of fuel began to climb, when the Iran war closed the Strait of Hormuz. 

He sa...

The Prime Minister says he'll comment no more on speculation about his leadership - calling it a media soap-opera - after saying his job's safe. 

Chris Luxon delivered a prepared statement to media, revealing he's backed by his Caucus, saying it passed a formal motion of confidence at today's three-hour meeting.

NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacked the 'unusual' circumstances behind this release. 

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In a major safety move, the National Rugby League has capped contact in training in a bid to reduce injuries including concussion.

Reports reveal all 17 NRL and 12 NRLW clubs have been informed of the development, with guidelines limiting the minutes of contact in both in-season and pre-season training sessions.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. 

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Police have carried out sting operations to crack down on illegal sales of nitrous oxide for recreational use - known as nangs.

Five retailers across the North Island have been charged under the Psychoactive Substances Act and could face prison time.

The canisters are meant to be used to whip cream.

Superintendent Dion Bennett says during the stings - it was clear customers were buying nangs for recreational use.

"We weren't dresse...

UK Prime Minister Starmer is fighting for his job as he faces MPs to explain the sacking of the top civil servant in the UK Foreign Office.

It follows the revelation that his department didn’t tell the Prime Minister that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting.

Mandelson took up the role of UK ambassador to the US in February 2025, but seven months later he was sacked over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

UK correspo...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 20 April, 2026, we ask the MetService's head of weather news how they got the forecast so wrong with the latest flooding disasters.

Education Minister Erica Stanford outlines relief for schools affected by the fuel crisis.

We hear about a bus trial where the driver lets you off closer to your destination at night.

And on The Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani d...

New Zealand First is heading into the election with a plan to break up the supermarket duopoly.

If re-elected, the party's promising to split Foodstuffs into two nationwide co-operatives - one for New World and Four Square, and the other for Pak'nSave.

Consumer NZ says the current Government's efforts to encourage a third player into the market have largely been unsuccessful. 

Head of Advocacy and Research, Gemma Rasmussen, ha...

The Finance Minister has raised some concerns over NZ First's bid to break up the supermarket duopoly. 

NZ First has announced that if re-elected, it will split Foodstuffs into two nationwide co-operates: one for New World and Four Square, and the other for Pak'nSave. 

Nicola Willis says it's good idea, but it needs to be carefully implemented. 

"That's why I've been taking my time working through proposals, looking ...