Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark wants New Zealand to recognise Palestine as a state. 

The United Nations calls the war a nightmare of historic proportions - as concerns are raised over aid being withheld. 

French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined his support for a two-state-solution, recognising Palestine. 

Helen Clark told Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealand needs to do the same - and other countries should ...

Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced the first major changes to the GP clinic funding model in over 20 years.  

He says from this time next-year, the money will be better distributed based on the needs of the population.  

But Royal Colleges of GPs President Samantha Murton says clinics could lose money if the funding pool stays the same.  

She hopes funding will be level - and boosted for those with higher nee...

Protestors who are not fans of being pepper-sprayed, handcuffed or locked up in a police cell were taught how to avoid these unsavoury events at a training event.

The Protest Skills Night event, organised by Climate Liberation Aotearoa was held in Otago and aimed to show protesters how to demonstrate their points using "non-violent direct action techniques".

The Country's Jamie Mackay had some strong opinions on this event.

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 24 July 2025, the Government is making significant changes to voting rules. Same day enrolments are gone and you must now enrol to vote before early voting starts two weeks before election day. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith speaks to Heather.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she still has confidence in the chair of the Reserve Bank, Neil Quigley, as more det...

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

A group of healthcare workers want MPs to waive their and their families' private healthcare during their time in office to ensure they're not insulated from the realities of our public health system. What do we make of this?

The Government is set to scrap same-day ...

Let's be honest with each other about something.

That increase in rough sleeping that the cities are anecdotally reporting to that homelessness report will be caused by the shutting down of those emergency motels. I know the Government's trying to avoid having to admit that, but that is the big thing that's changed since the election.

They've shut down the motels and some of the people who were in those motels, or who might ha...

There's growing calls for politicians and their families to give up private healthcare when making decisions for the country. 

A letter signed by health workers argues MPs should rely on the public EDs, waitlists and services used by everyone else. 

Spokesperson Doctor Marcus Lee says health workers are frustrated with the public system. 

The Northland cardiologist says it comes down to accountability and integrity -...

Stock exchange operator NZX chief executive Mark Peterson has resigned from the role - and will step down at the end of April 2026.

Peterson explained that the time was right for him to stand down and for the board to look for a new chief executive.

He says he's overseen plenty of challenges and successes in the role over the last few years.

"You've got to make these tough calls - but we've also, at the same time, got to a period i...

The Green Party is pushing to reinstate passenger rail across the country - starting by connecting Tauranga and Auckland. 

It's launched a petition targeting the Minister for Rail to get it done. 

The party says it would cost $10 million over four years to extend the Te Huia train to Tauranga. 

But Transport Spokesperson Julie Anne Genter says it will cost more to achieve the long-term vision. 

"Total budget for...

The Finance Minister's repeating dismay over the Reserve Bank handling of its Governor's abrupt resignation.

It's been confirmed chair Neil Quigley apologised to Treasury over Adrian Orr's behaviour, just weeks before he quit.

It wasn't released through official information requests - and follows the central bank also apologising over its management of the departure.

Nicola Willis says she was aware emotions were running high at th...

The Government says its overhaul of electoral laws - will bring swifter and simpler election processing.

It plans to end same-day enrolments - with a cut off 13 days before election day. 

The Justice Minister says late enrolling contributed to vote counting ballooning to three weeks. 

Paul Goldsmith says it could have grown to four weeks, without change.

"More and more people have been enrolling on election day - or just ...

Over in Australia, the Government's denying their move to lift restrictions on imports of US beef is not related to President Trump's increasing tariff war.

The Government recently confirmed that the Department of Agriculture would allow the imports into Australia, saying the US now 'effectively' manages the biosecurity risks. 

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Opposition has raised questions about this move.