Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Yeah, so it's weird that it takes a princess to warn us about this, but Kate Middleton has warned parents against phones at the dinner table.

She's written an essay in collaboration with a Harvard Medical School professor about the dangers of smartphones and social media eroding family connections.

She says, when we check our phones during conversations, scroll through social media during family dinners or respond to emails while p...

China’s hotels are taking a hit, as a struggling economy hurts domestic spending.  

China’s economy has been in decline for the past 4 years, and now budget hotels are having to slash their prices despite being full. 

Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather duPlessis-Allan that this is partly due to unemployment rates, with 1 in 5 Chinese people under the age of 24 being unemployed. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omny...

Three New Zealanders detained by Israel last week, have returned home.

Rana Hamida, Youssef Sammour and Samuel Leason were in an aid flotilla to Gaza, intercepted by Israel's military in the Mediterranean.

They were among hundreds from around the world, attempting to deliver food and medical supplies.

Leason told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he's hoping the ceasefire announced yesterday, will hold. 

He says he wants what's be...

Tonight on the Huddle: Rugby commentator Paul Ellison and NewstalkZB's own D'arcy Waldegrave join Ryan Bridge to discuss the latest sports news. 

The story around Dame Noeline Taurua and her suspension continues, will there be an end to this drama? Why is TV coverage of F1  focusing on the celebrities, not the racing? And has progressiveness come at the cost of good refereeing? 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listene...

There are calls for a Government crackdown on some temporary pools, after five deaths in the past decade.

Coroner Heidi Wrigley's reviewed the death of 20-month-old Aromaia Duff in Napier in 2023, after being found face down in a backyard pool.

Wrigley says her death reaffirms concerns a pattern's emerging of drownings in such pools.

Acting Water Safety NZ CEO Gavin Walker told Heather du Plessis Allan that the issue isn't paddling...

Labour claims a promise isn't being kept - as the Government mulls selling its stake in Chorus. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis today said the Government's considering selling the 61 percent stake in the telecoms infrastructure company - now rollout of ultra-fast broadband is complete. 

She says the money from a sale would be spent on hospitals and schools. 

But Chris Hipkins told Heather du-Plessis Allan that they'v...

Israel's counting down the days to Hamas releasing hostages.  

Israel's Cabinet's signed off on a ceasefire deal for their return, as well as Israeli troops pulling back - and an end to hostilities.  

Ambassador to New Zealand, Alon Roth says hostages could be freed as soon as Monday. 

He told Heather du Plessis-Allan Israel's army is starting to uphold its part of the bargain.  

Roth says they are starting to p...

The Kiwis on board the humanitarian aid flotilla set for Gaza have returned to New Zealand. 

Three people arrived in Auckland airport, describing the poor conditions they were kept in and said they received little support from the NZ government.  

Senior political respondent Barry Soper says that this contradicts what the government has said about the situation.  

'I remember Winston said that our MFAT people would h...

New Zealander’s are throwing away over 120,000 tonnes of food every year, and a new food rescue app is hoping to change that. 

‘Gone Good’ lets customers buy mystery bags of unsold food from cafes and bakeries to help reduce food waste. 

Deliver Easy CEO Tim Robinson told Heather duPlessis-Allan that, 'the mystery idea is a bit of fun, but also make sure that we're truly targeting the food waste side.’ 

He said that ...

Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who intensified a political crisis by resigning earlier this week, indicated Emmanuel Macron could name a new PM soon.

Lecornu’s comments on France 2 public television had been eagerly awaited after Macron gave him until today NZT to find a way out of months of deadlock over an austerity budget.

UK correspondent Enda Brady explained the situation further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio....

There's been concerns out of Parliament over Fonterra's future.

Peters is asking the dairy giant questions about its proposed nearly $4 billion dollar sale of brands like Anchor and Mainland to a French company.

He's laying out a number of questions, including how long the deal is, and if it's repeating mistakes from the past.

The Country's Hamish McKay explained further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and former head of Health NZ, Rob Campbell, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

Nestle has quit a major alliance to reduce methane emissions from dairy suppliers. Does this mean New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate change, like ACT suggested?

The Māori Party announced their big reset ahead of the 2026 election ...

It's happened again, unfortunately - the Māori Party has hijacked Parliament once again with a haka.

It played out like this:

Oriini Kaipara, who's their new MP replacing the late Takutai Tarsh Kemp, delivered her maiden speech because today’s her first day in Parliament. Afterwards, there was a song and the public gallery was involved. She stepped out of her seat into the aisle, onto the floor to receive the song.

As soon as the s...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 9 October 2025, huge development for Gaza. Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire deal.

The Maori Party announced a reset on the same day another haka disrupts Parliament proceedings. Former Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell speaks with Heather about the party's direction.

The Drug Foundation wants to decriminalise all drugs - but would...

Global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, prompting speculation.

This follows other companies backing out of climate initiatives, with the Net Zero Banking Alliance confirming it was set to shut down earlier in the week.

Agribusiness expert Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says it's likely the Alliance didn't move fast enough for Nestle, and they're taking their support elsewhere.

"The Alliance has not wo...

Tenants and landlords may soon have more powers to end an agreement over methamphetamine contamination.

The Government is establishing clear standards for the amount of contamination legally allowed in rentals. 

If there is meth residue levels of 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres, the landlord must address it.

Tenancy Advisory Director Sarina Gibbon says a tenancy can be quickly ended if levels are double this - and she...

There's confidence Israeli hostages will be released as early as this weekend, with Hamas and Israel today agreeing to the first phase of a peace plan.

It includes Hamas releasing hostages and Israel withdrawing some forces from Gaza. 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the news - and urges Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution.

Australian National University lecturer Anas Iqtait says thi...