Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

One of New Zealand's leading building sector bodies is launching standard house designs that will be available to all, in an attempt to bring down costs.

The Building Research Association of New Zealand has developed an accessible plan for building an affordable and sustainable home. 

BRANZ General Manager of Research Dr Chris Litten says housing affordability is a significant issue in New Zealand - and the company's looking t...

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!

New data shows more young Kiwis are having issues finding work. Do we have any inspirational messages for young people looking for jobs? How can they get ahead? 

Is the UN interfering with NZ's sovereignty? 

Ray Chung has since apologised for his infamous e...

The Finance Minister says revelations she wanted to keep numbers attending this year's Budget lock-up more restricted than she suggested is a mountain out a of molehill.

After a wave of criticism directed at Treasury for restricting lock-up numbers - Nicola Willis said she stepped in to enable more people in.

An extra 30 people were added to the list.

But new OIA documents show it was actually Willis who pushed for tighter restrict...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 14 July 2025, how much money did we waste on the Te Pukenga experiment? Minister for Vocational Training Penny Simmonds tells Ryan Bridge the shocking cost, and why we're going back to 10 independent polytechs from next year.

A Tasman community has yet again been hit by mountains of slash. Ngātīmoti resident Steph Jewell reports from the clean-up and what should be...

Put your hand up if you've ever had a bus suddenly pull out in front of your car while you're driving along, minding your own beeswax.

I know. It's happened to everyone. They're long things aren't they, buses? So you can be halfway past one when they pull out, and all of a sudden you're slamming on the brakes or you're pushed into the wrong lane.

I don't mind admitting that until this very morning, I had assumed that buses must hav...

There's immense pressure for young New Zealanders trying to find work as opportunities decline.

Stats NZ data shows 16 percent of Kiwis aged 15-24 are unemployed.

NZ Careers Expo director Mark Gillard says the market conditions show it's a tough market for young workers.

"It's not anybody's fault, the onus is certainly there on employers, on industry organisations to engage with young people. There's been a propensity to step back ...

Paul Gallen is speaking out after things got heated between him and Sonny Bill Williams ahead of their high-profile match in Sydney.

The pre-fight press conference initially saw both fighters seemingly ready to skip the verbal jabs in exchange for the in-ring shots on Wednesday.

However, the latter stages saw Gallen accuse Williams of drug use - and for charging large sums for his community work. 

Gallen says he can't see hims...

The Government's assuring industry groups they'll still have influence as polytechnics change.

Next year, 10 polytechs will return to regional governance - but four remain under Te Pūkenga's umbrella.

More decisions will be made mid-next year. 

Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says these 10 institutions are following a planned pathway designed to boost long-term viability.

"This is work that should have happened 5-...

Huge landslides in Tasman have caused widespread destruction in the past week's damaging storms. 

The area's State of Emergency continues - but recovery efforts are in full swing after flooding, slips and power outages.

More than 800 properties are being assessed for damage in Tasman and Nelson.

The town of Ngātīmoti was badly hit.

Local Steph Jewell says logjams that meant homes flooded - are being cleared.

"Further up the li...

Moves have been made to restore regional governance to 10 polytechnics. 

The Government is undoing Labour's merger of institutes under the Te Pūkenga umbrella. 

The 10 selected are deemed to be on a path to financial viability - and will stand alone from next year. 

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says these changes will hopefully help the regions boost employment in the sectors calling out for...

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's hinting some more experienced squad members yet to get a run against France could get their opportunity in Saturday's third test in Hamilton.

An unassailable 2-nil series lead affords the hosts the chance to mix up their selections for the final match.

Robertson says they'll be balancing opportunity with continuity in picking their 23.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further.

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New data shows there's been a noticeable surge in high school students passing NCEA numeracy and literacy assessments.

Latest results show 57 percent achieved the maths standard across all year levels in May this year, up from 45 percent in the same month last year.

61 percent met the reading standard for all year levels - up from 58 percent.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says she's 'proud' to see that achievement rates have go...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 11th July 2025, the mayoral campaign for Wellington councillor Ray Chung appears to be in tatters after a sex gossip email he sent about Tory Whanau was made public. Chung told Ryan Bridge he stands by the email, and makes a jaw-dropping admission. 

Deborah Hart, the chair of the Holocaust Centre, is warning that antisemitism has moved from the fringes to the m...

Jewish leaders are calling for New Zealand to follow in Australia's footsteps and formulate an antisemitism strategy. 

The Australian special envoy's plan includes harsher hate speech laws and stripping funding where possible from broadcasters, universities and arts institutions.  

It follows a string of antisemitic attacks in Australia in the past few months. 

Holocaust Centre of New Zealand Chair Deborah Hart told ...

The Wellington Mayoral race was supposed to be winding down into boring town. 

Tory went wild, had a tipsy whirlwind on Courtenay Place. A bit of booze, a bit of dine and dashing. It was salacious, it was scandalous. 

As stories of late-night escapades and unpaid bills and missed council meetings flooded the newspapers, the streets flooded, literally. Every time a scandal burst onto the front page of The Post, so did a pi...

Embattled Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung is refusing to pull out of the race, despite being ditched by a major financial backer.  

It comes after the Herald revealed Chung sent emails detailing an unsavoury sexual rumour about Mayor Tory Whanau – rumours she's categorically denied.  

The scandal has led to high-profile Wellington philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschik withdrawing his support for Chung’s campaign.&nbs...

Last week saw the All Blacks defeat France by a narrow four points. 

Despite facing a greener Les Bleus side, the All Blacks struggled a bit in getting that victory over the line. 

Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Ryan Bridge that last week’s result could influence France in one of two ways. 

He says their close score could either be motivational, or they could think that Dunedin was their best shot at defeating th...