Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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

June 25, 2025 3 mins

Discussions are circling on whether now's the time to means-test Superannuation.

2023 Census data shows 33,000 over-65s earned $100,00-to-$200,000 dollars - and more than 9,000 topped that figure.

Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson says if there is a strong economic argument Super isn't affordable, means-testing could be worth it.

"If you're earning more than, say, $180,000 a year and you're claiming the super, then the cost to...

Mark as Played

Iran and Israel have had their first quiet night in almost two weeks, as a fragile ceasefire continues to hold.

President Donald Trump is slamming a leaked intelligence assessment suggesting this week's US strikes have left Iran's nuclear programmes largely intact.

He's posted calling it one of the most successful military strikes in history.

New Zealand's Israeli ambassador Alon Roth-Snir says it has at least removed the imminent ...

Mark as Played

There's growing calls for New Zealand to get realistic about our infrastructure.

The Infrastructure Commission's released a 30-year draft plan today  for future builds and upgrades to roads, hospitals and public buildings.

It highlights how we're not getting value, despite spending a lot.

Commission CEO, Geoff Cooper, says a large issue is our lack of spending on maintaining existing infrastructure.

He explained we are running...

Mark as Played

Can New Zealand plug its infrastructure gap by adopting spatial planning systems - or funding investment through user-pricing?

They're among ideas mooted in a 30-year infrastructure investment draft, proposed by the Infrastructure Commission.

NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan explains further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Reports claim US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities did not destroy the Iranian nuclear programme - and likely only set it back.

Details of the initial damage assessment from the Pentagon's Defence Intelligence Agency were recently leaked and the White House has been quick to fire back against it.

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump's conduct has been 'surprising' for a world leader. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/li...

Mark as Played

The Oceania Football Confederation is proud of Auckland City's campaign at the FIFA Club World Cup.

City bounced backed from two humbling losses by a combined 16 goals to draw 1-all with Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in Nashville.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

An Auckland councillor says the Government requiring larger apartments in the neighbourhood of new CRL train stations is in line with other council requests. 

The Government's announced Resource Management Bill amendments to allow apartments 10 and 15 storeys high around some central city terminals.

Councillor Richard Hills says it ties into requests to remove medium-density residential housing rules.

"We've also asked if we c...

Mark as Played

The new design for the national memorial for Queen Elizabeth II has been unveiled - set to be built in St James's Park in central London.

Lord Norman Foster's design team has been announced as the winner in the competition for a memorial to honour Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

UK correspondent Enda Brady says a separate statue for the late King Philip will also be built.

LISTEN ABOVE

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

Mark as Played

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

Christchurch school kids are advocating to change the name of Rolleston Ave because of William Rolleston's involvement in leading the deadly invasion of Parihaka in Taranaki. Is there a case for a name change or should we refrain from erasing hist...

Mark as Played

According to one expert, last week's GDP figures are a sign New Zealand's economy is on the up.

Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter.

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further,

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Rabobank Global Strategist Michael Every says Trump isn’t as “nutty” as people may think he is, as there can be upsides to trade wars and geopolitical crises.

The Country's Jamie Mackay caught up with him ahead of the Primary Industries New Zealand Summit.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Oil prices have been going through a volatile period over the last couple of weeks, following the recent conflict in the Middle East.

Prices spiked at the end of last week and then dropped as much as 8 percent, according to reports from earlier today.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

I can see that this idea of forcing rate caps on councils is taking off. So can I just express my concerns about this early on?

I personally love the idea of stopping councils from continually jacking up what they charge us, but I worry that this is not going to fix the situation, because it's not the actual problem, is it?

The actual problem is that councils spend our money on stupid stuff. A la, the light up toilets in Welli...

Mark as Played

Halter, a New Zealand tech company specialising in virtual fencing and animal management technology, has raised $165 million in a Series D fundraising round, valuing the company at $1.65 billion.

Started in 2016, Halter’s solar-powered, smart collars were guiding thousands of cattle by sound and vibration cues, allowing farmers to get rid of fencing on paddocks.

CEO and founder Craig Piggott says the technology helps farmers be mor...

Mark as Played

A group of Christchurch high school students want Rolleston Avenue renamed - after learning about its history.

It’s named for William Rolleston, who led the 1881 invasion of Parihaka in which 1600 Maori were forced off their land and left to starve.

Hagley College students told The Press keeping the name feels wrong.

Riccarton Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt says it's worth a discussion.

"That's the first step - anything outside of t...

Mark as Played

A Wellington Councillor's calling out her peers over a new $2.3-million-dollar CBD public toilet.

It replaces an old block that had become a crime hot-spot.

The building's wooden panels are lined with a $150,000 lighting system, designed to display a night-time show.

Diane Calvert says spending in the Capital follows a pattern.

"This is the culture in the organisation - it just has to change. Toilets are really important in our CBD...

Mark as Played

There's hope and relief from the ADHD community over prescription rule changes to improve treatment access. 

From February, GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to prescribe treatments from the outset - without a specialist recommendation. 

Wait times for specialist appointments vary, but can be over a year. 

ADHD NZ spokesperson Darrin Bull says over-diagnosis can be a concern, but these changes will still be en...

Mark as Played

The sun's rising in the Middle East - on an uncertain kind of ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

Iran State Television has claimed a ceasefire now applies - although Israel's made no official comment yet.

Earlier today, US President Donald Trump announced hostilities would pause between Israel and Iran, saying they want peace.

Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller says a very strange, staggered ceasefire reportedly applies.

"There's...

Mark as Played

Winston Peters is accusing the Greens of being one sided on the Middle East conflict.

The Foreign Minister's official statement says it's not a 'black and white situation'.

Peters says proxies for Iran, including Hamas and Hezbollah, have killed so many.

Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls explains further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides.  Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer  Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.