Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Let's talk about this political poll.

National is behind Labour. National's on 32, Labour's on 34.

Now, this is not the first time that National has fallen behind Labour since the last election. The first time it happened was November last year. Then it happened again in January, twice. Then it happened again in March, twice.

Then it happened in May, then it happened twice in June, and then it happened twice jus...

The Finance Minister says the latest One-News Verian poll shows the fight is on. 

Chris Luxon's popularity has dropped to a two-year low, while National sit steady on 34 percent and Labour shoots up four to 33 percent. 

Today's earlier Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll predicted a hung Parliament.

Nicola Willis says it comes down to who people trust to steer the economy. 

"The reality is, the economy is still recovering. A...

Two South Auckland councillors are accusing the city's mayor of hypocrisy. 

Wayne Brown hit out at councillors for not attending meetings. 

Lotu Fuli and Alf Filipaina pointed to official data showing they'd outperformed Brown in attendance. 

In response, Brown claimed they were 'being Pacific victims'.  

Filipaina says Brown is the one playing the race card. 

"I think he just wants people to bow down to hi...

The race for Election 2026 is on a knife-edge, with this morning's new poll revealing it could go either way.

The new Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll projects a hung Parliament, at 61 seats each for the the left and right blocs.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the party aims to focus on the issues that matter to Kiwis ahead of the next election 

"I think New Zealanders want a Government of stability and I think Labour can deliver...

Christchurch is set to host one of Super Rugby's biggest events, locking in the first big sporting match for the city's new stadium.

The new Te Kaha stadium will host Super Rugby's 'Super Round' across Anzac weekend next season - one week after the venue has its grand opening.

Venues Ōtautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare says they've been waiting 15 years for this stadium and they're excited to crack on.

"We're confident, ...

One international relations expert says New Zealand needs to make up its mind on Palestinian statehood fairly quickly. 

Australia today promised to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September.

Our Government says it's still weighing options - and will decide over the next month. 

Otago University's Robert Patman says it'll be pondering whether recognition will strengthen or weaken Hamas.

But he...

Australia will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.

It will join other countries like Germany, France and the UK.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he wants a two state solution that recognises Israel and Palestine's right to exist. 

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says it's likely Australians will be mixed about this statement.

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Health NZ has acknowledged the pile of work needed on heart health.

Research by advocacy group Kia Manawanui Trust shows half of all heart attack patients aren't seen within internationally accepted timeframes.

It also finds New Zealand has a third of the cardiologists it needs. 

Health NZ chief clinical officer, Dr Richard Sullivan, says it's much broader than cardiologists - and the whole sector needs help.

"We need more ech...

A key player could be back for the Warriors' next NRL game against the Dragons at Mt Smart on Friday.

Hooker Wayde Egan's been dealing with a shoulder issue, with Freddy Lussick and Sam Healey filling in at dummy-half during their loss to the Bulldogs in Sydney.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains what this means for the team's chances of getting back into the top four.

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 8 August 2025, the Israeli security cabinet has approved plans to take full control of Gaza. Israeli journalist Haggai Matar tells Heather this specifically means the IDF wants to take control of Gaza City but it's unclear where civilians are supposed to go.

Oranga Tamariki is celebrating the end of the bootcamps pilot as a success. OT's Iain Chapman tells Heather ...

The UK Government has called the group Palestine Action ‘terrorists’ after members associated with the group were found on an RAF base. 

Palestine Action have organised a large protest in central London this weekend, but the Metropolitan Police are warning that anyone showing support for the group will be arrested.  

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey says that the predicted number of attendees at this protest will stretch polic...

A Treasury report has pointed out that government spending is still near its peak during the pandemic. 

This comes after finance minister Nicola Willis said her government won’t repeat the previous government’s mistakes. 

Former finance minister Ruth Richardson told Heather duPlessis-Allan that ‘[Nicola Willis] needs to face up to what the Treasury is telling her.’ 

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US President Donald Trump has called India a country with a ‘dead economy.’ 

Despite India being one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world, Trump lumped India in with Russia when criticising their economies. 

Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis says that Donald Trump’s comments could affect the two countries’ trade.  

He told Heather duPlessis-Allan that ‘It’s rather upended the relationship’ ...

Tonight on the Huddle, NewstalkZB Sports reporter Nathan Limm and Oceania Football Confederation media manager Matt Brown join Heather duPlessis-Allan to discuss the latest sports news. 

Should NZ keep letting top rugby players run away overseas? Or is it making it harder to track who will come home to play for the All Blacks. Will letting them go overseas devalue Super Rugby here? 

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An Oranga Tamariki Youth Justice senior leader's keen to see youth offender boot camps continue beyond the pilot. 

The 12-month military-style camp trial with 10 of New Zealand's most serious young offenders has wrapped. 

Eight completed the programme, seven re-offended requiring them to return to camp, and one passed away in a road accident. 

Oranga Tamariki Deputy CEO Ian Chapman says this was the last stop shop be...

Israel's expanding its military occupation of Gaza - forcing more than a million Palestinians out of Gaza City. 

Israel's security cabinet's approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan - in a nine hour meeting today.

It involves moving Palestinians out of the main population centres - and into compounds in southern Gaza. 

Israeli journalist Haggai Matar told Heather du-Plessis Allan that Israel already controls over...

The US President has said he would be happy to have a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

The focus of this meeting will likely be around peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. 

US Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley told Heather duPlessis-Allan that Donald Trump wants to be the middleman to this peace deal.  

‘He would want to make it look like he is the peacemaker.’ 

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So I don't know what's worse, the fact that Willow Jean Prime is a lazy, disinterested waste of space in Labour's team, or the fact that Labour's been busted almost lying about this. So let me get you across what happened, and you can decide for yourself. 

In March, Willow Jean Prime took over the Labour Party education portfolio from Jan Tonetti, and her National Party counterpart, Erika Stanford, sent her a text to say congr...