Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

New research from the Financial Services Council reveals that New Zealanders are quick to insure their cars, homes, and gadgets - but they're far less likely to protect their health, income, and lives.

The report, titled Money & You: Valuing Belongings Over Ourselves, shows New Zealanders are twice as likely to have car insurance over life or health insurance.

FSC CEO Kirk Hope says expanding access to private insurance th...

The Commerce Commission is taking Foodstuffs North Island and its subsidiary Gilmours Wholesale to court, citing what it labels 'cartel conduct'.

The regulator has alleged that the retailers pressured a supplier into an agreement to redirect supply through them.

Competition lawyer Andy Matthews says it's all allegations at this stage, but New Zealand has very 'broad' cartel laws.

"What it means is - pretty much any agreement with a...

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Minister Stuart Nash and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  

David Seymour's rebuttal letter to the UN has ended in an awkward walkback after Prime Minister Chris Luxon told him off. What do we make of this?

Australia is debating whether or not to put cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks. Do we need to follow ...

The Government's introduced a bill today to get local Government back focused on the basics.

But the fact they've strayed so far from potholes, rubbish and waste water is as much our fault as the councillors and mayors running the budgets.

The Government's bill contains the wildly controversial stuff like:

"Prioritising core services when managing finances and setting rates." And "new financial performance measures for councils, wi...

David Seymour is standing by his letter to the UN - now withdrawn.

He wrote responding to an official who'd expressed concerns about the impact of Seymour's Regulatory Standards Bill on Māori.

The Prime Minister says that's a job for the Foreign Minister and Seymour's conceded it's better to a have a single Government response, led by Winston Peters.

Seymour says he still needs to work out how to undo the letter he sent.

"I'll prob...

TRA’s latest New Zealand’s Favourite Ads survey for June 2025 has revealed what ads Kiwis are loving the most - and one of the top contenders is powered by AI.

Skinny's new ad campaign starring a digitally cloned 64-year-old Liz Wright - chosen from hundreds of entries in a nationwide search - rounded out the top 10 in a list including Tux, One NZ, KFC and Turners. 

Spark's marketing and data director, Matt Bain, says AI has a...

A significant moment for Ukraine - as the US falls into line with NATO. 

President Donald Trump's pledged billions of dollars of weapons to Ukraine, through a sale to NATO. 

He's also threatening Russia with 100 percent secondary tariffs if the Kremlin doesn't make a ceasefire deal within 50 days. 

Former Australian ambassador to Russia, Peter Tesch says US policy is too fickle to make this a complete game changer.

"...

The Local Government Minister says new legislation in the works will give councils clarity. 

An amendment bill's been introduced to Parliament to make local bodies focus on core services. 

It also demands regular public progress reports - and disclosure on the cost of consultants and contractors. 

Simon Watts says it's a return to bread and butter duties. 

"Previously, terms like social, cultural and economic ty...

David Seymour's withdrawn a letter he sent to the United Nations after being called out by the Prime Minister. 

A United Nations' official's letter was critical of the Regulatory Standards Bill, saying it excluded Māori traditions.

Seymour, the Minister responsible for the bill, replied that as an indigenous New Zealander himself, he's deeply aggrieved by the UN's audacity in presuming to speak on his behalf.

 Newstalk ZB...

Anthony Albanese and Xi Jinping have met in Beijing, kicking off high-level talks as Australia and China strive to focus on economic co-operation rather than their increasingly militaristic regional rivalry.

With the Australian and Chinese national flags adorning the walls, it was a welcome befitting the charm offensive waged on the Australian Prime Minister since landing over the weekend.

Australian correspondent Charles Croucher ...

The Blues’ contract with Eden Park is drawing to a close, and a decision on where they will move their home games to is yet to be made.

In a survey sent to supporters, the franchise asked fans whether they would be more likely to attend Blues matches if they were moved to Mt Smart instead of Eden Park next Super Rugby season.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine weighs in on the discussion.

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New data shows that house prices have dropped for the fourth consecutive month in June.

The Real Estate Institute of NZ shows that across the entire country, the HPI declined by 0.8 percent in June compared to May.

Property commentator Ashley Church says the cause of this downturn goes all the way back to 2021, when Covid impacted interest rates.

"The Reserve Bank, as a result of that, recognized what it had done, reversed course a...

The EU's retaliatory tariffs on US exports have been delayed again - this time until early next month.

The countermeasures, which were due to begin this month, came in response to President Donald Trump's initial import taxes on steel and aluminium.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Trump has recently threatened to bring in higher tariffs for the European Union on top of the earlier sanctions. 

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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...