Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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! 

How many more dirty secrets are we going to find out about Prince Andrew? Could the royals have done more to get a handle on this?

Labour has unveiled their first big policy promise ahead of the election with their newly-proposed Future Fund. What do we make of...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 20 October 2025, inflation is up three percent - driven by large increases to electricity and rates bills. Kiwibank's Jarrod Kerr says this shouldn't stop the Reserve Bank from cutting the OCR further.

Labour's Chris Hipkins explains his party's first new policy in two years - the NZ Future Fund.

The scandals keep coming. Prince Andrew has promised he won't use his...

Well, even I didn't expect Prince Andrew to lose the use of his titles that fast.

It was about 5pm on Friday afternoon that I said that he would lose them - and about 7am the next morning, the news broke that he had.

But then again, I suppose we can see why it happened so fast, right? Because since that happened, it has just been one revelation after the other involving him.

First, the police are looking into reports that he t...

Drivers are likely to have to cough up for travelling on the Government's Roads of National Significance.

NZTA's board has endorsed the investment cases for all the roads. 

Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the default will be to toll the new roads in order to establish a clear revenue stream.

"Once you've built a road, it's all very well to have it there, but you've got to look after it as well."

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Prince Andrew allegedly asked a police officer to 'dig the dirt' on his accuser before the publishing of a now infamous photograph of the two.

Andrew's given up the title Duke of York amid turmoil surrounding his alleged involvement with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

It's believed he tried to obtain personal information about his deceased accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter says it's likely ther...

New Zealand's first-ever specialised elite sports school is set to open its doors next year, giving future athletes a space to study while building their sports careers.

This charter school will be run by the New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa and be based at Upper Hutt's NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport.

Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome says plenty of research was carried out into developing this programme.&nbs...

More investment in New Zealand businesses is Labour's announced goal in a policy released today.

It's modelling the Future Fund off the existing Super Fund, to be seeded with $200 million in Crown money and existing assets.

It'll invest solely in local projects. 

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says this project is designed to create jobs and keep more wealth here at home.

"We're focused on long-term investments, we own all of tho...

There's belief from some economists that inflation's peaked, and it's all downhill from here. 

It reached 3 percent in the year to September - up from 2.2 percent the year before.

Kiwibank says the third quarter is traditionally tough, and conditions are likely to improve as the year ends. 

Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr says he's satisfied domestic prices will now ease. 

"We think inflation, this time next yea...

Recent data shows inflation reached three percent in the year to September, and it's prompted concerns about the economy.

Stats NZ figures out today show the rate rose from 2.7 percent annually to June - hitting the top end of the Reserve Bank's target band.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this is higher than what the Government was hoping for, and it's unclear what this could mean for the Reserve Bank.

...

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan has stated Melbourne is perfectly safe, despite some recent incidents coming out of the city's CBD.

Two police officers were hospitalised after clashing with protesters during the weekend's March for Australia rally.

This attack came days after a woman was stabbed in the chest near Spencer St in broad daylight. 

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the police union has voiced concerns - ...

South Auckland's Tangaroa College has asked students to cover uniforms in public after videos of student brawls surfaced. 

Tension between students at Manukau schools is also spreading into online goading.

One video shows about 15 young people fighting, with one lying on the pavement being kicked in the head.

Principal Chris Bean says because Tangaroa College's uniform is so distinctive, he doesn't want students wearing it aro...

Health Minister Simeon Brown was met with booing at the senior doctors' annual conference before accusing doctors of  "crossing an ethical line" and threatening compulsory arbitration. 

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters fired off some threats of his own suggesting regulation for Fonterra if the Lactalis sale proceeds. 

ACT leader David Seymour hit back at Peter's threats saying t...

In July the Government announced a ban on surcharges on credit card payments in-store from May 2026 at the latest.

ACT is attempting to block this ban by allowing credit card surcharges, as long as other payment options are offered- such as cash or eftpos.

They suggest the ban will either increase prices for customers or unfairly punish businesses. 

ACT Commerce and Consumer Affairs spokesperson Dr Parmj...

The final report from a ministerial advisory group on organised crime recommends the urgent implementation of it's proposed solutions.

This includes a dedicated organised crime minister, a new strategy, and a charter to hold agencies accountable. 

The report calls organised crime one of the 'most significant threats' to New Zealand. 

Chair of the advisory group, Steve Symon, said to Heather du Plessis-Allen "organis...

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has doubled down on his criticism towards Fonterra's plan to sell Mainland and Anchor to the French company Lactalis. 

In an open letter to the company Peters threatened new regulations if the sale goes ahead.

ACT leader David Seymour hit back saying the decision should be up to the farmers, not the Government, a sentiment echoed by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday. 

Peter...