Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A new three-level luxury department store is set to open on Auckland's Queen Street next year. 

The new store will be located at 131 Queen St and is set to include valet parking and an espresso music bar.

Luxury retailer Faradays is behind the $30 million development. 

Faradays Co-Founder and Chief Executive Eddie von Dadelszen said to Heather du Plessis-Allan, "the building itself, we're inheriting some...

I think I am more interested in seeing how Zoran Mamdani goes than any other Democrat that I can remember in a very, very, very long time, because I genuinely am not sure if this is gonna go brilliantly for him. And he's the next big thing, or he's the next big disappointment, because there is no way, is there? Like, no way at all he's gonna be able to do everything that he's promised. I mean, he might be able to do a rent freeze i...

ACT leader David Seymour's controversial school lunch programme is getting a makeover going into it's second year of operation.

The changes include catering giant Compass Group no longer providing lunches to primary schools- but they will still provide meals for secondary schools and intermediates. 

Seymour told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "a subcontractor failed in term one of this year, there was a lot of publicity around that...

Donald Trump has announced to reduce the costs of some weight loss drugs, or as he calls them 'fat shots'.

The Trump administration claims that Americans could lose 61 billion kilogrammes combined because of this deal.

A US$1 trillion pay package, endorsed by Tesla shareholders, could be headed for Elon Musk .

Meanwhile, the Government shutdown, which has now reached 37 days, is leading to flight delays and cancellations ...

Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis announced today that the Government will boost New Zealand's screen rebate for the goal of bringing Hollywood back to New Zealand. 

Overseas productions will now be able to claim a 25% rebate on what they spend here, up from 20%, when they invest more than $20 million.

Australia currently offers up to 40% while Canada and the UK offer around 30%.

Harry Harrison said to Heather du Plessis-...

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

The Michelin Guide is coming to New Zealand - and it cost Tourism New Zealand over $6 million to get it going. Is this good news for tourism? And is this a worthy investment?

Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick has raised concerns with the Government's proposed soluti...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday 6th November - Auckland Central MP and Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick tells Heather why she thinks there's "hysteria" around the rough sleeper issue.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell reacts to Jevon McSkimming pleading guilty to possessing objectionable material.

Famed New Zealand chef Ben Bayly celebrates the Michelin Guide coming to our shores.

...

How good is this idea of bringing Michelin to New Zealand in the hope that some of our restaurants will get some stars awarded? 

Now, this is not free. We have to pay for it and we have to pay actually quite a lot of money for it.

It's costing Tourism New Zealand nearly six and a half million dollars, and that's just for the first three years. And I don't know how much you have to pay after that. 

But take a look at what ...

A meeting between battling factions in Te Pāti Māori's closer to being a reality.

The party's faced weeks of turmoil and infighting, culminating in party president John Tamihere calling for the resignation of MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris.

The party's leadership has agreed to a meeting next week to work through the issues with its MPs.

Iwi leaders met with Takuta Ferris today.

Ngāti Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber says F...

There's excitement among Kiwi food experts and hospo giants about what the Michelin Guide's arrival could do for tourism.

Tourism New Zealand is investing $6.3 million to bring the guide to New Zealand, and it's estimated 36,000 more international visitors could be drawn in as a result.

Executive chef at Ahi and New Zealand Food Story host Ben Bayly says this move will give the nation's food sector more credibility.

"Let's face it,...

Fire and Emergency NZ is looking into cutting jobs in a bid to save $50 million a year.

It says it's in a tightening financial bind, and a significant restructure is on the cards - with consultation documents set to be sent to staff by next week.

NZ Firefighters Union national secretary Wattie Watson says Fire and Emergency has already cut a recruit course set to take place in January.

"We've got some real worries there - the recru...

The Police Minister says he's pleased former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming's pleaded guilty to having child exploitation and bestiality images on work devices.

He admitted to three representative charges in Wellington District Court this afternoon. 

Court documents reveal the 52-year-old made thousands of Google searches, many seeking AI-generated or cartoon images.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says this result ...

Officials warn the $200 million set aside to encourage gas exploration may be too small - with production falling and closure of the ageing Māui field looming.

The Government's widening the scope and terms of the commercial co-investment fund.

BusinessDesk reports a Cabinet paper released today states the field will stop production, with the rest of the sentence redacted.

Resources Minister Shane Jones says he isn't privy to when t...

Over in Australia, former drug kingpin Tony Mokbel managed to avoid additional time in prison over a drug trafficking conviction. 

Mokbel, one of the key figures in Melbourne’s gangland war, was sentenced to 30 years’ jail after pleading guilty to serious drug-related offences in 2012. 

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says reports have surfaced accusing his lawyer of corruption, prompting an additional investigation.