Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

I've got a life tip for you - Grownups should not post their opinions on social media. Case in point, Gary Lineker.

Now, Gary is about to announce that he's leaving his job at the BBC because of a social media post. This, in the UK, is very big news.

Gary's a very popular host. He's the highest earner at the BBC because of how popular he is. He gets a salary of about $3 million New Zealand dollars, he's a former professional f...

The 2025 Budget is due out this week - and the Finance Minister's feeling hopeful despite the concerns around Te Pāti Māori's antics.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon made it clear earlier today that National will not make any concessions on the Privileges Committee's recommendation to suspend three Te Pāti Māori MPs from Parliament.

Nicola Willis says this week is all about the Budget - which aims to address concerns Kiwis have about th...

The owners of a Mt Eden villa has voiced disapproval after Auckland Council demanded they remove double-glazed windows from their house to comply with heritage rules - claiming the order is 'expensive' and 'unnecessary'.

The new windows have aluminium frames instead of the traditional timber frames - and open up to the outsides, rather than side upwards like the traditional sash windows.

Alex Witten-Hannah, a lawyer representing th...

A bustle of butter-buying at Auckland's Costco - where it costs $10 a kilo.

Stats NZ figures show the price of a block of butter has soared 65 percent in the past year.

Videos on social media show shoppers piling boxes of the spread into carts at the bulk-buy supermarket.

Former Costco managing director, Patrick Noone, says the store's very unlikely to try to stop bulk buying. 

He explained they did it once when eggs were shor...

The Associate Energy Minister says reversing natural gas policies will take time. 

Production fell 20 percent in the first quarter - compared on the year before - to 22.85 petajoules. 

Industry spokespeople say available gas is depleting and exploration of new fields is banned.

Shane Jones says the last Government wanted the sector shut down - and faith needs to be restored it has a future. 

"Since 2018 and 2019, whe...

There's concerns over extreme staff shortages in rural hospitals - as the Government announces funding to help urgent and after-hours care. 

Patient Voice Aotearoa has revealed more than 20 rural hospitals across the country are looking for one or more locum doctors.

The Far North's Dargaville, Bay of Islands, and Kaitaia hospitals are doctor-less - and relying on telehealth.

Chair Malcolm Mulholland says it's unclear how we c...

The Finance Minister says the Budget's designed to give businesses even more confidence for the future.

The Budget, released on Thursday, will put aside $65 million over four years, for loosening rules that might put off overseas investors from choosing New Zealand.

Nicola Willis says we can't let debt keep blowing out forever - and would risk the economy crumbling away if we allow major extra taxes or excessive borrowing. 

Ne...

Grieving Australian families feel 'insulted' by silence around the death of two teens in Laos last year.

Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles died alongside four others staying at Nana Backpackers hostel - after accidentally drinking methanol in alcohol shots.

In latest news, up to 13 people may face charges related to food and health security, eliminating evidence, and unlawful business. 

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson say...

Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis has come after earlier intense public scrutiny of his health fitness for the presidency. 

The former US President has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, with possible treatment available, although it's not curable and has spread to his bones. 

US correspondent Jonathan Kearsly says it comes at an interesting time - when his legacy is being questioned. 

"Hard questions, obviou...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 16 May 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather why she's begrudgingly signed off on an almost 600 million dollar subsidy for film productions.

Woolworths boss Pieter de Wet has hit back at the Government, saying its the cost of GST that's making New Zealand's groceries more expensive than in Australia.

Auckland FC Coach Steve Corica speaks to Heather ahe...

The chief suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance, who is currently serving a sentence for a rape conviction, is set to be released from prison in Germany later than originally scheduled.

Christian Brückner, 48, was convicted of raping a 72-year-old American tourist in Portugal in 2005 and had been scheduled for release in September, but this could now be pushed back to early next year.

He has never been charged in the McC...

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