Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Episodes

October 21, 2025 2 mins

I think it's fair to say, don't you think, that Labour's first policy has been a flop? It's been panned by pretty much everybody worth listening to or worth reading.

I mean, I see Maiki Sherman over at TVNZ liked it last night. She called it a 'solid first hit' on telly, but I think everyone else seems to have seen through what Chippy's trying to do here.

Let me quote you some.

Tom Pullar-Strecker at The Post: Labour's Future ...

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The Labour Party says there needs to be a probe into the Public Service Commission posting ads about Thursday's mega-strike.  

About 100,000 workers in health and education are set to walk off the job later this week.

Several commission adverts have appeared on social media - outlining how it'll disrupt services.

PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the Commission is running political lines espoused by the Government.

...

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Six60 have unveiled a new country and roots music festival in Matakana, which is set to take place this January.

The 'Sweet Home Aotearoa' festival line-up will be curated by Six60 and promises to feature big names to bring a taste of Nashville to New Zealand shores. 

Six60 lead singer and guitarist Matiu Walters says he's felt a strong connection to country and roots music every time he goes to Nashville - and he thought it w...

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Sports Minister Mark Mitchell has outlined why he feels it was time for the Government to step in with the ongoing Netball New Zealand v Dame Noeline Taurua saga.

The side-lined Silver Ferns coach and the national body remain at an impasse concerning issues with the high performance environment.

Mitchell says the situation has simply dragged on for far too long.

"Everyone involved loves netball, but the fact of the matter is that t...

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Questions have been raised regarding the Government claim over changes likely to make it harder for Māori to claim customary marine titles.

The divisive Marine and Coastal Area Amendment Bill is likely to pass its third reading in the House tonight.

The Government claims it'll restore the legislation to its original intent.

Former Attorney-General Chris Finlayson says these changes aren't restoring any laws or clarifying anything.

...

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An unexpected Labour policy announcement was a bit of a shock for leader Chris Hipkins today. 

Health spokesperson, Ayesha Verrall revealed the policy in an op-ed for New Zealand Doctor magazine. 

It proposes to create an independent body to estimate and allocate GP funding increases, rather than the Government.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Labour 'botched up' the rollout of this announcemen...

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Reports indicate the US is pushing ahead with the AUKUS deal, with Australia getting nuclear powered submarines from the US.

President Donald Trump's held talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the White House today on defence and trade.

Trump also cleared doubt on the deal between Australia, the US and UK.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says concerns were raised ahead of the meeting, but the deal worked out well for A...

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The Netball New Zealand v Dame Noeline Taurua saga is beginning to gain traction inside the halls of Parliament.

Labour MP Willie Jackson is urging Sports Minister Mark Mitchell to freeze the Netball New Zealand funding until it clears up the suspension of Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua.

Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explained the situation further.

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A survey of roadworkers has found many face routine abuse, attacks, and some are even purposely hit by cars, according to new reports.

The survey, which was run by Temporary Traffic Management Industry Steering Group, included 667 workers across New Zealand who described their experiences with verbal abuse and physical assault.

Pipeline & Civil Ltd owner Hugh Goddard says he's heard his staff have been yelled at, almost hit by ...

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A rare daylight robbery has been executed at the world's most visited art museum. 

Items of 'incalculable' value were stolen in a seven minute heist at the Louvre museum in Paris - just after it opened. 

The thieves rode a basket lift up the museum's facade, forced a window and fled with France's Crown and Napoleonic jewels.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey unpacked the ongoing investigation.

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A multi-million-dollar class action against ANZ New Zealand over historic disclosure obligations looks likely to go ahead.

ASB earlier this month settled its part in the four-year class action for $135.6 million - without conceding liability or wrongdoing.

ANZ Chief Executive Antonia Watson has voiced disappointment with the development.

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Recent Stats NZ data shows annual inflation hit three percent in September - the upper limit of the Reserve Bank's target range.

This has sparked mixed reactions from the Government, but it's unclear if New Zealand avoided another technical recession.

Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacked the market responses.

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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...

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October 20, 2025 101 mins

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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