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
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has unveiled the 35-man squad set to play France - and there's some new names in the batch.
Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister is among the new faces included in the All Blacks squad.
He says he didn't get a heads-up about this development - and he says he's in 'shock'.
"I'm just looking forward to getting in there and getting stuck in."
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The Immigration Minister says the first proper data will be collected on the value overseas investors bring to New Zealand.
The Government's confirmed almost 200 applications have been received from overseas investors since settings loosened in April.
Erica Stanford says applicants have six months to find and make an investment.
But she explained what happens after the initial funding is often more significant.
"...
A past-advisor to a former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says a clear and timely assessment of damage to Iran's nuclear programme, is unlikely.
David Kilcullen says the US is presenting its strikes as complete destruction.
"There's really no way to tell that until somebody gets in there and takes a look - and there's very little chance of that."
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Less than a third of respondents to a poll believe the Cook Islands should still get New Zealand services.
Last week, the Government paused aid after the Cooks signed a partnership with China, without sharing any details with New Zealand.
The Taxpayers' Union-funded Curia poll asked participants whether the Cooks should continue to have automatic access to New Zealand passports, citizenship and healthcare when pursuing foreig...
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia supports the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities - but has voiced concerns about potential escalation.
Albanese indicated no Australian resources or support were contributed towards the Trump administration's actions in the Middle East.
Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the Prime Minister has maintained Iran must not be allowed to possess atomic weapons.
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Du'Plessis Kirifi's decision to turn done an offer from Japan has been vindicated.
The Hurricanes flanker is one of five new caps in the All Blacks squad to face France.
He's also one of only five loose forwards in the 33 names read out today - with coach Scott Robertson opting to maximise game time of those selected.
Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith explains further.
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Prime Minister Chris Luxon has expressed interest in scrapping regional councils as part of the new RMA reforms - and it's sparked debate among experts.
NZ First's Shane Jones has expressed similar sentiments, having recently told a local Government forum he doesn't see a compelling reason for maintaining regional Government.
Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter says there's a need to amalgamate local author...
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 19 June 2025, New Zealand has pulled almost $20 million of funding to the Cook Islands. Cook Islands News journalist Rashneel Kumar broke the story, he tells Heather how he found out and how terrible our relationship is right now.
Kiwibank's Jarrod Kerr is celebrating a surprisingly good GDP number for the first three months of the year - but still thinks more cu...
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently chaired a meeting to discuss the UK’s response to the crisis in the Middle East.
There's growing concerns the conflict could escalate further, should the US enter the conflict between Israel and Iran.
UK correspondent Enda Brady says the UK Government will be weighing up a series of options, as the US hasn't revealed what actions they plan to take.
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Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and Wellbeing Economy Alliance director Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
Farmers are up in arms over new changes to the FBT that could potentially impact ute owners. What do we make of this? Do we see the Government changing this?
Was it a mistake for New Zealand to pull funding for the Cook Isla...
The Israel-Iran conflict has continued on for a week - and it's seen markets dropping as more fear the conflict intensifying.
Experts also believes markets are likely to drop further if the US gets more involved in the conflict.
Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains the market impact of the conflict.
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Brendan Attrill, of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki, has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
Attrill received the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at Tākina in Wellington.
The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further.
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New data out of Stats NZ reveals the country's gross domestic product grew by 0.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025.
It's a stronger result than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury.
NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks these results - and voices his concerns about the future.
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New research indicates New Zealand may be removing more carbon than it produces.
A new study from NIWA has highlighted a potential carbon sink in Fiordland's native forests - and researchers found our environment absorbs at least 170 million tonnes of carbon per year.
NIWA atmospheric scientist Beata Bukosa says it's still unclear where the carbon goes - and more research needs to be carried out.
"It's maybe potentially exported so...
Federated Farmers is calling on Revenue Minister Simon Watts to rule out new changes to the Fringe Benefit tax that would impact utes.
The IRD has proposed major changes to the way FBT applies to utes and farmers are concerned this would set them back thousands of dollars a year.
Federated Farmers' transport spokesperson Mark Hooper says this issue started drawing in more attention post-Fieldays.
"We've had a little bit of communic...
One expert has offered a positive view on Kiwi university ratings.
Four of our institutions have improved their standing in the prestigious QS World University Rankings.
Auckland University is highest at 65th place, and Otago is in the top 200 for the first time since 2022.
Universities NZ chief executive Chris Whelan says they're good results.
"Given the funding that we have per student is less than half of, say, the equivalent in...
There's claims the Cook Islands were left in the dark over New Zealand pausing funding.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says a $20-million-dollar pot of development aid won't resume until trust is restored between our countries, who operate under a special relationship.
Its Prime Minister signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, without giving New Zealand any insight on the deal.
Cook Islands journ...
Kiwibank's chief economist says GDP figures released today show good momentum - but the next report isn't looking as good.
Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter.
It's much higher than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury.
Jarrod Kerr says there is less optimism around the quarter ending June.
"The data that we talked about was for the first quarter - obviou...
The Foreign Minister's pushing back on suggestions our geopolitical stoush with the Cook Islands will impact our relationship with China.
Winston Peters this morning confirmed the Government's halted development aid to the Cooks, with his Ministry unhappy over the lack of clarity around the island nation's cooperation deal with China.
Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Peters made it clear that New Zealand's ...
After weeks and weeks of hearings, Erin Patterson's deadly mushroom trial is nearing its end.
The 50-year-old is accused of intentionally serving a poisonous mushroom dish to her estranged husband's family in 2023.
She maintains her innocence.
Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the jury is set to retire soon - and then a verdict will be unveiled.
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