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
Global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, prompting speculation.
This follows other companies backing out of climate initiatives, with the Net Zero Banking Alliance confirming it was set to shut down earlier in the week.
Agribusiness expert Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says it's likely the Alliance didn't move fast enough for Nestle, and they're taking their support elsewhere.
"The Alliance has not wo...
Tenants and landlords may soon have more powers to end an agreement over methamphetamine contamination.
The Government is establishing clear standards for the amount of contamination legally allowed in rentals.
If there is meth residue levels of 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres, the landlord must address it.
Tenancy Advisory Director Sarina Gibbon says a tenancy can be quickly ended if levels are double this - and she...
There's confidence Israeli hostages will be released as early as this weekend, with Hamas and Israel today agreeing to the first phase of a peace plan.
It includes Hamas releasing hostages and Israel withdrawing some forces from Gaza.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the news - and urges Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution.
Australian National University lecturer Anas Iqtait says thi...
Te Pāti Māori's pledged to concentrate on policy - and listen more.
The party held its promised reset event at Parliament this afternoon, reflecting on its history and looking towards next year's election.
Former Te Pāti Māori co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says a party reset would be a good move.
"What that means in terms of translating into policy gains, what it means in terms of taking an approach to the country and reflectin...
Oriini Kaipara is promising to use te Reo Māori as much as possible, as she launches her political life.
The newly sworn-in Te Pati Māori MP presented her maiden speech to Parliament today, followed by a number of waiata in the House.
Parliament was temporarily suspended when people in the public gallery broke out in a haka - met with dismay by Speaker Gerry Brownlee.
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped ...
US President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of a peace framework for Gaza.
Mediators in Egypt have been overseeing negotiations over several days.
The first phase includes releasing all hostages - and initial withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of the Strip.
Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Australian Government has voiced support for these new measures.
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The Breakers are on the board in their ANBL basketball campaign with a 117-88 win over the Hawks in Auckland.
Guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 20 points and registered a franchise record 17 assists.
Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.
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There's growing support for a call to decriminalise drugs in order to reduce harm.
The Drug Foundation's released a report calling drug laws of the past 50 years a 'colossal failure'.
It is pushing for decriminalising use - and more investment in health and addiction services.
Victoria University criminology professor Fiona Hutton says the status quo isn't working.
"Things like drug overdoses are rising, addiction...
Sharesies is launching its own debit card today and promising the new product will be a change from traditional card reward programmes.
The micro-trading platform says the Sharesies Debit Mastercard will earn customers 1% “Investback”.
That meant earnings accrued from using the card would automatically be invested on a weekly basis into a nominated investment on the Sharesies app.
Sharesies Personal General Manager Scott Nixon join...
The Government says it has no intention of decriminalising drug use, despite a confronting new report.
The Drug Foundation paper suggest the Misuse of Drugs Act has compounded harm - and needs overhauling.
But Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says change isn't on the agenda this term.
NZ Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm joined the Afternoons team to explain further.
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Top British security officials will face questions over an aborted China spying case brought by its chief prosecutor, which collapsed as it is seeking to rebuild economic ties with the country.
The case against Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash, who were charged last year under the Official Secrets Act over allegations they spied for China between 2021 and 2023, was dropped last month.
UK correspondent Gail Downey explained fu...
The Reserve Bank today slashed the OCR by 50 basis points to 2.5 percent, prompting markets to make readjustments.
This recent cut wasn't full priced in, and it's got some experts re-thinking their OCR outlooks ahead of the end of the year.
Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan explains further.
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Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
Eight international rugby unions, including New Zealand, have tried to warn their players off joining the proposed Rugby 360 league. What do we make of all this?
The OCR dropped another 50 basis points today - should we be celebrating? Or could the ce...
ASB recently agreed to pay $135.6 million to settle a class action for allegedly breaching the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.
ANZ has refused to settle, and it's prompted concerns over recent proposed banking reforms are at risk.
Banking Reform Coalition convener Kent Duston explained further.
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A major new report is warning that more than 1000 seaside homes could suffer significant damage from extreme weather by 2060.
And hundreds of thousands of homes worth an estimated $180 billion are located in flood-prone areas, according to Our Marine Environment 2025 from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ.
Alison Collins from the Ministry for the Environment says many of these homes are in low-lying coastal communities ...
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 8 October 2025, the Reserve Bank has pulled out the big guns and cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points today. Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr speaks to Heather.
Former National Party staffer Ben Thomas says National polling in the 20s is not good news for Chris Luxon.
NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson explains why rugby unions across the world don't want p...
Good news - the Reserve Bank has finally done the thing many of us thought was necessary, and they've gone for a double cut in the OCR of 50 basis points.
That's the good news. The bad news is that they've been forced to do it because they didn't do it earlier, as in, they haven't cut as quickly as they should have.
I mean, think back to July when they actually chose not to cut at all, which was clearly a mistake at the time -...
Eight international rugby unions, including New Zealand, have warned players that they won't be eligible for high-level selection if they switch to the proposed Rugby 360 league.
There have been rumours of monetary offers directed at high-level rugby and league players for the competition, which is being promoted by former England international Mike Tindall.
NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson says many of the other unions haven't been as c...
Queenstown Airport is flying high, thanks to a surge in visitors.
It's been named Large Airport of the Year at the national awards - with judges praising its strong safety record, commercial success, and community engagement.
They were also impressed with its new end-of-runway safety system.
Chief operating officer Todd Grace says the airport's seen strong growth since Covid.
He says they're the only airport in New Zealand operatin...
There's claims a rebounding economy could propel National to another election win.
But a former senior National staffer also says next year's election is looking like a toss-up.
The recent Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll has the party on just 29.6 percent - one of its lowest results since returning to Government.
Ben Thomas says that's not a good place to be.
"That is a psychological threshold - we used to be thinking that ...
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