Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Crusaders are hoping their new home at One NZ Stadium won't take away one of their greatest advantages. The most successful team in Super Rugby history will play a final match at their 14-year stop-gap stadium in Addington tomorrow night when they tackle the Drua. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cook Islands doesn’t want a New Zealand Navy base on its shores, but it does want stronger collaboration. Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown have signed a defence and security declaration, which includes restoring 30 million dollars in funding. The agreement eases tensions that flared when the Cook Islands struck a deal with China last year. Brown says he's 'pleased' both countries were able to sign off on this agreement. "It sets a foundation, really, for us to build on our relationship going forward. So for us here in the Cook Islands, we're really happy with this."   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain's Supreme Court has ruled that a man kissing the hand of a woman without her consent can constitute sexual assault. This follows an incident from 2023, where a man approached a woman in Madrid, kissed her hand and made gestures to suggest she follow him and that he would pay her. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB is facing a fine of around $6 million for breaching anti-money laundering rules.  Banks are required to do their due diligence with their money, in order to comply with existing legislation - but ASB hasn't followed the right systems.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After multiple delays, Kathmandu’s parent KMD Brands filed its half-year results, revealing details of a discounted capital raise and news that chairman David Kirk is stepping down. The company, which owns outdoor brands Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz, reported a net loss of $13.1 million, sparking concerns among investors.  Milford Asset Management expert Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allbirds, the eco-chic footwear brand co-founded by former All White Tim Brown, has agreed to sell its 'intellectual property and certain other assets' to American Exchange Group. The brand will be sold for an estimated value of $68 million NZD - a fraction of the company's original net worth. NZ Herald senior business writer Chris Keall says the company's been in decline for years - with too many key factors going wrong.  "The overarching thing is that it's never been able to make a profit, but it's making sustainable shoes from New Zealand merino wool and recycled materials - but not at a sustainable price." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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! Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith says changes for the Broadcasting Standards Authority could be made after it deemed it has authority over online broadcasters, after it received a complaint against The Platform. Do we think it needs to be updated? Parliament's debating a member's bill to let pubs sell alcohol on selected public holidays without needing to serve a meal. Do we think this change needs to be made? The Post is reporting Fire and Emergency’s deputy chair and board members will get pay increases of up to 79 percent. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 1 April, 2026, you can now have a beer at your local on Good Friday - without having to buy a meal. We ask Labour MP Kieran McAnulty why he pushed for the change. We talk to the Firefighters Union about their long-running battle for a pay rise while the Fire and Emergency board is getting a 79% increase. A therapist says yes, we do have our favourite child. And on The Huddle, Jordan Williams and Mark Sainsbury discuss the latest political poll blow for the National Party. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’d like to know how you feel about the firefighters and their strike because I’ve gone from soft support a few weeks ago to very hard support today. What’s tipped me over the edge is this kerfuffle around board pay. Frankly, it’s one of the most tone-deaf things I’ve seen in a very long time. The board are set to receive pay rises of up to 79 percent. Meanwhile, firefighters have been fighting - and now striking - for 18 months just to get pay increases. Most of them sit somewhere above the minimum wage but below the living wage, which is not a lot of money to pay people who literally go into burning buildings. If these board pay increases go ahead as planned, the board chair will be paid more than any frontline firefighter on the base salary. One of those people is out there fighting fires and risking their life, the other is running the organisation - and running it badly. That last point matters. If Fire and Emergency New Zealand had a strong track record we could point to, a pay rise of this scale might at least be explained, if not justified. But this is a terribly run organisation. They’ve failed to settle a pay dispute for 18 months. Fire trucks break down so often it’s ridiculous - and quite scary. Equipment is failing. They paid for a fleet of fire trucks that arrived in the country too small to be used for rescues because the equipment doesn’t fit. They’ve spent $500,000 on a chief executive and $2.37 million on seven deputy chief executives. There are now calls for a review into Fire and Emergency NZ because the place is so badly run. I’m usually sympathetic to the argument that you need to pay decent rates to attract decent talent. But that’s not what’s happening here. This is simply a plan to increase the pay of the same people who are already doing a poor job running the organisation. It’s unreal that this is happening. But in a strange way, it may actually be a gift to the striking firefighters. If they didn’t already have enough public support, surely seeing the kind of outfit they’re dealing with will generate some sympathy for their plight. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith has revealed he's mulling over changes to the Broadcasting Standards Authority.  Set up in 1989, the Authority has regulatory powers over traditional broadcasters - but today ruled it can consider complaints against online broadcasters too.  NZ First's Winston Peters has labelled the move 'fascist behaviour' and Goldsmith says he's working on a response.  "The legislation is out of date, there's no question about that...it relates to a world where you just had broadcasting TV and broadcasting radio, so there was a situation built up around that. Now, of course, the world's moved on."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No matter how many times a parent may claim they don't have a favourite child, research has indicated preferential treatment does take place. A meta‑analysis published in Psychological Bulletin - drawing on data from more than 19,000 people across 30 studies in the US, Canada and Western Europe between 2015 and 2022 found that daughters were preferred.  Therapist Jo Robertson says this research can be interpreted in many ways. "A lot of research shows that what we ask of our girls is different to what we ask of our sons. So I think it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Prime Minister will address the nation tonight outlining how Australians can help with the fuel crisis.  It's understood Anthony Albanese will urge people to save fuel for industries that most need it.  It's the first time an Australian Prime Minister has delivered a national address since Scott Morrison did during Covid-19 in March 2020.  Australian correspondent Charles Croucher says the timing is strategic.  "This is an attempt to put everyone on the same page, before we go into that Easter long weekend and then school holidays over here. You kind of lose the audience if you're the PM." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour MP Kieran McAnulty says his member's bill to loosen liquor regulations on key public holidays will clear up confusion. It would allow hospitality venues to sell alcohol on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day morning and Christmas Day - without needing to serve a meal. The bill could be in place by this Easter weekend, with its final reading underway in Parliament. McAnulty says venues currently have to operate under different rules than the rest of the year, which doesn't make any sense. "All I'm proposing is that on these days, the businesses that are already operating and the workers that are already working anyway can just do so under normal conditions."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, the fuel supply update shows the amount of jet fuel in the country sat at 22.1 days of supply as of Sunday, down from 25.3 recorded last Wednesday.  Diesel's about the same at 21.6 days - meanwhile petrol was up on Sunday, at 29.3 days of supply.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says we'll find out about the Government's new plans for the crisis tommorow. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US judge has halted construction of Donald Trump's nearly $700 million White House ballroom. The President had the East Wing bowled last year to make way for the project. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has been granted a request for a preliminary injunction, alleging Trump exceeded his authority by not getting Congress approval before launching into construction. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this delay will give Trump time to appeal the decision.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Black Ardie Savea appears to have reconciled with New Zealand Rugby after a potential estrangement last year. The Herald reports he came close to international retirement after the defeat to England at Twickenham. Savea was understood to have become disillusioned with the amount of the sport he was playing and time away from home, despite moving from the Hurricanes to Moana Pasifika and opting for a couple of sabbaticals in Japan. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been confirmed Fire and Emergency’s board members are getting pay rises of up to 79 percent amid prolonged industrial action. A departmental briefing recommended Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden approve large increases to board pay packets in December. NZ Firefighters Union national secretary Wattie Watson has voiced outrage with this move, as strike action is set to continue. "It's outrageous when we have our three lowest ranks barely getting paid minimum wage, they're not even getting paid the living wage  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The BBC has reported that Beatrice and Eugenie, the daughters of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, won't be at the royal family's traditional Easter service this year. The gathering at St George's Chapel takes place every year, but the pair have reportedly made 'alternative plans' as their parents face scrutiny over their connections to Jefferey Epstein. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's unlikely the four will be invited to future royal events going forward.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Middle East conflict continues on for another week, and it's led to economic forecasters revising their predictions for recovery. Significant cuts to growth, higher inflation, lower investment, household consumption, and higher unemployment appear to be on the cards, according to new reports.  HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says it's unclear how the central banks on both sides of the Tasman will proceed.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power bills are set to go up from tomorrow, from as high as 5 to 10 percent. Electricity lines charges are set to go up, following an earlier Commerce Commission decision to allow for the charges to go up. Consumer NZ's Paul Fuge explained that these increases will vary across households, with some seeing higher increases and some seeing lower ones.  "Because it is so convoluted and so complex and the maths is so hard, we have to run the service we've been running for 25 years now to try and help people make heads or tails of this." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federated Farmers High Country Field Day recently took place at Glenaray station in the Waikaia Valley. Over 280 visitors visited various sites across the farm to discuss the issues impacting New Zealand's rural sector. The Country's Jamie Mackay recapped the action, and speculated about the lack of Labour MPs at the event.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 31 March, 2026, New Zealand Herald senior reporter David Fisher says he's amazed it took so long to quash David Tamihere's double-murder convictions. We talk to Iran's ambassador to New Zealand about Donald Trump's threat to "obliterate" his country's energy sites. A public health physician has issues with a study linking vaping to lung and oral cancer. And on The Huddle, Trish Sherson and Phil Goff debate the Greens refusing to run a sex worker as a candidate. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! David Tamihere's murder conviction got quashed by the Supreme Court today. What do we think this says about New Zealand's justice system? Should we be concerned? The Greens have recently declined a former sex worker’s candidacy, prompting speculation and debate. What do we make of this?  Trump has been ramping up his threats against Iran if a ceasefire deal isn't reached shortly. This has prompted some backlash - what do we think?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So David Tamihere has finally got what he’s been fighting for for decades. The Supreme Court has quashed his convictions for murdering the two Swedish backpackers all those years ago. Now this doesn’t mean a retrial will necessarily happen. That’s up to the Crown, which must decide whether it wants to pursue the charges again. In a nutshell, this all comes down to the jailhouse snitch - Conchie Harris - who claimed Tamihere confessed the murders to him. Two years ago, the Court of Appeal ruled Harris’ evidence could not be relied upon and that it was therefore a miscarriage of justice to find Tamihere guilty. However, the Court of Appeal still found Tamihere was guilty, based on what it described as new evidence. The Supreme Court has now ruled that this was not the Court of Appeal’s role. Determining guilt is a matter for a jury, which is why today’s decision has been made. So we will see what happens next. But there is more at stake here than just Tamihere’s guilt or innocence. Serious questions now have to be asked about why so many convictions from the 1980s and 1990s are being overturned or quashed in this country. David Bain. Alan Hall, who spent 19 years in jail for a murder he didn’t commit. Gail Maney. Stephen Stone, whose conviction was overturned a couple of years ago. Teina Pora, who spent 21 years in the slammer for a murder he didn’t commit. Peter Ellis, whose convictions were quashed four years ago. And the list goes on. In total - and get a load of this - 893 convictions have been overturned in just the past 10 years. Now, obviously not all of those relate to the 1980s and 1990s but given the timing, many of them will. It’s starting to look like a period in our justice system that demands some tough questions because a clear pattern is emerging. Back then, we relied on false confessions, questionable witnesses like jailhouse snitches, shoddy police work and some deeply troubling conduct from lawyers - some of whom were clearly prepared to bend the rules to get people behind bars. That may have seemed acceptable at the time, and the public may not have cared, but it’s certainly not acceptable now. The consequences are catching up with us - not least because the country is now facing a growing compensation bill for these miscarriages of justice. And watch this case closely, because compensation may well be the next chapter. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court today confirmed it would quash David Tamihere's double murder convictions after his trial was ruled 'unfair'. He was found guilty in 1990 of killing Swedish tourists Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen, but the verdict was since overturned. Private investigator Tim McKinnel says there's a 'clump of cases' from the mid-1980s to 2010 that are being evaluated through the system - and it points to a bigger problem. "I think there are some structural issues we have in the justice system, like many similar countries where they have an adversarial system where two sides go to war and hope that the truth wins - and that's not always what happens."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns an on-the-fence smoker may not switch to vaping, after an Australian study suggested it causes cancer.  The new research from New South Wales University finds nicotine-based vapes are likely to cause it in the lung and mouth.  Former World Health Organisation director, Robert Beaglehole, labels that misleading - saying it's proven to be less harmful.  He says the likes of apple and orange juice are linked to cancer, because of the other factors, not the juice itself.  He says it grabs headlines.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court says it is up to the Crown if it wants a retrial of David Tamihere, whose murder convictions were quashed today. Tamihere was found guilty in 1990 of killing Swedish tourists Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen. The Supreme Court's now ruled his trial unfair. Herald Reporter David Fisher says the case has taken serious knocks over the years.  "It sounds like, from Tamihere's point of view, that he has been gathering information, which would make his defence even stronger."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Housing Minister says Cabinet's agreement to reduce Auckland's minimum housing capacity for a second time puts the issue to bed.    The Government announced a revised density plan of 1.6 million homes just last month, and today reduced that to 1.4 million.  Wayne Brown says he suspects as it's an election year, this is simply politics at play. Chris Bishop says this is about agreement between Government, Aucklanders and Council.  "We achieved consensus as a Cabinet and as a Government, which is what we are always aiming to do."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court's quashed David Tamihere's double murder convictions, 37 years after two Swedish tourists disappeared.  Open Justice reports Tamihere was found guilty in 1990 of killing Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen. He was released on parole in 2010, and granted the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in 2020, after a trial witness was found guilty of lying.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the implications of this Supreme Court verdict.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the conflict in the Middle East continues, the Australian Government has moved to decrease their fuel excise tax. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the halving of excise for three months - equivalent to a 26 cent reduction per litre of fuel.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this cut will benefit Australian households who are already being stretched thin - but it's sparked concerns about inflation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Whites have delivered an appetiser of their capability as they prepare for football's World Cup in North America during June and July. A tepid 2-nil loss to Finland has been followed by a robust 4-1 rout of Chile at Auckland's Eden Park. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped the action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran's ambassador to New Zealand has suggested regime change is not at all close in his country. The US President's threatening to destroy Iran's energy infrastructure if a ceasefire deal isn't reached. Donald Trump also claims regime change has been achieved - because attacks have killed many of Iran's top leaders. Thousands more US troops are descending on the region, with reports ground operations are possible. Reza Nazar Ahari says the hierarchy in Iran remains. "The same system we have already - of course, some of them have been assassinated."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The shower's the perfect environment for your mind to get creative. The content creator dejiwastaken has built an entire platform on sharing the unusual thoughts you can have in the shower, and the Afternoons tema discussed their favourites. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three people have been arrested in connection with a suspected foiled bomb attack outside the Bank of America's headquarters in Paris. An initial suspect was detained at the scene after he placed an explosive device, and two more have since been arrested in connection with the attack. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says investigations are taking place, and authorities are warning people this could be linked to Iran. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KiwiSaver is undergoing some reforms, and former Mercury head Fraser Whineray is hoping to make it more competitive with Australia.  The new changes are set to kick in this week, with the default contribution rate for both employees and employers rising from 3 percent to 3.5 percent. Whineray explained how these changes will benefit Kiwis in the long run. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Brent crude oil price is on track for a record surge as the conflict in the Middle East continues. Oil prices have been climbing all month as a result of the conflict and experts have raised concerns. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's looking at ways to keep hold of even more fuel than legally required.  Fuel stocks have risen as of last Wednesday, with 27.9 days of petrol, 21.7 of diesel and 25.3 of jet fuel in the country.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Government's now exploring more options to guard against supply risks "We want to be prepared if the worst happens and they can't get enough fuel for New Zealand."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fixture between Tottenham and Auckland FC has offered former Spurs defender Ledley King the chance to finally come to New Zealand. The two sides will play a match at Eden Park on July 26. The former Tottenham captain turned club ambassador said this will be exciting news for Kiwi fans. "Judging by the reaction, judging by the fans that I've met just in my short time here - and I've heard about the Auckland FC fans, we're really hoping we can sell it out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 30 March, 2026, we ask a defence expert if a US ground invasion risks prolonging the war in Iran. We talk to an education official about what can be done with half our secondary students ignoring a ban on phones in schools. Tottenham Hotspur legend Ledley King tells us why he's excited about his club playing Auckland FC. And on The Huddle, Maurice Williamson and Josie Pagani debate the merits of street graffiti. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geez, that old LNG terminal idea didn’t last long, did it? Seven weeks - that’s it. From the moment it was announced on February 9 to the first knife stuck in it today, seven weeks to the day. Now, before you come at me arguing that the LNG terminal hasn’t been killed - yes, it has. It is dead. The Herald report this morning that multiple ministers are privately admitting they may have to kill the project did not happen by accident. This is Politics 101 when you’re winding something down. You start slowly and by the time you actually kill it - say in two or three months - people have already got used to the idea. Then factor in that the Prime Minister was on Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning and didn’t sound super enthusiastic. That, I think, backs up the suspicion. Now, if you wanted to pull me up on anything, it’s that it’s not 100 percent dead. There’s always a chance something changes and it slips through. But today, I’d put the chances of death at 80 to 90 percent. And it’s not for the reasons we’re being told - namely that gas prices are now too high because of Operation Epic Fury. We already knew seven weeks ago that an LNG terminal would be at the mercy of international gas prices. That was one of the main warnings about the idea. At the moment, we pay domestic gas prices. The minute you start importing LNG, you’re paying international prices. The real reason this is being cut is because it was never a good idea. And I think they had to run it out long enough to truly realise how many people thought it was a bad idea. Spending $1 billion on what is essentially a short-term fix is a hell of a lot of money - and that’s assuming it comes in on budget. Given what we know about infrastructure projects in this country, it could easily cost a lot more than $1 billion. And it is a short-term fix. Unless we suddenly strike a big gas discovery in the next few months, this country is going to have to wean itself off gas. You’re going to have to stop using gas and start using something else - probably electricity in homes and something different again for industrial and commercial users. Storing gas in a terminal was only ever about managing the transition while we moved away from gas. That’s an enormous amount of money to spend on a transitional solution. On top of that, forcing people to pay for it through an LNG levy was political toxin - especially during a cost-of-living crisis. So now you’ve got double political toxin, in a cost-of-living crisis that’s just been supercharged by a war in Iran. So consider this one already dead - because it was never a good idea in the first place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's debate around the rules surrounding street art after prolific graffiti artist Karl Truell was charged in Auckland. Is there a place for this?  Donald Trump has revealed he's weighing up seizing the key Iranian island of Kharg - which holds the country's major oil terminal. What do we make of this?  Is the LNG terminal dead? Reports indicate that multiple ministers have privately admitted they may have needed to kill the project. Do we think this is done?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Street artists are calling for clearer rules around their craft, after one prominent artist was charged. Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul has voiced support for prolific graffiti artist Karl Truell - aka 'Pork' - after he was fined in Auckland. Auckland street artist Jesse Jensen says there's no spaces for people to paint legally - and changes need to be made. "There just isn't an outlet, it's like how skating used to be - now you've got skate parks. Well, where's the art parks?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sovereign citizens expert believes the death of Aussie fugitive Dezi Freeman will be seen as evidence of corruption.  The 56-year-old's believed to have been killed by police this morning. The self-proclaimed sovereign citizen - a person who doesn't recognise the state - was wanted for allegedly murdering two officers in Victoria's Porepunkah last August.  University of New South Wales' associate professor Harry Hobbs says these initial killings sparked conspiracy theories from other movement members.  "I expect the same thing will happen here - people engaged in this behaviour will craft a narrative that says the state has acted in a tyrannical form."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government wants to keep more fuel in New Zealand as the Middle East conflict threatens supply chains.  Fuel stock levels have risen as of last Wednesday, with over 50 days worth of petrol, diesel and jet fuel remaining or en route.  The Government's exploring ways to increase fuel stocks above minimum obligations to guard against supply disruptions.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A defence expert says a US ground invasion into Iran would be high risk and may not achieve its stated goals.  Donald Trump has told the Financial Times he's considering seizing Iran's major oil terminal on Kharg Island. Defence Priorities Senior Fellow Gil Barndollar says the island's deep in the Strait of Hormuz and difficult to get to.  He says Trump probably wants it for leverage.  "You take the port, and 97 percent of their oil goes out through, as well as whatever amount of oil is there right now, and use that as a bargaining chip." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria's Police Commissioner is calling the hunt for Dezi Freeman the biggest in Australian history, crediting New Zealand for its assistance. Local media's reporting the 56-year-old's been shot by police after more than seven months on the run.  Freeman killed two police officers executing a warrant at his rural Porepunkah property last August.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says he'd been on the run for over seven months, and investigations into the case are set to take place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris admits some honest reflection is required after a mauling at Mt Smart Stadium in league's NRL. After three straight wins to start the season, they're contemplating their first defeat after an upset 32-14 loss to the Tigers. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith unpacked the loss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push for tougher consequences, as concerns grow over compliance with the Government’s school cellphone ban. The Ministry of Education says only about half of secondary students are following the rules. The Education Review Office is calling for phones to be confiscated more often, and for parents to contact students through school offices instead. Chief Review Officer, Ruth Shinoda, says the ban is working far better in primary schools. "It's because most primary schools just take the phone off the kids when they walk in, so kids just stopped taking their phone to school. And then, encouragingly, they say kids just stop asking their parents for phones." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 27 March, 2026, Finance Minister Nicola Willis' "keep calm" message as she sets out what it'll take to start fuel rationing. New Zealand First's plan to put millions of dollars into a Christchurch Cathedral rebuild. Lord of the Rings actor Bruce Hopkins on why the film's still a big drawcard for tourists. And on The Sports Huddle, D'Arcy Waldegrave and Jim Kayes debate the IOC's u-turn on transgender women. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warehouse Group has reported a first half net profit after tax of nearly $16 million. CEO Mark Stirton told Heather du Plessis-Allan he is 'pleased' with the result But, like most of the world, concerns over Iran and fuel costs plague future outlooks.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.