Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The UK Prime Minister's signalling much closer ties with the European Union, forced by the war in Iran.  Sir Keir Starmer's warning the conflict will impact the UK, and although they're preparing to whether the storm, it won't be easy.  He says it's becoming increasingly clear their long term national interest requires a stronger partnership with Europe. UK correspondent Enda Brady says no-one wants this war - and he wouldn't be surprised if the UK joins up with the EU by the end of the decade.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has been taking place for five weeks, and it's started to impact financial results. Data shows business confidence has plunged over the last month, airlines are cutting down projected results and retail and construction have taken a hti. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi farmers have voiced concerns about the long-term impacts of the Middle East conflict. Data shows the conflict will lead to slowdowns for firms in almost every sector - with increased economic uncertainty. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  What's really going on with the Middle East conflict? Anthony Albanese, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have all delivered speeches this week, but they haven't really told us anything substantial. Should we be concerned? The Prime Minister's Cabinet reshuffle took place today, with Minister Chris Penk picking up some new roles and Minister Chris Bishop losing out. What do we make of this? NASA's first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years is now underway, with a successful liftoff for Artemis II. Do we think we're going to make it to the moon again? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 2 April, 2026, Donald Trump says the US is "very close" to finishing its war with Iran - we talk to a former Republican communications director about the real motive behind the president's speech. Why a temporary boost to mileage rates for home and community support workers has come just in time. Foodstuffs boss Chris Quin explains why you're paying so much for some items at the supermarket. And on The Huddle, Oscar Kightley and Tim Wilson say yes it is real - we're going to the moon again, just like more than 50 years ago. 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.

If you were hoping Donald Trump scheduling a speech meant there would be some sort of development in the war -either the US pulling out, putting boots on the ground or opening the Strait - then, like me, you would have been disappointed. There was no news, was there? No announcement at all. Donald Trump was simply trying to convince American voters with PR - and it’s stuff he’s said before. The main points of the speech were familiar: Iran are the bad guys and need to be stopped; the US will hit them hard in the next two to three weeks; yes, the war is making fuel more expensive but not because of anything he’s done - it’s because of what the Iranians have done, namely shutting the Strait of Hormuz. He also argued the war hasn’t taken that long compared to past conflicts like World War II, which the US was involved in for three years, eight months and 25 days. Trump said he never wanted regime change in Iran - but, by the way, there has been regime change because radical leaders have been killed and the new leaders aren’t as radical. And if they don’t strike a deal, he might hit their energy plants and “send them back to the Stone Age”. None of this is new. He’s said all of this - or most of it - before. So why did he call the speech for 2pm our time? Because he's worried. American voters are not on board with what he’s done. So he’s trying to go over the top of the media narrative that he’s losing and that the war is dragging on. He’s trying to sell the message that this is actually short and sharp, that it will end soon. And he’s also trying to sell the idea that when he pulls out without changing the regime, he won’t have lost. Even though, if he does pull out without changing the regime, he will have lost - because all he will have done is set Iran back in its wrongdoing, not prevent that wrongdoing from recurring. But there is no end to this war. There is no opening of the Strait. And as of the speech, there is no news. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A farmer has revealed he gets paid 60 cents for 1kg of peas - which were selling for $5.79 at the local Pak’n’Save. This has prompted questions about where the extra margin goes, especially following the planned closures at McCain and Watties. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says it's unclear where the $5.79 figure came from. "It's certainly not easy, and I think that's what we're seeing with McCain and Watties - it's pretty tragic news."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Associate Energy Minister says increased diesel storage at Marsden Point will be a great help to our fuel security.  Channel Infrastructure will re-purpose old storage tanks and increase storage by 90 million litres.  The Government's set aside $21.6 million dollars for the project, but Shane Jones says it might not all be spent.  Jones says it's good to have that stock on land.  "Then, there's somewhere to store it, as opposed to having a floating terminal, like a ship, bobbing around on the tide."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lessons from past space missions are thought to be guiding Artemis II. The Orion spacecraft is now orbiting Earth and will remain in orbit for the next 24 hours, marking the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. Kea Aerospace Founder and the first Kiwi in space, Mark Rocket, says significant work remains on the rocket launch system before a lunar landing can happen. He explained they've got a new capsule and system - and they basically have had to rebuild the whole programme. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home care workers are getting the help to pay for fuel they've been asking for. Health Minister Simeon Brown's announced home and community support workers will be getting a temporary 30 percent mileage rate increase to assist with the fuel crisis.  Home and Community Health Association CEO Lisa Foster says this is the right move forward - as workers have been getting increasingly stressed. "Just around the challenge for Easter, when people need care in their home, or urgent, essential, critical care - and we basically may not be able to deliver that."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's unclear why US President Donald Trump chose to address America today. Trump spoke earlier - claiming the US is nearing completion with all its objectives in the Middle East - and will be hitting Iran hard over the next two to three weeks. He says countries that need oil from the Middle East should now take the lead to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Former Republican Communications Director Doug Heye says there was no real news of victory in today's speech. "We were told we're getting close, maybe there's an escalation coming. Gas prices might come down soon, they might not - it's not clear to me why they made the decision to make this speech."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump is claiming regime change is close in Iran. He says the US is nearing completion with all its objectives in the Middle East and the job will be done 'very shortly'. Trump says discussions with Iran are ongoing - after earlier claiming Iran's leaders have asked for a ceasefire - which Iran's foreign ministry is calling false and baseless.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the speech. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK and Australia have delivered speeches overnight - warning of potential impacts of the war in Iran and the resulting surge in fuel prices. In the UK, Sir Keir Starmer says he'll seek closer economic and security ties with the EU. In Australia, Anthony Albanese has called on people to try to reduce fuel consumption if they can. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Albanese's address left people feeling underwhelmed, as he issued a warning to farmers and key business sectors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.