Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Those in charge of buying our new Interislander ferries are confident a good deal has been reached.  The yet-to-be-named preferred supplier has signed a letter of intent, and agreed with Ferry Holdings on a fixed price.  Chair Chris Mckenzie says  they're now at the technical negotiation stage.  "We now negotiate what's inside that boat - arrangements even down to what sort of sinks we have in the kitchens - and then a final contract will be signed before the end of the year."  The 200-metre long ferries will have road and rail decks, and room for 1500 passengers each. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's showed off its newest weapons in a major military parade in Beijing marking the end of World War Two. President Xi Jinping oversaw the event in Tiananmen Square, with Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin by his side. Former Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Helen Clark were in attendance. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper discussed the event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says reports of his death have been greatly exaggerated. The US President addressed media in the White House after his recent absence from the spotlight over the weekend sent social media into a tailspin. Health rumours have been ramping up since his diagnosis of a chronic vein condition, with photos of his bruised hand circling online. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says Trump claimed he was active over the weekend - and he wasn't aware of the death rumours. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Australian cricketer Mike Hussey has defended his decision to join Team Rugby for next January's T20 Black Clash in Tauranga. The man known as 'Mr Cricket' follows the West Indies pairing of Chris Gayle and Brian Lara as marquee international recruits for the event. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A global affairs expert says there was a clear difference in the guest list at China's military parade today, compared with previous years. Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin joined Chinese President Xi Jinping for the World War Two commemorations. Former Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Helen Clark were also there. Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller says previous parades had lots of western leaders. He explained the global south was over-represented, with leaders from Africa, Asia and former soviet republics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been some reshuffling in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's team, and it's got experts speculating what it means for Rachel Reeves. With Labour losing favour in the polls to Reform, there's additional pressure on Starmer to make changes, according to new reports. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the economy is 'flatlining' - and it's prompted concerns.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stats NZ came out with the latest trade data for New Zealand - and the results show good news for exporters. Exports were up 9.9 percent in the year to June and imports were up 3.2 percent. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACT leader wants New Zealand out of the Paris Agreement, unless we get a better deal.  New Zealand signed up in 2016 - and the previous Government later passed the bipartisan Zero Carbon Act to keep us in line with the Paris targets.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 2 September 2025, ACT leader David Seymour explains why he wants to pull out of the Paris Agreement if the conditions don't change. Luxury real estate agent Anthony Morsinkhof says his phone's been ringing all day with foreign investors wanting to start buying houses here. Sir Peter Gluckman tells Heather why we need to toughen up our university entry requirements. Amazon's NZ Country Manager Manuel Bohnet explains the company's investment in NZ - but gets unstuck when Heather digs deeper. Plus, the Huddle debates the hideous CEO who snatched a signed cap off a kid at the US Open.   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, journalist Clare de Lore and former Labour Minister Stuart Nash joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  ACT leader David Seymour says the Paris Agreement needs to be reformed - or else New Zealand should walk away. Is he right? Will National get on board for it? Helen Clark and John Key are set to attend China's big military parade alongside Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. What do we make of this? Will Luxon and Winston be glad they don't have to go? The Polish CEO who made headlines after he snatched a child's hat at the US Open has since apologised - do we believe this?  NZI says we have three times as many ministerial portfolios as we need - do we need to make some cuts? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finally, we have a serious party who has spent time thinking about it - and is now seriously suggesting that New Zealand should pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Now, that was what came from that ACT Party announcement that I told you would be coming today that you needed to keep an eye out for. ACT says Paris isn't working for New Zealand and it says we should push for the agreement to be reformed - and if it isn't reformed, then we should pull out of it. It isn't working, ACT says, because it's pushing up our food prices and it's pushing up our power prices and it's forcing the farmers off the land to make way for trees. And you can add to that list something that we've seen a lot of this winter and last winter - it is shutting down industry because of those high power prices. Now, there will be a lot of people who hear this from ACT and write it off as nutty climate change denier stuff. It is not. Think about the Paris Agreement critically, right? Set aside, you know, your vibes, whether you want to help the climate, set all of that stuff aside. Just think about this critically as to whether it works or not.  And you can see it doesn't work. I mean, I stand to be corrected, but I cannot see any country that is meeting the targets. We will not meet the targets. The US, one of the world's biggest polluters, has pulled out. China, the world's biggest polluter, is still building coal-powered plants. I mean, we are fretting about the one coal-powered plant that we've got and they're building heaps of them. India, another one of the biggest polluters, is also doing the same with coal-powered plants. In which case, why would a country responsible for 0.17 percent of the world's emissions - or something like that - continue to persist with the Paris Agreement? Because we're not saving the planet, we're just making Kiwis poorer. And power is so expensive that we now have people who cannot turn on the heater every time Huntley burns expensive coal. Coal, by the way, which is not expensive, but which we have decided to artificially make expensive in order to save the planet. Now, the Nats have shot this down already and say it's not happening. That's smart politics for them, because they've got to hold on to the swing voters who might react badly, you know, without thinking things through to anything that looks like climate change denial. The Nats might want to be careful about what they rule in or out hard before the election, because they might need flexibility afterwards, given both of their coalition partners want out of Paris. ACT officially wants out unless things change, New Zealand First keeps hinting at it. And if National is honest with itself, they should want to get out of it too, because Paris is making us poorer, but not doing anything to save the planet. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes the promised 1,000 new jobs created from Amazon's locally based data centres will go to Kiwis. The tech giant's investing $7.5 billion into the Auckland-based centres, which go live today. It'll mean New Zealand customers can use the new cloud region to run workloads and store data locally. Amazon Web Services country manager Manuel Bohnet says they're taking a long-term view with this project. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changes could be in store for gang legislation after a judge handed back a patch to a Mongrel Mob member.  Police were ordered to return the patch after its owner was arrested for wearing it publicly.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says he can't comment on decisions of judges, but isn't ruling out changing the law.  "There's a legal process to go through, it may be appealed - I don't know. We'll wait and see how it all plays out, and if we find that we've got a problem, we'll fix it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A luxury real estate agent says there's huge interest only in two areas of New Zealand, with the Government's planned loosening of the foreign buyers ban. By next year, Active Investor Plus visa holders will be able to build or buy homes worth at least $5 million. They’ll still need to invest another $5 million separately to qualify. Forbes Global's Anthony Mosinkhof says Auckland and Queenstown are the main options for foreign buyers. "The problem with this legislation is - the concentration of these buyers will be diverted to those two areas. It's a little bit of a shame that they aren't able to put more into the regions." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A defence of Wellington's City to Sea Bridge as it faces demolition.  Work to demolish the earthquake prone bridge could start this week after the High Court tossed out a judicial review to save it.  Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young says even if people think it's ugly, it does serve an important purpose.  "It's a safety aspect - it's a lovely way to cross over to the waterfront rather than going over a pedestrian crossing." Nicola Young's concerned the replacement bridge will take too long to put in place.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes from David Seymour that he can convince National to get on board with ditching climate change targets.  The ACT leader wants New Zealand to leave the Paris climate change agreement - unless we can negotiate a better deal. But Prime Minister Chris Luxon says leaving the deal will only hurt our farmers, as international consumers value New Zealand's clean brand.  David Seymour says his party is influential.  "We've got a pretty good track record - if you look at the influence that ACT has had over this Government, I think it's profound. So watch this space."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been plenty of debate about New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement, following some comments made by David Seymour. The ACT leader wants New Zealand to pull out of the global climate agreement, unless the targets are realistic. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon won't withdraw from the agreement - at least not until the 2026 election is over. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police believe Dezi Freeman is receiving additional help as the surge for the alleged gunman continues on. Freeman is accused of shooting Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart at his Porepunkah property, before escaping into the bush. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Freeman was heavily armed when he made his escape - and there's been no sign of him since. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could the All Blacks halfback curse have claimed another victim? Uncapped Wellington and Crusaders number nine Kyle Preston sought treatment for an ankle injury at training this morning ahead of the test against the Springboks at Eden Park on Saturday. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's decided against making university entrance harder in its tertiary education shake-up.  Universities Minister Shane Reti recently announced a package of initiatives to modernise the sector. Reti's refresh only accepts 23 of 63 recommendations made by the University Advisory Group. The group's leader, Sir Peter Gluckman, says they recommended changing up entry requirements, as it would ensure quality.  "We're trying to make sure that we don't see degree inflation - and actually have degrees that maintain New Zealand's high quality in standards globally." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is set to introduce tighter rules for migrants granted asylum bringing their families to the UK. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to unveil new  criteria for family members - including tougher English language standards and access to sufficient funds. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says immigration is likely to become a key talking point at the next election, and the Government's feeling pressure from Reform's popularity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New economic data impacting the US came out last week and it's got experts speculating over whether rate cuts will come. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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! There's growing calls among educators to make learning a second language compulsory for schoolkids - do we agree with this? Foreign buyers can now buy homes in New Zealand - if they have invested over $5 million, they can buy a home worth $5 million or more. Has the Government stuck the right balance here? Cornwall Park in Auckland was shut yesterday afternoon because of the storm. Is this proof we've gone too far with our safety concerns?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 1 September 2025, the $5 million dollar rule. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford tells Heather why foreign investors will soon be able to buy expensive homes in New Zealand.   Should we make learning a second language compulsory? Juliet Kennedy from the NZ association of language teachers tells Heather why we should. Heather asks Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop why Helen Clark and John Key are going to China's big parade - but no current Ministers were invited. Plus, the Huddle debates whether we've lost the health and safety plot, shutting one of Auckland's biggest parks because of some heavy wind. 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.

We've got to talk about Cornwall Park. So over the weekend, it was quite windy in Auckland. If you're in Auckland, you know what I mean - that was some crazy-ass wind that was going on out there, definitely found the drafts of my house. If you're out of Auckland, it was kind of like a day in Wellington, but in Auckland. So it was unusual for us. Now, I don't know where we got to in the end, but the forecast was for gusts of up to 120 km per hour. So the people who run Cornwall Park closed it on Sunday because of flying wood. They were worried that staff and punters might be struck by flying wood, so they shut the gates and they closed the toilets and they closed the café and they closed the creamery, and they closed everything - closed the big store, closed everything - because of the flying wood. Meanwhile, on Sunday, when Cornwall Park was closed, I went to another park, which was Victoria Park in the central city - which is also actually incidentally full of really old trees, and therefore bits of wood, lots of branches and twigs and stuff lying around. And despite the fact that there were three of us at the park and it was quite windy, none of us was struck by flying wood, remarkably. We also walked to the park down a road which is lined with old plane trees that have been there for at least 100 years. So if you're going to be struck by a flying tree - you know, like one of them falling down on your head - it'd be one of those. None of them fell on our heads, nor did any of their branches or any of their flying wood. Now, obviously, it's their park. So the Cornwall Park Trust board can shut the park if they like. And probably what they will say is that they didn't want to put their staff at risk. And there'll be a lot of people in this country who'll nod their heads and say - “Look, that is the wise thing to do. After all, it is windy and there could be wood flying all around, and it might hit a staff member right in the eye and blind them forever. You never know. Better to take care.” I look at this and think that's ridiculous that we are so worried and anxious - and frankly neurotic - that even wind is freaking us out now. I would urge the people who run Cornwall Park to get a grip. Farmers, they may be shocked to discover, often work outside in the wind, and there are lots of bits of wood flying around. The Department of Conservation probably want to reconsider this, but at the moment, they still allow us to walk around in the bush in high wind. There are definitely lots of bits of wood lying around in the bush, if you know what I mean. I mean, some people also have old trees in their backyards, and they're still there when it's windy, shockingly, and the trees don't always fall down in the wind. This, I think, is the perfect example of how we are getting to be ridiculous over safety. Yes, of course, you should reduce your extreme risks. Don't take unnecessary risks. But you don't want to be reducing every single risk. Otherwise, you're just gonna be sitting in your house all day. I don't think flying wood in a park on a windy day in Auckland is so extremely risky that staff must be sent home and members of the public must be banned from entry. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's plenty of solutions being suggested to clear up the current energy crisis - and the former head of Mercury Energy has just unveiled a potential idea. Fraser Whineray recently suggested the time has come to drop the carbon price that we've put on coal through the ETS in order to bring power prices down.  He says the ETS is designed to encourage people to use green alternatives, but there isn't a green alternative applicable here as of yet. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former New Zealand Prime Ministers John Key and Helen Clark will attend a large Chinese military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the Chinese victory against Japan in World War Two. The ceremony in Tiananmen Square on Wednesday will also feature leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un.  National Minister Chris Bishop says he thinks the invitation reflects the historical circumstances of their Governments. "Helen Clark and John Key - their Governments had good relations, we did the free trade deal under the Clark Government, which continued on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research has found fewer students are studying languages now than in the 1930s - and educators are calling for a solution. The report, Language Learning for New Zealand’s Future, says second language learning should be a core requirement for students from years seven to ten. President of the New Zealand Association of Language Teachers, Juliet Kennedy, says it's important for Kiwi students to learn another language. "It's also really important that students have a chance to learn other languages, including heritage languages which are spoken in our community - but also world stage languages such as Chinese or French or Spanish or German or Japanese." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has risen two spots to third place in this year's Global Peace Index.  Countries are ranked based on measures including societal safety and security, and the degree of militarisation.  We currently sit behind Iceland and Ireland, and ahead of Austria and Switzerland.  Otago University Emeritus Peace and Conflict Studies professor Kevin Clements says recent defence purchases could count against us next year.  He says New Zealand's never not been in the top five.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Immigration Minister hopes allowing people on the Golden Visa to buy a home here will boost the economy in the long-run. The coalition's come to an agreement - allowing people on Active Investor Plus visas to buy or build one home, worth at least $5 million - if they invest at least another $5 million into the economy. Erica Stanford says she didn't want anything to skew the market - and $5 million seemed like a good figure. "It means that these people can come, settle in New Zealand, get used to the landscape, spend more money here - but also not skew the property market, which is what we wanted to avoid." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes from one electricity retailer that the Government may underwrite generation projects.  The Government is expected to make decisions this month on reforming the energy sector - after it asked global consultancy company Frontier Economics to report back on what's needed.  Octopus Energy chief executive Margaret Cooney says underwriting's worked in the past with the ultra-fast broadband rollout.  "You can do that by issuing a tender, getting long-term contracts and new supply to come into market as soon as possible."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coalition's confident allowing certain wealthy foreign buyers to buy a home won't drive up house prices. It's agreed to pass changes, allowing people on an Active Investor Plus visa to buy or build one home in New Zealand - worth a minimum of $5 million. The visa requires an additional investment of at least $5 million, on top of the price of the home. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says these changes make sense for investors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wife of a gunman who allegedly killed two police officers in rural Victoria last week has urged her husband to surrender.  Dezi Freeman is accused of opening fire on police officers, who were carrying out a raid at property in Porepunkah. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the police have been dealing with adverse weather conditions as the manhunt enters its seventh day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are prepared to wait as long as they can to clear Cortez Ratima to play Saturday's test against South Africa. The Chiefs halfback is battling a rib injury - but is yet to be ruled out. Coach Scott Robertson says they will wait, otherwise Finlay Christie and debutant Kyle Preston will play. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's relief for regional airlines, as they receive help to battle soaring costs. The Government's offering up to $30 million in loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.  It's also approved funding to allow digital upgrades to be made in order to integrate regional bookings with the platforms of major carriers. Air Chathams CEO Duane Emeny says this is good news for the sector. "We're looking to hopefully roll out a domestic trial later this year, but it's expensive, I can tell you, having gone through it. So any support that we can get for that is greatly appreciated."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 29 August 2025, Reserve Bank chair Neil Quigley has quit with immediate effect. Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather if he hadn't left voluntarily, she would have sacked him. The Marokopa fugitive dad and his kids have burgled a dairy this week - but police don't sound like they're actively trying to find them. Why did Heather have to apologise to TVNZ CEO Jodi O'Donnell? A member of the Mongrel Mob has asked a judge for his confiscated patch back and the judge has said yes.. because of tikanga. Law Professor Al Gillespie says it was a good call. Plus, the Sports Huddle on this week's discussion about the risk of longlasting brain injuries from rugby - and whether more needs to be done to prevent them. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, I've got a huge amount of respect for the police, and I very much, almost weakly appreciate what it is that they do for us, but I think we have to call it. Tom Phillips is embarrassing them. I mean, the fact that he is still out there with his kids coming up 4 years now is embarrassing for the police because it looks like they're having rings run around them by a skinny guy from Mara Koppa. He makes a mockery of them every single time he pops up to nick milk from a dairy or shop in full view of the public in Bunnings, or do a job on a bank. Every time someone in the family pleads for him to come home, every time an international media outlet writes another fascinated piece about him being out there. Every winter, when our own media remember that the family are still out there and draw attention to it again, every time that happens, we are reminded that our police cannot find a guy and his kids in the bush around Mara Koppa. Now, I don't know what's going on here. I have a suspicion, I've shared it with you before, that the police are deliberately just leaving him to it.Cause if they wanted to, they could get him out. And you know that. We're a country of people who understand the bush, he's not the only guy in New Zealand with bush skills. The cops have got specialist teams, and if they don't want to use those teams because they don't wanna have a shootout, well, then we've got the Defense Force. The defense force can be used here - they've actually been used in the search beforehand. And you cannot tell me that our SAS can handle the Taliban, but can't track down a guy in the bush and be on him before he knows that they're there. You cannot tell me they can't do that. I suspect the police have made the decision to not find him, which, by the way, I actually think may be the right decision given how messy I think the family court business could in fact be in this case, but they are not trying to find him. And I just wonder if maybe they should say that out loud. Maybe they should just be upfront that he is out there until the day that Tom Phillips decides to come back, just so that every single passing winter doesn't make the police look like they're being beaten by Tom Phillips.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The British court of appeal is set to make a decision on the 'asylum hotels' around the country.  Asylum seekers have been staying in hotels at the taxpayers expense, and the government is expected to make an announcement later today. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey says that tension around these hotels is rising and protests outside these hotels are getting 'pretty fraught.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 25,000 visitors from around Australasia are headed to Tauranga for the AIMS games this weekend. Around 14,000 kids from across the continent will be competing in 27 different sports. AIMS Games tournament director Kelly Schischka told Heather duPlessis-Allan that there are 431 schools being represented, including new competitors from Fiji and the Cook Islands.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reserve Bank board chairman Neil Quigley has resigned “with immediate effect” in the wake of the shambolic handling of Adrian Orr’s resignation as Governor. Finance Minister Nicola Willis made the announcement just before 6pm on Friday - the day after the Reserve Bank revealed Orr temporarily stepped down as Governor a week before the public was told he resigned The Finance Minister says she did not ask the Reserve Bank Chair to quit, following news he's resigned with immediate effect.  Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan that having completed key work streams with the bank, Quigley said the timing was appropriate. Willis says she raised criticism around the board's handling of information relating to the former Governor's exit. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on the Huddle, Rugby editor Elliott Smith and Canterbury sports reader Nick Bey join Heather duPlessis-Allan to discuss the latest sports news.  Does rugby need a rule change to protect against CTE? And how much are people willing to pay to watch the FIFA world cup next year? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legal expert has recommended that the Government re-write its poorly written gang patch law.  It follows a judge's recent decision allowing a Mongrel Mob member to have his patch back.  Waikato University Law Professor Al Gillespie says the judge interpreted the law fairly. He says the law is ambiguous as it doesn't say the patch must be destroyed.  Gillespie says the law will need to be straightened out back in parliament.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have a balance to manage as they continue the hunt for Marokopa fugitive father Tom Phillips and his three children. Police have released CCTV footage of a retail burglary in the King Country town of Piopio on Wednesday involving two people they believe to be the Marokopa father and one of his children. Lawyer Matthew Hague, who has served in the Police and Defence Force, says Police need to balance bringing this to a conclusion - with the risk of Phillips having weapons. But he told Heather du Plessis-Allan that this doesn't mean Police will be passive. Hague says they'll be working with the community, and using a variety of resources - but they'll be trying to avoid a direction confrontation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are questions over whether TVNZ cut too many jobs as it turns a surprisingly strong profit.  The broadcaster's reported an after-tax profit of nearly $26million dollars - after an $85million dollar loss last year.  But it comes after the broadcaster cut jobs - including canning production of programmes like Fair Go, Sunday and the midday and night-time news bulletins.  Talking to Heather Du-Plessis Allan, CEO Jodi O'Donnell denied that the cuts were excessive.  She says the company had to make decisions to ensure the business remained sustainable into the future.  LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consultation on the Government's proposed overhaul of the main secondary school qualification's open to mid-September.  It includes axing level one, and replacing levels two and three with certificates, that aim to be internationally comparable.  Auckland Principal Claire Amos doesn't want the system scrapped, and told Heather du Plessis-Allan that we need a system that has wraparound support.  She says we need more structure and support around teaching and learning.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fears of a new political crisis swept through France - as it looks likely Francois Bayrou will be ousted in a crucial confidence vote. France’s embattled Prime Minister stunned the country when he asked President Emmanuel Macron to convene an extraordinary session of parliament in September. UK correspondent Enda Brady speculates ahead of the big day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luxury spending has been booming over the last couple of decades, but many high-end brands have been taking a financial hit. Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton have been seeing significant revenue falls since the Covid-19 pandemic. Fisher Funds' Sam Dickie reveals what could be behind the downturn. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pāmu, formerly Landcorp, recently reported a net profit after tax of $120 million for the year ended June 2025, which will see it return a $15 million dividend. It's a significant turnaround compared to last year, when the company posted a loss of $26 million. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Council's Maurice Williamson and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  We've got councillors laughing at rate rises in Grey District - how outrageous is this? Or was it out of context? The Government has made moves to loosen liquor laws. They're not cutting the hours, but they're making it easier for bars to operate. Is this the right move - or opening us up to more harm? AT recently defended its $63 million dollar spend on road cones, claiming it takes two years to implement the new safety guidelines. Do we believe this?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 28 August 2025, Nicole McKee tells Heather why the Government is loosening liquor licensing rules. Air NZ boss Greg Foran has delivered his final annual result before he leaves the airline - and he hints at his next job. Will a few new Costcos around the country really result in cheaper groceries? Former Costco NZ Managing Director Patrick Noone speaks to Heather. Plus, the Huddle debates whether Grey District Councillors were completely out of line for breaking out in laughter after a question about critics of the 13% rates rise. 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.