Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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! Fire and Emergency NZ has launched an investigation into the firefighter who got caught making a crude gesture at the PM on video. Do we think this is really necessary?  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is in the news again after the latest release from the Epstein files. New photos reveal the former royal crouched on all fours and touching an unidentified woman. What do we think of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 2 February, 2026, the Education Minister on new reporting guidelines for schools - what it means for you as a parent. Should the firefighter who made an obscene gesture behind the back of the prime minister keep her job? We talk to teenage running sensation Sam Ruthe's grandfather about what makes him so good. And on the Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani - who says Christopher Luxon is in danger of being outperformed by his lectern. 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.

So, Fire and Emergency New Zealand has launched an investigation into the firefighter in the video with the Prime Minister. You’ll know what I’m talking about, you’ve probably seen it already. It’s been doing the rounds since Friday. It’s the video of the PM touring the devastation on the East Coast last week. As he’s walking back to a Defence Force helicopter, he stops to talk to a volunteer firefighter who’s wearing the old high‑vis with 'Fire' written on the back. He does his political schmoozing - having the chat, getting up in the face, clapping the arm - then he heads off toward the chopper. The firefighter turns around, looks at the phone filming her and makes a crude gesture, which the Hauraki boys would describe as “feeding the birds". I saw that on Friday, I smirked, I thought, “Oh, that’s a bit funny,” and then I shut it down and got on with my life. Fire and Emergency NZ, however, does not think it’s funny at all. They’ve completely overreacted to it and, after questions from the Herald, have decided to launch an investigation into this firefighter. If they're open to taking some feedback, I would urge them to drop the investigation here. If there’s been a bad call, the really bad call isn’t the firefighter doing something silly in front of her mates who are filming - it’s the person who put the video online, which was the truly unwise thing to do in this modern age. And it doesn’t seem to be the same person, by the way, given the TikTok account is run by a man and the firefighter is a woman. But even if they were the same person, it’s just really not a big deal, is it? Politicians should expect - and do expect - this kind of reaction when they go around doing their political schmoozing. And if people have a laugh about the PM doing his schmoozing, who cares? It’s not threatening or intimidatory, it’s just mocking. We have a shortage of volunteer firefighters in this country. We shouldn’t be lifting the expectations of volunteers to the same level as what we expect from professionals to the point that volunteers are dissuaded from giving us their time, which we frankly should be grateful for. And there but for the grace of God, etc, right? Because we all do stupid things - we just hope the people around us don’t put it on TikTok. I don’t want to live in a world where we get investigated over something as silly as this. Hopefully they drops this investigation because surely - surely to God - Fire and Emergency NZ has more important things to do. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AA Insurance's decision to stop offering new home insurance policies in Westport due to flood risks has prompted discussion about the future of climate-based buyouts. There's been debate over whether the Government will fund buyouts for homeowners living in areas at risk for weather damage, with many experts ruling the move as unlikely.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says there's a Natural Hazards scheme in place for homeowners impacted by flooding or landslides - and it's important to ensure people have the right insurance measures in place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of a mineral extraction company says New Zealand's rich in some of these sought-after critical minerals.  New Zealand and the United States are reportedly discussing a 'non-binding' framework relating to critical minerals as the US looks to reduce reliance on China.  Geo40 CEO John Worth says there's silica, lithium and antimony to name a few.  "I think we're relatively small by international standards, but there's enough interesting stuff here."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An employment law expert says a firefighter who used an obscene gesture about the Prime Minister brought Fire and Emergency into disrepute.  A clip posted on social media shows Chris Luxon speaking with a person before heading towards a Defence Force helicopter. The volunteer firefighter then turns to the camera and makes an obscene gesture. Fire and Emergency is now investigating.  Employment law expert Max Whitehead says volunteers don't have the same rights as a career firefighter, and explained she wouldn't be able to sue the organisation if she were fired.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister says new nationwide school reporting will give teachers and parents clearer data on how students are performing. Nationally consistent assessments in reading, writing and maths will roll out this year, with students ranked against one of five progress indicators twice a year. Erica Stanford says parent reports already exist - but they’re inconsistent across schools. "You get some schools who provide very detail-rich reporting and others who don't do that same level of detail. So we're just trying to get consistency across the board."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There'll be a wait until we learn the outcome of today's court case between expelled Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and her former party. The High Court at Wellington today heard arguments relating to the MP's expulsion from the party last year, which followed allegations she misused party funds. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says Kapa-Kingi's lawyers suggest the party was trying to hold her responsible for comments by her activist son, Eru Kapa-Kingi, who called out Te Pāti Māori's leadership. "Kapa-Kingi's lawyers say that she's not remotely responsible for her son's comments." The court's decision has been reserved.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A change in student progress reports, with schools now required to give parents more clearer information about how their child is progressing. Nationally consistent assessment and reporting will be implemented in primary and intermediate schools for the first time this year. The new system replaces a 20-year-old framework and provides parents of Years 0-to-10 students with progress markers and twice-yearly learning updates. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained what these changes mean for Kiwi students. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia,  the former Coalition parties are trying to get their numbers back up amid ongoing leadership struggles. Support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party is growing, while support for the Liberal Party and Nationals has continued to drop. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is looking to make some changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teenage running sensation Sam Ruthe is confident his record-breaking mile in Boston only marks the beginning of his capability. The 16-year-old's broken Sir John Walker's overall national mark by two tenths of a second with a three minute 48.88 dash indoors. Ruthe races again in North Carolina this weekend. Sportstalk host Jason Pine speculated about Ruthe's athletic future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running phenom Sam Ruthe set another middle distance record - and there's belief it could go deeper than good genetics. The 16-year-old broke Sir John Walker's overall national mile mark set at Oslo in 1982 at an indoor meet in Boston. Ruthe's grandfather, Trevor Wright, is also a skilled runner, but he says genetics only contribute to a small part of the teen's success. "I put it down to dedication, talent and a good coach and a good manager...definitely dedicated." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 30 January, 2026, police say they're drawing a line on protests across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. A Westport life-time resident and real estate agent tells us about the struggle to get house insurance. Why a company that sells dung beetles to clean up water on farms is in trouble. And on the Sports Huddle, Paul Allison and Darcy Waldegrave discuss if it's a done deal that Jamie Joseph will be the next All Blacks coach. 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.

Now, listen — I think it’s a little early in the year to be making too many predictions about election year. But having said that, I do think there is a very strong chance that Winston Peters might be the story of the year. If he carries on the way he is in the polls, he could well be in the double digits — well into the double digits — by the time November’s election rolls around. He’s already sitting somewhere between 10 and 12 percent in the past couple of polls, and generally minor parties go up in polling the closer we get to election day because of the extra attention they get during the campaign. Commentators are already talking about the possibility of the next government being just National and New Zealand First — no ACT in there — with the two of them together potentially being enough. That could happen if Winston keeps climbing the way he is, and obviously if National can get its act together and lift its vote share. If you don’t believe it’s possible that Winston will climb further, just look at what he did this week. He pulled out that classic Winston trick of whipping up the anti‑immigrant rhetoric again. I honestly didn’t think there was much of that sentiment around at the moment — until he started talking, and suddenly the texts about immigrants started rolling in. Winston can sniff out an election platform like no one else. He knows there’s probably an increased number of people who are gagging for a conspiracy — like “the government is trying to hide the FTA documents they’re trying to roll on us". And what we were also reminded of this week is that he’s completely unencumbered by the facts. A lot of what he said was just complete nonsense. Here’s a question for you: if it does end up being just New Zealand First and National, and Winston is 81 years old, is this the election where he finally pushes for a turn at being Prime Minister? Like I said, he could become the story of this election year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stench emitting from a faulty wastewater treatment plant in Christchurch has gotten worse in recent weeks.  The smell, nicknamed, 'The Big Stink,' has been affecting Bromley for nearly 4 years, resulting in locals having to check wind direction before socialising outside or hanging washing.  Community Advocate Stephen McPaike told Heather du Plessis-Allan that, 'It's just as bad as what happened when the fire happened, if not a little bit worse.' The council says it's going to be another week before they can get it back under control. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tough times in the dung beetle business have prompted a call for a dump of funding from the  Government. Dung Beetle Innovations was launched in 2014 in Auckland's Whenuapai.  Co-Founder Shaun Forgie says the dung beetles can be used to clear manure from farms, preventing it from sliding into rivers.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that his sector receiving funding will benefit others.  Forgie says his business can make livestock cultivation more efficient.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An international relations expert says it would've been hypocritical for New Zealand to sit on Donald Trump's peace board.   The  Prime Minister and Foreign Minister announced this morning that New Zealand won't be accepting Trump's invitation to join the board.  The denial comes days after the Government signalled it was considering the offer.  Otago University Professor Robert Patman told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Trump lacks the credibility to run a board of peace.  He says he's threatened the territories of two democratic allies this term -- and if  person wants to chair a peace board they have to walk the talk.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Tamaki says he is still planning to protest by walking across Auckland's harbour Bridge tomorrow despite a police promise to stop it. He's urging crowds to meet him at Victoria Park in the central city tomorrow for a protest in opposition to the COVID-19 restrictions. Police Superintendent Naila Hassan told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the police are unsure if the march will actually go ahead, but that doesn't mean they are unprepared. "We'd prefer to keep the operational details close to our chest, but we will be ready to respond to that group if they decide to march onto the harbour bridge." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Westport residents the AA insurance announcement yesterday is not the start of their troubles at all. They've been having trouble with insurance for ages even before AA decided to stop issuing new cover. Westport resident Glenys Elley told Heather du Plessis-Allan that, "Even if a company has a policy, it doesn't guarantee that they will continue that policy on." She says that some people were fine with the application process for insurance until they entered their postcode, at which point the application was denied. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing today. The two leaders met to repair relations between the nations, as it's been over 8 years since a UK Prime Minister visited China. UK correspondent Enda Brady says concerns were raised before the visit, but the meeting appeared to go smoothly. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meta and Microsoft are among the big tech companies that just released their quarterly results after the stock market closed, and there's more results to come. Meta shares were up 9 percent, but Microsoft stock was down about 5 percent. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds unpacked the data further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The storm that lashed Canterbury, Otago and Southland with severe winds in October has resulted in the second-most claims for an event in rural insurer FMG’s 120-year history. New Zealand’s largest rural insurer has already paid out $20 million, but expects that figure to rise to about $50 million. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Winston Peters has raised concerns with the Government's new trade agreement with India, and he's claimed the agreement will see more migrants taking jobs off Kiwis. What do we make of this?  AA Insurance has paused new policies in the West Coast town of Westport. Do we think more parts of the country will follow suit? What will people do? The death of the doer-upper - do we feel bad about this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 29 January, 2026, a major insurer's put a halt on new home policies in Westport because of the flood risk - is it temporary or permanent? Why your morning school run is the most dangerous time of the day on the roads. We talk to investor and influencer Simon Squibb about making Kiwis' dreams come true - and learn about the Pink Broccoli. Plus, on the Huddle, Thomas Scrimgeour and Ali Jones discuss the death of the doer upper. 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.

Simon Squibb has always been committed to encouraging people to fulfil their dreams, and as a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, he's in a position to make real change.  He's invested in startups, used his professional insight to write a book - What’s Your Dream? Find Your Passion. Love Your Work. Build a Richer Life - and he's committed to inspiring people to take risks. Squibb's in New Zealand and he's already been spotted helping a chef in Remuera to fund her ambitions. "I can't help it, I love hearing people's dreams, and so there's no holiday from helping people that need it. And so I have actually now helped four people in New Zealand with their dreams, which is pretty exciting."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The thing we’d been warned about with climate change has now happened - AA Insurance has stopped offering new insurance policies for Westport because of the risk of flooding. At the very end of last year, AA Insurance wrote to the Buller District mayor advising that the company would be putting a - what they call temporary - stop to new insurance policies for properties in the 7825 postcode, which includes Westport, Carters Beach, and Cape Foulwind. If you listen to the experts, this is just the start. It’s already happening in flood‑risk towns in Australia, it’s now happened here, and it will keep happening until these towns find ways to keep themselves safe through measures like flood defences. You don’t need me to tell you what this is going to do to property prices. They’re only going in one direction - down. Not least because you need insurance to take out a mortgage. And you know what happens next, people start putting pressure on the Government to bail them out from dropping property values. They want the Government to buy their houses. They want the Government to provide insurance. Because that’s what we always do when things go wrong, we turn to the Government to bail us out. But the Government absolutely should not bail out anyone. Not just because the country cannot afford it - if every homeowner who loses insurance cover because of climate change in the coming decades, or who needs to be bought out for the same reason asks for help, it will cost the country billions of dollars we simply do not have. But also because, as harsh as it sounds, if an insurance company will no longer cover your house, maybe your house should not be where it is. Maybe the insurance companies are doing us a favour by forcing us to make decisions we’ve been avoiding. We’ve been dragging our heels on this stuff for decades. But you can’t argue with the market. We are still building in the wrong places - but you can’t argue with the market. If insurers won’t cover it, taxpayers absolutely should not. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters claims our proposed trade agreement with India would let visa holders bring family members with them.  The Trade Minister denies the FTA could allow 20,000 to 25,000 more immigrant arrivals. Peters says Todd McClay admitted the loophole himself to a select committee.   "He had to concede that there were those people who had the right to bring their spouses and their children right away." In the hearing, McClay said the FTA extends standard visa settings.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forty-four titles have been announced for the 2026 Ockham Book Awards longlist, with true crime and politics among the big name nominees. Nine debut authors appear in the list, three in each of the poetry, illustrated non-fiction and general non-fiction categories, including the Jacinda Ardern memoir A Different Kind of Power. Time Out Bookstore manager Jenna Todd says it's unclear if Ardern will emerge victorious, as general non-fiction is a wide-ranging category. "You have history, memoir, creative essays, so who knows? I just have no idea." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says discussions must be had on roads that keep flooding during extreme weather events. Chris Bishop and the Prime Minister have been surveying damage in Te Tairāwhiti, and visiting still isolated communities. Bishop says the focus now is reopening routes. But he says NZTA and contractors need to discuss how to future-proof these crucial routes.  "They'll be having a really good look at the Waioeka Gorge and thinking about what we need to do to rebuild - and it'll be the same with State Highway 35." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A warning more insurance companies could follow AA Insurance, which has paused signing up new new policies in the West Coast's Westport. Buller District Council says the insurer has confirmed it’s temporarily halting new property policies because of the high flood-risk. Existing policyholders can renew as usual. Victoria University Emeritus Professor Jonathan Boston says he can almost guarantee it won't be a one-off. "We are in a period of climate-intensified risk, those risks are going to grow - sea level rise will intensify flood risk for many communities." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand roads are about to re-enter a dangerous window as schools return for term one. A report from driver safety advocacy group AutoSense claims accidents linked to fatigue happen most between 7 and 8am, the hour children head to school. CEO Charles Dawson says fatigue is driven by our body clock - and it can be dangerous. "Any vehicle that has a human behind the wheel is going to be prone to this, it's all about our natural physiology."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Trade's attempting to put to bed concerns about our fair trade agreement with India - repeatedly voiced by the NZ First leader. Winston Peters claims it will let tens of thousands more Indian migrants enter the country.  The Prime Minister has denied the assertion.  The full agreement is still not publicly available, but Trade Minister Todd McClay has detailed visa numbers to Parliament today. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked today's discussions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speculation about Liberal leader Sussan Ley's future with the party is growing, as more people call for her ousting. Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie are the two names being discussed as potential replacements in the liberal leadership race. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's likely Ley will stay in the top job as long as the vote among Australia's right bloc remains divided. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC can live without being in football's Australia Cup. The Black Knights have been dumped because it's an Asian Confederation competition, while Auckland FC and the Wellington Phoenix are from the Oceania region. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand says it hopes to avoid a three-day strike by international cabin crew in February. E tū Union and the Flight Attendants Association have issued strike notices for wide-body crews on 787 and 777 Boeing flights. The airline's Chief People Officer, Nikki Dines, says they've covered a lot of ground in 10 months of weekly meetings with the unions. "There's a lot of things that we've agreed on, the last remaining item is just on pay. That's the one item that we are continuing to work with our cabin crew unions on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 28 January, 2026, we look at the legacy of Judith Collins in New Zealand politics as she prepares to become president of the Law Commission. Air New Zealand cabin crew are preparing to go on strike - will it affect your travel plans? Another hammer blow for the construction industry - why more than 20 businesses have gone bust in a week. And on the Huddle, Jack Tame and Jordan Williams look at why people aren't liking prime minister Christopher Luxon in opinion polls. 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.

A unit of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will take on security roles at the Winter Olympic Games in Italy, sparking outrage and petitions in protest. Sources at the US embassy in Rome confirmed a statement from ICE that agents would support diplomatic security details during the upcoming Games. UK correspondent Mike Pearse says the high-profile shootings in Minneapolis have made headlines all over the world, and it's raised questions as to why this particular agency would need to be involved.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home owners could be left covering the costs of defective work on their properties once an overhaul of the Building Act is complete. The Government plans to give itself the ability to temporarily suspend the requirement for consumer protections to be put in place in the building sector. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank spent most of 2025 lowering the OCR, leaving experts to speculate how these changes impacted the economy. Since then, economic and business confidence has gone up for the start of 2026, but inflation data for the December quarter has raised some concerns Milford Asset Management expert Brendan Larsen explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2026 has been a rough year for New Zealand's construction sector, with multiple businesses going bust in January alone. Reports show there were 22 applications to put building or property related companies into liquidation over the 7 days from January 20 to January 27. NZ Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming says this reflects the tough conditions that have impacted the market over the last two years. "Any liquidation is a bad news story, it's devastating for the builder, the homeowner, the sub-trades and supplier." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Judith Collins today confirmed she was retiring from politics - will we miss her? Will New Zealand politics be different without Ju-Co around?  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has sunk to his lowest popularity in the past year, with a leaked poll showing more voters disapprove of him than approve. What can the Government do differently here?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right, so the biggest political news of the day is that Judith Collins has announced she’s retiring from politics to take up a new job as the head of the Law Commission mid‑year. I, for one, am going to miss Judith Collins being in politics, because she has that thing very few politicians have. Winston Peters has it, John Key had it - the ability to be a bit cheeky and have a laugh, but then get on and do the job. Too many politicians only have one or the other: they’re either so serious about their work that they’re boring, or they’re having so much fun that they get distracted from the work. Collins, though, could crack a joke, smirk, raise an eyebrow, giggle, enjoy firing off a handgun - and still keep a lid on whatever portfolio she was managing that day. It hasn’t always worked for her, obviously. Talofa became a meme, and praying in church during the 2020 campaign was probably one of the weirdest things you’ve ever seen. She was, you’d have to say, a better National Party leader on paper than in reality. But she has been the Minister of Justice, Police, Corrections, ACC, Defence, the intelligence agencies, the public service, Revenue, Ethnic Affairs, Energy, Space, and the Attorney‑General - and that’s not even the comprehensive list. You don’t hold that many portfolios across two different Governments without being capable, and Prime Ministers know that. But what I think Judith Collins was best at was the comeback. There was the Dirty Politics scandal a decade ago that cost her Cabinet jobs - but she made it back into Cabinet. There was the failed 2020 election campaign as leader - and she somehow managed to come back from that, something not everybody could have done. And now, finally, here in 2026, she has quit on her own terms. There’s a life lesson in this for all of us - wait around long enough, do things the right way, and you’ll make a comeback. And politics will be just a little less fun without Ju‑Co in it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga City Council's confirmed staff were working around Mount Maunganui on the morning a landslide buried six people at the campground. Surrounding cordons were reduced this morning, on day seven of work to recover those buried. A rāhui's been declared for parts of Pilot Bay and Mount Main Beach and the cordoned search area. Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the council's independent review will help narrow down which staff were in the area - and their jobs. "They were in the process of closing Mount Maunganui and putting fences up to stop the public from going into the Maunga, and that's because there were a lot of slips."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Official Cash Rate is expected to rise this year, although forecasters say predicting when is tricky. Inflation was stronger in the December quarter than expected, at 3.1 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen is picking a hike in November - with an outside possibility of one in May.  He says other signs in the market signal a possible increase.  "Actual bank rates for longer-term mortgages have already started to increase a touch this year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judith Collins says the one thing she'd change about her political career is leading the National Party. The Senior MP has announced she's leaving politics after 24 years, in a career that included 18 different ministerial portfolios. In 2020 she had a brief stint leading the party, and lost the election to Jacinda Ardern.  She says stepping up was a bad move. "And I knew it was a hospital pass now, and I still did it, even though my husband was saying - don't do that. And I thought, well, who's going to do it if I don't?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reflections on a tumultuous career, as senior National MP Judith Collins quits politics. She's moving to become the Law Commission President - after 24 years in Parliament.  She lost the National leadership in 2021 after a caucus revolt, but just two years later became the Minister with the most portfolios. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper looked back on Collins' long-running political career. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest civilian death at the hands of Federal Immigration Officers in the US could hurt the Republican party in midterm elections.  Donald Trump is kicking off the campaign in Iowa - a state neighbouring Minnesota, where ICE agents have now shot two protesters dead. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says many Republicans and Trump allies are questioning the immigration agents' tactics.  He says Democrats aren't the only ones concerned. "And a lot of this, I'm sure, has to do with the mid-terms that are coming up this year. Democrats are going to take any opportunity they can to turn something like this into a political soundbite."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fifth seed Elena Rybakina has taken the first set of her Australian tennis Open quarter-final against world number two Iga Swiatek 7-5. The weather is considerably cooler than yesterday's 45 degree high - it's currently 21 in Melbourne. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped today's action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of New Zealand’s most violent murderers is set to appear before the Parole Board for the first time this week. Clayton Weatherston was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 18 years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Sophie Elliott in 2008. Weatherston is now eligible for parole, but Sophie's father, Gil Elliott, says he hasn't availed himself of any rehabilitation measures. "I maintain that his mental state, when he went in, will be the same as his mental state now after 18 years. Why would it be any different?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 27 January, 2026, should there be two inquiries into the Mount Maunganui landslide - one by the council, the other the Government? And is the uprooting trees at the crux of the problem there? We look at why boys are finding it harder to make friends as they get older. The fitness trends that could do you more harm than good. And on the Huddle, David Farrar and Rob Campbell dissect the latest political poll that's  got Winston Peters on the up. 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.