PLAY PODCASTS
Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

12,423 episodes — Page 53 of 249

Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on the fallout from the Qantas system hack

Qantas says its operations and safety are unaffected by a major cyber hack of its systems, potentially impacting six million customers.  It's investigating the proportion of the data stolen, and expects it will be significant. Initial reviews show some customer names, emails, phone numbers, birth dates and frequent flyer numbers were stolen.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the airline has warned impacted customers to be mindful of incoming scams. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 3, 20257 min

Elliott Smith: Sportstalk host on Scott Robertson naming first All Blacks team of 2025

Coach Scott Robertson has unveiled his first All Blacks 23 of the year. Apart from positional changes for Reiko Ioane, Tupou Vaa'i and Ardie Savea, there are four uncapped players in the squad to take on France in Dunedin this Saturday. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 3, 20253 min

Chris Penk: Building and Construction Minister on the Government overhauling insulation regulations to cut costs

The Building and Construction Minister is backing scaling back some insulation standards. The Government's called the changes 'common sense' - with building costs rising more than 40 percent since 2019. It's expected building code insulation requirements will be relaxed by the year's end. Chris Penk says they add huge costs. "Depending on where you are in the country or depending on what the conditions are or which way your house faces, you don't need all of that, you just need some of that. So as long as we can get to the same good overall result without being so prescriptive, then there's money to be saved and houses to be built." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 3, 20254 min

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on three former bosses of Lucy Letby being arrested

Three former staffers at the hospital where British nurse Lucy Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to kill seven others have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.  The trio worked on the senior leadership team at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20253 min

Jeremy Hutton: Milford Asset Management Equities Analyst on the current state of the global markets in 2025

2025 is halfway over - so how are the global markets holding up, and what can investors expect for the second half of the year? Several key markets have delivered decent returns so far, but Trump's 'Liberation Day' delivered a turbulent period. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20253 min

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the ACC tightening up claims payouts

Reports reveal ACC is planning to be more scrupulous when paying claims, as the Government pressures it to run a tighter ship. The state insurer has committed to “highly ambitious” targets around getting injured people rehabilitated and back to work quicker. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20254 min

The Huddle: Are we being too harsh about helicopters in residential areas?

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Modern parents are sceptical of sleepovers as awareness of sexual harm rises. How do we square this circle? There is now a push for Auckland Council to ban private choppers in residential areas altogether following the ongoing Mowbray saga. Are people being too harsh about this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20259 min

Full Show Podcast: 02 July 2025

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 2 July 2025, Donald Trump says Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. International relations expert Stephen Hoadley has his doubts and says this is a very different situation to the war with Iran. The Government's chief victims adviser Ruth Money explains why she wants an end to jury trials in sexual assault cases. Relationship and parenting expert Jo Robertson says we used to be too loose with sleepovers and explains the test you should apply when deciding whether your kids should be allowed to stay somewhere overnight or not. The Herald's Thomas Coughlan responds to Labour's Chris Hipkins' claim that ramraids have vanished from the frontpage because of "NZME's tory owners". Plus, the Huddle debates whether we're being too harsh on rich people trying to crack down on their helicopter pads - or whether it's un-neighbourly to have one land at your house. 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.

Jul 2, 20251h 40m

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Let's not get weird about helicopters and rich-listers

This debate about Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams' helicopter has just got really, really silly in the last day. There is now a push for Auckland Council to ban private choppers in residential areas altogether when they next review the unitary plan for Auckland city, and at least 2 councillors now back that. And one of the councillors backing it is the councillor whose ward covers the Mowbray property. Now I'm sorry, but helicopters are a legitimate form of travel for people who can afford them. They are fast, they avoid traffic jams, and if that is what the Mowbray-Williams family want to use to make their lives easier so they can get from A to B as quickly as possible, all power to them. They can afford it. I feel sorry for the neighbours, I do. I have empathy. I wouldn't want to live next to a property with a chopper that was landing consistently, but nor would I want to live next to a property where the neighbour has a noisy motorbike. And yet - we're not banning noisy motorbikes, are we?  Some noisy motorbikes, by the way, are as noisy as choppers. They can hit 116 decibels, which is pretty much exactly the same as the 118 decibels that you can get if you're standing right next to a chopper landing. And there is no ban on those noisy motorbikes, is there? There's no council limit on how many times your neighbour can use one of them, there's no council saying: "Oh, you can use it 10 times a month, but that's it, no more." So why are we doing the same with the chopper? I can't help but feel that some of this anti-chopper sentiment is coming from an anti-rich person place, and we need to get over that.  Cause we are lucky, actually, that the Mowbrays have chosen to live in New Zealand. These people are gangster rich, they can live anywhere in the world, and yet they're living here in New Zealand. They're living in Auckland, they're providing work for the people who work in their household, they are paying their mega-dollar taxes into our country, they are pumping money into this economy. Let's not make it harder for people like that. Let's not make it easier for people like that to leave this country by getting weird about helicopters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20251 min

Damian Spring: Santana Minerals Chief Executive on Australian miners predicting Otago gold mine could make $3.8 billion

Australian mining firm Santana Minerals has forecasted making $3.8 billion (NZD) in pre-tax profit off a proposed gold mine it hopes to open in Otago by 2027. The company believes it could get 1.25 million ounces of gold from the mine near Cromwell - and the profit is predicted to be significant if gold prices keep holding up. Santana Minerals CEO Damian Spring says this mine will come with dividends for New Zealand, in terms of royalties and jobs and services. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20253 min

Jo Robertson: therapist and parenting educator on the rise of parental concern over sleepovers

There's been a noticeable increase in parents refusing to send their children to sleepovers in recent years. Many parents are worried about the potential harm that could come to their children under the watch of other families, with some refusing to let kids stay with close family members.  Therapist and parenting educator Jo Robertson says parents don't have to ban them outright, but it's important to be cautious. "There's a trend of kids at camps now where there's no adults in the room, it's only children in the room at school camps. And that's got its own challenges with it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20254 min

Steve Cullen: defence lawyer on the group of Restore Passenger Rail protestors being allowed to withdraw guilty pleas

A defence lawyer says the outcome of the trial of Restore Passenger Rail protesters is 'strange'.  The Post reports six people have been allowed to withdraw their guilty pleas, and the judge tossed their charges.  It was over a series of Wellington protests that disrupted traffic.  Steve Cullen says it might be a case of the judge responding to a moral undercurrent.  "A certain proportion of the community felt that these people shouldn't have been convicted at all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20253 min

Mahe Drysdale: Tauranga mayor on the Government beginning negotiations for regional deals with local councils

Tauranga's mayor says the region wants certainty - as a deal with the Government inches closer. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop's confirmed talks are progressing on 10-year Government partnerships for housing, developments, and assets. Auckland, Otago-Central Lakes district, and Western Bay of Plenty are the first areas. Tauranga's Mahe Drysdale says they want new tools to help with infrastructure. "So we can deliver the houses, we can deliver the infrastructure that's required to get those houses, we can deliver jobs and we can deliver the economic growth that the Government keeps talking about." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20253 min

Stephen Hoadley: international relations expert on Donald Trump calling for a 60-day Gaza ceasefire

It's unclear if a 60-day Gaza ceasefire is as achievable as Donald Trump's suggesting.  The US President is claiming Israel's agreed to the necessary conditions for a deal - and Qatar and Egypt will deliver it to Hamas. But internationals relations expert Stephen Hoadley says there's no word yet from Israeli or Hamas spokespeople. He says the fundamental clash remains - no matter what Trump says. "Hamas want Israel out of Gaza and Israel is not inclined to leave Gaza until Hamas is disarmed and all the hostages are returned." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20253 min

Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald political editor on Chris Hipkins's comments towards NZME

Labour leader Chris Hipkins raised a few eyebrows after he offered his theory about why ram-raids don't get as much media coverage anymore. In an earlier interview on ZB's Wellington Mornings, Chris Hipkins claimed NZME's 'Tory owners' decided not to put ram-raids on the front page anymore - in order to put the National Party in a better light. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says data shows ram-raids have dropped significantly over the last year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20256 min

Charles Feldman: US correspondent on Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill getting narrowly passed

After hours of stalemate, Republicans in the US Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump's latest bill on tax and spending. The 'big, beautiful' bill passed with Vice-President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after over 24 hours of debate. US correspondent Charles Feldman says Elon Musk extensively criticised the bill, and he's recently threatened to support campaigns against Congress Republicans voting for it.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20254 min

Elliott Smith: Sportstalk host on eight seeds being knocked out of Wimbledon

More top 10 seeds are out of the first round in an Open era tennis major than ever before at this year's Wimbledon - eight have exited in total. Four of the top men and four of the favoured women have departed, including French Open champion Coco Gauff. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20254 min

Ruth Money: Chief Victims Advisor on whether juries need to be scrapped from sexual violence trials

The Chief Victims Advisor says scrapping juries from sexual violence trials could result in more fact-based verdicts.  Ruth Money believes it would be better for survivors - in part because judges must give reasoning for their verdict. The idea's received some pushback, with one legal expert arguing jury trials are a foundation of the justice system.  Money says jurors enter a court with bias, and mightn't understand nuances of sexual assault.  "I've had survivors say to me - look, I was slammed around that courtroom like a tennis ball, I was rape-mythed, I was shamed, I was blamed." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 20254 min

Enda Brady: UK correspondent on the heatwaves impacting Europe

People throughout Europe have been grappling with the first heatwaves of the Northern Hemisphere summer as increasing temperatures push thermometers into the red. Scientists have long warned that climate change comes with disastrous consequences for the environment, with  Europe’s ever-hotter summer heatwaves being a direct result. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Spain and Portugal had 'record-breaking' hot days yesterday - and people are concerned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20254 min

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on livestock shortages impacting meat plants

Meat plants across the nation are struggling to match low volumes of livestock coming through with staffing levels. New Zealand's national sheep flock and dairy herd have continued to decline in recent years, impacting the flow of livestock into meat works. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20254 min

Full Show Podcast: 01 July 2025

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 1 July 2025, the Government's rolling out harsher punishments for theft, and new spot fines for shoplifters. Health professor Boyd Swinburn makes the case for why we should be funding weightloss drug Wegovy for those struggling with obesity. Some Youth MPs are complaining their speeches were censored - one of them joins Heather to explain what he wanted to say before it was vetoed. Plus, the Huddle debates why National is not pulling its weight and whether we'll miss Jaffas. 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.

Jul 1, 20251h 40m

The Huddle: Do we think the new anti-shoplifting measures will work?

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour minister Stuart Nash and Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Government has introduced some new measures to crack down on shoplifting - do we see these working?  Do we see the Government helping to fund Wegovy? The obesity crisis impacts a significant amount of Kiwis - but what about the costs? National have been talking about removing Treaty of Waitangi references and removing special treatment for certain ethnicities, but ACT and NZ First have criticised the party for not following through. What do we make of this? Jaffas are being discontinued - will we all miss them? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20259 min

Claire Olsen: Kiwi nurse saves $60,000 having robotic hip surgery in India

A nurse who needed a double hip replacement faced a lengthy wait or an $80,000 bill for the operation, and she eventually went overseas to find a solution. She had robotic surgery in India - which set her back $20,000. Claire Olsen says it was 'world-class' and pointed out that New Zealand's own healthcare system was 'third-world' by comparison.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20254 min

Winston Peters: Minister for Rail unveils new details regarding Cook Strait ferries

More details about infrastructure in Wellington and Picton in Government plans for new Cook Strait ferries. CentrePort, Port Marlborough, and KiwiRail have agreed a plan to re-use and strengthen the Wellington wharf servicing Interislander's Aratere - and to re-use terminals both sides of the Strait. Minister for Rail Winston Peters says the Government won't consider privatisation - and he's just looking to make sure Kiwis stay informed. "We're not about to make the same mistake a second time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20256 min

Nate Wilbourne: Youth MP addresses claims that the Government is censoring their speeches

There's growing claims of Youth Parliament censorship.  Some young people say they've been told their speeches can't be critical of the Government. But organisers say although changes are sometimes suggested - Youth MPs make the final call on speech content. Nate Wilbourne is part of the Youth Parliament and says it feels like a mandate.  He says he was sent an edited version of his speech that cut most of it, but he's sticking with the original. "I'm here to give my voice on what I care about and what my community back in Brightwater and my electorate care about." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20253 min

Steven Trewick: Massey University evolutionary ecology professor on the noble false widow spiders spreading through NZ

An invasive spider with a nasty bite is spreading its population across New Zealand - prompting warnings from experts. The noble false widow spider has been spotted in Christchurch, Nelson, Northland and Waikato. Massey University evolutionary ecology professor, Steven Trewick, says their bite is unlikely to kill you - but it's harmful if left untreated. "Like most spiders, they're not going to bite you because they're not interested in you...but they do have some toxins that are similar to the toxins black widows and redbacks have." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20253 min

Boyd Swinburn: Auckland University professor on whether or not the Government needs to fund Wegovy

There's expectations weight-loss drug Wegovy will eventually be funded publicly, according to experts. It's become available from pharmacies under prescription - from today. It's not funded by Pharmac, and costs about $500 dollars per month.  Auckland University population nutrition professor, Boyd Swinburn, says that is unaffordable for the public purse. "When the first generation of these drugs come off patent, their price will drop enormously and that will give Pharmac a chance to really negotiate the price." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20252 min

Sunny Kaushal: Ministerial Retail Crime Advisory Group lead on the Government's new measures designed to crack down on shoplifting

There's another tool in the police toolbox for cracking down on crime. A retail crime prevention advocate says he's happy with proposed law sentencing changes. The Government's confirmed new proposals to increase penalties for shoplifting - including infringement fees, a new 'aggravated theft' offence, and prison sentences. Ministerial Retail Crime Advisory Group lead Sunny Kaushal says we need to create deterrents - and he wants it to be easier for police to prosecute shoplifters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20253 min

Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald political editor on former acting Reserve Bank Governor Grant Spencer returning to the board

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced that former acting Reserve Bank Governor Grant Spencer has been appointed to the central bank’s board. Spencer retired from the Reserve Bank in 2018, after he was deputy Governor and head of financial stability from 2007 to 2017. He was acting Governor over the six months to March 2018. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacks what Nicola Willis is indirectly saying through this announcement.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20254 min

Elliott Smith: Sportstalk host on Lulu Sun getting knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round

Lulu Sun’s return to Wimbledon after a remarkable run 12 months ago has been brief, knocked out this morning in the opening round. The Kiwi world number 47 fell in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 to Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, Sun’s fourth straight first-round exit at a grand slam. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20253 min

Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on the Melbourne daycare worker who was charged with 70 sex crimes

A 26-year-old Melbourne childcare worker is facing 70 charges relating to eight pre-schoolers aged between five months and two years.  Joshua Brown's worked across 20 centres since 2017 - and is accused of sexual assault and producing child abuse material. The parents of 1200 children who'd been in his care have been advised to screen them for infectious diseases. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says authorities are warning the parents to get their children tested - and treated. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20255 min

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Do we need the Government to help fund Wegovy?

From today, Wegovy is available on our shelves so you can get skinny like Oprah, if you want. But it'll cost you - $500 per month. Which is unaffordable for most people, prompting a debate over whether the Government should fund it to reduce obesity and safe money on obesity-related illnesses and injuries. Now on principle, this is the kind of thing I'm a fan of - a bit of money upfront to save lots of money later. But unfortunately, as it stands, this wouldn't be an example of saving money. If we were funding Wegovy like they do in the UK, we'd fund it for people with a BMI over 30. In New Zealand, that is a staggering 1.5 million adults, apparently. If every one of those adults cost $500 per month, that would cost $7.5 billion per year - but it would only save $2 billion a year in obesity-related healthcare costs. Now, that's only measuring health costs directly related to obesity. As we know, carrying too much weight makes you prone to illness, which means you take more days off work, making you less productive. So you could also add in the cost of lost productivity across the workforce. That's around $8 billion, so that takes the cost of obesity to $9.5 billion. But measuring productivity is a guessing game - so you're paying $7.5 billion to maybe save $9.5 billion. Which isn't enough of a saving to take that punt on. And then you need to factor in that for a lot of people, Wegovy only works while you're on it. When you're off it, you'll start putting the weight back on. So you might fund it for a lot of people, only to end up paying the cost of obesity-related illnesses later on. Having said that, that's not measuring the cost of a life. We fund a lot of drugs just to keep people alive, so maybe we should fund this to keep people alive. The good news is - Wegovy comes off its patent in January. Which means copy-cats will be made for much, much cheaper. Which might change the maths, but for now, if you’re giving it to everyone who might need it, the cost would simply be too much to justify. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20252 min

Joey Watson: investigative journalist and producer on the podcast questioning the motives of the Christchurch shooter

A new investigation into the Christchurch Mosque shooting delves into the shooter's motivations - and questions whether he should be identified as a 'lone wolf'. In the six-part podcast, Secrets We Keep: Lone Actor, investigative journalist Joey Watson traces the killer's descent into extremism and wonders if he truly acted alone after being radicalised by online communities. Watson explained that he went through the online communities that radicalised the shooter and saw how he was desensitised to violent acts. "The closer I looked at it, the more I came to see that based on how these ecosystems operated before the attack, what happened in Christchurch - it certainly wasn't inevitable, but it's tragically explainable." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 20256 min

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the controversies impacting Glastonbury 2025

UK authorities have confirmed they plan to assess comments made by some controversial artists at the Glastonbury Festival. English punk duo Bob Vylan and Irish group Kneecap performed controversial sets at the famed festival - criticising Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Israeli Defence Force. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the organisers of the festival were 'appalled' by these - and it's likely investigations will continue.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20254 min

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on Canada rescinding digital services tax

Canada recently scrapped its digital services tax targeting US technology firms - just hours before it was due to take effect.  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump are set to re-open trade talks in order to agree on a deal by July 21, according to Canada's finance ministry. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20252 min

Cathy Hendry: Strategic Pay managing director on the results from the latest Directors' Fees Survey

Strategic Pay's latest Directors' Fees Survey has uncovered an unexpected trend in the nation's private sector boardrooms. The data shows women are out-earning their male counterparts - despite still being somewhat under-represented. Strategic Pay managing director Cathy Hendry says this is 'surprising' - but it's still good to see. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20255 min

Full Show Podcast: 30 June 2025

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 30 June 2025, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith explains why he's making coward punches a new offence with tougher penalties. Rental homes have to follow healthy homes rules by tomorrow - but many many don't comply. Heather asks Andrew Eagles from the Green Building Council whether the rules are simply too tough. Finance Minister Nicola Willis reveals what changes she's making to FamilyBoost to make sure more people are eligible. An etiquette expert weighs in on our worst ever phone manners. Plus, the Huddle chew over the crazy consent requirement hurdles Ikea had to jump over. 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.

Jun 30, 20251h 40m

The Huddle: What do we make of Ikea's consent conditions?

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! The Healthy Homes standards are set to kick in tomorrow - do we see the Government enforcing these?  The Government has recently released a string of new law and order announcements, the latest including tougher penalties for people who assault first responders and making 'coward punches' an offence. Do we agree with these changes?  Ikea's consent conditions included cultural monitoring, karakia and other cultural ceremonies with mana whenua among other things. What do we make of these measures?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20258 min

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Why does it take so long for good ideas to become law?

Anyone out there, hands up, who doesn't agree with the Justice Minister's plan to introduce harsher punishments for people who assault first responders? I feel like this is a complete no-brainer. I mean, there are some out there who would argue that no assault is acceptable at all and that if you create two tiers of punishment where you've got the police officers on one level and then the normal humans on another - what you're saying is that some assaults are more acceptable than others. And that's a fair argument to make, but I think reality has a role to play here, and the reality is different, isn't it? The reality is you and I, regular citizens, can just walk away if we see something happening, if we see there's somebody who needs a bit of help, but we can see it's not safe - we can just keep on going. First responders can't. For police and ambo workers in the fire service, it is their job to go into those situations that are often quite risky because people are upset or people have been substance abusing or whatever. And having a different level of offense for them is an acknowledgement, I think, that they face greater risk, so they should have greater protection.  Now, obviously, just attaching a higher punishment to it doesn't mean it's necessarily going to deter someone from doing something, especially if they're off their face and they're making bad decisions. But I would be surprised if it doesn't have an effect over time. As the punishments start coming in, I suspect it will have an impact - the impact of making first offenders a no go. I find it hard to believe that anybody would assault an ambulance worker, because, you know, is there anybody who was there to help you more than an ambulance worker? They're not there to arrest you. They're just there to help you. But it happens.  At the last count, there were 12 assaults on ambulance workers every single week, and that was before COVID. So probably like everything since then, I imagine the numbers would have gone up. But here's the question I have about this, right? This is not a new idea.  From what I can see, this idea was first pitched by New Zealand First seven years ago. It got to a second reading, never went any further.  Same as with the coward's punch, which has just been announced today after being first pitched seven years ago. On the face of it, I would say a it's good idea. So why does it take so long for good ideas to become law? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20252 min

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister promises FamilyBoost changes are on their way

The Finance Minister says changes to the FamilyBoost scheme are on their way - after Cabinet made decisions today. The Government previously said it would announce changes to the childcare tax policy in June. It's been admitted the number of families initially thought eligible was wrong. Nicola Willis says there are two changes and they apply to fees incurred from tomorrow - with claims able to be made from October. "The first is to increase the amount of rebate, which will have the effect that people on lower middle incomes with lower rates of fees will be able to get a bigger rebate." Willis says the second is to reduce the abatement rate - so families earning more than 140-thousand dollars will be able to claim a bit more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20259 min

Chris Bishop: RMA Minister criticises the resource consent requirements impacting Auckland's Ikea

The Government's slamming the requirement for builders of a new Ikea in Auckland - to consult with seven mana whenua groups. Consent for the Sylvia Park store requires iwi consultation around erosion, stormwater treatment, and planting.  ACT's Simon Court flagged the issue, and the Prime Minister's called it insane. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says it's ridiculous - and why we can't have nice things in New Zealand. "And it's exactly the reason why we are ultimately repealing and replacing the RMA with new legislation. This is the red tape that gets in the way and drives up the costs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20255 min

James Kilty: Transpower CEO addresses latest concerns over dwindling gas supply

Transpower says recent electricity generation simulations should not trigger panic, over declining gas supply. Two of three tests show improvements, looking a decade ahead into how our systems will cope with demand. But the third - the winter energy margin - finds worsening conditions, year-on-year. Transpower's James Kilty says it's not a big deal. "The tests include a buffer, so the fact that we're dipping slightly below the buffer does not mean that there'll be electricity supply shortages next year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20252 min

Anna Musson: etiquette expert on the study revealing how many people text during face-to-face conversations

New research has been conducted into our texting habits - and it's raised a few eyebrows. A survey by BNZ indicates New Zealanders were responding to notifications in a variety of awkward locations, with one third of respondents replying in the bathroom, 41 percent in the middle of face-to-face conversations and 28 percent while in meetings.  Etiquette expert Anna Musson says many of us are terrible at multitasking, and picking up a phone during a face-to-face exchange has unfortunate implications. "If you're in the company of another person, it is criminal to pick up your phone and suggest that the other person is less interesting or less important, even if it's true." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20254 min

Paul Goldsmith: Justice Minister on the Government making 'coward punches' a specific offense

The Justice Minister's confirmed the Government aims to send a clear message to offenders as part of the latest legislation.  The Government recently announced 'coward punches' will be treated as a new offence, giving offenders longer sentences. The reform makes good on a National and NZ First coalition promise. Paul Goldsmith says the Government's hoping to disincentivise these 'unacceptable' attacks.   "We're going to send a very strong message from Parliament to the judiciary - that we expect serious consequences for serious crime." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20253 min

Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald political editor on Chris Luxon discussing NZ's economic prospects following China visit

The Prime Minister is talking up our economic prospects - in challenging global times. He's just returned from meeting leaders in China and Europe, as mid-east tensions reached boiling point. Chris Luxon says we are throwing everything at boosting trade links so we can continue to grow. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan discussed further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20254 min

Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on the Erin Patterson trial beginning deliberations

An Australian jury has begun its first day of deliberations in the trial of Erin Patterson - accused of deliberately manufacturing a murderous mushroom lunch. She's facing three murder charges and one of attempted murder over the toxic meal she served her estranged husband's relatives. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says there's just over an hour left of deliberating time today. "4:15 Melbourne time is when they will wrap up - and they've back in the court every day, including Saturdays, so they can reach a verdict." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20254 min

Jason Pine: Sportstalk host on Liam Lawson finishing sixth in Austrian Grand Prix

Satisfaction for Liam Lawson after prevailing in a race long battle with a two-time world champion at Formula One's Austrian Grand Prix. The Kiwi driver has secured a career best sixth - one place ahead of Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20253 min

Andrew Eagles: NZ Green Building Council CEO on the Healthy Homes requirements kicking in tomorrow

There's concerns not all landlords will comply with the Healthy Homes standards set to kick in tomorrow. New rental compliance standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, and moisture in rental properties will come into effect from July 1. NZ Green Building Council CEO Andrew Eagles says it's likely a significant percentage of homes won't meet the standard by the deadline. "There's been an awful lot of assessments and work and I know that many are pushing to get it done in the final month, which is a real shame, because lots of people are booked up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20255 min

Full Show Podcast: 27 June 2025

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 27 June. 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.

Jun 27, 20251h 38m

Murray Crane: Crane Brothers founder commits to another 25-years on High Street

The high street tailor "Crane Brothers" has been a fixture on the street for years - and it will remain so for even longer. Murray Crane - the man behind the business - has signed to keep the business in it's current location for another 25 years.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "[on High Street] we're seeing tenancies being refilled and leases being signed." Crane said that despite the CBD's post-COVID drop in footfall, he's confident in his decision to stay put.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 27, 20255 min