Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner recently penned an opinion piece in defence of DEI amid ongoing concerns about the measures. Winston Peters and Judith Collins have taken aim against these policies, with Collins aiming to remove diversity requirements from the Public Service Act. Gail Pacheco revealed how DEI standards can boost productivity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building's issued a gloomy trading update, marked with trading slumps, market falls and low sales volumes. The company's now aiming for a further $100 million dollars in cost cuts. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Richard Hills and Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day! The local body elections wrapped up over the weekend and turnout has been labelled 'abysmal'. Does the system need to be changed to encourage more people to vote? The latest numbers show structured literacy seems to be making a huge difference to our youngest readers. Are we pleased with Erica Stanford's solution? New mums are set to get a three-day stay in hospital after having a baby. Is this a good move? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen, I am more and more convinced that we need to cut the number of councils we have across the country. I mean, that voter turnout that we've seen at the weekend was abysmal. Last count I've seen is that nationally, only 38 percent of us voted. It's worse in Auckland, where only around 29 percent -  so not even 1 in 3 of us - voted. Now, I think anyone who thinks that we can fix local Government by ditching the postal vote system and going hard with the orange guy and his dog is dreaming. Because that is not the problem. The problem is not how you vote, the problem is who you vote for. I think we have a complete breakdown in the trust between the voter and the people that we are voting for and the authority in general. I mean, you've opened your booklet, right? Surely, you've had a look at who you had to vote for. It's overpopulated by people you wouldn't trust to mind your pet, never mind run the council. You don't actually believe that these people are going to make smart decisions, do you? Or do what they say they're gonna do? You wouldn't even know if they do what they say they're gonna do, because there's hardly any media coverage nowadays and holding people to account. I think it fundamentally comes down to us simply having too many local body politicians in New Zealand, right? Because Auckland alone has 170 of these people. That is more than Parliament has for the entire country. Now, run that 170 in Auckland across the entire country, but it's like 1000. We don't have enough media to cover everything, grill them when they break promises. We don't have enough attention spans ourselves to absorb that much information on top of everything we're already absorbing with central Government. And so what we do is we just tap out and we give up and only what, 40 percent of us vote? I reckon what we need to do is we need to take our 67 territorial authorities and just cut it down. Some commentators reckon we need to go as low as 13. I don't mind, that's a good starting point. It's certainly a better starting point than 67 which equals a, what, 38 percent turnout? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 13 October 2025, the last of the Israeli hostages are being released today in a momentous day for Gaza. Israel correspondent Alexander Cornwell speaks to Heather ahead of Donald Trump's arrival to Jerusalem. The Education Minister says "I told you so!" after literacy stats show the structured literacy approach she mandated across the country is already lifting reading rates for our youngest school kids. Heather reckons we need a fundamental change to local body elections after an abysmal turnout over the weekend. Plus, the Huddle debates literacy, local politics and longer hospital stays for new mums. 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.

Participation in local elections is at a historic low and there's growing calls for reform. Turnout's been higher in rural areas and much lower in the main cities, but data shows under 40 percent of eligible voters made their voices heard. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says a simpler solution is needed, much like the general elections. "It might be simpler if it was just - turn up and vote. Turn up to the booth, turn up to the place just as you do for the general Government elections." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamas is expected to start releasing Israeli hostages now. It's handing over 20 hostages over the next two hours - followed by Israel handing over nearly 2000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.  The US president is expected to arrive in Tel Aviv very soon, and claims the war is over in Gaza and the ceasefire will hold. Reuters correspondent Alexander Cornwell says people could start arriving very soon - and that the Red Cross will be there to collect them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's disappointment from some after a majority of Māori wards are set to go.  17 councils have voted to keep them, and 25 have voted to remove them Whakatane Māori Ward councillor Toni Boynton says those referendums should never have been held. She says this choice should be up to councils. "If they're elected by their constituents, that's democracy, right? And they're elected to be able to make those decisions and that decision was taken away from them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's confidence New Zealand schools are turning a corner on literacy skills. The Education Minister says data shows 58 percent of new entrant students are at-or-above phonics expectations after 20 weeks at school - up from 36 percent in Term One. The number exceeding expectations is more than double Term One's figure. Erica Stanford says she wants 90 percent of kids to achieve curriculum level. "As teachers become more confident and capable with explicit teaching and the new curriculum and structured literacy, the results will get better and better and better...we see that overseas." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The IRD is set to be cracking down harder on those who don't pay their taxes properly, and they've unveiled new measures for people who ignore correspondence. The department will start taking money out of people's bank accounts if they owe over a certain amount - and they've recovered at least $17 million so far. The IRD's Tony Morris says they aim to phone people at least twice before they start directly taking money out of accounts. "Other times, we might just contact people once or twice and then take money out of their accounts so they don't squander it."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erica Stanford believes mandated structured literacy is turning reading and writing skills around. The Education Minister's revealed new data showing 58 percent of students are at or above phonics expectations after 20 weeks at school - up from 36 percent in Term One. The number exceeding expectations is more than double Term One's figure. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this data shows the Government's education plan is working. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Government has backed down on its controversial superannuation tax plan, following long-running criticism from key industries. Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the surprise decision today, one week after Prime Minister Albanese claimed the plan was going to remain unchanged.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says these changes have been met with support from Australians. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has defended the lack of fresh faces in the 36-strong squad for the upcoming Grand Slam tour. There's just one new cap in prop Tevita Mafileo and only one player - hooker George Bell - didn't appear in the Rugby Championship squad. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A climate expert has claimed the Government's reduced methane targets are 'unambitious'. The goal for 2050 has been slashed to a range of 14-to-24 percent below 2017 levels - about half the former target. Agricultural methane emissions won't be taxed. Victoria University's Nathanael Melia says by investing more into research, New Zealand could have aimed for higher. "We're using brand new science and brand new thinking to find out what we should do with our unique makeup to do these sorts of things. We're being a leader here and I think the Government could have been a bit more of a leader." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 10 October 2025, Israeli hostages will return home and aid will be delivered into Gaza within days after Israel's Government has signed off on a peace deal. Heather asks Israel's Ambassador Alon Roth whether this paves the way for a Palestinian state. Kiwi flotilla protestor Samuel Leason speaks to Heather after touching down again in New Zealand after being arrested by Israel. Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the Government is breaking its asset sales promise. The Government is looking to sell off an investment in Chorus worth $700 million. New Zealanders are throwing away over 120 thousand tonnes of food every year .. and a new food rescue app is hoping to change that. Gone Good founder Tim Robinson explains how you can get your hands on heavily discounted cafe and bakery goods. Plus, the Sports Huddle ponders how much longer the Noeline Taurua saga will carry on - and does F1 show too many driver girlfriends instead of the track action? 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.

Yeah, so it's weird that it takes a princess to warn us about this, but Kate Middleton has warned parents against phones at the dinner table. She's written an essay in collaboration with a Harvard Medical School professor about the dangers of smartphones and social media eroding family connections. She says, when we check our phones during conversations, scroll through social media during family dinners or respond to emails while playing with our children, we're not just being distracted — we are withdrawing the basic form of love that human connection requires. And she then goes on to say, families must, quote, protect sacred spaces for genuine connection: family dinners, conversations, moments of genuine eye contact and engaged listening. Now, some in our office today have accused her of being milquetoast and picking the most boring subject in the world to take on. But isn't she actually on to something incredibly important here? The family unit is the most fundamental and important part of society, and teaching our kids as parents is the most important job we have. Role modeling good habits is more important than we realize — good habits that lead to good physical health, good mental health in the future. And yet so many parents are actually distracted by our phones, sitting around, scrolling, allowing screens to creep into the time that we should be spending with our kids. You talk to a year one primary teacher or even go to a Kindy teacher, they'll tell you that they're seeing some kids who cannot form sentences properly, even at the age of 5, because they spend too much time on the screen, not talking to their parents. Their parents are presumably doing exactly the same, attached to a screen. I have rules in the house. The husband constantly breaks them and is constantly reminded about them. No phones at the table, no screens in the car. TV time is a treat — a treat for weekends and school holidays for the most part. Some exceptions, like sickness — you know, you gotta bend the rules a wee bit. The kids accept it because they don't know any different. Kate and William have rules in their house — none of their kids have smartphones, even though the oldest is 12 and probably about to qualify for one, you would say. Kate is on to something here. It's probably one of the most insidious issues of our time. Good on her for piping up — milquetoast or not. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s hotels are taking a hit, as a struggling economy hurts domestic spending.   China’s economy has been in decline for the past 4 years, and now budget hotels are having to slash their prices despite being full.  Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather duPlessis-Allan that this is partly due to unemployment rates, with 1 in 5 Chinese people under the age of 24 being unemployed.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three New Zealanders detained by Israel last week, have returned home. Rana Hamida, Youssef Sammour and Samuel Leason were in an aid flotilla to Gaza, intercepted by Israel's military in the Mediterranean. They were among hundreds from around the world, attempting to deliver food and medical supplies. Leason told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he's hoping the ceasefire announced yesterday, will hold.  He says he wants what's best for the people of Gaza.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on the Huddle: Rugby commentator Paul Ellison and NewstalkZB's own D'arcy Waldegrave join Ryan Bridge to discuss the latest sports news.  The story around Dame Noeline Taurua and her suspension continues, will there be an end to this drama? Why is TV coverage of F1  focusing on the celebrities, not the racing? And has progressiveness come at the cost of good refereeing?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls for a Government crackdown on some temporary pools, after five deaths in the past decade. Coroner Heidi Wrigley's reviewed the death of 20-month-old Aromaia Duff in Napier in 2023, after being found face down in a backyard pool. Wrigley says her death reaffirms concerns a pattern's emerging of drownings in such pools. Acting Water Safety NZ CEO Gavin Walker told Heather du Plessis Allan that the issue isn't paddling pools - or much larger ones. He says the problem is more with waist deep, medium-size pools about three metres across - which have proliferated. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour claims a promise isn't being kept - as the Government mulls selling its stake in Chorus.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis today said the Government's considering selling the 61 percent stake in the telecoms infrastructure company - now rollout of ultra-fast broadband is complete.  She says the money from a sale would be spent on hospitals and schools.  But Chris Hipkins told Heather du-Plessis Allan that they've broken their word.  He says National promised no asset sales - and this would fall into that category.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel's counting down the days to Hamas releasing hostages.   Israel's Cabinet's signed off on a ceasefire deal for their return, as well as Israeli troops pulling back - and an end to hostilities.   Ambassador to New Zealand, Alon Roth says hostages could be freed as soon as Monday.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan Israel's army is starting to uphold its part of the bargain.   Roth says they are starting to pull back, which should take about 24 hours.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Kiwis on board the humanitarian aid flotilla set for Gaza have returned to New Zealand.  Three people arrived in Auckland airport, describing the poor conditions they were kept in and said they received little support from the NZ government.   Senior political respondent Barry Soper says that this contradicts what the government has said about the situation.   'I remember Winston said that our MFAT people would have been working to ensure that these people would receive safe passage out of Israel.’  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealander’s are throwing away over 120,000 tonnes of food every year, and a new food rescue app is hoping to change that.  ‘Gone Good’ lets customers buy mystery bags of unsold food from cafes and bakeries to help reduce food waste.  Deliver Easy CEO Tim Robinson told Heather duPlessis-Allan that, 'the mystery idea is a bit of fun, but also make sure that we're truly targeting the food waste side.’  He said that the bags will have a vague description, so customers know roughly what they’re getting.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who intensified a political crisis by resigning earlier this week, indicated Emmanuel Macron could name a new PM soon. Lecornu’s comments on France 2 public television had been eagerly awaited after Macron gave him until today NZT to find a way out of months of deadlock over an austerity budget. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained the situation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence technology continues to attract attention from investors, but there's growing concerns over an 'AI bubble' situation. Officials at the Bank of England recently flagged the risk that tech stock prices pumped up by the AI boom could burst. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been concerns out of Parliament over Fonterra's future. Peters is asking the dairy giant questions about its proposed nearly $4 billion dollar sale of brands like Anchor and Mainland to a French company. He's laying out a number of questions, including how long the deal is, and if it's repeating mistakes from the past. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and former head of Health NZ, Rob Campbell, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Nestle has quit a major alliance to reduce methane emissions from dairy suppliers. Does this mean New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate change, like ACT suggested? The Māori Party announced their big reset ahead of the 2026 election - hours after Speaker Gerry Brownlee had to suspend the House again after a haka broke out. What do we make of all this?  Are we surprised to learn that Hamas and Israel agreed on the first phase of a peace deal in Gaza? Do we need to give Donald Trump some credit? There's growing drugs to decriminalise drugs in New Zealand - do we think this is a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's happened again, unfortunately - the Māori Party has hijacked Parliament once again with a haka. It played out like this: Oriini Kaipara, who's their new MP replacing the late Takutai Tarsh Kemp, delivered her maiden speech because today’s her first day in Parliament. Afterwards, there was a song and the public gallery was involved. She stepped out of her seat into the aisle, onto the floor to receive the song. As soon as the song ended, someone - sounded like it was somebody up in the public gallery - started a haka and she started to haka back. From news reports I’ve read, one of the other MPs, Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, also started to haka. Speaker Gerry Brownlee said, “Oh no, not that.” He went on to say that was not the agreement that had been struck, but they didn’t stop, they basically ignored him. He got to his feet, at which point the House is usually supposed to stop everything it’s doing and go quiet to allow him to speak, and they just completely ignored him. He threw his hands in the air, he then suspended the House, walked off, and the camera feed cut. He’s come back subsequently very unhappy about it, and I’m going to bring you up to speed on all of that. Now, the thing is, though - before you get angry about it - don’t bother wasting energy on being angry at the Māori Party for doing this, because that’s akin to wasting energy on getting angry at an alcoholic for getting drunk if you put beer in front of them, or getting angry at a toddler for packing a tantrum if they’re tired. This is what the Māori Party does, right? This is the stuff that they thrive on. They thrive on performance, they thrive on sticking the middle finger to authority, it’s basically what they would call their kaupapa. I’m just surprised that Gerry Brownlee got hoodwinked so easily into making an agreement with them and thinking this wouldn’t happen. Or maybe he didn’t, or maybe someone in Parliament didn’t get hoodwinked, because it looks like someone was prepared for this. As soon as that haka started, the camera never cut back to the Māori Party or the gallery. It stayed on Gerry, and as soon as he suspended Parliament, the feed cut. Now, what that means is you never really see the Māori Party doing the haka or anyone doing the haka. You can just kind of hear it in the background, but you can’t see it. That basically robs the Māori Party of the ability to do what they did previously - strip the crisp, professional parliamentary TV feed, put it on their social media, and hope the thing goes viral. It’s not going to happen this time because that footage is not there for them. Now, it is not ideal, obviously, having Parliament’s rules broken like this for obvious reasons, but it is not unexpected. So I think, given all things, the best outcome may be the one that was achieved today - which is just a blackout. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 9 October 2025, huge development for Gaza. Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire deal. The Maori Party announced a reset on the same day another haka disrupts Parliament proceedings. Former Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell speaks with Heather about the party's direction. The Drug Foundation wants to decriminalise all drugs - but would it really solve our issues with rising meth and cocaine use? Plus, the Huddle debates whether the Maori Party can make itself look like a responsible coalition partner to Labour and the Greens. 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.

Treasury has revealed the state of the Government’s finances, and it's been revealed that spending has dropped. The country's still in an operating deficit of $9.3 billion, but tax take has gone up and growth in total expenses has slowed. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen unpacks what's behind this recent data. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, prompting speculation. This follows other companies backing out of climate initiatives, with the Net Zero Banking Alliance confirming it was set to shut down earlier in the week. Agribusiness expert Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says it's likely the Alliance didn't move fast enough for Nestle, and they're taking their support elsewhere. "The Alliance has not worked as well as they thought - and remember, Nestle's done some really good work around the world with regenerative agriculture, with cropping... so they're putting their money where they're actually getting action." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tenants and landlords may soon have more powers to end an agreement over methamphetamine contamination. The Government is establishing clear standards for the amount of contamination legally allowed in rentals.  If there is meth residue levels of 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres, the landlord must address it. Tenancy Advisory Director Sarina Gibbon says a tenancy can be quickly ended if levels are double this - and she explained that in these cases, it is quite likely meth has been manufactured on site.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's confidence Israeli hostages will be released as early as this weekend, with Hamas and Israel today agreeing to the first phase of a peace plan. It includes Hamas releasing hostages and Israel withdrawing some forces from Gaza.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the news - and urges Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution. Australian National University lecturer Anas Iqtait says this first phase could be carried out in the next 72 hours. "It is highly likely that Israeli captives in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention camps and prisons will also be released." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori's pledged to concentrate on policy - and listen more.  The party held its promised reset event at Parliament this afternoon, reflecting on its history and looking towards next year's election. Former Te Pāti Māori co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says a party reset would be a good move. "What that means in terms of translating into policy gains, what it means in terms of taking an approach to the country and reflecting the original kaupapa for Te Pāti Māori - I think still remains to be seen." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oriini Kaipara is promising to use te Reo Māori as much as possible, as she launches her political life. The newly sworn-in Te Pati Māori MP presented her maiden speech to Parliament today, followed by a number of waiata in the House. Parliament was temporarily suspended when people in the public gallery broke out in a haka - met with dismay by Speaker Gerry Brownlee. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the day's events. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of a peace framework for Gaza.  Mediators in Egypt have been overseeing negotiations over several days. The first phase includes releasing all hostages - and initial withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of the Strip. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Australian Government has voiced support for these new measures. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Breakers are on the board in their ANBL basketball campaign with a 117-88 win over the Hawks in Auckland. Guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 20 points and registered a franchise record 17 assists. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing support for a call to decriminalise drugs in order to reduce harm. The Drug Foundation's released a report calling drug laws of the past 50 years a 'colossal failure'.  It is pushing for decriminalising use - and more investment in health and addiction services.  Victoria University criminology professor Fiona Hutton says the status quo isn't working.  "Things like drug overdoses are rising, addiction hasn't really been properly addressed, things like methamphetamine use are causing real harm in our communities." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharesies is launching its own debit card today and promising the new product will be a change from traditional card reward programmes. The micro-trading platform says the Sharesies Debit Mastercard will earn customers 1% “Investback”. That meant earnings accrued from using the card would automatically be invested on a weekly basis into a nominated investment on the Sharesies app. Sharesies Personal General Manager Scott Nixon joined the Afternoons team to discuss further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it has no intention of decriminalising drug use, despite a confronting new report.  The Drug Foundation paper suggest the Misuse of Drugs Act has compounded harm - and needs overhauling.  But Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says change isn't on the agenda this term.  NZ Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm joined the Afternoons team to explain further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top British security officials will face questions over an aborted China spying case brought by its chief prosecutor, which collapsed as it is seeking to rebuild economic ties with the country. The case against Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash, who were charged last year under the Official Secrets Act over allegations they spied for China between 2021 and 2023, was dropped last month. UK correspondent Gail Downey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank today slashed the OCR by 50 basis points to 2.5 percent, prompting markets to make readjustments. This recent cut wasn't full priced in, and it's got some experts re-thinking their OCR outlooks ahead of the end of the year. Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Eight international rugby unions, including New Zealand, have tried to warn their players off joining the proposed Rugby 360 league. What do we make of all this?  The OCR dropped another 50 basis points today - should we be celebrating? Or could the central bank have done more? National recently dropped below 30 percent in the latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll. Should the coalition be worried here? New reports on truancy have found that many families are still taking their kids out of class for holidays. Do we need to stagger holidays around the country so that flights to Fiji aren't so expensive for a specific 2-week period? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB recently agreed to pay $135.6 million to settle a class action for allegedly breaching the  Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act. ANZ has refused to settle, and it's prompted concerns over recent proposed banking reforms are at risk. Banking Reform Coalition convener Kent Duston explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major new report is warning that more than 1000 seaside homes could suffer significant damage from extreme weather by 2060. And hundreds of thousands of homes worth an estimated $180 billion are located in flood-prone areas, according to Our Marine Environment 2025 from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ. Alison Collins from the Ministry for the Environment says many of these homes are in low-lying coastal communities and on flood plains. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 8 October 2025, the Reserve Bank has pulled out the big guns and cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points today. Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr speaks to Heather. Former National Party staffer Ben Thomas says National polling in the 20s is not good news for Chris Luxon. NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson explains why rugby unions across the world don't want players playing for a new rival league backed by Saudi Arabia. New Zealand's best big airport is .... Queenstown Airport! Heather is surprised? She speaks with Queenstown Airport Chief Operating Officer Todd Grace. Plus the Huddle debates that poll and Tory Whanau's final speech as Wellington mayor - surprising? 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.

Good news - the Reserve Bank has finally done the thing many of us thought was necessary, and they've gone for a double cut in the OCR of 50 basis points. That's the good news. The bad news is that they've been forced to do it because they didn't do it earlier, as in, they haven't cut as quickly as they should have. I mean, think back to July when they actually chose not to cut at all, which was clearly a mistake at the time - but became even more of a mistake when we saw the shock GDP number that followed. We saw that in the three months before that decision, the economy had actually contracted by a whopping 0.9 percent and the Reserve Bank hadn't really noticed at all. And the bad news, I suppose, again, is that they could have done a double cut last time when two of them on the Monetary Policy Statement said we should go double cut. But more of them said, no, let's just go with the single cut. So they've gone with a double cut today - vindication for two, it would seem. We're gonna stick to the good news though, which is that, finally, the Reserve Bank has caught up with the rest of us. The economy is cooked, and we need to do something, so they have delivered it. They admit that this is a signal. The signal is it's okay to go out and spend and invest - because they've realized, finally, that people are freaked out, right? There have been too many predictions of green shoots just before the economy falls again, which freak people out, and there have been too many bad surprises which freak people out. Business confidence is shot, look at the QBSO yesterday. Consumer confidence is also slightly increasing, but still really negative. People are holding on to their money, they're saving instead of spending, they're worrying instead of investing. And this cut is a circuit breaker that's supposed to snap us out of our fear. Now, there are some who worry that we are actually already so freaked out that even this cut, given how big it is, could spook us all over again. It's possible, maybe it could happen. But I think what's more likely is that it's going to give the assurance that people need. And the assurance is that the people in charge of the economy actually realize how bad things are - and are prepared to be bold. And I'll tell you what, it's better late than never. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eight international rugby unions, including New Zealand, have warned players that they won't be eligible for high-level selection if they switch to the proposed Rugby 360 league. There have been rumours of monetary offers directed at high-level rugby and league players for the competition, which is being promoted by former England international Mike Tindall. NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson says many of the other unions haven't been as clear or public as New Zealand's has, because of the scrutiny, but they wanted to make things clear. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown Airport is flying high, thanks to a surge in visitors. It's been named Large Airport of the Year at the national awards - with judges praising its strong safety record, commercial success, and community engagement. They were also impressed with its new end-of-runway safety system. Chief operating officer Todd Grace says the airport's seen strong growth since Covid. He says they're the only airport in New Zealand operating back past pre-Covid levels. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.