Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

More vets across New Zealand are reporting a surge in poor behaviour from customers, particularly over billing. New reports claim staff in customer facing roles are experiencing pet owners trying to emotionally blackmail vets over rising costs. NZ Veterinary Association CEO Kevin Bryant says costs are going up everywhere, and customers are taking this out on staff "There's a huge amount of confusion in the public arena between the fact that we have a heavily subsidised human health system and a totally unsubsidised animal health system, and I think that's definitely part of it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Foreign Minister's reiterated his calls for a ceasefire in Gaza on the second anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel.  Winston Peters addressed Parliament this afternoon, also calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas, and for Israel to allow aid into Gaza unimpeded.  Newstalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says Peters went on to defend the Government's call to not recognise a Palestinian state amid ongoing backlash from the opposition.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A protester who shared Winston Peters' address on social media says she's only protested outside once.  Actress Acacia O'Connor has been criticised by the Greens for sharing the address - and she's lost her contract for ads for telco One NZ.  She says she doesn't know the person who smashed a window at the Foreign Minister's home last night O'Connor says it's likely protests will continue. She says she's so sorry to hear Peters' home was damaged - but she's asking him to help Palestinians whose homes are being bombed every day.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man who allegedly sprayed up to 50 bullets on police in Sydney’s inner west has been charged with a string of offences. Artemios Mintzas, 60, allegedly shot 'indiscriminately' at passing vehicles, including police vehicles in Croydon Park on Sunday evening. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police revealed there were no drugs involved, nor a clear ideology.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silver Ferns interim netball coach Yvette McCausland-Durie is adamant she has no ambitions for the permanent gig. She still wants the role to remain short-term after stepping in for the South African series. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canterbury police will keep monitoring demand in rural areas, after shelving a proposed restructure. It would've replaced some permanent officers, with staff working at 24/7 hubs in Rolleston and Rangiora. Many of the thousand submissions supported the idea, but it was rejected by affected communities. Canterbury District Commander Tony Hill says the feedback showed police can meet demand with current staff. "We just questioned whether we've got them in the right places - what we've seen from our people is some really good suggestions about how we might deploy those, to actually meet that without disrupting people in their roles." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government has announced the police will be given powers to put conditions on repeat protests. This follows last weekend's pro-Palestinian demonstration in London, which saw almost 500 people arrested. UK correspondent Gail Downey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week saw the release of some weak economic data out of the US and it's got investors speculating. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission has ruled out an inquiry into airport regulation, for now. Air New Zealand had written to the regulator, saying there was enough 'accumulated evidence and concern' to justify a probe. The Commission has done a 'short, targeted review'. Air New Zealand Head of Regulatory Affairs Kristy McKay revealed why she's pleased with this outcome. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Is it a good idea for the Government to show young people some tough love when it comes to the benefit? Do we think this is the way forward? And is the income threshold too low? Winston Peters is firing back after groups of protesters kept showing up outside his house. Can new legislation fix this? Former Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is set to receive a $416,000 payout. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 6 October 2025, Foreign Minister Winston Peters tells Heather about the protesters that keep turning up outside his house night after night. Heather applauds the Government's tough love attitude to unemployed teenagers. The Finance Minister Nicola Willis gets a grilling over ex-RBNZ governor Adrian Orr's $416,000 golden parachute payment. Just 60% of 13-17 year olds know how to cook three or more meals - does this reflect badly on us parents? Plus, the Huddle debates young people on the benefit and Adrian Orr's big payday. 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.

Former Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is in for a significant payday. He resigned in March, following a funding disagreement, with tensions between Treasury, the bank, and the Finance Minister. The central bank's annual report shows Orr will receive a $416,000 restraint of trade payment this month. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she wasn't informed of this until today. "I had been assured that they had done those negotiations in accordance with the terms and conditions in his contract, which had already been agreed when he was reappointed as Governor in 2022." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On these protesters who've been harassing Winston and his neighbours - even as recently as last night - they really have to call this nonsense off. Turning up at someone's house in the evening, or as the Prime Minister said to Mike this morning, at 11 at night or 4 in the morning is not protesting. That's actually just intimidating. Particularly, I think, in the case of Winston, who I know has been actually dealing with this for a number of months. Now, I don't think he's actually gone public yet. Even when I asked him, I don't think he's gone public with the extent of the harassment that he's been dealing with - and it was probably because he didn't want to encourage it to continue. But I have been aware for months that this has been going on outside his house. What makes it worse is that like with many heritage suburbs in central Auckland, Winston's house is right on the roadside. He doesn't have a yard out the front between him and the protesters. He doesn't have a long driveway between him and them. If you stand outside his house, you're basically touching his porch and his front door is about 1.5 to 2 metres away. I think that makes the intimidation even greater. And what these protesters need to understand is that they're not drawing attention to Gaza by harassing a senior politician - just like with the flotilla kids, right? Because they're not drawing attention to Gaza. They are only drawing attention to themselves and getting us talking - not about Gaza, but about whether the thing that they are doing as their protest or their activism is appropriate. They're simply drawing attention to themselves. Now, there is a planned law to stop this business about the protesting outside people's houses. It's in the submissions phase, so it hasn't passed yet and it's a while away from passing Which means, of course, that in the meantime these protesters can pretty much do what they like by the looks of things. But what they should understand is that it is inappropriate and most New Zealanders with families will look at this and think this is inappropriate, and so all they're doing is risking goodwill towards their cause. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auckland Business Chamber’s bracing for the new incentive to encourage more teens to join its youth employment programme. It uses its business network to connect them with jobs. Chief Operating Officer Leah Gates says it's tough right now for teens. "And in a tight labour market, they're disproportionately affected and they're competing against more experienced workers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research reveals more Kiwi kids are losing out on learning key life skills, with cooking at the top of the list. 77 percent of parents say it's vital for children to learn to cook before they grow up and leave home, but only 21 percent get their kids involved in the kitchen. Just 60 percent of 13-17 year olds can cook three or more meals, according to recent data. LittleCooks tutor Dalene Gourley says many parents want to get their kids involved, but they don't feel they have the time, patience or know-how to make it work. "I also think they feel that the kitchen will turn into chaos or that it's quicker to just do it themselves - and I can completely understand that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People protesting the war in Gaza were back outside the Foreign Minister's Auckland home last night.  Winston Peters says they stayed until about 8.30pm, when police moved them along.  The Government's currently progressing a law to make protesting outside someone's home an offence. Peters says they were blasting away about two metres from his front door, and he told the cops he'd had enough.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland courtroom has seen confronting footage of tourists running for their lives during the 2019 eruption of Whakaari-White Island. A coronial inquest is looking into the disaster that killed 22 people and injured 25 - almost all in tour groups. Newstalk ZB reporter Jordan Dunn says this inquest will cover an 'extensive' list of factors. "They're going to be looking at how emergency responders did actually respond, and who was actually in charge with that emergency response and who was supposed to be centring it and who was supposed to be focusing that communication."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says the Government's resetting expectations for under-25s to not rely on the unemployment benefit. A $1,000 bonus is being introduced for certain young people who stay off the benefit for a year. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this announcement isn't anything new, but something needs to be done to encourage young people into work. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 60-year-old man's been arrested in Sydney, after a gunman opened fire in the suburb of Croydon Park last night. At least one person was hit and seriously injured - and 16 hurt - with up to 100 shots fired between 7.45 and 9.30pm. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the shooter's motivation remains unknown, but investigations are still ongoing.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no further movement on the Silver Ferns coaching saga front. Netball New Zealand and Dame Noeline Taurua are stuck in mediation with no resolution in sight. Sportstalk host Jason Pine outlines the situation - and wonders if Taurua will want to return. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diabetes is costing record numbers of Kiwis toes, feet and legs. More than 1200 lower-limb amputations were performed last year alone. Those with type two diabetes - about 95 percent of the diabetes population - are most affected. Diabetes Special Interest Group Head, Simon Speight, says GPs focus on managing symptoms to reduce the need for surgery. "Whether it's the sugar levels, the blood pressure, the cholesterol - just trying to get those levels sorted out right from the get-go, because if any of those proceed 20, 30, 40 years later down the track, that's when these things can happen."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 3 October 2025, the Jewish Council says antisemitism has been normalised across the world after a terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester. Budgeting advisers are concerned people can now buy their groceries and petrol on Afterpay - but why is it different than paying by credit card? Taylor Swift's new album drops and we speak with the host of a listening party who explains the hysteria about the most anticipated album ever. Plus, the Sports Huddle debates whether the All Blacks can make it 2/2 against Australia in Perth and who will take out the NRL title. 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 view mass layoffs are imminent as the US Federal Government shutdown nears its third day.  Democrats and Republicans failed to get their respective bills through the senate, suspending thousands of government workers without pay.  US President Donald Trump's called it an unprecedented opportunity to slash spending.  US Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley told Andrew Dickens layoffs are coming, it's just a question of how deep and wide they are.  He says we know they're looking to slash spending to save billions, but the shutdown is also hurting the economy every day.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's an action packed weekend, with the final clashes of the Rugby Championship and the NRL Grand Final kicking off. Jason Pine joined Andrew Dickens to give his insight into how it'll all play out. Will the All Blacks break their inconsistent streak and claim a second victory over Australia? And who will claim the victory in the NRL - the Broncos or the Storm?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns are being raised now that people can put groceries and petrol on Afterpay.  The popular buy now, pay later scheme is allowing people to buy petrol and grocery items up to $500 without an up-front payment – to be paid back in instalments.  FinCap Senior Policy Advisor Jake Lilley told Andrew Dickens it is a real worry for financial mentors.  He says people are desperate to make ends meet and unfortunately schemes like this can put people in a cycle of debt.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry's legal battle against the Daily Mail continues, and he's dragged William and Kate into the mix. Harry is one of several public figures - including Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Elizabeth Hurley - accusing Associated Newspapers Limited of privacy breaches.  UK correspondent Enda Brady explains the situation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Move over Murdoch family - there's a new set of media moguls looking to make a name for themselves. Larry Ellison, founder of the software firm Oracle, and his son David are orchestrating media deals which could see them owning big names like CNN, Paramount and TikTok. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I reckon we shouldn't panic too much on behalf of those three New Zealand citizens who've been intercepted by the Israeli military and the flotilla. Obviously, we want international law to be followed, but it's pretty clear that these guys knew what they were getting themselves into and did it anyway. I mean, they are absolutely milking this for all that it's worth with the social media posts claiming they've been kidnapped and all that kind of stuff - by the Israelis, by the way. But they knew this was gonna happen, and they were prepared for it because this is what happened to Greta in June. She was on the flotilla that got stopped by the IDF- and they took her to Ashdod and they kept her for a few hours and then they tried to make her watch a video of the October 7 massacre, she didn't want to. And they put her on a plane in the back row, right in front of the toilet, so there wasn't even any reclining space for her, and then they packed her off home. And that was fine. So they got on some more ships and they tried to do it again. So it was always going to play out in exactly the same way. And for that reason, I think it is fair to call this a stunt, because what they're doing is something that they know has no reasonable chance of success - which is delivering aid to Gaza, but they're doing it anyway, to draw attention to Gaza. That's a stunt. Now, I'm not going to criticize them for wanting to draw attention to Gaza because it is horrific and intolerable what's happening there. And if there is any doubt that the Israelis are deliberately constraining the flow of aid, I think that was quite obviously dispelled this week when the Trump peace plan was released and it promised that if Hamas accepts the deal, then full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. Which is essentially, I think you can see, an admission that full aid is currently being withheld from the Gaza Strip. So I understand why they want to draw attention to it, but I still don't have much time for stunts like this because generally, they don't actually draw attention to the thing that they're trying to draw attention to - which is the starvation in Gaza. They only really draw attention to themselves - which is Greta and her mates. That's what we're talking about. Because we're not talking about Gaza today, are we? We're talking about Greta and her mates. The whole thing becomes about the safety and the treatment of the activists, not the safety and the treatment of the people of Gaza. And frankly, they are, in my opinion, of no value whatsoever to the people of Gaza right now. Now, obviously, I do hope the IDF treats these kids well. Our diplomats have asked for as much, but they knew this was going to happen. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 2 October 2025, three New Zealand citizens have been arrested by the Israeli Defence Force because they were on a protest flotilla headed for Gaza. One of them is 18-year old Samuel Leason, his dad speaks to Heather.   The Warehouse chief executive Mark Stirton tells Heather why the company is struggling to turn a corner. What's behind the rise in Tramadol prescriptions? Should we be worried about people getting addicted to pain killers? More drama in the Maori Party with the very public falling out between the party leadership and the leader of Toitu Te Tiriti. Plus, the Huddle gets fiery after Wayne Brown tells an Auckland Ratepayers group to "f off". 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.

Wool prices have seen a significant rise this week, and there's a few key factors behind this development. Currently, wool prices are on the longest rise since 1987 - and while these prices are mostly benefitting Australian farmers, there's hope Kiwis could benefit from this demand too. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A much-revamped All Blacks line-up will confront Australia in Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup test against Australia. Injuries account for four of the seven changes to the run-on side. Captain Scott Barrett returns at lock, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell start as props and Peter Lakai has his first test start, at number eight. In the backs, Quinn Tupaea dons the 13 jersey and Leicester Fainga'anuku starts on the left wing - his first test since the 2023 World Cup. NZ Herald ruby writer Liam Napier says the All Blacks are striving for consistency ahead of Saturday's match.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Toitū Te Tiriti, the activist group behind the hikoi on Parliament last year officially cut ties with Te Pāti Māori today. What does this mean for Te Pāti Māori's political future - or Labour's? Should we be assisting the Kiwis who got arrested because they were on the Gaza flotilla - in any way? What do we make of these kinds of stunts? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions have been raised over ructions within Te Pāti Māori. Toitū Te Tiriti - which led the large hikoi on Parliament last year - officially cut ties with the party today.  Leader Eru Kapa-Kingi is the son of one of the party's MPs, and he claims the party follows a 'dictatorship model'. Former Labour MP Meka Whaitiri ran for Te Pāti Māori in the last election. She says this news is disappointing.  "There's a lot of dynamics at play - there's some family ties there, you've got relationships, you've got kaupapa, you've got new movements. We can just purely speculate." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conservationist Dame Jane Goodall, who was credited with revolutionising the world's understanding of chimpanzees, has died at the age of 91. She died of natural causes while on on a speaking tour in California. In her later life, Goodall was almost always travelling the world, delivering speeches about the importance of protecting the environment. Wellington Zoo CEO Karen Fifield says her research transformed the way we view animals - and revealed how we can make their lives easier and better. "I had the honour and privilege of actually interviewing her last year, when she was in Wellington... it was actually one of the honours of my life, I must say, to share the stage with someone as wonderful as Jane." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The father of a New Zealander reportedly detained from a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israel says he spoke to his son last night. Eighteen year old Samuel Leason posted a video online - pre-recorded in case of emergency. His father, A.D Leason, says Samuel described a submarine circling the flotilla, and a blockade of military vessels ahead. "We were comforted by the fact that the Israeli Defence Force has announced that they weren't going to attack vessels, sink them or shoot people in the water like they did on another occasion. So we took comfort from that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warehouse Group's chief executive is confident he can turn the retail giant around.  It's reporting an annual net loss of $2.76 million dollars - a major improvement from last year's $54.2 million dollar loss. Noel Leeming is performing the best, with revenue up 3.3 percent. Chief executive Mark Stirton says they're moving away from a digital focus to give more attention to shoppers in-store.  "Our urban areas are where we've got a lot more competition - we probably haven't invested enough in the store experience, and things like lighting and visual merchandising and the way we present our product." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Change is afoot at Te Pāti Māori - as a prominent activist group has severed ties with the party. Toitū Te Tiriti spokesperson Eru Kapa-Kingi claims the Party has a dictatorship decision-making model. His mother, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, was recently demoted as the Party whip. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the saga further - and what the loss means for Te Pāti Māori's political future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawyers for mushroom murderer Erin Patterson plan to appeal her guilty verdicts. The 50-year-old has a life sentence with 33 years non-parole period for killing three relatives with a beef wellington lunch laced with poisonous deathcap mushrooms in 2023. Patterson's barrister made the appeal announcement today. Australian correspondent Murray Olds Patterson's got a new legal team to help move the appeal forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Robinson has capitalised on Rachin Ravindra's injury-enforced absence to post his maiden T20 international cricket century in New Zealand's opening six-wicket Chappell-Hadlee series loss to Australia at Mount Maunganui. The visitors chased the 182-run target with 21 balls to spare. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped the action further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns tramadol could be getting over-prescribed, with more patients being given the painkiller. Pharmac data shows more than 270,000 people were prescribed the drug last year - an increase of 14 percent since 2019. UOA School of Pharmacy lecturer Dr Jay Gong says healthcare providers likely prefer prescribing tramadol over stronger painkillers. "There might be some perceived ideas around it - because it's a weaker opioid, it's maybe not as addictive and maybe in the long run, you might not have as much side effects." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Denmark will ban all civilian drone flights across the country over the coming days to ensure security as Copenhagen prepares to host a European Union summit. Mysterious drone sightings across Denmark since September 22 have prompted the closure of several airports, with Denmark hinting at possible Russian involvement, though Moscow denies the charge. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says people caught breaking the rules will face a fine - or up to two years in prison. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A property mogul developing some of Wellington’s most infamous quake-prone sites has voiced support for recent Government changes, but says these won't slow down his large-scale projects. Eyal Aharoni is currently working on reopening the long-closed Reading Cinema complex on Courtenay Place and the nearby Amora Hotel, which closed in 2019 and 2017 respectively because of earthquake damage. Earlier this week, the Government confirmed it was watering down existing earthquake strengthening rules in a bid to balance safety and affordability. Aharoni revealed why he's still determined to get these projects done. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government recently unveiled its highly-anticipated energy sector announcement and it's prompted good news for the energy companies. The share price for New Zealand's major gentailers raised on the NZX, with Meridian seeing a 5 percent increase. Milford Asset Management's Michael Luke explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you were looking forward to today to learn how the Government would rescue the country from the energy crisis we face, you are already disappointed by now because you've looked at it and you've seen there's nothing here. There is nothing here that is going to stop us going through what we are going through right now. For months and months every winter for the last two winters we've seen the closing down of mills, extremely high power bills, and a shortage of gas - and all of that's going to continue. The disappointing thing is that we have waited two whole winters for this package of ideas, and yet the best idea seems, to me, to be a kooky idea, which is that the Government may be backing the construction of an LNG import terminal. That was an idea that sounded great last winter, but in the months since, when we've actually had a look at the thing and had some reports done and it has been debunked for being quite expensive for not a lot of gain. To set up one of these terminals, most likely at the port of Taranaki, it would cost somewhere between $200 million and $1 billion dollars, which is not money that we have. The gas that we would then import from offshore to basically make up for the shortage of gas that we have in the country at the moment would be very expensive. Have a look at what you're paying for your gas right now - and add 25 percent to that. The second best idea in this seems to be the Government throwing taxpayer money at the partially owned gentailers in order that they can raise capital to build more generation. Which is not capital that they appear to be asking for. They do not seem to have a shortage of money, as evidenced by the fact that they keep paying out massive dividends. The upshot for all of this - as in how much we're going to save - Simon Watts reckons he might be able to drop power prices by two percent a year. Two percent. Now, I'll tell you the problem with this plan is that it appears - and from what I hear - they haven't spent much time understanding the problem and thus understanding what it would take to fix it properly. So what they've done is, in haste, cobbled together a series of what sounds like maybe decent announcements if you're half listening. But they're really things that will not do that much. Unfortunately for them, we have an energy crisis, and it is massive. It is probably the biggest thing that is facing business in this country right now.  A crisis of this size demands a proper fix. This is becoming a theme for this Government - having lots of really big things to deal with, and they're not really dealing with them properly. This is not really a fix. So unfortunately, and I'm so sorry to say this, strap yourself in because it looks like for next winter and the winters to come, the deindustrialization of New Zealand will continue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 1 October 2025, the Energy Minister gets a grilling from Heather over the Government's long-awaited energy plan. But both Consumer NZ and the Employers and Manufacturers Association say the changes won't make power prices any cheaper or save local industries. Sad news with the passing of Nigel Latta from cancer. His friend Nic Russell reflects on the impact he's had on Kiwis around the country. Fire and Emergency tries to explain why they bought more than a dozen firetrucks that don't fit all the required equipment - you have to laugh because otherwise you cry! Plus, the Huddle debates the big energy "plan" - and is Heather ancient for not using Apple Pay? 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.

The Government finally unveiled its plan to address issues impacting the energy sector, and it's prompted a mixed response. The country's largest power companies have responded positively, and their shares have jumped on the NZX as a result. Meanwhile, consumers and other businesses have voiced concerns this doesn't address the status quo. Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy has criticised this announcement - and claimed this doesn't move the country forward at all. "Let's remember - last year, one in five consumers had trouble paying their bill, 19 percent of people missed paying their bill on time, 56 percent of people are concerned about the price of energy. This does nothing to address that."  EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald says this announcement is 'underwhelming' - and claimed it wouldn't stop the closure of any mills. "It's too late for that, there's nothing really in there short-term that offers and kind of assistance for those people already in that spiral, they're looking at tough decisions to close or downsize."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR 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!  The Government finally unveiled its energy reform plan after plenty of anticipation. What did we make of it? Does it go far enough? Nigel Latta has passed away - what will we remember about him? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nigel Latta's being remembered for his sage parenting advice. The clinical psychologist, author and broadcaster died yesterday - aged 58 - after being diagnosed with stomach cancer a year ago. He's survived by his wife Natalie Flynn and five children and stepchildren. Friend Nic Russell says says his parenting books have had a wide ranging impact. "I definitely think a whole generation of Kiwis have been raised on his wise words of wisdom, really." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT says Auckland University should pay back thousands of students who did compulsory Treaty of Waitangi and Te Ao Māori courses. The university's senate has now recommended making the courses optional - after criticism from staff, students and politicians. ACT's Parmjeet Parmar, says more than 8,000 students had to take the course this year. "They had to push some papers out, papers that they really wanted to do, papers that are relevant to the degree or their aspirations - so they'll have to do that paper in future semesters."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's opted against a significant energy shake-up - rejecting calls to re-nationalise or split up the big gentailers.  Instead, it'll offer the Crown-controlled companies more capital to invest in generation projects. Energy Minister Simon Watts explained the changes further here today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.