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PODCAST

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

news

All Episodes

4:37

Scott Simpson: Minister of Commerce and Consumer...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/05

Last year, food giant Watties had to cut contracts with 20 peach growers, citing market dumping and Cyclone Gabrielle as the key factors for the decision. An investigation by the government found that Chinese fruit company J&G International Co. Ltd. was indeed dumping peaches in to the market, causing 'material damage' to the industry. Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that this situation unfortunately isn't rare. "It's not completely uncommon

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3:21

Diana Haggitt: Ministry of Hound owner and dog...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/05

Growing calls for an overhaul our 30-year-old dog control laws. The Listener reports between 2020 and 2024, the cost of ACC claims for dog bites rose from just over 10 and a half million to just over 15 and a half million - with most occurring in private homes. Ministry of Hound owner and dog trainer Diana Haggitt says she's in support of making changes. She told Heather du Plessis-Allan that many of the problems stem from a lack of education for dog owners. Haggitt says that includes breed specific

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2:45

Ian Pottinger: Invercargill City Councillor says $2m...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/05

Belief from an Invercargill City Councillor the city doesn't need to rebuild its clock tower. The council plans to spend two million dollars on the renovation work in Wachner Place. Councillor Ian Pottinger says he believes the money could be spent on other things. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the money could go to a local high school which wants improved road safety. Pottinger says councillors were told they don't have money in the bank for that work, and would need to go and find funding

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4:40

Nick Leggett: Wellington Water Chair comments on...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/05

Revelations Wellington's wastewater treatment plant has been non compliant almost every month for the last two years - after a huge failure yesterday. Heavy rain flooded the Moa Point plant's lower floors, causing it to shut down and millions of litres of sewage to pour into the ocean. Wellington Water Chair Nick Leggett told Heather du Plessis-Allan that there's going to have to be significant money spent on Wellington's plants from now on. He says they haven't had the investment over many years

en-US

3:28

Ethan Griffiths: Political Reporter at Waitangi says...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/05

A higher level of security's been seen at Waitangi this year. Protestors and hecklers have made their presence known, but the increased security presence has deterred larger gatherings. Political Reporter Ethan Griffiths told Heather du Plessis-Allan that there's a larger quantity of people with diplomatic protection, as well as Police at the grounds and around Paihia. He said that police-operated drones have been seen, as well as officers checking for any suspicious devices under cars. LISTEN

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4:27

Stewart Barclay: Adrift Tongariro Guiding Owner says...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/05

There are discussions around bidders potentially giving Chateau Tongariro a fix-up. A Government response to a petition confirms the Department of Conservation's been urged to speak with investors and iwi to potentially fund restoration for the heritage-listed hotel. Demolition still remains an option. Adrift Tongariro Guiding owner Stewart Barclay told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it's significant for employment - and would pay for itself over time. He says it's essential for tourism, which brings

en-US

2:52

Mike Pearse: UK correspondent on FIFA President...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is reportedly looking into lifting the governing body's ban on Russia. Russian national teams and clubs were suspended from all competitions by FIFA and Uefa in February 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine. UK correspondent Mike Pearse explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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6:18

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

The Government has launched a review into soaring home insurance costs - to take place over a six-month period. This investigation comes as AA Insurance moves to pause new home insurance offers across the South Island. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacked what we can expect from this deep dive. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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3:43

Michael Luke: Milford Asset Management expert on...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

Software stocks have taken a dive, and it's prompted concern among economists. This follows a difficult month for the sector, with many of them seeing their shares drop by 40 percent as a result of AI. Milford Asset Management's Michael Luke explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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2:46

Tony Kemp: former Kiwis and Warriors coach on Eden...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

Reports from across the ditch that a historic State of Origin rugby league game in New Zealand is all but a done deal. The Daily Telegraph's reporting that the New Zealand Government has paid $5 million to secure game two of the 2027 Origin series at Eden Park. The money will come from the $70 million Major Events Fund, designed to attract big events to New Zealand. Former Kiwis and Warriors coach Tony Kemp says this is a big deal for New Zealand - and the event will likely sell out. "It'll be sold

en-US

3:52

Ratu Mataira: OpenStar CEO on the company getting the...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

A Wellington fusion energy start-up’s getting a major boost, with fresh funding to build a next generation research facility. The Government will lend up to $35 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to OpenStar Technologies to help develop its nuclear fusion machine, known as Tahi. Fusion is the process which powers the sun, and the company's hoping to create a fusion power source that can be scaled up for commercial use. OpenStar CEO Ratu Mataira says Tahi is of a scale that they'll be able

en-US

10:21

The Huddle: Should Wellingtonians be outraged here?

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute 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! Stats NZ data shows unemployment was at 5.4 percent in the December quarter - the highest it's been in over a decade. What does this say about the economy? Will things finally turn around this year? It could be months before Wellingtonians are given the all-clear for swimming at southern coastal areas, following

en-US

99:32

Full Show Podcast: 04 February 2026

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 4 February, 2026, unemployment's at a 10-year high but Brad Olsen from Infometrics says it's not all bad news. Why Wellington's sewage problem in the water could go on for months. Former Warriors coach Tony Kemp tells us how big a deal a State of Origin match at Eden Park would be. And on the Huddle, Tim Wilson and Jack Tame on the merits of Petone's Jackson Street being cooler than Wellington's Cuba Street. Get the Heather du

en-US

2:02

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: There's a...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

On the face of it, the unemployment figure out today is not good. It’s gone up, it's now sitting at 5.4 percent, a high we haven’t seen in almost 11 years. The last time we were anywhere near 5.4 percent was September 2015. But actually, there is a recovery story here if you look under the hood. We’ve added 15,000 jobs to the economy. More people want to work, too. As Infometrics points out, fewer people are sitting on the sidelines. We have fewer young people bumming around, and more of them are in

en-US

2:34

Millie Silvester: Trade Me spokesperson on the...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

Trade Me’s seeing a rush on gold and silver listings. Searches for both metals have surged on the site - and are now the second and third fastest-rising terms over the past week. Gold and silver hit record highs late last month, before dipping and then rallying again. Trade Me spokesperson Millie Silvester says the spike could be driven by buyers looking to melt the metals down. "Or maybe they're hoping that actually, this is the start of a boom and they're going to sit on it and hold onto it and

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3:27

Simon Smuts-Kennedy: Hill's Hats owner on the rising...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

An opinion piece in the Herald reckons Wellington's Cuba St has a rival for the title of the region's coolest strip. Lifestyle writer Joanna Wane says Petone's Jackson St has Cuba St beaten out for restaurants, cafes, pubs and boutiques. Hill's Hats owner Simon Smuts-Kennedy says there's plenty available for visitors - and there's something for everyone. "There's virtually everything available, and it's pumping. It's great...there's plenty for you." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for

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5:22

Kris Faafoi: Insurance Council CEO on AA Insurance...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

Blenheim residents say AA Insurance has stopped offering new home insurance policies in their town, following similar decisions in Westport and parts of greater Christchurch. The insurer would not confirm that Blenheim and the neighbouring settlements of Renwick and Seddon were subject to its temporary halt. Insurance Council CEO Kris Faafoi says the insurer is still supporting their current customers, and it's important for people to shop around. "They all make their own business decisions about

en-US

4:09

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on what...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

A warning we've been burnt by high hopes for economic recovery. Stats NZ data out today puts unemployment at 5.4 percent in the December quarter. The numbers were less severe than forecasts from Treasury, but still reflect a 10 year unemployment high. Infometrics Principal EconomistBrad Olsen says the talk about getting momentum back last year fell short. "For businesses, they need to see stronger business sales coming through their front door before they commit to hiring more workers." LISTEN

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5:13

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

Senior Labour MP Peeni Henare announced he was leaving politics yesterday, but some speculate there's more to the story than that. New Zealand First's Shane Jones has claimed that that's not the full story and it's 'important the whole story comes out'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks these claims. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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3:21

Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent on Donald Trump...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/02/04

US President Donald Trump is urging Republicans to 'nationalise' elections and repeated his false claims of 2020 election fraud. He said Republicans should take over the voting in at least '15 places', but did not specify which places in the interview. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this has prompted concerns about Trump's Government getting too involved in people's voting rights. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

9,390 results

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