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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

3:46

Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the US Federal...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

The US Federal Reserve has raised its inflation forecast as it held interest rates steady, citing an 'uncertain' economic outlook because of the war in Iran. Rates were kept steady at a range of 3.50 percent to 3.75 percent, with officials flagging one expected cut by the end of the year. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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7:14

The Huddle: Do we need to give Originair more funding?

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Originair says it's already had to reduce flights between Westport and Wellington - and the route's now set to be axed by May. Do we think this is the right move? Should we try to fund it? The Government says it's working to find a solution as the Middle East conflict looks to impact fuel supplies and make

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4:40

Jamie Mackay: The Country host explains the impact...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

The Wattie's restructure is likely to have a significant economic impact, where more people could be affected by the shutdown. Heinz Wattie's has proposed closing manufacturing facilities in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, and a Hastings packing facility - impacting about 350 jobs. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained how the farmers and growers could be affected by this change. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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99:07

Full Show Podcast: 19 March 2026

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 19 March, 2026, prepare for the worst on fuel -we talk to Finance Minister Nicola Willis about why the tone of the Government's suddenly got more urgent. An expert on why party drugs are cheaper and more easily available. We ask the boss of a popular way to lose weight whether it's a wonder drug. And on The Huddle, Maurice Williamson and Oscar Kightley with differing views on whether the Government should help a regional airline

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2:03

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Is there a...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

I’m sorry to say it’s a bit of a bad day - a day of rather unpleasant economic news, I’m afraid. Let’s start with the GDP number. It came in at 0.2 percent for the final quarter of last year, which is very much at the low end of expectations. We were looking for something in the range of 0.2 percent to 0.5 percent, with 0.5 percent being the Reserve Bank’s forecast. The problem with that is those were the good times. That number was recorded before the Iran war kicked off, so it’s not much of a

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5:44

Mike Doustdar: Novo Nordisk CEO on the company's...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

Novo Nordisk, the Danish drugmaker behind famed weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, is leading the way in the semaglutide trend. The drugs help people lose weight, but they've also proven to be helpful in reducing health conditions like heart disease and kidney disease. CEO Mike Doustdar says more people are starting to recognise that Novo Nordisk's output goes beyond an agent that reduces sugar for diabetics. "It has some very serious health benefits around it, be it cardiovascular protection,

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5:07

Robert Inglis: Originair managing director on the...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

Originair says it's already had to reduce flights between Westport and Wellington - and the route's now set to be axed by May. The regional carrier stepped in when Sounds Air withdrew from the service in 2024. Now, it says it's struggling with the small market and increasing operating costs. Managing director Robert Inglis says it's cut the service back to three times a week - which went well over summer. "But winter's another thing, and then, of course, the additional doubling of fuel price - we've

en-US

3:55

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister addresses fuel supply...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

The Finance Minister says South Korea and Singapore will continue to export fuel, as concern rises over continuity of supply. The Government says they'll now give twice-weekly stock updates - as the war in Iran pressures global oil prices. Nicola Willis says South Korea's limiting orders to 2025 levels, but New Zealand has a strong relationship with Singapore. "Including an agreement that we will prioritise them in areas of critical shortage, particularly food, and they'll prioritise us in the areas

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2:43

Casey Spearin: KnowYourStuff general manager on the...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

Ketamine is becoming much more popular in the Kiwi party scene. The New Zealand Drug Trends Survey shows 73 percent of respondents have no trouble getting their hands on the dissociative anaesthetic. The inflation adjusted price of MDMA has tumbled 47 percent since 2017. Drug testing agency KnowYourStuff general manager, Casey Spearin, says use of ketamine's climbed since 2018. "We hear, anecdotally, of students not drinking as much, people not drinking as much - and ketamine is certainly a way to

en-US

3:34

Michael Reddell: former Reserve Bank economist on the...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

Former Reserve Bank economist Michael Reddell says it's getting harder to know how much the economy's growing or shrinking. Stats NZ estimates GDP rose 0.2 percent in the December quarter, below most forecasts. But Reddell says it's also revised the figures for previous quarters. He says the 0.2 for December could still potentially be revised up as high as 0.5 percent, or as low as minus 0.1. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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5:29

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

The Government says help with high fuel prices is coming, for some. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says officials are working hard on support options - as prices skyrocket. She's all but ruled out cutting the fuel excise, as the last Government did in 2022. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon confirmed fuel supplies aren't at risk of drying up, but this could become a problem further down the track. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4:50

Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on the concerns...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned motorists not to panic-buy fuel, claiming that surging demand puts unnecessary pressure on supplies. Albanese said that the Government was considering longer term measures including extending the life of two oil refineries beyond 2027. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says concerns are mounting, especially for the trucking industry, where fuel is essential - and rural communities are at risk of missing out on needed fuel supply altogether

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4:13

D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on rugby clubs...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

More rugby clubs around the country are ditching junior fees in a bid to ease financial pressure on families and revive grassroots participation. What began as a small initiative in 2024 has gathered momentum, with more clubs opting to waive registration costs in 2026. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4:20

Dylan Thomsen: AA road safety spokesperson on the...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/19

Police officers dished out one speeding fine for every minute of last year as they cracked down on dangerous driving. More than 500,000 fines were issued over 2025, double the number issued six years ago. The figures are only fines from officers - not speeding cameras. AA road safety spokesman Dylan Thomsen says it's unclear exactly what drove this data, but it's likely there was extra pressure on the police. "Road policing officers were sometimes covering other duties and having to do those kinds

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4:28

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the investigations...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

Over in the UK, experts are warning people to take precautions as an outbreak of meningitis is spreading. 15 cases have officially been reported, and a university student and a sixth former have died as a result of the outbreak. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says cases are projected to go up and investigations are taking place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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5:05

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

Officials are calling out the Government for loosening KiwiSaver withdrawal rules in response to lobbying by Federated Farmers, rather than evidence-based advice. A newly-released Regulatory Impact Statement shows the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) opposed the Government’s proposal to allow KiwiSaver withdrawals for farmland. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

3:48

Michael Luke: Milford Asset Management expert on the...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

The conflict in the Middle East is continuing on for another week, and it's got experts concerned about the economic impacts. Iran's blocking shipping in retaliation for the US and Israel bombardment - sending oil prices spiking. Milford Asset Management expert Michael Luke explained how markets have continued to drop. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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9:13

The Huddle: Should schools be allowed to hand out...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

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! An Auckland IVF clinic has reassured patients their processes are robust after some frozen embryos in their care went missing. What do we think happened here? The Government is looking to crack down on asylum seekers with criminal records. What do we make of this? There's renewed debate about whether schools

en-US

4:29

Cameron Bagrie: independent economist responds to...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

Economists are questioning Treasury's 'worst case' economic forecast from the Iran war. It predicts a worst case scenario of inflation hitting 3.7 percent this year - if the conflict persists. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie says he doesn't think Treasury has properly taken into account businesses feeling the second-hand impact of rising fuel prices. "If they've got a reason to push up prices under the guise of what's going on in Hormuz around the globe, firms are going to use that excuse and

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2:03

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Another...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

Okay, once again - not for the first time on this show and probably not the last - thank goodness for Erica Stanford. Normally, she’s righting wrongs in education but today it’s her other portfolio: immigration. She has just introduced legislation to Parliament that would make it possible for New Zealand to say no to asylum seekers if they have committed a serious offence in this country. It might blow your mind to learn that this isn’t currently the case. Right now, if someone comes to New Zealand

en-US

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