x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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

99:07

Full Show Podcast: 18 March 2026

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 18 March, 2026, we hear from Fertility Associates' chief medical officer about losing a family's frozen embryos.We get the latest on how much fuel's left as a result of the Iran war. A crackdown on asylum-seekers who commit serious crimes after arriving in New Zealand. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Tim Wilson on whether teachers should reward students with sweet treats. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast

en-US

4:34

Andrew Murray: Chief Medical Officer at Fertility...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

Fertility Associates is reassuring patients their processes are robust, after frozen embryos went missing last year while in its care. It says this only involved one couple, that was treated at its Auckland clinic in 2025. An audit done by an independent international lab expert has found its storage processes are secure - but it's now moving storage to a new, designated area in the clinic. Chief Medical Officer Andrew Murray says they perform around seven thousand egg retrievals or embryo transfers

en-US

3:54

Pooja Sundar: immigration lawyer on the Government's...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

Questions remain on processes for asylum seekers convicted of serious crimes in New Zealand. Proposed Government reforms will let immigration officials take crimes committed by a refugee-applicant into account. New Zealand is obligated under international conventions to keep them here. Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar says one option is giving asylum seekers a series of work visas - but that could limit their access to rehabilitation. "The criminal justice system we have in New Zealand will take

en-US

3:44

Rob Buchanan: Channel Infrastructure CEO addresses...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

The CEO of New Zealand’s largest fuel import terminal is quelling concern imports to New Zealand could cease if the Middle East conflict continues. Iran's blocking shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as part of its response to continuing US Israeli attacks. As of midnight Sunday, New Zealand had 49 days fuel cover. Channel Infrastructure CEO Rob Buchanan says there are other oil producers. He explained the US, West Africa and South America all have reserves - and can ramp up production in

en-US

2:59

Boyd Swinburn: Auckland University professor on the...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

A Northland parent claimed teachers at her son's first school routinely rewarded children with chocolate and lollies, sparking debate about whether this is a good idea. Health Ministry guidelines say schools should not serve sweets or chocolate at all, and concerns have been raised about the health impacts. Auckland University professor Boyd Swinburn says there could probably be better ways to reward kids for good behaviour. "Plenty of schools have done it, plenty of schools do say they're providing

en-US

4:26

Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent on the top US...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

Donald Trump is dismissing the resignation of a senior US intelligence official - whom he appointed. Israel is continuing waves of strikes across Lebanon and Iran, saying it has now killed Iran's security chief. Meanwhile Joe Kent is stepping down as director of the US National Counter-terrorism Centre. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Kent claimed he couldn't support the ongoing war with Iran. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

5:26

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

NZ First leader Winston Peters has clarified Hipkins' ex-wife Jade Paul does not work for his party or have any affiliation or role with it. It was understood Paul worked as a ministerial advisor for Cabinet minister Casey Costello, prompting rumours about the intent of the infamous social media post. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Peters said he's not interested in weighing in on the personal relationship of the Labour leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for

en-US

3:49

Elliott Smith: Sportstalk host on NZ Cricket weighing...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

The New Zealand Cricket board is still deciding the future of the country's domestic T20 game, but a couple of Black Caps have other ideas. The options have effectively been whittled down to launching a privatised NZ20 tournament, given the Super Smash is without a broadcast deal for next summer, or setting up a local team in Australia's Big Bash League, provided they get an invitation. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-US

6:47

Megan Woods: former Energy Minister explains why...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/18

A former Energy Minister says Marsden Point made its own commercial decision to close, but even open, it couldn't alleviate fuel issues. Iran's put a stranglehold on global supplies, blocking the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US and Israel strikes. Resources Minister Shane Jones is blaming Labour for the refinery closing. Megan Woods says even if it was open, that wouldn't get us crude oil. "Shane was given an option a year or so ago, said - if you're really worried about this, you can spend

en-US

4:47

Enda Brady: UK correspondent on Donald Trump claiming...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

Donald Trump has renewed his criticisms of the UK Government's response to the Middle East conflict. The US President said the UK needs to be 'involved enthusiastically' in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid oil supply concerns. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Trump has urged Starmer to help get the Strait open again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

5:54

Paul Bloxham: HSBC chief economist on the RBA...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

Over in Australia, the Reserve Bank bumped the OCR up to 4.1 percent, up by 0.25 percentage points. This is the second significant hike it two months, and it's got experts speculating about what this means for the economy on the whole. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham wondered what this could mean for other global markets. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

4:24

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the impacts of the...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

Ahead of the next GDT auction, there's concerns about what the ongoing Middle East conflict could do for prices. The conflict has seen oil prices spike, and experts have warned this will likely impact other key sectors of the economy. The Country's Jamie Mackay speculated further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

3:36

D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on the Black Caps'...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

The Black Caps have been put into bat by South Africa in the second of their five T20 matches in Hamilton tonight. A strong start by the Kiwi openers Tom Latham and Devin Conway has them at 36 without loss after five overs a short time ago. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

10:15

The Huddle: What does the food price data mean for...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and former Green MP Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Chris Hipkins' ex-wife posted a series of allegations about the former Prime Minister on Facebook, and Hipkins denied the allegations in a media conference earlier today. Is this even our business? New Stats NZ figures show food prices rose 4.5 percent, with steak, mince and chocolate shooting up over 20 percent. How will this

en-US

2:27

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

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

We need to talk about inflation, because inflation is making me pretty sure now that the National Party needs to rethink its plan for this election. We’ve just had the food inflation data out today. No surprise - food has gone up in price again in the year to February, up 4.5 percent. The biggest increase in a single item was mince. It went up 23.2 percent. That is the highest recorded jump in mince in two decades. Mince is a reasonably big deal in this data, I reckon, because mince - and sausages,

en-US

99:46

Full Show Podcast: 17 March 2026

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 17 March, 2026, food prices are up - and a Kiwi staple, mince, is leading the way. We ask Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen if it's going to get worse. We'll tell you about a new ratings system for schools. An economist on why more of us should be working from home right now. And on The Huddle, we ask Jordan Williams and Gareth Hughes if the private lives of politicians like Chris Hipkins should be aired in public. Get the

en-US

5:55

Shane Jones: Resources Minister explains why Crown...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

The Resources Minister is insistent Crown funds should help heat the geothermal sector. A Government strategy has been released on its plan to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040. It's also ring fenced $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the development of geothermal energy projects. Resources Minister Shane Jones says it's a worthy investment. "The Crown stepped up to the plate in the 1950s, did an enormous amount of drilling - not always successful, but a number of those

en-US

2:12

Lisa McNeil: Otago University professor on why young...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

New reports indicate young people aren't going to op-shops as often, and experts have raised questions as to why this is. Despite the ongoing cost of living, it seems like younger people wanting discount fashion prefer other options - with less barriers. Otago University professor Lisa McNeil says the extra effort to look for quality pieces is perceived as a lot of extra labour, and young people are put off. "It's hard for them, it's expensive when they compare it to some of the cheap new options

en-US

3:53

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac economist on whether more...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

A top economist advises thinking about working from home to save fuel. Iran's maintaining its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz - retaliating to the continued bombing assault by the US and Israel. It's led Sri Lanka to move to a four-day working week from tomorrow. Westpac economist Kelly Eckhold says unless things change quickly, something will have to be done within the next three weeks. "Through the Covid period, we were able to save quite a lot of fuel with the hard lockdowns. We're not going to

en-US

3:20

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on data...

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive ·

2026/03/17

There's fears there'll be no slowdown any time soon to the rapid rise in food prices. Stats NZ figures show they rose 4.5 percent in the year to February. Steak, mince and chocolate all shot up more than 20 percent. Infometrics head, Brad Olsen, says the spike in oil prices because of the war in Iran will do nothing to help. "We know that not only oil prices are key to transport costs, but also just the production. Now if you're a farmer, you've got to use diesel to move stuff around to run the

en-US

9,843 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci