/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/rss obÌåÓý½Ó¿Ú Sat, 26 Apr 2025 18:51:40 Z en /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/enda-brady-uk-correspondent-on-rachel-reeves-dashing-uk-hopes-of-early-us-trade-deal/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/enda-brady-uk-correspondent-on-rachel-reeves-dashing-uk-hopes-of-early-us-trade-deal/ The UK is still hoping to work out a trade deal with the US - but early reports indicate it's quite a way off. Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently arrived in Washington DC, and she's warned negotiations will take time. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the UK economy needs the extra help, but it's unlikely a deal will come by the end of the week. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:06:05 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/sam-dickie-fisher-funds-expert-on-donald-trumps-attacks-on-federal-reserve-chair-jerome-powell/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/sam-dickie-fisher-funds-expert-on-donald-trumps-attacks-on-federal-reserve-chair-jerome-powell/ US President Donald Trump has spent the past week verbally attacking Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and it's prompted concerns from the markets. Trump recently claimed the US economy could slow down unless interest rates were lowered immediately - and said that Powell's termination 'cannot come soon enough'. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what this could mean for investors. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:58:30 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/rowena-duncum-the-country-host-on-local-cheesemakers-voicing-concerns-about-presence-of-supermarket-cheeses/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/rowena-duncum-the-country-host-on-local-cheesemakers-voicing-concerns-about-presence-of-supermarket-cheeses/ Local cheesemakers have voiced concerns about the competition created by supermarket-produced home-brands. Smaller brands have been forced to scale back on production to reduce their reliance on the supermarkets - in a bid to focus on filling niches that appeal to Kiwi cheese lovers. The Country's Rowena Duncum explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:48:54 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/liam-dann-nz-herald-business-editor-at-large-on-inflation-expectations-going-up-in-new-data/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/liam-dann-nz-herald-business-editor-at-large-on-inflation-expectations-going-up-in-new-data/ Consumer confidence has gone back up - but new data indicates people are also worried about inflation. The latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey shows consumer confidence rose 5 points to 98.3 in April - but inflation expectations soared 0.5pts to 4.7 percent, the highest reading since July 2023. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacked the factors contributing to this data. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:42:34 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-should-taxpayers-be-funding-more-locally-made-reality-shows/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-should-taxpayers-be-funding-more-locally-made-reality-shows/ Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Infrastructure NZ's Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! How do we feel about the fact that we're buying new cars - and paying for their maintenance - for our former Prime Ministers? Should taxpayers be funding more locally made reality shows?  ACT and National are at odds over the ACC's race-based policies - what do we make of this?  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:34:52 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-24-april-2025/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-24-april-2025/ On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 24 April 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis defends her Family Boost package after revelations that way fewer people are qualifying for the full amount. ACT's Laura McClure is ringing alarm bells over ACC's policy to target Maori and Pacifica manufacturing workers - and we get a late back-down from ACC Minister Scott Simpson. Should we be spending more taxpayer money on locally produced reality TV content? Plus, the Huddle debates whether we should continue paying for new cars for our ex-Prime Ministers. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:11:42 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/peter-lewis-asia-business-correspondent-on-donald-trump-reportedly-considering-slashing-tariffs-on-china/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/peter-lewis-asia-business-correspondent-on-donald-trump-reportedly-considering-slashing-tariffs-on-china/ New reports indicate Donald Trump is considering slashing tariffs on Chinese goods by more than half. No announcements have been made yet- but tariffs could reportedly come down to between roughly 50 percent and 65 percent, according to one senior White House official.  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis says China has signalled it's open to trade talks - as officials believe this is the US blinking first in the trade dispute. "They see it as vindication of President Xi's strategy - which is to hang tough and not to be bullied and not to negotiate under duress." LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:01:46 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/luke-bradford-royal-college-of-gps-medical-director-welcomes-inquiry-into-medicinal-cannabis-clinics/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/luke-bradford-royal-college-of-gps-medical-director-welcomes-inquiry-into-medicinal-cannabis-clinics/ Doctors are welcoming an inquiry into the prescriptions from medicinal cannabis clinics. The Medical Council's leading the investigation following patient complaints they weren't properly briefed on non-cannabis options at the clinics, or about the ongoing costs and side-effects of cannabis. The Royal College of GPs Medical Director Luke Bradford says regulation of the clinics is overdue. "Medicinal cannabis is lacking in evidence and should only be used once all other options have been trialled. And that's not happening in these clinics."  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:37:03 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/irene-gardiner-spada-president-on-the-calls-for-the-government-to-help-fund-kiwi-reality-shows/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/irene-gardiner-spada-president-on-the-calls-for-the-government-to-help-fund-kiwi-reality-shows/ There's growing calls among industry experts for the Government to give NZ-produced reality shows a funding boost. Local versions of shows like Married at First Sight and The Block currently don't get the 40 percent screen production rebate available to other programs - and Kiwi TV broadcasters are hoping to turn that around. SPADA President Irene Gardiner says these shows were originally funded by advertising revenue - which has dried up in recent years. "What's happened in our local industry is because of years and years of the big tech-ers operating here without regulation - advertising revenue has massively reduced and the spend that the big networks have for local content has basically gone down." LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:25:36 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/laura-mcclure-act-mp-on-the-partys-criticisms-of-acc-measures-focused-on-race/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/laura-mcclure-act-mp-on-the-partys-criticisms-of-acc-measures-focused-on-race/ ACT is criticising ACC measures that aim to reduce disproportionate workplace injuries among Māori and Pasifika. It's written to the ACC Minister, asking if targets with an ethnic focus match a Cabinet requirement for need-based public service. Act MP Laura McClure says she hasn't seen evidence to back the targets. "It's completely lazy - and I actually think it is a bit racist to say one particular group of people needs specific targeted training." ACC says it's confident its services are based on need, not race. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:58:56 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/nicola-willis-finance-minister-plans-to-adjust-familyboost-after-ird-gets-eligibility-numbers-wrong/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/nicola-willis-finance-minister-plans-to-adjust-familyboost-after-ird-gets-eligibility-numbers-wrong/ The Finance Minister is preparing to tweak the Family Boost payment plan, admitting IRD had the wrong numbers on eligible families. Data to April 9 reveals 249 families received the maximum payment of $975 dollars a quarter - since the scheme came into effect last year.  Nicola Willis had said 21,000 families were eligible when launching the policy, but now concedes the modelling was wrong. She says she wants to make sure families in need get the money. "We put aside hundreds of millions of dollars for this policy because the uptake has been lower than the IRD basically estimated - we're not on track to actually get all that money out the door." LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:38:55 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-the-government-incorrectly-estimating-familyboost-eligibility/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-the-government-incorrectly-estimating-familyboost-eligibility/ There's a new push for changes to the FamilyBoost scheme, after the Government incorrectly estimated the number of families eligible. New data shows 249 families have received the maximum payment of $975 dollars a quarter since the scheme came into effect last year.  21,000 were originally forecast to be eligible. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan explains the impacts that come with this. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:23:42 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/murray-olds-australian-correspondent-on-the-fatal-stabbing-of-a-shopkeeper-in-darwin/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/murray-olds-australian-correspondent-on-the-fatal-stabbing-of-a-shopkeeper-in-darwin/ An elderly man was recently the victim of a fatal stabbing in Darwin - prompting outrage and concern from residents. Northern Territory Police have arrested the 18-year-old suspect over the death of  Linford Feick, 71, who ran the Friendly Grocer store in Nightcliff in the region's north. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the 18-year-old had only just been granted bail for sexual assault charges - and shouldn't have been out. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:13:32 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/darcy-waldegrave-sportstalk-host-on-nz-crickets-new-partnership-with-north-americas-major-league-cricket/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/darcy-waldegrave-sportstalk-host-on-nz-crickets-new-partnership-with-north-americas-major-league-cricket/ Embattled ventures into America in other sports aren't swaying New Zealand Cricket boss Scott Weenink's confidence in their new investment. They've become the first national body in the code to invest in a franchise T20 league - taking a stake in an expansion team in North America's Major League Cricket. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 04:55:37 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/chris-bishop-transport-minister-on-the-south-auckland-mill-road-project-getting-an-additional-funding-boost/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/chris-bishop-transport-minister-on-the-south-auckland-mill-road-project-getting-an-additional-funding-boost/ The wheels are in motion for South Auckland's Mill Road project. Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced $91.1 million has been approved for completing design and consent work on the Manukau to Alfriston sections. It includes a four-lane general traffic corridor, with a westbound bus lane at the northern end. Bishop says the road will be tolled - allowing the road users to help pay the cost of the road. "All the new Roads of National Significance that we want to build around the country - we said, as a starting point, they will be tolled, because that's a way of bringing forward the investment." LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 24 Apr 2025 04:48:40 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/gavin-grey-uk-correspondent-on-the-popes-body-being-moved-to-st-peters-basilica/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/gavin-grey-uk-correspondent-on-the-popes-body-being-moved-to-st-peters-basilica/ Pope Francis' body has been moved to St Peter's Basilica, in front of crowds of worshippers.  The late pontiff lies in a simple coffin of wood and zinc, wearing a red robe with a rosary in his hands.  The Pope's coffin will remain there following the Liturgy until his funeral on Saturday. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says crowds are coming in to pay tribute - and tens of thousands will be expected to come through in the coming days. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:56:08 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jenee-tibshraeny-nz-herald-wellington-business-editor-on-nicola-willis-rejecting-claims-of-political-interference-on-the-reserve-bank/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jenee-tibshraeny-nz-herald-wellington-business-editor-on-nicola-willis-rejecting-claims-of-political-interference-on-the-reserve-bank/ The Finance Minister has adamantly denied any suggestions of the Government trying to interfere in the Reserve Bank. Critics have raised concerns that the Reserve Bank's temporary Governor and Chair are acting to appeal to Nicola Willis' interests. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:42:45 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/stephanie-batchelor-milford-asset-management-expert-on-the-sections-of-the-market-that-have-held-up/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/stephanie-batchelor-milford-asset-management-expert-on-the-sections-of-the-market-that-have-held-up/ Despite the negative press and volatile climate, some financial markets have managed to hold up solidly throughout 2025. The consumer staples industry - food, beverages, household products - and all the brands tied to that sector have managed to stay strong throughout the year. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:35:52 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-does-winston-peters-have-a-point-about-rnz/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-does-winston-peters-have-a-point-about-rnz/ Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame, host of Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Labour wants Chris Luxon to tell Winston Peters to back off after the latter had a fiery interview on RNZ this morning - and his threat to cut RNZ's funding off. Was he right? Was it appropriate? New Zealand is pledging more money and support for Ukraine - do we agree with this move? LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:30:04 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/rob-nichol-nz-rugby-players-association-ceo-on-the-new-brain-health-screening-service-for-rugby-players/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/rob-nichol-nz-rugby-players-association-ceo-on-the-new-brain-health-screening-service-for-rugby-players/ New Zealand now has access to a brain health screening service - lauded by a former All Black - designed to identify and support those with dementia and other cognitive issues. All professional rugby players, no matter their age or stage, encounter brain health concerns attached to concussions or repeat head knocks. A new online test, designed by medical experts and rolled out by World Rugby in Ireland, Australia, Wales and South Africa has now been launched in New Zealand. NZ Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol says these tests are incredibly thorough - and these results are sent over to experts to set up potential appointments.  LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:16:50 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-23-april-2025/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-23-april-2025/ On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 23 April 2025, two days, two shocking twists in the case of the disappearance of John Beckenridge and his stepson Mike. The Herald's senior crime reporter Anna Leask tells Heather why a key witnessed changed his story at the last minute. Donald Trump says huge tariffs on Chinese goods will come down in a first sign of a major backdown. Former ambassador to the US Tim Groser speaks to Heather about when to take Trump at his word - and when not to. Plus, the Huddle gets fiery over Winston Peters' attack on RNZ - was it inappropriate or did he have a point? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:11:44 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/tim-groser-former-nz-ambassador-to-the-us-on-trump-hinting-towards-a-u-turn-on-china-tariffs/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/tim-groser-former-nz-ambassador-to-the-us-on-trump-hinting-towards-a-u-turn-on-china-tariffs/ It's looking more and more likely that Donald Trump is laying the groundwork for a u-turn on the tariffs implemented on Chinese goods. Tariffs are currently sitting at 145 percent - but Trump recently claimed they'll 'come down substantially, but it won't be zero'. Former NZ ambassador to the US Tim Groser says it's unclear what will happen next - given all the uncertainty Trump's economic policies have created. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:47:17 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/simon-laube-early-childhood-council-chief-executive-on-the-government-announcing-a-regulatory-refresh-for-the-sector/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/simon-laube-early-childhood-council-chief-executive-on-the-government-announcing-a-regulatory-refresh-for-the-sector/ The wait continues for the Early Childhood Education sector - which has long called for a regulatory refresh.  Cabinet has agreed to 15 changes intended to improve child safety, access to care and centre viability. Early Childhood Council chief executive Simon Laube says it's hard not to get excited about the prospect of changes. "The only thing that's difficult is - we've got to wait another 18 months to get that actually done, but it's great to have a timeline." LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:28:09 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/nureddin-abdurahman-wellington-city-councillor-on-the-portuguese-millipedes-impacting-owhiro-bay/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/nureddin-abdurahman-wellington-city-councillor-on-the-portuguese-millipedes-impacting-owhiro-bay/ There's claims Portuguese millipedes are wreaking havoc in Wellington's Owhiro Bay - and should be declared a pest.  The many-legged creatures have been invading homes in the small suburb at night.    City Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman says he's heard the problem is spreading beyond Owhiro Bay to wider Wellington.  He says if someone visits the nearby Red Rocks, millipedes could be taken into ecologically protected areas like Zealandia.  "If it's impossible to eradicate then it needs to be contained." LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:08:02 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/joe-carr-regional-council-transport-committee-chair-on-the-governments-plan-for-a-new-northern-expressway/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/joe-carr-regional-council-transport-committee-chair-on-the-governments-plan-for-a-new-northern-expressway/ The Government has unveiled a new Northern Expressway that goes over Northland's Brynderwyn Hills rather than around. It's released its planned route for Northern Expressway taking it from Warkworth east of State Highway one, over the hills to the east of the current route,  then through Whangarei. This comes instead of a proposed bypass to the west. Northland Regional Council Transport Committee Chair Joe Carr has voiced support for this move.  "People aren't secure in making decisions to do with holidaying and investing in Northland, so it's pretty serious stuff." LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 05:51:37 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/anna-leask-nz-herald-senior-crime-reporter-on-a-witness-retracting-an-earlier-claim-about-the-beckenridge-case/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/anna-leask-nz-herald-senior-crime-reporter-on-a-witness-retracting-an-earlier-claim-about-the-beckenridge-case/ There's another twist in the puzzling disappearance of John and Mike Beckenridge - missing from Southland since 2015. During a Coronial hearing in Christchurch today, a witness retracted his earlier claim his cousin had told him he'd helped the pair flee. The father and stepson's car was found in wild sea near the Catlins - below an 88-metre cliff, with no bodies.  Herald reporter Anna Leask says the witness made a complete turnaround  after being shown his police statement. "He read through his statement and said - that's what the police have, in this document, that I didn't say it and I never said that and he didn't say this to me." LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 05:36:39 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-chris-bishop-unveiling-the-new-northland-expressway/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-chris-bishop-unveiling-the-new-northland-expressway/ Good news for Northlanders - as the Government settles on the Northern Expressway option. The new route will run from Warkworth, and be built over the Brynderwyn Hills east of the current route, then through Whangārei.  The road across the Brynderwyns has suffered continued closures, since 2023's severe weather.  NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says it's tipped to be a costly project - but a new road is needed. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 05:29:47 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/mitch-mccann-us-correspondent-on-donald-trump-backing-pete-hegseth-after-second-signal-chat-leak/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/mitch-mccann-us-correspondent-on-donald-trump-backing-pete-hegseth-after-second-signal-chat-leak/ Donald Trump has confirmed he's standing 'strongly' behind Pete Hegseth after reports claim he leaked more military plans. Hegseth's wife, lawyer and brother were included on a Signal group chat, where he shared detailed plans about an operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This comes one month after a journalist released messages between top US officials after accidentally being added to their group chat. US correspondent Mitch McCann says Donald Trump has 'dug his heels in' and he's reluctant to let go of Hegseth as US Secretary of Defence.  LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 05:13:11 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/darcy-waldegrave-sportstalk-host-on-charnze-nicoll-klokstad-confirming-hell-stay-with-the-warriors-until-2027/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/darcy-waldegrave-sportstalk-host-on-charnze-nicoll-klokstad-confirming-hell-stay-with-the-warriors-until-2027/ Relief for Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad after putting pen to paper with the NRL club. The 29-year-old will stay at Mt Smart until the end of the 2027 campaign. Nicoll-Klokstad says he couldn't imagine being anywhere else, following reports linking him to a move to UK's Super League. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 04:52:47 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/richard-hills-auckland-councillor-unveils-new-proposed-plan-for-management-of-wait%C4%81kere-ranges/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/richard-hills-auckland-councillor-unveils-new-proposed-plan-for-management-of-wait%C4%81kere-ranges/ An Auckland Councillor says a new management plan for the Waitākere Ranges is about consultation - not decision-making.  The council wants to set up a regional committee, jointly controlled by Council-and-Government, alongside tangata whenua.  Richard Hills says it's a sounding board, and final decisions would still be made by the council and local boards. He says it would make an already existing process easier - putting all the usual groups consulted in one place.  LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 23 Apr 2025 04:44:18 Z