/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/rss 九一星空无限 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:14:46 Z en /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/enda-brady-uk-correspondent-on-keir-starmer-chairing-an-emergency-meeting-to-discuss-israel-iran-conflict/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/enda-brady-uk-correspondent-on-keir-starmer-chairing-an-emergency-meeting-to-discuss-israel-iran-conflict/ Prime Minister  Sir Keir Starmer recently chaired a meeting to discuss the  UK’s response to the crisis in the Middle East. There's growing concerns the conflict could escalate further, should the US enter the conflict between Israel and Iran. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the UK Government will be weighing up a series of options, as the US hasn't revealed what actions they plan to take. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:39:11 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-was-it-a-mistake-for-new-zealand-to-pull-funding-for-the-cook-islands/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-was-it-a-mistake-for-new-zealand-to-pull-funding-for-the-cook-islands/ Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and Wellbeing Economy Alliance director Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Farmers are up in arms over new changes to the FBT that could potentially impact ute owners. What do we make of this? Do we see the Government changing this? Was it a mistake for New Zealand to pull funding for the Cook Islands? How bad do the optics look here? Shane Jones is floating the idea of getting rid of regional Government altogether. Is this a good idea? LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:30:01 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/sam-dickie-fisher-funds-expert-on-how-investors-can-prepare-for-geopolitical-disruptions/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/sam-dickie-fisher-funds-expert-on-how-investors-can-prepare-for-geopolitical-disruptions/ The Israel-Iran conflict has continued on for a week - and it's seen markets dropping as more fear the conflict intensifying. Experts also believes markets are likely to drop further if the US gets more involved in the conflict. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains the market impact of the conflict. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:16:11 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-19-june-2025/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-19-june-2025/ On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 19 June 2025, New Zealand has pulled almost $20 million of funding to the Cook Islands. Cook Islands 九一星空无限 journalist Rashneel Kumar broke the story, he tells Heather how he found out and how terrible our relationship is right now. Kiwibank's Jarrod Kerr is celebrating a surprisingly good GDP number for the first three months of the year - but still thinks more cuts to the OCR are desperately needed to boost the economy. Another talkback-walkback! The Government u-turns on proposed changes to Fringe Benefit Taxes for utes. Heather speaks to the only one person in the country who can prescribe magic mushrooms, Professor Cameron Lacey. Plus, the Huddle debates whether it was a mistake to pull funding from the Cook Islands. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:11:46 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jamie-mackay-the-country-host-on-huinga-dairy-farmer-brendan-attrill-winning-gordon-stephenson-trophy/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jamie-mackay-the-country-host-on-huinga-dairy-farmer-brendan-attrill-winning-gordon-stephenson-trophy/ Brendan Attrill, of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki, has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing. Attrill received the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at Tākina in Wellington. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:08:38 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/liam-dann-nz-herald-business-editor-at-large-unpacks-recent-gdp-data-for-first-quarter-of-2025/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/liam-dann-nz-herald-business-editor-at-large-unpacks-recent-gdp-data-for-first-quarter-of-2025/ New data out of Stats NZ reveals the country's gross domestic product grew by 0.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025. It's a stronger result than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks these results - and voices his concerns about the future. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:56:38 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/beata-bukosa-niwa-atmospheric-scientist-on-the-carbon-sink-in-the-south-island/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/beata-bukosa-niwa-atmospheric-scientist-on-the-carbon-sink-in-the-south-island/ New research indicates New Zealand may be removing more carbon than it produces. A new study from NIWA has highlighted a potential carbon sink in Fiordland's native forests - and researchers found our environment absorbs at least 170 million tonnes of carbon per year. NIWA atmospheric scientist Beata Bukosa says it's still unclear where the carbon goes - and more research needs to be carried out. "It's maybe potentially exported somewhere else, so that's something we still need to figure out." LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:48:04 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/mark-hooper-federated-farmers-transport-spokesperson-on-the-backlash-to-the-governments-new-ute-tax/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/mark-hooper-federated-farmers-transport-spokesperson-on-the-backlash-to-the-governments-new-ute-tax/ Federated Farmers is calling on Revenue Minister Simon Watts to rule out new changes to the Fringe Benefit tax that would impact utes. The IRD has proposed major changes to the way FBT applies to utes and farmers are concerned this would set them back thousands of dollars a year. Federated Farmers' transport spokesperson Mark Hooper says this issue started drawing in more attention post-Fieldays. "We've had a little bit of communication with the minister's office - as I said, we looked at it from a farm perspective, we could see that there were some issues with the categories they had laid out."  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:30:27 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/chris-whelan-universities-nz-ceo-on-the-new-data-revealing-where-nz-universities-rank-in-the-world/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/chris-whelan-universities-nz-ceo-on-the-new-data-revealing-where-nz-universities-rank-in-the-world/ One expert has offered a positive view on Kiwi university ratings. Four of our institutions have improved their standing in the prestigious QS World University Rankings. Auckland University is highest at 65th place, and Otago is in the top 200 for the first time since 2022. Universities NZ chief executive Chris Whelan says they're good results. "Given the funding that we have per student is less than half of, say, the equivalent in the US and well below countries like Australia or the UK - we do incredibly well." LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:58:57 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/rashneel-kumar-cook-islands-journalist-on-new-zealand-pausing-funding-to-the-cook-islands/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/rashneel-kumar-cook-islands-journalist-on-new-zealand-pausing-funding-to-the-cook-islands/ There's claims the Cook Islands were left in the dark over New Zealand pausing funding.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters says a $20-million-dollar pot of development aid won't resume until trust is restored between our countries, who operate under a special relationship.  Its Prime Minister signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, without giving New Zealand any insight on the deal.  Cook Islands journalist Rashneel Kumar says the Government was caught off guard - and he explained that it has tried to ease fears the agreement with China may have caused.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:48:26 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jarrod-kerr-kiwibank-chief-economist-issues-warning-after-gdp-figures-unveiled/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jarrod-kerr-kiwibank-chief-economist-issues-warning-after-gdp-figures-unveiled/ Kiwibank's chief economist says GDP figures released today show good momentum - but the next report isn't looking as good.  Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter. It's much higher than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury. Jarrod Kerr says there is less optimism around the quarter ending June.  "The data that we talked about was for the first quarter - obviously, it pre-dates Trump's tariff announcements, which has thrown a whole lot of uncertainty into the year. And it also predates the recent spike in oil prices."  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:30:16 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jason-walls-newstalk-zb-political-editor-on-new-zealand-halting-cook-islands-funding-after-china-agreements/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jason-walls-newstalk-zb-political-editor-on-new-zealand-halting-cook-islands-funding-after-china-agreements/ The Foreign Minister's pushing back on suggestions our geopolitical stoush with the Cook Islands will impact our relationship with China.  Winston Peters this morning confirmed the Government's halted development aid to the Cooks, with his Ministry unhappy over the lack of clarity around the island nation's cooperation deal with China.  九一星空无限talk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Peters made it clear that New Zealand's issues are about the Cook Islands' lack of consultation with us.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:17:35 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/murray-olds-australian-correspondent-on-erin-pattersons-deadly-mushroom-trial-drawing-to-a-close/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/murray-olds-australian-correspondent-on-erin-pattersons-deadly-mushroom-trial-drawing-to-a-close/ After weeks and weeks of hearings, Erin Patterson's deadly mushroom trial is nearing its end. The 50-year-old is accused of intentionally serving a poisonous mushroom dish to her estranged husband's family in 2023. She maintains her innocence. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the jury is set to retire soon - and then a verdict will be unveiled. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:13:02 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jason-pine-sportstalk-host-outlines-predictions-ahead-of-super-rugby-pacific-final/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jason-pine-sportstalk-host-outlines-predictions-ahead-of-super-rugby-pacific-final/ The Chiefs and Crusaders are set to face off this coming Saturday in the Super Rugby Pacific final. The event sold out Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium and fans are gearing up for a memorable match. Sportstalk host Jason Pine outlined his predictions ahead of the match. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:03:03 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/cameron-lacey-psychiatrist-on-getting-approval-to-prescribe-magic-mushroom-treatment/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/cameron-lacey-psychiatrist-on-getting-approval-to-prescribe-magic-mushroom-treatment/ One single psychiatrist has been approved to prescribe psilocybin or 'magic mushrooms' for treatment-resistant depression. That psychiatrist is Professor Cameron Lacey, who welcomed the approval as an opportunity to provide treatment that can change people’s lives. Lacey says there's been a great deal of interest since he got permission to prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. "I think it speaks to the demand and eagerness of which people have been following this field." LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 19 Jun 2025 04:48:45 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/gavin-grey-uk-correspondent-on-23andme-being-fined-millions-by-uk-watchdog/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/gavin-grey-uk-correspondent-on-23andme-being-fined-millions-by-uk-watchdog/ Genetic testing giant 23andMe is being fined millions of pounds by the UK's privacy watchdog following a high-profile data breach. The breach saw the personal information of seven million people stolen. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this is the most severe punishment the watchdog can impose. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 08:13:01 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jenee-tibshraeny-nz-herald-wellington-business-editor-on-nicola-willis-revealing-legal-advice-was-sought-over-rbnz-funding/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jenee-tibshraeny-nz-herald-wellington-business-editor-on-nicola-willis-revealing-legal-advice-was-sought-over-rbnz-funding/ The Finance Minister's revealed top-level legal advice was sought over the Reserve Bank's battle with Treasury for funding.  The bank received less money than it anticipated in the latest funding round - which prompted Adrian Orr to quit as Governor.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the issue further. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 08:04:00 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/andrew-curtayne-milford-asset-management-expert-on-the-market-reactions-to-the-israel-iran-conflict/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/andrew-curtayne-milford-asset-management-expert-on-the-market-reactions-to-the-israel-iran-conflict/ The conflict between Israel and Iran is continuing on - and it's sparked concerns among investors. US President Donald Trump has demanded Iran's unconditional surrender, as he weighs up whether to join Israel's targeting of nuclear sites. Milford Asset Management expert Andrew Curtayne explains the impact of the conflict. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:59:08 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-do-we-agree-with-the-government-scrapping-the-census/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-do-we-agree-with-the-government-scrapping-the-census/ Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  How do we feel about the Government overruling councils on decisions that negatively impact economic growth, development and employment? Is this necessary? The Government has confirmed they're going to scrap the census - do we agree with this move? Are the Crusaders being mean in banning cowbells from the Chiefs-Crusaders Super Rugby final? LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:54:22 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/satish-ranchhod-westpac-senior-economist-on-consumer-confidence-going-up-in-june/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/satish-ranchhod-westpac-senior-economist-on-consumer-confidence-going-up-in-june/ New data shows consumer confidence has gone up - but overall levels show people are feeling more pessimistic than optimistic about the economy.  The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence index rose two points in June to 91.2, a modest rise from last quarter's drop. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says negative news and the rising cost of living are contributing to an uncertain outlook, but confidence is likely to improve once more mortgages drop. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:40:13 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/tony-morris-inland-revenue-spokesperson-on-the-horticulture-sector-not-paying-enough-tax/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/tony-morris-inland-revenue-spokesperson-on-the-horticulture-sector-not-paying-enough-tax/ The Inland Revenue Department has unveiled the horticulture sector hasn't paid their fair share of taxes. Over the last 10 months, the IRD has found $45 million dollars of undeclared tax - and almost 100 audits are in the works now, within the sector. Inland Revenue spokesperson Tony Morris says the department is seeing people being paid under the table, undeclared cash sales and withholding tax going unrecorded or not being deducted correctly "It's quite a complex industry - if there's payments going through with cash or what else, it's easy to get lost or for things to happen intentionally, where it's hard to track the money." LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:19:17 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-18-june-2025/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-18-june-2025/ On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 18 June 2025, you'll never have to fill out another census form! The Statistics Minister explains why he's getting rid of it. US media are reporting Donald Trump is considering whether or not to join Israel in bombing Iran's nuclear facilities. Melatonin will soon be available to buy over the counter for anyone struggling to sleep - and magic mushrooms can soon be prescribed to treat depression. Associate Health Minister David Seymour locks horns with Heather over his plan to strip workers rights from high income earners. Plus, Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge defends his ban on cowbells for the Chiefs-Crusaders Super Rugby final this weekend. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:11:40 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/neil-holdom-new-plymouth-mayor-on-minister-chris-bishops-plan-to-take-power-away-from-local-authorities/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/neil-holdom-new-plymouth-mayor-on-minister-chris-bishops-plan-to-take-power-away-from-local-authorities/ New Plymouth's mayor is backing Government changes to take away power from local authorities.  Housing Minister Chris Bishop says new regulation in the Resource Management Act would stop councils stalling housing developments.  It would let him override councils on the grounds of their decisions negatively impacting economic growth.  Mayor Neil Holdom says as it is, elected officials have little input in the development of district plans.  "These things suck in millions of dollars, they're basically written by an elite bureaucracy of planners - and they've tied New Zealand up in knots." LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:00:54 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/robert-patman-otago-university-professor-for-international-relations-on-donald-trump-discussing-joining-israels-attacks-on-iran/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/robert-patman-otago-university-professor-for-international-relations-on-donald-trump-discussing-joining-israels-attacks-on-iran/ To strike or not to strike.  The US President has had talks with officials on joining Israel's attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. Since the initial attack on Friday, strikes have killed at least 224 Iranians and 24 Israelis. Otago University International Relations Professor Robert Patman says the split in Trump's supporter base will make things difficult.  Patman says many MAGA supporters want to stay out of foreign wars.  LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 06:42:41 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/colin-mansbridge-crusaders-chief-executive-on-the-decision-to-ban-cowbells-from-the-super-rugby-pacific-final/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/colin-mansbridge-crusaders-chief-executive-on-the-decision-to-ban-cowbells-from-the-super-rugby-pacific-final/ The Crusaders are hoping Chiefs fans will come check out the action at this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch - but they've suggested leaving the cowbells at home. In a LinkedIn post, Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge promised this would be a game fans would enjoy, but there's no room for cowbells in the stadium. Mansbridge jokingly claimed they'd be melted down and turned into a trophy - but he's serious about the risks. "You go to Eden Park, you go to FMG, you go to any other venue in the country and you've got a bit of leg room and a bit of bum room, but you don't in this place." LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 06:24:29 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/shane-reti-statistics-minister-on-the-government-scrapping-the-census-for-an-annual-survey/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/shane-reti-statistics-minister-on-the-government-scrapping-the-census-for-an-annual-survey/ The Statistics Minister says his agency is well up to transforming how the Census is done in New Zealand, despite previous short-comings. The five-yearly census is being replaced by a smaller, annual survey - and using Government department data. Stats NZ has faced past criticism over poor Census response rates  But Shane Reti says it's ready to turn that around. "There's been some fall-overs with Stats NZ - and actually, part of our job is also to build trust and to build quality with Stats NZ. I believe they'll be able to rebuild their reputation and deliver quality." LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:57:05 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-prime-minister-luxon-pushing-for-diplomacy-and-trade-during-china-visit/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-prime-minister-luxon-pushing-for-diplomacy-and-trade-during-china-visit/ The Prime Minister is pushing for diplomacy and trade in China  - as he visits with ministers and senior business leaders. Discussions will be held on boosting education and tourism, including attempting to attract more international students to New Zealand. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says the Government could look at making visa changes to make it easier on Chinese tourists. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:45:08 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/dan-mitchinson-us-correspondent-on-donald-trump-weighing-in-as-iran-israel-conflict-continues/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/dan-mitchinson-us-correspondent-on-donald-trump-weighing-in-as-iran-israel-conflict-continues/ The US is making veiled threats towards Iran - and demanding the country's unconditional surrender. Donald Trump is back in the White House after leaving the G7 summit in Canada early, to deal with escalation in the Middle East. The US President has spoken with Israel's Prime Minister, and says his administration knows exactly where Iran's supreme leader is. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the US originally stated it wasn't going to intervene - but that appears to have changed. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:35:37 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/darcy-waldegrave-sportstalk-host-on-cowbells-getting-banned-from-super-rugby-pacific-final/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/darcy-waldegrave-sportstalk-host-on-cowbells-getting-banned-from-super-rugby-pacific-final/ The Crusaders don’t want Chiefs fans to bring cowbells to the Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch on Saturday. The final is set up as the perfect crescendo to a compelling 2025 season, with the Chiefs, the number one ranked team in the round robin and second ranked Crusaders to duke it out. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the ban ahead of the match. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:26:23 Z /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/david-seymour-associate-health-minister-on-melatonin-being-made-available-over-the-counter-at-nz-pharmacies/ /on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/david-seymour-associate-health-minister-on-melatonin-being-made-available-over-the-counter-at-nz-pharmacies/ Changes to allow over the counter sales of sleep drug melatonin in New Zealand - alongside relaxing rules on magic mushrooms as medicine. MedSafe's approved melatonin for sale to adults without a prescription. Psilocybin remains unapproved, but one specifically qualified psychiatrist is now permitted to prescribe it for treatment-resistant depression. Associate Health Minister David Seymour is standing by not revealing the doctor's name -  saying they could get harassed because of people confusing it with a recreational drug. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:18:40 Z