The UK Government is reportedly planning to ban smoking in outdoor public areas amid health concerns. Leaked documents claim smoking in beer gardens, outside restaurants and hospitals, and football stadiums could soon be made illegal. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Nigel Farage has already voiced opposition to the moves to ban outdoor smoking. LI…

There's growing market interest in humanoids - robots and robotic technology designed to mimic humans. New improvements in technology have opened up room for more developments in the world of robotics, and it's caught the eyes of investors. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati…

Ten years ago, New Zealand had a 'rockstar economy' according to experts. In 2014, New Zealand's GDP growth turned out to be among the strongest across the OECD economies. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham unveiled his tips for how the nation can change its tune and bring those figures back. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info…

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Darleen Tana's won another round against the Greens, with the party postponing their meeting about her political future until the legal mess is sorted. What do we …

Air New Zealand's CEO isn't holding back his frustration about the issues plaguing some of its engines. The airline's earnings, underlying profit, and net profit have all more than halved. Air New Zealand is one of several airlines that have seen planes taken out of action due to engine issues. CEO Greg Foran says the newer planes have been plagued…

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 29 August 2024, have the Greens rolled over under the pressure of Darleen Tana? Legal expert Andrew Geddis explains what we learnt from this morning's hearing. Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran tells Heather when his planes will finally be on time - and why business is so tough r…

There's two key starting changes to the All Blacks side set to face the Springboks in Johannesburg on Sunday. Sam Cane starts his first test since last year’s World Cup final - a match in which he was sent off against the same opposition. A thumb injury to Dalton Papali’i means the former captain is elevated from the reserves. All Blacks assistant …

Many people dream of becoming social media influencers - but the reality is a lot less glamorous. According to new data from the IRD, only 60 people in New Zealand are working full-time as influencers, with the average annual income being $46,000. Thompson Spencer co-founder and CEO Melanie Spencer is surprised by these statistics. "We have influen…

The Local Government Minister is pulling no punches about gang members wearing patches in Hawke's Bay Regional Council's chambers, which is illegal. The Council yesterday voted unanimously to keep its Māori Wards - but photos posted on Facebook afterwards included patched gang members celebrating. They've since been taken down The Council has repli…

Is anyone else getting the feeling the Greens have underestimated just how far Darleen Tana will go to to mess with them? I feel like they might have bit off a bit much with this one. Because so far - it’s 2-nil to Darleen. She won the first round when she refused to quit Parliament. The Greens clearly thought that after they’d finished the report …

Darleen Tana will still be in Parliament at least another two weeks, as the Greens push back a party vote until her legal challenge against them has concluded. The independent MP filed an injunction to stop a party meeting on Sunday discussing using waka-jumping legislation to remove her from Parliament. Otago University law professor Andrew Geddis…

The Green Party denies it's been out-manoeuvred by ex-MP Darleen Tana, whose legal proceedings have delayed this weekend's party vote. Delegates planned to decide on Sunday whether to use waka-jumping laws to force Tana from Parliament, now she's no longer a party member. That'll now be deferred until court proceedings on her injunction conclude. Z…

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being questioned about a private conversation where he joked with the US Deputy Secretary of State about splitting the cost of the Pacific Policing Initiative. The initiative was announced in Tonga on Wednesday - and last night, a Kiwi journalist caught Albanese and Kurt Campbell jokingly discussing the …

The All Blacks are set to face off against the Springboks this weekend - their first clash since last year's Rugby World Cup. Coach Scott Robertson is likely to stick with what worked last time out when he names his side to face the Springboks. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave outlined his predictions here today. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/li…

Minister Shane Jones has been on the receiving end of some backlash after his comments on the judiciary. Attorney-General Judith Collins plans to speak to Jones following a recent incident where he called a High Court judge a 'communist' - prompting concern from New Zealand Bar Association. Law Association Vice President Julie-Anne Kincade says res…

The UK is set to start talks on a new co-operation treaty with Germany, as the Labour Government looks to 'reset' relations with Europe. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz - and he explained the deal was part of a bid to 'turn a corner' on Brexit. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the agreeme…

Air New Zealand's financial results are out tomorrow - and hopes aren't flying particularly high. The airline has been hit with plane engine troubles, increased competition and decreased consumer demand. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton outlined some predictions about the airline's financial state. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f…

Elevated interest rates have encouraged mortgage holders to switch banks at a record rate. The value of mortgages refinanced by a new bank climbed to $1.75 billion in July – the largest amount since at least 2017, when the Reserve Bank started publishing this data. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks the market factors enc…

Ever since Singapore introduced congestion charges in the 1970s, other cities have tried to emulate its success. Wellington is the latest major New Zealand city to look at introducing congestion charges as a means of reducing traffic and improving public transport? Tony Canavan, EY's Global Transport Leader for the Government and Public Sector, exp…

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 28 August 2024, ex-Green MP Darleen Tana is taking her old party to court to avoid them kicking her out of Parliament. Trouble with NCEA? Almost half of our NCEA students have failed maths and writing exams they have to pass to receive their qualifications. Principal Kate Gainsf…

Tonight on The Huddle, Brigitte Morton and Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Secondary school principals are worried at the huge number of kids that are failing literacy and numeracy tests - meaning they won't receive the right NCEA qualifications. Do we need a rethink here? Disgraced ex-Green …

Meridian Energy - the country’s largest power generator - has reported strong earnings in the June year, but warns the year ahead looks challenging. The partially state-owned company’s net profit went from $95 million to $429 million - with much of the increase influenced significantly by net gains on hedge instruments of $249 million. Meridian CEO…

The Infrastructure Minister hopes to get bi-partisan support for major long-term projects. Minister Chris Bishop today outlined intentions for the infrastructure sector - including developing a 30-Year National Plan and National Agency. Bishop says he was inspired by similar efforts happening overseas. "If you look at what Australia does, which is …

Thousands of young people have failed new co-requisite NCEA literacy and numeracy tests. It's the first year students have needed to pass them to achieve NCEA - and in May, 54 percent failed the maths test. Secondary Principals' Council chair Kate Gainsford says it's not the end of their NCEA journey because students get repeated opportunities. She…

Kiwi Oasis fans can stop crying their hearts out - but pray Eden Park's boss will pull out the stops to lure the UK rock band over. The Gallagher brothers yesterday announced their first tour in over 15 years. Fourteen concerts are planned for the UK and Ireland in July and August. CEO, Nick Sautner says he's confident Eden Park's upcoming modifica…

The clear consensus among experts shows Darleen Tana is hanging on for their political life. The former Green MP has filed an unprecedented injunction trying to prevent their former party convening a Special General Meeting this weekend. ZB political editor Jason Walls says the Greens clearly didn't see this coming - but they're not too worried. "T…

A Green Party meeting's still planned this weekend, despite former MP Darleen Tana taking out an injunction hoping to prevent it. The meeting was to consider using waka-jumping legislation to expel Tana from Parliament, because they're refusing to resign, despite quitting the Party. Tana's challenge against the Party will be heard in the Auckland H…

Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her prospective VP Tim Walz are due to sit down for their first joint interview of their presidential campaign. The pair will be interviewed by CNN in their first in-depth on-the-record exchange since Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris as his replacement. Guardian Washington Bureau Chief David…

Light heavyweight boxer Jerome Pampellone is intent on making the most of his second chance at a world title shot this evening. He'll fight Australian Conor Wallace in an IBF title eliminator in Sydney, having suffered his first professional loss to Malik Zinad in an eliminator back in April. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what viewers …

There's questions over how frontline work can be done, as Health New Zealand offers voluntary redundancies. The PSA says these cuts are to jobs in admin, procurement, policy, communications, information, research and monitoring. It says they come on top of a hiring freeze of backroom staff in June, that left hundreds of roles unfilled. Nurses Organ…

British rock band Oasis said today they would reunite after 15 years, with brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher planning a series of live shows in 2025. The pair confirmed on social media that tickets would go on sale on August 31, with first show taking place in Cardiff on July 4 next year. UK correspondent Enda Brady recalls his experience meeting No…

Sources claim dairy giant Fonterra is set to make a big announcement tomorrow. This follows the company predicting a 50 percent increase to the milk forecast price. The Country's Jamie Mackay speculates about what the upcoming announcement might reveal. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

The Secretary-General of the OECD, Mathias Cormann, has made his first official visit to New Zealand. Trade Minister Todd McClay welcomed him to Wellington today - and trade agreements appear to be on the agenda. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explains the significance of this visit. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy …

As tourists descend on Barcelona for the America's Cup, the welcome from locals isn't as warm as the weather. The city has been grappling with the after-effects of over-tourism - and residents have been spotted wearing anti-America's Cup merchandise in protest. BloggerAtLarge.com's Megan Singleton says people are fed up with tourism pushing up the …

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Are the Wellington posties wrong to refuse to deliver Better Wellington's anti-council pamphlet over claims of misinformation? Is there a political bias here? The Government will overturn the oil and …

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 27 August 2024, Labour leader Chris Hipkins gets into a fiery argument with Heather over Labour's opposition to oil and gas exploration. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster celebrates a major win over the Head Hunters. The postie union are refusing to deliver a pamphlet in Wellingto…

New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) says its first-half revenue was slightly up on the year before, despite a tough trading environment. The media group behind the New Zealand Herald, BusinessDesk, Newstalk ZB and OneRoof reported a first-half net profit of $1.9 million, down 4.3 percent on the year before. However, there was a 3 percent lif…

A win for Auckland police, who have seized almost $15 million worth of of Head Hunter assets and properties - including the prized Mount Wellington gang pad. Items taken from President Wayne Doyle, under the Criminal Proceeds Act, include properties in New Lynn and Freeman's Bay. Other assets include two bank accounts, a vehicle and $275,000 cash f…

Messages between Phillip Polkinghorne and his wife Pauline Hanna have come to light today in court. The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of killing Hanna in their home in 2021, although he claims it was suicide. The court's heard messages between the two - described by an officer working the case as 'loving'. NewstalkZB's Chelsea Daniels says jurors…

Messages between Phillip Polkinghorne and his wife Pauline Hanna have come to light today in court. The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of killing Hanna in their home in 2021, although he claims it was suicide. The court's heard messages between the two - described by an officer working the case as 'loving'. NewstalkZB's Chelsea Daniels says jurors…

Labour would re-instate a ban on oil and gas exploration if it got back into power. The Government is reversing the ban, despite belief from opponents there's no reserves left to be found. It also plans to make it easier import Liquefied Natural Gas, aiming to boost energy supplies. Labour leader Chris Hipkins says New Zealand has an abundance of r…

Thousands of Australian workers have gone on strike to protest the Government's takeover of the construction arm of the CFMEU. Workers downed their tools and walked away from 11am this morning - halting the construction of several major building projects across the nation. Australian correspondent Sam Emery says these protests will be monitored ami…

As the current energy crisis worsens, Labour is holding steady on its promise to bring back the oil and gas ban again. The Government has recently agreed to remove hurdles for gas imports, speed up overturning the ban on oil and gas exploration - and will review the electricity market's performance. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper say…

A controversial anti-council leaflet has ruffled feathers in the capital. A group called Better Wellington produced the flyer criticising council plans, like changing noise control to let mosques play their call to prayer. But posties are calling it harmful misinformation and have refused to deliver it. John Maynard from the Postal Workers Union sa…

That was quite a smart move from Chris Luxon yesterday, calling on opposition parties to support the Government in fixing this energy crisis we’re in at the moment. Not only because this is now so serious, with businesses closing down and cutting jobs because they can’t afford the power bill, that it really requires everyone in Parliament to be gro…

Italian media are reporting prosecutors have begun an official investigation of New Zealander James Cutfield, captain of the British flagged superyacht that sank of Sicily last week. Reuters is not able to independently verify the decision and says being placed under investigation doesn't imply guilt or mean formal charges will follow. On the weeke…

US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell has hinted interest rate cuts could be coming from September. In a recent address, Powell indicated upside risks to inflation have diminished, and the downside risks to employment have increased. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says these comments struck the right tone with markets, causing sharemarkets…

More and more businesses have begun utilising AI for recruiting staff - and jobseekers have concerns. Spark, Kmart and Woolworths all use Sapia.ai software to conduct automated chat and video interviews with an AI-based 'smart interviewer'. Chief executive and platform founder Barb Hyman says the AI eliminates the bias human recruiters bring to job…

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we have a problem with Labour's Carmel Sepuloni collecting her MP's salary while filming Celebrity Treasure Island? The Government has made some changes to the Fast Track Approvals Bill…

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 26 August 2024, Energy Minister Simeon Brown tells Heather how the Government's big new energy package will address our energy crisis. In a landmark case, the Court of Appeal has found four Uber drivers were employees - and not contractors - meaning they're entitled to paid holiday…