

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive
Newstalk ZB
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 3, 2025 • 4min
Jason Pine: Sportstalk host on Dame Noeline Taurua's first interview since returning to the Silver Ferns
Dame Noeline Taurua insists she hasn't agreed to any changes in the Silver Ferns' high performance environment. In announcing her return after being stood down for more than six weeks, Netball New Zealand said the two parties would be working in partnership to embed "agreed changes". Sportstalk host Jason Pine raises questions about Netball NZ's statements. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 3, 2025 • 5min
Lindis Jones: Z Energy chief executive on the company apologising amid backlash to 2022 ad campaign
Z Energy is apologising for any confusion caused by aspects of a 2022 advertising campaign. In 2022 and 2023, the company ran a 'Moving With The Times' campaign - illustrating its commitments to being more environmentally friendly. Consumer NZ, Lawyers for Climate Action, and the Environmental Law Initiative later took legal action against Z Energy, claiming it was misleading New Zealanders. Z Energy chief executive Lindis Jones says the ad was designed to be 'bold and provocative' "That statement was made alongside a whole lot of other information that contextualised it and provided background. So it's a case of - we've agreed to disagree." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 31, 2025 • 1h 40min
Full Show Podcast: 31 October 2025
Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 31 October. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 31, 2025 • 6min
Lynette Dunn: Oyster farmers forced to dump thousands of oysters due to Watercare failure
A pump station overflow north of Auckland has resulted in the temporary closure of Oyster farms and the destruction of thousands of contaminated oysters. In an email sent on Thursday, Watercare said the pump station overflowed at about 2.30pm to the stormwater pond and wastewater began entering the Mahurangi River but the overflow was not stopped until 8am the next day. Chair of the Mahurangi Oyster Farms Association, Lynette Dunn, said to Andrew Dickens that this was far from the first time this type of incident had occurred. "I think by recording, we might be up to about 38 or 39 times for the whole year," she said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 31, 2025 • 4min
Shaun Wallace: Chase star on his NZ tour for charity
The Chase UK star Shaun Wallace, aka Dark Destroyer, is touring New Zealand hosting quiz events to raise money for Cure Kids. The Chaser will also host the 25th New Zealand Quiz Championships in Eden Park on November 8. Wallace is not a Chaser for soon-to-debut The Chase NZ but he told Andrew Dickens, "I would really like to see a New Zealand chaser, because there's some very, very good quizzers over here". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 31, 2025 • 5min
Dan Mitchinson: US Correspondent on Trump's nuclear testing threats
Concerns over potential US nuclear tests have arisen after Donald Trump posted on X saying 'I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis'. The announcement left questions about whether the US President meant testing weapons systems or actually conducting test explosions, which the United States has not done since 1992. Vice-President JD Vance failed to provide any clarification, telling reporters the President’s statement “speaks for itself". US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Andrew Dickens he wasn't convinced the threats will be followed through- "as we know, the president tends to speak first sometimes and think after he has spoken". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 31, 2025 • 5min
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Luxon's response to Andrew Bayly's resignation
Andrew Bayly, the MP for Port Waikato, stood down as ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister after allegations of unprofessional behaviour. While speaking to Newstalk ZB yesterday Bayly said he was told the allegations made against him had been corroborated by three other people - he now has evidence it was not. Speaking from Korea overnight Luxon reiterated he would have fired Bayly had he not resigned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 31, 2025 • 4min
Dr Cath Watson: Should you give your pets Ozempic?
Okava has been investigating the use of GLP-1 receptors in cats and found it has similar effects to weight-loss drugs on humans. The San Francisco-based company is hoping to develop a long-acting implant as opposed to regular injections. But, Healthy Pets New Zealand trustee and vet Dr Cath Watson says weight loss drugs should not be the first option for pets. Watson told Andrew Dickens that pet obesity levels are "pretty bad and getting worse". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 30, 2025 • 4min
Elizabeth Callaghan: UK correspondent on two men confessing to roles in Louvre robbery
Two men arrested last week have partially admitted their role in a brazen heist from Paris's Louvre museum. Crown jewels worth millions of dollars were taken last week, when four people used a hydraulic crane to break into a window in broad daylight, then fled on motorbikes. UK correspondent Elizabeth Callaghan explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 30, 2025 • 4min
Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on AI driving record US capex spending
New data shows AI is still holding strong in current financial markets. Meta, Microsoft and Google recently unveiled their earnings, and the data indicates there's clear demand for AI. Same Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


