

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

Oct 16, 2025 • 4min
Virginia Courage: Gloriavale leaver on the investigation into alleged mistreatment of crying children and babies
A Gloriavale leaver is recalling the confronting impact of child discipline practices used in the sect. Police have issued two formal warnings to the community after investigating allegations parents would cover the noses and mouths of crying children. A Herald investigation has revealed officers conducted more than 100 interviews. Virginia Courage says in one instance, a little boy was brought to her unconscious. "He wasn't breathing, and his father just threw him at me. I don't even know if he said anything, I just went into get-this-kid-breathing mode." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2025 • 5min
Ruth Richardson: former Finance Minister on Jim Bolger's legacy
Jim Bolger's first Finance Minister says the former Prime Minister - who died yesterday aged 90 - sometimes sold himself short. Bolger served as an MP from 1972 and led the country for seven years. Ruth Richardson says in recent years, Bolger criticised some neo-liberal policies he oversaw. She says Bolger made tough decisions at a tough time. "His hand was forced by dreadful economic circumstances that we faced - a real baptism of fire. We did what was right." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2025 • 7min
Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the death of former Prime Minister Jim Bolger
A flurry of tributes from current and former politicians for former Prime Minister, Jim Bolger, who died yesterday. The 90-year-old died peacefully, surrounded by family. He served as Prime Minister between 1990 and 1997. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper looked back on some memories with the former leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2025 • 5min
Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Australia's unemployment rate reaching 4.5 percent
Australia's unemployment rate jumped to 4.5 percent in September - up from 4.3 percent in August, according to new reports. This is the highest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate recorded since November 2021. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this will likely put extra pressure on the Reserve Bank to make another interest rate cut. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2025 • 4min
Elliott Smith: Sportstalk host on the 10-year ban for players who defect to the R360 rugby competition
League great Billy Slater reckons the 10 year bans for players who defect to the rebel R360 rugby competition are a bit extreme. ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys has accused R360 officials of pirating the game for financial gain. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explains the backlash further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2025 • 5min
Sarah Dalton: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director on the backlash to Simeon Brown's comments
The Health Minister has accused the senior doctors' union of crossing an 'ethical line' at the expense of patients. Members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists will join next week's mass strike. Tens of thousands of union members, across health, education, and the public sector, are walking off the job. Sarah Dalton from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says many were shocked at the way Simeon Brown chose to characterise this strike action. "And I guess his refusal to contemplate all of the many things in the health system that get in the way of them being able to see and treat patients, other than a four-hour strike next week." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 15, 2025 • 6min
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the new book claiming Margaret Thatcher had two affairs
A new book, The Incidental Feminist, has claimed former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher reportedly had two affairs. Thatcher, who held the role from 1979 to 1990, is remembered as having a stable marriage to her husband Denis - but the book claims Thatcher got involved with a former MP and had an earlier affair at the start of her career. UK correspondent Gavin Grey weighs up the validity of these claims. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 15, 2025 • 4min
Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the Reserve Bank modelling finds Covid-era money printing didn't cause inflation to spike
The Reserve Bank recently disputed the idea that Covid-era money printing programme caused sky-high inflation, which cost the Government billions. Staff at the bank have published new research that concludes the bank’s $55 billion Large-Scale Asset Purchase (LSAP) programme didn’t 'meaningfully' contribute to above-target inflation following the pandemic. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 15, 2025 • 3min
Brendan Larsen: Milford Asset Management expert on the impact of the US Government shutdown
The ongoing US Government shutdown is set to have wide-reaching effects, with economists raising concerns over the impacts. Missed pay cheques and the absence of billions of dollars of Government services will likely reverberate beyond federal workers and sting the broader public. Milford Asset Management's Brendan Larsen explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 15, 2025 • 11min
The Huddle: Should we be worried about the Māori Party's future?
Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! It's been a controversial couple of days for the Māori Party. Do we see the party splitting apart? Do we think Labour will officially rule out working with them before next year's election? A new poll in the Post has indicated Chris Bishop is the successor in waiting for Luxon - what do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


