Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Epizody

• 
  Full Show Podcast: 16 September 2026 16.09.2026 1h 39min

  Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 16 September. 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.
• 
  Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: The National Party should know better when it comes to business 16.09.2026 2min

  If my reaction to the National Party's supermarket policy was an emoji, it would be the one with the brains blowing out the top of its head. It would be WTF. It would be: Was the Greens' policy not nutty enough for you? Did you have to find something even more cooked and release it? Because that's what's just happened. The National Party has announced, completely unexpectedly, with nobody getting a heads-up that this was coming, that it wants to break up Foodstuffs into two separately owned businesses. One would be Pak'n'Save  and the other would combine New World and Four Square. It won't be forcing any owners to sell their businesses because, by the way, these businesses are owned by Kiwi owner-operators. They're not going to be forced to sell. But they are going to be forced to move with their chosen brand. Now, if what the National Party wanted was a water-cooler announcement, you know, the kind that gets so much attention everybody ends up talking about it at the water cooler, then they got it. And for all the wrong reasons. Because this is completely bonkers. Especially because it comes from a party that should know better: the National Party. Now, I'm not defending supermarket prices here. I'm not saying it's okay that you're paying $300 to $400 a week just to feed your family. But what I am saying is that the Nats pushing the red button and going nuclear here may actually be worse. Think about what this is going to do to confidence in investing in this country. Who is going to put serious money into business in New Zealand if this is the kind of country that just goes around splitting up corporates? And it's not theoretical to say this is going to have a chilling effect. We know it will. We're still trying to convince oil and gas companies to bring their money back into this country and back into the gas sector after Jacinda Ardern announced the oil and gas exploration ban. That was eight years ago and there is still no sign that confidence is returning. It takes decades to undo this kind of damage. Even having the so-called business-friendly party in New Zealand discussing a policy like this is damaging our international reputation right now. And is it worth it? Is it worth it? Have a guess how much money this is going to save you each week when it's finally baked in at the end of the process. Maybe $3.80. $3.80 a week. For all of this. Is it worth it? No. Of course it's not. This is an incredibly damaging idea for apparently very little gain. As you can imagine, I've had countless texts and conversations about this since it was announced. And the one that sums it up best is this: "New Zealand is not a serious country anymore." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Rod Duke: Briscoe Group managing director on the retailer reporting a lift in revenue 16.09.2026 5min

  There's mixed results out of Briscoe Group, with the homeware and sporting goods retailer reporting a small lift in revenue and a downgrade in profit in its 2026 half-year results, with key sporting events helping boost performance. For the 26 weeks ended July 26, 2026, Briscoe Group reported total sales of $374.2 million - up over $3 million compared to last year. Briscoe Group managing director Rod Duke says the number of high-profile sporting events in rugby, football and the current NRL season have contributed to the boost, but the Iran war remains an economic concern.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Mark Allen: Waitākere Ranges Local Board chair on Auckland Council shutting the Piha campground 16.09.2026 3min

  The popular Piha campground has been closed down by Auckland Council, with no indication of when it will reopen ahead of the summer season. The campground has been popular with Kiwi travellers for over 26 years, and it's unclear if it will be up and running in time for Labour weekend. Waitākere Ranges Local Board chair Mark Allen says they received new information about possible flooding risks, and extra work had to be undertaken. "We decided we needed to do some work on it, just to make sure everything was good... the position is, we want it to reopen it for the summer, while we do further work." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Karl Taylor: Northern Rescue COO on the campaign designed to encourage Kiwi men to wear seatbelts 16.09.2026 1min

  New data shows one in seven Kiwi men aren't wearing seatbelts - and a new campaign has been launched to bring down the risks of injury or death. NZTA is partnering with four provincial rugby teams to encourage young men to buckle up and stay safe. Northern Rescue COO Karl Taylor says too many younger men between 18-40 think they're 'bulletproof' and that's a factor behind these stats. "We need to get the message out there, and we just need to keep sounding that message out there and keep beating the drum." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Carrie Leonetti: Auckland University associate professor of law on the failings uncovered in the Tom Phillips report 16.09.2026 2min

  A law expert says the Family Court's dismissed warnings before, like those raised about the Marokopa children.  An inquiry's laid bare failures by police and Oranga Tamariki before and during the four-year search for fugitive Tom Phillips and his children. Their mother repeatedly expressed fears before Phillips went on the run with them a second time, but Oranga Tamariki assured the Court, they were fine in his care.  Auckland University associate professor Carrie Leonetti says such failures are well established. She explained almost nothing stops fathers getting extensive, unsupervised access to their children - even mental health conditions, substance abuse and a history of violence.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on National's bid to break up Foodstuffs 16.09.2026 5min

  The Finance Minister says the National's bid to break up Foodstuffs would be the most low-cost measure to ensure Kiwis can get cheaper groceries. National is campaigning on separating Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square - if the Commerce Commission believes it stacks up. Nicola Willis says there's less benefits and more costs around restructuring Woolworths, as the retailer would have to set up an entirely new operator and brands. "Whereas, Foodstuffs already has two different brands, it already has Pak'nSave vs New World. So the costs of that restructure are lower - and once you add in all of the extra costs of the Woolworths restructure, you end up with lower net benefits." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Chris Bishop getting removed from the House 16.09.2026 5min

  Senior National MP Chris Bishop was told to leave the House earlier today for the first time in his 12-year political career. Labour’s finance spokeswoman Barbara Edmonds was questioning Finance Minister Nicola Willis, and Speaker Gerry Brownlee noticed someone else was talking. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper noticed that Brownlee first thought the interruption came from Simeon Brown, then Paul Goldsmith - until someone 'narked' on Bishop. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent on the Kennedy Centre potentially shutting down amid Trump dispute 16.09.2026 4min

  The Kennedy Centre is facing a potential shutdown as President Donald Trump keeps pushing to add his name to the building. The board, which was chosen by Trump and includes many of his allies, has voted to close it down for two years. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump says the any future renovations and repairs will not take place until his name is added to the building, according to social media. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on James Fisher-Harris winning the Simon Mannering Medal 16.09.2026 4min

  Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris has been awarded the Simon Mannering Medal, recognising the club's player of the NRL league season. He's headed off competition from the likes of Erin Clark and Wayde Egan. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Mike Lee: UOA marketing professor on Auntie Anne’s and Carvel expanding to Westfield Newmarket 16.09.2026 4min

  Off the back of Cinnabon launching a flagship store at Auckland's Westfield Newmarket, two more American food chains will make their New Zealand debut later this month. Auntie Anne’s and Carvel will open their first stores on September 26th - giving Kiwis the chance to try new hand-baked pretzels, ice cream, milkshakes and more. UOA marketing professor Mike Lee says it's expected there will be 'lines out the door' when these companies launch, with high demand expected for Auntie Anne’s pretzels. "I just know the New Zealand palate - the mainstream New Zealand palate, I'm not talking about the carb-free health people, I'm just talking about the general mainstream New Zealand public . I think there'll be lines waiting to get a taste of these pretzels."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Enda Brady: UK correspondent on Harry and Meghan removing their children from UK school amid security concerns 15.09.2026 4min

  New reports claim Harry and Meghan have pulled their two children, Archie and Lilibet, from school in the UK amid ongoing security concerns. The family recently moved from the United States to the UK, and their private security team reportedly advised them to make this move. UK correspondent Enda Brady indicated Harry and Meghan could be looking to 'manufacture' a situation to create some extra pressure - and this will likely cost the taxpayers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Jamie Mackay: The Country host on what the latest Federated Farmers Confidence survey means for the sector 15.09.2026 4min

  New data out of Federated Farmers shows profitability is the highest it’s been in a decade, with 72 percent of farmers making a profit and fewer than one in 20 making a loss. But confidence for the next 12 months has dropped, with many farmers wondering how long these good times can really last. The Country's Jamie Mackay outlined the survey results further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Ben O'Keeffe: international rugby referee and expert on whether less TMO influence improves rugby 15.09.2026 5min

  There's growing debate about the TMO's role in rugby, with many claiming they'd like to hear less from officials. Sir Graham Henry was one of the big names to recently claim that less TMO involvement is the way to go, following the latest All Blacks-Springboks clash over the weekend. International rugby referee and expert Ben O'Keeffe says television match officials still serve a purpose. "I like having the ability to have the technology available, but it actually comes down to the application of how I actually try and use it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  The Huddle: What's going on with Wayne Brown's latest Government feud? 15.09.2026 10min

  Tonight on The Huddle, lawyer Liam Hehir and NZ Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Auckland mayor Wayne Brown and Local Government Minister Simon Watts have traded strong words after the Government announced it was moving to ban voting rights for non-elected members of council committees. What do we make of this? What's really going on with Wayne Brown? The findings of the Tom Phillips inquiry have been released today, and the report has revealed the extent of how the relevant officials have mishandled the case. Who looks worse - the police or Oranga Tamariki? How could this have been handled better?  Nicola Willis has hinted more tax cuts could be on their way - once the books are back in surplus. Are we excited for this, or does the wait put us off?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: The failures in the Tom Phillips investigation go on and on 15.09.2026 2min

  So the Government has apologised to Tom Phillips' children for failing to keep them safe. And, man, that apology is not overdoing it when you read the report and realise just how many times officials completely stuffed up trying to find those kids and keep them safe. Probably the most shocking mistake was made by the police. A woman called them and said she had Phillips in her car, and she even took a photo of him to show them, but they never showed up. She'd come across his broken-down car somewhere around Marokopa and the kids were with him. She and another family member, a mother-in-law or something like that, tried to help him jump-start the car. After they'd done that, she went home and immediately called the cops. The police sent officers over but they ended up being redeployed to another job before they even reached her so they never turned up. That was May 2023. Those kids had already been in the bush for 18 months. Everybody in this country knew about the Phillips family by then. It wasn't as if the police didn't know who they were looking for. There was no excuse for treating it that way. For me, the second most alarming thing is that police knew Phillips was an alcoholic and a weirdo who'd done strange things, like wearing a full military gas mask around Ōtorohanga, talking about doomsday prepping and at times drinking a box of beer and a bottle of vodka in a single day. And yet, he had the kids in his care. And that was known in October, by the way. October is important because that's the month he runs away the first time. He comes back and authorities realise what they're dealing with: an alcoholic, deeply eccentric man. Yet before he runs away the second time, they leave the kids in his care. How is this a country where we leave kids with someone who gets that drunk? Now, what I've told you is by no means an exhaustive list of what went wrong. There was the case of OT actually closing its file in February 2022. The kids had been missing for 74 days  and they said they had no concerns for their welfare. When he first disappears the second time, police say they're not worried about the kids' safety. Again, this is a guy who gets completely rotten drunk on a frequent basis. When his ute is found near Marokopa a month after he disappears, police don't bother turning up for nearly a week. They leave it there for six days. When they finally arrive, they simply leave a note and then leave. And it goes on and on and on, the failures. The basic finding in this review is that police and OT could have stopped him from going bush with the kids the second time but they didn't. Police also could have tried to get those kids out earlier but they didn't. Which means, if you know what the suppressed information is, they could have stopped all of that from happening and they didn't. And that is more horrific than bears thinking about. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Robin Oliver: OliverShaw Tax Partner on Nicola Willis hinting income tax cuts could come if National re-elected 15.09.2026 4min

  Nicola Willis is hinting National could introduce more income tax cuts if the party's re-elected, but Kiwis may have to wait for them. Speaking on a panel at BusinessNZ’s election conference in Wellington, Willis said the party has been monitoring 'bracket creep' and adjustments could be made after a return to surplus.  OliverShaw Tax Partner Robin Oliver says there's a case for indexing the tax rates, and the Government should be transparent if they need to make changes.  "We should legislate that each year, the Government should be transparent, it should go to the public and say - actually, we need to increase the tax rates on middle-income New Zealanders because we're going to spend it on healthcare, ED, what have you." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Full Show Podcast: 15 September 2026 15.09.2026 1h 39min

  On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 15 September, 2026, police and Oranga Tamariki try to explain how they ignored warnings about Tom Phillips and his kids. On The Huddle, Liam Hehir and Katie Bradford on Wayne Brown's latest bust-up with the government. Top rugby referee Ben O'Keeffe tells us how there's less TMO interference in New Zealand rugby. And why Heather's pledged to run a marathon. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Simon Watts: Local Government Minister stands by comments directed at Auckland mayor Wayne Brown 15.09.2026 4min

  The Local Government Minister says he makes no apology, after a recent spat with Auckland mayor Wayne Brown. The Government announced it's moving to ban voting rights for non-elected members of council committees. Brown's now threatened to pull out of the Auckland Deal, and sent a terse message to Simon Watts - telling him to 'butt out' of the council’s democratic processes. Watts says democracy is non-negotiable. "Elected representatives are accountable to their communities, and voting rights should reflect that."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• 
  Amanda Malu: Oranga Tamariki chief executive unpacks findings from Tom Phillips inquiry 15.09.2026 2min

  Oranga Tamariki repeatedly dismissed concerns about Tom Phillips' children - before he fled for a second time into the Marokopa bushland. A four-year police hunt for them ended when Phillips was shot dead last year.  An inquiry's laid bare numerous failures, including a lack of coordination between Oranga Tamariki and the police.  Two months before Phillips took off the second time, the Ministry told the Family Court the children were fine in his care.  Chief executive Amanda Malu says Oranga Tamariki didn't provide all the information it had - partly because the social worker was still compiling it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.