Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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  Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: The benefits of smart glasses outweigh the risks 25.09.2026 2min

  I reckon probably the most important thing to happen tech-wise in this country this week would be the smart glasses hitting New Zealand shop shelves, which means, of course, that all of the angst that's been going on in the rest of the world for the last three years about the so-called “perv glasses” is about to spark up here as people start getting themselves into trouble, I'd imagine, for filming with these things in places we don't want them filming with these things. But can I suggest, before we all start getting worked up and calling for bans and stupid rules and restrictions and stuff, that we understand what these glasses mean for some people. So I was really struck this week. I was listening to Pic Picot of the peanut butter business talk about these glasses the other day. He bought some overseas. He can't see very well, and he bought some overseas before they went on sale here, and he reckons this is a life changer for him. He says with these glasses, for the first time in a really long time, he now knows what's going on around him. He can read the menu in his hotel by himself because the glasses tell him what it says. Up to now, he's had to take a photo and zoom right in and then go bit by bit and try to read it. Imagine how frustrating that was. Imagine how different it is if the glasses are just reading your menu to you. He can walk into a shop, he can ask the glasses what's happening, and the glasses will tell him there's a woman over there, a rack of glasses behind her. It will store pictures, it will take pictures and store pictures of people he knows, and if that person comes up to him, it will tell him that person looks like somebody you know, and the person's name is Andy, or whatever it is. He can read prices on clothes inside a shop. He can find his own size inside that shop now. And importantly, he can do this all by himself. He doesn't need help. This has the potential to open the world up again for people who can't see well. Now, I think we have a propensity, don't we, as humans to react really badly to new technology. It's the default setting that we have. AI arrives, we go, “Oh, it's going to take the jobs.” We get freaked out about the facial scanning technology in Bunnings. We always do this, and so we're going to do it with the smart glasses. And look, there are definitely things we need to be worried about with these glasses because they will normalise, eventually, constant filming of anyone and everyone. They will allow the pervs to be more pervy than normal at the pool or the beach or whatever, and we are going to want to make some rules, and we're probably going to have to make some rules. But when we have that impulse to set new rules, let's remember how much these glasses help some people. Let's also remember that the people wearing these glasses are not all perverts. Some of them are people like Pic Picot, whose world's just got opened up thanks to new technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Full Show Podcast: 25 September 2026 25.09.2026 1t 38min

  Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 25 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.
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  Dan Shepherd: Blind Low Vision New Zealand General Manager on how Meta smart glasses are lifechanging 25.09.2026 2min

  New Meta smart glasses have been hailed 'life-changing' - for blind and low vision people The glasses hit New Zealand shelves yesterday - and have built-in cameras which can be used to film what is in front of them, and have it answered by a remote helper, or AI. But the technology's raised concerns over covert filming, and their potential to expose sensitive data to hackers. Blind Low Vision NZ General Manager Dan Shepherd told Heather du Plessis-Allan he now has independence he hasn't had in decades - as someone with low vision. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Nadine Grey: National Chief Nurse Nadine Grey on recruiting 380 new nursing, midwifery and health care assistants 25.09.2026 3min

  Health New Zealand's attempting to plug frontline workforce gaps - after this winter placed intense pressure on hospitals around the country.  It's launched a review of the 20-year-old approach to nursing staffing - and a business case looking at new models, like nurse-to-patient ratios.  It's also now recruiting for 380 new nursing, midwifery and health care assistants.  National Chief Nurse Nadine Grey told Heather du Plessis-Allan they'll be a mix of new graduates and overseas hires.  She says about a quarter will be hired for emergency departments, reflecting demand.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Dr Andrew Murray: Fertility Associates Chief Medical Officer on study finding hormone-disrupting chemical in drinking water 25.09.2026 3min

  A need for more testing - now a study has found a hormone-disrupting chemical in some of our drinking water. Otago University research has found detectable levels estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals in some tap, bottled and tank water.  It's linked to ecological and human health effects, including reproductive health and declining fertility.  Fertility Associates Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Murray told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's important not to panic about this.  He says what researchers are suggesting is more routine testing - like what's done with bacterial contaminants in drinking water.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Steve Lancaster: NZ Rugby CEO pushes back against reports that All Blacks and British and Irish Lions could play across the ditch in 2029 24.09.2026 4min

  New Zealand Rugby is rejecting reports that the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions could play a test across the ditch as part of their 2029 series here. The Australian newspaper reports the 100-thousand capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground is being floated as a possible venue to host a test match during the series, which could be three or four tests. But NZR boss Steve Lancaster says that's not the case. "That's a good rumour, but it's not the one...I can tell you that that is not under consideration."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Enda Brady: UK correspondent on Nigel Farage and Reform taking nosedive in new poll 24.09.2026 4min

  New polling shows Reform UK has taken a hit, with data showing Labour could potentially overtake them in an election. The poll shows the Conservatives have moved over to second place, a departure from Reform's popularity last year. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the string of financial scandals and the growth of Restore have added to Reform's drop in popularity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on the launch of Meta's new AI assistant Muse 24.09.2026 4min

  Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, has launched its own new AI-powered assistant. Muse went to number one on the app stores and it's generated plenty of interest, but not everyone's a fan. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further - and revealed why Amazon has cut the agent off its platform. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Full Show Podcast: 24 September 2026 24.09.2026 1t 39min

  On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 24 September, 2026, Simon Watts has enraged some local body leaders by putting amalgamations on hold. We seek an explanation. We ask New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster if more "home" All Blacks tests could be played overseas - like at the MCG. Former broadcaster Ali Mau on the launch of her app to independently report sexual harm. And on The Huddle, Oscar Kightley and Thomas Scrimgeour discuss if Miles Hurrell deserves a final pay of more than $8 million from Fonterra. 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.
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  Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the 'strong' lamb prices in the South Island 24.09.2026 3min

  Lamb prices in the South Island have reached a 'strong' level, according to new reports. Data out of the Charlton Saleyards in Gore shows that lamb is going for roughly $13 per kilo. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacked the data further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Huddle: Should local councils be annoyed with Simon Watts? 24.09.2026 9min

  Tonight on The Huddle, Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute and artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Local Government Minister Simon Watts sparked some outrage today when he announced amalgamation plans for local councils would be put on hold - after the councils were given a three-month deadline to get these done. Are local councils right to be annoyed about this, given the costs? Fonterra's former CEO, Miles Hurrell, got paid $8.16 million in his final year in the role. Is this fair, given the nature of the job? Winston Peters has pledged to cut down the tax rate for small and medium-sized businesses to boost productivity. Do we think this is a good idea - or will this get scrapped in coalition talks?  Is there really enough money to fund Labour's plans for schools, hospitals and social housing?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Let's hope the Government hasn't lost its nerve on amalgamations 24.09.2026 2min

  It has been revealed the Government has pumped the brakes on the council reform it was rushing to get done. I think the councils and mayors who are angry about this have every reason to be really, really cross. Dion Swiggs of ECan says he's 'disgusted'. Timaru's mayor says this is 'disappointing'. Mackenzie District's mayor says he's 'utterly disappointed'. Porirua's mayor says she's 'fuming' and has called the Government 'cowards'. And fair enough, too. The Government was warned that the three-month timeframe it gave mayors and councils earlier this year to get their plans in, or else 'we'll do it for you', was unreasonable and far too fast. You know how I feel about these mayors and councils, right? I'm not usually one to give them praise. But credit where it's due: they tried to meet the deadline, they tried to do the right thing and they got their plans in. Now they've been told they did all of that for absolutely nothing. The plans they hurried to submit by August 9 still have not been decided on nearly two months later and they won't be decided on for at least another four months. If there's a change of Government, they'll have to survive that as well. If I were them, I'd be furious. What a waste of their time. More importantly for you and me as ratepayers, what a waste of their money. Canterbury's five major councils have spent nearly half a million dollars on these plans. Waimakariri District Council spent $129,000. Selwyn District Council spent $116,000. Ashburton spent $34,000. Timaru spent $106,000. Wellington's councils spent a quarter of a million dollars collectively. We'll never know how much of that money didn't need to be spent because of the rush to get this done. Some of that spending will have been the direct result of the compressed timeframe, if you know what I mean. In Ashburton's case, because it never submitted a plan in the end, all of it was wasted. The entire $34,000 did not need to be spent. Forcing that expenditure from a Government that has repeatedly harped on about councils wasting ratepayer money is incredibly disappointing. Here's hoping this delay does not portend something worse. Here's hoping the Government is genuinely overloaded with work and is not actually losing its nerve over these amalgamations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Richard Allen: Fonterra CEO on the company delivering a full-year profit of $2.6 billion 24.09.2026 5min

  Fonterra's boss believes the dairy co-op remains in a strong position, following the sell-off of its consumer brands. It's confirmed a 23.6 percent rise in annual underlying operation profit. CEO Richard Allen says these recent results are good news for New Zealand, as it means more money entering the economy and a good reward for Kiwi farmers. "It's a great result - we've been very clear on, I guess, our strategy, focused B2B since our divestment and our B2B businesses have had a great year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Ali Mau: former journalist on the launch of her new Tika platform for reporting sexual harm 24.09.2026 4min

  Data from the Ministry of Justice shows almost a million New Zealanders have experienced sexual harm in their lifetimes, and one former journalist has launched a new way of coming forward. Ali Mau's Tika platform launched today, and it's designed to give Kiwis an accessible space where they can report their experience without barriers. Mau says she's built a secure platform where people can report harm, and if multiple people have independently reported incidents concerning the same person, a lawyer is informed. "When it finds three or more - that's the threshold that we're starting with - it surfaces that to a human lawyer who then, very carefully, checks all the information and makes sure it's a match, and then offers you free legal advice."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Cartriona Robinson: National Cyber Security Centre head on NZ's first North Korean cyber security threat 24.09.2026 3min

  New Zealand's had its first case of a North Korean cyber security threat. A National Cyber Security Centre's released a report warning of emerging threats. That includes a North Korean IT worker covertly obtaining remote work with a Kiwi business this year, which let them earn foreign currency.   Centre head Catriona Robinson says they're still not sure what the motivation was. "They may have been part of North Korea's intelligence network, they may simply have been a person who was instructed to go out, find a job at a Western company and make money to bring back to North Korea."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Simon Watts: Local Government Minister on the Government delaying decisions on council amalgamations 24.09.2026 3min

  Local Government Minister Simon Watts denies any money's been wasted, as the Government delays decisions on council amalgamations. Earlier this year, Cabinet gave councils a three month period to come up with proposals - or risk having the decision made for them.  Many councils rushed to form plans, but Watts today confirmed decisions will come after the election, leading to anger from some mayors.  He says councils' work is still valuable.  "I don't think any of that effort, to date, is wasted - it's all an investment to move forward. At the end of the day, the decision for them to spend money on consultants is their decision."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on NZ First's bid to cut taxes for small and medium businesses 24.09.2026 5min

  NZ First want taxes slashed for small and medium businesses in order to increase productivity. The party will campaign on lowering the rate from 28 percent to 20 - for businesses turning over less than $30 million dollars.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there's a case for making this change, as Australia tried something similar for small to medium enterprises. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on OpenAI hacking Australian Medicare data portal 24.09.2026 4min

  Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently revealed that an OpenAI agent hacked into an Australian Medicare data portal in June of this year. Albanese explained that the AI agent got unauthorised access to the Medicare portal when it was conducting research into medical spending, and it took OpenAI months to inform the Australian Government. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Albanese has voiced his concerns about this incident to CEO Sam Altman in New York. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions potentially playing in Australia in 2029 series 24.09.2026 3min

  The All Blacks and British and Irish Lions could play across the ditch as part of their 2029 series set for New Zealand. New reports claim the Melbourne Cricket Ground is being floated as a possible venue to host a test match during the series - which could be three or four tests. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Chris Hipkins: Labour Party leader on the party pledging to spend more money fixing up schools and hospitals 24.09.2026 5min

  Labour's leader is confident he'll find the money to meet his election promise of fixing up schools and hospitals. The Party has pledged $400 million dollars to improving school buildings and grounds within 24 months.  It'd put $200 million dollars into clearing a repair backlog for hospitals and clinics. Chris Hipkins says the party is yet to release its fiscal plan, but a pot of money already exists.  "This comes out of the Government's capital allowance - the current budget has a capital allowance of about $3.5 billion a year, so that's adding up to about $14 billion over the next four years. This commits about a quarter of that."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.