Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Enda Brady: UK correspondent on what the release of more Mandelson files mean for the PM's future 02.06.2026 5min

Over 1500 pages of files related to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States were released today. Starmer fired Mandelson after nine months when new details emerged about his friendship with Epstein, and fallout from the appointment has raised questions about the Prime Minister's political future.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says Mandelson has denied wrongdoing, but the contents of the files are 'damning' for Starmer.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on Anthropic going public 02.06.2026 5min

Anthropic confirmed it filed confidential plans for an initial public offering, setting it up for what's expected to be one of the most anticipated market debuts in years. Anthropic is one of three highly anticipated AI initial public offerings expected for this year, along with OpenAI and SpaceX - giving early investors a chance for huge paydays. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says Anthropic's the first to get the paperwork through - and there's huge expectations riding on it.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 02 June 2026 02.06.2026 1h 40min

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Andrew Dickens for Tuesday, 2 June, 2026, we talk to Local Government Minister Simon Watts about a ban on unelected people having voting rights on council committees. We look at who'll benefit from a merger between TSB and Heartland Bank. Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman on if it's worth having a discussion on our no-nukes stand. And on The Huddle, Liam Hehir and Carmen Parahi on whether there should be government support to save Moana Pasifika. 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.

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the racing industry experts who were given King’s Birthday Honours 02.06.2026 4min

The New Zealand racing industry has plenty of reasons to celebrate the recent King’s Birthday Honours, with three of its own recognised. David Ellis, Doug Alderslade and Dr Luk Chin were among the experts who received honours yesterday. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on whether the TSB and Heartland merger will boost banking competition 02.06.2026 7min

TSB and Heartland Bank are looking to join forces by the end of the year. TSB owner Toi Foundation's seeking feedback on the plan to join with Heartland Bank, to the tune of $620 million. Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomes this decision to team up and take on the big Australian banks. "That's positive, and good for the state of banking competition." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Huddle: Should we try to save Moana Pasifika? 02.06.2026 8min

Tonight on The Huddle, lawyer and political commentator Liam Hehir and Tō Waha Media's Carmen Parahi joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Government is moving to ban unelected members from voting on council committees. Do we think this is a good idea?  Is it time for New Zealand to review its nuclear stance and consider nuclear power? What should the country really be spending money on? Should we try to save Moana Pasifika? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perspective with Andrew Dickens: Here's one thing we shouldn't forget about Winston Peters 02.06.2026 2min

Secretly, I think Nicola Willis and Winston Peters are enjoying their performative scrap against each other. Their war of words highlights the differences between each party and their philosophies and that's handy in an election year. Nicola’s warnings over superannuation reinforce her credentials as the representative of fiscal prudence - the guardian of our economy. Winston’s refusal to change super in any way, shape or form reinforces his credentials as a defender of the rights of the elderly. But it also reinforces something we should never forget about Winston Peters. He’s in this Government and is being seen, along with his coalition partners, as a warrior against excessive Government spending. Yet his track record suggests otherwise. I mean, who can forget his Provincial Growth Fund - that $3 billion lolly scramble that was criticised by the Audit Office for a lack of oversight? Even in this coalition Government, he has continued to have a slush fund for regional development. The New Zealand First Regional Fund is a $1.2 billion capital fund established in the coalition agreement. And now, his Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been revealed to be a major funder of the Moana Pasifika rugby side since its inception. There is also talk he is willing to mount some sort of salvage campaign, again using taxpayers' money. I think it’s important to remind ourselves that, in some respects, Winston Peters is an old-fashioned conservative -but he also resembles an old-fashioned socialist who believes in the primacy of Government and in the paternalistic splashing around of public money to curry favour. These are all things to remember if you are abandoning National for New Zealand First under the false belief that Winston will introduce greater financial rigour than already exists. It also serves as a reminder of why Winston went with Labour back in 2017 in the first place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russel Norman: Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director explains why NZ needs an independent foreign policy 02.06.2026 5min

Greenpeace's executive director says it's more important than ever for New Zealand to have independent foreign policy.  Defence Minister Chris Penk has said a conversation about our nuclear-free policy could be helpful - after the US Secretary of War agreed New Zealand could be 'freeloading' on the US military.  The Prime Minister's assured New Zealand's not about to change our nuclear-free policy.  Russel Norman says we have enormous spending needs - other than defence.  "I think New Zealand's power is not in buying US military weapons." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Moffett: former NZ Rugby chief executive on whether Moana Pasifika can be saved 02.06.2026 3min

Moana Pasifika wrapped up their last Super Rugby match with an upset win over the Brumbies. The franchise has been placed into liquidation and there's no solid rescue deal for the team in sight, despite a rumoured bid from an American multi-millionaire.  Former NZ Rugby chief executive David Moffett says this prospective buyer needs to do their due diligence when it comes to the team. "There's only one outcome for somebody funding a team to be in Hawaii, and that is that they will lose a lot of money. And if they're prepared to lose a lot of money and they've got it to lose, then that's okay. There's no money to be made in this."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claire Matthews: Massey University banking professor on whether the merger between Heartland and TSB will boost competition 02.06.2026 3min

There's a view a merger by Heartland and TSB won't hand the big four banks a massive blow.  Heartland Bank has struck a deal to buy TSB for $620 million, pending consultation and regulator approval.  Massey University banking professor Claire Matthews says the combined bank will still be smaller than the big four, and Kiwibank.  She says a lot of work's still needed to increase competition. "It's not necessarily going to open up a huge access to capital, which is what's really needed for them to grow, and to become truly competitive."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Watts: Local Government Minister on the Government banning unelected members from voting on council committees 02.06.2026 3min

The Local Government Minister says they're restoring democratic accountability to councils.  The Government's amending a bill currently before Parliament to bar non-elected council members from voting on committees.  It follows councillors in the Far North voting to expand a Māori liaison committee.  Simon Watts explained such examples give voting rights to people not elected by the community. "You've also seen instances in the last term with someone under the age of 18 being appointed onto Hastings Council. None of that stuff can happen going forward." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Pete Hegseth accusing New Zealand of freeloading off the US military 02.06.2026 5min

The Prime Minister is standing by New Zealand's planned defence spending, after Pete Hegseth's accused New Zealand of freeloading off the American military. The US Secretary of War has used a global security summit in Singapore, to call on US allies to lift defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP. He says New Zealand's goal to bring defence spending to 2 percent of GDP within the next eight years doesn't go far enough. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says New Zealand's economy isn't big enough to invest that kind of money into defence spending. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Pauline Hanson weighing up run for Australian Prime Minister 02.06.2026 5min

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says she believes she has the ability to take on the role of Prime Minister. Last week, polling by Redbridge Group and Accent Research found One Nation could clinch up to 59 seats if an election were held in May. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Hanson could likely unseat the Coalition in key states - except NSW, Victoria and the NT. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on the Warriors being beaten out by the Panthers 02.06.2026 4min

The Warriors are pleased to have a bye round to recover from the tense 20-18 loss to NRL-leaders Penrith in Sydney. Coach Andrew Webster says his team's carrying a few niggles, including star second-rower Leka Halasima tweaking a hamstring. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cecilia Robinson: Tend CEO on the company looking to acquire Green Cross Health's medical division 02.06.2026 3min

Patients could soon reap the benefits if digital-first Tend Healthcare acquires Green Cross Health's medical division, The Doctors. In July, it'll ask shareholders to approve the conditional sale and purchase agreement for a $270-million-dollar sale. Tend Chief Executive, Cecilia Robinson, says it's all about improving access to care - as they have in their current clinics. "We've significantly improved things like wait times - we've got examples of clinics that have gone from a month wait time down to five days." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 29 May 2026 29.05.2026 1h 40min

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 29 May, 2026, Variety chief executive Wayne Howett tells us organisations need to team up to tackle burgeoning child poverty. Arts and Culture Minister Paul Goldsmith says he's not surprised by Lynda Tool's criticism of the lack of money for music in the Budget. Simon Dallow reveals whether he's missing newsreading while enjoying the sun in France. And on the Sports Huddle, Nicky Styris and Andrew Alderson on how All White Tim Payne has become a sudden social media sensation with more than a million followers. 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.

Barry Soper: Political correspondent wraps budget week 29.05.2026 5min

Newstalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat all things budget week. They also discuss the other political news you may have missed in all the budget noise. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist addresses Nicola Willis' surplus hopes 29.05.2026 5min

While presenting Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nicola Willis shared a prediction that New Zealand will reach a $2.6 billion surplus by 2028-29. ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Heather du Plessis-Allan the prediction was 'a little bit rosy'.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: The Government was right to give billions to defence and forget arts 29.05.2026 2min

Geez, how sorry do you feel for Paul Goldsmith at the Music Awards, eh? So, he's invited to the awards and he hasn't got his mate Chris Bishop with him this time. Bishop didn’t go after what happened with Don McGlashan last year. Paul Goldsmith’s not invited to speak—apparently no one is—which means that when Lynda Topp gets up and starts speaking and tells him off, he’s got no right of reply.  Here's what she had to say: “Paul, if you listen up for a minute, I’d like you to take a message back to Wellington. I did a speed read on the Budget this afternoon—there doesn’t appear to be any money for music. But in big, big letters: $2.1 billion for defence. What the f***?” Now, I think we have to cut Lynda a bit of slack. She’s only lost her twin in the past week and she’s entitled, of course, to say exactly what she likes. She didn’t say anything particularly rude and it’s a fair opinion that she holds. But it is becoming a bit of a pattern, isn’t it? Ministers turning up to the Music Awards and having to sit through that night’s chosen form of protest about whatever the issue of the year is. Last year it was the Treaty Principles Bill; this year it’s the Budget. In Paul Goldsmith’s defence—given that he wasn’t able to mount one—yes, there was no money in the Budget for the arts. There was also no money in the Budget for anything. Most of us looked at it and found nothing for ourselves. That’s how it should be in difficult times. The country is not flush. And yes, there is money for defence—a lot of money for defence. That is also how it should be right now. If you were to listen to some, we may be only tens of months away from China potentially taking Taiwan. We have no real conception of what chain of events that could trigger in our region. Even though the drones and the frigate upgrades in this Budget won’t protect the entire coastline of New Zealand—that’s a fair criticism—we are still expected by our allies and partners to at least try to do our bit. Just try. So, hands up—which minister wants to go to the awards next year? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wayne Howett: Variety CEO says charities need to collaborate to fight child poverty 29.05.2026 2min

Variety - the Children's Charity - CEO Wayne Howett says that organisations who care about child poverty should collaborate, rather than fighting for the cause alone.  Howett told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "1 in 7 Kiwi kids that are living without the basics food, warmth, transport, school costs, and healthcare, and we're not making any margins on that." "And, when you look at what's happening in the Treasury's own child poverty forecasting it shows no movement towards hitting the 2028 goal of halving child poverty." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.