Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Episodes

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  The Huddle: Should Luxon be worried about this election? 06.11.2026 14m

  Tonight on the Huddle, Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson join Heather du Plessis-Allan for a pre-election special.  On the table today: Should Chris Luxon be worried about his position as Prime Minister?  Will the spit-vote tactic cost National significant negotiating power? And Heather asks our guests about their picks for campaign highlights, and lowlights.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Mark Lister: Craig Investment Partners Investment Director on AI bubble close to bursting 06.11.2026 3m

  A call has been made that the AI bubble is about to burst.  Wall Streets' NASDAQ Index fell 5% overnight, and it's the tech sstocks that are losing value.  Commentators say this is the long-expected 'burst' of the AI bubble.  Craig Investment Partners Investment Director Mark Lister told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the bubble is deflating, but won't necessarily 'pop'.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Barry Soper: Senior Political Correspondent digs in to last poll before the election 06.11.2026 6m

  The last poll has been released before voting ends on the 2026 Election. The Post/Freshwater poll has the Labour Party at 30.7%, a 4-point lead over National who are on 24.8%.  The poll also places Opportunity Party at 5.1%, which gets them just above the threshold to enter parliament.  Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan "It's the minor parties that will determine who actually takes the Treasury bench." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Chris Greenacre & Cam Howieson: Wellington Phoenix Head Coach and Auckland FC Midfielder preview A League Derby 06.11.2026 5m

  Auckland FC face rivals Wellington Phoenix on Saturday in the first derby of the 2026/27 Men's A-League season. Auckland have won all 6 of the previous meetings, but Wellington's strong start to the season could lead to an upset.  Heather du Plessis Allan spoke to the Wellington Phoenix's Head Coach Chris Greenacre, and Auckland FC Midfielder Cam Howieson to get their thoughts ahead of the match.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Huddle: What do the midterm results mean for America's future? 05.11.2026 11m

  Tonight on The Huddle, artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley and senior NZ Herald correspondent Katie Bradford joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!   The fallout from the Michael Laws comments continues - what do we make of all this? Will this cost NZ First votes? Does Winston Peters need to take more action on this?  The US midterm elections have wrapped up, and the Democrats have won the House and Senate. What does this mean for Trump's future?  Are we surprised David Jones is in decline? What does this mean for the future of the retail sector? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Enda Brady: UK correspondent on the police operations in place to crack down on Bonfire Night disorder 05.11.2026 5m

  Police are set to be embedded in fire stations and will travel alongside fire crews in order to crack down on potential Bonfire Night disorder.  This move is part of widespread police operations in Scotland designed to stop harmful incidents amid ongoing concerns.           UK correspondent Enda Brady says Bonfire Night is a big night for 'hooligans' and this will be the biggest police operation since Trump's recent visit. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Sam Dickie: Fisher Funds expert on how the US midterm election results impacted the markets 05.11.2026 3m

  The US midterms have wrapped up, with the Democrats securing a resounding victory and winning the House and Senate. This has had a significant impact on the markets, with Wall Street stocks bouncing up. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie unpacked the results further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Full Show Podcast: 05 November 2026 05.11.2026 1h 39m

  On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 5 November, 2026, Sean Plunkett says underfire Michael Laws has a sore arm but will be back at work on Monday. A top US political analyst says Democrats will now be trying to talk Donald Trump out of war with Iran. On The Huddle, Oscar Kightley and Katie Bradford reveal what they think of the struggling Australian department store, David Jones. And who's your favourite James Bond? A subject that sparked "heated" debate. 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 findings from Rabobank's November Agribusiness Monthly report 05.11.2026 4m

  Rabobank's newly released November Agribusiness Monthly report is reporting some positive results, but there's some industry concerns surfacing ahead of the summer season. The report shows there's strong livestock returns and firmer dairy prices, but the incoming El Niño could create adverse conditions, impacting farming costs. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Will NZ First have to fire Michael Laws over these comments? 05.11.2026 2m

  I am no defender of what Michael Laws has said, and I made it pretty clear that I think what he said was quite weird and gross. But I would also find it really weird and over the top if it turns out that New Zealand First fires him as an MP for this. I mean, that does seem to be a possibility here, right? It's possible that Winston is just stalling for time. He's saying there's going to be a board meeting and so on, but nothing is being done before the election. Then, once the election is out of the way and all the high drama has died down, nothing will happen. But it's also possible that Michael Laws is gone because Winston has said it is a live issue whether he remains a potential MP. Winston is clearly, as he put it, "mad to beat the band", or words to that effect. It is weird because this is a party that has made a virtue of being controversial. They have racked up plenty of controversial comments in the past year alone, not least from their own leader, who told Lawrence Xu-Nan of the Green Party to "go home to China". Now, there is only one other occasion where a New Zealand First MP has been immediately punished for saying something a bit naughty and that was Stuart Nash over the maternity leave comments. What do these two incidents have in common? What Stuart Nash said and what Michael Laws has said? Women. The thing they have in common is women. And this is probably why New Zealand First is reacting the way it is. Women are a problem, as I've told you before, for the coalition. All three coalition parties have lost the women's vote in a big way to Labour and the Greens, and probably to the Opportunity Party as well. Maybe it's because of the pay equity issue. Maybe it's because women are often the ones managing household budgets and they know just how tough things are out there. But the coalition, frankly, cannot afford to lose more women because women make decisions. And if women are annoyed about something Michael Laws has said, they will go home to their husbands or partners and let them know exactly what they think about it. So I think that is why Michael Laws is, at least in a performative sense, in trouble. Whether it actually turns into a firing, well, we'll have to wait and see. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Barry Urquhart: Australian consumer and retail analyst on David Jones being placed into voluntary administration 05.11.2026 4m

  One industry expert says the downfall of David Jones is the sign of a bigger problem impacting the retail sector.  The Australian department store has officially gone into voluntary administration, following failed discussions between the 188 year old company and its landlord Scentre Group. Australian consumer and retail analyst Barry Urquhart says all department stores around the world are struggling - including Saks Fifth Avenue. "This is not so much an issue of retail competitiveness, advertising and marketing, it's a simple case of undercapitalisation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Peter Bradley: St John CEO on the organisation getting a funding boost from the Government 05.11.2026 2m

  A four-year contract is a huge step forward for St John. The Government's announced $258 million in funding, going towards day-to-day costs.  It'll also help recruit 220 frontline staff, and pay for  200 new ambulances, starting soon. Chief executive Peter Bradley says they'll soon be fully funded. "Within two years, we'll have all our operating costs fully covered by the Government for the first time in our history."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Arnie Deck: Brethren Church spokesperson on the increased security around the church's global head visiting the country 05.11.2026 3m

  Global head of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren Church, Bruce Hales, has been in the country this week, protected by a significant security presence. Stuff reports residents in Palmerston North's Fitzherbert have seen masked guards in combat gear with dogs, checking vehicles. Brethren spokesperson Arnie Deck says third party contractors recommended such security. He says like other faith groups, they're under increased threat. "We've had an arson attack at one of our gospel halls in Australia, we sadly get quite nasty threats coming over our phone and email lines." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Sean Plunket: broadcaster and host of The Platform on facing backlash over Michael Laws' comments 05.11.2026 3m

  Michael Laws' radio boss claims he's being cyber-bullied in backlash over his denigrating remarks on air about women candidates. The New Zealand First candidate isn't fronting for his slot on The Platform tomorrow. Laws has been condemned for insulting Opportunity Party candidates on the show, including a reference to sex. Platform director, Sean Plunket, says Laws was injured in a fall on Sunday, and reactions to revelations of his comments haven't helped. Plunket's defended them to Heather du Plessis Allan - and claimed they make sense 'in context'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Eric Ham: US political analyst on what the results of the US midterm elections mean for Donald Trump's political future 05.11.2026 3m

  There's growing speculation whether Republican politicians will turn away from their President before the 2028 elections.  A blue wave has hit the US as the Democrats regain power in the House of Representatives with 54 seats, and the Senate with 240. US political analyst Eric Ham says returning Republicans will be assessing where political advantages lie, and it's not President Donald Trump.  "So there is a very good chance that his days of having an iron grip over the Republican Party are, in fact, done."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Chris Hipkins saying Labour won't support proposed Greens wealth tax 05.11.2026 5m

  Labour leader Chris Hipkins is adamant he won't bow down to any Green demand for a wealth tax.  The Greens want to set a 2.5 percent tax on net assets above $10 million belonging to the super-rich - excluding the family home.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says if the left bloc wins the election, it's likely something will have to give during coalition negotiations.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on Australian retailer David Jones being placed into voluntary administration 05.11.2026 3m

  Department store chain David Jones Group has been placed into voluntary administration and receivership after months of turmoil. McGrathNicol has been appointed voluntary administrators, with FTI Consulting as the receiver. David Jones employs more than 6,000 staff across its 38 stores, which include one New Zealand site at Auckland’s Westfield Newmarket. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says bricks-and-mortar retail has been in trouble for some time, and last-ditch talks have broken down.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on India claiming victory over Black Caps in ODI series opener at Eden Park 05.11.2026 3m

  India have dominated New Zealand at a rain-affected opening one-day cricket international in Auckland. The visitors chased a Duckworth-Lewis Method adjusted 143 to win by five wickets with 56 balls to spare - Virat Kohli top-scored with 74. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Sharleen McKinnon: sKids CEO on the MSD application process impacting parents looking for childcare subsidy 05.11.2026 4m

  An MSD paperwork mountain's being blamed for stopping parents getting childcare subsidies. They're encouraged to apply up to four weeks before needing the Ministry subsidy for care and recreation. It pays for up to 20 hours a week of before-and-after school care. The CEO of sKids, Sharleen McKinnon, says busy parents find it overwhelming. "They have to do a renewable form every school term, every holiday programme, every teacher-only day. That could be up to 12 times a year, per child. It's too much."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being summoned to High Court 04.11.2026 4m

  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been summoned to the High Court to give evidence in a fraud trial in December, according to new reports. Mountbatten-Windsor was not accused of wrongdoing, but he's set to give evidence and take questions in relation to a case where a wealthy woman alleges she was misled by her former financial adviser. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says it's unclear if he will appear in person, but it could be 'embarrassing' for the royal family if he's questioned about his financial arrangements.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.