Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Enda Brady: UK correspondent on the UK Government making plans to ban social media for teens 09.06.2026 6m

Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to announce a crackdown on social media for teens in the coming days. A speech from the Prime Minister, which will include a new policy on social media, is planned for next week. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the tech companies aren't happy with this development, but Starmer has confirmed this is going ahead.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Bloxham: HSBC Chief Economist on Australian business confidence rising but staying low 09.06.2026 5m

New data shows Australian business confidence is on the up - but things are still gloomy across the Tasman. The survey from National Australia Bank showed its index of business conditions held at +3 in May, ending four months of losses. Confidence ⁠improved modestly to -14, from -23 in April. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the Government promising to boost QEII National Trust funding if elected 09.06.2026 3m

Doubling funding for the QEII National Trust would be the best bang for buck conservation investment the next Government could make, Federated Farmers says. The National Party recently announced it will double the trust’s funding if it’s part of the next Government. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Huddle: Why are alcohol sales down? 09.06.2026 9m

Tonight on The Huddle, Brigitte Morton from Franks Ogilvie and former Green MP Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Apple has announced a significant overhaul of Siri, as well as a suite of changes to its trust and safety features designed to keep users safe - will this motivate us to buy new iPhones? The Government is moving forward with their new LNG facility, and they've scrapped the proposed power levy to fund it. Do we see this working out well for us? Will we be funding this anyway? Should Rakesh Naidoo have told his bosses earlier about joining up with Labour? What do we make of this?  New data shows alcohol sales are down - are we part of this decline?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 09 June 2026 09.06.2026 1h 40m

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Andrew Dickens for Tuesday, 9 June, 2026, we ask Energy Minister Simeon Brown who'll pay for a billion-dollar liquefied natural gas import terminal now he's dropping the levy. We talk to Independent Children's Monitor chief executive Arran Jones about how Oranga Tamariki is letting down Maori children. Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully celebrates 17 years in New Zealand skies with a promise they'll keep flying more routes. And on The Huddle, Brigitte Morten and Gareth Hughes on whether they've cut their alcohol consumption - like many New Zealanders. 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 Andrew Dickens: We're all paying for this LNG project one way or another 09.06.2026 2m

So the LNG power plant is set to go ahead to protect us when renewables run low. The Government must be satisfied that the business case stacks up, because that’s what they said they would consider. At the same time, the Government will be cracking down on power companies during dry-year shortages. Fines for failing to secure enough backup electricity could jump from $2 million to as much as $10 million, or 10 percent of turnover. That’s a hefty fine The Electricity Authority will also get stronger powers to monitor supply risks. Energy Minister Simeon Brown says New Zealand’s renewable boom still needs reliable backup when hydro lakes are low and wind and solar can’t meet demand. He argues that LNG is the fastest and most practical short-term solution to avoid blackouts, soaring prices and business shutdowns during dry years. But of course, the fly in the ointment is: who’s going to pay for it? The Government certainly doesn’t want to. They’ve scrapped plans for a levy on power bills to fund the billion-dollar terminal. People argued that would effectively become a gas tax for consumers - and we know this Government does not want to be associated with new taxes. So Brown says the electricity sector will instead help fund the project, with two companies now shortlisted to build it - and there's the rub. If it’s a gentailer - if the gentailers foot the bill - they are the electricity sector. So how can the Government prevent them from passing on the cost? It’s the same pickle they got into with the levy on banks. Nicola Willis was adamant that banks would not pass those costs on to New Zealanders. But when pressed in an interview on Q+A, she couldn’t give a reason why they wouldn’t - other than the goodness of their hearts. The Government can’t force a private company to, you know, absorb costs within its structure. There’s an aversion to increasing taxes but at the moment all they’re doing is passing the job on to private companies, which will - of course - factor these costs into their pricing. That includes the cost of the LNG terminal. So call it whatever you like - the result is the same. We all end up paying for it, one way or another. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Tully: Jetstar CEO on the company celebrating 17 years in New Zealand 09.06.2026 7m

Amid the ongoing fuel crisis, Jetstar is celebrating a major milestone. The airline is celebrating 17 years of operating in New Zealand, and they see the nation as a solid growth market. Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully says it's a big milestone, and the company's marked the occasion with a big sale. "It's important for us, and we get excited when we have big sales - and we always have a big birthday sale as well."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arran Jones: Independent Children's Monitor CEO on Oranga Tamariki letting down Māori children 09.06.2026 2m

A report on Oranga Tamariki has concluded the agency's letting down Māori children.  The Independent Children's Monitor's found 65 percent of Māori who grew up in care, have children who follow the same path. It also shows 95 percent of Māori youth offenders had been the subject of reports of welfare concerns to OT. Monitor chief executive Arran Jones says Māori fare worse in the system under nearly every key metric - and this can have long-term implications for their futures.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Griffin: BusinessDesk tech columnist on Apple announcing an AI upgrade for Siri 09.06.2026 4m

Apple's announced digital assistant, Siri, is getting an upgrade - expected later this year - to become Siri AI.   The company is promising a better artificial intelligence experience for users.  With the help of Google, Siri will remember past conversations, have a more conversational tone, and help across apps.  BusinessDesk's Peter Griffin says Apple isn't trying to compete with the AI giants.  "This is really to supercharge the features on an iPhone, or on your Mac with the Safari browser - making it more intelligent, maybe being able to talk to your photos app to select a number of photos."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simeon Brown: Energy Minister on the Government pressing on with LNG Import Facility 09.06.2026 5m

The Government is pressing on with their proposed LNG Import Terminal build, but they're binning a proposed levy to fund it. The Energy Minister says says gentailers are being consulted on a fair funding model, but Kiwis can be certain they won't be charged in their power bills.  Simeon Brown explained it's the job of the big power companies to manage the dry year risk - and the Government's sending that obligation over to them.  "We've gone through a process, we've identified LNG importations as the fastest and cheapest way to deal with it, but ultimately, the power companies are profitable companies and they should be the ones managing that risk."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dylan Firth: Brewers' Association Executive Director on what less Kiwis drinking means for the Government tax take 09.06.2026 3m

Kiwis drinking less could hurt the Government tax take, according to new reports. Stats NZ data published last week shows total beverage volumes have fallen 10.7 percent since 2020 The Brewers Association estimates Treasury is likely overstating total alcohol excise revenue as much as $180 million dollars a year - up to 2029. Executive Director Dylan Firth says it's been overestimated in Budgets for the past five years. "They projected there would be a small dip after Covid, and then it would go back to normal, with slight increases over time. That just hasn't happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on police investigating the state of Australia's criminal underworld 09.06.2026 7m

A drive-by shooting targeting a funeral has prompted a bigger investigation carried out by Australian police. In an exclusive interview, Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook from NSW Police said the recent surge in shootings, kidnappings and firebombings was a sign of a 'shift' in the world of organised crime.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police are investigating 'violence brokers' operating under the directive of criminals offshore. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on former Warriors forward Kane Evans coming out 09.06.2026 5m

Former Warriors forward Kane Evans has come out as gay - and opened up about a long battle with addiction and his mental health. Evans says he's also dealt with homelessness and has told Channel Nine he's lived in denial for years. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nadia Steedman: Front-Line Training chief operations officer on the launch of the 'Mini Woolies' supermarkets 09.06.2026 3m

Two new Woolworths stores have opened in the South Island, but you can't get the weekly shop done there.  The educational facilities in Dunedin and Invercargill are giving young people with disabilities training for jobs in a supermarket environment, creating 'launchpads' for future employment. Front-Line Training chief operations officer Nadia Steedman says this will allow people to work in a space that suits their individual needs. "With that, we have a direct connection with the local Woolworths stores, where work experience will eventually be available - as well as putting them in the limelight, with the potential for them to become employed." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the stats on patients dying in UK hospitals 08.06.2026 4m

Over in the UK, the number of patients dying after enduring long waits in A&E departments has risen almost tenfold in a decade. Nearly 16,000 deaths in England last year were linked to such delays - the equivalent of more than 300 every week. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the Government needs to look into a long-term solution to bring these figures down.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 08 June 2026 08.06.2026 1h 40m

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Andrew Dickens for Monday, 8 June, 2026, Labour leader Chris Hipkins defends the process followed by police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo before being named on the party's list. Otago University zoology teaching fellow Hanna Ravn tells us what to do if confronted by a sea lion. We talk to the most talkative MP in Parliament - the Greens' Lawrence Xu-Nan. And on The Huddle, Maurice Williamson and Josie Pagani give us their take on Labour's list - one of them says it's top-heavy with activists. 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.

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on what caused the latest drop in the US sharemarket 08.06.2026 3m

The US sharemarket took a hit last Friday, largely due to weakness in the information technology sector. The semiconductor sector was hit hard, and experts are unpacking the economic implications. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grant Bradley: aviation industry expert on Air New Zealand's engine struggles easing 08.06.2026 5m

Air New Zealand has indicated its long-running engine problems may have come to an end. Air New Zealand’s chief has claimed the airline reached a breakthrough in Brazil this weekend after years of crippling engine issues. Aviation industry expert Grant Bradley explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Huddle: What did we make of Labour's list? 08.06.2026 10m

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's no policy out of Labour just yet, but the party's unveiled their list. What did we make of it? Who stood out? Should Rakesh Naidoo have been allowed to stand? New data shows Kiwi renters are better off than they were a year ago. Is this news encouraging?  Do we need to outlaw run it straight? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perspective with Andrew Dickens: Why is there no trace of policy out of Labour? 08.06.2026 2m

Something has finally emerged from the silent, yawning abyss that is the Labour Party. Unfortunately, it’s not policy - it’s their list. Seventy-two names, 30 new candidates. Party president Jill Day and leader Chris Hipkins say the lineup reflects modern New Zealand. They’ve got candidates from business, farming, the public service, unions, and community services - Rhodes scholars, Fulbright scholars and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. They’ve gone for a 50-50 gender split and diversity. Remember, polling suggests Labour could win about 44 seats and Chris Hipkins is expecting at least 10 new MPs to enter Parliament at the end of this year. One standout newcomer is police superintendent Rakesh Naidoo, ranked 13th - almost guaranteed a seat. He’s a list-only candidate, straight into position number 13. Pity he didn’t tell Mark Mitchell. There are some major ranking shifts. Māori seat MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel jumps to ninth, while Vanushi Walters rises to eighth after returning to Parliament this term. These are high up in the rankings - and no, I haven’t heard of them either. Names I have heard of, such as Camilla Belich and Deborah Russell, have dropped down the rankings. They may struggle to return. And poor old MP Greg O’Connor - having had his electorate, Ōhāriu, withdrawn and redrawn from beneath him - isn’t even on the list. So this is a de facto announcement of his retirement and he’s not happy. Now remember that Chris Hipkins promised policy after the Budget to answer our questions. Questions like: will they reverse the public service spending cuts? Will they reverse the increase in defence spending? Will they finally unveil a meaningful capital gains tax regime? But here we are, 11 days after the Budget and still no trace of policy. So what on earth are we going to vote for these people on? That is anybody’s guess. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.