Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Newstalk ZB


    • Sep 10, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
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    Latest episodes from Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

    Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Poland shooting down Russian drones

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 4:28 Transcription Available


    Poland says it's shot down Russian drones, which entered its airspace during attacks on Ukraine. It marks the first time a NATO country has directly engaged Russian assets since the start of the war in 2022. The NATO and Polish air forces responded - and four Polish airports were shut down. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the text messages revealing Adrian Orr would have been sacked if he didn't resign

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 5:48 Transcription Available


    Copies of text messages just released by Treasury confirm Adrian Orr was likely to be sacked if he didn't resign as Reserve Bank Governor. The process was so advanced, Secretary to the Treasury Iain Rennie warned Finance Minister Nicola Willis she might receive a recommendation from the Reserve Bank board to advise the Governor-General to remove Orr. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further, LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Brendan Larsen: Milford Asset Management expert on whether the US economy will improve

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 4:09 Transcription Available


    US economic data has been all over the news, with experts uncertain whether things will get better or worse. Conflicting data, a declining labour market and ongoing tariff uncertainty have contributed to a murky outlook regarding the US economy. Milford Asset Management's Brendan Larsen explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Huddle: Would we pay $4,000 for an iPhone?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 9:14 Transcription Available


    Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! What did we think of the Tākuta Ferris video? What does this mean for Labour's political future? New information about the Phillips hideout suggests they've had help until very recently according to police who are now trying to track down accomplices. What do we make of this? It's been revealed Luxon and Albanese's helicopter mountain trip cost $44,000. Are we upset with this? Would we pay $4,000 for an iPhone? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Louise Upston: Tourism Minister on Jetstar announcing new routes in latest expansion

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 4:16 Transcription Available


    Jetstar has unveiled its biggest expansion ever of its New Zealand and Trans-Tasman network. It's adding new routes from Brisbane to Queenstown and Hamilton to Christchurch, and increasing capacity on five domestic and trans-tasman routes - creating a total of more than 660,000 extra seats a year. Tourism Minister Louise Upston says this is proof more airlines have confidence in what New Zealand can offer. "What it says is that Jetstar and Qantas have real confidence in the market in New Zealand - and they're really confident about the direction the Government's taking in our absolute, unabashed ambition for more visitors." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Full Show Podcast: 10 September 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 98:43 Transcription Available


    On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 10 September 2025, police have found a second camp that Tom Phillips and his kids have been hiding in for the last few months and say the camp makes it obvious people have been helping the group. Former police investigator Lance Burdett talks to Heather about what they'll be doing to find Tom's associates. Labour's Willie Jackson reacts to the latest crazy rant from Maori MP Takuta Ferris. Netball NZ chair Matt Whineray explains why Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has been stood down from the series against South Africa. Plus, the Huddle debates whether the $44k bill for Chris Luxon and Anthony Albanese's helicopter date was over the top - and who would pay 4000 dollars for a new iPhone? 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.

    Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: There's no way Phillips' accomplices didn't know

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 1:42 Transcription Available


    The people who helped Tom Phillips should absolutely be packing themselves because the cops are making it pretty clear they're coming after them - and in a big way. Cops have said today that it is clear that Tom Phillips had help recently, judging by the stuff that's lying around in the second camp. And what police are planning to do is to trace where that stuff came from. So if it's not stolen, where did it come from? Who gave it to Tom Phillips? If it's bought, who bought it for Tom Phillips, who were the guns registered to? Now, this is incredibly frustrating to talk about because as of Monday, there is a suppression order in the courts, which means the full picture here is not out. But even without that full picture, I think that what we already know is serious enough for his accomplices to understand that they are in big trouble if they get caught. One man is dead, a police officer almost died, and those children were put in harm's way - basically every single day that they were in the bush. At any time, they might have come across a police officer. Now imagine how much more dangerous it would have been if it wasn't just one child, but all of them who were with him when he was confronted by a police officer and pulled a weapon on that officer and kicked off a gunfight. He took a child to rob a bank, he took a child to burgle a dairy, he took a child to burgle PGG Wrightson, he gave his daughter a gun. She pointed it at someone during the bank robbery. At any one of those moments, who knows if they come across a cop, he pulled his gun and kicked off a gunfight. Now, the accomplices cannot say that they didn't know. This has been going on for years. If they were helping him as recently as police believe, then they knew - and they deserved to be dragged before the courts for it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Willie Jackson: Labour MP voices disapproval with Tākuta Ferris comments

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 4:29 Transcription Available


    Labour's Willie Jackson is defending his party's volunteers during the Tamaki Makaurau by-election as they come under fire from a Te Pati Māori MP. Last night, Tākuta Ferris posted a video saying it's unacceptable for people of other ethnicities to campaign to take a Māori seat from Māori. It follows a similar post from last week. Te Pati Māori apologised for the first post - but have refused to answer questions today. Jackson says he's personally apologised to the volunteers hurt by the comments. "Basically, he's saying you've got no right to participate, this is just the Māori seat. Yes, it's a Māori seat, but these people want to help. They didn't come on to take over the Māori seat." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Matt Whineray: Netball NZ Board Chair on Dame Noeline Taurua getting stood down as Silver Ferns coach

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 3:57 Transcription Available


    Netball New Zealand have no idea when or if Dame Noeline Taurua will return as Silver Ferns head coach. The World Cup-winning mentor and assistant Deb Fuller have been replaced by former Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie and current Southern Steel assistant Liana Leota for the Taini Jamison series against South Africa starting Sunday week. Netball NZ board chair Matt Whineray says discussions have taken place, but he can't reveal certain details. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Samantha Barrass: FMA chief executive on the decrease in Kiwi workers contributing to their KiwiSavers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 2:14 Transcription Available


    The cost of living crisis is hitting New Zealanders hard, with many putting retirement savings on the backburner. The number of people contributing to KiwiSaver fell for the first time in the year to March 2025, according to the Financial Markets Authority's annual KiwiSaver report. FMA chief executive Samantha Barrass says these difficult circumstances have forced people to make 'difficult choices' about what to prioritise. She explained more households need to decide between putting food on the table, paying the mortgage and repairs - and it's important for providers to reach out to people who've paused KiwiSaver contributions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Lance Burdett: former police negotiator on Tom Phillips' second campsite being used to gather evidence

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 4:00 Transcription Available


    A former police negotiator says police must've found something obvious at Tom Phillips' campsites that indicates he was getting outside help. The Marokopa fugitive was shot dead by police on Monday, and his children are now in state care. A second campsite in dense bush has been uncovered - about 200 metres from the first. Lance Burdett says police are fairly sure Phillips was getting outside help, so items from the campsites will be used as evidence. "It's fingerprinted, it's photographed, it's everything that they can do to find out - DNA testing on every item, to track down who may have been involved." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the backlash over Tākuta Ferris' controversial social media post

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 5:15 Transcription Available


    Te Pati Māori's co-leaders are silent during widespread criticism of one of their MPs social media posts, labelled 'racist' by some. Tākuta Ferris posted a video, saying it's unacceptable for other ethnicities to campaign to take a Maori seat from Maori. The party apologised in the past for a previous social media post with a similar sentiment. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper has labelled these comments 'painful' and 'infuriating'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Jonathan Kearsley: US correspondent on Poland shooting down Russian drones

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 4:48 Transcription Available


    Poland's shot down drones over its territory after repeated violations of its airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine. It's shut four of its airports after warning of the drones in its airspace. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says this has sparked concern among NATO nations, with investigations ongoing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on the newly-unveiled White Ferns squad for World Cup

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 3:50 Transcription Available


    White Ferns coach Ben Sawyer has outlined the tough calls made for his one-day cricket World Cup squad in India and Sri Lanka starting later this month. Four potential debutants have been named in the 15-strong squad - left arm seamer Bree Illing, batter Bella James, wicketkeeper Polly Inglis and left-arm spinner Flora Devonshire. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Steve Cullen: criminal lawyer on the Government's proposal for new infringement offence for shoplifting

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 3:35 Transcription Available


    A Government proposal for a new infringement offence for shoplifting would mean the burden of proof would fall on the suspect to prove their innocence. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says this change strikes the right 'balance' between public safety and an individual's rights, despite concerns from experts. Criminal lawyer Steve Cullen says these changes make sense, given the wave of shoplifting impacting the country. "It's simply regulating people's behaviour. You have a defence of saying - no, it's not true, for example. But also, you have a defence of saying - I took all positive steps to avoid it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Enda Brady: UK correspondent ahead of Donald Trump's second state visit to the UK

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 4:20 Transcription Available


    US President Donald Trump is set to make a second state visit to the UK later in the month. This trip comes after Trump spent four days in Scotland, where he met politicians and visited his golf courses. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the heads of Nvidia and OpenAI will be part of the entourage coming along, suggesting there's room for new tech developments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amir Ghandar: Chartered Accountants ANZ Reporting and Assurance Leader on the growing number of investors utilising AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 4:59 Transcription Available


    New reports have revealed that more people are taking advantage of AI when it comes to making investment decisions. A recent survey claims at least one third of Kiwi investors are using AI to make investment decisions, with 64 percent of respondents between 18 and 29 utilising the technology. Chartered Accountants ANZ Reporting and Assurance Leader, Amir Ghandar, says concerns have been raised, with some reporting noticeable errors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Jamie Mackay: The Country host on Beef + Lamb NZ highlighting incoming headwinds in new report

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 5:10 Transcription Available


    New Zealand red meat prices are at record levels and are forecast to remain strong throughout the coming year, despite concerns about inflation. Board chair Kate Acland says the outlook is positive, with tight global supply set to keep demand high. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Paddy Manning: author and journalist on the Murdoch family resolving media succession battle

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 4:09 Transcription Available


    Rupert Murdoch's children have reached a settlement in the legal dispute over control of the right-wing media mogul's companies, with son Lachlan set to take over. The new deal establishes a trust to replace the Murdoch Family Trust that had included all the siblings and half-siblings. Under the agreement, Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch and James Murdoch will receive cash based on equity sales and cease to have holdings in any of the media companies. Author and journalist Paddy Manning says a lot of these shares will be sold to the public instead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Huddle: Does the Advertising Standards Authority have a point?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 10:29 Transcription Available


    Tonight on The Huddle, former Green MP Gareth Hughes and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's talk of a documentary about the Tom Phillips saga in the works - do we think this is a bad idea? In fact, for the sake of the kids, do we need to stop running images of them in the media? The Advertising Standards Authority has criticised Turners for showing an advertisement depicting burnout, claiming it condones a dangerous and illegal activity. Do we see a problem with the ad? Are we going to see the Jacinda documentary? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Full Show Podcast: 09 September 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 98:45 Transcription Available


    On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 9 September 2025, the police is now trying to hunt down anyone who was helping Tom Phillips hide. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers speaks with Heather about the latest in the investigation. Heather makes a plea to stop any documentaries on Tom Phillips and his kids - to protect their futures. Children's Minister Karen Chhour agrees. Turners boss Todd Hunter thanks the Advertising Standards Authority for more publicity - after the ASA ruled a burnout scene in Turners' ad was socially unacceptable. Are we too up tight when it comes to our ads? Plus, the Huddle debates whether MPs should sell their investments before coming to Parliament to avoid conflicts. 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.

    Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: This Tom Phillips documentary needs to be called off

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 2:05 Transcription Available


    Well, it now transpires that the police are allowing a documentary to be made about Tom Phillips and their hunt for him. It's being made by Julie Christie, who's produced lots of great television in the past, particularly reality TV. There are camera crews following police officers and being given access - if you want to call it that - behind the scenes, the kind of access that the average media crew can't get. Now, personally, I think this documentary needs to be killed off immediately. I do not blame the police for saying yes to this documentary in the first place. If it hadn't ended this way - with Tom Phillips trying to kill a police officer and then being shot dead in response in front of his daughter - it might have actually been a good idea to do this documentary. It might have shown the efforts that the police have gone to over the last four years to track him down, the consideration that they've put into it, the care that they've taken. It might actually have been really good PR for the police. But now, what it is, is mainly just a threat to these kids' future. It is going to be hard enough for these children to find a way to be normal in a country that is obsessed with what has happened to them over the last four years. By the time that this documentary comes out - it might be two years, five years, ten years, who knows, because documentaries aren't put together fast - who knows? Hopefully, we will have moved on as a country and be interested in other things. And all a documentary like this is going to do is remind us - and the world, who are fascinated by what happened to the Phillips kids - about this case all over again. And we will hit Google and we will remind ourselves of what the kids looked like and what their names are and what happened to them in the bush. Children should never be punished and tortured for the stupid things that their parents do and the bad decisions that their parents make. They deserve the right to as much anonymity as possible and just the chance to live a life free of what their parents have done. I don't think that the media, that I belong to, should publish their photos anymore. No one should take a photo of them as they look right now, having come out of the bush, and this documentary needs to be called off. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Karen Chhour: Children's Minister says Tom Phillips' children are 'doing well under circumstances'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 4:15 Transcription Available


    Oranga Tamariki says circumstances are unprecedented, as they care for fugitive Tom Phillips' three children. The four-year manhunt for the Marokopa father ended in the early hours of yesterday, when he was shot dead by police in Waikato. Children's Minister Karen Chhour says Tom Phillips' children are Oranga Tamariki's main focus - as they remain in the agency's care. "As an organisation, Oranga Tamariki has been working on a plan since the day they disappeared. That plan may have to change, depending on the circumstances of the young people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Todd Hunter: Turners CEO on the backlash to the Tina from Turner's car advertisement

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 3:00 Transcription Available


    Complaints about a YouTube version of the latest Tina from Turner's car dealership advert have been upheld by the advertising watchdog. The Advertising Standards Authority says a scene of a car performing a burnout isn't 'socially responsible' after complaints it was a disgrace to Kiwis, showing illegal activity, using swear words and was offensive. Turners chief executive Todd Hunter says it seems like a storm in a teacup. "We didn't take it out in the YouTube version, because we thought it was kind of some fun - and so the person who complained, we owe them a great deal of thanks for keeping Tina from Turner's continually in the media." The ad can't keep being used in its current form. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Jamie Duncan: Health NZ Group Director Operations, Hospital and Specialist Services on the state of Wellington Hospital overcrowding

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 2:58 Transcription Available


    Health officials have outlined the dire state of Wellington Hospital's overcrowded emergency department as reports show a third of patients are being treated in corridors. The information was revealed in a detailed business case for the refurbishment of the ED, published by Health New Zealand, which said the ED was 'clinically and culturally unsafe'. Health NZ's Jamie Duncan says the staff working in those areas are required to stay vigilant and keep an eye on people. "They're always taking observations as well and that's standard practice and standard care that you'd expect in any emergency department." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Richard Chambers: Police Commissioner on the ongoing investigations into the Tom Phillips case

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 7:19 Transcription Available


    Investigations into Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips are far from over, after he was shot dead by police yesterday. The manhunt for Phillips and his three children stretched across four years. One of his children was with him at the scene, and the other two were found last night at a campsite in dense bush about two kilometres away. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says they're investigating possible accomplices in this case. "We're going to put a puzzle together, we're going to better understand the last four years - anybody who may have been helping him, supplying him with something." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Police Commissioner Richard Chambers weighing in after Marokopa incident

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 5:06 Transcription Available


    The four-year long manhunt for Phillips and his three children ended early yesterday morning - when police shot and killed him in rural Waikato. One of his children was found with him, and the other two were located at a campsite in dense bush. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper said Police Commissioner Richard Chambers weighed in on the case during a 'sombre' press conference. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on ANZ Australia confirming they plan to cut thousands of jobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 5:02 Transcription Available


    ANZ's Australian parent recently announced a significant restructure, which would see about 3500 employees losing their jobs by September 2026. ANZ Group said it would also reduce engagements with consultants and other third parties as part of the restructure. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explained the impact of the restructure. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on the backlash over the NRL and All Blacks schedule clash

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 3:09 Transcription Available


    Sporting fans across New Zealand will have a difficult decision to make on Saturday, with the Warriors' opening NRL finals game set to clash with the All Blacks' Rugby Championship test. The Warriors' week one finals game against the Panthers at Mt Smart kicks off at 6:05pm - one hour before the All Blacks host the Springboks in Wellington. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the backlash further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sara Chatwin: child psychologist on what Tom Phillips' children need to recover after years of isolation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 6:58 Transcription Available


    One expert has outlined the next steps for Tom Phillips' children to recover after four years of isolation. The manhunt for Phillips and the children came to an end yesterday, when police shot and killed him in rural Waikato. One of his children was found with him, and the other two were located at a campsite in dense bush. Child psychologist Sara Chatwin says for the children to feel secure, they need consistent care and unconditional love. "Pretty much none of which these kids have had for a long time. And I'm not just talking four years, but prior to that, there was obviously some dispute." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the UK trialling emergency alerts in nationwide test

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 5:25 Transcription Available


    People in the UK were surprised by unexpected alarms from their phones in a test of the national emergency alert system. Yesterday, people's phones vibrated and sounded for about 10 seconds in the second test of the system. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on investors calling for US rate cuts after weak payrolls report

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 3:18 Transcription Available


    Recent US payrolls data has indicated the economy is slowing, and it's sparked concern among investors. Economists are calling on the US Federal Reserve to lower interest rates at its September 16-17 meeting, in what would be its first reduction in nine months. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Shamubeel Eaqub: Simplicity chief economist on the feasibility of NZ First's proposed KiwiSaver reforms

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 4:30 Transcription Available


    An economist has raised concerns over NZ First's proposed reform for KiwiSaver contributions - and claimed they're not feasible. NZ First recently promised to make it compulsory and increase contributions from employers and workers to 10 percent - offset by a tax cut. Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub says he approves of the idea of a compulsory scheme, but warns we can't afford a tax-funded one. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Nicola Willis: Finance Minister weighs in on NZ First's idea for KiwiSaver contributions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 7:41 Transcription Available


    New Zealand First is backing major changes to KiwiSaver ahead of the election and it's sparked discussion about what this could mean going forward. The party's announced it will campaign on compulsory employee and employer contributions rising to 10 percent, to be offset with tax cuts. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says this will likely be a significant issue ahead of the election, but she's voiced concerns about the tax cuts. "For context, our tax package that we delivered after the election was $3.7 billion - so that is a heck of a lot of tax cuts. So the question then becomes - how do we fund that?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Full Show Podcast: 08 September 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 99:22 Transcription Available


    On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 8 September 2025, the tragic story of the missing Tom Phillips and his kids has come to a close today. The kids are with authorities, Tom Phillips is dead and a police officer critically injured. Police Minister Mark Mitchell and former police negotiator Lance Burdett speak with Heather as the situation unfolded. It was a terrible weekend for Labour, with an embarrassing overwhelming by-election loss and the defection of former Labour MP Stuart Nash to New Zealand First. The Ministry of Education has doubled its pay offer to secondary school teachers, but they won't have a bar of it. Plus, the Huddle reflects on the sad end to the Tom Phillips story and whether getting Stuart Nash on board is a coup for New Zealand First. 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.

    Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Does Labour know what they lost this weekend?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 2:04 Transcription Available


    Stuart Nash turning up at the conference over the weekend - that was quite a coup for New Zealand First. Now, clearly what New Zealand First is trying to do is emulate what Reform - Nigel Farage's party - in the UK is doing. If you've been following what they're up to, they have had a huge number of politicians defect to Reform. And every single time it happens, the news media covers it and it makes Reform look like the party with the momentum. That is what New Zealand First is trying to do. That's why you had both Stuart Nash, formerly of Labour, and Harete Hipango, formerly of National, at the conference over the weekend. Now, despite the circumstances of Stuart leaving Parliament, he's actually a really big defection from Labour because he's a very capable politician. He managed to turn Napier into a red seat in 2014, despite the popularity of the Key Government at the time. He was one of the few ministers in the Ardern administration that voters on the right actually had time for. He is, and I think that's because he's a proper centrist in the Labour Party - not crazy left like a lot of them are, a little bit more to the right - which is why he's probably going to find a better home for himself in New Zealand First than the Labour Party of 2025. Now, I don't know if Labour realizes what they've lost with Stuart Nash leaving. I mean, of course, he's really been out of Labour since the moment Chippy fired him, but I don't think they even realized then what they'd lost because they haven't replaced him. And what I mean by that is they haven't gone looking for another true centrist politician. Back in the day, Labour had heaps of them. They had Phil Goff, David Shearer and just going back through time - Richard Prebble, Roger Douglas, Mike Moore - it wasn't that unusual to have a good little centrist or righty sitting in the Labour Party. Now, name one for me. I mean, you might have once been able to say Chippy, but he's allowed himself to be pulled so far to the left, I'm not sure you could call him a centrist anymore. Now, you cannot, as a Labour Party, win over the centre voter if you do not have politicians that the centre voter likes. And Stuart Nash, I think, was probably the last one of them. I would say: total coup for New Zealand First. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Huddle: Should Labour be worried?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 7:46 Transcription Available


    Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion following the issue of the day - and more! The Tom Phillips saga has been eventful - what did we make of all this? Stuart Nash has switched over to NZ First and Labour lost big to Te Pati Māori in the Tamaki Makaurau by-election. What does this all mean for Labour? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chris Abercrombie: PPTA President on the Government offering teachers a slightly higher pay rise

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 1:59 Transcription Available


    The secondary school teachers union is confident its members will take its advice and reject the Government's latest agreement offer. It almost doubles the pay increase included in their last offer, but the union says it's unevenly spread across the teaching workforce and sits below inflation. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie says teachers can vote any way they want, but the National Executive's recommending sending the offer back. "The conversations I have this year with teachers and continue to have is that this doesn't meet what they need - what they see happening every single day in schools." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mark Mitchell: Police Minister hopeful Marokopa children will be recovered

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 8:36 Transcription Available


    The children of fugitive Tom Phillips are still missing. The Marokopa father was shot dead by police in the early hours of this morning, following a burglary in Waikato's Piopio. Police Minister Mark Mitchell says he's confident the police will find and recover the children. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Lance Burdett: former police negotiator on the hunt for fugitive Tom Phillips' two missing children

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 2:20 Transcription Available


    The race is on to track down the two missing children of Marokopa man Tom Phillips before the end of the day. Phillips was shot dead earlier today by police, following a burglary in Waikato's Piopio. Former police negotiator Lance Burdett says the fact they're children will make the hunt so much tougher for police. "They'll be panicking, probably, and it's unpredictable. They won't stick to tracks and trails...so they could be all over the place." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Chris Luxon's statement on the Marokopa investigation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 5:21 Transcription Available


    Prime Minister Chris Luxon has voiced concerns about the missing children of Marokopa man Tom Phillips. Phillips was shot dead by police this morning, concluding a four-year manhunt, but two of his children are belived to be unaccompanied in the bush. Luxon hasn't been briefed on any specific locations the police think the children might be. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon's reflected on the concerns the country must be feeling. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on Erin Patterson receiving a maximum security rating following prison sentencing

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 4:41 Transcription Available


    Triple murderer Erin Patterson will have maximum security in jail due to risks from other prisoners. The 50-year-old's been jailed for life with a non-parole period of 33 years, after feeding her in-laws beef Wellingtons laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms in 2023. Patterson's also been sentenced for the attempted murder of the sole survivor of the lunch - Ian Wilkinson. Australia correspondent Oliver Peterson says Patterson faces 22 hours of solitary confinement a day for the next three decades. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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