Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

First of all, can I start by offering an apology to TVNZ? I gave them a bit of grief last night for starting the news bulletin with the peaches, but it turns out I was wrong and they were right. This has sparked a flurry of debate over whether we prefer our Wattie's peaches from Hawke's Bay or whether we don't really care if it comes from China or not.  It's also prompted a statement from Wattie's asking us to support local growers. In other words, can we please buy New Zealand made? Now, that is a very nice sentiment, but let's be honest, that's all it is. It is a sentiment and it's not going to work. I mean, this is me, this is not me being cavalier about how hard this must be for the Hawke's Bay peach growers who are losing their Wattie's contracts. For them, this must be absolutely devastating and I feel terrible for them. But this is me being realistic about the prospect of any 'Buy New Zealand Made' campaign working. Wattie's New Zealand peaches, according to Pak’nSave's online store, are $3.90 a can. Pam's cheap peaches are 99 cents a can. That's a no-brainer, you're gonna buy the 99 cent can. Who is buying the $3.90 can? Grey Lynn? That makes no sense whatsoever. I mean - look, maybe if I thought about it a little bit, which I don't, but if I did, maybe I would pay 10, 20 cents, 40 cents at a push, more for a New Zealand made product. But I would not pay four times as much, it's far too expensive. And I wouldn't even do it in the first place because buying New Zealand made never works, does it? It never has. If it did, we would still be wearing Bata Bullets and buying Juliet Hogan and eating Sanitarium peanut butter. We wouldn't be reading about the closure of manufacturing businesses every other month, which today, by the way, is the Carter Holt Harvey mill in Tokoroa. I do the shopping in our house 90 percent of the time and I don't even know the provenance of the food I'm buying. I do not know where the canned food comes from, I absolutely do not know where the dried goods come from. And often, I'm not even really looking where the fresh fruit comes from. Yep, I know where the meat comes from, but that's basically a given, isn't it? It's simple economics, it always will be. And even if Wattie's has this tiny little hope that there might be a last-minute public rally for the New Zealand grown peaches, I think they already know the outcome, which is why they've already cut the contracts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's talk about this business with the pension age. Chris Luxon has said twice today that he wants the pension age to go up to 67. He said it once on Kerre’s show this morning, and then at a post-Budget lunch speaking to business leaders, he repeated it and he told them that this is basically going to be election policy for National next year. Now, regardless of how you may feel about this, I mean, you'd have to be coming around to the realisation, wouldn't you, that we are inching closer and closer to this thing actually happening. Especially after the changes that the Government made to our KiwiSaver retirement funds yesterday. It's not long now. I think that the Government will have completely wound down its government support of KiwiSaver, and then it's gonna come after the pension next, isn't it? This is where I think it gets tricky, because this is not just about money for people. This is emotional. Let me lay out the emotional argument for you as it plays out in my head, okay? It goes like this: don't touch my pension. You can touch anything else. Do not touch my pension. I don't care if they take away every other piece of welfare that is available to me and other people. In fact, I would actually welcome it, because I think there is way too much welfare in this country for the middle class who don't actually need it. You get a best start payment for having a newborn. You're having a baby. They give you money. You get the winter energy payment. You get Working for Families, which I think is a crime. You get the subsidised childcare for sending your kid to kindy. You get free tertiary education for the 3rd year, God only knows why. Free government money for your KiwiSaver. Now, as far as I'm concerned, there's way too much of that stuff going on. They can take all of that away. If they don't want to take it away, they can means test it so that actually the most, and only the most needy in this country get it. But I will do everything I can to stop them touching my pension. Because I have earned that money. This is not a question about whether I need that money, it is that I have earned that money. I, like you, have contributed huge amounts of tax to this country, and actually I have not claimed very much back for myself. It's certainly not anywhere near how much I have put in. The only thing that stops me from being very sour about how much money they take out of my pay packet every year and the wasting of that money and the bludging by some on that money is the knowledge that when I hit 65 and want to retire, I will get a little bit back. Call it a goodwill gesture from the government, if you like, a government who I have helped prop up just like you have for donkeys' years, by the time that money comes into my bank account. So, good luck to Chris Luxon getting this one across the line. I think it's going to be one of the hardest fights to win because of the emotional argument that I have just laid out for you. I think they might find it easier to take away a lot of other welfare first. And unless they take away a lot of other welfare first, I am not budging on the pension.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Rotten, corrupt': Tiki Taane takes aim at Spotify as Kiwi artists boycott platform Many of New Zealand's biggest musicians are boycotting Spotify and ditching the platform amid accusations of exploitation. Tiki Taane and The Bats are among the big names getting behind Boycott Spotify NZ and other Kiwi bands like Carb on Carb, Synthetic Children and Recitals have signed the statement calling for better treatment.  Taane has cited greed, corruption and investment in European defence technology company Helsing as some of the key reasons why he's walking away. "I love music, I love creating music, but I also have to take a stand against corruption, against greed, against war, against murder - the easiest thing for me to do to help support that is to take my music off the platform and cancel my subscription."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's growing calls to scrap NCEA - and the Government is looking to make some changes to the qualification. What do we make of this? Coldplay's Chris Martin is now warning adulterers to disentangle before the kiss cam comes on. What do we think of this saga? Should the CEO have had to resign?  The Government has confirmed the new Waikato medical school is under way - do we see the costs blowing out? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In November China's economy showed clear signs of strain as investment, consumption, and industrial output all weakened more than anticipated.  "I think the most worrying thing is fixed asset investment actually, which has now declined for the 3rd month in a row," Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Andrew Dickens "We've never seen that before." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 19 December. 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.

France has sentenced a doctor to death after he poisoned 30 patients, killing 12. The EU has agreed to provide Ukraine more money after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged leaders to use frozen Russian assets to fund Kyiv. But, the money may not be enough. "Bit by bit it's getting worse and worse for Ukraine, no matter what support they've got," Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has approved OceanaGold’s Waihi North mining project, extending gold and silver extraction in the Waihi area until 2043, delighting the pro-mining crowd. It's a decision I agree with. Waihi has already been extensively mined and the environment beaten up. The decision will keep the town alive and provide hundreds of jobs. But make no mistake, this will not be an El Dorado for the whole country. The royalties are still at the excruciatingly low level they've always been at. Waihi North will generate $5.2 billion in additional gold and silver exports over its 18-year lifespan — averaging $286 million per year. Meanwhile, Crown revenue from corporate tax, PAYE, and royalties is expected to total a net present value of $422m over the life of the project. That's not an economy-saving sum, and it represents an 8 per cent yield on the output. But a deal is a deal. What concerns me is thoughts of new claims — the area behind Pauanui and Tairua on the Coromandel. Or the new work proposed for Bendigo. Until the whole nation truly benefits from the work that damages our land, is it worth it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwibank has scrapped it's plans for partial privatisation after the Reserve Bank announced it's reduction of the amount of capital it requires banks to hold to protect their depositors in the event of a crisis. The bank had been talking to investors, seeking a $500 million capital raise after the Government gave it the green light to raise money to become more competitive.  Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich talked to Andrew Dickens about the change and the future of the market.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley joined Andrew Dickens to chat about the latest news out of America.  The alleged Brown University shooter, who killed two and injured more, was found dead. The House Oversight Committee Democrats released 68 more photos from Epstein's estate, including images of Bill Gates, Steve Bannon and Noam Chomsky. And, TikTok has agreed to a deal which will end the threat of a US ban.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament’s youngest MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke of Te Pāti Māori, has teased a coming Waitangi Day announcement with an Instagram post to her 271K Instagram followers.  The post alluded to a collaboration between herself and Green MP Tamatha Paul. And, as election year approaches questions of Winston Peter's political alliance come to the forefront.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumers are being warned of a price hike for technology like phones and computers due to the rise of AI creating a shortage of computer chips.  The cost for parts like RAMs have also sky rocketed with some products already costing double, or triple, what they did a year ago.  "There's only so much production capability on the planet, and what we're seeing is where these chips are fabricated, they are diverting their production away from the RAM that's used in our consumer devices to the high bandwidth memory that is being used in the AI data centres," Gorilla Tech CEO Paul Spain told Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK teachers will be given training to spot the early signs of misogyny in boys in order to address concerns about online radicalisation. The Government is looking to clamp down on violence against women and girls, and there's hope that addressing the early roots will slow down the problem. UK correspondent Enda Brady says violence against women is on the rise, and the release of Netflix's Adolescence earlier this year sparked a discussion about what boys see online. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 has been a memorable year for global equity markets, and it's prompted speculation from investors.  Between economic downturns and tariffs, there's been plenty for experts to voice concerns about. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy farmer and agribusiness leader Nathan Guy is New Zealand’s new special agricultural trade envoy. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister of Agriculture, announced Guy’s appointment today. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Huge benefits for the Hauraki District - as a major mining project gets the green light to expand operations. The Government's granted fast track approval for Waihi North to expand its operations in Hauraki District until 2043. Resources Minister Shane Jones estimates it'll generate an additional $5.2 billion dollars from gold and silver exports across its 18-year life. Hauraki District mayor Toby Adams says this will bring a lot of economic wealth into the region - beyond just gold and silver profits. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 18 December 2025, we're finally seeing those much talked about green shoots in the economy. Brad Olsen speaks to Ryan Bridge as GDP grew 1.1% in the third quarter of the year. The Education Ministry is shutting down Gloriavale's school. Gloriavale leavers lawyer Brian Henry says it's the right thing to do - but where are the more than 100 Gloriavale kids going to learn come January? Netball NZ's boss Jennie Wyllie has called it quits - former Silver Fern Marg Foster says this should just be the start of a leadership overhaul. Plus, the Huddle debates whether the economy has finally hit turned around and whether Netball's board should take more accountability. 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.

Tonight on The Huddle, CTU chief economist Craig Renney and Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  New data shows GDP has bounced up 1.1 percent in Q3. Is this a sign things are going to get better? The Ministry of Education is shutting down Gloriavale's school amid safety concerns. But with six weeks to go until the new school year - where does this leave the kids? Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie has resigned effective immediately. Do we think this could have been handled better? Does Netball NZ's board need to go as well? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A quick Christmas message to all the PR people advising sports people and sporting organisations - could you please start talking? The less you talk, the dodgier you look. Stop hiding your CEOS and board chairs under bushes in the hope scandals and poor decisions will be overlooked and forgotten and swept under the carpet. Because if 2025 has taught us anything, it's that they won't and they don't. Jennie Wyllie is gone from Netball NZ. No surprises there. There'll be no surprises either when half the board follows her out the door. They'll be lining that up as we speak with announcements to come soon, I would've thought. But, like cricket, we've got the top dog at a top sporting body disappearing before Christmas without a once-over in the press from their higher-ups. Because Matt Whineray is not fronting this. He's clearly on holiday somewhere. In the world of American football right now, much is being made of Travis Kelce's media management. He refused to do interviews post-match because they lost. Yes that's TayTay's boyfriend, and yes that's the Kansas City Chiefs. They've won a couple of Super Bowls recently. Now they're not even going to make the playoffs. So he's upset, obviously, and doesn't wanna talk to pesky journos. And I get that. I understand that. They're athletes, they're emotional, they're up and down like a yo-yo. But when something goes down in the business of sport, in my view - you should front it in the same way as a regular company CEO or a politician would. The fans are the voters, the shareholders. And they deserve some respect. Respect is shown through communication and right now, they're getting the corporate equivalent of the middle finger. And all of this is made worse by the fact that this is what got them into this mess to begin with with Dame Noels. They didn't front. When they did, they didn't say anything. And then the mood reached fever pitch, almost every single Silver Fern who'd ever donned a bib came out and had their say, even the Government stepped in. Then, finally, things changed. One of the reasons I love netball as a sport is because of the straight-up, hard-as-nails personalities that tend to dominate it. They're no nonsense and they're straight up the guts. Management ought to take a leaf out of their book. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga's mayor is hoping some of the public have suggestions of how the council can balance its books.  A Government-imposed rates cap means, from 2028, councils will only be allowed to increase rates 4 percent at most.  Tauranga Council is forecasting a 5 to 11 percent annual rise. Mayor Mahe Drysdale says it's already cut $38 million, but it isn't sure where more to cut.  "The big items are things like depreciation, interest - if you build infrastructure and you borrow money, those costs effectively just come out the next year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.