Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A defence expert says a US ground invasion into Iran would be high risk and may not achieve its stated goals.  Donald Trump has told the Financial Times he's considering seizing Iran's major oil terminal on Kharg Island. Defence Priorities Senior Fellow Gil Barndollar says the island's deep in the Strait of Hormuz and difficult to get to.  He says Trump probably wants it for leverage.  "You take the port, and 97 percent of their oil goes out through, as well as whatever amount of oil is there right now, and use that as a bargaining chip." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria's Police Commissioner is calling the hunt for Dezi Freeman the biggest in Australian history, crediting New Zealand for its assistance. Local media's reporting the 56-year-old's been shot by police after more than seven months on the run.  Freeman killed two police officers executing a warrant at his rural Porepunkah property last August.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says he'd been on the run for over seven months, and investigations into the case are set to take place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris admits some honest reflection is required after a mauling at Mt Smart Stadium in league's NRL. After three straight wins to start the season, they're contemplating their first defeat after an upset 32-14 loss to the Tigers. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith unpacked the loss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push for tougher consequences, as concerns grow over compliance with the Government’s school cellphone ban. The Ministry of Education says only about half of secondary students are following the rules. The Education Review Office is calling for phones to be confiscated more often, and for parents to contact students through school offices instead. Chief Review Officer, Ruth Shinoda, says the ban is working far better in primary schools. "It's because most primary schools just take the phone off the kids when they walk in, so kids just stopped taking their phone to school. And then, encouragingly, they say kids just stop asking their parents for phones." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 27 March, 2026, Finance Minister Nicola Willis' "keep calm" message as she sets out what it'll take to start fuel rationing. New Zealand First's plan to put millions of dollars into a Christchurch Cathedral rebuild. Lord of the Rings actor Bruce Hopkins on why the film's still a big drawcard for tourists. And on The Sports Huddle, D'Arcy Waldegrave and Jim Kayes debate the IOC's u-turn on transgender women. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warehouse Group has reported a first half net profit after tax of nearly $16 million. CEO Mark Stirton told Heather du Plessis-Allan he is 'pleased' with the result But, like most of the world, concerns over Iran and fuel costs plague future outlooks.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been 25 years since the release of the first Lord of the Rings film, The Fellowship of the Ring.  Actor Bruce Hopkins, who played Gamling in the series, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about the ongoing popularity and tourism pull in New Zealand.  Hopkins said the support for the franchise is 'astounding'.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now look it may not altogether surprise you today to hear that the International Olympic Committee has banned transgender women from competing in female events because this was so obviously going to happen once Kirsty Coventry was elected president of the IOC. She was clearly going to do it, given that she campaigned on doing exactly this. But, you may be surprised to realise what an enormous U-turn this actually is. I had to go back and have a look to actually believe it. Five years ago, the IOC publicly praised Laurel Hubbard for having “courage and tenacity” as the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics. They said everyone agrees that trans women are women. So, to go from that position to now banning Laurel Hubbard from competing in a female category again, in the space of five short years, is actually—when you think about it—quite an extraordinary turnaround. Now obviously what’s happened is public opinion has shifted. Five years ago was before the Cass Report was delivered in the UK on the dangers of puberty blockers for children. Five years ago was before the Bud Light controversy. Five years ago was before the Algerian boxer won gold despite questions about whether she was actually female. Five years ago, the prevailing opinion was that inclusion of transgender athletes mattered a lot more and that discussing transgender-related subjects was pretty taboo. Today, the prevailing opinion appears to be more about fairness to women and we are openly debating transgender-related subjects. Clearly the IOC, like any global sporting body, is sensitive to politics.  They may say sport is paramount and we may like to believe that sport is the only thing they care about—and maybe it still is the most important thing for them—but they are not deaf to public opinion. They would have to be stupid to be. Now how you judge the IOC for this is really up to you. You could see them as fickle, blowing in the wind of public opinion, or you could see them as simply trying to be pragmatic in the times they live in, whatever that is. And today, possibly, we are somewhere closer—at least, I would argue—to a fairer outcome for women. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat the latest news out of the USA.  As the war with Iran continues questions over the likelihood of a peace deal remain, meanwhile, in California gas prices are quickly coming up to $6, $10 NZD, per gallon.  And, controversy over Southwest Airline's 'fat tax' booms online. "They are singling out people that are overweight and they are forcing them to buy another seat," Mitchinson said.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones announced the four-stage fuel plan in response to fuel supply concerns stemming from the war in Iran. Phase one of the plan focuses is on monitoring global developments, phase two would involve active co-ordination between the Government and industry, including supporting efforts to reduce demand, phase three and four, at this stage, would include prioritising fuel for emergencies, freight and food supply chains, and key industries. Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan that phase three and four would negatively impact the New Zealand economy.  "It wouldn't be great for anyone, for jobs or livelihoods, which is why we're working so hard now to try and prevent that ever being possible," she said.  "But, we also recognise these are events outside our control." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.