Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

It was a big weekend for New Zealand's rural community, with the country's shearers dominating the 2026 Golden Shears event. New Zealand claimed an unprecedented five wins in six events at the Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships, which ended in Masterton on Saturday night. The Country's Jamie Mackay recapped the action.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been a significant increase in property flippers and it's prompted concerns from experts. One of the country's most prominent buyers' agencies has complained to the Real Estate Authority about the increase - following a sharp drop in 2023.  iFindProperty founder Maree Tassell says there's a lot of deception that comes with flipping properties, and vendors often don't find out until it's too late. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Sarah Trotman from Business Mentors and former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19 were released today, concerning lockdowns and vaccine mandates. What did we think of this? What can we learn?  Wellington mayors and social leaders wrote an open letter opposing  the Government’s proposed move-on orders targeting rough sleepers and beggars. What do we make of this? Do we think they have a point?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The big Covid inquiry - the Royal Commission of Inquiry - is out and to be honest, I don’t think it’s a game-changer. It doesn’t tell you anything you didn’t already know or at least strongly suspect. Aucklanders, who were the most affected, lived through it. We already knew that Grant, Jacinda and Chippy kept us in that 2021 lockdown for too long. We already knew the Auckland border could have been lifted earlier. Now we simply have the proof in writing that we were right. If there is a revelation here, it’s that Ashley Bloomfield wasn’t the conservative one urging caution. In fact, he was more reasonable than the Government. They ended up ignoring his advice and kept Auckland in lockdown longer than he recommended. Here’s how it played out in September 2021: On 12 September, Bloomfield told ministers that Auckland had been in Level 4 long enough - almost four weeks by that point - and that the city could move down a level on 16 September. Chippy took that to Cabinet but put forward his own idea - keep Auckland in for longer than Bloomfield advised. He suggested staying in until 21 September, an extra five days. Cabinet agreed with Chippy. Remember, that lockdown was costing Auckland up to $100 million every single day. So Chippy unnecessarily killed jobs and businesses when he didn’t have to. Auckland’s border restrictions also stayed in place longer than officials said was necessary and mandates were kept longer than needed. What this Royal Commission of Inquiry does is vindicate anyone who said at the time that Auckland should have come out of lockdown and out of its border controls earlier. And it’s an indictment on those who kept those restrictions in place when they didn’t need to. Five years on, most of us have moved on. We can still get triggered from time to time, but for the most part it feels like ancient history now. But we shouldn’t forget how hard it was for Aucklanders, how many lives and businesses were broken and how we are still paying the price in today’s cost-of-living crisis for those poor decisions. As I said, it’s not a game-changer - but it is an official record that what they did at the end of Covid was wrong and unnecessary. And that has value. It matters for accountability, even if only because it’s now on the public record. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 10 March, 2026, Aucklanders were in lockdown for longer than even Ashley Bloomfield recommended during Covid - we hear from the Covid Minister at the time, Chris Hipkins. How New Zealand's playing a big part in research on a male contraceptive pill. We talk to the owner of Formerly the Blackball Hilton about a demand to get rid of their outdoor tables and chairs. And on The Huddle, Sarah Trotman and Rob Campbell have a passionate debate about move-on orders for the homeless. 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.

Stock markets have rebounded and oil prices have dropped below yesterday's forecast, following recent comments from US President Donald Trump. Trump indicated the war in the Middle East could be over 'very soon', and it's led to ripple effects across sharemarkets all over the world. Matt Goodson from Salt Funds Management says it's unclear if the US can walk away from this conflict or if the Strait of Hormuz will reopen in time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former Covid Response Minister, Chris Hipkins, is being questioned over the latest findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry. The report was released today - finding New Zealand's approach was good overall, but the Government was too slow in some areas, and some restrictions went too far. Chris Hipkins says he thinks it's a fair report, although he doesn't accept every recommendation. "I think the terms of reference were heavily politically loaded. And I actually think the Royal Commission have done a very good job and it's a tribute to the three members who did it of navigating those terms of reference." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legendary West Coast pub has removed its popular outdoor seating under threat of a $20,000 fine. It was decided the Formerly the Blackball Hilton's tables and chairs fell outside the licensed boundary. Owner Cynthia Robins says they've been there for decades - and never caused a problem.   "They're becoming much more strict with what's within the licenced area. We said - well, until this is resolved, we just can't have the tables there? Well, now I feel like the town doesn't look as inviting because those tables aren't out there with the umbrellas up, they look more friendly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An aviation commentator says Air New Zealand needs to look at ways to cut costs as the war in the Middle East impacts fuel prices.  The airline's adjusted fares - lifting domestic flights $10 and long-haul flights $90. It's suspended its guidance from less than a fortnight ago, expecting second-half earnings similar to the $59 million first-half loss. Irene King says the airline could slash its spending.  "They really have never addressed the cost side of their business post-Covid - and they really could get stuck in there, their labour costs are astronomical." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister has raised some concerns after the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19’s final report was released. The report found that New Zealand's approach was good overall, but the previous Government was too slow in some areas, and some restrictions went too far. Simeon Brown says the data shows that the previous Government kept New Zealand locked down for far too long and spent too much money, and the nation is still facing the consequences.  "The reality here is, the Royal Commission has found that the Ministry of Health, and Ashley Bloomfield provided advice that it could have been lifted earlier - and ultimately, Cabinet decided not to. And those are questions that should be put to Chris Hipkins."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.