Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Concerns have been raised over the presence of microplastics in gum. A health researcher has warned he wouldn't want his own children chewing on gum, due to the health risks associated with consuming the microplastics.  University of Technology Sydney Associate Professor Brian Oliver says the health risks are 'unknown', but there's a lot of harmful conditions that could happen.  "Inflammation's sort of the precursor to a lot of chronic conditions, so diabetes, respiratory conditions - so we know that the impetuous is there. What we don't know is actually how much inflammation, and exactly how bad."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US and Israel launched strikes at Iran over the weekend, prompting concern and outrage from experts. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have criticised Iran's counter attacks, prompting Helen Clark to call the Government's response 'one-sided'. Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie has said this attack was illegal by the standards of international law. "There's nothing in the UN charter that says you can bomb someone who won't negotiate...the exemption to that was if this was a pre-emptive attack and it was an overwhelming necessity, and that cannot be seen in this instance."   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More countries are being pulled into combat since the US and Israel began bombing Iran, trying to topple its regime.  Tehran has sent strikes across the Middle East - in retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hezbollah is siding with Iran and has struck into Israel, which has shot back a wave of attacks on Lebanon. MFAT is aware of 1750 New Zealanders in affected countries. Kiwi journalist Perry Wilton is in Doha. He says Iran claims it's mostly targeting US assets - but the attacks are unfocused. "Everything from US military bases to residential apartment buildings, Kuwait Airport, has been really badly damaged." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for RMA Reform says letting councils give companies permissions relating to killing protected animals during work is a matter of reducing red tape.  A law passed last year let DOC extend this permission to companies to reduce development liability.  Under incoming RMA replacement Bills, councils can also give such permissions. Greenpeace has condemned the proposed change, saying councils don't have the environmental know-how. But Chris Bishop says this makes sense. "Regional councils in particular, when it comes to the environment, they are the administrator of environmental management within their areas."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regional conflict is erupting in the Middle East - as the US and Israel ramp up aggression against Iran. Tehran has fired across surrounding states in retaliation for the killing of its Supreme Leader, with the US continuing bombardment, as Israel targets Lebanon. The White House says three US soldiers have died and it expects more casualties in coming weeks. MFAT says least 1750 New Zealanders are in the region, more than a thousand in the UAE.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon confirmed New Zealand stands with the people of Iran during this conflict. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Government has ruled out getting the military involved in the conflict unleashed by United States-Israeli strikes on Iran. It's been confirmed Australia has 115,000 nationals in the Middle East who are unable to fly out because of airspace closures as a result of the attacks.  Australian correspondent Sam Emery says Foreign Minister Penny Wong is in discussions with airlines, but the Government's hoping commercial flights would resume to help people leave.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golfer Daniel Hillier's saluted partisan support for spurring him to a first New Zealand Open triumph at Millbrook. The 27-year-old's won the tournament by two strokes, finishing at 22-under overall after a final round four-under par 67. Jason Pine recapped all the action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs is again trying to bring its North and South Island operations under one roof, after failing two years ago.  The company's heading to the High Court to appeal a 2024 Commerce Commission decision blocking its plan.  Grocery Action Group chair, Sue Chetwin, says letting it do so would only strengthen the duopoly.  She says upstream, suppliers would have less choice on whom they could sell goods. "So at the moment, they've got the North Island and the South Island Foodstuffs and Woolworths - but if you merged the North and South Island Foodstuffs, you'd be down to two." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 27 February, 2026, we talk to the secondary school teachers' union about teacher shortages. A Wall Street Journal reporter on the significance of Netflix walking away from a deal with Warner Brothers Discovery. Weta maestro Sir Richard Taylor tells us about his new robot project after receiving his latest international award. And on the Sports Huddle, Nicky Styris and Jeff McTainsh discuss the mess the Wellington Phoenix are in. 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.

Tell me if I’m wrong, but it seems to me that every single year the Anglican Church in this country delays repairing the Christchurch Cathedral, the public cares a little less about seeing it restored. And yet again, the Anglicans are asking for money to fix the thing. You might recall that 18 months ago they asked the government for $60 million. They got a no. So this time, they’re targeting Christchurch ratepayers. They say they’ve stopped any meaningful fundraising and they’re asking ratepayers to plug the gap — a gap of about $45 million. This will now go out to consultation. If ratepayers say yes, the additional cost will simply be added to rates. Whatever your rates are now, expect that cost on top. I don’t rate the Anglicans’ chances here because rates in Christchurch — like everywhere in the country — are already at record highs. And in Christchurch, they’re proposed to rise another 8% this year. On top of that, the Canterbury Museum has also just asked for another $260 million for its rebuild. There is not a lot of spare money around. I have to say, as I did 18 months ago, I still find it slightly cheeky of the Anglicans to do this when they own $3 billion worth of assets in this country alone. And that valuation was done six years ago — with inflation, they almost certainly own more now. There is enough there to pay for the entire reconstruction of the cathedral, not just the first stage they’re talking about. Every year the Anglicans spend trying to find someone else to pay for the restoration of their church, public appetite to restore it must surely diminish. Because every year that passes, more new venues open in Christchurch. Whether small — restaurants, bars, shops — or large, like the convention centre or the new stadium, the city is rebuilding. It’s becoming increasingly beautiful and increasingly fun. I know the cathedral can’t be replaced by a stadium or a convention centre or a shop. It has a special place for Christchurch. But the Anglicans risk that special place being diluted every single time another special place opens up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.