Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A bill has been introduced to make English an official language of New Zealand. Despite being the country's most-spoken language, it is not an official language by law. The bill provoked ridicule in Parliament from the opposition, but was staunchly defended by Winston Peters. AUT Associate Professor of Linguistics Sharon Harvey says that language laws exist to protect languages that aren't as widely used, and English doesn't fall in to this category.  "If we look at like jurisdictions like Australia, federal level of the US and the UK, those jurisdictions don't have English as an official language and don't see any need to." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fifty seven per cent of cops have considered quitting in the last year. That's according to a new Police Association survey, which asked 6000 officers.  Key concerns from officers were salaries, as well as resourcing.  Police say attrition is hovering between 4.5 and 5 percent - but association president Steve Watt told Heather du-Plessis Allan that the result can't be ignored.  He says the job's risky, weighs heavily on wellbeing - and the result proves the pressure officers are under.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest is being dubbed the biggest scandal in modern royal history.  The King's brother was arrested on suspicion of misconduct while in public office, in the wake of allegations he shared confidential information with late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.  The ex-prince's properties were searched by UK police, and he has since been released but remains under investigation. Royal Commentator Juliet Rieden told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the Royal Family are in unchartered waters. She says some believe the abdication was the worst, but that was a love story - adding this situation is very far from that.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Minister says people should have zero-tolerance for poor dog behaviour.  62-year-old, Mihiata Te Rore, was killed by three dogs on Tuesday, as she visited a home in Kaihu, north of Dargaville. Local MP Shane Jones says jail terms should be considered for owners of what he labels 'homicidal dogs'. Minister Simon Watts says there are issues with local and central Government enforcing the 30-year-old Dog Control Act.  He says he is getting advice next week on changing the act - and wants it done promptly.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The BBC has commissioned a slate of new shows and will be showcasing some of Sir David Attenborough’s most loved programmes to mark his 100th birthday. Sir David Attenborough turns 100 on May 8th, and the network will run a week-long celebration of his work and legacy spanning over seven decades.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says there's also going to be a special live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall with a full concert orchestra. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports indicate the tech sector is getting hid hard by a turbulent market, with many software companies taking a hit. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained the impacts - and which companies are doing it tough. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence green pastures lie ahead for Fonterra, as the sale of brands like Anchor and Mainland nears completion. Almost 99 percent of shareholders voted today to get the tax-free $3.2 billion capital return, from the purchase by French company Lactalis. FedFarmers Dairy Chair, Karl Dean, says the sale is part of Fonterra's move to focus on ingredients. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour MP Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Wellington City Council wants local authorities to have more power to curb heritage listings. Do we think this is a good idea? Chris Bishop today confirmed the Government is revising the city's housing capacity number in its new plan and focusing more on building in the city and by transport hubs. Why do we think the Government had to back down?  Winston Peters copped some backlash over some comments that Labour and the Greens have dubbed 'racist'. Do we think this backlash is fair? Why do we think the Government hit pause on introducing four-year terms? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, finally Chris Bishop has done the right thing and made the u-turn on the two million new houses he had planned for Auckland. It’s not altogether a surprise that he did this and announced it this afternoon, because it’s been rumoured for months - for the obvious reason that it’s election year. Auckland is a key battleground. Aucklanders are obsessed with houses. Auckland voters who own their homes were already stressed about this plan, and if it turned into a full election issue with proper media coverage, even more of them would’ve become stressed. That would mean blue Auckland voters heading straight to New Zealand First, ACT or Labour. So it was a political problem for National and Bishop had to back down. But in reality, it’s not just politics, is it? It’s basic common sense. I think it’s reasonable for an Aucklander who has sunk one to two million dollars - maybe more, maybe a bit less, but still a lot of money - into their home to feel stressed at the idea of a multi‑storey apartment block popping up next door, blocking their view, blocking their light, ruining their privacy. Whatever it is. We mock these people as NIMBYs, but actually, I think it’s fair for them to want to protect the place they live in. Don’t you want to protect the place you live in? This battle, though, is far from won. Anyone looking at this and thinking, “That was a close call, thank God that’s over,” - it’s not over. All Bishop has done is reduce the number of new houses to the point that it shouldn’t impact on suburbs. But whether it does affect suburbs is a decision for Auckland Council, and that decision hasn’t been made yet. So while it should, on balance, be okay, nothing is certain until the Auckland maps are released. What this is, then, is one u-turn down, and one more to go. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 19 February, 2026, Chris Bishop on the Government's backdown on two million houses for Auckland. A relaxing of rules around serving alcohol at community and sports clubs. Why grocery tourism is becoming a popular pursuit for holidaymakers. And on the Huddle, Phil Goff and David Farrar lament the Government ditching a referendum on a four-year term. 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.