Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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.

Auckland Airport says it's gaining momentum. It's reported a four percent increase in revenue in its half-yearly results.  The airport says that lift in revenue is being driven by a two percent increase in passenger numbers to 9.6 million. Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui says there's still more work to do - since numbers still haven't caught up to pre-pandemic levels.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City Council wants local authorities to have more power to curb heritage listings when it comes to planning law reforms. The council’s submission asked for powers to strip buildings’ heritage listings to avoid paying compensation and to make granting heritage listings to be by consent only. Wellington deputy mayor Ben McNulty says there's been many cases that inspired this move, including when the Gordon Wilson flats had to be pulled out through legislation.  "We've got things like private homes that have the same heritage significance as Parliament House - that statistically zero percent of New Zealand will ever visit, cost double the insurance to maintain and you've got to get a resource consent if you want to re-roof or re-glaze."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a new travel trend that's taking the world by storm for 2026, and it's set to give local stores an extra boost. Over the last few months, 'grocery tourism' has seen foreigners exploring supermarkets on their travels and seeking out products they can't buy at home. Sarah Pollok from the NZ Herald says travellers are looking to cut costs and get an authentic look at the places they visit, and nothing quite matches that description like the weekly shop. "There's a bit of nostalgia there - there's old American candy or British products that they want to bring home. But then sometimes it's just the bizarre things that you'll find in other countries, like different flavours."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's speculation that US President Donald Trump is about to launch a major bombing campaign against Iran.  US aircraft have been moving towards the Middle East, and a Washington DC source has told international media there's a 90 percent chance of war in coming weeks. Waikato University's Al Gillespie says it's entirely possible, given Donald Trump's desire to show strength. But he says it could have major consequences.  "Everyone's thinking Venezuela - like, you cut the head off the snake, but here, it's a very big snake. If you removed the Ayatollah, you're likely to have problems with the Revolutionary Guard." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's suburban, heritage, and green areas aren't guaranteed immunity from housing intensification.  The Government has revised the city's housing capacity number in a new plan - from just over 2 million, to 1.6 million, with more focus on the city and transport hubs.  It follows pushback from Aucklanders - particularly in National strongholds like Ōrākei, Mt Eden and Franklin. But Housing Minister Chris Bishop says it's ultimately up to the council where houses are built.    "If they wish to take growth out of the suburbs, then they can do that. The strong feedback coming through is that that's what they want to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.