The Government's on the defensive, after the latest sharp drop in GDP.

The economy's contracted 0.9 percent in the June quarter - far more than anyone was expecting.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper weighed in on the latest data - and speculated about when things could improve.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government's on the defensive, after the latest sharp drop in GDP.
The economy's contracted 0.9 percent in the June quarter - far more than anyone was expecting.
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper weighed in on the latest data - and speculated about when things could improve.
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the recent GDP figures showing the economy's contracted

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e9da9fc1-5d9d-4dc1-a2d6-b35c005d95ac/transcript

The chairman of the NZ20 accepts it became an inevitability that they would need to delay the launch of the franchise cricket competition until 2028.

Don Mackinnon says they reached the point that it couldn't be done properly this summer with the Black Caps touring Australia and then welcoming Sri Lanka soon after.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine explained further.

LISTEN ABOVE

The chairman of the NZ20 accepts it became an inevitability that they would need to delay the launch of the franchise cricket competition until 2028.
Don Mackinnon says they reached the point that it couldn't be done properly this summer with the Black Caps touring Australia and then welcoming Sri Lanka soon after.
Sportstalk host Jason Pine explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE

Jason Pine: Sportstalk host on NZ Cricket delaying the NZ20 competition launch to 2028

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f14146fc-915c-4199-a54e-b4470057bb77/transcript

The Ministry of Education has told schools receiving free lunches to not let children take home leftover meals.

The Ministry has cited food safety concerns - and says uneaten meals should be returned to the supplier to avoid extra risks. 

Hora Hora school principal Pat Newman says his school's seen no incidents of any students getting ill from leftover food. 

"There's no proof - the only lunches that anyone's gotten ill from is the ones that were supplied from the Ministry in the first place. We actually take better care." 

LISTEN ABOVE

The Ministry of Education has told schools receiving free lunches to not let children take home leftover meals.
The Ministry has cited food safety concerns - and says uneaten meals should be returned to the supplier to avoid extra risks.&nbsp;
Hora Hora school principal Pat Newman says his school's seen no incidents of any students getting ill from leftover food.&nbsp;
"There's no proof - the only lunches that anyone's gotten ill from is the ones that were supplied from the Ministry in the first place. We actually take better care."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Pat Newman: Hora Hora school principal on the Education Ministry telling schools not to let students take leftover lunches home

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/315e8c58-c9d8-4fe9-8672-b4470054fbbc/transcript

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 8 May, 2026, Winston Peters insists he won't support efforts by the National Party to raise the retirement age.

We talk to one of the women who's accused Sir Rod Drury of inappropriate conduct about him handing back his New Zealander of the Year award.  

The New Zealand Herald's media insider Shayne Currie on who should succeed Maiki Sherman as TVNZ's political editor.

And on the Sports Huddle, Adam Cooper and Paul Allison discuss Luke Metcalf's future with the Warriors.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 8 May, 2026, Winston Peters insists he won't support efforts by the National Party to raise the retirement age.
We talk to one of the women who's accused Sir Rod Drury of inappropriate conduct about him handing back his New Zealander of the Year award. &nbsp;
The New Zealand Herald's media insider Shayne Currie on who should succeed Maiki Sherman as TVNZ's political editor.
And on the Sports Huddle, Adam Cooper and Paul Allison discuss Luke Metcalf's future with the Warriors.
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 08 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5f050b96-d294-49e8-97c9-b4440076ac8c/transcript

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the recent GDP figures showing the economy's contracted

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