Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop warned the Government may need to put a toll on the Auckland Harbour Bridge to fund the new Waitematā crossing.

The new crossing will be tolled, but the Government is getting advice on whether the existing bridge needs to be tolled as well - in order to stop people from using the old bridge to bypass the toll.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains why this idea isn't realistic for commuters.

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Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop warned the Government may need to put a toll on the Auckland Harbour Bridge to fund the new Waitematā crossing.
The new crossing will be tolled, but the Government is getting advice on whether the existing bridge needs to be tolled as well - in order to stop people from using the old bridge to bypass the toll.
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains why this idea isn't realistic for commuters.
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 whether the Government will toll the Auckland Harbour Bridge

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b1f14fc1-7649-4596-ad56-b3f400486bdf/transcript

You want some fascinating data about how we’ve changed in the past 60 years? Have a look at the birth statistics out today - especially the age at which mums are having babies.

Last year, 14 percent of births were to mums younger than 25. In 1995, which is just one generation ago, it was double that: 28 percent of births were to mums under 25.

And in 1960, two generations ago, it was 46 percent - nearly half of all births. Today, there are now more babies born to mums over 40 than to mums under 25.

And I’m one of those mums - I was counted in last year’s data. Last January, at 40, I had a baby.

Now, if I could do my life again, I reckon it probably would have been better to have my kids about a decade earlier. Your knees at 40 are not what they were at 30. Kids want you to run, you don’t really want to run anymore. You’re just tired.

But at 40, you also understand the value of time. If I had my kids at 40, and they have their kids at 40, I’ll become a grandmother around 80. Which means I won’t have that long left with them. I probably won’t see my grandkids get married or have their own children - something that must be one of life’s great joys.

Leaving it late means missing out on experiences that previous generations took for granted.

But there are upsides too. You are simply a better person at 40 than you are at 30. You’re more in control of your emotions - a huge part of parenting - and that makes you a better parent.

More importantly, and I reckon this is why so many mums are leaving it later - you’re more financially secure. By your late 30s, you’ve probably bought a house, paid off a decent chunk, and established your career. Your partner’s income is helpful, sure, but you’re not dependent on it in the same way your grandmother was on her husband.

And that’s why I don’t think the age of mums is ever going back down. Women are more financially independent than they were two generations ago. They have choices - and the choice they’re making is right there in the data,
They’re choosing to have kids later.

LISTEN ABOVE

You want some fascinating data about how we’ve changed in the past 60 years? Have a look at the birth statistics out today - especially the age at which mums are having babies.
Last year, 14 percent of births were to mums younger than 25.&nbsp;In 1995, which is just one generation ago, it was double that: 28 percent of births were to mums under 25.
And in 1960, two generations ago, it was 46 percent - nearly half of all births.&nbsp;Today, there are now more babies born to mums over 40 than to mums under 25.
And I’m one of those mums - I was counted in last year’s data. Last January, at 40, I had a baby.
Now, if I could do my life again, I reckon it probably would have been better to have my kids about a decade earlier. Your knees at 40 are not what they were at 30. Kids want you to run, you don’t really want to run anymore. You’re just tired.
But at 40, you also understand the value of time. If I had my kids at 40, and they have their kids at 40, I’ll become a grandmother around 80. Which means I won’t have that long left with them. I probably won’t see my grandkids get married or have their own children - something that must be one of life’s great joys.
Leaving it late means missing out on experiences that previous generations took for granted.
But there are upsides too. You are simply a better person at 40 than you are at 30. You’re more in control of your emotions - a huge part of parenting - and that makes you a better parent.
More importantly, and I reckon this is why so many mums are leaving it later - you’re more financially secure. By your late 30s, you’ve probably bought a house, paid off a decent chunk, and established your career. Your partner’s income is helpful, sure, but you’re not dependent on it in the same way your grandmother was on her husband.
And that’s why I don’t think the age of mums is ever going back down. Women are more financially independent than they were two generations ago. They have choices - and the choice they’re making is right there in the data, They’re choosing to have kids later.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: What do the birth statistics say about our society?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/246585a9-7b82-4883-8c9d-b3f4006defd9/transcript

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 17 February.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 17 February. 
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 17 February 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/312ad85b-bf34-498a-8b23-b3f400663e12/transcript

Advocates warn the removal of requirements for assisted suicide would open Pandora's box.

The ACT Party is pushing for changes to its End of Life Choice Act. 

Proposed amendments include removing the six-month prognosis requirement and adopting all 25 recommendations for a Health Ministry review. 

Ethos Alliance chief executive Alex Penk says it would open up euthanasia as an option to more long-term conditions and disabilities. 

"If you're a doctor at the moment, for example, who says I can make my peace with euthanasia for end-stage cancer, say - they might start to feel quite differently about this when you start talking about diabetes, frailty, renal failure..."

LISTEN ABOVE

Advocates warn the removal of requirements for assisted suicide would open Pandora's box.
The ACT Party is pushing for changes to its End of Life Choice Act.&nbsp;
Proposed amendments include removing the six-month prognosis requirement and adopting all 25 recommendations for a Health Ministry review.&nbsp;
Ethos Alliance chief executive Alex Penk says it would open up euthanasia as an option to more long-term conditions and disabilities.&nbsp;
"If you're a doctor at the moment, for example, who says I can make my peace with euthanasia for end-stage cancer, say - they might start to feel quite differently about this when you start talking about diabetes, frailty, renal failure..."
LISTEN ABOVE

Alex Penk: Ethos Alliance CEO issues warning over proposed End of Life Choice Act changes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3897633e-cce0-47f3-ac2f-b3f4006191da/transcript

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on whether the Government will toll the Auckland Harbour Bridge

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