There's confidence Israeli hostages will be released as early as this weekend, with Hamas and Israel today agreeing to the first phase of a peace plan.

It includes Hamas releasing hostages and Israel withdrawing some forces from Gaza. 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the news - and urges Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution.

Australian National University lecturer Anas Iqtait says this first phase could be carried out in the next 72 hours.

"It is highly likely that Israeli captives in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention camps and prisons will also be released."

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There's confidence Israeli hostages will be released as early as this weekend, with Hamas and Israel today agreeing to the first phase of a peace plan.
It includes Hamas releasing hostages and Israel withdrawing some forces from Gaza.&nbsp;
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the news - and urges Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution.
Australian National University lecturer Anas Iqtait says this first phase could be carried out in the next 72 hours.
"It is highly likely that Israeli captives in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention camps and prisons will also be released."
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

Dr Anas Iqtait: Australia National University lecturer on Israel and Hamas agreeing to the first steps of proposed peace plan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/799441ed-bebb-4cf5-b53b-b3710051bf4b/transcript

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 30 January, 2026, police say they're drawing a line on protests across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

A Westport life-time resident and real estate agent tells us about the struggle to get house insurance.

Why a company that sells dung beetles to clean up water on farms is in trouble.

And on the Sports Huddle, Paul Allison and Darcy Waldegrave discuss if it's a done deal that Jamie Joseph will be the next All Blacks coach.

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

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 30 January, 2026, police say they're drawing a line on protests across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
A Westport life-time resident and real estate agent tells us about the struggle to get house insurance.
Why a company that sells dung beetles to clean up water on farms is in trouble.
And on the Sports Huddle, Paul Allison and Darcy Waldegrave discuss if it's a done deal that Jamie Joseph will be the next All Blacks coach.
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 30 January 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/799dceff-e221-4bf1-b6bc-b3e200663d2d/transcript

Now, listen — I think it’s a little early in the year to be making too many predictions about election year. But having said that, I do think there is a very strong chance that Winston Peters might be the story of the year.

If he carries on the way he is in the polls, he could well be in the double digits — well into the double digits — by the time November’s election rolls around. He’s already sitting somewhere between 10 and 12 percent in the past couple of polls, and generally minor parties go up in polling the closer we get to election day because of the extra attention they get during the campaign.

Commentators are already talking about the possibility of the next government being just National and New Zealand First — no ACT in there — with the two of them together potentially being enough. That could happen if Winston keeps climbing the way he is, and obviously if National can get its act together and lift its vote share.

If you don’t believe it’s possible that Winston will climb further, just look at what he did this week. He pulled out that classic Winston trick of whipping up the anti‑immigrant rhetoric again. I honestly didn’t think there was much of that sentiment around at the moment — until he started talking, and suddenly the texts about immigrants started rolling in.

Winston can sniff out an election platform like no one else. He knows there’s probably an increased number of people who are gagging for a conspiracy — like “the government is trying to hide the FTA documents they’re trying to roll on us". And what we were also reminded of this week is that he’s completely unencumbered by the facts. A lot of what he said was just complete nonsense.

Here’s a question for you: if it does end up being just New Zealand First and National, and Winston is 81 years old, is this the election where he finally pushes for a turn at being Prime Minister?

Like I said, he could become the story of this election year.

LISTEN ABOVE

Now, listen — I think it’s a little early in the year to be making too many predictions about election year. But having said that, I do think there is a very strong chance that Winston Peters might be the story of the year.
If he carries on the way he is in the polls, he could well be in the double digits — well into the double digits — by the time November’s election rolls around. He’s already sitting somewhere between 10 and 12 percent in the past couple of polls, and generally minor parties go up in polling the closer we get to election day because of the extra attention they get during the campaign.
Commentators are already talking about the possibility of the next government being just National and New Zealand First — no ACT in there — with the two of them together potentially being enough. That could happen if Winston keeps climbing the way he is, and obviously if National can get its act together and lift its vote share.
If you don’t believe it’s possible that Winston will climb further, just look at what he did this week. He pulled out that classic Winston trick of whipping up the anti‑immigrant rhetoric again. I honestly didn’t think there was much of that sentiment around at the moment — until he started talking, and suddenly the texts about immigrants started rolling in.
Winston can sniff out an election platform like no one else. He knows there’s probably an increased number of people who are gagging for a conspiracy — like “the government is trying to hide the FTA documents they’re trying to roll on us". And what we were also reminded of this week is that he’s completely unencumbered by the facts. A lot of what he said was just complete nonsense.
Here’s a question for you: if it does end up being just New Zealand First and National, and Winston is 81 years old, is this the election where he finally pushes for a turn at being Prime Minister?
Like I said, he could become the story of this election year.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Winston Peters might be story of the year

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d563496e-cec3-43e3-961a-b3e200645c49/transcript

The stench emitting from a faulty wastewater treatment plant in Christchurch has gotten worse in recent weeks. 

The smell, nicknamed, 'The Big Stink,' has been affecting Bromley for nearly 4 years, resulting in locals having to check wind direction before socialising outside or hanging washing. 

Community Advocate Stephen McPaike told Heather du Plessis-Allan that, 'It's just as bad as what happened when the fire happened, if not a little bit worse.'

The council says it's going to be another week before they can get it back under control.

LISTEN ABOVE

The stench emitting from a faulty wastewater treatment plant in Christchurch has gotten worse in recent weeks.&nbsp;
The smell, nicknamed, 'The Big Stink,' has been affecting Bromley for nearly 4 years, resulting in locals having to check wind direction before socialising outside or hanging washing.&nbsp;
Community Advocate Stephen McPaike told Heather du Plessis-Allan that, 'It's just as bad as what happened when the fire happened, if not a little bit worse.'
The council says it's going to be another week before they can get it back under control.
LISTEN ABOVE

Stephen McPaike: Bromley Community Advocate comments on 'Big Stink'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f764336e-0b1f-4825-a09a-b3e2006082f7/transcript

Dr Anas Iqtait: Australia National University lecturer on Israel and Hamas agreeing to the first steps of proposed peace plan

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