Over in the UK, another high-profile member of the Conservative Party has defected to Nigel Farage's Reform Party. 

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, well known for championing the controversial Rwanda plan, has joined the party. 

It follows defections from others like former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawai and Conservative Party leader candidate Robert Jenrick. 

UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's damaging for the Conservatives to lose such a high-profile member.

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Over in the UK, another high-profile member of the Conservative Party has defected to Nigel Farage's Reform Party.&nbsp;
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, well known for championing the controversial Rwanda plan, has joined the party.&nbsp;
It follows defections from others like former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawai and Conservative Party leader candidate Robert Jenrick.&nbsp;
UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's damaging for the Conservatives to lose such a high-profile member.
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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

Enda Brady: UK correspondent on Suella Braverman defecting to the Reform Party

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/847e6453-8b14-432a-baf6-b3df006add55/transcript

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 27 January, 2026, should there be two inquiries into the Mount Maunganui landslide - one by the council, the other the Government?

And is the uprooting trees at the crux of the problem there?

We look at why boys are finding it harder to make friends as they get older.

The fitness trends that could do you more harm than good.

And on the Huddle, David Farrar and Rob Campbell dissect the latest political poll that's  got Winston Peters on the up.

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 Tuesday, 27 January, 2026, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/mark-mitchell-emergency-management-minister-on-the-government-potentially-launching-an-inquiry-into-the-mount-maunganui-landslide/">should there be two inquiries into the Mount Maunganui landslide - one by the council, the other the Government?</a>
And is the uprooting trees at the crux of the problem there?
We look at why <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/sara-chatwin-psychologist-on-the-new-research-revealing-young-men-are-having-a-harder-time-making-connections/">boys are finding it harder to make friends as they get older.</a>
The<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/alex-flint-personal-trainer-on-the-fitness-trends-to-avoid-for-2026/"> fitness trends that could do you more harm than good.</a>
And on the Huddle, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-why-is-winston-peters-leading-in-the-polls/">David Farrar and Rob Campbell dissect the latest political poll that's &nbsp;got Winston Peters on the up.</a>
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: 27 January 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/19e7893b-d2c2-49b3-9a6e-b3df00663d0b/transcript

Last week's extreme weather in the Upper North Island left a lot of damage behind, and concerns have been raised about the future.

The Government last year established a loose framework for climate adaptation, on an expert panel's recommendation to transition from buying-out destroyed homes - but Minister Simon Watts says a better assessment is needed.

Climate adaptation expert Dr Judy Lawrence says clearer adaptation plans are needed in order to better equip risky places. 

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Last week's extreme weather in the Upper North Island left a lot of damage behind, and concerns have been raised about the future.
The Government last year established a loose framework for climate adaptation, on an expert panel's recommendation to transition from buying-out destroyed homes - but Minister Simon Watts says a better assessment is needed.
Climate adaptation expert Dr Judy Lawrence says clearer adaptation plans are needed in order to better equip risky places.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Dr Judy Lawrence: climate adaptation expert on how countries can better deal with weather disasters

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ee5dfc7e-2b1a-45d1-a2e0-b3df00685870/transcript

Despite Labour raising some concerns with the Government's trade deal with India, the move has been welcomed by rural economists.

Trade analyst Stephen Jacobi says the Government timed the deal perfectly - and might have had to wait years if they prolonged the negotiations.

The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. 

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Despite Labour raising some concerns with the Government's trade deal with India, the move has been welcomed by rural economists.
Trade analyst Stephen Jacobi says the Government timed the deal perfectly - and might have had to wait years if they prolonged the negotiations.
The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.&nbsp;
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Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the market reactions to the NZ-India trade deal

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/02a124a9-1dfe-43eb-a210-b3df00658cdd/transcript

Enda Brady: UK correspondent on Suella Braverman defecting to the Reform Party

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