Over in the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham is looking to resolve the issues impacting social care.

Burnham has invited Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, and Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, to enact these reforms and reportedly find common ground across party lines.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the Conservatives have suggested cutting the benefits bill to bring down costs.

LISTEN ABOVE

Over in the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham is looking to resolve the issues impacting social care.
Burnham has invited Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, and Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, to enact these reforms and reportedly find common ground across party lines.
UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the Conservatives have suggested cutting the benefits bill to bring down costs.
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

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Prime Minister Andy Burnham seeking cross-party consensus on social care reforms

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fcb24276-3891-4be5-a14d-b496008185fd/transcript

ACC’s outgoing chief executive Megan Main has defended her record at the helm of the troubled Government insurer and insisted that a new progress report shows the agency is effecting a turnaround.

Main’s last day at the helm is Friday, and her five-year contract runs to November.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor explained further.

LISTEN ABOVE

ACC’s outgoing chief executive Megan Main has defended her record at the helm of the troubled Government insurer and insisted that a new progress report shows the agency is effecting a turnaround.
Main’s last day at the helm is Friday, and her five-year contract runs to November.
NZ Herald Wellington business editor explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on ACC chief executive Megan Main defending her record

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/752f564a-a771-419a-a69c-b496007f9d0c/transcript

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the issues of the day - and more!

One expert has voiced support for the Government buying one-way strike drones, saying it's the right move for our military. Do we need these? What do we make of this? 

Do we need facial recognition tech in retailers over paywave and using your card? Should we be worried about possible security concerns?

There's hope offshore oil and gas exploration permits keep flowing, after Australian company EnZed Energy threw their hat in the ring. Do we see more of these coming in? What about the election year factor? 

LISTEN ABOVE

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&amp;A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the issues of the day - and more!
One expert has voiced support for the Government buying one-way strike drones, saying it's the right move for our military. Do we need these? What do we make of this?&nbsp;
Do we need facial recognition tech in retailers over paywave and using your card? Should we be worried about possible security concerns?
There's hope offshore oil and gas exploration permits keep flowing, after Australian company EnZed Energy threw their hat in the ring. Do we see more of these coming in? What about the election year factor?&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

The Huddle: Do we need more facial recognition technology?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/dbf3bcb1-c672-4325-a6cd-b496007e39cc/transcript

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Ryan Bridge for Wednesday, 29 July, 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown says he wants more transparency around lockdowns if we're faced with another pandemic. He explains the government's response to the COVID-19 Inquiry report.

We speak to a former Major General in the New Zealand military about why buying attack drones is the best move we could make—even if it is a little late.

Drill, baby, drill! The first permit for oil exploration since the ban was overturned has been given the green light. Ryan asks Resources Minister Shane Jones whether any more are coming down the pipeline.

And on The Huddle, Jordan Williams and Jack Tame express reluctant optimism about the idea of using facial recognition to make everyday purchases.

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 with Ryan Bridge for Wednesday, 29 July, 2026,<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/simeon-brown-health-minister-on-the-government-releasing-their-response-to-the-covid-19-inquiry/"> Health Minister Simeon Brown says he wants more transparency around lockdowns if we're faced with another pandemic. He explains the government's response to the COVID-19 Inquiry report.</a>
We speak to a former <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/john-howard-new-zealand-initiative-senior-fellow-on-why-new-drones-are-the-right-move-for-nz-military/">Major General in the New Zealand military about why buying attack drones is the best move we could make—even if it is a little late.</a>
Drill, baby, drill! The first permit for oil exploration since the ban was overturned has been given the green light.<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/shane-jones-resources-minister-on-the-government-granting-first-permit-to-dig-for-offshore-petroleum-since-reversing-ban/"> Ryan asks Resources Minister Shane Jones whether any more are coming down the pipeline.</a>
And on The Huddle, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-do-we-need-more-facial-recognition-technology/">Jordan Williams and Jack Tame express reluctant optimism about the idea of using facial recognition to make everyday purchases.</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: 29 July 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/92ea6a75-6b51-4895-9b62-b4960076c1f4/transcript

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Prime Minister Andy Burnham seeking cross-party consensus on social care reforms

In 1 playlist(s)

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips