Two farms have been suspended from New Zealand Merino’s ZQ quality standard supply programme after undercover videos appeared to show animal welfare breaches.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claimed that a recent investigation uncovered cruelty towards sheep on these farms - forcing MPI to take action.

The Country's Jamie Mackay says people reportedly stood on sheep's necks, dragged them across the floors of shearing sheds and sewed up wounds without painkillers.

LISTEN ABOVE

Two farms have been suspended from New Zealand Merino’s ZQ quality standard supply programme after undercover videos appeared to show animal welfare breaches.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claimed that a recent investigation uncovered cruelty towards sheep on these farms - forcing MPI to take action.
The Country's Jamie Mackay says people reportedly stood on sheep's necks, dragged them across the floors of shearing sheds and sewed up wounds without painkillers.
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

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on New Zealand Merino investigating alleged animal welfare violations

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7896995e-1d54-4da0-adc7-b26e007cd3da/transcript

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 23 March.

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 Monday 23 March. 
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 23 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6387b017-011f-4f69-b3fa-b41600663d5c/transcript

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed plans are in place to unveil a package to help households with the cost of fuel.

She says more details will be revealed tomorrow, and she's worked with Inland Revenue and Treasury officials to develop this planned relief.

Willis explained that this plan won't go against the Government's fiscal strategy ahead of the upcoming election.

"We will be funding it from this year's Budget operating allowance...we are going to prioritise our Budget in order to be able to fund this in a temporary, timely and targeted way."

LISTEN ABOVE

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed plans are in place to unveil a package to help households with the cost of fuel.
She says more details will be revealed tomorrow, and she's worked with Inland Revenue and Treasury officials to develop this planned relief.
Willis explained that this plan won't go against the Government's fiscal strategy ahead of the upcoming election.
"We will be funding it from this year's Budget operating allowance...we are going to prioritise our Budget in order to be able to fund this in a temporary, timely and targeted way."
LISTEN ABOVE

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the Government's planned cost relief measures for households impacted by fuel crisis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f7ec710b-fbfe-46a0-b3ce-b4160068f11f/transcript

A Lower Hutt couple have been taken to the Tenancy Tribunal by their landlords after they refused to disclose they had gotten a dog.

A video surfaced on social media revealing the couple had gotten a dog without asking, confirming the landlords’ suspicions after the smell of urine had gotten so bad the carpet had to be replaced. 

Solicitor Mike Thornton says the landlords were entitled to use the publicly available information in their investigation.

"If there's publicly available information, once the landlord knows about it, they can go to the tenant and say - hey, I've learned this, do you have a dog? And that's exactly what happened."

LISTEN ABOVE

A Lower Hutt couple have been taken to the Tenancy Tribunal by their landlords after they refused to disclose they had gotten a dog.
A video surfaced on social media revealing the couple had gotten a dog without asking, confirming the landlords’ suspicions after the smell of urine had gotten so bad the carpet had to be replaced.&nbsp;
Solicitor Mike Thornton says the landlords were entitled to use the publicly available information in their investigation.
"If there's publicly available information, once the landlord knows about it, they can go to the tenant and say - hey, I've learned this, do you have a dog? And that's exactly what happened."
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike Thornton: solicitor on the Lower Hutt couple who refused to disclose they had a dog to their landlords

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9f31112d-98d0-4f34-842d-b416005dfe9f/transcript

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on New Zealand Merino investigating alleged animal welfare violations

In 1 playlist(s)

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips