Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the investigations into the meningitis outbreak tears through UK

Over in the UK, experts are warning people to take precautions as an outbreak of meningitis is spreading.  15 cases have officially been reported, and a university student and a sixth former have died as a result of the outbreak.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says cases are projected to go up and …

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on the KiwiSaver withdrawal rule changes being driven by farmer lobbying

Officials are calling out the Government for loosening KiwiSaver withdrawal rules in response to lobbying by Federated Farmers, rather than evidence-based advice. A newly-released Regulatory Impact Statement shows the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) opposed the Government’s …

Michael Luke: Milford Asset Management expert on the impacts of the ongoing conflict in Iran

The conflict in the Middle East is continuing on for another week, and it's got experts concerned about the economic impacts. Iran's blocking shipping in retaliation for the US and Israel bombardment - sending oil prices spiking. Milford Asset Management expert Michael Luke explained how markets …

The Huddle: Should schools be allowed to hand out sweets as rewards?

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  An Auckland IVF clinic has reassured patients their processes are robust after some frozen embryos in their care…

Cameron Bagrie: independent economist responds to Treasury's 'worst case' economic forecast

Economists are questioning Treasury's 'worst case' economic forecast from the Iran war. It predicts a worst case scenario of inflation hitting 3.7 percent this year - if the conflict persists. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie says he doesn't think Treasury has properly taken into account busi…

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Another common-sense move from Erica Stanford

Okay, once again - not for the first time on this show and probably not the last - thank goodness for Erica Stanford. Normally, she’s righting wrongs in education but today it’s her other portfolio: immigration. She has just introduced legislation to Parliament that would make it possible for New…

Full Show Podcast: 18 March 2026

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 18 March, 2026, we hear from Fertility Associates' chief medical officer about losing a family's frozen embryos.   We get the latest on how much fuel's left as a result of the Iran war. A crackdown on asylum-seekers who commit …

Andrew Murray: Chief Medical Officer at Fertility Associates reassures patients after embryos go missing

Fertility Associates is reassuring patients their processes are robust, after frozen embryos went missing last year while in its care. It says this only involved one couple, that was treated at its Auckland clinic in 2025. An audit done by an independent international lab expert has found its sto…

Pooja Sundar: immigration lawyer on the Government's new approach for refugees with criminal records seeking asylum

Questions remain on processes for asylum seekers convicted of serious crimes in New Zealand.  Proposed Government reforms will let immigration officials take crimes committed by a refugee-applicant into account.  New Zealand is obligated under international conventions to keep them here.   Immig…

Rob Buchanan: Channel Infrastructure CEO addresses concerns over fuel shortage as Middle East conflict continues

The CEO of New Zealand’s largest fuel import terminal is quelling concern imports to New Zealand could cease if the Middle East conflict continues.  Iran's blocking shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as part of its response to continuing US Israeli attacks.  As of midnight Sunday, New Zealand …