The Health Minister is making it clear he's not criticising doctors over pay - but their union. 

More than $5,000 senior doctors in the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists union have been striking today. 

Simeon Brown's urging them back to the negotiating table, saying thousands of surgeries - such as hip operations and knee replacements - have had to be delayed. 

NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan questions if the doctors will accept a new offer.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Health Minister is making it clear he's not criticising doctors over pay - but their union.&nbsp;
More than $5,000 senior doctors in the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists union have been striking today.&nbsp;
Simeon Brown's urging them back to the negotiating table, saying thousands of surgeries - such as hip operations and knee replacements - have had to be delayed.&nbsp;
NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan questions if the doctors will accept a new offer.
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

Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald political editor on Simeon Brown urging the striking doctors to come back to the negotiating table

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1a219ad4-c7b8-4d65-8c42-b2d000572dfe/transcript

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 20 March, 2026, baby snapper could soon be legally caught by commercial fishers - but recreational anglers aren't happy about it.

A new study says car pollution is killing hundreds of Aucklanders a year.

Winter is coming - and so is a serious new strain of the flu. We've a warning from GPs.

And on the Sports Huddle, Andrew Alderson and Nick Bewley debate whether it really is the Warriors' year.

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 for Friday, 20 March, 2026, baby snapper could soon be legally caught by commercial fishers - but recreational anglers aren't happy about it.
A new study says car pollution is killing hundreds of Aucklanders a year.
Winter is coming - and so is a serious new strain of the flu. We've a warning from GPs.
And on the Sports Huddle, Andrew Alderson and Nick Bewley debate whether it really is the Warriors' year.
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 20 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2f294de3-8545-4741-bbd4-b41300662d0e/transcript

Taranaki’s Three Sisters Brewery is purchasing Sunshine Brewing, including the Gisborne Gold brand.

Three Sisters founder Joe Emans said he plans to keep the brands distinct and "keep them doing what they're good at."

Emans joined Andrew Dickens to chat about the purchase and the future of New Zealand's beer industry. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Taranaki’s Three Sisters Brewery is purchasing Sunshine Brewing, including the Gisborne Gold brand.
Three Sisters founder Joe Emans said he plans to keep the brands distinct and "keep them doing what they're good at."
Emans joined Andrew Dickens to chat about the purchase and the future of New Zealand's beer industry.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Joe Emans: Three Sisters Brewery founder on purchasing Gisborne's Sunshine Brewing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/884b6f0f-8dcb-440a-820f-b4130066dcef/transcript

Iran has targeting energy facilities across the Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in response to an Israeli attack on Iran's South Pars gas field - the largest natural gas field in the world. 

It is believed that 17% of Qatar's export capacity has now been wiped out, and could take up to five years to repair.

Qatar-based journalist Courtney Hammond said the attack in Qatar "marks a huge escalation in this war."

She told Andrew Dickens that there are concerns of retaliation from the targeted states as energy facilities are a strong-hold of the Gulf countries' economies. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Iran has targeting energy facilities across the Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in response to an Israeli attack on Iran's South Pars gas field - the largest natural gas field in the world.&nbsp;
It is believed that 17% of Qatar's export capacity has now been wiped out, and could take up to five years to repair.
Qatar-based journalist Courtney Hammond said the attack in Qatar "marks a huge escalation in this war."
She told Andrew Dickens that there are concerns of retaliation from the targeted states as energy facilities are a strong-hold of the Gulf countries' economies.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Courtney Hammond: Qatar-based journalist on Iran war widening it's reach

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5f4f7e96-c454-435e-a99b-b413006201b8/transcript

Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald political editor on Simeon Brown urging the striking doctors to come back to the negotiating table

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