Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 

This week the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper.

Our expert panel discusses National’s warning that if it can’t get a suitable deal with New Zealand First and Winston Peters – it may lead to a second election.

They also chat about Act’s sizeable drop in the polls – and what’s leading driving their numbers down.

The experts dissect the electorates to watch - and chat both Sir John Key and Helen Clark getting involved in the campaign.

Plus, each will reveal their favourite policy of the campaign – and give their election night prediction.

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ZB political editor Jason Walls spoke to Heather about National having to admit their tax cuts won't cover everyone, the polls showing Winston will be needed, Chris Hipkins spending the week in lockdown, and where things stand for the last week of the campaign.

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UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talked to Heather about setbacks in the SNP quest for an independent Scotland, supervised tooth brushing in England, and whether Banksy will finally be unmasked.

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Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis talked to Heather about the high costs of owning a car in Singapore, China hopes Golden Week Holiday will deliver an economic boost, and Asia facing one of the worst economic outlooks in half a century.

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Well you might have noticed that we haven't talked to Rod Oram for a few weeks.

That's because he's been on his bike.

He's just completed a 5000km journey from Kazakhstan to Turkey.

Rod spoke with Heather about his trip.

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The All Blacks have locked in their quarterfinal at the Rugby World Cup.

They weren't off to the best start this morning, failing to score for the first 19 minutes, but they ended up beating Uruguay 73-0.

Newstalk ZB rugby reporter Elliott Smith is in France and spoke to Heather about the game.

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If you're yet to use your Air New Zealand credit from Covid times, you have an extra two years to do so.

The airline today announced it's extended the deadline until 31st of January 2026. 

It's still got $200 million worth of credits on its books and wants to find as many travellers who might not realise the money is sitting there in the meantime.

Air New Zealand CFO Richard Thomson spoke to Heather about it.

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Tonight on The Huddle, host of the All Sports Breakfast Adam Cooper and Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Paul Allison joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! 

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has reportedly been banned from attending All Blacks games, with officials saying he would be too much of a distraction. Is there any possible justification for that?

The All Blacks have marched into the World Cup quarter finals after hammering Uruguay. Will we get Scotland?

The fallout from Hawke's Bay breaking the Ranfurly Shield in half continues with an investigation by New Zealand Rugby underway. Do we believe the union's response?

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The 24 year old accused of the stabbing at New Windsor dairy was on electronic monitored bail.

Today the prosecutor told the court the accused took his bracelet off before going into the dairy.

The prosecutor says police wanted media to publish the fact police opposed giving him bail at the time.

He is now in custody.

National justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith talked to Heather about it.

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Act leader David Seymour's putting the latest poll result down to telling hard truths not everyone wants to hear.

Both the Tax Payer Curia poll and the Talbot Mills Research poll both have the party on nine percent.

In one of those polls Act has fallen by 5 percent.

Seymour told Heather du-Plessis Allan he won't shrink from taking on the challenges the country faces.

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