Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Over in the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to chair an emergency meeting on the economic fallout from the ongoing Iran war.
The conflict has entered its fourth week, and concerns have been raised over the economic impacts - especially with living costs going up for households.
UK correspondent Kay Oliver says petrol costs keep going up, and it's getting 'scary'.
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Reports indicate more overseas visitors are cancelling trips to New Zealand, generating more concerns about the nation's economic recovery.
A new survey shows that 77 percent of tourism operators have seen more cancellations over the last month.
Tourism Export Council CEO Lynda Keene says she's not too concerned just yet, despite the ongoing international crisis impacting air travel.
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Oil prices have risen as the fall out continues from the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Brent Crude oil rose about US$1 to be just above US$113 a barrel in early Asia trade.
Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further.
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Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more.
Credit ratings agency Fitch has downgraded New Zealand's rating - should we be worried about this? Does this go bigger than the Middle East conflict?
The Government has confirmed plans are in place to reveal a package to help households with the cost of fuel. Do we think this is a good idea?
Winston Peters delivered his State of the Nation speech yesterday - what did we think of this? Do we think this will help NZ First in the election?
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Now we’ve got to talk about Winston.
If you hadn’t noticed yet - or maybe you didn’t believe it - take a look at Winston Peters’ State of the Nation speech yesterday and you’ll see the proof that this election is shaping up to be New Zealand First’s election.
More than a thousand people turned up in Tauranga to hear him speak. They even had to use two overflow rooms.
Compare that with the same speech last election, which was held in a church with a capacity of just 100.
More importantly, New Zealand First used the event to announce they’ve recruited Alfred Ngaro, the former National Party MP. Now, it was a bit of a running joke in the crowd that they didn’t know who Alfred was - but commentators do.
And I think most of us can see this for what it is: the recruitment of an incredibly well-liked former National MP with a strong Christian faith. That won’t offend Winston’s older voters - in fact, it’s likely to appeal to many of them.
More significantly, it’s a signal of what’s happening and what could accelerate as we get closer to the election: New Zealand First stealing National’s territory. In this case, it’s an MP. As the election nears, it could be votes.
I count among my friends two people who used to be part of National’s parliamentary team. Both are now likely to vote for New Zealand First at this election because they’re conservatives - and Winston is positioning New Zealand First as the home of conservatism.
This cost-of-living crisis - now also a fuel crisis - is going to play straight into his hands. He’ll go hard on smashing the power companies to bring down prices, something National has failed to do. He’ll argue for New Zealand retaining ownership of state assets, a position that resonates more now than ever
Just think about the Marsden Point oil refinery and you’ll see what I mean.
He’ll choose mining over climate concerns, which will appeal to working-class voters. Everything is lining up for him to significantly lift his vote.
Keep an eye on the polling. He’s already sitting at more than 10 percent. If things continue the way they’re going - with the fuel crisis squeezing the economy and Chris Luxon unable to fire the National Party up - that 10 percent could, in my view, become 15 percent by election time.
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