Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 25 November 2024, former Black Fern and Silver Fern Louisa Wall comes out in support of TJ Perenara and his political haka against Italy. GPs say they can't get patients on hospital waiting lists, but hospital doctors say they're not gaming the system, they're simply being realistic about the number of patients they can treat. Hea...

It's hoped a new police station in Auckland's CBD will make people feel safe and make it easier for police to attend crime. The Federal Street facility will have 51 beat officers and staff, including prosecutors and firearms safety authority personnel.   Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this development will help make the city centre safer. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystud...

The Finance Minister's foreshadowing an update on whether the Government's books are still on track for surplus in 2027-2028.  Nicola Willis will deliver the half yearly economic and fiscal update in about three weeks.  She says that will illustrate the latest forecasts for a surplus - and seemed to caution against unrealistic expectations. "I've always been clear - I'm not going to chas...

The Government says it's chosen a strategically good location for its new Auckland CBD police station. The Federal Street facility should be completed mid-2025, and will have 51 beat officers.  The College Hill station will continue its operations - and the old Vincent Street premises are still up for sale.   Police Minister Mark Mitchell says centralised police stations in the past were...

Increased restrictions for HRT menopause treatment, as Pharmac finds ways shore up supply of oestradiol patches. It's changing its main funded brand to Estradiol TDP Mylan from supplier Viatris from next July. In order to ensure supply, it'll be the only funded brand available by December 2025. Menodoctor Clinical Director, Linda Dear, says those who can't use the Mylan brand will have other optio...

Patients referred for hospital treatment aren't even making it onto waiting lists. RNZ's obtained part of a letter to a GP from an orthopaedic clinic that confirms some referrals are being knocked back. It says the decision's forced on them by a lack of resources to let them see all referred patients within the limits of Ministry of Health waiting time targets. Association of Salaried Medical Spec...

There's belief from some that the All Blacks' support for Hīkoi mō te Tiriti is a call for unity. As halfback TJ Perenara led the pre-test haka yesterday - he referenced the movement opposing the Treaty Principles Bill. Former Black Fern and Labour MP Louisa Wall says the tradition has evolved over time. She says it's a team decision who leads - and Perenara wouldn't have been acting alone. "He ob...

A review has been ordered to investigate bullying across Australian schools in a bid to stamp out the issue. The study will be funded by the Australian Government and results will be reported back to education ministers to develop a measured response. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says bullying has remained a persistent issue in Australia for decades. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listene...

The All Blacks' final match of the season against Italy raised a few eyebrows - over more than just the team's performance.  Departing veteran TJ Perenara voiced support for Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, as he led his final haka. ZB Wellington sports reader Adam Cooper unpacked the controversy further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Helen Clark foundation is calling on the Government to address New Zealand's growing obesity stats and improve access to healthy foods. The think tank's newly-released report revealed that one in eight Kiwi kids and one-third of adults live with obesity - the third-highest rate in the OECD. Health advocate and activist Dave Letele says it's important to invest in educational programs to teach...

So, it looks like the rugby bosses may have already realised how big a mistake they made with that haka, because we've now learned they've cut TJ Perenara's political bit in the version they've uploaded to their social media accounts. And if they've done this because they realise they’ve made a mistake, they’re right. Big mistake from the All Blacks, big mistake from Scott Robertson to say yes to...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 22 November 2024, a nationwide whooping cough epidemic has been declared, and Director of Public Health Dr Nicholas Jones tells Heather it's a big worry especially for babies and the elderly. More than 12 gang members have been charged so far for flouting the gang patch ban, and Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham says police are f...

The UK has expressed hesitancy at following through with the ICC’s arrest warrant for Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, despite strong support to oblige from the majority of the European Union. Former British Health Minister Matt Hancock has revealed the country came extremely close to running out of PPE during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, as he gave evidence during its inquiry. The mayor...

45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been sentenced to four to 10 years in prison. They were prosecuted under its 2020 national security law for their roles in an unofficial primary election, which prosecutors said their aim was to paralyse the city’s government and force its leader to resign by aiming to win a legislative majority and using it to block government budget. Meanwhile, Chines...

Questions whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he left the country. The International Criminal Court's been served with an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. 124 countries are obligated to carry out warrants. Auckland University Associate Law Professor Treasa Dunworth told Heather du Plessis-Allan countries like the UK and France have been cagey about whether...

Oceania Football Confederation media manager Matt Brown and Newstalk ZB Canterbury Sport reader joined Heather du Plessis-Allan on the Sports Huddle. The All Blacks have named a strong side to face Italy in their final test of the year, in what will be Sam Cane’s and TJ Perenara’s test rugby swansongs. The lads also discuss Doug Bracewell’s drug ban, after it was announced the all-rounder has rece...

The All Blacks have named a surprisingly strong side for their final test of the year against Italy in Turin. There are five changes from the 30-29 loss to France, with Sam Cane, Mark Tele’a, Ethan de Groot, Patrick Tuipulotu and Anton Lienert-Brown returning to the starting XV. It’s also the test rugby swansongs for Cane and TJ Perenara – who head to Japan for 2025. All Blacks assistant coach Sco...

Twitter/X alternative Bluesky has emerged as the next big trend in social media. Around 21 million people have signed up for the app, which has seen a large spike in users signing up for it since the US election. Tech commentator Bill Bennett joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The public are already reporting gang patch sightings a day after the ban began. New Police powers let officers disperse gatherings, and gang insignia is banned in public. More than a dozen gang members have already been arrested under the new law - including an Auckland Head Hunters leader. Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham told Heather du Plessis-Allan they're being informed about breaches in m...

Health authorities have declared a national whooping cough epidemic. Cases have been rising and ESR reports there've been 263 cases in the past four weeks. The disease is infectious and can be particularly dangerous and even deadly for elderly people and newborns especially. Ministry of Health Director of Public Health Dr Nicholas Jones told Heather du Plessis-Allan we’re at the beginning of a ser...

The Justice Select Committee has issued more guidance for submissions to the Treaty Principles Bill. It's planning to hold hearings from the last week of January. It’s also outlined the criteria which makes submissions unacceptable, including racist material, characterising other people as racist, anything with swear words, and abusive personal reflections on MPs. Meanwhile, one of the first Gover...

The All Blacks have named a strong line-up for their final test of the year against Italy in Turin on Sunday. The side is looking to finish the year on a high, as they aim to bounce back from last week’s 30-29 loss to France in Paris – in what will also be the last games in black for Sam Cane and TJ Perenara. A-League newbies Auckland FC are back in action after three weeks of rest, as they travel...

US President-elect  Donald Trump  tapped Pam Bondi, a staunch ally who helped defend the ex-leader against impeachment, as US Attorney-General following firebrand Matt Gaetz’s  withdrawal from the running . Gaetz’s retreat amid sexual misconduct allegations signalled limits to Trump’s power, even as the President-elect prepares to retake the White House with his Republican Party als...

An airline group is casting doubt on demand for sending long-haul flights into Wellington Airport. The Airport's announced a $500 million five-year upgrade plan – which includes extending its runway. It will let bigger planes land – with hopes it'll attract non-stop flights from Asia and Los Angeles. Board of Airline Representatives chair Cath O'Brien told Heather du Plessis-Allan it costs a...

Tell you what, it’s a tough time to be the UN. I can’t help but feel that the UN’s credibility is increasingly on the line at the moment with how often it’s being ignored. Take for example what’s just happened overnight: the International Criminal Court – which was set up through the UN and endorsed by the UN's General Assembly – has issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli PM Benjamin Netany...