Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Concerns in Otago about how much new freshwater rules could cost.   A case study by Federated Farmers Otago reckons it could cost as much as $110 million for two small Otago towns – roughly $50,000 per ratepayer.   They’ve since written to councillors, district mayors and ministers demanding that this information gets made public.   Otago Regional Council Planning and Transport General Manager Ani...

Two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station have been told they will be stuck in space indefinitely.   Test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams travelled up to the orbiting lab in Boeing’s space capsule seven weeks ago, and were meant to spend a week there.   The delay in their return is due to ongoing repairs on the capsule.   Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki joine...

The Kardashians season finale that aired last night featured some New Zealand research.   Kim Kardashian, as well as her sister, mother and brother-in-law, all took a test that determined their real biological age, with Kardashian coming in 10 years younger than what she thought she was.   The science behind the test is an algorithm developed by scientists of the Dunedin Study.   The Dunedin Study...

The future of policing is in question as Andrew Coster's tenure as Police Commissioner comes to a close.   Police say Coster's time in the job will end April next year.   Crime Prevention Group President Sunny Kaushal told Heather Du Plessis-Allan he's hoping for a commissioner with a new approach.   He says all crime must be taken seriously and properly investigated - no matter how small.   “Poli...

Team New Zealand is preparing for tomorrow's unique Olympic opening ceremony.   Instead of the usual walk round the track the Paris games will buck the trend by having athletes boating down the Seine.   Lady Gaga and Celine Dion are set to perform a duet at the opening ceremony.   New Zealand Team Chef de Mission Nigel Avery told Heather du Plessis-Allan despite the change in tradition, they're no...

New Zealanders seem to be eyeing the upcoming US election with apprehension.   New polling from Talbot Mills shows about 75 percent of New Zealanders are concerned about the prospect of a second Donald Trump presidency.   Half of respondents say they are either extremely concerned - or very concerned.   Political editor Jason Walls told Heather du Plessis-Allan the survey unfortunately does not as...

US Vice-President  Kamala Harris  has pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.   “It is time for this war to end,” Harris said in a televised statement after she held face-to-face talks with Netanyahu.   Harris, the likely Democratic presidential...

Canadian women’s football coach Beverly Priestman has been sent home from the Olympics in wake of the side’s 2-1 win over the Football Ferns.   It comes after the Canadians were caught using drones to spy on the Ferns’ training sessions, but Canada Soccer has revealed their use of drones goes well before Paris.   Meanwhile, the All Blacks Sevens team's chance for Olympic Gold has been dashed after...

Wellington Water's Chair says the board's committed to improving the organisation in the wake of a scathing review.   The report looked into a $51 million blunder which saw the agency tell councils they needed less funding than they actually did.   It found a lack of leadership in the agency and issues with its organisational culture.   Nick Leggett told Heather du Plessis Allan there's lessons to...

So Andrew Coster has revealed he will not be seeking a second term as Police Commissioner.    Which will upset...almost no one.   I think most of us will be happy to see the back of him.   Because while he does seem like a decent and smart guy, he has been rubbish at the job.   This will be good for Police morale, I think, because they have been quite vocal about the fact that they have been unhap...

A group of 10 Just Stop Oil activists have been arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of attempting to interfere with operations. The group were quickly detained and taken into custody after members had hinted they were planning an 'uprising'. UK correspondent Vincent McAviney says the group may have been planning to glue themselves to the tarmac to directly stop flights from departing one of...

There's outrage from New Zealand's rural community over Otago Regional Council's lack of transparency. The council has refused to unveil the latest draft of their Land and Water Plan, despite calls from Federated Farmers to release it. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's share market is taking a turn for the better. New data indicates the NZX 50 has gone up by almost 6 percent in the past month - and economists are feeling optimistic about this reporting season. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains this change in direction. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 25 July 2024, survivors of abuse in care are now looking to police to prosecute those who have been involved in abusing kids and young people over decades. Canadian journalist Sarah Leavitt speaks to Heather from the Olympics after Canada's spying scandal against New Zealand just got even worse. Former top Democrat Howard Dean tel...

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Radio Hauraki's Matt Heath joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Canada has copped backlash from all over the world after it was revealed they were spying on two separate Football Ferns training sessions ahead of the Olympics. Should the team get punished? There's growing calls to compensate victims following...

Joe Biden stepped up to protect his administration's legacy in today's Oval Office address. The US President has explained why he stepped out of the race and endorsed Kamala Harris for President this week. He'd remained staunch against withdrawing for three weeks despite vast pressure and concern from those close to him about his ability to serve another term. Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean s...

New Zealand and Australia will go their own way when it comes to infant formula regulation. Ministers of both nations met today to discuss a controversial food-safety proposal which would impact product labels and sales. It's understood Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard sought a review over the proposal - but failed. Infant Nutrition Council CEO Jonathan Chew says Australia has accepted the prop...

There's calls for more transparency from Otago Regional Council about the impacts and costs of new freshwater rules. Federated Farmers Otago has written to councillors, district Mayors, and ministers demanding the latest draft of the council's Land and Water Plan be made public. President Luke Kane says a secretive consultation process has left the community in the dark. "We understand that some o...

There's growing concerns youth hearing loss could be at an all-time high. Globally, one in five young people have been diagnosed with hearing issues - and the WHO has predicted over one billion young adults risk permanent avoidable hearing loss. National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing CEO Natasha Gallardo says the problem stems from prolonged use of loud headphones and personal devices. "...

There's growing calls for disciplinary action against Canada following new developments in their spying scandal. FIFA confirmed proceedings have been opened after support staff were caught flying a drone over two Football Ferns training sessions ahead of tomorrow's match in St Etienne. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reporter Sarah Leavitt says this has brought shame to Canadian football fans ah...

Survivors want police action following yesterday's damning abuse in care report. The Royal Commission of Inquiry estimates about 200,000 people were neglected and abused in state and faith based institutions between 1950 and 2019. The Commission's made 138 recommendations - including redress, removing care from state hands, and police investigation. Abuse survivor Jim Goodwin says there are severa...

The Green Party has hit back at the Government's pilot program launching their proposed youth boot camps. A Royal Commission report found evidence of harrowing abuse and neglect in state and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 2019. That includes youth boot camps - a programme the Government is reviving in a pilot next week. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Prime Minister Luxon...

New Zealand has started their Olympic campaign off strong, with the men's football side landing a  win over Guinea. The Oly Whites beat their opposition 2-1 in Nice this morning. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the victory. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's education spokesperson says regulation is needed to ensure children are safe in early childhood education. Opposition parties have joined forces to stop what they fear will be dangerous changes. The Government has launched a sector review, saying it plans to remove regulations deemed 'unnecessary'. Jan Tinetti says the review's been rushed, and some in the industry feel they haven't been...

On first blush, that punishment that New Zealand is asking for in relation to Canada's drone spying might seem harsh - but it’s not. I think it is exactly what needs to happen. The Canadian football team should be forced to forfeit any points they earn if they win the match against the Football Ferns tomorrow morning. Which they probably will, because they are the defending Olympic champions and o...