Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark says she's shocked by Israel bombing a densely populated refugee camp in north Gaza. Israel has defended the strike, saying it successfully targeted a Hamas commander responsible for the October 7 attack on Israel. Gaza's Health Ministry says the attack killed at least 50 Palestinians. Clark is also a former head of the UN Development programme. She says the past...

UK Foreign Office officials suggested rescinding Benjamin Netanyahu's invitation to a hotly-anticipated AI summit in Bletchley Park. World leaders, experts and tech executives are set to gather at the famed home of World War II codebreakers to discuss safety measures for artificial intelligence. UK correspondent Enda Brady says officials warned Netanyahu's presence could overshadow Rishi Sunak and...

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Former Act MP and Minister Heather Roy wants a ban on public reporting of polls during the voting period because it influences undecided voters. Is this true? Can polls really sway the choices of voters? New research has revealed the...

Economists across the Tasman have noticed Australia is battling two significant economic shocks at once. Stubbornly high interest rates offset by an increased surge in inward migration are helping keep inflation up- leading to increased concerns that the RBA could hike the OCR up come November. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says the increased number of migrants will boost inflation in the shor...

The recent collapse of two high-profile Kiwi startups has raised questions about an incoming downturn for businesses and employment. Online grocery retailer Supie was placed into voluntary administration and craft brewer Deep Creek Brewing went into liquidation today. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says increased interest rates, stubborn inflation and weak consumer confidence could...

A former ACT MP suggests political polls should be banned once voting opens up during an election campaign. Heather Roy argues that polls have the potential to influence undecided voters during an election period- which doesn't mesh with the strict rules against advertising on election day. She says New Zealand would have fairer and more democratic elections if polls were banned once voting began....

Te Pati Maori is calling on the Government to expel the US ambassador for their country's role in the conflict in Gaza. The Party made the same demand about the Israeli Ambassador, accusing Israel of war crimes. The Maori Party say the US Government has poured billions of dollars into Israel's military and claims it's led to the killing of children in Gaza - not done in self-defence. ZB political...

One meat supplier is offering a lifeline to Supie's displaced former employees. The grocery start-up was placed into voluntary administration, leaving 120 workers and thousands of customers out of pocket. Neat Meat managing director Simon Eriksen says the company has already reached out and interviewed several former Supie employees. "As we approach summer, naturally a business like ours is growin...

After weeks of rumours and speculation, Eddie Jones has finally walked away from coaching the Wallabies. Rugby Australia announced his resignation earlier today- less than a month after Jones denied he was on the move. Rugby writer and former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons says he saw 'disaster' coming, but predicted this move happening years from now. "I saw it ending in tears 4 or 5 years from now. Ed...

Hospitalisations of young children that could have been prevented with better primary care have dramatically risen. Te Whatu Ora data shows such preventable hospitalisations for children up to four years old jumped 35 percent in the year ending June. That's nationally - and it's even higher for Auckland alone, at 66 percent. Interim chief clinical officer, Dr Richard Sullivan, says more young peop...

The Warehouse says the Grocery Commissioner needs to chop-chop on reform. The retailer claimed an investigation into Sanitarium briefly stopping its supply of Weet-Bix isn't happening quick enough. Sanitarium kept up supply to supermarkets. Warehouse Chief Product Officer Tania Benyon says combined with online grocery startup Supie failing - it's reason for prompt action from the Commissioner. "He...

Whakaari Management Limited has been found guilty of health and safety failings ahead of the island's 2019 eruption. 47 people were on Whakaari- 22 died and dozens were seriously injured. Newstalk ZB's Chelsea Daniels says the company was found guilty of one charge, but not the other under the Health and Safety Work Act. "What I took away from the verdict was that WML (Whakaari Management Limited)...

No relief yet from devastating bushfires in rural Queensland. More than 50 homes have been burnt down in Tara, about 300 kilometres west of Brisbane- and two people have died. Conditions are expected to worsen tomorrow, with gusty winds and temperatures topping 40 degrees. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says they don't have exact numbers on how many homes have been destroyed. "Because they h...

The drawn out saga of Eddie Jones' exit as Wallabies coach is officially over. Rugby Australia have confirmed they've accepted Jones' resignation - just 10 months into his five-year deal. It comes less than a fortnight after the 63-year-old declared his commitment to the role. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oranga Tamariki's chief social worker says it's a complete tragedy every time a child dies. An agency source has told Stuff at least 57 children have been killed since the child protection agency was established in 2017, and almost half had a record with the ministry before their death. Peter Whitcombe says it's important every time a child dies through homicide - that the agency works to understa...

He's only been in the job for a few weeks, but already the new Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden is dealing with the brutal, entrenched reality of the sector that he's been charged with holding to account. It was pretty extraordinary, really. Just amazing timing that on the very same day as online retailer Supie was put into voluntary administration, van Heerden published his top priorities...

Boris Johnson's breaking into the broadcasting industry following his stint in politics. The former Prime Minister has signed on with right-wing channel GB News as a presenter, programme maker and commentator. Johnson promises to deliver his 'unvarnished' views on a range of topics, and will play a key role in the channel's coverage of the US and UK elections. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says John...

Tonight on The Huddle, current affairs commentator Josie Pagani and Kiwiblog founder and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The Rugby World Cup has finally come to an end- with South Africa narrowly beating out New Zealand to take home the title. What did we think of the result? Was this a fair victory? Have TMOs gone too far? Onl...

The incoming National-led Government is expected to step up for two key international summits. The Pacific Islands Forum and APEC are set to happen within the next few weeks- and it's likely Luxon will attend to represent New Zealand on a wider scale. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan explains what to expect in the coming weeks. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Noted historian and former Former UK Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption is adamant free speech is under threat in liberal democracies. The Free Speech Union has brought Lord Sumption to New Zealand as the keynote speaker for their AGM and conference- and as part of a wider speaking tour. Lord Sumption says people are no longer inclined to accept dissent or opposing opinions on various issues. "Th...

Seven rising female-led New Zealand businesses are set to receive funding, resources and mentorship from Coralus. Coralus, formerly known as SheEO, has announced its 2023 Ventures today- expanding their outreach by two more businesses than in previous years. Among this selection is Kiwi Launch Pad, an employer-funded digital platform for new migrants designed to help them successfully settle in Ao...

National's deputy leader won't put a timeframe on how quickly a new Government will form after the final results are in. The party holds the slimmest of majorities if it partners with ACT - but there's still some half-a-million-special ballots to be counted. The official election figures are due out on Friday, and could see the pair needing New Zealand First. Nicola Willis says she knows New Zeala...

A World Cup final full of controversial calls ended in disappointment for New Zealand and elation for South Africa. The game saw four yellow cards during the contest - two to each team - with the most prominent being All Blacks captain Sam Cane's card being upgraded to red for direct contact to the head when making a tackle. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Paul Allison says fans were quick to unload...

A senior architecture lecturer says the future of Wellington's Town Hall should be considered - along with its heritage. Mayor Tory Whanau wants to consider changing heritage laws, now the building's earthquake rebuild has blown out to a potential cost of $330 million. Dr Elizabeth Aitken-Rose says sometimes buildings are saved that shouldn't be. But she says New Zealand also tends to knock everyt...

Friends cast-mates haven't yet spoken publicly about the death of Matthew Perry, known to millions as Chandler Bing. The 54 year old was found dead yesterday in the hot tub at his LA home. LA entertainment correspondent Sean Mandell says the only reactions reported so far come from sources close to Lisa Kudrow. "Sources close to Kudrow have expressed that Kudrow is allegedly confused and baffled,...