Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 13 November 2024, the big hikoi to Parliament has disrupted thousands of Auckland commuters' day - and Heather is wondering whether this really is the best way to get the general public on board the cause. Lifetime Black Power member Denis O'Reilly speaks to Heather after the police launched Operation "Nickel" to enforce the gang patch ban from next week. Shihad frontman Jon Toogood tells Heather why the band has decided to call it quits after four decades together. Plus, Auckland Unlimited reveals a little financial help was needed to entice Coldplay to come to the country. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has launched a new online tool designed to help businesses address their gender pay gaps. The online calculator is now live on Ministry for Women’s website, meaning businesses can calculate their gaps and take action. Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says it's unlikely this tool will drive companies away from hiring more women - despite recent concerns. "I think they're going to see the power of it, and it's going to unleash something quite cool." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the end of an era for Kiwi rock fans - as iconic band Shihad are set to call it quits after their last tour. After nearly 40 years, the group has confirmed they will split up for good, with demand for this final tour causing their website to crash. Shihad frontman Jon Toogood says the group's priorities have changed - as all the members have children and families now. "Everyone's busy all the time, this is a great band that deserves that full-on attention - and I just think we just sort of came to a collective agreement that we couldn't do that. It was time to put it to bed, but go out on a high." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT leader David Seymour is warning principals they're technically public servants - and must display political neutrality.  The Associate Education Minister is hitting out at schools who've marked absences by students attending a national  hīkoi as 'justified'.  Thousands marched through Auckland today on the pilgrimage to Parliament, protesting the Treaty Principles Bill.  Seymour says parents can only urge schools to do the right thing.  "Ultimately, it's up to communities to say to principals through their school boards - we don't like what you're doing and maybe it's time to get someone new." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coldplay is set to hit the stage at Auckland's Eden Park later tonight, with over 50,000 people being expected to attend. Extra public transport services are scheduled and fans will have the option to walk down a trail from the CBD - but traffic will be heavy. Auckland Unlimited's head of major events, Michelle Hooper, says the headliners are expected to start about 8.15pm. "They are absolutely global icons - and I'm just so pumped that Auckland's buzzing at the moment as a city. Coldplay are such loyalists to Auckland." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A longtime Black Power member says he'll be waiting to see how enforcement of the gang patch ban plays out from Thursday next week.  Denis O'Reilly says the extensive preparatory meetings between gangs and police could mean it goes well.  He says care is needed.  "We need calm heads and steady hands and careful words, I think." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is tapping the shoulder of billionaire Elon Musk for a new role. The incoming US president has handed the Tesla boss leadership of the new Department of Government Efficiency, alongside Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. Its goal will be cutting regulations and bureaucracy. But US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's not necessarily a job. "These guys can keep their real jobs that pay a gazillion dollars - and still have influence over policy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 A host of young talent have earned fulltime contracts with the Blues for next season. Among the seven fresh faces are fullback Payton Spencer - son of former All Blacks first-five Carlos - and loose forward Che Clark. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some new Government measures to regulate online gambling operators. Only 15 operators will be granted licenses  - which will include mandatory age verification.  Ads targeting children will be banned and operators will be limited to casino games, not sports betting or lotteries.  Breaches could result in $5 million dollar fines.  Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says things need tightening up. "At the moment, anybody can go online and play thousands of different regulated games in New Zealand. It is a bit of a wild west."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've actually been surprised at the level of anger I've heard expressed today at that Treaty Principles Bill hīkoi crossing over the Harbour Bridge - and I don't think it's a good thing for this particular cause. Yesterday, completely out of the blue, I got an email from a mum I know complaining about the impact it will l have on kids trying to get to their NCEA exams on time. Today, I bumped into someone this morning furious about the timing because it was rush hour. And someone in my family is raging about it as well. To be fair to these people, it's understandable anger and I can see why they're so cross. Basically, it's because this protest feels like it was designed to create disruption. Either that or the organisers didn't think it through - which I doubt very much because they have proven to be quite deliberate in a bunch of the things they do. What happened to facilitate the hīkoi today was that authorities had to close two lanes on the Harbour Bridge in our biggest city from 8 in the morning - at peak morning traffic time. That will have messed up the day for thousands of people coming in from the North Shore. If these guys were decent to the people of Auckland just trying to do their jobs and get their kids to school, they would've shifted their walk time back by a couple of hours, when most people are in the office and won't be messed around. It's not as if the hīkoi would lose attention because it caused less disruption. They are all over the online news feeds, they’re being covered by radio shows like ours, they'll be all over the TV news later because the protest is big. And it's about a very contentious issue, that being the Treaty Principles Bill. These guys did not have to muck Aucklanders around to get the coverage they wanted. Ultimately, I don't think it's a smart move from them. Just like I don't think it's too smart to have gang members join the hīkoi with their patches on display. All it’s going to do is frustrate middle New Zealand and make middle New Zealand more sympathetic to the other side, because that’s how politics works nowadays - we pick sides. We don't like that side, we go to the other, that's how this works. And that’s ultimately an own goal, because the only hope David Seymour has for this bill is that it becomes very popular and that it gets rescued because enough people want it. And this hīkoi, I reckon, won’t have hurt his chances at all. A lesson to people planning future protests - try not cause disruption on purpose, because that way we’re more likely to be sympathetic to your cause, not less. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think the hardest news story to read today is of the kindergarten teacher in Victoria who died yesterday afternoon saving children from a truck that smashed into the kindy.   The truck driver lost control, the truck ploughed into the kindy, the teacher pushed the kids out of the way, but died herself.  The speed limit outside that kindergarten was supposed to be dropped from 50 to 40 kph – but hadn’t been.   A similar thing happened a few weeks ago in Melbourne.   An SUV crashed into a primary school, killing an 11-year-old boy and hurting 4 other children.   I don't love speed reductions.   All too often they’re done in stupid places like open roads. But when it comes to places where kids are, I've completely 180’d on this.   I read the book ‘The Anxious Generation’ a few weeks ago. The book tracks why kids are having mental crises en masse lately.   One of the reasons, particularly for boys, is that since the 1970s parents have increasingly stopped their kids from just playing around the neighbourhood on their bikes, or running around with other kids - because parents are scared of fast traffic.   And with good reason... cars go fast in our suburbs.   I live on a road that’s 30kph. No one does 30kph – I don't do 30kph.   The good news is that because of recent rule changes here, Auckland schools should have lower speed limits during school hours by the end of 2027. But, I wouldn’t mind if that was pretty much everywhere where kids are.   I get that would drive people bonkers, having to slow down all the time around houses and parks and schools...   It would require us sacrificing our time.   But, for the benefit of going as fast as we do around kids... we are sacrificing quite a lot.   Their best childhoods.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keir Starmer will be the first UK Prime Minister to join Armistice Day commemorations in France since Winston Churchill in 1944.  UK correspondent Enda Brady tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the British leader was there to get private time with Macron in order to discuss Trump’s re-election.  Meanwhile, cold case detectives in Ireland have made a breakthrough in the notorious case of a young woman who had been missing for 21 years.  And, BBC’s top sports presenter Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day after 25 years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retailers continue to struggle along as many watch every penny spent.  Electronic card spending data showed a 1.1% fall in October compared to last year. September was down 5.6%.  As retailers brace for the most important season of the year, Chief Executive at Retail NZ Carolyn Young tells Heather du Plessis-Allan it may be a tough period of time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 12 November 2024, the Government has delivered an official apology to victims of state and faith based abuse. Survivors have been focusing their anger on one very specific person today.  Chris Luxon spoke to US president-elect Donald Trump this morning, so what did the two really talk about?  Everyone's thinking twice about taking their car to the car wash after one woman's terrifying experience in Christchurch.  The Huddle debates Heather's favourite interview of the week with Federated Farmers' Toby Williams.  Plus Heather admits that she's made a grave error committing to pronounce all French words in English.  Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers is calling for the Government to urgently distance itself from a radical new pine planting proposal released by the Climate Change Commission.  ANZ is not going to introduce climate targets for farming customers.  And, voting has opened on a proposal from Kiwifruit marketer Zespri to increase plantings of SunGold in other countries.  Host of The Country Jamie Mackay joins Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists are warning that NZ may have to downgrade its economic outlook as a result of Donald Trump’s re-election.  Analysts from BMI have revised down our growth forecast from 2% to 1.8% for next year.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen tells Heather du Plessis-Allan it is not just the proposed tariffs that are causing the outlook.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra has confirmed it will sell off its consumer brands such as Anchor, Mainland and Kapiti.  The company claims there has been significant interest but is considering whether to go for a straight sale or a listing of the brands.  Dairy Insights Consultant Stuart Davison tells Heather du Plessis-Allan Fonterra wants to simplify the core business of New Zealand-processed milk.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Chief of Staff to Jacinda Ardern, Mike Munro and Kiwiblog and Curia pollster David Farrar join the Huddle to discuss the apology for victims of state care, Trump and Luxon’s phone call, car wash horrors, and reduced speed limits in urban areas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to part ways with a new pine planting proposal released by the Climate Change Commission last week.  The proposal comes after the UN asked the Government to come up with a new 2035 Emission’s Reduction Target by February. The Commission’s suggestions would see large areas of farmland used for planting pine trees.  Farmers say they need the land for productive farmland.  Federated Farmers Meat & Wool Chair Toby Williams tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the conversion will drive up NZ beef and lamb prices and force the country to become a net food importer.  “We have to sacrifice everything. We have to sacrifice our nation, our rural people and our rural communities just so we can agree to a piece of paper that was signed in Paris.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Christchurch woman believed she was going to die when a car wash malfunctioned while she was in it.  The brushes hit her car so hard that the bonnet, roof and sides were crumpled and scratched, and her spoiler was completely ripped off.  After making it out of the car wash, staff gave the woman a flyer with an 0800 number she never heard back from. The car wash was back in service later that night.  Acting Head of Research and Advocacy at Consumer NZ, Jessica Walker tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the Consumer Guarantees Act requires reasonable care and skill is provided for a service, and this case clearly did not meet that standard.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spoken to US President Donald Trump on the phone for the first time since the US election, saying he congratulated Trump on his big win.  The pair talked about deepening ties between NZ and the US.  Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sir Don McKinnon tells Heather du Plessis-Allan that there will be around 190 prime ministers and presidents eager to speak to Trump, and it seems NZ has been fairly high up in the queue.  “That’s a good sign.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today issued an official apology to everyone who was abused in state and faith-based care.  Luxon said the current system for paying redress to survivors is not good enough and announced $32 million of new funding to sort this out.  Seven other public sector leaders have also apologised for their departments’ role in abuse, including Solicitor General Una Jagose.  The crowd met her address with jeers, pushback, tears and booing.  Leoni McInroe is a Lake Alice survivor and attended the apology today. McInroe tells Heather du Plessis-Allan Jagose has been an active part of denying and dismissing survivors stories and should step down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued a historic official apology to the estimated 200,000-plus people who were abused in state and faith-based care institutions over decades.  Plus, Lindsay McKenzie has been appointed as Wellington City Council’s Crown observer and starts the job tomorrow.  And, the ACT party is supporting removing a broadcasting allocation from taxpayer funding in the lead-up to an election.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A teacher aide has died in Australia after a truck crashed into a preschool playground. The crash comes less than two weeks after an 11-year-old was killed and four other students injured after an SUV crashed through a fence in Melbourne. Australia correspondent Murray Olds tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the teacher aide saved a number of children’s lives by pushing them out of the way in time. Her family has paid tribute to the “cherished mother, wife, daughter and sister”. Plus, four foreign nationals have been found on a remote island off the northern territory. And, plant lovers are queueing up to catch a once-in-a-decade whiff of the corpse flower in Melbourne. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big old day for the survivors of abuse in state care today because the government through the Prime Minister finally apologised for this. That is important. I know you know what they want is redress as well, a whole bunch of them, and fair enough... that will come. But, an apology also is very important. Especially when you consider how long it has officially not been a big deal that kids went through what they did while they were in the state of care - for it to now be acknowledged as, “yep, absolutely, actually a big deal” and for the state to admit it did wrong. I think that's really important Slightly unfortunately, the day has been overshadowed by anger directed at the Solicitor General. I think this is going to be the thing that everybody remembers about today. Una Jagose tried to apologise herself today as the solicitor general, she was booed by survivors. She was heckled by survivors. One woman walked out another, turned her back to the Solicitor General while she was talking in a move of protest. The reason they're so angry is because they want to strip her from her job. They accuse her of covering up what really happened to them. Now, I'm not going to tell these people that they're not entitled to feel angry because of course they are. But, what we have to remember when we're discussing the Solicitor General's role in this and even in a lower role previously as a Crown lawyer before she became the Solicitor General, is that Crown lawyers, Crown law, the Solicitor General, they are the Government's lawyers, right? They act in the best interests of the Crown. And it's pretty much the same as David Bain's lawyer or even Brenton Tarrant's lawyer or should you or I be accused of something significant, our lawyers - that our lawyers are not there to look after everybody else. They are there to look after us. They're working in the best interests of their clients. And the same is true of Crown law. It's really important context when we feel angry at somebody like the Solicitor General or Crown law for what they did. I understand why Una Jagose is copping it the worst today. It’s much easier to pin the blame on one person, isn't it? Than to pin the blame on a giant system like Government. And especially when you consider that governments change every few years - one person is much easier to hold accountable than potentially thousands of people for little bits that they did over decades. Maybe it will make a lot of people feel a lot better if she loses her job. But remember this, it's not actually going to fix anything. Not in the past. And not for kids who are in state care in the future. Beware the quick solution, because the quick solution may create a false sense that things have been fixed when they really haven't. The most important thing is that things are actually fixed. Isn't it more important than anything she actually fronted up today? And so did the Prime Minister and I say that's got to be a good start. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Cane and Mark Tele’a have been ruled out of this weekend’s test against France.  Cane took a nasty blow to the head in last week’s match against Ireland, which required stitches. It is hoped he will clear concussion protocol in time to don the black jersey one last time –against Italy in Rome- before heading to Japan.  Plus, Super Rugby teams are naming their squads for the 2025 season.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research has shown Gen Z does see the benefits of putting down their phones.  Outdoor education organisation Outward Bound surveyed participants from the last five years, aged 20 and under, and found 80% of them wanted to reduce their screen time.  93% say they feel more productive when they aren’t on their phones.  Outward Bound chief executive Malindi Maclean tells Heather du Plessis-Allan putting phones down gives teens an opportunity to rediscover meaningful connection and engage with others on a different level.  With Gen Z themselves saying they want to be on their phones less, Maclean tells Heather she’d like to see social media banned for those under the age of 16, like over in Australia.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, top restaurant and pub bosses have warned businesses will close and jobs will be cut following last month's Budget. The sector is facing higher taxes as part of required National Insurance contributions - and many have warned these increases are unsustainable. UK correspondent Gail Downey says the sector has already undergone a financial rough patch as it struggles to recover from Covid-19. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The markets have reacted strongly to Donald Trump returning for his second term in the White House. The US dollar, stocks and bitcoin all surged after his win - but experts are wondering if this will continue. Mark Lister from Craigs Investment Partners unpacked some likely outcomes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and motivational speaker David Letele joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's outrage and concern from rate-payers over a million-dollar Christmas tree set to be built in Auckland's city centre. Do we support this? Will this help bring more people in? The Government raised a few eyebrows after initially banning journalist Aaron Smale from Tuesday's Abuse in Care apology - and then reversing the ban. Is this a bad look? It's been a big week for president-elect Donald Trump - he's already expressed interest in pulling America of of the Paris climate agreement. What do we make of this? Does Liam Lawson have a point in suggesting the New Zealand national anthem be played for the McLaren victories? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 11 November, the Government's decision to ban journalist Aaron Smale from Tuesday's Abuse in Care apology - and then reverse the ban - raised a few eyebrows. Newsroom's Mark Jennings joined Heather to discuss. On the subject of Tuesday's apology, Minister-in-charge Erica Stanford unpacked the new measures the Government would be taking to ensure future abuse cases don't happen.  A million-dollar Christmas tree set to be built in Auckland's CBD has sparked concern and outrage from Auckland CBD's ratepayers. Heart of the City's Viv Beck explained why this move is good for the city. Plus, the Huddle takes a look at president-elect Donald Trump's first set of announcements following his return to power. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Minister says Wellington Council's new Crown observer will deal with relationship issues and help them get their long term plan over the line.  Former Chief Executive Officer of Tasman Gisborne District Councils, Lindsey McKenzie, has been appointed to the role.  Simeon Brown says he will be in place until July 31st, 2025. He says that will mean he's with them until the Long Term Plan is due.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says she's not jumping to conclusions on whether New Zealand will be affected by potential Donald Trump Administration tariffs.  The president-elect has proposed tariffs of up to 20 percent on imported goods from most trading partners.  Nicola Willis says the current trade settings with US seem to be working.  "It's clear the Americans like what we're selling. Equally, we import a heck of a lot from the Americans - it works for both sides. We have a close, positive relationship." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's outrage among taxpayers over the projected cost of downtown Auckland's Christmas tree. The Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance has raised concern about the 18 metre Komititanga Square tree, which reportedly costs $1.3 million. The council is stumping up $800,000 for it, with Heart of the City and Precinct Properties covering the rest. Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck says it's not being paid for out of general rates. "The council is putting in a contribution of the city centre-targeted rate, which is paid for by city centre property owners, businesses and residents." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hunt is on for ideas for shifting seagulls as a flock causes havoc on Christchurch's New Regent Street.  The protected birds are over-running the tourism hotspot. They're returning to nest after settling in the foundations of a demolished Armagh Street building.  Belle Cafe manager Casey Alderson says the seagulls dive-bomb for people's scraps without fear. "Small children don't freak them out that much, so they're not hesitant to swoop down in front of a small child and take whatever they have on their plates." Alderson says after failed attempts to deter the birds, ideas would be helpful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Organisers of a hīkoi making its way down the country to Wellington say it's about more than just opposing the Treaty Principles Bill.  Marchers are still north of Whangarei, and expect to be in the Capital between Monday and Tuesday next week.  Organiser Eru Kapa-Kīngi says the hīkoi's true purpose is to defend Te Tiriti of Waitangi - and he explained the bill was just part of a bigger ignorance about what the Treaty really means.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's taking steps towards preventing any more abuse in care going forward. It's introducing a bill tomorrow prompted by the Abuse in Care inquiry, after the Prime Minister's national apology. The bill includes a ban on strip-searching children - and stronger regulations on who can work with children.  Minister-in-Charge Erica Stanford says the Government is looking to utilise full-body scanners in the future to prevent young people from being strip-searched. "Instead, we'd be putting in place individual search plans  where young people knew what was going to happen and they had more control over how it happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says complexity has slowed the delivery of redress for Abuse in Care survivors, not cost.  Chris Luxon will apologise in Parliament tomorrow, after a Royal Commission report cast light on decades of harm in state and faith-based institutions. Legislation to improve protections for children and disabled adults - and improve Government record keeping - will then have its first reading.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says delivering financial redress for survivors will take more time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, opposition leader Peter Dutton is experiencing a boost in popularity with potential voters. According to a new Newspoll survey, 41 percent of respondents are likely to back Dutton as their preferred Prime Minister over Anthony Albanese. Albanese still leads with 45 percent of the vote, but disapproval for the Prime Minister is growing. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says people are getting sick of high interest rates and increased house prices with no sign of respite. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are hailing a 'next task' mentality as key to their statement victory over their Irish rivals in Dublin. The 23-13 win included just one try for each side - and was largely a hard fought, back-and-forth test match. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks the victory. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newsroom won't say why an investigative journalist was initially barred from tomorrow's state apology to survivors of Abuse in Care.  Speaker Gerry Brownlee initially declined Aaron Smale's accreditation application, citing undisclosed issues with his conduct on a prior occasion. But after pressure, Brownlee has allowed Smale to attend, if accompanied by a Newsroom journalist. Co-editor Mark Jennings says Brownlee probably didn't have the full story. "He hadn't witnessed any of it himself, he hadn't reviewed any tapes - he was going on the say of other people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 8 November 2024, Auckland public transport users are set to be hit with huge disruptions as KiwiRail is shutting the entire train network for almost 100 days over the course of the next year.Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the work has to be done. Will Kiwis care if our Government starts cuddling up to Donald Trump to gain trade and defence advantages? Heather reckons we should immediately copy Australia's social media ban for under 16s. Plus the Huddle debates whether the All Blacks can beat Ireland tomorrow morning and why Damien Mackenzie is just not convincing just yet. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European leaders are meeting in Hungary for the European Political Community Summit – with the US election likely top of the agenda. Among the impacts of the election include Donald Trump’s lack of keenness to Europe, and talks of tariffs. But UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis-Allan the biggest concern is what he’ll do with donating to Ukraine, and whether Europe will need to step up even more. Meanwhile, UK Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been suspended from the party after video emerged of him appearing to punch a man to the ground with a court date looming. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia is bracing for tariffs from Donald Trump’s election victory. The President-elect is proposing adding up to 20 percent on import tariffs, but is also vowing to impose 60 percent on Chinese imports. But Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis-Allan Asia has been preparing for this for a couple of years now. He says some economists reckon this could knock 2.5 percentage points off of China’s GDP, and Japan and South Korea could also get dragged into the crosshairs. Lewis says there's also a lot of questions around security - as Trump calls for countries to pay more for Taiwan's defence. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions over how New Zealanders will be feeling when the Government starts getting cosy with US Presidential-elect Donald Trump. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark suggested on the radio this morning that it might want to rethink its moves to get closer to the US. She believes it wouldn’t be a popular thing to do to be seen to be strategically realigning with an administration which is volatile and unpredictable on foreign policy. Otago University geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports journalists Lavina Good and Nikki Styris joined Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle. The All Blacks are set to take on Ireland in Dublin in a rematch of last year’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal – but will be without Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett due to injury. Formula 1 drivers have lambasted the FIA over its clampdown on swearing, telling president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to treat them like adults and mind his own language. Former rugby league coach Sir Graham Lowe has launched a bid for an NRL license for Christchurch team Southern Orcas – one of three from the South Island trying to form part of an expanded league. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More details are coming to light around the death of ex-One Direction singer, Liam Payne. The 31-year-old died last month in a fall from the balcony of a hotel in Argentina. Three people have been charged in connection with his death – one with abandoning Payne in a vulnerable state before he died – the others with supplying him with drugs. Buenos Aires Herald editor Valen Iricbar told Heather du Plessis-Allan one of those charged didn't travel with him to Argentina. “It sounds, from the information that I received from the prosecutor, that it’s someone who accompanied him when he was in Buenos Aires during his stay.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says KiwiRail will be held accountable for any delays in fixing Auckland's rail network. The rail operator's being given $200 million in government funding to carry out the repairs – needed before the City Rail Link opens. There'll be 96 days of full network closures and 24 days of partial - from Christmas to January 2026. Simeon Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan KiwiRail's committed strongly to that, and there's no room for delays. “In terms of the timing, there is no more time other than what’s been provided.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Irish have a chance for revenge against the All Blacks for last year’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal. The All Blacks will go to Dublin missing Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor through injury, while Ethan de Groot has been omitted for failing to meet team standards. Ireland will also be looking to get one over Rieko Ioane, after the midfielder got into a social media spat with Irish legend Johnny Sexton over the fallout from the quarterfinal, which then stretched into his book. Former All Black Ant Strachan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says he's open to following Australia's lead in looking into banning social media for children. Law-makers across the Tasman will legislate a blanket a ban on social media for children under 16 – including the likes of TikTok, Facebook and X. Christopher Luxon says there's merit to the plan, especially given the incidence of cyber-bullying he's heard about in New Zealand. But Newstalk ZB senior political commentator Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan he has questions over how it’ll be implemented. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.