Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A Otago University professor says extinction is forever and the moa isn't coming back. A US genetic engineering project with backing from Peter Jackson claims it might restore the extinct South Island moa to New Zealand within a decade. But zoology professor Philip Seddon says he's questioning the researchers' goal and whether it's even possible. "Its genetics will be different, its physiology will be different, its behaviour will be different. There's a lot of question marks about whether a GMO version of a moa is actually going to be useful at all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is looking to plug up a multi-billion dollar financial hole - leading some to speculate about the possible introduction of new taxes. Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has advocated for the Government introducing a tax on wealth. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this suggestion has prompted backlash, with experts claiming wealth taxes have historically never worked. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has defied market expectations by leaving its cash rate target unchanged at 3.85 percent. Market expectations were for the central bank to cut its rate by 25 basis points. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham this came as a surprise to experts - but the central bank opted to wait ahead of the CPI release. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson has takne home the title of New Zealand's top young farmer. The 26-year-old was crowned the 57th FMG Young Farmer of the Year last weekend after the final event in Invercargill.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle Ali Jones from Red PR and former National ministerial advisor Brigitte Morton joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The second stage of the Covid-19 inquiry is still going on - and Labour's Chris Hipkins has suggested this gives conspiratorial views a platform. Do we think these comments are out of line?  TVNZ is set to launch an independent review of its news content to check for balance and bias. Is this a serious enough problem? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Heather Du Plessis-Allan Drive with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 8th of July 2025, Brooke van Velden responds to Chris Hipkins saying the Covid inquiry terms of reference provides a platform for conspiracy theorists. Donald Trump has met with Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House, Managing partner of Firehouse strategies & Former Chief of staff for Marco Rubio's 2016 campaign, Matt Terrill provides some analysis. Rich-listers who planned to fully fund a new arena at Western Springs Stadium have removed their bid, rival Western Springs Stadium bidder Brent Eccles tells Ryan Bridge what happens next. Plus, TVNZ is launching a independent review to check its news for balance, Ryan asks the Huddle if TVNZ is too biased. 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 Reserve Bank is expected to take a breather when it reviews the Official Cash Rate on Wednesday, before pushing on with cuts later in the year. The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee is widely expected to keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 3.25 percent. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold says the central bank runs some risks if they cut at this point. "What they risk is that the CPI, which is due later on this month, comes in uncomfortably high - and some of the data we've seen since May suggests that it is actually going to be a bit stronger than what they forecasted." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A property lawyer says new proposals take a major burden off realtor's shoulders.  The Government is streamlining the process for selling a house held by a family trust - as it makes changes to laws preventing money laundering.  It says real estate agents must currently collective excessive amounts of information about the trust. But McVeagh Fleming Associate Mario Thorne says documents are often missing - or never existed.   "You're dealing with really straightforward situations where it's clear where the funds have come from - and then to cast the net too wide and ask for these invasive documents, it's cracking a nut with a sledgehammer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TVNZ is set to launch an independent review of its news content to check for balance and bias. This follows Media Minister Paul Goldsmith expressing interest in seeing trust in media improve - particularly for the state broadcasters. NZME Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie says viewers have taken issue with the 'editorialising' of the news. "The reporter comes in at the end and gives an opinion or analysis that the viewer might take issue with. The feedback that we get a lot of is - just report the news." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small moves have been made that could help achieve a Gaza ceasefire - but no certainty. The US President hosted Israel's Prime Minister at the White House, as the world holds onto hope the war will end. Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu expressed interest in working together for peace in the Middle East, but seemed to downplay the prospect of Palestinian statehood.  Former Secretary of State Chief of Staff, Matt Terrill, says their shared dinner today was a good step in the path towards a deal.  "Obviously a ways to go here, but his administration feels good about where they're at - and about the direction forward here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's claims comments by Chris Hipkins on the Covid inquiry are 'unhelpful' and 'divisive'.  The Labour leader said the terms of reference for the second phase - currently underway - provide a platform for conspiratorial views. He pointed out they exclude decisions made when New Zealand First was in Government . But Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, told Ryan Bridge the terms were expanded so people felt listened to.  "They wanted the inquiry to be fulsome and to find the truth so that when we have another pandemic, we have less division and we have a better response." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins won't commit to appearing before the second phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's Covid response. The Labour leader earlier said the terms of reference for the second stage - which is currently underway - provide a platform for conspiracies. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says Hipkins has some good points - but the Government at the time did make decisions that intruded on people's rights. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian convicted triple-murderer Erin Patterson has been accused of tampering with prison food, which has reportedly made a fellow inmate sick. Patterson was reportedly given a job in the prison kitchen while awaiting trial, with accusations surfacing after her conviction was announced. Australian correspondent Charles Croucher says investigations are still ongoing - and more will come to light given how much information on this case has been suppressed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France will avoid Hamilton and instead base themselves in Auckland for as long as possible before their test series finale against the All Blacks next week. A spokesperson confirmed that following the second test of the three-match series, Les Bleus will relocate from Wellington to Auckland, citing preferred facilities. ZB sports reporter Nathan Limm explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group planning a concert venue at Auckland's Western Springs want council approval to get on with it.  A different bid recommended by council staff - for an arena backed by Auckland FC rich-listers - has been withdrawn. The council says more assessment's needed to find a path forward.  Eccles Entertainment Founder Brent Eccles says he's thrilled the competition's pulled out.  He says his group remains the obvious choice.  "I believe that we're kind of in the box seat now, there were only two expressions of interest that were accepted - from us to build a proper concert bowl." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles led commemorations on the 20th anniversary of the 2005 London transit bombings - the deadliest attack on the capital since World War II. 52 were killed and over 700 were injured when four men inspired by al-Qaida blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus during rush hour on July 7th, 2005. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says King Charles spoke of the importance of unity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time's ticking for US trade partners to sign tariff deals with Donald Trump. In April, the President announced most countries, including New Zealand, would face a 10 percent minimum levy - but has delayed their implementation.  This week, he's promised to send out what he's calling 'take it or leave it' letters.  Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly revealed how the markets reacted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has a limited range of ventures producing medicinal cannabis - but the most successful distributor doesn't even sell directly to Kiwis. Medical marijuana company Puro has just signed a $16 million distribution deal in the UK, but co-founder Tim Aldridge says red tape is stopping the business from selling domestically. Aldridge says there's no manufacturing or packaging companies that can take their product - and they need to ship that out to Australia. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani and Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's concerns broadening citizen's arrest powers could endanger young people - both thieves and retail workers. Do we need to find a better solution? The second part of the Covid-19 inquiry is under way - do we think Jacinda Ardern will return to answer questions? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 7 July 2025, the jury has found mushroom cook Erin Patterson guilty on all charges - three cases of murder, and one case of attempted murder. 1 News correspondent Aziz Al Sa'afin tells Ryan Bridge there were several pieces of slam dunk evidence. Should former PM Dame Jacinda Ardern give evidence before the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid response? Its chair says she can't be compelled while overseas. Auckland Council is throwing Takapuna Golf Course a lifeline - but it might not result in the golf course keen golfers want. Plus, the Huddle debates whether shopkeepers should be allowed to citizens arrest thieving kids. 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.

Should Jacinda Ardern return to the country and face the Covid inquiry music? The answer, I think, must be yes. I confirmed this morning on my Herald NOW show that the Royal Commission has reached out to Jacinda and asked her to attend in August. The KC running the show would not answer whether she'd replied or whether she'd lawyered up, but he did say that the only way to get out of attending is if you're not the in the country because they don't have jurisdiction. So the question is: as a former Prime Minister who wielded more power than Muldoon - war-time executive powers - as somebody who's always claimed their intentions were good, and as somebody who's claimed they were in politics for the children, will the former PM front this inquiry and be honest? Honest about what really went on behind closed doors and behind those PPE masks? Boris Johnson appeared at his country's inquiry, and twiddled his fingers and answered all that was put before him. Isn't there a moral obligation to the people of New Zealand, too? They still live with the consequences of decisions that she and her Cabinet made. She's making money off books and all sorts while many businesses here never recovered from lockdowns. Isn't a little truth-telling in order? I was one of just a handful of interviewers who grilled her on a weekly basis during this time period. I'm saving the best bits for a book one day, but there was image and stage control happening behind the scenes you wouldn't believe.   The problem for Jacinda if she decides not to front is this - and it's a question Kiwis will be asking themselves - what has she got to hide? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Simeon Brown has revealed the make-up of the new Health Zealand Board - who will take over in a fortnight. They, along with a Crown Observer, will replace the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners appointed last year. Experienced clinical director Doctor Andrew Connolly, and current Deputy Commissioner Roger Jarrold are among those appointed. Brown says Commissioner Lester Levy will stay on as Chair for a year. "This is about making sure we have continuity of leadership at Health New Zealand. The organisation's going through a reset - making sure it's refocused on patients." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's fears broadening citizen's arrest powers could endanger young people. The Government has proposed allowing the arrests at all times of day - and wants to clarify when reasonable force can be applied.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said it could allow children to be restrained until police arrive. Chief Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says citizen's arrests won't prevent stealing and could lead to violence. "A number of agencies that have given advice to the Government on this - police, justice, Oranga Tamariki, Crown Law, among others - they've highlighted this risk." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's slim options for Takapuna Golf Course, which looks likely to halve in size under an Auckland Council plan to turn it into a flooding wetland. The Council's final proposal converts the course into a flood-protection area. Public consultation is planned for later this year, including how to use the dry half.  Auckland Council Head of Sustainable Partnership, Tom Mansell, says they don't want golf in the wetland section. "In the remaining area, if they can fit an 18-hole in and that's what the Kaipātiki board wants, then we'll work on that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second phase of the Covid-19 inquiry has begun, with many voices from business, tourism, and events venting frustration over the response. The Royal Commission of Inquiry will run until Thursday - and many are wondering if former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be called up to weigh in. Sir Ian Taylor says it would be 'wonderful' if Ardern found a way to give some answers. "It would perhaps reinforce the concept that everything she did was to be kind, to be part of the team of five million - and this is the time for the team of five million to come together to figure out how we deal to this better next time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Erin Patterson is facing life in prison after being found guilty this afternoon of triple-murder.  The 50-year-old appeared emotionless as a jury delivered its verdict to the Supreme Court, ending seven days' deliberations. It agreed Patterson deliberately fed members of her estranged husband's family a beef wellington laced with death cap mushrooms, killing three and attempting to kill a fourth.  1News Australia correspondent Aziz Al Sa'afin says media from around the world have been covering this case ahead of the verdict. "There's been 125 pieces of evidence that have been put forward to the jury, they've had to analyse an 86-page chronology of the testimony that's happened over the last 10 weeks - so as you can imagine, there's a really big responsibility for this jury to get it right."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former broadcaster and journalist Oriini Kaipara is putting her name forward to be Te Pāti Māori's Tāmaki Makaurau candidate after Takutai Tarsh Kemp died, triggering a by-election. Kaipara has an extensive broadcasting background and has worked for Mai FM, TVNZ, Māori TV and Newshub - where she presented the Saturday morning politics-heavy show The Nation.  NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says nominations close this afternoon, with more to be revealed in the coming days.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Erin Patterson can now be called a triple-murderer after a nine-week trial ended in a guilty verdict. A jury has unanimously agreed the 50-year-old deliberately laced a beef wellington with death cap mushrooms, killing three members of her estranged husband's family. She's also been found guilty of attempting to murder a fourth person, after a jury deliberated more than six days. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says each charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's pinpointing the main area he wants the team to set their hearts on this week. After opening their test season with a scrappy four-point win over France - the All Blacks are keen for a step up in Saturday's second match in Wellington. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Hospital is trialling cutting maternity and gynaecology beds to ease ED pressure.  Staff have been told maternity overflow space will be re-purposed as 12 more Emergency Department places. NZ College of Midwives Chief Executive Alison Eddy says staff in Wellington have reported the current maternity facility is over 100 percent occupancy. "There might be spare beds today, but on a regular basis they're over capacity. And I think the other really important thing to bear in mind is that maternity is like the ED of the maternity service... it can have unpredictable demand." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 4 July. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digital cameras are seeing an explosion in sales following the latest Gen-Z trends.  These cameras have widely been considered dated since the arrival of smartphones. However, the younger generations seem to have made the switch back.  Auckland Camera Centre Manager Nick Khoey told Heather du-Plessis Alan that the rise in demand for these cameras has been outstanding.   ‘We’ve been selling them new, used... we just can’t keep them in stock’  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Festivities are kicking off in Dunedin - a day before it hosts its only All Blacks game this year.   The first international match of 2025 against France has sold out at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.  But the opening of Christchurch's new stadium in April could mean Dunedin will host even fewer matches.    Mayor Jules Radich told Heather du Plessis-Allan he isn't worried.   He says the rugby union will continue to share games around the country.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister says a Labour MP's claim is a deliberate attempt to undermine hard-working officers.  Labour's Deborah Russell told Newstalk ZB Police were being told not to attend domestic violence crimes.  Political Editor Jason Walls told Heather du Plessis-Allan that data shows police are attending 7.7 percent more family violence callouts, since changing the triage system.  He says Mitchell called Russell's claim complete nonsense.  She clarified she meant to say family violence is one of the most common forms of violent crime - but often underreported.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right, tell me what you think of this.  There seems to be a bit of an effort underway at the moment to portray IRD as bad guys because they're chasing Kiwis overseas who owe money on their student loans.  Now, tell me if you think that we should let either of these two off the hook on the money that they owe.  The first is a pilot who moved to Australia 10 years ago. He now owes IRD $170,000. That is his original loan, plus basically mostly interest.  He says he moved there for a pilot job in 2014, did it for six years, lost it during COVID, had to take a low-paying job in a storage warehouse.  He's a pilot again, but this loan is so big, he doesn't know if he's ever gonna be able to pay it back.  Should we let him off his debt?  Or do you, like me, look at what a regional commercial pilot in Australia can earn, which is over $100,000 and possibly even closer to $200,000 Australian dollars, and think, he can probably afford to start paying back that debt.  The second is a woman who has a debt of $70,000.  Now, she moved to the United States 20 years ago.  She wants to come back now to see her sick mom, but she can't because she's worried that she's gonna be arrested at the border.  Should we wipe her debt? So she can come home and see her sick mom?  Or do you like me, think that's entirely her decision.  She can come back and see her sick mom. Ain't nobody stopping her doing that. And maybe when she gets here, we'll have a little chat about how she can start to make some repayments on that debt.  Or she can carry on like she is, which is clearly valuing her money over her mom. Not coming back.   And by the way, arrests over the border only happen to the worst offenders who've who've ignored all attempts by IRD to sort out the debt.  Now, don't think I'm callous, right? I do feel sorry for both of these people and everybody else like them, because I imagine it's a horrible situation to be in, to allow your debt to get that out of hand.  But that is not an excuse not to pay it back. IRD is, from what I can tell, pretty reasonable here.  So much so that that woman's $70,000 debt has now been reduced to only $15,000 so it just covers the original debt in the end. The penalties have been wiped. This is them coming to the party to try to help.  Sorry, the free ride is over, the repayments need to start. New Zealand is broke, we actually need this money back.  I applaud IRD for going hard on this, and so far, I'm completely unmoved by any attempts to paint them as bad guys.  I am yet to come across a single case where I think that IRD is being unfair, asking for the student loan to be repaid. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The team purchasing the newly public-owned Cook Strait ferries says the process can't be compared to private contractors. Kiwirail's new ferries aren't expected to be in service until Christmas 2029. Ferry Holdings Chair, Chris Mackenzie, says part of the issue is the Government is buying new ferries - not second-hand. He also told Heather du Plessis-Allan they fulfil different needs, with the Government providing a year-round service, which the private sector can't afford. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Act's David Seymour says a unit for verifying the costs of pre-election political policy promises - would add more bureaucracy.  Act and New Zealand First torpedoed a proposal by Finance Minister Nicola Willis to publicly fund such a service.  National declined Labour’s offer of support.  Seymour claims his Party managed to release a fully costed alternative Budget without it.  He says he doesn't like the idea that people need bureaucracy to tell them what is good or accurate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Realestate.co.nz survey found that 24% of respondents bought a property without initially intending to purchase, with 8% buying spontaneously in the past year.   Agent Rawdon Christie told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's hard to believe people are really buying on a whim.   He says there's a mountain of paper work and regulations to get through before signing on the dotted line.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed Rachel Reeves to remain chancellor "into the next election and for many years after" after she was seen crying in the Commons yesterday. Starmer had initially refused to say whether Reeves would remain in her job until the next election. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the party's had a 'rocky' week - and they've faced a lot of scrutiny.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mastercard and a small handful of other companies have dominated the way money moves between banks, shops and consumers, but that could soon change. Stablecoins have been touted as a possible disrupter - but what does that mean for people? Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices continue to drop in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction, with a 4.1 percent decrease across the board. It is the largest decline this calendar year, following a 1 percent dip from the previous auction, and is the fourth consecutive event where the average price has decreased. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Wellbeing Economy Alliance director Gareth Hughes and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Experts have coined the term 'passenger parenting' - what do we make of this phenomenon? What did we think of UK chancellor Rachel Reeves crying in the House? Is there an argument for more vulnerability in public - or has this display done women a disservice?  Have this week's law and order changes been a sign the Government is trying to shore up some wins ahead of the election? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simeon Brown has told various Government-owned companies they must explain why they are failing to deliver their cost of equity and how they will improve their returns. The Minister for State Owned Enterprises told several of the SOEs - including NZ Post and Landcorp - that they've been underperforming over the last few years. Landcorp was also singled out because its CEO's pay climbed from $760,000 in 2021/22 to $927,000 in 2023/24, but company’s profit nearly halved to $36.3 million dollars during that time. Landcorp's Chief Operating Officer Will Burrett says the company's had to go back to basics - and they're not the only agricultural entity that's had to scale back.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 3 July 2025, shop owners will get more powers to trespass people but a defence lawyer is questioning whether the Government's law and order changes will help at all. The Bluebridge boss Shane McMahon tells Heather about his new ferry.. and how he got it so fast. All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen on the All Blacks squad that will face France on Saturday. Are you a passenger parent? Deakin University lecturer Norma Barrett explains what that is, why you might be one, and how to stop being one. Plus, the Huddle debates whether men should be banned from working in early childcare after the shocking case of alleged child abuse by a man in Australia. 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.

This is gonna sound harsh and I know it - but I think women like Rachel Reeves need to stop crying in public.This is the biggest news that is in the UK at the moment. The Chancellor, who's basically the equivalent of our Nicola Willis, started crying in Parliament. Now I feel really sorry for her, cause it looks like she is going to probably end up taking the fall for a man's incompetence because Keir Starmer, her Prime Minister, is weak and is giving into a rebellion and has forced a U-turn on her, thereby undermining her fiscal plans. And then after all of that, after doing all of that to her and humiliating her in public, what then happened in Parliament is what sparked the tears. He was asked whether, after all of the humiliation he's put her through, he's going to keep her in the job, and he would not confirm that he would keep her in the job. And she's sitting directly behind him, the cameras capture it, her face crumbles and the tears start rolling - and you'd have to be heartless not to feel for the woman, because it is incredibly clear that she is trying so hard not to cry, but she cannot help it. But women have got to stop crying in public. If you cannot stop yourself crying in public because it is too much, get up, leave the room, do it privately. I was reading Jacinda's book last night, again - I mean, talk about crying, there's another crier - and in it, she tells the story of being pregnant and talking to a successful corporate woman at a function. And she couldn't find a word that she was looking for and she said to the woman, "Oh, baby brain." And then she laughed, but the woman didn't laugh. The woman looked at her with a stern face and said to her, "You can never say that." And the reason is obvious - because if she says that in public, Jacinda Ardern's opponents would have seized on it, but also people in general would have seized on it as an example that women cannot do significant jobs while being pregnant and being mums. And the same is unfortunately true for Rachel Reeves. There will be people who will seize on this as an example that women cannot handle significant and stressful jobs because women are inherently more emotional. Now, I realize that what I'm saying is controversial because we have been told time and time again by people like John Kirwan that we're not supposed to bottle things up and we are supposed to talk about it. But I think we've gone completely in the other direction. We are now at risk of oversharing everything that we're feeling. By all means, talk about it. Talk to the people closest to you. Cry all you like behind closed doors to them. But if you're gonna cry in public, leave the room - especially, for God's sake, if you're a woman in a big job because it reflects on all women. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study out of Victoria's Deakin University has coined a new term describing a newly-emerging parenting dynamic. The study explains that while fathers are becoming increasingly engaged in family life, many are taking on a backseat role and leaving mothers to carry the majority of parenting duties. 'Passenger parenting' was coined by public health lecturer Norma Barrett and she says it's a tricky dynamic to navigate. "It's really tricky for fathers, I think, because in those early stages their first kind of feeling of being a parent can often be after the birth, whereas mothers biologically feel like they're already on the parenting journey...and trying to slot into the journey can be tricky." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bluebridge's new ferry arrived in Wellington this morning, drawing in the crowds at Oriental Bay. The Livia is from Denmark - and it can hold more than 400 passengers, with a 10 percent increase in vehicle capacity. Strait NZ CEO Shane McMahon says the vessel will come into service at the end of the month - and it's an 'exciting' development. "We've invested well over $200 million in the new fleet over the last three years, and we're doing that because obviously, we want to be able to supply safe, reliable services." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A criminal defence lawyer isn't sure changing trespassing laws will significantly impact retail crime.  The Justice Minister's latest law and order proposal would double maximum fines for trespassing on businesses.  It will also let owners ban people from multiple sites - and for longer.  John Munro says the move, alongside an earlier announcement on harsher moves against shoplifting, won't make much difference. "Most of those sorts of people, I would think, don't have much money in the first place to end up paying a fine - does it really deter them?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's plenty of surprises in the first All Blacks team of 2025 for Saturday's rugby test opener against France in Dunedin. The side to tackle France in Dunedin this Saturday features four debutants and three major positional changes. All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen says this will be a proud moment for the players ahead of the match. "What we've selected is a team we feel will allow us to play the game we need this weekend, and included in that is four debutantes. So we're really excited for them and the opportunity in front of us." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A promise the Government's focusing on delivery this quarter, as it gives itself a shorter list. The Prime Minister has released his Q3 action plan - laying out goals of repealing the oil and gas ban, banning prisoner voting, as well as passing changes to the RMA and looking into supermarket competition. This plan has 28 key points,10 less than the last one. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacks the list further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.