Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

More details about infrastructure in Wellington and Picton in Government plans for new Cook Strait ferries. CentrePort, Port Marlborough, and KiwiRail have agreed a plan to re-use and strengthen the Wellington wharf servicing Interislander's Aratere - and to re-use terminals both sides of the Strait. Minister for Rail Winston Peters says the Government won't consider privatisation - and he's just looking to make sure Kiwis stay informed. "We're not about to make the same mistake a second time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing claims of Youth Parliament censorship.  Some young people say they've been told their speeches can't be critical of the Government. But organisers say although changes are sometimes suggested - Youth MPs make the final call on speech content. Nate Wilbourne is part of the Youth Parliament and says it feels like a mandate.  He says he was sent an edited version of his speech that cut most of it, but he's sticking with the original. "I'm here to give my voice on what I care about and what my community back in Brightwater and my electorate care about." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An invasive spider with a nasty bite is spreading its population across New Zealand - prompting warnings from experts. The noble false widow spider has been spotted in Christchurch, Nelson, Northland and Waikato. Massey University evolutionary ecology professor, Steven Trewick, says their bite is unlikely to kill you - but it's harmful if left untreated. "Like most spiders, they're not going to bite you because they're not interested in you...but they do have some toxins that are similar to the toxins black widows and redbacks have." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's expectations weight-loss drug Wegovy will eventually be funded publicly, according to experts. It's become available from pharmacies under prescription - from today. It's not funded by Pharmac, and costs about $500 dollars per month.  Auckland University population nutrition professor, Boyd Swinburn, says that is unaffordable for the public purse. "When the first generation of these drugs come off patent, their price will drop enormously and that will give Pharmac a chance to really negotiate the price." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's another tool in the police toolbox for cracking down on crime. A retail crime prevention advocate says he's happy with proposed law sentencing changes. The Government's confirmed new proposals to increase penalties for shoplifting - including infringement fees, a new 'aggravated theft' offence, and prison sentences. Ministerial Retail Crime Advisory Group lead Sunny Kaushal says we need to create deterrents - and he wants it to be easier for police to prosecute shoplifters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced that former acting Reserve Bank Governor Grant Spencer has been appointed to the central bank’s board. Spencer retired from the Reserve Bank in 2018, after he was deputy Governor and head of financial stability from 2007 to 2017. He was acting Governor over the six months to March 2018. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacks what Nicola Willis is indirectly saying through this announcement.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lulu Sun’s return to Wimbledon after a remarkable run 12 months ago has been brief, knocked out this morning in the opening round. The Kiwi world number 47 fell in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 to Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, Sun’s fourth straight first-round exit at a grand slam. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 26-year-old Melbourne childcare worker is facing 70 charges relating to eight pre-schoolers aged between five months and two years.  Joshua Brown's worked across 20 centres since 2017 - and is accused of sexual assault and producing child abuse material. The parents of 1200 children who'd been in his care have been advised to screen them for infectious diseases. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says authorities are warning the parents to get their children tested - and treated. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From today, Wegovy is available on our shelves so you can get skinny like Oprah, if you want. But it'll cost you - $500 per month. Which is unaffordable for most people, prompting a debate over whether the Government should fund it to reduce obesity and safe money on obesity-related illnesses and injuries. Now on principle, this is the kind of thing I'm a fan of - a bit of money upfront to save lots of money later. But unfortunately, as it stands, this wouldn't be an example of saving money. If we were funding Wegovy like they do in the UK, we'd fund it for people with a BMI over 30. In New Zealand, that is a staggering 1.5 million adults, apparently. If every one of those adults cost $500 per month, that would cost $7.5 billion per year - but it would only save $2 billion a year in obesity-related healthcare costs. Now, that's only measuring health costs directly related to obesity. As we know, carrying too much weight makes you prone to illness, which means you take more days off work, making you less productive. So you could also add in the cost of lost productivity across the workforce. That's around $8 billion, so that takes the cost of obesity to $9.5 billion. But measuring productivity is a guessing game - so you're paying $7.5 billion to maybe save $9.5 billion. Which isn't enough of a saving to take that punt on. And then you need to factor in that for a lot of people, Wegovy only works while you're on it. When you're off it, you'll start putting the weight back on. So you might fund it for a lot of people, only to end up paying the cost of obesity-related illnesses later on. Having said that, that's not measuring the cost of a life. We fund a lot of drugs just to keep people alive, so maybe we should fund this to keep people alive. The good news is - Wegovy comes off its patent in January. Which means copy-cats will be made for much, much cheaper. Which might change the maths, but for now, if you’re giving it to everyone who might need it, the cost would simply be too much to justify. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new investigation into the Christchurch Mosque shooting delves into the shooter's motivations - and questions whether he should be identified as a 'lone wolf'. In the six-part podcast, Secrets We Keep: Lone Actor, investigative journalist Joey Watson traces the killer's descent into extremism and wonders if he truly acted alone after being radicalised by online communities. Watson explained that he went through the online communities that radicalised the shooter and saw how he was desensitised to violent acts. "The closer I looked at it, the more I came to see that based on how these ecosystems operated before the attack, what happened in Christchurch - it certainly wasn't inevitable, but it's tragically explainable." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK authorities have confirmed they plan to assess comments made by some controversial artists at the Glastonbury Festival. English punk duo Bob Vylan and Irish group Kneecap performed controversial sets at the famed festival - criticising Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Israeli Defence Force. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the organisers of the festival were 'appalled' by these - and it's likely investigations will continue.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada recently scrapped its digital services tax targeting US technology firms - just hours before it was due to take effect.  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump are set to re-open trade talks in order to agree on a deal by July 21, according to Canada's finance ministry. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strategic Pay's latest Directors' Fees Survey has uncovered an unexpected trend in the nation's private sector boardrooms. The data shows women are out-earning their male counterparts - despite still being somewhat under-represented. Strategic Pay managing director Cathy Hendry says this is 'surprising' - but it's still good to see. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 30 June 2025, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith explains why he's making coward punches a new offence with tougher penalties. Rental homes have to follow healthy homes rules by tomorrow - but many many don't comply. Heather asks Andrew Eagles from the Green Building Council whether the rules are simply too tough. Finance Minister Nicola Willis reveals what changes she's making to FamilyBoost to make sure more people are eligible. An etiquette expert weighs in on our worst ever phone manners. Plus, the Huddle chew over the crazy consent requirement hurdles Ikea had to jump over. 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.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Healthy Homes standards are set to kick in tomorrow - do we see the Government enforcing these?  The Government has recently released a string of new law and order announcements, the latest including tougher penalties for people who assault first responders and making 'coward punches' an offence. Do we agree with these changes?  Ikea's consent conditions included cultural monitoring, karakia and other cultural ceremonies with mana whenua among other things. What do we make of these measures?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone out there, hands up, who doesn't agree with the Justice Minister's plan to introduce harsher punishments for people who assault first responders? I feel like this is a complete no-brainer. I mean, there are some out there who would argue that no assault is acceptable at all and that if you create two tiers of punishment where you've got the police officers on one level and then the normal humans on another - what you're saying is that some assaults are more acceptable than others. And that's a fair argument to make, but I think reality has a role to play here, and the reality is different, isn't it? The reality is you and I, regular citizens, can just walk away if we see something happening, if we see there's somebody who needs a bit of help, but we can see it's not safe - we can just keep on going. First responders can't. For police and ambo workers in the fire service, it is their job to go into those situations that are often quite risky because people are upset or people have been substance abusing or whatever. And having a different level of offense for them is an acknowledgement, I think, that they face greater risk, so they should have greater protection.  Now, obviously, just attaching a higher punishment to it doesn't mean it's necessarily going to deter someone from doing something, especially if they're off their face and they're making bad decisions. But I would be surprised if it doesn't have an effect over time. As the punishments start coming in, I suspect it will have an impact - the impact of making first offenders a no go. I find it hard to believe that anybody would assault an ambulance worker, because, you know, is there anybody who was there to help you more than an ambulance worker? They're not there to arrest you. They're just there to help you. But it happens.  At the last count, there were 12 assaults on ambulance workers every single week, and that was before COVID. So probably like everything since then, I imagine the numbers would have gone up. But here's the question I have about this, right? This is not a new idea.  From what I can see, this idea was first pitched by New Zealand First seven years ago. It got to a second reading, never went any further.  Same as with the coward's punch, which has just been announced today after being first pitched seven years ago. On the face of it, I would say a it's good idea. So why does it take so long for good ideas to become law? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says changes to the FamilyBoost scheme are on their way - after Cabinet made decisions today. The Government previously said it would announce changes to the childcare tax policy in June. It's been admitted the number of families initially thought eligible was wrong. Nicola Willis says there are two changes and they apply to fees incurred from tomorrow - with claims able to be made from October. "The first is to increase the amount of rebate, which will have the effect that people on lower middle incomes with lower rates of fees will be able to get a bigger rebate." Willis says the second is to reduce the abatement rate - so families earning more than 140-thousand dollars will be able to claim a bit more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's slamming the requirement for builders of a new Ikea in Auckland - to consult with seven mana whenua groups. Consent for the Sylvia Park store requires iwi consultation around erosion, stormwater treatment, and planting.  ACT's Simon Court flagged the issue, and the Prime Minister's called it insane. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says it's ridiculous - and why we can't have nice things in New Zealand. "And it's exactly the reason why we are ultimately repealing and replacing the RMA with new legislation. This is the red tape that gets in the way and drives up the costs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transpower says recent electricity generation simulations should not trigger panic, over declining gas supply. Two of three tests show improvements, looking a decade ahead into how our systems will cope with demand. But the third - the winter energy margin - finds worsening conditions, year-on-year. Transpower's James Kilty says it's not a big deal. "The tests include a buffer, so the fact that we're dipping slightly below the buffer does not mean that there'll be electricity supply shortages next year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research has been conducted into our texting habits - and it's raised a few eyebrows. A survey by BNZ indicates New Zealanders were responding to notifications in a variety of awkward locations, with one third of respondents replying in the bathroom, 41 percent in the middle of face-to-face conversations and 28 percent while in meetings.  Etiquette expert Anna Musson says many of us are terrible at multitasking, and picking up a phone during a face-to-face exchange has unfortunate implications. "If you're in the company of another person, it is criminal to pick up your phone and suggest that the other person is less interesting or less important, even if it's true." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Justice Minister's confirmed the Government aims to send a clear message to offenders as part of the latest legislation.  The Government recently announced 'coward punches' will be treated as a new offence, giving offenders longer sentences. The reform makes good on a National and NZ First coalition promise. Paul Goldsmith says the Government's hoping to disincentivise these 'unacceptable' attacks.   "We're going to send a very strong message from Parliament to the judiciary - that we expect serious consequences for serious crime." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is talking up our economic prospects - in challenging global times. He's just returned from meeting leaders in China and Europe, as mid-east tensions reached boiling point. Chris Luxon says we are throwing everything at boosting trade links so we can continue to grow. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan discussed further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian jury has begun its first day of deliberations in the trial of Erin Patterson - accused of deliberately manufacturing a murderous mushroom lunch. She's facing three murder charges and one of attempted murder over the toxic meal she served her estranged husband's relatives. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says there's just over an hour left of deliberating time today. "4:15 Melbourne time is when they will wrap up - and they've back in the court every day, including Saturdays, so they can reach a verdict." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Satisfaction for Liam Lawson after prevailing in a race long battle with a two-time world champion at Formula One's Austrian Grand Prix. The Kiwi driver has secured a career best sixth - one place ahead of Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns not all landlords will comply with the Healthy Homes standards set to kick in tomorrow. New rental compliance standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, and moisture in rental properties will come into effect from July 1. NZ Green Building Council CEO Andrew Eagles says it's likely a significant percentage of homes won't meet the standard by the deadline. "There's been an awful lot of assessments and work and I know that many are pushing to get it done in the final month, which is a real shame, because lots of people are booked up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 27 June. 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.

The high street tailor "Crane Brothers" has been a fixture on the street for years - and it will remain so for even longer. Murray Crane - the man behind the business - has signed to keep the business in it's current location for another 25 years.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "[on High Street] we're seeing tenancies being refilled and leases being signed." Crane said that despite the CBD's post-COVID drop in footfall, he's confident in his decision to stay put.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEO Sir Russell Coutts has today announced the City of Sails as the second stop of next season's world tour. Auckland Unlimited revealed their million-dollar investment to the January regatta, which returned $5million. Head of Major Events Michelle Hooper told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they're looking to do it all again and continue to have Auckland host in the future. She says the intention by all parties is to have Auckland host in 2027 and beyond - but they just have to sort out long-term funding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Speaker of the house is being taken to the High Court for musical torture during the 2022 anti-mandate protest. A girl from Northland, who was 11 at the time, says Mallard weaponised songs like Disney's Let it Go - causing mental anguish, humiliation and de-humanisation. Her lawyer, Tudor Clee says blasting someone with music is a military-style torture technique. He says this is the first time this technique has been intentionally used on children. The girl is seeking 40 thousand dollars in damages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A draft Inland Revenue briefing supports lifting the GST rate if required - and notes tax credits could help people on lower incomes. The IRD briefing also brought up the lack of a capital gains tax, but did not endorse any specific view on it. Tax expert Geof Nightingale told Heather du Plessis-Allan that lifting GST is a fast and efficient way to raise revenue. But he says while quick, it's much harder on lower-income people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes Canterbury's aerospace sector will continue going from strength to strength, with a permanent test flight space confirmed at Tawhaki.  The National Aerospace centre, west of Banks Peninsula, can now hold tests without continual re-permits.  Tāwhaki executive director John Holt told Heather du Plessis-Allan this helps remove red tape and paperwork, adding that it's difficult in the early construction stages, to find a safe aircraft testing place. The sector now aims to boost its economic value from 250 million in 2023, to one billion dollars a year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a strong chance that this has been Moana Pasifika's best and last season in super rugby.  Do you want them to have another one?  And if so, how much should the taxpayer put in to save it?  Would you pay $7million? Because that’s apparently what they’re short.  The Whānau Ora money is gone and it's understood that Sky is pulling its sponsorship of half a million dollars a year.  World rugby also wants to either reduce or completely cut the money it puts in. That’s around $1.7million a year.  So, for a club that costs about 12 m a year to run, it is short around $7million.  My answer to the first question I asked you … is yes. Moana Pasifika should be saved.  There is a very good reason to have a super ruby team dedicated to giving professional opportunities to Tongan and Samoan rugby players.  They were also one of the best success stories of the season.  My answer to the second question is that the taxpayer should pay nothing.   I can almost guarantee there will be a request for taxpayer help, but this is not a taxpayer problem. This is a rugby problem. This is one for NZ rugby and rugby Australia to fix.  They are the ones who own the Super Rugby competition, and the ones who make money off the broadcast deal from it.  I hope they can sort it out though because in a rugby competition that failed to excite people during the regular season, Moana Pasifika were one of the better stories. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows Nigel Farage and the Reform Party would win more seats than Labour and the Conservatives in the next general election. Political analysts have revealed that Farage and Reform would win 278 seats if a general election were to take place tomorrow - the most of any party.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says the next election is four years away - but Prime Minister Starmer's team should be taking this data into account going forward.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports show Nike's stock has plummeted 68 percent from its November 2021 peak. Experts say it's a textbook 'fallen angel' - a former market darling now trading at beaten-down prices. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group recently ousted chair Toby Williams. Williams lost the chairmanship  to Marlborough provincial vice president Richard Dawkins during the council annual meeting. The Country host Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and CTU economist Craig Renney joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! We recently found out Whānau Ora funding has been used to fund Moana Pasifika. What do we make of this? 15-storey apartment buildings will soon go up in some Auckland suburbs near strategic train stations - and the locals aren't happy. Are the detractors being NIMBY's - or are people right to be concerned? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How disappointing is the revelation that Whānau Ora money has been used to fund the Moana Pasifika rugby team?  How disappointing is that? And this is not a criticism of the team. I mean, the team has been one of the rockstar stories of the Super Rugby season. This is about the funding. This is the kind of revelation, I reckon, that does huge damage to public confidence and Government use of taxpayer money. Because this is money that, to our minds, is supposed to be going to some of the most vulnerable people, to helping Māori and Pasifika families with things like health, medical appointments, baby jabs, education, housing, that kind of thing. But instead, we find out it's been going to fund a rugby team for elite athletes - and this has been going on for at least 2 years. One of the outfits that's contracted to spend final order funds, Pacifica Medical Association Group - we're going to call them PMA - has been giving $770,000 a year to Moana Pasifika. Now, if they do it again this year - we haven't got the financials - but if they do it again at the same level, it will total $2.3 million. That's a lot of money. Now, credit where credit is due, credit to the new Whānau Ora minister or to his department. Either of which appears to have already stopped this in its tracks. They've taken the contract off PMA, given it to a new outfit - and that outfit has to abide by a much tighter set of measurements around the spending and the money and a bit more clarity about whether they're getting their bang bang for their buck when they spend the dollars. But once again, even though it has been stopped - and credit where credit is due - taxpayer money has been wasted. And the lesson here, if there is a lesson, is that it is absolutely fine to hand out taxpayer money to a third party. But if you do that, there have got to be rules and there has got to be supervision. Otherwise, money that we all think is going to families who need it could instead be propping up a rugby team. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 26 June 2025, Labour MP Willie Jackson reflects on the sudden death of his friend and Maori Party MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Should taxpayer money be used to pay for a rugby team? Heather dives into the Moana Pasifika story with NZ Herald senior journalist Kate MacNamara. The drug that made Oprah skinny is coming to New Zealand from next week. Novo Nordisk's Dr Ana Svensson tells Heather Wegovy could potentially help up to 2.8 million overweight Kiwis. NZ Rugby's Mike Hester gets grilled by Heather over the incident of referee abuse that's led to all rugby being postponed by the Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union. Plus, the Huddle debates Nimbyism in the light of a Government directive that will see 15 storey apartment buildings in Auckland suburbs. 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.

Workers taking part in partial strikes could soon have their pay docked under new legislation coming out of Parliament. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden recently confirmed the changes to the Employment Relations Act - and claimed they would be fairer for workers. PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says employers will now be allowed to dock 10 percent of pay for workers who participate in low-level strike action. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns have been raised after Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union cancelled a series of Saturday matches. The provincial union made the call after the abuse of a referee at last Saturday's game between Kapiti College and Mana College, which saw him escorted to his car out of safety fears. NZ Rugby's Mike Hester says there was abuse from spectators that prompted the match getting called off. "A lot of these things can happen on the sideline with chat from spectators to coaches and the like. The details of it - again, it depends on who you talk to - but certainly, it was sufficient enough that the referee had to make a decision."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Moana Pasifika Super Rugby franchise faces questions over disclosure and transparency at ownership level. It recently came to light that the team received taxpayer money indirectly through Whanau Ora contracts. NZ Herald journalist Kate McNamara says it's unclear how much public money funded the team - but investigations are ongoing. "It may be that all of their funding came from the Whanau Ora contract - but it may be that there's a small amount of funding from another source in there." LISTEN ABOVE Note: The original story from the NZ Herald has been updated to clarify that Whanau Ora funds flowed to the Moana Pasifika Charitable Trust, and the current owner of the Trust and the team, Pasifika Medical Association, has emphasised that no Whānau Ora funds have been used to fund the Moana Pasifika professional rugby team. The Herald has removed from the story the contention that Whānau Ora funds were directly used for the professional team in the fiscal years 22/23 and 23/24.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's Willie Jackson will attend Kemp's tangi in Taihape over the weekend.   Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp died today aged 50, following a battle with kidney disease. He says Labour isn't thinking about the by-election triggered in Tāmaki Makaurau. "We'll turn our mind to it next week - and we don't mind having a chat about it as we get into it. But it's not something we should probably be talking about at the moment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not everyone's a fan of Government's efforts to build taller in central Auckland suburbs. The Government is requiring the council to legislate for apartments at least 15 storeys high around the Mount Eden, Kingsland, and Morningside Stations. It will be 10 storeys near the Mount Albert and Baldwin Avenue terminals.  Albert-Eden Local Board Chair, Kendyl Smith, says this feels rushed, and hasn't included any consultation with residents. "So to be told overnight that you might have a 15-storey block beside you is very unpalatable." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament adjourned early today, after marking the death of Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp. Kemp died aged 50 following kidney disease. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says this came as a shock - with tributes coming in from many key politicians.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The jury in the trial of triple-murder accused Erin Patterson is edging towards beginning deliberations in Australia's Victoria. The 50-year-old also faces a charge of attempted murder over a toxic beef Wellington lunch she served to her estranged husband's family in 2023. She maintains her innocence - claiming it was a terrible accident. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Justice Christopher Beale has left clear instructions for the jury - and told them to resist bias, prejudice and sympathy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union chief executive Corey Kennett says he is drawing a line in the sand by canning all rugby matches this weekend after a referee was so seriously abused he had to be escorted to his car over safety fears. Last month, the union said in response to escalating abuse towards match officials - highlighted by a person threatening to stab a referee - that they would cancel all senior club games if behaviour didn’t improve. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The count-down's on for New Zealand chemist sales of weight-loss drug Wegovy. A pharmacist has told our newsroom the hunger-suppressing drug will be available on prescription from next Tuesday Novo Nordisk Oceania Senior Medical Director Dr Ana Svensson says the cost of the drug is expected to be around $500, as it's not funded by Pharmac. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is set to purchase 12 new fighter jets which can be equipped with nuclear bombs - with plans to join NATO's airborne nuclear mission. Downing Street has labelled the move "the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation." UK correspondent Gavin Grey says these jets can also drop conventional weapons. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports indicate the global housing market has entered a significant downturn. Existing home sales have neared recessionary levels and new home sales are expected to fall. Milford Asset Management's Brendan Larsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports reveal the Government did get lobbied by the Banking Association over a proposed law change to prevent costly class action lawsuits. Minister Scott Simpson claimed this wasn't the case earlier - and claimed the banks hadn't called for it.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.