Larry Williams Drive

The second All Blacks Springboks game tomorrow night's happening in Wellington.  The All Blacks have made 6 changes to the starting side after their 24-17 win last weekend and South Africa have made 7 changes.  Former Springbok and Supersport Journalist Hanyani Shimange told Heather duPlessis-Allan that the team is confident heading in to Wellington.   ‘You guys got us at Eden Park, the record stands, but we're confident for tomorrow.’  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on the Huddle: Rugby commentator Jeff McTainsh and sports journalist Nikki Styris join Heather duPlessis-Allan to discuss the latest sports news.  Can the All Blacks beat the Sprinboks a second time round? Will the Warriors survive against the Panthers? and what's happening next in the Netball coach shuffle?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington company wants to prospect for gold near a nature reserve. A local family has applied for permits to explore for gold and other minerals directly next door to Zealandia eco-sanctuary.  Quicksand Limited Director Travis Mackay says they've got a permit for panning at the moment.  He says they're exploring non-destructive, non-toxic methods.  Mackay says they don't want people coming to the area thinking they can do heavier riskier operations.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Commissioner says teachers are putting themselves ahead of students as they again vote to strike.  Brian Roche says the pay offer to teachers -which includes a 4.7 percent pay rise over 12 months - was a very good one.  PPTA president Chris Abercrombie told Heather du-Plessis Allan that teachers have many sticking points with the latest offer.  But he won't say exactly how many teachers supported the strike.  He says that's the union's policy - but there was overwhelming support from members to take industrial action.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police say protest organisers made the right call, by postponing tomorrow's Auckland Harbour Bridge protest due to weather.  Southbound lanes were to close to accommodate the tens of thousands of pro-Palestine protestors.. The march will now take place from Aotea Square to Victoria Park, while a new bridge crossing date is decided.  Acting Waitemata District Commander Stefan Sagar told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he acknowledges the organisers for heeding their advice.  Saga says with winds potentially reaching over 70-kilometres an hour, it's not a feasible environment for pedestrians. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pacific Islands Forum wraps up in Honiara - and the standoff with the Cook Islands remains unresolved. Barry Soper told Heather duPlessis-Allan that the block between Mark Brown and Christopher Luxon is still present, despite the two leaders acting 'cordially' to one another. 'interestingly, we saw Chris Luxon with Mark Brown, and they seem to be getting on quite well, but the standoff remains.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The killing of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk is causing deep divide.  He was shot while speaking at an event at a Utah University and later died in hospital.  US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says several people have lost their jobs for making comments after the assassination.  He says it's caused other disruption as well, with a fight breaking out in Iowa after someone shouted profanities about Kirk.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frustration over claims police overruled the Transport Agency by allowing tomorrow's pro-Palestine march to take place on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.  Tens of thousands of protestors are expected to cross the bridge in the morning, disrupting travel. Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the agency told him they said no to the protest, but Police intervened. He says Police told them the bridge had to close, to maintain civil obedience. Williamson says protestors should have chosen to march elsewhere.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British Labour MPs are breaking ranks to call for Lord Peter Mandelson to be sacked over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from within his own party to sack the British Ambassador to the United States over his friendship with the late financier and convicted paedophile. UK correspondent Enda Brady unpacked the backlash further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last few years, more international retail giants have moved to establish themselves in New Zealand. Costco opened its first store in West Auckland a couple of years ago, and Ikea is set to open up its first New Zealand-based store in Auckland in December. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie reveals why these changes are taking place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some foresters are starting to regret rushing into carbon credit farming, according to new reports from the Forestry Owners Association. Chief executive Dr. Elizabeth Heeg says more foresters are facing backlash and concerns have been raised. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Infrastructure NZ chief executive Nick Leggett and CTU economist Craig Renney joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Right-wing activist and speaker Charlie Kirk was fatally shot and killed in Utah earlier today. Are we worried about what this means for the future of political discourse?  Stuart Nash has resigned following his infamous comments about what makes a woman - did he have choice in the matter? And what could this mean for his chances in NZ First?  Should non-elected council members be allowed to vote? ACT is looking to change that - do we agree with this? Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down as Silver Ferns coach - do we think this is fair or another case of Gen Z being too fragile? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACT Party is looking to roll out some new policies as the local elections draw closer. One key proposal involves scrapping voting rights for unelected council members - impacting mana whenua appointees and youth councillor positions. New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom has been quick to weigh in on these changes, and suggests the Government has bigger things to worry about. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has rewarded form in naming his squad of 23 for Saturday's Rugby Championship test against the Springboks in Wellington. He's made six changes to the line-up, including omitting Reiko Ioane and Emoni Naarawa - and Finlay Christie and Fletcher Newell drop to the bench for Noah Hotham and Tyrel Lomax. Meanwhile, Samisoni Taukei’aho slips in at hooker for Codie Taylor, who failed a head injury assessment. Loose forward Wallace Sititi is going to remain on the squad, and he discussed his preparations ahead of the match.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 11 September 2025, US political figure Charlie Kirk has been shot dead and his killer is still on the run. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says the shooting comes at a critical time for America. Former Silver Fern centurion Laura Langman tells Heather why she's furious that Netball NZ has stood down coach Dame Noeline Taurua. Are whingy Gen Z players to blame? Education Minister Erica Stanford speaks to Heather about the list of new subjects that Year 11-Year 13 will be able to choose. Ghostbusters! Vicki Pratt is the owner of Whangamōmona Hotel and has invited paranormal researchers to search for the ghosts at her hotel. Plus, the Huddle debates whether Stuart Nash had it coming for him when he used very crass language to describe what a woman is.   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 inf

Well, I wonder how those netball players who complained about Dame Noeline feel today, because what they've done has probably, let's be honest, ended her career. And also brought out a swell of support that I can't imagine they foresaw. Silver Ferns legend Laura Langman's gone on social media and called this 'the saddest day in New Zealand netball history'. Gordon Tietjens, the Sevens rugby legend, called us at Newstalk ZB to convey his support for Dame Noels, and former coach Yvonne Willering says Noels is not old school at all and she does listen to her players.  Now, the details of what has happened to get to this point are fairly sketchy. Everybody's trying to keep things quiet, but what we know is that two players complained on behalf of a group of players and that sparked a review - and that review has led to her being stood down. And what these players have complained about is her communication style, and that they were 'psychologically unsafe'. Now, you can probably figure out what's going o

Senior secondary school students will be able to learn about and use generative artificial intelligence in a range of subjects. The Government's unveiled a new list of subjects as part of a refresh of the national curriculum from 2028. It places greater emphasis on STEM subjects and adds civics, politics and philosophy, and media and journalism. Education Minister Erica Stanford says other countries have offered STEM-based classes to their students, but Kiwi learners aren't at the right level yet. "Now that we've got this whole reform programme going, we can actually look to the future and go - what does that look like?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of paranormal investigators are set to look for ghosts at the historic Whangamōmona Hotel. Paranormal Researchers NZ will send team members to spend two nights at the hotel to uncover the building's secrets, as three ghosts are rumoured to be haunting it. Whangamōmona Hotel owner Vicki Pratt is happy to let them investigate - and she's heard former residents share their paranormal experiences.  "I've always suspected something, but I'm not 100 percent sure." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Silver Fern Laura Langman has expressed shock and disappointment over the shock decision to stand down coach Dame Noeline Taurua. Netball New Zealand yesterday announced that Taurua was being stood down for the series against South Africa, starting in 10 days. Langman doesn't approve of this move - and says this isn't a direction we should want sport to be going. "Netball used to be a household-celebrated sport - and at the moment, we're just not doing ourselves any favours at all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US is on edge after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed today.  The Donald Trump ally died after being shot in the neck at a campus event at Utah Valley University. The shooter remains on the run after reportedly fleeing from a rooftop. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says this incident is another watershed moment in the history of American gun violence. "We've seen politically motivated attacks in Washington DC, we've seen the shootings of Minnesota senators, Minnesota politicians earlier this year - and now we're seeing a conservative commentator assassinated in full view of the public." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.