Larry Williams Drive

So, it looks like the rugby bosses may have already realised how big a mistake they made with that haka, because we've now learned they've cut TJ Perenara's political bit in the version they've uploaded to their social media accounts. And if they've done this because they realise they’ve made a mistake, they’re right. Big mistake from the All Blacks, big mistake from Scott Robertson to say yes to TJ when he said he was going to do this. Let's just clears something up first - TJ is entitled, like we all are, to have a political opinion. No one will be surprised that he supported the hīkoi, because we know where he stands on things. He's already supported the Ihumātao and supported the Wellington women's team when they did their anti-Government haka. This is not a TJ problem, this is an All Blacks problem. Because the All Blacks are not in position where they can afford to lose fans and viewers, especially when so many of us are already talking about how much more we prefer watching the Warriors. The problem th

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 22 November 2024, a nationwide whooping cough epidemic has been declared, and Director of Public Health Dr Nicholas Jones tells Heather it's a big worry especially for babies and the elderly. More than 12 gang members have been charged so far for flouting the gang patch ban, and Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham says police are following up reports of patch sightings and visiting gang members at home. Plus, All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen on a surprisingly strong team line-up for the game against Italy - and what did Ethan de Groot do??? 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 UK has expressed hesitancy at following through with the ICC’s arrest warrant for Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, despite strong support to oblige from the majority of the European Union. Former British Health Minister Matt Hancock has revealed the country came extremely close to running out of PPE during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, as he gave evidence during its inquiry. The mayor-elect of Canadian town Dawson City, in Yukon Territory, has voiced his hesitancy at pledging allegiance to King Charles III. UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been sentenced to four to 10 years in prison. They were prosecuted under its 2020 national security law for their roles in an unofficial primary election, which prosecutors said their aim was to paralyse the city’s government and force its leader to resign by aiming to win a legislative majority and using it to block government budget. Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping has been travelling South America talking up free trade and globalisation in the region. Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he left the country. The International Criminal Court's been served with an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. 124 countries are obligated to carry out warrants. Auckland University Associate Law Professor Treasa Dunworth told Heather du Plessis-Allan countries like the UK and France have been cagey about whether they'd follow through. “When it was specifically asked what would they do if Netanyahu was in their country, they fudged the answer, so we just don’t know.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oceania Football Confederation media manager Matt Brown and Newstalk ZB Canterbury Sport reader joined Heather du Plessis-Allan on the Sports Huddle. The All Blacks have named a strong side to face Italy in their final test of the year, in what will be Sam Cane’s and TJ Perenara’s test rugby swansongs. The lads also discuss Doug Bracewell’s drug ban, after it was announced the all-rounder has received a one game ban after testing positive for cocaine. Rafael Nadal has officially retired from tennis, after Spain’s elimination from the Davis Cup this week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have named a surprisingly strong side for their final test of the year against Italy in Turin. There are five changes from the 30-29 loss to France, with Sam Cane, Mark Tele’a, Ethan de Groot, Patrick Tuipulotu and Anton Lienert-Brown returning to the starting XV. It’s also the test rugby swansongs for Cane and TJ Perenara – who head to Japan for 2025. All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen joined Heather du-Plessis Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twitter/X alternative Bluesky has emerged as the next big trend in social media. Around 21 million people have signed up for the app, which has seen a large spike in users signing up for it since the US election. Tech commentator Bill Bennett joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The public are already reporting gang patch sightings a day after the ban began. New Police powers let officers disperse gatherings, and gang insignia is banned in public. More than a dozen gang members have already been arrested under the new law - including an Auckland Head Hunters leader. Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham told Heather du Plessis-Allan they're being informed about breaches in multiple ways. “We’ve said that when this sort of stuff comes through, we’ll follow it up as quickly as we can, and today’s search warrant is a case in point where something was reported in the early hours after the law came into affect.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health authorities have declared a national whooping cough epidemic. Cases have been rising and ESR reports there've been 263 cases in the past four weeks. The disease is infectious and can be particularly dangerous and even deadly for elderly people and newborns especially. Ministry of Health Director of Public Health Dr Nicholas Jones told Heather du Plessis-Allan we’re at the beginning of a serious epidemic. “It can go on for about 18 months. The last time we had about 4700 cases reported over that time period, and judging by what we’re seeing overseas, we’d be expecting higher numbers in that again.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Justice Select Committee has issued more guidance for submissions to the Treaty Principles Bill. It's planning to hold hearings from the last week of January. It’s also outlined the criteria which makes submissions unacceptable, including racist material, characterising other people as racist, anything with swear words, and abusive personal reflections on MPs. Meanwhile, one of the first Government boot camp participants has been charged with burglary and unlawfully taking a vehicle. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have named a strong line-up for their final test of the year against Italy in Turin on Sunday. The side is looking to finish the year on a high, as they aim to bounce back from last week’s 30-29 loss to France in Paris – in what will also be the last games in black for Sam Cane and TJ Perenara. A-League newbies Auckland FC are back in action after three weeks of rest, as they travel to Sydney for their first game in Australia against Macarthur FC. The Black Knights – who have won all three games this season – had a bye week, followed by another week off with international football. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President-elect Donald Trump tapped Pam Bondi, a staunch ally who helped defend the ex-leader against impeachment, as US Attorney-General following firebrand Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from the running. Gaetz’s retreat amid sexual misconduct allegations signalled limits to Trump’s power, even as the President-elect prepares to retake the White House with his Republican Party also in control of both chambers of Congress. The nomination of Bondi, a former Florida Attorney-General who served as a surrogate during the 2024 campaign and pushed to delegitimise vote counting in swing state Pennsylvania in 2020, could be seen as a useful tool for Trump in his attempt to settle personal grievances. “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponised against me and other Republicans – Not anymore,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network in announcing Bondi’s nomination. Bondi, 59, was a member of Trump’s legal team during his first Senate impeachment trial, in which he was alleged to h

An airline group is casting doubt on demand for sending long-haul flights into Wellington Airport. The Airport's announced a $500 million five-year upgrade plan – which includes extending its runway. It will let bigger planes land – with hopes it'll attract non-stop flights from Asia and Los Angeles. Board of Airline Representatives chair Cath O'Brien told Heather du Plessis-Allan it costs a lot to fly to New Zealand. “If I look at air services demand for New Zealand in total, I don’t see any real growth at the moment. So, Auckland Airport is looking at pretty much a flat scenario.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tell you what, it’s a tough time to be the UN. I can’t help but feel that the UN’s credibility is increasingly on the line at the moment with how often it’s being ignored. Take for example what’s just happened overnight: the International Criminal Court – which was set up through the UN and endorsed by the UN's General Assembly – has issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. That's ballsy. That's the first time they’ve gone after a world leader who is democratically elected. Trouble is, it doesn’t sound like at least three significant international powers are necessarily going to respect this. The US: they won’t arrest Netanyahu, they’re not a member of the ICC. The UK: they won’t commit publicly to arresting him. And nor will France. They say it’s legally complex. That's awkward, isn’t it? If three permanent security members won’t say they'll arrest him, doesn't that undermine the ICC and its parent the UN? Then what about the other big UN event at the moment: COP29? That is a big

European allies of Ukraine are bracing for a response from Russia.  Ukraine has fired US, and now UK-made missiles into Russian territory.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says all eyes are on Putin's possible response. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nvidia's reported third-quarter earnings have surpassed expectations - and left the chip maker feeling optimistic about its future. The company's earnings delivered a better-than-expected forecast for the next quarter. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Denmark has agreed on how to implement the world’s first tax on agricultural emissions - including flatulence/farting/burping by livestock. This comes after months of negotiations between the country’s major parties, farmers, the industry, trade unions and environmental groups. From 2030, farmers will have to pay a levy of 300 kroner per tonne of methane (as per carbon dioxide equivalent) on emissions from livestock including cows and pigs, which will rise to 750 kroner in 2035.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is set to meet for the last time this year to review the Official Cash Rate. Economists predict a cut will come - but it's unclear if the Bank will cut as high as 75 percent. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks the odds. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and former Health NZ chair Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Erica Stanford raised a few eyebrows after she allegedly called Labour's Jan Tinetti a 'stupid b....' in Parliament. Jan Tinetti says this is proof the rules of the House need to be enforced. What do we make of this? The gang patch ban is officially in force today - do we think this will make a difference?  15 economists have signed an open letter saying the Government's spending policies are dragging out the recession - and Kiwi households and businesses are being hit hard. How can the Government improve things? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.