Larry Williams Drive

Okay, I've got a question for you - and this is a genuine question, it's not a rhetorical question. Do you agree with the teachers' unions that it's an outrage that Erica Stanford is taking the Treaty obligation out of the Education Act, or do you agree with Erica Stanford that it needs to come out? Now, I'm asking you this question because I honestly cannot understand why the teachers' unions are causing uproar over this, because it seems to me to be a clear case that this should come out. It hasn't helped lift Māori achievement in the five years it's been in the legislation. In fact, going by just one metric, which is the proportion of Māori students leaving school with no NCEA qualification at all, it's getting worse. It was 24 percent in 2021, it's now nearly 28 percent at last count. So if this thing isn't helping, then it shouldn't be there - because all it is then is just virtue signalling and distracting schools when they should be, as the minister said, laser-focused on educating kids. So this is whe

A meeting between Te Pāti Māori and the National Iwi Chairs Forum has resulted in two key outcomes. The hui was called after infighting, which saw the Te Tai Tonga electorate call for Party President John Tamihere's resignation. He responded by suggesting MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris should resign. Forum spokesperson Bayden Barber says the party's leadership has agreed to a truce on the attacks on social media.  "The second one was an agreement to meet at a marae in Wellington to work through the issues." Barber says they now need to meet with Kapa-Kingi and Ferris to get the same type of agreement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The long-delayed International Convention Centre in Auckland has formally been handed over to SkyCity - several years behind schedule. The works began in 2015, and the project was impacted by additional delays, extra costings and the infamous 2019 fire. NZ International Convention Centre general manager Prue Daly says it's a relief to finally get the keys to the building to get it ready for next February. "We've been patiently waiting, but actually now we're just super-focused on getting that building ready for February - and make sure that when we're open, we're delivering really well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns from some that a Canterbury museum's displayed World War II Nazi artefacts without context.  Geraldine’s Military Museum showcases tanks and machinery of war, alongside a Nazi flag and mannequins wearing the uniforms of Hitler’s elite bodyguard. It welcomes visitors to partake in an Nazi re-enactment - to display 'both sides' the war.  Holocaust Centre Chair Deb Hart says without much context, it's harmful to uninformed people.  "You do have an obligation to help people understand what it is that they are looking at. Otherwise, you risk glorifying something that was terrible in our history." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year's winning Bird of the Year, the kārearea, is attacking Wellington walkers on a popular bush walk. The native falcons are nesting along Haywards Track - and swooping on unwary hikers. Hutt City Council is asking people to hold off walking between Whites Line East and Mawson Street, for now.  Forest and Bird's Ali Meade says people who see the birds should leave as quickly as possible. "They might scour the back of your head a little bit - they just don't want you there and you could hurt them if they come into contact with you as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's largest water safety group expects a big impact from losing about 20 percent of its annual funding. ACC's ending its long-standing partnership with Water Safety New Zealand after this summer, saying it hasn't seen a measurable reduction in drowning injury claims. Water Safety New Zealand will lose about a million dollars a year in ACC funding. Acting CEO Gavin Walker says ACC's challenge is understandable, but they need the funding to help do life-saving work. "We're worried that all of that is put at risk without some continuation of funding." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unions have voiced disappointment over the Education Minister's plan to remove school board Treaty requirements. Erica Stanford intends to scrap a clause under which boards must reflect local tikanga in the curriculum - and teach te reo Māori. The PPTA labelled it another step in the Government's apparent drive to take the country back 50 years NZ School Boards Association President, Meredith Kennett, says putting it in legislation ensures school policies consider the history of children and their whanau. "Allow us to connect with local iwi - and making sure that this school is fit for purpose for our children, because our children need to belong. And if they don't feel like they do, then they won't achieve."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori has confirmed they're not  ruling out triggering two separate byelections by expelling controversial MPs. Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer aren’t backing down from the party’s actions as it defers to Te Pāti Māori’s national council. This comes as deliberations to oust Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris continue to take place. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, the Reserve Bank has opted to leave interest rates on hold at 3.6 percent, in line with expectations from economists. Experts had largely predicted this, given the current state of inflation data in Australia. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's unlikely Australians will see a rate cut until 2026. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NRL will look into Tonga's handling of Eliesa Katoa's head injury assessment. The news comes after he suffered seizure activity and brain bleeding following three knocks in the space of 90 minutes in the build-up and during the league test defeat to New Zealand on Sunday. He underwent surgery in Auckland yesterday. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smokin' Romans and Torranzino are preparing to carry the hopes for New Zealand-trained horses set as the 24 hopefuls for today's Melbourne Cup are saddled up at Flemington. It's a decline of two Kiwi runners from last year's race, while six set out for the 3200 metre journey in 2022. Melbourne Cup correspondent Donna Demaio says there's concerns about rain impacting the race. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Witnesses have described horrifying scenes of train passengers trampling over each other to escape a mass stabbing in the UK. A 32-year British national is now the only suspect for the stabbing on a London-bound train, which police are not treating as a terror attack.  One of the 11 victims - described by police as a hero who tried to intervene - remains in a critical condition. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the driver also moved quickly to get the train the in the right lane so police could intervene.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac New Zealand recently saw a significant profit boost - and it's prompted discussion. The Australia-owned bank's reporting a 13 percent jump in net profit after tax of of $1.20 billion in the year to September.  Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained the market reactions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has made significant progress on establishing critical mineral deals with Australia and Japan, prompting speculation from experts. Rare earth minerals contribute to plenty of modern technology, including drones, smartphones and EVs, and these deals have seen stocks shoot up since. Mineral economist Dr Allan Trench explained these deals further - and what investors can learn here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  New research out of Australia has revealed the cost of unpaid labour - and it's sparked discussion and backlash. How much housework do we do? Is it more than our partners? Dame Noeline Taurua went out on multiple interviews today, and it's been revealed she didn't know what she did wrong - and she's been reinstated without agreeing to making any changes. What do we make of all this? Does someone need to lose their job?  Z Energy has had to apologise for an ad campaign that claimed they were getting out of the petrol business. Did they really need to apologise over this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 3 November 2025, Dame Noeline Taurua has raised more questions than answers after her round of interviews. Employment expert Max Whitehead says it's clear Netball NZ has not acted appropriately in the saga. 120 police officers are under investigation for falsifying 30,000 breath tests. Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers explains how this happened.   Media commentator Duncan Greive reacts to news that Simon Dallow will step down after 19 years at the 6pm newsreader desk. Finance Minister Nicola Willis on Andrew Bayly and Westpac's 13% profit rise. Plus, the Huddle debates new research that has quantified the amount of unpaid labour we do in a day. 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.

How is it possible that the Dame Noeline Taurua crisis has actually got worse today? How is it possible that she's got her job back today and this thing has still got worse? I'm getting the impression that Netball New Zealand do not realize how bad this is today. If they don't realize the enormous damage that Dame Noeline has done to them by going on at least three radio interviews and one TV interview and saying repeatedly the same thing -  that she does not know how she was stood down, that there was no investigation to clear her before she was brought back - if they don't realize how enormous this is, I can't explain it to them. They're not responding today to Dame Noels' comments and they're not saying if she's right or wrong.  All we know is that the Netball New Zealand minder who was with her when she was doing the interviews told her to stop telling Mike Hosking that she didn't know why she was stood down. Now let me, for the benefit of everyone - but particularly I think for Netball New

It's been a busy time in Australia, with Kiwis flying over to see Oasis - prompting speculation about the future of events in New Zealand. The bed tax debate lingers, but the Finance Minister has promised discussions are taking place to bring more events to New Zealand. Nicola Willis says Minister Louise Upston has been working hard behind the scenes to draw in events and get the economy going. "There'll be announcements over the coming months, Louise Upston is in negotiations and there'll be some exciting events coming to a city near you." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hope for a smooth transition at TVNZ as its shakes up the flagship 6pm news bulletin. Presenter Simon Dallow's stepping down this month after almost two decades - to be replaced by weekend newsreader Melissa Stokes. Media commentator Duncan Greive says TVNZ's made the safe choice, given it's not reaching a lot of new viewers. "If you look at the ratings for ThreeNews, there's not a lot there, they've gone down a bit." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research out of Australia has revealed the cost of unpaid household labour - and it's a high figure not recognised in economics statistics. These tasks - including cooking, cleaning and caring for family members -are reportedly worth about A$688 billion, according to new reports.  Canberra University economics professor Leonora Risse says many of these tasks are essential services, and most of these are carried out by women. "If we're not recognising it, then what we're doing is we're not recognising women's overall contribution to the economy - the productive activities that hold our economy together. So it's about shining a spotlight on it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.