Larry Williams Drive

Kiwi squash champion Joelle King won't be adding to her collection of medals in the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The stripped-down Glasgow event will only feature 10 sports - with rugby sevens, hockey, cricket, road cycling and squash among the sports that got axed.  King says she can't change this decision - but she's got the 2028 Olympics to soften the blow. "It's been bad news for all of us - but you've just got to crack on, you can't change the decision now."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uber Eats will be expanding into 12 new locations across the country, focusing on regional towns. From next month, its food delivery will be available in smaller towns like Taupō, Levin, Whakatāne, Timaru and Wānaka.  Restaurant Association President and Monsoon Poon Owner Mike Egan says it's perfect timing - just before summer.  "I can see the campgrounds, people who will be sick of having snags on the barbecue and order up some Uber Eats. If you've had too many drinks in the sun , just drive to your favourite restaurant."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chair of Parliament's Finance Committee is perplexed ANZ's head wasn't across the details of her pay packet.  Chief executive Antonia Watson was among the banking heads grilled by MPs this morning, under pressure to justify a $2 billion profit during tough times for Kiwis. She says she's paid $2.5 million, but would need to give her total remuneration including share options and bonuses, in writing.  Stuart Smith says he wonders about that. "I'd be very surprised if a senior bank executive wasn't interest in - to the dollar - in how much they're paid." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's claims the Government needs to show its justification for intervening in Wellington City Council. It's appointing a Crown observer - claiming it is financial mis-management for the Council to plan to fund water infrastructure from rates revenue - rather than debt, using a Government tool. Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry notes the Government only made its funding tool available in August, not June when the council decided its Long Term Plan. Barry says this doesn't add up. "What I think should hopefully clear up the matters is for the minister to release the advice that he received from officials - so we can all see and understand it in its full context."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, Election Day is less than two weeks out - so Trump and Harris are hitting the campaign trail to get all the votes they can. The pair are still in a tight race for the White House, meaning they're going hard to appeal to key swing states ahead of the November deadline. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Kamala Harris will be trying to sell herself as the more conventionally 'presidential' candidate while Trump keeps himself in the public eye with unusual acts.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan is urging the governing body to sign league star Nathan Cleary ahead of the next World Cup. McLennan explained the Wallabies need to invest in 'top-tier' players to improve their performance in high profile events, including the Rugby World Cup and the Bledisloe Cup. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some good news for the nation's largest ambulance service. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has announced Hato Hone St John will receive $21 million in additional Government funding. She says St John has also settled its pay dispute with unions, with no further industrial action planned. Costello explained that New Zealand First has a coalition agreement to meet a greater portion of the ambulance service's annual budget - but this will go a long way. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A British jury has cleared a police officer of murder, after he fatally shot an unarmed black man in the head in south London two years ago. Martyn Blake shot 24-year-old Chris Kaba in September 2022. The 40-year-old says he feared lives were in danger, and the shots weren't intended to kill Kaba. UK correspondent Enda Brady unpacks the controversy further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republic NZ’s Peter Hamilton has long believed New Zealand is ready to have a Kiwi as the head of state. King Charles is set to leave Australia and head to the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa - bypassing New Zealand in his first tour since taking the throne. Hamilton says it makes more sense for New Zealand's head of state to live among New Zealanders.  "The whole business of having a foreigner as our head of state - Australia, Canada, New Zealand and a few other countries - it's just overloading the system and the British monarch can't take the role that's required in this modern day and age."   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Early Edition host Ryan Bridge joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Wellington City Council will get a Crown observer to address the 'dysfunction' impacting the council. Is this a good move? What do we think will come next? Darleen Tana has finally officially been booted out of Parliament. What do we think of this? Will this negatively impact the Green Party's popularity? Ashburton parents and kids want the council to build more entertainment facilities for kids and young people - but the council says that's not its job. Do kids really need these? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 22 October 2024, Wellington City Council is getting a Crown Observer as a first step of Government intervention. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown explains why he was concerned enough to make the move - and Wellington City Councillor Tim Brown admits he's lost his bet with Heather. Ex-Green MP Darleen Tana has been kicked out of Parliament by the Speaker - Chloe Swarbrick reflects on the longest drama ever coming to a close. Heather is upset with Ashburton's parents who want the Council to build more entertainment facilities for kids and young people. What ever happened to playing outside and riding your bike around town? Plus the Huddle debates whether the "beefed up" Three Strikes law is actually all that beefed up. 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 Local Government Minister is determined to fix the 'dysfunction' and uncertain financial conditions impacting Wellington City Council. Simeon Brown today confirmed he will appoint a Crown observer to help the council develop a new Long-Term Plan. He says he informed mayor Tory Whanau of his reasons before confirming this decision. "It was a professional conversation, I informed her of the decision I'd arrived at based on a number of reasons." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sky TV's struck a deal with Warner Bros Discovery - ensuring it continues to be the home of HBO content in New Zealand. The company has stopped HBO’s Max app launching on our shores and confirmed Neon will keep streaming its original content - and several WBD franchises, such as Friends, Rick and Morty and The Big Bang Theory. Chief executive Sophie Moloney says it's good that viewers will be able to keep getting the HBO originals they love, plus access to a new back catalogue of content.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has been accused of 'jumping the gun' and changing the Three Strikes bill before receiving advice from the select committee. The qualifying threshold for a first strike will be lowered from 24 months imprisonment to 12 months in order to catch out more offenders. Labour has claimed this is the 'latest instance' of the Government making amendments to controversial legislation, pointing out changes to the gang patch ban and fast-track consenting bills. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says they've listened to people claim the regime needed to be tougher - and taken that feedback into account.  "What we're predicting now over a 10-year period is consequence and accountability for those serious, violent offenders." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The High Court in Christchurch has heard the first evidence in the murder trial of Tingjun Cao. He's accused of killing estate agent Yanfei Bao. Newstalk ZB's Emily Ansell says Bao's partner, Paul Gooch, realised something was wrong when Bao hadn't picked up her daughter from after-school care. "He said when he got home, he checked the dishwasher to see if Bao's lunch dishes were there - as usually, she'd come home and eat. But they weren't."  Court adjourned early today, for various reasons including translation issues. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's scepticism from some as to whether a Crown observer will help Wellington City Council. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown is appointing an observer over concerns for the council's financial management. But councillor Tim Brown says many councillors think it will provide advice and help them work together better, but he's not convinced. Tim Brown says he thinks Simeon Brown's putting the observer there to undermine the council. "He's put somebody in the room so that they can go to him and say - hey Simeon, it's not working, let's fire these guys and move on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Children's Minister says the 13 young people who scaled an Auckland justice facility will face consequences for their actions. The group sat on the roof of the Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice Facility in Wiri yesterday evening - with seven staying overnight and causing damage to the roof. Karen Chhour says the youths will be criminally liable for damage done to the facility. "The ones that we have seen damage the property will be charged for that - and there will be more to come, but that's really up to the police to make those decisions now."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau says she'll stick to her priorities - even as central Government intervenes.  Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has appointed a Crown Observer to help council develop its Long Term Plan.  Spending cuts are needed since the council's U-turn on selling its airport shares.  ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Tory has taken this well - but this intervention will come at a cost to Wellington ratepayers.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Australian senator's high-profile outburst has sparked discussions about the injustices that impacted the nation's Aboriginal population. Lidia Thorpe was removed from Parliament House after yelling at King Charles and accusing him of committing genocide yesterday. Thorpe's actions were criticised by MPs, including Tony Abbott and Amanda Rishworth, for being disrespectful. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Thorpe was also praised by others for shining a light on the wider issues. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rugby sevens, hockey and T20 cricket have been axed from the Commonwealth Games, but netball has survived. 15 sports have been binned off for the slimmed-down 2026 event in Glasgow. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.