Larry Williams Drive

There's growing calls from experts to reduce New Zealand's dangerously high use of antibiotics. The Public Health Communication Centre says the nation has some of the highest rates of antibiotic resistance, which makes bacterial infections difficult to treat. It's urging the Ministry of Health and College of Practitioners to set targets to reduce the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics. Auckland University's Mark Thomas says GPs and patients alike feel more pressure to utilise antibiotics, despite increased awareness surrounding the risks.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's questions whether a Christchurch Catholic order will continue, even after being stripped of its authority, over unauthorised exorcisms and abuse. The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer's priests have been banned from practicing and told to leave the diocese, after 17 people raised concerns. Its leaders deny they manipulated and controlled followers and interfered in families' lives. Massey University religious expert Peter Lineham says losing its license may not stop the order. He explained it was once a renegade group pulled back into the Church by the Pope, and he wonders if it will go out again into the cold. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains is touting the late Norm Hewitt as one of New Zealand rugby's greats. The nine-test hooker has died aged 55 after a battle with motor neurone disease, having played 23 games for New Zealand between 1993 and 1998. After issues with alcohol abuse, Hewitt became an anti-violence ambassador and public speaker. Mains says when he first selected Hewitt he was a bit of a 'larrikin'. "I'd have to speak to him quite sternly - and he took that on board and into the team. Immediately, he showed not only good performance on the rugby field, but also he took a real turn in his personal behaviour." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Associate Health Minister wants patients involved in Pharmac decision making. David Seymour has outlined his expectations for the drug-buying agency in a letter to Board Chair Paula Bennett. It notes Pharmac should see itself as a partner with patient advocacy groups and clinicians and work together to bring treatments to those in need. Seymour says patients often have different views on treatments that Pharmac may have not considered. "I think it is important to factor in information that sometimes our patients have." Seymour has also told the agency he believes its commitment to embedding the Treaty of Waitangi isn't appropriate, and is no longer expected. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US judge appointed by Donald Trump has dismissed charges against the former President, accusing him of illegally keeping classified documents when he left office. Judge Aileen Cannon ruled lead prosecutor Special Counsel Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed - and didn't have the authority to bring the case. Channel Nine US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi says such a ruling initially seemed far-fetched. "It was a bit of a longshot that his legal team had put in, thinking it would never come to fruition." Trump's posted on Truth Social, saying he's very pleased about the outcome. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Embattled ex-Green MP Darleen Tana has broken her silence after backing away from the party. Tana spoke to 1News in her first sit-down interview since she quit the Greens - but she hasn't confirmed any plans to leave Parliament altogether.  ZB political editor Jason Walls says it's unlikely Darleen Tana will step down. "She says she's going to be making a decision soon. My read on all of this - it sounds like she's not going anywhere. She keeps coming back to the values that she brings to the table in terms of being an MP." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, Opposition leader Peter Dutton is winning over voters in a new poll. According to a national Resolve poll, 38 percent of voters now support the Coalition, while Labour dropped to 28 percent. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this is the lowest rating for Labour since Prime Minister Albanese entered Government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tributes are flooding in following the death of nine-test All Blacks hooker Norm Hewitt. Hewitt was involved in one of the most monumental face-to-face haka confrontations with England's Richard Cockerill at Old Trafford in November 1997. He went on to win the inaugural Dancing With The Stars in 2005, which included a flawless paso doble Hewitt died of motor neurone disease, aged 55. ZB sports commentator Elliott Smith highlighted more of Hewitt's accomplishments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says speedsters will still be caught - even with signs warning them cameras are ahead. More than 100 signs are being rolled out onto New Zealand roads over the coming year. Minister Simeon Brown says it will give motorists a chance to slow before they enter high-crash areas. But he says there will only be signs for fixed cameras. "These signs are about providing forewarning - but at the same time, mobile cameras will continue to operate anywhere, at any time, and motorists are required to keep to the law." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jobseekers who miss a case manager phone appointment - without good reason - could face sanctions. Social Development Minister Louise Upston has announced a new phone case management service for young job seekers, due to expand to 4,000 people. She says being a beneficiary has work obligations, including taking the phone call. "And if they don't do that and they don't have a sufficient reason for doing so, they could have their benefit reduced or suspended or in the worst case scenario - cancelled." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 12 July 2024, Joe Biden confused Russian leader Vladimir Putin with Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and then spoke about his Vice-President Donald Trump. Is this the end of his presidential hopes?  Iconic Auckland restaurant SPQR has gone into liquidation, and none other than Kerre Woodham is mourning the loss of her regular.  The Sports Huddle debates whether the All Blacks can make it two from two against England on Saturday.  Plus, Stefan Powell, co-founder of Dawn Aerospace, on becoming the first privately funded company to break the speed of sound - and what that sounds like.  Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief changes to road cone use will help strike a better balance between safety and minimising disruption.   The Government's announced a new risk-based approach to temporary traffic management rather than requiring a certain number of cones per project.   NZTA will also have to publicly report on its total cone spending per quarter.   Temporary traffic management industry steering group chair Dave Tilton told Heather du Plessis-Allan this makes sense.  He said that for the most part the current system served its purpose, but it’s been identified that it's not getting the right about of TTM, which is what its purpose is.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The three women killed in a UK crossbow attack are understood to be the wife and two daughters of a well-known BBC commentator. British police have found the 26-year-old suspect behind the attack, who is currently undergoing medical treatment for injuries. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the country is in shock after the attack. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert explains how Mastercard's market performance is impacted by the concerns global investors have raised. Recently, investors have been focused on slower economic growth expectations in the US, as well as regulatory risk and the impact this has on new technology like open banking. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s best young farmers are preparing to take over Waikato to battle it out at one of the country’s most prestigious farming contests. The FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final kicks off in Hamilton on Thursday, July 11 and runs over three days. The Country's Rowena Duncum explains what to expect from the event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists say falling food prices are a certain sign inflation's going down - but we may have to wait to get the full picture.  Annual food prices have decreased for the first time in six years - sliding 0.3 percent in the year ending June. Despite this, NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says more data in other industries is needed to confirm if inflation is reducing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 11 July 2024, Interislander boss Duncan Roy fronts up after a leaked memo into the Aratere grounding says an accidentally pushed button is to blame. Chris Luxon met with US president Joe Biden at the White House for dinner. Political correspondent Jason Walls has the inside word on what was talked about. BBC Rugby Commentator Chris Jones tells Heather why he thinks England can beat the All Blacks on Saturday. Plus the Huddle debates George Clooney weighing in on the Joe Biden-resignation calls. 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, journalist Clare de Lore and Men's Health Week director Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! It's been confirmed the Interislander's Aratere ran aground after someone accidentally pushed the autopilot button and couldn't switch it off. How bad does this look? Should the company stop hiding behind inquiries? Does Joe Biden need to step down? George Clooney and Nancy Pelosi have recently added their voices to the growing list of people telling Biden he needs to drop out of the election. Do we agree? Was it an inappropriate use of taxpayer money to spend $110,000 on 15 bikes for Kainga Ora tenants? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synlait Milk will live to see another day after winning shareholder approval for a last-minute loan. The shareholders have approved the company taking out a $130 million loan from Bright Dairy, after a nail-biting waiting period. Synlait chairperson George Adams is 'relieved' the vote worked out. "It wasn't close at all, actually. We had 99.6 percent of our shareholders voting in favour. So it was a landslide."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert is weighing in on England's chances to turn their luck around against the All Blacks. Both nations have named their teams for the match, with Scott Robertson making one injury-enforced change to the starting lineup for Saturday's match. BBC rugby commentator Chris Jones says England's been on a good trajectory - and can identify what to do against the All Blacks this time.  "They would have seen last weekend as a missed opportunity. The challenge now is to go - right, they can go toe-to-toe with the All Blacks, there are areas to work on. Can they fix those?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.