Larry Williams Drive

As the debate over a second Auckland harbour crossing continues, one architect has proposed an alternative solution.  Reset co-director Garth Falconer has proposed a new six-lane ‘Waitematā Bridge’ positioned 500m from the Auckland Harbour Bridge, costing under $2.5 billion. Falconer says he's discussed this idea with Auckland mayor Wayne Brown - and he's open to additional crossings.  "We've had a good discussion and he's interested in looking at multiple crossings and looking at opportunities for urban regeneration."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards has avoided jail after admitting to charges of making indecent images of children. Edwards has been handed a six month prison sentence suspended for two years, meaning he won't see jail as long as he doesn't re-offend. UK correspondent Enda Brady says his career and reputation are in tatters - as it's clear no one will ever hire him again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmer confidence has risen and bounced back to net positive levels for the first time since 2021. Following a small dip in the June quarter, the latest Rabobank survey found it had increased to a net reading of +3% from -25%. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks these results further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The soon-to-be-released GDP figures for Q2 will give experts an outline of the state of the economy. Economists predict the economy will have contracted again, as interest rates took their toll on consumer spending. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen outlines his picks for the quarter. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weight-loss industry is on track to bring in billions by 2030 - and one Kiwi company is taking advantage of the craze. Calocurb was developed with the help of Plant and Food Research and it's selling itself as a natural appetite suppressant. CEO Sarah Kennedy the company is growing every quarter - and has attracted significant interest in the US. "The biggest thing for us in the US is not only word of mouth, it's advertising. One company spent a billion dollars, but we're not going to do that - we don't have to."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and AUT Chancellor Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Teachers are concerned about implementing the new maths and literacy curriculum and have urged the Government to delay the changes. Is this a fair thing to ask? According to documents seen by Newstalk ZB, AUT's point-based system of determining who can go on international trips comes with an equity consideration - with Pacific and Maori staff members getting extra points added. Is this worth a review? Wellington mayor Tory Whanau revealed she had to sell her car to make ends meet. Do we have any sympathy? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 17 September 2024, a massive win in the fight against gangs took place today. Detective Superintendent Greg Williams told Heather nearly every single member of the Comancheros gang has been hit with criminal charges. Three quarters of teachers and principals want the Government to delay the introduction of the new maths and English curriculum, saying they don't have enough time to prepare delivering the new content. On the Huddle, AUT chancellor Rob Campbell defends the university's policy to help Māori and Pacifica staff with the travel costs to overseas conferences. Plus, Heather is wondering if her 2.5 year old Iggy is special because he can count to three! 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.

New research claims the costs of adding improved insulation onto Kiwi homes is far lower than initially reported.  Earlier in the year, Minister Chris Penk wanted to roll back insulation standards, citing reports of overheating issues and standards adding extra costs to new homes. New Zealand Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming says the cost of improved insulation for Kiwi homes is significantly less $40,000 - $50,000 cited by some. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand says some vape stores are putting profit over the health of our children. In July, the agency sent underage volunteers to 600 stores to attempt to buy vape and cigarette products. 63 retailers were caught - and will face infringement fines. National Public Health Service Compliance Manager Jo Pugh says it's very disappointing. "As a result, we sent out more infringement fines of $500 in this month than we have ever before." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip Polkinghorne's defence team says the Crown's accusations against him have been an insult. The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna, in 2021. In his closing remarks Ron Mansfield KC says a lack of injuries on Hanna's body must mean she took her own life. Herald reporter George Block says Mansfield also gave an explanation for Polkinghorne deleting his messages with sex worker Madison Ashton. "Mansfield says that was just because he didn't want that to become public - if it was going to be this big investigation, he didn't want his extramarital liaisons to become public fodder." Ron Mansfield will continue his remarks in the morning before the judge sums up the case, then the jury's expected to start deliberating tomorrow afternoon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major police crackdown on the Comancheros motorcycle gang has landed nearly all its members with criminal charges. A total of 137 charges have been laid and police allege the group has been involved in money laundering, drug trafficking and military-style training. Detective Superintendent Greg Williams says the police operation focused heavily on those higher up the ranks. "That's all the leadership of the gang, past patched members - so 41 members out of a total of 92." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins says there's lessons New Zealand's Labour party can learn from its British counterpart. He's attending the UK Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool this week to meet with members of the recently elected Government. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this comes off the back of an underwhelming poll result for Labour - and Hipkins is getting philosophical about the loss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A probate court in Nevada has begun reviewing evidence to determine who gets to control Rupert Murdoch's media empire after his death. Evidentiary hearings in the case are scheduled to run until next week - with the court keeping the hearings closed to the public and the media. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Rupert aims to ensure control of the businesses is kept in the hands of his oldest son, Lachlan, to preserve their commercial value. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are determined to shake off their bad luck in Cape Town and bounce back in training. The team is set up up to play against the Wallabies in Saturday's opening Bledisloe Cup test. D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 39 million people could die of antibiotic-resistant infections between now and 2050, according to a study published in The Lancet. The study says older people are most at risk of driving up infection-based fatalities.  Emergency physician Dr John Bonning says this has been a worry in the medical community for quite some time.  "People don't seem to necessarily realise that not only are they not doing themselves a disservice by overusing them - but it's actually the community resistance that's growing as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Crown has painted Philip Polkinghorne as a tinderbox ready to catch fire at any point - in its closing remarks.  The Auckland eye surgeon's accused of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna, but his defence says she committed suicide.  The prosecution says Polkinghorne's meth use, infidelity and rising anger created a perfect storm.  Herald Court reporter George Block told Heather du Plessis-Allan the prosecution emphasised an earlier alleged strangulation attack on his wife.  He says prosecutor Alysha McClintock said it was the most important piece of evidence. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A second assassination attempt against Donald Trump is under the FBI microscope.  Secret Service agents noticed a rifle barrel sticking out of a fence - after shots were fired at the former President's Florida golf course this morning. A 58-year-old suspect has been detained - after a witness spotted him fleeing.  Florida Correspondent Lauren Tomasi says suspect Ryan Routh is politically vocal on social media.  She told Heather du Plessis Allan he's very pro-Ukraine and has posted about Trump before - but so far a motive is unclear.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 16 September 2024, US correspondent Lauren Tomasi joins Heather from Florida where Donald Trump survived a second assassination attempt today.  The Crown prosecutor reveals the most important single piece of evidence during the summing up of the Polkinghorne murder case.  Heather asks the Finance Minister Nicola Willis whether she'd like a social media ban for her own kids.  Plus, the Huddle debates whether Act leader David Seymour's got bratty.  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 Justice Minister says he expects rising crime statistics may not reflect what's happening now. The Government's set a goal of 20-thousand fewer victims of crime by 2030, but says recent crime data shows the scale of the challenge ahead. A recent survey shows an increase in people's experience of crime over the past two years, but Paul Goldsmith told Heather du Plessis Allan this means there is a lag. He says he thinks the numbers reflect a peak last year, and should now be starting to turn down. Plus, the government has announced reforms going before Parliament this week include capping sentence discounts at 40 percent and scrapping repeat discounts for youth or remorse. New aggravating factors are also being introduced, to include adults exploiting children by aiding or abetting their offending - and for posting criminal activity online. Paul Goldsmith says the last two ideas came from the previous Government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jetstar says it's buzzing to be able to help Hamilton and Dunedin get international flights again. The airline's launching new routes from Hamilton to Sydney and the Gold Coast from June next year. It's the first time the city's had international flights since 2012. Dunedin will also return to the international schedule - with flights between the city and the Gold Coast from next June.  Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully told Heather du Plessis-Allan they've left plenty of time for the airports to prepare. She says Hamilton will need to touch up their customs and immigration areas. Plus, Tully says it'd be a good thing if its move into Hamilton promotes competition with Auckland Airport. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.