Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Halfback Kyle Preston is poised for a test debut off the bench for the All Blacks against South Africa on Saturday at Eden Park in the Rugby Championship.

The Crusader's backing up Finlay Christie, who's been named to start with Cortez Ratima ruled out due to an injury.

All Blacks assistant coach Scotty Hansen says experts confirmed Ratima wasn't fit to play this time round.

"It wasn't an option this week to play him." 

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The Health Minister's admitting his decision to request Heath NZ and the senior doctors union go to arbitration is unusual. 

Heath NZ's agreed to participate in arbitration in an effort to resolve 12 months of collective agreement negotiations. 

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is yet to respond. 

Minister Simeon Brown says his request comes after the union indicated it's looking at striking.

"I guess ...

The Immigration Minister says changes to deportation laws were started because of the Mama Hooch rapists' case. 

Erica Stanford is proposing to make deportation possible for visa holders who've been here less than 20 years and also committed a serious crime. 

That's up from the existing 10 years - and could also apply to historic crimes. 
 
Stanford says Australian serial rapists Danny and Roberto Jaz curr...

The search for alleged cop-killer Dezi Freeman is still ongoing, but his wife is also the subject of an investigation as the situation continues.

Freeman is accused of gunning down two officers before disappearing into the bush, but authorities have evidence to prosecute the fugitive's wife, Amalia Freeman, for obstructing police at the time of the shooting.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Amalia Freeman and a 15-year-old...

Wallace Sititi will start at number eight for the All Blacks against South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday, sliding Simon Parker to six and Ardie Savea to start his 100th test at openside.

Halfback Cortez Ratima's been ruled out with a rib injury, allowing Finlay Christie to start and Kyle Preston a probable debut off the bench.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks Robertson's selections further.

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There's only three months until New Zealand's first Ikea store opens its doors in Auckland's Sylvia Park.

The Swedish furniture giant's 34,000 square metre store will host seven-and-a-half thousand products.

It'll also see its restaurant open with foods like its famous Swedish meatballs. 

Ikea NZ Market Manager Johanna Cederlöf says they've already hired 200 people, with 320 more joining soon.

"Every week, it's going to be ver...

The UK Government is planning a new law in England to stop anyone under the age of 16 buying energy drinks from supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and other retailers.

Up to one third of UK children are thought to consume these types of drinks every week, despite protective measures existing in some stores.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says experts have linked energy drinks to headaches, sleep deprivation, heart prob...

There are fears the Government’s proposal to change who is liable for shonky buildings risks leaving homeowners in the lurch.

The Government is proposing to prevent local councils from being lumped with big bills if they consent buildings that turn out to be leaky or defective.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny reveals why homeowners have voiced concerns.

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Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from The Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

Yesterday's big Amazon announcement turned out to be a big pile of nothings, according to new reports. Does this mean we need to be more careful when overseas companies come in making big promises? 

Voter turnout in the Tāmaki Ma...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 3 September 2025, we've chosen a shipyard to build our new Interislander ferries - but Ferry Holdings' Chris Mackenzie explains they're not quite ready to reveal who will do the honours.

Almost 60,000 Aussies have signed a petition calling for Kiwi born neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell to be deported back to New Zealand. But Australian senator Lidia Thorpe tells Heather d...

Questions have been raised over New Zealand's future in the Paris Accord, with National holding steady in support for the agreement.

Yesterday, ACT's David Seymour said New Zealand should leave unless the terms are changed, but Prime Minister Chris Luxon said backing out would mean we aren't a trusted partner on trade - and would punish our farmers.

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says the Government has no plans to pull out, a...

Now, we need to talk about that Amazon announcement yesterday.

These guys have taken us for fools in this country. They've looked at us in New Zealand and they've gone, let's take these guys for fools.

That $7.5 billion wasn't new, it was already announced by Jacinda 4 years ago. It's not even actually a convincing number, because it looks like what they've done here is included their power bills.

Now power bills are not ...

Before he died, rugby star Shane Christie sent a secret NZ Rugby report to the NZ Herald, claiming its findings needed to be released to keep future rugby players safe.

The report describes a detailed safety-net of measures Christie insisted be explored in the hope NZ Rugby would improve player safety.

NZ Herald investigative reporter David Fisher received the report - and he weighed in on the secrecy around the data.

"There were m...

An Auckland local board chair is concerned children are using large nitrous oxide canisters.

The gas is sold legally for whipped cream use, but can also be used illegally as a psychoactive substance. 

The canisters are 3.3 litres, about the same as 300 smaller canisters - known as nangs.

Manurewa Local Board Chair Matt Winiata says after seeing one, he's spotted them littered across streets in his local area. 

"On a 10-mi...

An Australian politician says a New Zealand-born neo-Nazi leader shouldn't be deported here, despite a nearly 60,000 strong petition.

National Socialist Network leader Thomas Sewell was arrested yesterday, after gate-crashing a press conference with the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.

Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe says he's allegedly been committing hate crimes and should face the music in Australia.

"I don't think sending a whit...

Those in charge of buying our new Interislander ferries are confident a good deal has been reached. 

The yet-to-be-named preferred supplier has signed a letter of intent, and agreed with Ferry Holdings on a fixed price. 

Chair Chris Mckenzie says  they're now at the technical negotiation stage. 

"We now negotiate what's inside that boat - arrangements even down to what sort of sinks we have in the kitchens - and...