Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A Victoria University academic has apologised after making public comments suggesting dairy industry leaders should be hanged. 

Dr Mike Joy, a senior research fellow at the Wellington university and freshwater advocate, made a LinkedIn post suggesting the dairy industry was putting people at risk nitrate contamination of drinking and groundwater.

The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/list...

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

The Government has confirmed it aims to ramp up its deportation figures and deport more criminal residents. Does this go far enough? Do we support these changes?

Ikea is finally set to open in New Zealand this December. Are we going to go check it out?

Māori Par...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 4 September 2025, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford explains why the Government is looking to deport more immigrants who turn criminal.

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche reveals whether he would consider axing the Ministry for Women.

All Blacks assistant coach Scotty Hansen admits that there are some nerves ahead of the big clash against the Springbok...

So I'm going to suggest that Erica Stanford is on the right track with wanting to make it easier to deport criminals, but maybe she doesn't go far enough.

So at the moment, the rules are that we cannot deport criminals if they've been here on a residence visa and they've been residents for more than 10 years.

An example of this is the Mama Hooch brothers. These guys are not Kiwis.

You know the ones I'm talking about, down in C...

There's been some new proposals regarding the future of housing density in Auckland, and it's prompted plenty of debate and discussion.

The draft plan would see more dense housing built around key transport hubs, like the new City Rail Link.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop says Auckland needs to allow for more housing, and there's a long-term plan in place for the city's future.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

The Public Service Commissioner says he doesn't want to see the public service slashed and burnt. 

Earlier this week, the New Zealand Initiative called for a culling of our 43 Government departments to just 20. 

Sir Brian Roche says everything's on the table - but the changes need to be measured. 

"The Initiative is one world view, I think these things have to evolve. I don't look at this being a big bang, we don't w...

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." 

LISTEN...

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.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com...

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.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

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...