Larry Williams Drive

A battle's flared between Federated Farmers and Greenpeace. Federated Farmers says the activist group should be stripped of its charitable status for defacing Gore's iconic brown trout statue to highlight how dairy pollution's affected the town's water. A three-day do-not-drink notice was issued Friday, because of elevated nitrate levels. Southland Federated Farmers president, Jason Herrick, says Greenpeace should behave better. "What they were doing had the potential to destroy a pretty important monument in Gore." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost a century after Phillis Symons was murdered and buried in an unmarked Karori grave, a headstone mysteriously appeared. Symons, 17 and pregnant, was killed by George Errol Coats in June 1931 and buried - some say alive - in the dirt excavated to build the Mt Victoria tunnel, where her body was later discovered. Historian Gabor Toth says it's a mystery as to how the headstone got there. "The fact that her grave has been unmarked has been remarked upon over the years - I do know that the Friends of Karori Cemetery, a group that got going about five or six years ago were actively engaging with Phyllis Symons' family over in Australia and they were working towards getting a gravestone...but this isn't it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new law on space infrastructure is being described as immediately enhancing national security. The bill's passed under urgency today, and requires a Government permit for anyone wanting to operate ground-based space infrastructure, like a launch pad. Permission can be removed if the security risk can't be managed. Space Minister Judith Collins says there are risks from so much banking and communication being done through satellites. "That sort of information could be pulled off those satellites - or copied." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A social housing commentator says the numbers of people without a home is probably worse than data suggests.  June Homelessness Insights released today show rough sleeping's worsening countrywide, across all measures.  The 2023 Census indicated a 37 percent increase between 2018 and 2023, reaching almost 5,000 without shelter.  But Bernie Smith says the Census wasn't that accurate - and explained many people on the street weren't contactable or didn't do the Census.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says all roads lead back to supermarket competition, as questions loom over spiralling dairy prices. Nicola Willis yesterday spoke with with Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell - in a meeting she's called constructive and candid. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's likely the Government will make an announcement on supermarkets in the coming days. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More tributes for heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne, who's died aged 76. Band-mates of Black Sabbath's lead singer say they've lost a brother. Musos from Pearl Jam, Metallica and Aerosmith are calling Osbourne a hero, and an inspiration for generations. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Osbourne helped bring metal music into the mainstream - at least, in the US. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The findings of a coronial inquest into the death of a charity boxer in 2018, criticised by a mother for “pulling my son’s integrity apart”, recommend a tightening up of rules and regulations for future corporate events. The findings come as the Government proposes to repeal the Boxing and Wrestling Act of 1981. Kain Parsons died on November 6, 2018 – three days after taking part in the “Fight for Christchurch” charity boxing event at the city’s Horncastle Arena, now Wolfbrook Arena. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington’s mega concert drought is officially over, after Ed Sheeran confirmed he was returning to New Zealand next January. The capital’s last major concert was the Foo Fighters in 2024 - and since then, global superstars like Lewis Capaldi and Lorde have skipped over Wellington when announcing their tours. Wellington NZ chief executive Mark Oldershaw says Wellington's a big city that manages to attract events, but there's plenty of challenges involved. "We recognise that we've got a significant stadium and another arena that holds five and a half thousand people with not a lot in between - so there are some challenges there, but there's all sorts of challenges at the moment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, the Government is looking into a review of the state pension age to see if it needs to be increased. The review will consider whether the current state pension age - currently 66 - is still appropriate, based on factors such as life expectancy. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this comes as Denmark pushes the pension age back to 70, and it's raised some concerns. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns have been raised among economists as inflation data suggests things may not be as on track as they seem. Inflation has hit 2.7 percent, with big food increases led by massive hikes in food prices. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains what this could do for the Reserve Bank's outlook going foward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand red meat exports earned an extra $1.2 billion this year, due to good livestock pricing and tighter supplies.  But the country's $10 billion-plus red meat sector has raised the alarm that it was struggling to get the numbers of livestock needed to satisfy international demand. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former High Commissioner to the UK and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff and Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Sky TV has bought Three for $1. What do we make of the deal? What does this mean for the future of the industry? New Zealand has joined the international calls for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza - but do we need to let actions follow words?  A new Talbot Mills poll reveals the majority of the nation thinks the country is on the wrong track, and half of NZ First's voters think National doesn't deserve to be re-elected. Do you think we're looking at a one-term Government? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns over whether the costs for the new Waikato University medical school will blow out and be passed on to taxpayers. Cabinet will contribute $80 million to the $230-million-dollar Waikato University school, which is expected to open in 2028 for 120 trainees.  University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley says the university is on track for a surplus of $20 million this financial year. "The university is in really good financial shape, enrolments have risen very quickly this year...and we have no debt at the moment either." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 22 July 2025, Sky TV chief executive Sophie Moloney tells Heather why she bought Three for $1. Foreign Minister Winston Peters says enough is enough in Gaza, but what will it really take to end the war? Reserve Bank Governor Neil Quigley gets a grilling after new claims about the events that led to ex-Governor's Adrian Orr's resignation. Why are we seeing such a huge rise in gym related injuries? Plus, the Huddle debates a new poll that suggests the Government will lose power at the next election - and NZ First voters are keen on Labour again. 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 big news of the day is another $1 deal in the media, which probably tells you everything you need to know about the state of the industry. But this is, on balance, good news for everyone - I would have thought. It's good for you, for viewers, good for Sky, and good for Three. And I'm gonna work backwards on that - Let's start with TV3. It's good news for Three and for the people who work there, because Three continues to exist. A very real alternative must have been for Warner Brothers Discovery, the owners, to shut Three down completely. Now that they've sold it for $1 to Sky, it continues. It's good news for Sky, because it gives Sky TV a chance to make money again off stuff that they already own. For example, and I'm just picking this randomly, let's say White Lotus. Sky TV buys the broadcast rights for the country to White Lotus, they earn the money off White Lotus by sticking it on Sky TV, sticking it on Neon, and we pay a subscription to watch it. Now, they can wait a few months,

A pohutukawa tree on Auckland's North Shore has sparked controversy, with residents of an impacted apartment complex calling for a solution. The tree fell over into the complex's property and has been lying in place for three years - and there's growing demand to move it. Former ZB broadcaster Murray Deaker is one of the impacted residents and he says the tree's a safety hazard for residents and their families. "There's a hearing on the sixth of August... and people can go along and put their submissions in. And I think that'll be an interesting one."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government believes only a negotiated ceasefire offers the best hope in Gaza. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has signed New Zealand on to a long and growing list of nations calling for a permanent end to the conflict. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper speculates about the impact of this statement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland property developer doesn't believe changes to rules on building granny flats will add the 13,000 extra dwellings claimed by the Government. Easing resource and building consents requirements for structures 70 square metres or less - was one of the Government’s first moves in office. David Witburn says the number is more like 3,000. "The reality is, it's a niche accommodation type, a granny flat. It's not everyone's dream to live in a granny flat, it can be very useful for extended whanau living." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A childcare centre director who employed her convicted child sex offender husband as a groundskeeper has been sacked. There is no allegation he offended against children at the centre, and investigations are ongoing. Australian correspondent Sam Emery says this story will prompt questions about child safety as Parliament returns. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sky TV recently bought TV3 - and it's got experts speculating about what this could mean for the future of New Zealand sport. It's taking over Warner Brother Discovery's New Zealand television arm - including other linear and streaming channels, like ThreeNow. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.