Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Over in Australia, the opposition isn't faring too well in the months after their election loss. The first post-election opinion poll has revealed Sussan Ley's coalition is sitting on 29 percent - the lowest figures since 2023. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Ley is still trying to appeal to prospective voters as the coalition assesses the damage.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finishing chances remains a focus for the All Blacks as they pivot towards the Rugby Championship next month. The 3-nil win over the French keeps the All Blacks second in the world behind the Springboks. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A win for Kmart workers, whose union says it's secured an industry-leading deal.  Worker First Union says it's ratified a two-year pay deal matching the minimum living wage - and rising alongside its increase next year.  Deputy Secretary of Retail at Workers First Union, Rudd Hughes, says this deal is a 'gold standard' for retail workers - and he hopes other retailers can follow suit. "It's not that they can't afford not to do it, we've asked for the details of their finances and they've refused to give them to us. The Norman family themselves, since 2017, have gone from $500 million net worth to over $1 billion. The workers certainly haven't had that kind of increase in their wages."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 18 July. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A flurry of action has occurred over Wellington mayoral hopeful Ray Chung's campaign. Three council candidates aligned with his ticket, Independent Together, have dropped out in just three days. This follows criticism of an email Chung wrote, containing salacious rumours about the city's Mayor. He's since apologised. But Alistair Boyce from campaign group Better Wellington is standing by him. He told Ryan Bridge he doesn't expect anyone else will leave, and they're all strong and ready for the fight. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent survey has revealed that Kiwis are more nosy in open homes than many would expect.   The survey found that 72% of participants admitted to snooping through wardrobes, and 69% confessed to looking through drawers and cupboards.  Despite this, real estate agent and Location, Location, Location host Jayne Kiely told Ryan Bridges that she’s never had a missing item reported from an open home.  ‘11 years I’ve been selling, I have not had one item stolen or moved’  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister is promising a school property agency (taking over management from the Ministry of Education) will pay for itself. Erica Stanford says using offsite manufacturing and repeatable designs from now, is reducing class build costs. She's announced plans for 137 new schoolrooms in Auckland. Stanford told Ryan Bridge cost efficiencies will pay for the new property agency. Stanford's also today announced plans to build 137 classrooms across 24 Auckland schools.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump is now asking for some of the Epstein documents to be released.  The President, who earlier this week was calling for people to forget about the files, has now changed his approach to the situation.   US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Ryan Bridge, ‘I think he wants to try and get ahead of this, even though he has been trying to divert attention from it.’   These documents are suspected of containing important information about the identities of some of Jeffery Epstein’s clients.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legal battle has swayed in media's favour - now allowed to report child sex exploitation and bestiality imagery were allegedly discovered on work devices of former Police Deputy Commissioner, Jevon McSkimming.  They were allegedly found while he was under a separate criminal investigation, the details of which can't be legally reported.  He resigned suddenly in May after being suspended on full pay since December.   The Herald's Jared Savage told Ryan Bridge details had to be kept secret after McSkimming's lawyer filed an urgent application in the High Court.  He says media organisations banded together to successfully challenge the injunction stopping reporting on the nature of the material.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister is defending the focus of a new anti-corruption taskforce. The Serious Fraud Office will aim to understand threats to the public sector. The six-month pilot will be limited to six Government agencies -  Inland Revenue, ACC, Corrections, MSD, Land Information NZ, and Sport NZ.  Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge that globally, some of the biggest recent corruption issues - relate to sporting codes.  He wants to ensure there's best practice to maintains the country's low-corruption reputation.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.