Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, lawyer and political commentator Liam Hehir and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The big mega-strike took place today - what have we seen? How do we think they went? Given protesters weren't able to march on Parliament, is the political sting missing? Marama Davidson's Right to Repair Bill was scrapped last night, because Davidson herself was late to the House. How bad does this look? Do we need to teach home economics at school? Shouldn't that be the parents' job? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 23 October 2025, teacher union negotiator Liam Rutherford disagrees with Heather's notion that the strikes were a bit of a fizzer. Ozempic is fast becoming somewhat of a super drug - with new research linking the weight loss drug to a 20% drop of heart attacks and strokes even in people who weren't overweight. Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie is scathing of alleged drug trafficking boats being blown up at sea by the US. Former Starbucks sustainability boss Michael Kobori explains why being woke is still good for business in today's world. Plus, the Huddle disagrees vehemently with Heather on whether or not we really need home economics at school. 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.

I have to be honest with you, because it's been a little while since I sat in the home economics class in Tuakau College - so there is a fair chance that my experience is a little out of date by about 20 years and I might just make a fool of myself with what I'm about to say next. But I do not understand the angst about Erica Stanford dropping home economics from the NCEA curriculum. There is an opinion piece in The Spinoff today, and it's arguing against Erica Stanford removing this 'vital' subject from our school subject list because it's a 'moral decision,' - because, quote, 'everyone deserves to know what's in their food, how it affects their health, and how to make choices that support their overall well-being.' Now, I tend to agree with that. You should know what's going on in your food. But from what I understand, home ec is still being taught and will still be taught to years 9 and 10 in some form or another, that's not going to change. And if you cannot learn in the space of 2 years that you need to eat your fruit and your vegetables and your meat and maybe avoid the processed stuff and the sugar, then I don't have much hope that you're ever gonna learn this stuff. And what's more, we are already one of the most obese nations on this planet. So home economics hasn't done very much for us in helping us to keep ourselves healthy in the last 114 years that it's been around, has it? But also, and I think this is the most important thing, come on - did you actually learn anything in home ec? Libby, who works with us, reckons that in one class, she spent the entire class just learning how to make a sandwich. I remember setting a pot of oil on fire and and then running around with it and being taught how to put the fire out. So I suppose that's semi-helpful, but I also learned how to cut carrots, which, frankly, I should have known anyway. All of this stuff, you can learn at home. Now, home economics strikes me as one of those subjects that the country would be better off dropping altogether and replacing with another session on maths. Don't you agree? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US forces have struck another vessel alleged to be carrying drugs, this time in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Reports claim two on board the vessel were killed and no US forces were harmed.  Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie has voiced concerns over this incident - and claimed everyone deserves the right to a fair trial. "The process that he's doing is wrong, everyone has a right to a fair trial and they shouldn't just be executed on an assumption that they are a drug trafficker."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis will be able to buy a share in a house for as little as $100 with a new investment platform launched today that promises to break down the barriers to home ownership. Housies will allow investors to buy shares in a house and receive returns from rental income or long-term capital growth. Co-founder James Jordan says this will allow people to easily get access to a home if they invest enough. "They have skin in the game, they've got their own money in the property. The properties are all going to be new homes and they're going to look after them and we're going to support them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A disproportionate number of children in state care face harm when returned home. Oranga Tamariki's annual report shows an overall increase in abuse or neglect in state care, with 530 children experiencing harm in the year ending March. That's 23 up on the previous year. Independent children's monitor, Arran Jones, says about half of children return in an unplanned way. "You've got voices of parents there saying - I just wasn't ready for my young person to come home, I've got drug and alcohol issues, I've got mental health issues I haven't been able to address, I'm not ready to have them home." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both sides of an education pay dispute claim they were always open to negotiations.  The mega-strike is winding down after some 100,000 health workers, teachers, and public sector staff walked off the job.  Education Minister Erica Stanford says it's disappointing - considering the Government's been willing to keep the issue at the bargaining table.  NZEI's Liam Rutherford says so have they.  "We've never left the negotiating table - we had three afternoons last week, the primary teachers did, trying to get an offer out of the PSC and we've got dates to go back in the coming weeks as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Memories were shared of Jim Bolger as a devout Catholic, masterful farmer, family man and exceptional leader.  Colleagues and family shared remembrances of the former Prime Minister, as he was laid to rest in Kapiti today.  Former Prime Ministers, Governor-Generals, iwi leaders and the Māori Queen attended the funeral at Bolger's local parish. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped all the tributes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, Opposition leader Sussan Ley has walked back hear earlier comments calling for Kevin Rudd to resign as US ambassador. Ley earlier suggested Rudd leave the role after US President Donald Trump criticised him during a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explained the situation further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland will finish up in the role when his current contract concludes at the end of the 2025 season.  Holland confirmed his decision to All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson after the second Bledisloe Cup test match earlier this month. The players were informed today on the first day of camp ahead of tomorrow's departure for the Northern Tour.  Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explained what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.