Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Government's running its eyes over rules for big events at Eden Park - hoping to attract more money to Auckland.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the Government will investigate changing the rules if they hinder economic growth. Currently, only 12 music events and 25 night-time sports fixtures can be held each year, while conferences can't have more than 2000 people.   Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's likely the Government will move ahead with these changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Government is set to pour $12 billion into a submarine and naval shipbuilding facility in Western Australia in a bid to speed up the delivery of AUKUS. The Trump administration has been pressuring Australia to boost defence spending as the Pentagon reviews the AUKUS deal. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is due to meet US officials in New York in the coming days to discuss this further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi rugby fans are speculating about what's changed after the All Blacks got trounced in their second test against South Africa. The 43-10 result in Wellington marks the side's highest margin of defeat - a week after extending their undefeated run at Eden Park to 51 matches. Sportstalk host Jason Pine speculates further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACC claims for e-scooter injuries have almost doubled since 2020, with the number expected to continue increasing. They cost taxpayers almost $14.5 million in 2024 - while $10.3 million has been paid out so far this year. Christchurch is leading the pack in scooter injuries, with over 400 claims lodged so far in 2025. Flamingo co-founder Jacksen Love has blamed a lack of proper regulations, but he's hoping new policy changes will improve things. "We welcome the recent Government announcement that e-scooters will soon be able to operate in bike lanes - I think it's a really positive step." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 12 September 2025, the big protest across the Harbour Bridge in Auckland has been called off because of high winds. Relieving Waitemata District Commander Stefan Sagar tells Heather why police were going to let the protest happen, even though NZTA said no. Have secondary teachers lost their room with a whole week of strike action next week? PPTA president Chris Abercrombie defends the strike. There's angst in Wellington because people might soon start exploring for gold near the ecosanctuary of Zealandia. Travis Mackay is the only person who has been granted permission so far - he says it's all a storm in a teacup. Plus, the Sports Huddle disagrees on whether the All Blacks can make it 2/2 against South Africa and who is to blame for the netball debacle this week? 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.

Weather aside, I actually think police did do the right thing saying yes to that march taking place across the harbour Bridge, which will now not take place tomorrow but at a later date. My biggest problem with it would be that it would set a precedent, but it's actually not setting a precedent because the precedent was probably already set last year by the anti-Treaty principles Hikoi, which happened in November. And now as a result, we are dealing with the predictable problem of letting one protest walk across, which means that we have to let every major protest walk across if they want to. So here we find ourselves. But I do think, having said all of that, I do think it is the right thing to do because what it is doing is allowing a controlled protest to take place that will achieve what the protest organizers want, which is big publicity to draw attention to what's happening in Gaza. Now, a protest across the harbour bridge is surely a better outcome than protesters finding other ways to get the same kind of publicity. I mean, this week in Spain, look what's happened. The protesters disrupted the Grand Tour so many times that there is now talk that the race may be abandoned before the final leg is finished on Sunday. I would much rather just have a march across the harbour Bridge. A lawyer in Auckland has just been convicted for vandalizing politicians’ electorate offices with red paint, including Christopher Luxon's. I would rather that she just put down her paint and went for a march across the harbour Bridge. In a way, the real precedent actually has been set by Sydney where they allowed the protesters to cross their harbour Bridge in August. Now, really, put yourself in the position of the police. How could they say no when it had already happened in Sydney? So I know whenever this finally does happen, it's not going to be popular. Disruptions never are popular, but all things considered, with the available options, I think it was the right thing to do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the resignation of former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, candidates have begun stepping forward to take his place.  In the running is Shinjirō Koizumi, son of a former Prime Minister and the current agricultural minister and Takaichi Senai, who aims to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister.  Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather duPlessis-Allan that this election could ‘break the mould’ of exclusively elderly men running for the position of Prime Minister.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second All Blacks Springboks game tomorrow night's happening in Wellington.  The All Blacks have made 6 changes to the starting side after their 24-17 win last weekend and South Africa have made 7 changes.  Former Springbok and Supersport Journalist Hanyani Shimange told Heather duPlessis-Allan that the team is confident heading in to Wellington.   ‘You guys got us at Eden Park, the record stands, but we're confident for tomorrow.’  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on the Huddle: Rugby commentator Jeff McTainsh and sports journalist Nikki Styris join Heather duPlessis-Allan to discuss the latest sports news.  Can the All Blacks beat the Sprinboks a second time round? Will the Warriors survive against the Panthers? and what's happening next in the Netball coach shuffle?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington company wants to prospect for gold near a nature reserve. A local family has applied for permits to explore for gold and other minerals directly next door to Zealandia eco-sanctuary.  Quicksand Limited Director Travis Mackay says they've got a permit for panning at the moment.  He says they're exploring non-destructive, non-toxic methods.  Mackay says they don't want people coming to the area thinking they can do heavier riskier operations.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.