Larry Williams Drive

A group of Christchurch high school students want Rolleston Avenue renamed - after learning about its history. It’s named for William Rolleston, who led the 1881 invasion of Parihaka in which 1600 Maori were forced off their land and left to starve. Hagley College students told The Press keeping the name feels wrong. Riccarton Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt says it's worth a discussion. "That's the first step - anything outside of that, we can't do anything drastic, obviously. And Christchurch has got its own identity and it's currently ever-changing, so it's something I really appreciate them coming to the table with." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington Councillor's calling out her peers over a new $2.3-million-dollar CBD public toilet. It replaces an old block that had become a crime hot-spot. The building's wooden panels are lined with a $150,000 lighting system, designed to display a night-time show. Diane Calvert says spending in the Capital follows a pattern. "This is the culture in the organisation - it just has to change. Toilets are really important in our CBD, but did we need to take three years building them and over $2 million dollars and light them up like a glowing monument?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hope and relief from the ADHD community over prescription rule changes to improve treatment access.  From February, GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to prescribe treatments from the outset - without a specialist recommendation.  Wait times for specialist appointments vary, but can be over a year.  ADHD NZ spokesperson Darrin Bull says over-diagnosis can be a concern, but these changes will still be enforced by medical professionals.  "We're comfortable that the benefits of such a change outweighs the risks of some overdiagnoses - but the training is essential." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sun's rising in the Middle East - on an uncertain kind of ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Iran State Television has claimed a ceasefire now applies - although Israel's made no official comment yet. Earlier today, US President Donald Trump announced hostilities would pause between Israel and Iran, saying they want peace. Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller says a very strange, staggered ceasefire reportedly applies. "There's now, according to Donald Trump, you've got a 12-hour window until 4am NZT tomorrow in which Israel will be allowed to strike Iran - but Iran will not be able to strike back." Iran retaliated overnight to US strikes on its nuclear sites - with its attacks intercepted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is accusing the Greens of being one sided on the Middle East conflict. The Foreign Minister's official statement says it's not a 'black and white situation'. Peters says proxies for Iran, including Hamas and Hezbollah, have killed so many. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The jury is set to begin its deliberations in Erin Patterson's trial over the deaths of three relatives and the attempted murder of a fourth. Patterson pleaded not guilty to deliberately poisoning Don and Gail Patterson and Heather and Ian Wilkinson with death cap mushrooms at a lunch at her Leongatha home in 2023. After eight weeks of evidence and closing submissions from the prosecution and defence, Justice Christopher Beale has delivered clear final instructions to the jury. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Justice Beale went through a long list of evidence for the jury to take into account. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster is resigned to spending more time without wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. He's out for four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered in a hip-drop tackle against Penrith, his second long injury break of the year. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A single Treaty settlement is being drafted by New Zealand First for the country's largest iwi. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith has signalled he's open to settlements with smaller groups - within iwi. Ngāti Hine leader Pita Tipene says they continue to hold talks with Paul Goldsmith, but not Shane Jones. "He is the minister, that's who we have conversations with and that's how we want to keep it. We don't want to be talking to the minister - or anybody else for that matter - through the media." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK and its NATO allies have agreed to increase spending on defence and related areas to 5 percent of GDP by 2035.  Ambassadors of all 32 alliance member states signed off on the new spending pledge ahead of a major summit of leaders. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market reactions after the US strikes on Iran have been more 'muted' than expected, especially compared to the response from a week ago. Reports indicate investors have brushed off this escalation.  Shane Solly from Harbour Asset Management explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Should the US have intervened in Iran? Where could this go from here? How do we feel about All Black Caleb Clarke being discharged without conviction - despite fleeing police in a high speed chase? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, US certainly ramped things up over the weekend, didn't it? And if you feel like this is an incredibly serious situation right now, you're not wrong, because there are very few examples - if any - of the US involving itself in the Middle East or surrounding areas and making things better. For the most part, it just ends up backfiring or ending badly. I mean, there are some really obvious ways with regards to Iran that this could go badly. First of all - if Iran wasn't making a nuclear weapon, and I have my doubts about that, but if they really weren't, then this may convince them that they really need to get on and make that nuclear weapon because there is only one way to ensure that you don't get bombed by the US, and that is to have a nuclear weapon. This could also incentivize other countries like Russia to give them a nuclear weapon, which has been a threat from Russia in the last few days. This could spiral into some sort of instability in the country if there's a regime change in Iran that is

The Finance Minister's keeping a close eye on the economic impact of volatility in the Middle East. Economists worry it will impact oil, driving up prices at the pump for Kiwis.  Nicola Willis says this is a concern.  "Our position now is that we support all efforts at diplomacy and de-escalation. That is good for the world." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the recent US strikes on Iran, experts have voiced concerns over whether Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is considered a significant oil 'choke point' with one fifth of global oil supplies and a third of liquefied natural gas passing through it. International relations expert Stephen Hoadley says it's an option Iran's considering - and warns closing it will come with significant implications. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 23 June 2025, David Kilcullen, former advisor to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaks to Heather du Plessis-Allan on the odds of Trump bringing in regime change in Iran. Exclusive polling shows Kiwis don't think Cook Islanders should continue to get automatic access to citizenship, healthcare and superannuation if the country continues with its foreign policy push towards China against NZ's will. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is refusing to tell Heather the price of the new Kainga Ora wool carpets. All Black rookie Brodie McAlister on finding out he'd made the team - and the first person he told. Plus, the Huddle weighs in on the situation in Iran and whether saunas are taking off in NZ. 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.

There's belief the New Zealand-Cook Islands 'special relationship' will hold, despite an unfavourable poll. The Government paused aid after the Cooks signed a partnership with China - without sharing details with New Zealand.  46 percent of respondents to a Taxpayers' Union-funded Curia poll believe Cook Island citizens should no longer have automatic access to New Zealand passports or citizenship. Pacific security expert Anna Powles says she doesn't see that change happening - and there's a lot to lose. "For many Cook Islanders, it's very divided and fairly complex - and there are significant benefits, particularly with respect to healthcare."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has unveiled the 35-man squad set to play France - and there's some new names in the batch. Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister is among the new faces included in the All Blacks squad. He says he didn't get a heads-up about this development - and he says he's in 'shock'. "I'm just looking forward to getting in there and getting stuck in." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Immigration Minister says the first proper data will be collected on the value overseas investors bring to New Zealand.   The Government's confirmed almost 200 applications have been received from overseas investors since settings loosened in April.  Erica Stanford says applicants have six months to find and make an investment. But she explained what happens after the initial funding is often more significant.  "We know through the data that we do have that they invest a whole lot more once they get here and they see the ecosystem and they fall in love with the place - and they're quite big philanthropists as well."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A past-advisor to a former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says a clear and timely assessment of damage to Iran's nuclear programme, is unlikely. David Kilcullen says the US is presenting its strikes as complete destruction. "There's really no way to tell that until somebody gets in there and takes a look - and there's very little chance of that."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than a third of respondents to a poll believe the Cook Islands should still get New Zealand services. Last week, the Government paused aid after the Cooks signed a partnership with China, without sharing any details with New Zealand.  The Taxpayers' Union-funded Curia poll asked participants whether the Cooks should continue to have automatic access to New Zealand passports, citizenship and healthcare when pursuing foreign policy against New Zealand's wishes.    Only 30 percent believed they should and 46 percent said not - with the remaining 24 percent unsure.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacks the results. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.