Larry Williams Drive

The moa was a visionary bird well ahead of its time. Bringing them back from extinction makes perfect sense - we'll be setting them free. They can finally live their best life. Spread their wings - metaphorically, of course, cause they don't actually have wings. But they'll be free in this brave, new modern world. Firstly, they're vegan. So hip and trendy box number one - big tick. Wait till somebody introduces them to the incredible burger, or eggplant sandwiches with vegan slaw. They'll love that. But wait, it gets woker. The women are dominant - one and half times bigger than the men and two and half times the weight. Trendy, progressive box number two - tick. Number 3 - turns out they were quite oppressed back in the day. Victims, you could call them. Also very trendy today. Hunted to extinction by men with spears, slaughtered and eaten. You know what that means in 2025 - lived experience. Wait for the wellness podcast and the Oprah interview. And then there's the obvious but awkward issue of being a

The Public Service Commissioner says there's signs of optimism and room for improvement in this year's survey of public servants.  The poll of 40 thousand workers found 80 percent think there's a staff shortage and workloads are too high.  Commissioner Brian Roche says AI, not more staff, could be the answer.  He says he's not making much of the finding - a third of public servants thought they were underpaid. "I've never been in a workplace where there's an element of people who don't think they should get paid more." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lucky escape for a near-hypothermic Wellington tramper and his dog after the pair were rescued from freezing overnight conditions in the Tararua Ranges.  David Graham and Winnie were winched to safety in an Air Force helicopter about 4.30am yesterday, where he was given the best hot chocolate of his life.  Graham says he was well-prepared, but conditions deteriorated - and by 9pm, his sleeping bag froze.  "When my dog started shaking, I realised that the temperature was dropping pretty quick, and so at that point I got in touch with emergency services." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

600 Tasman jobseekers have the opportunity to help clean up flood damage in the upper South Island.  The Government's activated a beneficiary task force in Tasman and Marlborough. Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner, Craig Churchill, says they're targeting jobseekers closest to the area.  "We've actually had a lot of jobseekers register interest to help in events like this. And this is a significant event that's going to take quite some time to recover from, people are really willing to help." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another cut to the Official Cash Rate still looks more likely than not, according to one expert. The Reserve Bank's kept the OCR unchanged at 3.25 percent today, following six consecutive cuts. It's waiting for more economic data, before further moves. But Infometrics principal economist, Brad Olsen, says the bank's explicitly signalling the chance of more cuts. "If things continue to evolve as they broadly expect, that will give them more scope to continue to cut the Official Cash Rate - maybe one or two cuts by the end of this year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The death toll from flash floods in Texas has risen to 111 - including 28 children - and the numbers missing have skyrocketed to 173. It's the US's deadliest freshwater flooding in nearly 50 years. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says fingers have been pointed at the Republicans in charge - claiming their cuts to emergency services have worsened the impact of the disaster.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public hearings for the second phase of the Covid-19 inquiry got under way this week, and there's been speculation if Jacinda Ardern will make an appearance. Ardern says she will provide evidence to assist the Royal Commission of Inquiry, if asked to. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says key decision makers and senior public servants are set to speak next month. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra motivation for Queensland ahead of tonight's State of Origin series decider against New South Wales in Sydney. Maroons skipper Cameron Munster has returned to camp after the death of his father, Steven. Sportstalk host Elliott Smith explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Otago University professor says extinction is forever and the moa isn't coming back. A US genetic engineering project with backing from Peter Jackson claims it might restore the extinct South Island moa to New Zealand within a decade. But zoology professor Philip Seddon says he's questioning the researchers' goal and whether it's even possible. "Its genetics will be different, its physiology will be different, its behaviour will be different. There's a lot of question marks about whether a GMO version of a moa is actually going to be useful at all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is looking to plug up a multi-billion dollar financial hole - leading some to speculate about the possible introduction of new taxes. Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has advocated for the Government introducing a tax on wealth. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this suggestion has prompted backlash, with experts claiming wealth taxes have historically never worked. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has defied market expectations by leaving its cash rate target unchanged at 3.85 percent. Market expectations were for the central bank to cut its rate by 25 basis points. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham this came as a surprise to experts - but the central bank opted to wait ahead of the CPI release. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson has takne home the title of New Zealand's top young farmer. The 26-year-old was crowned the 57th FMG Young Farmer of the Year last weekend after the final event in Invercargill.  The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle Ali Jones from Red PR and former National ministerial advisor Brigitte Morton joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The second stage of the Covid-19 inquiry is still going on - and Labour's Chris Hipkins has suggested this gives conspiratorial views a platform. Do we think these comments are out of line?  TVNZ is set to launch an independent review of its news content to check for balance and bias. Is this a serious enough problem? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Heather Du Plessis-Allan Drive with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 8th of July 2025, Brooke van Velden responds to Chris Hipkins saying the Covid inquiry terms of reference provides a platform for conspiracy theorists. Donald Trump has met with Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House, Managing partner of Firehouse strategies & Former Chief of staff for Marco Rubio's 2016 campaign, Matt Terrill provides some analysis. Rich-listers who planned to fully fund a new arena at Western Springs Stadium have removed their bid, rival Western Springs Stadium bidder Brent Eccles tells Ryan Bridge what happens next. Plus, TVNZ is launching a independent review to check its news for balance, Ryan asks the Huddle if TVNZ is too biased. 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 Reserve Bank is expected to take a breather when it reviews the Official Cash Rate on Wednesday, before pushing on with cuts later in the year. The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee is widely expected to keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 3.25 percent. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold says the central bank runs some risks if they cut at this point. "What they risk is that the CPI, which is due later on this month, comes in uncomfortably high - and some of the data we've seen since May suggests that it is actually going to be a bit stronger than what they forecasted." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A property lawyer says new proposals take a major burden off realtor's shoulders.  The Government is streamlining the process for selling a house held by a family trust - as it makes changes to laws preventing money laundering.  It says real estate agents must currently collective excessive amounts of information about the trust. But McVeagh Fleming Associate Mario Thorne says documents are often missing - or never existed.   "You're dealing with really straightforward situations where it's clear where the funds have come from - and then to cast the net too wide and ask for these invasive documents, it's cracking a nut with a sledgehammer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TVNZ is set to launch an independent review of its news content to check for balance and bias. This follows Media Minister Paul Goldsmith expressing interest in seeing trust in media improve - particularly for the state broadcasters. NZME Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie says viewers have taken issue with the 'editorialising' of the news. "The reporter comes in at the end and gives an opinion or analysis that the viewer might take issue with. The feedback that we get a lot of is - just report the news." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small moves have been made that could help achieve a Gaza ceasefire - but no certainty. The US President hosted Israel's Prime Minister at the White House, as the world holds onto hope the war will end. Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu expressed interest in working together for peace in the Middle East, but seemed to downplay the prospect of Palestinian statehood.  Former Secretary of State Chief of Staff, Matt Terrill, says their shared dinner today was a good step in the path towards a deal.  "Obviously a ways to go here, but his administration feels good about where they're at - and about the direction forward here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's claims comments by Chris Hipkins on the Covid inquiry are 'unhelpful' and 'divisive'.  The Labour leader said the terms of reference for the second phase - currently underway - provide a platform for conspiratorial views. He pointed out they exclude decisions made when New Zealand First was in Government . But Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, told Ryan Bridge the terms were expanded so people felt listened to.  "They wanted the inquiry to be fulsome and to find the truth so that when we have another pandemic, we have less division and we have a better response." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins won't commit to appearing before the second phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's Covid response. The Labour leader earlier said the terms of reference for the second stage - which is currently underway - provide a platform for conspiracies. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says Hipkins has some good points - but the Government at the time did make decisions that intruded on people's rights. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.