Larry Williams Drive

Nick Hill is the principal of Christchurch Boys’ High School, and I have no doubt he is a very good headmaster with the best of intentions. But I am not exaggerating when I say I am shocked by the argument he seems so keen to advance. Last month, he wrote an article for the Herald, and this month he has doubled down on those views in a letter to principals. In that letter, he urges schools to stop recruiting rugby players, arguing there is a link between the recruitment of talented schoolboy rugby players and sexual offending. He says his thinking has been influenced by Chanel Contos, an Australian advocate who has written about allegations of sexual offending by students at an elite Sydney school. Her argument is that this behaviour stems from a broader cultural problem in some schools, where boys are taught to feel entitled. Nick Hill argues that rugby recruitment can reinforce that sense of entitlement. He says  when schools recruit a 14-year-old because of his rugby ability, offer him a scholarship a

For the first time, the odds driving past an NZ-built motorhome are higher than ever. After a boom-bust cycle during COVID, New Zealand's motorhome market is starting to stabilise, and it's no longer a boomer-dominated market.  Kiwi motorhome company TrailLite's joint Managing Director Shaun Newman says, "for a lot of people, a holiday house isn't a viable option for them anymore." He says motorhomes and caravans offer a cheaper and more versatile holiday for families. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 23 October, 2026, is the election over for Chippie after the gang fiasco? We question the Labour leader. An expert's warning to check your connections after a cyber security flaw takes down websites around the world. Business is booming for motorhomes - and it's not just Boomers buying them. And one of our Sports Huddlers, Nathan Limm and Lavina Good, makes a big call on our highest-performing team of the year. 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.

Oh, I tell you what, I cannot see Chris Hipkins winning the election now. I mean, if you thought that Mongrel Mob fiasco was bad before, it's got so much worse for Labour. Their candidate has quit and Chris Hipkins himself now looks like he's been fibbing to the public. It turns out, now that we've seen the video of Kerrin Leoni at the Mongrel Mob event, that it wasn't at all the family gathering Labour told us it was. She was there in her red Labour jacket with a placard featuring a picture of herself and Chippy, telling gang members to enrol and change the government. That doesn't look like a family barbecue, does it? I don't know how many family barbecues you turn up to wearing your work jacket. I also don't know how many voters are going to believe Hipkins when he says he didn't know about it and that Leoni misled him. Anyone paying attention would have seen Labour doing a fair bit of misleading themselves. When Leoni was first accused of meeting the Mongrel Mob the week before the Green and Māori parties

Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper sits down with Heather du Plessis-Allan to review the week in politics.  Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni has cut ties with the party after a video circulated of her campaigning with the Mongrel Mob.  The debates are wrapped up, Barry picks his winners...and losers.  And the founder of the Opportunity Party says the party is leaning too far to the left! LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, NZ Herald Sports Journalist Nathan Limm and Sports Commentator Lavina Good join Heather du Plessis-Allan to the review this weeks' sports.  The Northland Taniwha have soldiered to the NPC final, can they defeat heavyweights Canterbury and take the trophy home? The Constellation Cup continues over the ditch, can the Silver Ferns maintain momentum? And why was Grace Nweke subbed off moments before breaking a historic record?  And the new PNG Chiefs have revealed their logo, Heather gets our guests thoughts.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India have won the first match against the Black Caps of the T20I series.  They beat the Black Caps by a narrow four wickets at Hagley Oval, taking the first win of the 5 match series.  Cricket Commentator and former Black Cap Scott Styris told Heather du Plessis-Allan that, 'the six frontliners on that surface, which looked a good one for betting, didn't quite have the key to unlock that Indian lineup' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defence Force Chief is resigning after 42 years of service due to an undisclosed inappropriate relationship.  Air Marshal Tony Davies says he's taking responsibility for errors of judgement he made in the past.  He says he regrets not disclosing the relationship when given the opportunity, and his actions run contrary to Defence Force values. Military Lawyer Matthew Hague told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the details are unclear at this stage, but Davies' resignation shows this is a serious matter.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he wasn't told the full truth about the gathering that led to Kerrin Leoni's resignation as Tāmaki Makaurau candidate.  At a debate this week, Te Pati Māori's Oriini Kaipara accused Leoni of visiting a gang pad a week before she did - which Leoni denied.  Footage surfaced yesterday of her campaigning this month at a family event including gang members, wearing a Labour Party jacket.  Hipkins told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Labour didn't know the extent of the event.  He says it was working off the information she provided - that she had not visited a gang pad, and hadn't done what was alleged in the debate.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tough new sanctions on criminals who skip their sentencings will come into effect next year. Judges in England and Wales will soon be given stronger powers to block prison visits and keep offenders in their cells for weeks after the fact. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained these new terms further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a big week for the tech sector, with Meta and SpaceX recently publishing their earnings. Elon Musk recently claimed third-quarter revenue went up to $14.6 billion year over year, beating out the $12.86 billion analysts projected.  Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie unpacked what this result means for investors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feilding High School has called for agricultural and horticultural science to remain a standalone subject for Year 11 students, and Federated Farmers has voiced support for this move. Under proposed changes to the school curriculum, agriculture would be folded into general science for Year 11 students, with Year 12 and 13 instead having the option to take Food and Fibre Systems from 2029.  The Country host Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 22 October, 2026, are TVNZ workers making a political statement by going on strike just before the election? A mum jailed for bashing her baby is going to the Court of Appeal - for a second time. We talk to the journalist who's campaigned to overturn the conviction and sentence. Why young people are being urged to add video to their job applications. And on The Huddle, find out why Tim Wilson or Gareth Hughes think it's time for Christopher Luxon to "break out the Fanta". 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.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and former Green MP Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! NZ First has recently unveiled their plan for defence spending, including increasing defence spending to 3 percent of GDP, merging the Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters, capping executive pay, creating a NZ Marine Force and increasing personnel. Do we think this is necessary? Should we be getting ready for more global conflicts?  The High Court has ruled recent regulations banning new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people are 'unlawful'. NZ First has been quick to voice disapproval with this - do we agree? TVNZ journalists and other staff will be going on strike next week after voting down a 2.5 percent pay rise. What do we make of this - do we think this is too extreme? And why is this taking place so close to the election?   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm surprised because TVNZ journos basically never strike. The last time they did was 20 years ago, in 2006. Yet, when they finally decide to strike, they choose to do it just nine days before an election. Surely they're smart enough to realise how political that's going to look. Now, I'm not saying they're necessarily trying to be political but I'd bet the two unions organising the strike absolutely are. Those unions are the PSA and E tū. Let me remind you about them. The PSA is openly running a campaign called 'Change the Government' and E tū has published an election manifesto saying:  "We want a Labour-led Government." It has been noticeable how much the unions have been trying to influence this election. There have been horror stories out of hospitals, planted on One News, about doctors who are at their wits' end, coming through the unions. Nurses, represented by the unions, have been declaring a state of emergency in emergency departments for weeks. There was the tertiary educators' strike, the nat

New reports indicate more young job seekers are being asked to submit short videos - alongside the traditional tailored CV, cover letter and filled-in questionnaire. While this trend is more popular overseas, more Kiwi employers are looking to utilise videos to sort through applicants as well. Student Job Search CEO Louise Saviker says many of the roles advertised through the platform are front-facing customer service roles, and they encourage students to get behind this.  "It's absolutely not needed if they don't want to, and they are in control of whether or not they do  that or not."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert says it looks like New Zealand First is preparing for conflict with its new defence plan.  The party wants to increase defence spending to three percent of GDP, up from the current goal of two percent.  It proposes merging the Army, Navy and Air Force HQs, creating a Marine Force and increasing personnel by more than 5,000. Massey University Professor Beth Greener says it doesn't specify what they'd do.  "We need to be having discussions about - what are we preparing for? I'm less certain that there will be something like open conflict in our region." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has voiced his disapproval with the High Court overturning the ban on puberty blockers. The Government last year banned the treatment for new patients with gender dysphoria and incongruence. The court's ruled in favour of the transgender support group fighting the regulation. labelling the ban discriminatory and disproportionate. The New Zealand First leader claims allowing the medication isn't based on evidence, and that young people should make the choice when they're older.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TVNZ journalists will walk off the job next Thursday for the first time in two decades. About 140 unionised newsroom staff will strike for an hour from 1pm, protesting the state broadcaster's 2.5 percent pay rise offer. E tū national secretary Rachel Mackintosh says the broadcaster is in a better financial position than expected following the success of the World Cup. "They are actually in a better financial position than they have been for ages." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The September quarter's reprieve from inflation is likely to be temporary, according to one expert. The Consumers Price Index measure of household expenses rose 3.7 percent in the year to September - down from 4.1 annually to June. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says changes since mean it'll go up again - pushed by many costs. "Going through into building costs, we've seen the likes of international airfares that have gone up, we've seen property maintenance costs lift - all of that just makes us uncomfortable when you take all of that into account."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.