Larry Williams Drive

The decision by the international swimming body to ban trans women from female competition is massive.As far as I can tell, this is the first sports body to outright ban trans women from competing against biological women.Other sporting bodies have tried to do it by mucking around with testosterone rules but this the first decision where they simply say no.I’ve got to applaud it.That can’t have been an idea decision to make because no one wants to be unkind to trans women.No one wants to exclude them.But there are two competing values here: inclusion and fairness.I honestly believe most good people want to include trans women but they also want to be fair.And these two values inclusion and fairness clash with each other when it comes to trans women in sports because including trans-women is not fair on biological women.Who are we kidding?  It’s not a fair competition.  Male bodies are stronger than female bodies.Dave Gerrard is a former Olympic swimmer, an Emeritus Professor of Sports Medicine at Otago Univer

It's hoped that an incoming shipment of plasterboard will ease the GIB crisis.The shipment is coming through the online business Container Door.They're importing 15 to 20 containers of the GIB alternative from Asia, with Fletcher still unable to meet demand.Container Door CEO Ben Nathan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yet another case of Government money going to a consulting firm owned by Nanaia Mahuta's husband.This time, $73,000 paid by Kainga Ora for "facilitation services for hui and workshops".National's Public Services Spokesperson Simeon Brown says this creates a pattern where there appears to be a conflict of interest.Simeon Brown joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Maori Business Professor says commercial ventures surrounding Matariki should be in line with its themes and history.It comes as an advisory document shows MBIE have concerns about the commercialisation of the holiday and that it could take away from its core values.Dr Jason Mika told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's an individual business decision, but anything done should take into account Matariki's three principles: remembering the past, celebrating the present and looking to the future.He says the next thing is to think about what sorts of activities, products and services are reflective of that.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A medical expert says paying GPs to take on hospital patients is just a band-aid for a deeper staffing issue.Auckland's Middlemore Hospital is paying GPs to take patients off its hands as pressure grows in Emergency Departments.It's funding local GPs up to $1400 an hour to take on patients for free over the weekend.College of GPs medical director Bryan Betty told Heather du Plessis Allan it's not sustainable long-term.“We need a long-term strategic workforce plan. That’s what has to come into play and if Health New Zealand’s gonna do anything, it needs to start to sort out this issue.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The extent of the damage of a van sustained after it was ripped a part on a head on crash has shown the devastating consequences of what can happen on our roads.Seven people, including an infant, were killed in a horrific crash when a van and a truck collided near Picton yesterday morning.NZ Herald reporter Kurt Bayer has been at the crash scene.He told Heather du Plessis-Allan Police made the decision to show them up close the damage to the van to show people the dangers of driving.“This is just the worst-case scenario, the worst crash on South Island roads for 20-odd years, and so that was the decision there, but it was pretty confronting to see just how totalled that van was.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is heading off to Europe on her latest overseas trip.Jacinda Ardern is heading to Madrid for a Nato summit session, as well as meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.The trip will focus on trade, tourism and foreign policy, and follows trips to Singapore, Japan, the US and Australia earlier in the year.The latest poll does not look good for the Government.The Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll over the weekend scored National at 37.4 percent, up 0.6 points from the last poll, while Labour polled at 34.2 percent.It comes as National’s Sam Uffindel had stormed to a win in Tauranga’s by-election this weekend.Newstalk ZB Chief Political Reporter Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says he will comb over a $25 million quote to permanently fly the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge “line-by-line” to ensure taxpayers get value for money.It comes after the Premier laughed his way through a press conference on Sunday when reporters grilled him on why it cost that much.“I don’t know, but it does, apparently,” he told reporters on Sunday.“I’m even surprised it takes this long.“I’ll go to Bunnings myself and climb up there and put the pole up.”Perrottet appeared on 2GB’s breakfast radio show on Monday to respond to criticism that the use of taxpayers' money was no laughing matter.“It doesn’t seem to pass the pub test when it comes to putting up a flag,” he agreed.“I accept that it’s not a simple process and its not a simple construction.“But like most fair minded people across the state, I would say that it seems to be a pretty ridiculous and outrageous cost.”Perrottet explained that the cost of the third flag pole was so high due to its size and the her

The world’s swimming governing body has banned trans women from competing in female competitions.Trans women are only allowed to compete if they started transitioning before the age of 12.Instead FINA is going to create an open category for trans women to compete in.FINA Sports Medicine Committee vice-chair Dr Dave Gerrard joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Dutch intelligence agency said Thursday that it foiled a sophisticated attempt by a Russian spy using a false Brazilian identity to work as an intern at the International Criminal Court, which is investigating allegations of Russian war crimes in Ukraine.The General Intelligence and Security Service of the Netherlands said the 36-year-old man, identified as Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, worked for Russia's shadowy GRU agency and tried to gain access to the global court based in The Hague under the cover name of Viktor Muller Ferreira.“If the intelligence officer had succeeded in gaining access as an intern to the ICC, he would have been able to gather intelligence there and to look for (or recruit) sources, and arrange to have access to the ICC’s digital systems,” the Dutch agency said. “That way he would have been able to provide a significant contribution to the intelligence that the GRU is seeking. He might also have been able to influence criminal proceedings of the ICC.”The agency said it uncovered h

Chinese President Xi Jinping reasserted his country’s support for Russia on issues of sovereignty and security in a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, state media said.Xi told Putin that “all parties should responsibly push for a proper settlement of the Ukraine crisis,” according to the official Xinhua News Agency.The Kremlin said in its account of the call that Putin “outlined his fundamental assessments of the situation in Ukraine.” Xi “noted the legitimacy of the actions taken by Russia to protect the fundamental national interests in the face of challenges to its security created by external forces,” according to Moscow's official readout.China has refused to criticize Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or even to refer to it in such terms, while accusing NATO and the West of provoking Moscow into attacking.Weeks before the Russian attack, Putin and Xi met in Beijing in February and oversaw the signing of an agreement pledging that relations between the sides would have “no limits.” It

Chorus has decided to fully commit to a modern hybrid office layout - with only half the desks they need for all their staff.Their new CBD office has just 371 workstations for 550 employees.It’s a mixture of collaborative workspaces, hot-desking, and working from home.Chorus Adaptive Organisation Tribe Lead Hannah Croft joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation is really getting quite problematic in a lot of countries now.The US Federal Reserve has raised its rate by 75 basis points and it’s likely to go up by another 75 basis points in July.In the UK, the Bank of England reckons inflation could hit 11 percent in October.Business commentator Rod Oram joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The race for Auckland’s mayor is very tight.Efeso Collins and Leo Molloy are tied in first place at 21.7 percent a piece, with Viv Beck and Wayne Brown just behind them in the 20s.Molloy reckons he has the support of the National Party, which he said this morning on the AM show.Leo Molloy joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues are back in the big dance.They will have the home advantage over the Crusaders for Saturday’s Super Rugby’s final in front of a sell-out crowd at Eden Park.All Whites coach Danny Hay has said they were robbed in their World Cup qualifying eliminator to Costa Rica.Chris Wood had an equaliser controversially ruled out by the VAR, before having Kosta Barbarouses sent off in a questionable performance from the referees.The Black Caps are struggling in their tour of England.For the second test in a row, they’ve been on the receiving end of defeats from winning positions, hampered by injuries and Covid.Australia has hinted at leaving Super Rugby.They will ‘consider their options’ after their partnership agreement with NZR expires after 2023.Phil Gifford and Miles Davis joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss the week’s sports newsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow night, the Blues and Crusaders face off to decide who will be Super Rugby Pacific champions.Blues can look forward to a home advantage.Eden Park is sold out for the first time since the Bledisloe Cup test last August.Former All Black Ant Strachan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm not sure the Health Minister's office has its priorities right.Last night we learned that a healthy 50 year old woman died in Middlemore hospital on Wednesday, reportedly because the emergency department is so stretched they couldn’t attend to her quickly enough.She came in with a severe headache at 1am on Wednesday, they told her the wait to be seen was 8 hours.  Because Middlemore is being slammed at the moment, she left the ED in frustration, came back at 4am, was tubed up, rushed in to ICU and died of a brain bleed.When the Herald asked the DHB about it yesterday afternoon, the DHB claimed the woman was still alive in ICU.  She wasn’t.  She had already died.  The Herald forced them to reveal the truth.As soon as we heard what happened, we knew this was serious.Middlemore staff have been warning this kind of thing would happen.  They told us it was frightening to work without enough staff.  They told us they’re being hit by record numbers of people turning up. They don’t have nearly enough beds. 71 peo

Backlash to proposals to allow local councils to fast-track cycleway road work with less consultation.Transport Minister Michael Wood is under fire from Wellington businesses with the High Court recently granting an interim injunction over the Newtown cycleway construction.The proposal would put an end to local businesses being able to use the court system to stop work being done.Local business owner Urmila Bhana told Heather du Plessis-Allan she’s concerned it's removing local citizens’ ability to have a say in the streets they occupy.“It impacts peoples’ livelihoods. It affects them on a daily basis – the way they work, their domestic needs.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christchurch Santa Parade won’t be returning to the city this year as we know it.Instead of taking to the streets, it’ll take place inside the Christchurch Arena in a hybrid parade show.And instead of being free, it’ll cost up to $15.Christchurch Santa Parade director Jason Reekers joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists' says many of our emergency departments are smashed.A woman has died with a brain bleed after allegedly being told by staff at Middlemore Hospital it would be eight hours before she was examined.An unnamed doctor from the Auckland hospital says the 50-year-old - who presented early Wednesday morning with a severe headache - left.Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Heather du Plessis-Allan all EDs run triaging process to try and determine how urgently someone needs to be seen.“For a number of our emergency departments at the moment, even getting people to triage them is incredibly difficult. You’ve got massive numbers of people coming through the door.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.