Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Revelations the Government didn't follow advice to shut down a South Auckland youth justice residence, Korowai Manaaki.

Former police commissioner Mike Bush's probe last year claims it was a 'near-miracle' no-one's been killed or seriously hurt.

Stuff reports it also mentions the 'under-qualified' workforce can't deal with the teens there.

A roof stand-off with youngsters in June was ended with KFC handouts.

Youth worker Aaron Hendry says their needs should be prioritised.

"The Government has a parental responsibility over the children they take into their care, and it needs to ensure that it is providing the right and adequate support to look after those young people. And time and time again, that is just not happening."

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The Government's choice for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing is being called 'comical'.

It includes two three-lane tunnels for vehicles and a 21 kilometre light rail tunnel between Albany and the CBD.

It'll take decades to finish and cost tens of billions of dollars.

Greater Auckland director Matt Lowrie disapproves of the high cost and projected emissions, and says there are better uses for $40 billion.

"Proper public transport to the Northwest, out East, to the airport and Botany, round Upper Harbour- there are plenty of places where we could spend $40 billion to vastly improve transport all around Auckland."

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There are no bolters in the All Blacks squad heading to the Rugby World Cup starting in France next month.

Selectors Ian Foster, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have named the 33-strong All Blacks squad in Napier this afternoon, in front of almost 2000 locals.

The squad features 18 forwards and 15 backs, with three hookers, six props, four locks, five loose forwards, three halfbacks, three first five-eighths, four midfielders and five outside backs.

ZB rugby editor Elliot Smith says the squad's newest pick, Cam Roigard, was an obvious choice, as he had made a strong debut.

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In Australia, three people are dead and a fourth is in a critical condition after eating a meal containing toxic wild mushrooms.

Victorian Police have questioned and released one person without charge.

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says it's a small community in Leongatha, South Gippsland.

"This is an awful set of circumstances. Could you just think- having that family gathering and having a meal with some friends, you'd be going home at the end of the day. What was in these mushrooms, where did they get these mushrooms?"

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Ian Foster is set to unveil the 33 players to contest the William Webb Ellis Cup come November.

There's speculation that some unconventional picks could be made, with Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Emoni Narawa, and Shaun Stevenson in ply for the outside backs.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine shares his predictions here.

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A campaign to save local businesses from the Smokefree 2025 Act may not be the work of concerned dairy owners. 

A new report shows tobacco companies are supporting a campaign called Save Our Stores, which includes a petition to "save" dairies from smokefree initiatives.

Health Coalition Aotearoa Smokefree panel expert Andrew Waa isn't surprised the tobacco industry is behind this initiative, but he's concerned for the dairy owners themselves.

"I'd be concerned about the dairy owners, a lot of them who don't want to sell this stuff are being misrepresented. I'm pretty sure the dairies near where I live don't want to sell this stuff. So I think they're being exploited."

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Questions are rising over whether Alberta's withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games is another nail in the coffin for the multi-sport event.

Rising costs have seen the Canadian province cancel its support for a bid to host the games in 2030.

This comes weeks after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting the 2026 Games.

Global News Journalist Kareem Gouda told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it always comes down to dollars and cents.

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Pop singer Lizzo has broken her silence over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Three former back up dancers have accused her of weight shaming and sexual harassment.

The Grammy winner says the claims are false and unbelievable and the dancers who are making the allegations have their noses out of joint after being told off for poor behaviour.

LA Entertainment Correspondent Sean Mandell told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it’s too early to say that this is the end of her career, or that she’s been cancelled.

He said that if the allegations were proven to be true, it would significantly damage her image and ability to continue her career with the body positive identity she has cultivated.

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Farmers were trudging around a little deeper in the mud today after a fall in Fonterra's expected payout to dairy farmers.

Fonterra has drastically cut its forecast Farmgate Milk Price, with the midpoint falling from eight-dollars-per-kilogram of milk solids to just seven-dollars.

It's blaming reduced demand for whole milk powder from China.

Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Richard McIntyre told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it’s a challenging time for farmers.

He says they've got high interest rates, high input costs, and now a milk price well below the breakeven price.

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There are calls for more police in Auckland's CBD after another shooting.

Police were called to reports of fighting between two groups on Lower Queen Street around 11.30 last night.

One person fired up to four shots, leaving two people critically injured.

Police are now hunting for the offenders.

Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck told Heather du Plessis Allan that they'd like a police station back in the central city.

She says they want to send the message that there's no tolerance for violence and crime, and having police presence would give people the comfort they're looking for.

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