A new housing density plan is going ahead following a heated Auckland Council debate.

The plan which allows more housing near transport hubs and fewer in natural hazard zones, has passed with 18 in support and 5 opposed.

It will remove 27 percent of Special Character Areas.

Councillor Shane Henderson says the plan now goes out for public consultation. 

"It's time for people to feedback in and say - look, we might have gotten this or that area wrong, or make some adjustments to people's neighbourhoods and things like that. It's really important that we allow people to have their say." 

Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the decision.

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The new Reserve Bank Governor is pledging to build trust and credibility.

Sweden's Anna Breman has been announced to lead  the central bank, taking over from interim Governor Christian Hawkesby in December.

She'll be the first woman to ever hold the role - selected from more than 300 candidates who were initially identified.

Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Breman has revealed the new core ideals of the RBNZ under her leadership - and has voiced her commitment to transparency. 

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Trump lashed out at the world on climate change and immigration while addressing the UN's General Assembly. 

With a MAGA style rally speech, Trump began by touting his own domestic achievements. 

He went on to say the United Nations doesn't come close to its tremendous potential.

Trump also claimed open border policies are a failed experiment and warned against the 'green scam'. 

US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley labelled the speech 'extraordinary' and raised concerns over what this could mean for the US' relationship with allies.

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Midcourter Kimiora Poi believes the Silver Ferns are only just starting to feel like their old selves heading into the second test against South Africa in Napier tonight.

The Ferns have had to quickly adjust to Yvette McCausland-Durie's interim leadership as coach Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down for the series.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.

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It's hoped Pharmac's latest funding proposal will save hospitals and patients valuable time.

It's looking at funding five new medicines - for breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, eye conditions, and lung cancer.

The proposal includes a new under the skin injection treatment, which could replace some IV infusions.

Roche New Zealand Country Medical Director Dr Kerryn Symons says the injection takes just a few minutes, when infusions usually take several hours.

"Our calculations show that over a period of five years, that the number of hours released in the infusion clinics is about 45,000."

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Seven charities have dropped the Sarah Ferguson as a patron, after an email from 2011 emerged in which she called sex offender Jeffrey Epstein her 'supreme friend'.

Julia's House, a children's hospice, was the first to remove Duchess of York - saying it was 'inappropriate' for her to continue in the role.

A raft of others lined up behind them, and the British Heart Foundation said she would no longer be its ambassador.

UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's likely more charities will follow suit.

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 23rd September 2025, Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden talks through the changes to our annual and sick leave entitlements.

Ryan asks NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones whether the party is playing politics by invoking its "agree to disagree" clause over the government's latest immigration changes.

We hear Autism New Zealand's reaction to the Trump's administrations "discovery" around the condition.

And the Privacy Commissioner has a warning for retailers who post CCTV video and images of apparent shoplifters on social media.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Privacy Commissioner has issued a warning for retailers who aim to publicly shame shoplifters.

The Commissioner says businesses posting CCTV footage and images of crimes on social media causes 'real harm' - and doing so breaks privacy laws.

Michael Webster says many of these images are posted to shame the perpetrators as opposed to sharing information - which breaches the Privacy Act. 

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Tonight on The Huddle, lawyer Brigitte Morten and AUT chancellor Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

We're all waiting on Winston Peters to reveal if New Zealand will recognise a Palestinian state. Which way do we think this will go?

NZ First invokes the agree-to-disagree clause over the Government's new residency pathways. Are NZ First right to do this? And are they trying to make immigration a big election issue next year?

The Government's made some new changes to the Holidays Act - will this be good for businesses and employees alike?  

US President Donald Trump has linked paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism. Should we take this seriously? 

Sir Don McKinnon's idea to kickstart New Zealand is for us to host the Commonwealth Games. Is that really the best way forward?

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A group of Southland farmers say there is a way to profitability for Alliance Group without selling off 65 percent of the co-op.

Alliance shareholders are set to vote on whether to accept a deal from Irish company Dawn Meats, which was offering $250 million for a share in the New Zealand co-operative.

The Country's Jamie Mackay weighed in on the offer - and whether Alliance Group is likely to consider this.

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