Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Dave Rennie has been confirmed as the new head coach of the All Blacks. What do we think of this? Do we think this was the right choice? US and Israeli forces have killed close to 800 people in Iran, struck about 2000 Iranian targets and destroyed 17 ships. Israel's also killed dozens in Lebanon, going head-to-head with Hezbollah, forcing thousands to flee their homes. Are we concerned by this development?  The Children's Commissioner says Oranga Tamariki needs to heed a critical report on the agency, after new research confirmed there's been little progress on National Care Standards. Do we think this is fair? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dave Rennie era is upon the All Blacks, and the new head coach is determined to make some tactical shifts for the All Blacks ahead of their upcoming matches. The pressure's on for Rennie to make a difference, with 122 days to go until his first test against France in Christchurch. Former All Black and Sky Sport commentator, Jeff Wilson, says Rennie's contract lasts until the end of the men's Rugby World Cup in November 2027, which isn't long. "This is, as Dave Rennie himself said, a bit of a sprint. He obviously fitted the brief that they were looking for and I think he'll go in there and he'll be aggressive and try and make quick changes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Australia's biggest radio shows has come to an explosive end after an infamous on-air spat. Kyle Sandilands and Jacqueline ‘Jackie O’ Henderson will no longer present the KIIS FM breakfast program together after Sandilands berated Henderson during a live broadcast last week.  TV producer and host of The Beefing podcast, Alexandria Funnell, is questioning why this particular incident ended the show. "The two are known for the biggest stunts in Australian radio history, aren't they? So this is a pretty clever one if it is, it's getting a lot of coverage, they're giving a lot of information about things that are going on behind the scenes."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top-tier experience and a systematic approach to rugby have won Dave Rennie the All Blacks' head coach job. After nine years offshore, the former Chiefs mentor will return home - appointed Scott Robertson's successor. New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk has outlined what ultimately gave Rennie the edge. "The game is very global at the moment, innovation's coming from lots of different parts of the world, and I think we've got, frankly, plenty to learn from the rest of the world. So he can bring that back to us." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing speculation as Labour appears to be mulling over their Reserve Bank policy ahead of the election.  The previous Labour Government changed the bank's remit, ordering it to focus on keeping inflation low - and ensuring maximum employment.  The current Government scrapped the changes. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan explained what Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds could be considering.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An escalating war is shaking the entire Middle East, with no sign of easing. US and Israeli forces have bombed more than 2000 targets and killed close to 800 people in Iran, since first launching attacks on Saturday.  Iran's retaliated with drone attacks US infrastructure in surrounding Gulf States. The UK, France and Greece are strengthening capabilities around Cyprus, where a British air base was hit.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Donald Trump is expected more US casualties to come from the conflict. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has no doubt New Zealand can win next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia. The two-time Super Rugby-winning coach is taking over from Scott Robertson less than a year and a half before the showpiece tournament. Rennie says it will take a power of work and alignment in a short amount of time, but the All Blacks have the goods. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains why Rennie was picked. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The primary teachers union's asking the the Employment Relations Authority for urgent mediation as pay talks hit an impasse.  NZEI says it's not happy with the Ministry of Education's pay-rise offer, sitting between 2.1 and 2.5 percent - alongside the rising cost of living. Lead union negotiator Liam Rutherford says teachers also want recognition of the work adapting to widespread curriculum changes.  "We're hearing from teachers across the country that it isn't just the size of the change, it's also the speed in which the Minister of Education wants it done by." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's tension between the US and the UK, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised Donald Trump and claimed the Government 'does not believe in regime change from the skies'. The US President also recently condemned the UK 'taking too long' to allow US forces to use its airbases to attack Iran. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US-Iran conflict could affect New Zealand’s red meat exports to the Middle East, the Meat Industry Association says. Reports reveal New Zealand red meat exporters were closely monitoring the situation in the region, due to the disruption to the Strait of Hormuz. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.