The infamous Runit Championship League made its debut in Auckland this week and one former NRL star is defending the event.

The sport involves rival participants running straight at each other at full force - and many leading neuroscience experts have condemned it and outlined the risks.

George Burgess says the competitors know what they're doing and they're not aiming to hurt each other.

"Every sport that we have in our society is to remind us of our warrior past and to simulate warfare in a safe way - and that's exactly what we do."

LISTEN ABOVE

The infamous Runit Championship League made its debut in Auckland this week and one former NRL star is defending the event.
The sport involves rival participants running straight at each other at full force - and many leading neuroscience experts have condemned it and outlined the risks.
George Burgess says the competitors know what they're doing and they're not aiming to hurt each other.
"Every sport that we have in our society is to remind us of our warrior past and to simulate warfare in a safe way - and that's exactly what we do."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

George Burgess: Former NRL player on his successful Runit Championship League debut

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3bd01565-7b0b-4e16-aa6d-b2e5006c9412/transcript

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday 12 March.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday 12 March. 
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 12 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1982ba86-7552-4bf2-969a-b40b0066332f/transcript

The Social Development Minister is certain it's only a matter of time before beneficiary numbers fall from a 12-year high.

New figures show 427,000 people were on a main benefit in December - including more than half on Jobseeker. 

That's despite the Government declaring it would curb welfare dependency shortly after taking office. 

Louise Upston says businesses sentiment is improving.

"When businesses are confident, they take on more staff. The staff they've got, they give more hours, they lift wages. So we are really confident things have started to turn the corner." 

LISTEN ABOVE

The Social Development Minister is certain it's only a matter of time before beneficiary numbers fall from a 12-year high.
New figures show 427,000 people were on a main benefit in December - including more than half on Jobseeker.&nbsp;
That's despite the Government declaring it would curb welfare dependency shortly after taking office.&nbsp;
Louise Upston says businesses sentiment is improving.
"When businesses are confident, they take on more staff. The staff they've got, they give more hours, they lift wages. So we are really confident things have started to turn the corner."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Louise Upston: Social Development Minister on beneficiary numbers reaching a 12-year high

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/aa88520f-b94a-4a29-8a8d-b40b006ac7d2/transcript

A legal battle is looming over primary teacher pay deals.

The NZEI's taking action over the Government letting non-union teachers accept individual pay offers.

The Public Service Commissioner yesterday confirmed boards can directly approach about 10,000 teachers, after the union’s rejected three recent pay deals.

Lead negotiator Liam Rutherford says they're frustrated and angry about the timing.

"This is a break from decades of tradition, where we settled the collective agreement and then teachers that aren't members of the union get that passed on through an IEA."

LISTEN ABOVE

A legal battle is looming over primary teacher pay deals.
The NZEI's taking action over the Government letting non-union teachers accept individual pay offers.
The Public Service Commissioner yesterday confirmed boards can directly approach about 10,000 teachers, after the union’s rejected three recent pay deals.
Lead negotiator Liam Rutherford says they're frustrated and angry about the timing.
"This is a break from decades of tradition, where we settled the collective agreement and then teachers that aren't members of the union get that passed on through an IEA."
LISTEN ABOVE

Liam Rutherford: NZEI lead negotiator on the union taking legal action over teacher pay deals

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ba5330ee-12d1-41d1-8299-b40b0065c96c/transcript

George Burgess: Former NRL player on his successful Runit Championship League debut

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