Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

With any promise there’s always an element of wiggle room, misinterpretation, or perhaps reversing out at high speed.  Although I have huge admiration for anyone who keeps their word and sticks to a promise verbatim, the coalition government’s promise of tax cuts isn’t a promise I’m happy for them to keep.  Anyone who only heard that promise in the runup to the election and based their voting decision upon that one fiscal soundbite possibly has a dubious voting history. But then again, it’s promises like that which ultimately attract the low hanging fruit pickers to any party.  Yesterday, we heard Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reiterate his governments promise of tax cuts, as we head closer to this month’s budget announcement.  He made the comments in a speech to the Auckland Business Chamber yesterday afternoon; and used the opportunity to bat away criticism of the coalition's promised tax cuts, saying "the squeezed middle" deserved support given the tough cost-of-living.  The ‘squeezed middle’ he refers

A UK study has found that obesity jabs could reduce health risks.  Researchers looked at semaglutide, otherwise known as Wegovy and Ozempic, and found that the weekly shots could reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.  It was found to benefit cardiovascular health even if the user didn’t lose much weight.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Roman Travers that it’s too early to say that it’s definitely working and definitely a side effect, but the potential is fascinating.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you feel as though you’ve been living in some kind of whack job, futuristic Netflix series when it comes to this country’s deplorable attitude to crime and our increasingly farcical judicial system you were probably suitably blown away by yesterday’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.  Finally, there is good news. Finally, there’s hope that we’ll get to re-establish more than a modicum of control over the growing numbers of gangs and gang members.  Police are establishing a national gang unit, supported by 'district gang disruption teams', to target crime, harm, and intimidation caused by patched gang members. All I can say is it’s about time.  It’s about time that someone took this feral issue by the nostrils and led it out and beyond the growing levels of complacency and the general acceptance we’ve been conditioned and subjected to – for far too long.    The all-new police national team, will work with police districts across the country, drawing on joint operations to gang funerals and

It's thought the Christchurch Call's refresh is in-line with technology's rapid evolution.  The call —designed to battle online extremism and hate content— is becoming a foundation.  Taxpayer funding ends in July.  Dame Jacinda Ardern will become patron, rather than New Zealand's special envoy.  Gorilla Tech Chief Executive Paul Spain told Roman Travers that the tech world is a different place since the call began, particularly with AI.  He says the tools available now are far better and more powerful than in 2019.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some police officers are sceptical about the Government's new crackdown on gangs.  The Police Minister and Police Commissioner have announced the establishment of a new National Gang Unit.  It'll have around 30 people and up to seven ring-fenced officers in each police district.  Police Association President Chris Cahill told Roman Travers that if it doesn't have more funding, you're just asking staff to do more work.  He says officers are pretty keen to get into these gangs, but they're bogged down with the amount of work they've got at the moment.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns the Government's charter schools plan could be a political football.  Associate Education Minister David Seymour's announced more than $150 million to set up 15 new charter schools in the next four years and convert 35 state school in the next two.  Massey University's John O'Neill told Roman Travers that since the last government's disestablished them, it can't be considered a settled policy.  He says the possibility of converting or privatising existing state schools and moving them out of the state sector would be the major new bone of contention.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s federal budget is due today.  With gross debt predicted to rise above $1 trillion by 2026, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is walking a tightrope between offering cost-of-living relief without fuelling inflation.  Repayments on Government debt have become the fastest growing expense in the budget, and Dr Chalmers is facing calls to continue cutting spending.  Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that they’re hearing that inflation could be under control a year earlier than expected.  The early relief could result in interest rate cuts, and there has been talk of energy bill relief for students and welfare recipients, she said.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks Captain Sam Cane has announced his retirement from the international stage.  From next year he’ll take up a three-year contract with Suntory in Japan, where he spent this season’s sabbatical.   Elliott Smith, Newstalk ZB’s rugby commentator, told Mike Hosking that it isn’t quite the bombshell people are calling it, but it is still earlier than expected.  He said that Cane was still in the mix to continue the captaincy after he led the team to the World Cup final last year.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls for the government to better regulate salt content in our processed foods.  Research from Otago and Auckland universities reveals about two thirds of packaged foods on supermarket shelves exceed the World Health Organisation benchmark.  Stroke Foundation General Manager Jess Winchester says one fifth of New Zealanders already have high blood pressure.  She told Mike Hosking that the government needs to begin holding food manufacturers to the WHO sodium benchmarks.  Winchester says people shouldn't be risking their lives every time they bite into their favourite pie.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's thought a Court of Appeal decision finding the Waitangi Tribunal could summon ACT MP Karen Chhour doesn't set a precedent for future cases.  The decision overturned a High Court ruling which found the Children's Minister did not have to front with her reasoning for removing Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act.   Massey University Law Professor Chris Gallavin told Mike Hosking that lots of ministers have given evidence before the tribunal in the past.  He says it's a bit of a storm in a teacup.  Gallavin says there's lot of agreement between the High Court and Court of Appeal, and they just took different views on one point.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New teachers across the country are not being set up to succeed, according to the Education Review Office (ERO).  Two thirds of principals are reporting new teachers coming into the role are unprepared, and a third of new primary teachers claim they are unprepared to teach science.  The ERO is calling for more to be done.  Ruth Shinoda, Head of ERO’s Education Evaluation Centre, tells Mike Hosking the combination of teachers themselves saying they don’t feel prepared, and their principals reiterating this is concerning.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new proposal could see protest groups in the UK banned in a similar way to terrorist organisations.   Extracts of an upcoming report show recommendations will be made for a new category proscribing “extreme protest groups”, defining these as those which routinely use criminal tactics to try to achieve their aims. Protest groups such as Just Stop Oil and Palestine Action could have sanctions that restrict the groups’ ability to fundraise and rights to assembly in the UK.  Plus, a new device might cut down hospital time for cancer patients.   The Liberty has been given regulatory approval. The device allows patients to take blood tests and upload the results at home without supervision.  Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Mike Hosking the device has only been tested on a small number of types of cancer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the A-League semi-finals, the Wellington Phoenix had a nil-all draw against the Melbourne Victory. The Phoenix return home this Saturday for the second leg of the semi.  The Warriors suffered another loss, going down 38-18 to the Roosters in Sydney. The game brought on injury concerns as Shaun Johnson left the field in the second half.  And, Aimee Fisher has beaten Dame Lisa Carrington in the K1 500 canoe sprint final at the canoeing World Cup in Hungary.  ZB Sports Andrew Alderson wraps the latest from the weekend in sport.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big changes are coming to parking in Auckland’s CBD.  Auckland CBD residents and visitors will be stung with new 24-hour parking charges covering overnight, at weekends and on public holidays from July – as Auckland Transport seeks to collect more money.  Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck tells Mike Hosking news of the parking charges is out of the blue and “completely out of step” with the normal procedures.  AT’s approach to parking is based on demand. Auckland CBD has high demand for daytime parking, but information for outside of this has not been supplied.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unlike the US, the UK is not withholding arms to Israel.  Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that their position is not comparable with that of the US, since the UK is not a large state-to-state arms supplier to Israel.  However, they don’t support a large-scale invasion of Rafah unless there is a plan to protect civilians in place.  UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that what the UK provides is export licenses for UK weapons manufacturers to export to Israel.  He said that it’s a very different situation, and the UK is not going to retract those licenses.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's doubts a potential raising of the international visitor levy will impact tourism numbers.  Overseas visitors pay $35 collected through visa applications, which is evenly split between conservation and tourism.  Speaking at the TRENZ conference, Tourism Minister Matt Doocey says that advice he's received shows it would have to rise to about $42 in today's market.  Backpacker Youth Adventure Tourism Association chair Haydn Marriner told Mike Hosking that's just the cost of business.  He says to expect the same value from that $35 today is to ignore everything we've always had.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Archives New Zealand's shutting down its digital archiving programme.  It's part of an initiative to digitise historically significant images and documents.  But the agency says it's been unable to secure further funding, and it will have to cut at least three jobs.  Historian Paul Moon told Mike Hosking that this is important work and should remain.  He says the Government should cobble together the small amount of funding needed to keep it going.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A potential power outage is looming in the chilly air.  Many parts of the country have seen temperatures dropping below zero with an early season cold snap.  Electricity grid operator Transpower's warning households to limit power use between 7 and 9 Friday morning where possible.   It suggests turning off lights and heaters and delaying use of appliances.   Contact Energy Chief Executive Mike Fuge told Mike Hosking that there are lots of plans and investment in growing generation capacity.   He says Tauhara —the sixth geothermal power station near Taupo— is being commissioned, which would provide another 160-170 megawatts.  Fuge says the cold's come a bit earlier and the project's running a bit late.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another pro-Palestine encampment was cleared by Police, resulting in the arrest of 33 protestors.  Hundreds of police stormed the grounds at Washington’s George Washington University early this morning, using pepper spray to clear the encampment.  This came just hours before city officials were due to appear before Congress to justify their actions, or lack thereof, regarding the protest.  US Correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that at least 50 campuses are now involved in the protests.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's reliability has fallen, and it's trailing Jetstar in figures for last month as it grapples with engine problems.  Only 77% of its domestic flights arrived within 15 minutes of scheduled times last month, down from 88% in January.  Jetstar reported no domestic cancellations last month and almost 79% of flights were on time.  Aviation Commentator Irene King told Mike Hosking that Jetstar is an insignificant airline in comparison to Air NZ’s operations.  She said that they only have five planes, all of the same type, so you’d think they’d get it right every time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.