Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A Wellington City Councillor says the fight isn't over to remove the heritage listing from derelict buildings.  RMA Minister Chris Bishop has signed off on the council's housing recommendations, unlocking the potential for up-zoning across the city.  But an amendment to de-list 10 buildings to allow for demolition wasn't approved due to legal constraints.  Councillor Ben McNulty told Mike Hosking he believes Bishop wanted to approve the changes but was constrained by the legal framework.  McNulty says they'll keep trying.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A public health academic says David Seymour's claims he can reduce funding for the school lunch programme while delivering the same results is a big call to make.   The Associate Health Minister's unveiled a slimmed down version of the programme he says will save $107 million a year.   He says they'll reduce costs by bulk buying and serving simple items.   But Health Coalition Aotearoa Co-Chair Boyd Swinburn told Mike Hosking that what's being called savings is really a withdrawal of investment in childhood nutrition.  He says we're doing nothing otherwise about problems we have with childhood obesity, rotten teeth, poor mental health, and so on.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli tanks have now entered Rafah, taking control of the border.  Yesterday saw Hamas agree to a ceasefire proposal, but Israel believes the terms do not go far enough and as such, are continuing their mission.  Despite this, a delegation is being sent to negotiate, trying to reach an agreement.   Former Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum told Mike Hosking the ceasefire discussion has been quite confusing.  She said that they’d previously presented five ceasefire deals, all of which were rejected by Hamas.  As soon as they sent out warning leaflets to the residents of Rafah, Hassan-Nahoum said, suddenly they come back with an approved deal on an offer that was never made.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lessons to be learned from the Auditor-General's review of last year's election.   The report's found the final check of the official election results was done within a few hours on the day it was announced.   The rushed assessment failed to identify multiple errors.  It also recommends improvements to controls, quality assurance, recruitment, training, and risk management  Political commentator Grant Duncan told Mike Hosking that people at the polling stations seemed to be under a lot of pressure.   But, he says, it's good to see a systematic approach taken by the Auditor-General and robust recommendations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More coal's being burned to keep up with energy demand.  The Gas Industry Company has revealed there was a 12.5% reduction in gas production last year.  It's also found nearly 30% less gas was produced in the first three months of this year than projected.  Energy Minister Simeon Brown says it's because the last Government's disincentivised gas production.  He told Mike Hosking that the low production's threatening our energy security.  He says news from Genesis Energy shows they're burning a lot more coal to meet that need, which is twice as carbon intensive than burning gas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian pilot operating in international waters was forced to take evasive action.  A Chinese military jet detonated flares close to the Navy helicopter as it flew above the Yellow Sea near South Korea.  The Defence Department has described the actions of the Chinese Air Force plane as “unsafe and unprofessional”.  Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that there were thankfully no injuries or damage.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The OECD is pointing to an economic hangover in our economy in its biennial report.  It's advising the Government to gradually get the books back into surplus, with economic growth still sluggish and productivity waning.  The OECD also supports cutting government spending but warns of unintended consequences from doing so.  Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Mike Hosking that there was one issue in the report for the Government to be especially aware of.  He says it's expected poor education outcomes will take a bit of an economic hit to our productivity over the coming years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's throwing $1.9 billion at Corrections with a pledge to restore law and order.   It will add more than 800 extra beds at Waikeria Prison and recruit 685 more frontline Corrections staff.   Criminal defence lawyer John Munro says more beds will result in more people in prison.   He told Mike Hosking that we need to be careful we don't end up following in the footsteps of the United States.   Munro says we still need to get the balance of rehabilitation and recidivism right, so the community is kept safe but people leaving prison don't go back to crime.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has made its first move in its Local Water Done Well reforms – the replacement for Three Waters.  A deal has been brokered with Auckland Council which will allow Watercare to borrow 1.9 billion over the next ten years for long-term infrastructure. The deal will stop the proposed 25.8 percent water rates increase this year, bringing it down to 7.2 percent.  Water NZ CEO Gillian Blythe tells Mike Hosking that ultimately, the challenge comes down to balancing local accountability with affordability.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing down his critics after another set of poor election results.   Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Mike Hosking the infighting has begun within Sunak’s party following local council, Mayoral and Police Commissioner elections as well as on by-election all delivering huge losses for conservatives.  And, security is being tightened in Sweden ahead of the Eurovision song contest this week.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors have suffered their third defeat in a row, falling 14-8 to the Newcastle Knights.  The men’s and women’s New Zealand sevens-teams have completed back-to-back victories to finish the world series regular season. The series-leading women defeated Australia 31-21 to win the Singapore leg, while the men pipped Ireland 17-14 to move into third in the standings. Both sides advance to a finale in Madrid.  And, the Wellington Phoenix now know who they will face in their A-League semi final.  ZB Sports Andrew Alderson tells Mike Hosking the latest in sport.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council is launching a new campaign to drive down dog attacks.  Research reveals around 2700 related injuries each year, with just under 300 of those to babies and children under 14 years old.   The campaign will include radio advertising, street posters and community papers promoting ways people can keep themselves safe around dogs.  Auckland Council’s Animal Management Manager Elly Waitoa tells Mike Hosking there has been a 28 percent increase in attacks in the past year – compared to the 6 percent increase to the dog population.  Waitoa says the problem comes down to irresponsible dog owners being complacent.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney brings us the latest on the UK local elections and from London’s fatal sword attack.   McAviney told Mike Hosking “If things are really bad for the Prime Minister, it could see a mutiny on his back benches.”   McAviney said Rishi Sunak is expected to lose around half of their councillors in England and Wales.   McAviney says the only thing that might stop his party from replacing him is that the British public don't want a sixth conservative Prime Minister in fourteen years.   In other news, a man has been charged with murder for the sword attack on a fourteen-year-old boy.   LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it time to review the attitudes of MPs inside parliament?  Political commentator Brigette Morten told Mike Hosking that in a week with MP pay rises and James Shaw’s exit - it has become all about her outburst.   “It looks like there’s been a pattern of behaviour,” Morten said.  House Speaker Gerry Brownlee said there’s a justice process, during which Genter can make representations to the Speaker by midday Monday.   Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson told reporters that Genter was currently working from home.  LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are kiwis uninterested in New Zealand Fashion?  New Zealand Fashion Week has been cancelled this August and has decided to shift into a two-yearly schedule.  Owner Feroz Ali says there weren't enough designers to commit to the weeklong event because they're focused on the survival of their businesses.  Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Mike Hosking that it's not that people don't want to buy local.  She says the biggest factor is that people don't have disposable income to spend on discretionary items.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes a new policy around education won't be a one-size-fits-all approach.  The Government's committing $67 million in the upcoming Budget for teacher training and resources on what's called structured literacy.  It aims to go 'back to basics', teaching kids how to read with sounds and phonics.  Auckland Primary Principals' Association President Kyle Brewerton told Mike Hosking that this approach works well for underachievers but it's not helpful to those who already can read.  He says we want to make sure we continue to extend and grow their performance.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economic pain is being felt in the latest employment numbers.  The unemployment rate is 4.3%, an increase of 0.3 percentage points from the December quarter.  ANZ economist Henry Russell told Mike Hosking that we've come out of a period of intense labour shortages, with migration doing the heavy lifting.  He says skill shortages remain and that's why we continue to import people into New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patience has run out for the authorities cracking down on student protests across the United States.  Pro-Palestinian protests at multiple colleges have broken out into violence and property destruction.   US correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that police were called to clear out students in New York’s Columbia University.  He says up to 300 people were arrested as a result.  This morning there have been violent clashes between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators at UCLA, with reports of fireworks, projectiles, and physical violence.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's continuing discussions around potential future cooperation with AUKUS but it's still a long way off.   Foreign Minister Winston Peters outlined New Zealand's position to the Institute of International Affairs at Parliament last night.   He says we should be considering exploring Pillar 2 —the technology leg— but we'd first need to be invited to join.  Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp agrees, telling Mike Hosking that if we didn't join, we'd be turning our back on our traditional allies. He said it's a pretty deep decision to make. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been found the blame lies at NZQA’s feet for a number of digital exam assessment glitches.  An independent review found last year's issues —which included trouble saving exam work and lagging— was down to a number of safeguards failing.  Avonside Girls' High School Principal Catherine Law told Mike Hosking that it wasn't catastrophic from their perspective, but some students would've felt that way.  She says the vision for going digital is great but current issues make it difficult.  Law says she's unsure whether we're as prepared for it as previously thought.  NZQA's accepted the findings and apologised.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.