Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The cost of building a new home's starting to stabilise.  Figures from QV CostBuilder show the average cost to build a three-bedroom home in main centres has risen by 1.8% for the year, and 0.3% this quarter.   It compares to an annual average increase of nearly 5% last December, and nearly 10% last June.  Newstalk ZB’s Resident Builder Pete Wolfkamp told Mike Hosking that the main difficulty builders were facing over the last years were prices rising after they’d been locked into a fixed term contract.  He said that it puts enormous pressure on projects to keep their costs to a reasonable level, which was incredibly difficult.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political scientist says the allegations that Census data has been misused by a political party would be very concerning if true.  The Prime Minister's announced the Public Service Commission will undertake an independent investigation amid allegations surrounding Te Pāti Māori and Manurewa Marae.  It relates to the misuse of Census data and Covid-19 vaccination information.  Political commentator Grant Duncan told Mike Hosking that the alleged mixing of Census and Covid related functions with election campaigning would be inappropriate.  He says all of those choices should be private to the individuals concerned.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's expected China will try to sweeten the pot for New Zealand.  Chinese Premier Li Qiang will arrive in Wellington this week, the first such visit since 2017.  International relations expert Geoffrey Miller told Mike Hosking that expects he'll want to cover business, education, and likely New Zealand's position on AUKUS.  He says tempting offers will likely be made to the Prime Minister.  Miller says an upgraded free trade agreement or wider visa access for Kiwis are potentially on the table.  Christopher Luxon will then lead a delegation to Japan on Sunday.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government will remove the 2018 ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki.  The decision's being labelled a 'backwards step' by environmentalist groups.  Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive, John Carnegie, told Mike Hosking “In New Zealand, the ironic thing is coal has been a balancing energy fuel.”  Carnegie said “There’s plenty of gas here, it’s just a matter of getting more explorers down here and having more wells drilled to find it.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British TV presenter Michael Mosley has been found dead on the Greek Island of Symi after disappearing while on holiday last week.  The 67-year-old healthy living advocate, had been a prominent face on TV in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.   His body was found as teams were searching the coastline with cameras, and searchers were approaching a cave.  UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking “He appeared to take the wrong route home – there are no suspicious circumstances.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals are kicking off this weekend.  The Hurricanes are still sitting at the top of the table, just ahead of the Blues on a points differential.  The Chiefs are starting the action, facing off against the Reds tonight at 7pm.  Sports Commentator Tony Johnson told Mike Hosking that the season is heading towards a pretty good climax.  He said that they’ve seen some good footie, and the game has grown as its gone on as well as the crowds getting better.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a much-needed record funding boost in pothole prevention.  The Transport Agency's confirmed it'll put just over $2 billion into prevention on state highways, and nearly $2 billion for local roads.  It'll cover resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance, with more than 62,000 holes recorded last year.  Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett told Mike Hosking that the funding won't cover as much as it would've a few years ago because costs have risen.  He says larger investments and more consistency will result in better efficiency.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A concerning healthcare trend finds more Kiwis unable to access specialist care, leaving GPs to manage cases without extra resources.  Otago University has found between 2018 and 2022, the risk of being declined referred specialist services increased significantly, by 5.2%.   General Practice New Zealand chair Bryan Betty told Mike Hosking that the threshold seems to be changing.  He says the bar to get in to see a specialist seems to be rising, based on the fact there's not enough capacity in the hospital to see patients.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Third time’s a charm for Boeing as its first manned ship takes off to space.  Previous launch attempts had been called off due to system and machinery failures.   Two veteran NASA astronauts are riding aboard the Starliner capsule, on a journey to the International Space Station.  US correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that it's a much-needed win for Boeing.  She says the manufacturer had lots of bad press recently including a door blowing out of an Alaskan airlines plane.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Early Childhood Sector is welcoming the Ministry of Regulation review.  Regulation Minister David Seymour's saying affordability, access, and regulation will be tackled in the review.  In six months, a report will be sent back with recommendations for Cabinet on rules that could be removed or changed.   Early Childhood New Zealand Chief Executive Kathy Wolfe told Mike Hosking that the amount of regulation is a big problem in the sector.  She says new rules were brought in to fix issues and it's morphed out of control.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The allegations against Te Pāti Māori need to be handled with sensitivity.   It's been alleged information collected at Auckland's Manurewa Marae was used to help the party's election campaign, something Te Pāti Māori denies.  Stats NZ has appointed an investigator, Police have received a complaint, and the Privacy Commissioner's considering what to do next.  Political commentator Peter Dunne told Mike Hosking that it will turn into Te Pāti Māori tikanga versus the tikanga of the rest of the country.   He says it needs to be dealt with in a way that can't be spun as colonisers attacking the party.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes the holiday law changes will benefit Kiwi businesses.  The Government's drafting legislation and will put it out for consultation in September.  It includes proposing moving annual leave from an entitlement system to an accrual system and linking sick leave to hours worked.  Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking that the system hasn't kept up with modern day work practices.  She says it's not fit for purpose and changes are needed, so this is a step in the right direction.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christchurch Council is being urged to back the bid for a South Island NRL team.  It’s said the team could bring in $50 million in revenue for the city each year.  The call’s come from South Island NRL Bid ltd, led by Canterbury Rugby League Chairman Tony Kidd, and is a rival bid to David Moffett’s South Island Kea.  Adam Blair, former Warriors player and commentator, told Mike Hosking that there’s always been conversation about the need for another New Zealand team.  He said that the important thing is having people in the know that have done it before, and he’s not sure if there’s anyone in the South Island who has been in that position and knows how to get it across the line.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK police are still unable to find the parents they say abandoned three babies across East London across seven years.   DNA testing shows newborn Baby Elsa —found in a park earlier this year— is the sibling of two others found similarly in 2017 and 2019.   UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that a judge has made allowances because of the case's public interest.   He says the public can know the babies are black, and its believed they share the same parents.  Elsa was just one hour old when she was found.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More people are getting mental health support in primary care, but not as many are accessing specialist services.   A Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report shows more people are receiving community-based care.   But access to specialist services dropped from 3.8% of people in 2018 and 19 to 3.4% in 2022 and 23.  Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Shaun Robinson told Mike Hosking that new services at GP level have drawn resources from specialist services.   He says we keep putting money into one piece of it, but ignoring the whole system, therefore creating a hole elsewhere.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The T20 World Cup is coming up soon, and New Zealand has been put out in the back paddock with no games in the United States.  The Super Rugby quarterfinals have been set after a tense weekend of matches. The Blues are on top of the board, and the final looks to be between them, the Hurricanes, or the Chiefs.  Andrew Alderson wrapped the long weekend of sports.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says there’s been a drop in respect for police over the past six to seven years and they have become “punching bags” - and he wants to fix it.  Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking about a large boy racer event in Levin on the weekend - in which two police officers were hurt - Mitchell said police had been overwhelmed by the number of people at the meet.  More than 200 cars were at the gathering, with around 30 police staff deployed to the centre of Levin pre-emptively.  Manawatū area commander Inspector Ross Grantham said police were put at serious risk due to “aggressive behaviour”, with two officers hurt when they were pelted with rocks and bottles when they tried to intervene.  Six cars were impounded and two people arrested, and Mitchell told Hosking more people would be arrested.  Skid marks from cars doing burnouts during a car meet in Levin. Photo / Supplied  The Police Minister said he planned to talk to Transport Minister Simeon Brown about the legislation regarding i

The Prime Minister will be doing what he can to steer clear of Fiji's domestic political issues while there.   Christopher Luxon's visiting Fiji and Niue this week, his first visit to the region as PM.   The Fiji trip will have a significant trade and economic focus and includes a meeting with the country's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.   Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Mike Hosking that there's a slight tension between New Zealand establishing itself as a close partner and discussions around AUKUS.   He says many Pacific Island countries aren't keen on that, and don't see themselves as a pawn in a US-China dominance showdown.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is defending the time it's going to take to get the Government's books back in the black.  Nicola Willis says a surplus is expected in 2027-28.  Labour's Finance Spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, told Mike Hosking that Willis isn't delivering the direction she promised.  She said that they’re borrowing way more than Labour would’ve at the end of the forecast period, and running larger deficits than Grant Robertson did, except for at the peak of Covid.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cancer Society says some patients won't have a year to wait for National to make good on their promise.   Over the next four years the government is spending $6.5 billion to boost hospital and primary care.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's disappointed it couldn't include funding for 13 new cancer drugs, despite promising it pre-election.   Cancer Society Chief Executive Rachel Hart told Mike Hosking that she's also disappointed for the cancer patients who voted for National thinking it would keep its promise.   Health Minister Shane Reti says the funding should come in one year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.