Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

There’s not a lot to say about that game that hasn’t already been said — however it will be a game that gets digested for a long time yet. Mainly over the place of TMO in rugby and how slowed down the game is these days. It’s almost like they’re not allowed to play it anymore. It must make players incredibly nervous when every move is questioned, yellow carded, TMO’d and often red carded. It’s too much. Yes there’s safety and rules to go by, but there’s also a game to be played. When you slow it down that much and spend too many valuable minutes analysing the play, staring at replays, talking to players on the field and generally making it too technical, then you also lose people’s interest. And they wonder why people are switching off the game. I’m sad for Fozzy, I really wanted him to get a triumphant send off and a fairytale ending. A big redemption and a successful World Cup win to prove the naysayers wrong. Having said that, yes of course they did well to get to the final — I know it seems weird saying t

Israel says its next stage of war with Hamas has begun as it expands ground operations in Gaza. Telephone and internet communications in Gaza have been partially restored after a more than day-long blackout, which badly impacted rescue operations. The UN has warned civil order in Gaza is deteriorating. Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Kate Hawkesby two-thirds of the UN supported calls for a humanitarian "pause" in Gaza. “I don’t think Netanyahu’s government can make the claim now that the world is fully supporting Israel’s response.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History does unfortunately repeat itself with an absolutely gutting loss for the All Blacks. The All Blacks have had to settle for second in the Rugby World Cup after losing to the Springboks 12-11 in Paris. They had to play the majority of the game with 14, after captain Sam Cane became the first player sent off in a Rugby World Cup final. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s finally time for a rematch.  Back in 1995 the All Blacks faced South Africa in the Rugby World Cup Final and will be doing the same this Sunday morning.  Hennie Le Roux was a member of the Springboks when they took the cup in ‘95 and told Kate Hawkesby that they’re preparing themselves for an enormous battle this time.  He said that New Zealand has shown that they’re a power to reckon with and are probably consistently the best team in the world over a long period of time.  Le Roux said that if the Springboks are going to lose, they’d rather lose to New Zealand than anyone else.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lots of reasons, obviously, why we all want the ABs to win this weekend, but my main one to be honest is Ian Foster.   That guy got dragged through the ringer, treated like utter crap from everyone, from fans to the Rugby Union itself, and he just carried on. Plugging away, keeping his head down, taking it all on the chin, and just trying to do his job. I mean he got slandered. Thumped verbally every which way but sideways. How he carried on is beyond me. Many wouldn’t have.   But he’s got clearly a couple of powerful things going for him, one, obviously a deep inner strength and calm, and two, the players love him. They love him and are loyal to him and want to win for him. They have a sense of duty I think to see him off in style and make him proud, to prove the naysayers wrong, to let him have his moment, to shut up all the vociferous critics.   So, for that reason alone, I hope they do it. I hope he gets to leave this World Cup a champion coach who won a World Cup under less than supportive cond

Reports that demand for financial help is growing among employed people and property owners.  CoreLogic data shows that despite interest rates doubling over the past two years, mortgagee sales remain below pre-pandemic levels.   But it says this is a "fingers crossed scenario" and is dependent on people's ability to keep their jobs and maintain home payments.   CoreLogic Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson, told Kate Hawkesby that while it is dependent on other factors, the key one is that basically nobody wants a mortgage.  He said it doesn’t help that banks don’t help the borrower, and do things such as switch interest rates, and extend the term of the loan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The suspect in the latest mass shooting in the United States is still on the run.  At least 18 people in the city of Lewiston in the state of Maine are dead, and a further 13 are injured. Police are hunting 40-year-old Robert Card, who is believed to be armed and dangerous.   There's a "shelter in place" order for residents and two neighbouring towns.   Portland Press Herald lead reporter Marla Hoffman told Hawkesby that these places are small town America, and it's unfathomable to think it's happening there.   She says it's broad daylight now and people are very scared and in shock.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes Christmas will bring businesses a cash bounce.  The latest Retail NZ sales index —for the third quarter— shows many retailers sat in a holding pattern before the election.   59% reported increasing prices and just 57% felt confident their businesses would survive the next year.  Business NZ CEO, Kirk Hope, told Kate Hawkesby that there’s a lot more certainty after the election.  He said that there is a very clear pathway for businesses and a lot more clarity around what policy is going to be.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Further concern about the state of Wellington City Council's books as it agrees to a new budget for the Town Hall.  The council agreed to approve up to $147-million towards the redevelopment, an expense which could bring the total up to $329-million.  The heritage-listed building has been closed to the public for the past decade for quake-strengthening.  Wellington Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Simon Arcus worries this could impact rates or other projects.  He says they've raised concerns about debt for a long time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve got to think there’s something very rotten in the state of the public service in this country that they’re carrying on —in some quarters where they know full well they’re getting cancelled— that they’re carrying on hiring people, working on projects, spending money, commissioning work.   Why? They’re not going anywhere. Three Waters, light rail, Let’s get Wellington Moving... why are people on these projects persevering when they must know it’s over? They’re gone, surely the spending stops. It’s reckless and wasteful, and smacks of a deluded sense of entitlement that they can carry on in the false belief —or maybe just arrogance— that wasting taxpayers' money on contracts and outlay trumps the reality, which is they’re toast.   Give it up. Stop already. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent on things that will be completely irrelevant and non-existent. There is a guy, as we know from yesterday, at Three Waters hiring people. What a waste of time and money.   This is another problem with dela

New Zealand's Government has made further public comment on the conflict in Israel and Gaza.   Outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, in consultation with incoming Prime Minister Chris Luxon, has joined international calls for humanitarian corridors in Gaza and designated safe areas.   Honorary Consul for Israel, Henri Eliot, told Kate Hawkesby that what's missing is the New Zealand government recognising Hamas as a terrorist organisation.   He says the hostages still being held in Gaza aren't being talked about enough.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Dunne is someone I really respect because he’s emerged from a life inside politics to remain an engaged and informed observer on the outside.  He makes a lot of sense, which is why I love having him on this show. He recently gave an interview where he talked about the fact we shouldn’t have to wait this long for election results. I agree.   I’m sure most of us do. I mean we voted for a system like MMP which is not that clear cut so that parts on us, but surely the mechanism for counting special votes can be sped up. As it stands, special votes have to be sent back to their electorates. That’s your first hold up. Secondly they’re counted manually. They’re also taking all this time to scrutinize the roll, check for any duplication of votes, recount votes... and bear in mind there are around 567 thousand special votes apparently this year.   But Peter Dunne says we need to speed it up.   He said, “the votes need to be transmitted back to the electorates, they should be counted much more quickly and then t

Concerns that Wellington City Council's financial books aren't in a good state.  Castalia was commissioned by a group of locals for an independent analysis of public records, which suggests a one-billion-dollar budget blowout.  Group member and Wellington Lawyer, John Swan, told Kate Hawkesby that the council's 'reckless.'  He says they've bitten off more than they can financially chew, but concedes that some of it is down to inflation.  Council Chief Financial Officer Andrea Reeves says the analysis makes assumptions based on outdated information.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Rotorua Councillor says they'll be more transparent with the public, but some meetings need to be confidential.  A Chief Ombudsman review of eight councils has found some have effectively closed workshops to the public for invalid reasons.  It followed complaints they were undermining local democracy by making decisions away from the public eye.  Rotorua Lakes Councillor Fisher Wang told Kate Hawkesby that the community should also expect the council to be fully informed.  He says that means sometimes they have to meet and discuss things behind closed doors when the topic is of a confidential nature.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon's staying tight lipped about coalition discussions.   Meanwhile, ACT's David Seymour says he's happy to make the coalition agreement public once it's been struck.   Arrangements in 2017 weren't made public by Jacinda Ardern, with the Chief Ombudsman ruling details couldn't be requested under the Official Information Act as it came within her capacity as Labour leader.   Former National Health Minister Jonathan Coleman told Kate Hawkesby that historically, it's always happened behind closed doors.  He says negotiations are always kept private, and even in retrospect no one really knows what went on and why things were negotiated.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emergency warnings have been issued for people in the way of fast-moving fires in southern Queensland.  From today, residents in several towns about 250 kilometres from Brisbane have been urged to leave their homes immediately.  Evacuation centres have been set up.  Australia correspondent Donna Demaio says one of the fires, which has burned about 200 hectares of land already, is deemed suspicious.  She says temperatures will also be hovering around the mid 30's which will make things extra tough.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How good is a long weekend?    And is Labour weekend not one of the best? It’s the downhill slide to Christmas, which by the way is just nine Fridays away now.   It’s heading into summer, it’s just a vibe. I notice people had an extra spring in their step – the sun was shining, the AB’s won a place in the final, we had two good games of rugby to watch in fact, there just seemed a real buzz over the weekend. I’m sure great weather helps, especially after the winter we’ve had.   But I always think Labour weekend signals just how crazy busy the summer season may get if you live anywhere near a tourist hotspot. Where we live rurally is near a thriving wee summer hotspot which attracts huge crowds of people – particularly at weekends, but even more so at public holiday weekends. And it’s a catch 22 for locals.   On the one hand you’re thrilled for your local pub and shops and village to get such great business, but on the other hand you can’t even get through the traffic to get a Pub lunch. So, happy for the Pub,

Four years on from the March 15th Christchurch terror attacks, the coronial inquest is beginning today. Coroner Brigette Windley will hear up to eight weeks of evidence.   She will determine the cause and circumstances of the 51 deaths and make recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.   Herald reporter Anna Leask told Kate Hawkesby that the coroner will look at whether people could've lived if emergency services or hospital staff had done things differently.   She says there are a few other questions the families don't feel have been answered, including whether the gunman had help.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The outgoing and incoming governments are blaming the caretaker convention for keeping tight-lipped about the situation in the Middle East.   The convention applies when an outgoing administration is preparing to make way for an incoming one.   International Geopolitical Analyst Geoffrey Miller told Kate Hawkesby that New Zealand's done the minimum: condemning the Hamas attack, calling for restraint from Israel's response, and funding humanitarian aid.   He says beyond that, ministers have been reserved by design because of the caretaker convention.   Miller says we're waiting for formation of a new government for a fuller response.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A macroeconomics professor is hitting back at a forecast our economy is on track for a soft-landing.  Infometrics has revised its expectations for next year up to 0.9% growth, saying strong migration figures are having an effect.  Auckland University Professor Robert MacCulloch told Tim Dower that the report is silly.  He questions how they could come out with a line like that when next year the International Monetary Fund ranks our GDP growth at 180 out of 189 countries in the world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.