Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

There are suggestions that we need to redefine what constitutes a one-in-75 years flood.  A new housing development on land which flooded during Auckland's record-breaking January downpours is drawing criticism.  AUT construction expert John Tookey told Tim Dower that there's legislative requirements that you have to be able to deal with degrees of flooding.  He says if you're in a zone such as this, you need to have design features within the property which reduce the worst effects of a one-in-75 years flood.  The site's developer declined to comment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh concerns today about alcohol advertising near schools.  Today's Medical Journal reports on a survey around more than 50 Auckland schools, which found each of them had at least one alcohol ad within 500 metres.  And it's pointing out there was alcohol advertising close to 63% of low-decile schools.  Instinctively, that doesn't sound so good but can we just back up the bus here for a second?  One alcohol ad within 500 metres of a school... does that strike you as an end of the world is nigh situation?  No, me neither.  If it's the only ad for anything in that 500 metre radius and it's as big as a house, maybe that would register but would it send you steaming off to a bottle shop?  Did advertising have anything to do with your early choices around drinking? No? Thought not.  More likely the influences that steered you towards or even away from a particular product, or from alcohol altogether, were a lot closer to home.  Wouldn't it have been your peers, your family, and the way they conducted themselves a

Tomorrow morning brings with it what is set to be an intense match.  The semifinals between the All Blacks and Argentina kicks off at 8am.  Former All Black and Sky Sports Presenter, Jeff Wilson, told Tim Dower that this tournament was never going to be won in round one.   He said once you get to this point of the tournament, the draw doesn’t matter as the teams have nothing to lose.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Prime Minister has publicly pledged his support for Israel, in Israel.  Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rishi Sunak says he stands by Israel's right to defend itself in line with international law.  He says he also welcomes Netanyahu's decision to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, and the UK will increase its aid to the region.  UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Tim Dower that he was echoing the same sentiment of the US, warning them to be cautious about occupating Gaza.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dire scenes in the Middle East.  At least 500 people have been killed in an airstrike of a Gaza Hospital.  Hamas says it was caused by an Israeli strike, while Israel claims a rocket from a militant Palestinian group falling short is responsible.  Jacqui Southey, Research Director at Save the Children, told Kate Hawkesby that the humanitarian situation is becoming dire.  She said that food, water, and medical supplies are running out, but it’s impossible to get aid in without a ceasefire.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I want to thank Auckland airport shareholders for being vocal on the state of Auckland airport.  They got grumpy and got into it with the airport at the annual meeting this week. And it's not before time. Issues with delays, queues, bags, lack of service, lack of staff, have been going on far too long and too many travellers have already suffered needlessly.   The worst time I think was when the airport CEO came out and said 'it's complex'. Well, that's running an airport, isn't it? Of course it's complex, yet airports all over the world, in countries all over the world, way busier and bigger than us manage to do it every day. So why can't we?   So frustrated shareholders apparently grilled the airport over all the problems, for which the airport and biosecurity officials apologised. But is an apology enough? I'd say no - what we need is action, we need it turned around, we need it fixed. It was reported that 'one shareholder hit out at the airport's inconsistency in service.' They'd called the airport 'an ab

Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin may be re-charged over the shooting of his colleague on the movie set Rust.   Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed during rehearsal in 2021, after the gun Baldwin was handling went off.   US correspondent Mitch McCann told Kate Hawkesby that special prosecutors dropped the involuntary manslaughter charges five months ago, because the gun might have been modified and malfunctioned.  He says since then, they've reportedly received new analysis of the weapon, which could lead to new charges in the coming weeks.   Baldwin's lawyers are calling this a misguided prosecution.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AA’s view is that the employment market has tipped back in favour of employers.   Seek data shows the number of job ads fell 2% in September.   Frog Recruitment Managing Director Shannon Barlow says workers are better off than pre-covid, with wage increases coming through and more flexible working conditions.   She told Kate Hawkesby that now with fewer jobs around, employees may be less choosy.  Barlow says they may not push as hard for more benefits.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A social media expert says imposing a fee on users to verify their accounts is a smart move.  In a bid to combat bots and scammers, X —formally Twitter— is creating a $1 annual fee for new, unverified users, starting with New Zealand and the Philippines.  Social media commentator Vaughn Davis told Kate Hawkesby that it means credit card companies will have to verify who's real and who's not.  He says requiring someone to pay just one dollar, the burden will be on the bank to figure out who's real and the social media platform won't have to jump through those hoops.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two things that have come to light out of the weekend that I think shed a real insight into how shallow we are as a country.   And don't worry I include myself in this, I’m as shallow as the best of them, and in fact I was front row for both of these sideshows.   One, whose Toni?   And two, Luxon’s wife’s arms.   I mean when Chippy said he wanted to thank a new special person in his life and then went on to announce a new partner by the name of Toni, I almost fell off my chair. Mic drop moment. Was this the outgoing PM coming out? Would someone so intent on family privacy be doing this now? On election night? During his concession speech? Inviting the whole of NZ into his private life?   I wondered if it was just me frantically googling Toni, but then I saw a story saying Google searches for Toni spiked Saturday night – so fess up, come on, we were all doing it. Not that there’s anything wrong with him having a new partner of course, just that it was odd he would announce a marriage break up a year ago and as

US President Joe Biden will head to Israel tomorrow, hoping to prevent a regional war.  Otago University international relations expert Robert Patman told Kate Hawkesby that Biden is taking a calculated risk should the conflict escalate.  He says the purpose of Biden's visit is to express solidarity with Israel and open up a humanitarian corridor.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Security has been ramped up in parts of Europe after a suspected terror attack in Belgium. Two Swedish football fans were shot dead near the stadium hosting a Euro 2024 qualifying match. The Tunisian man who claimed responsibility has been killed by authorities in a Brussels Cafe. He'd identified himself as a member of the Islamic State. Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Kate Hawkesby that those hosting games are staying on high alert. He says security has been tightened for the England-Italy game at London's Wembley Stadium, as well as the upcoming France and Scotland match in Lille.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A small business advocate says companies are still feeling the pinch despite lowering inflation.   The inflation rate in the year to September was 5.6%, lower than the 6% in the year to June.   Small Business Voice NZ Chief Executive Max Whitehead says while he's optimistic for the future, that lower rate isn't being reflected in many's experience.   He told Kate Hawkesby that there isn't the confidence at the moment for businesses to reinvest in themselves.   Whitehead says they're reluctant to put money into things like machines which can improve productivity.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes that the new speed cameras being installed in Auckland will change driver behaviour. They measure the average speed a vehicle travels between two cameras and will only ticket drivers if the average speed between them is over the limit.   Research shows they can reduce road injuries or fatalities by more than 50%.  Driving safety instructor Tony Williams told Kate Hawkesby that the sophisticated cameras are likely to have an astronomical cost.   The cameras are being installed at Matakana, Dairy Flat, Redvale, Whitford, Karaka, and Glenbrook, with testing starting in December.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Jacinda was prepared to sell her grandmother”.. read the headline yesterday.   A statement made by Ron Mark when interviewed about how coalition negotiations have gone in the past with NZ First. Unfortunately, he went on to say in the article that not only was she ready to sell her grandmother, but she did.   Ouch.   What an indictment on an already unpopular leader. But it should serve as a warning to Luxon and co as they head into the rocky, murky waters, that is the negotiation of coalition deals. Hopefully they don’t feel they need to sell the grandparents.   Two other things to bear in mind: one, Winston’s’ a wily old dog, and two, Luxon is new to this politics game. I hope he’s flanked by enough political savvy to keep him from trying to flog the family jewels, but then again, he may not even need Winston. All the talk of the specials leaning left I don’t buy this time round. Remember, a lot of those specials are overseas voters – the very ones who got locked out, pinged in MIQ, missed funerals for lov

Labour MPs are set to realise the magnitude of their election loss today.   The party is set to farewell a large number of outgoing MPs at their first caucus meeting this morning. Former Labour MP and Political Commentator, Peter Dunne, recalled what it was like in 1990 when the party had a big election loss.  He says the big shock was when the new caucus met and they realised how few of them were left.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation is likely to be back on the rise as motorists continue to pay more at the pump.  Stats NZ will release its latest inflation figures at 10.45am.  Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan expects inflation in the year to September to reach 6.2%, up from 6% in the year to June.  He told Kate Hawkesby that global events and the removal of the fuel subsidy are pushing up fuel prices, but National's plans to reduce government spending could reduce inflationary pressure.  Kiernan says it will take time for any cuts of departmental spending to show up in our inflation figures.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A whirlwind trip to Israel could be on the cards for US President Joe Biden.  The death toll in Israel has surpassed 1,400, while Gaza has reported more than 2,700 hundred casualties.  The planned trip comes after Biden said in an interview that an Israeli occupation of Gaza would be a huge mistake.  Washington Post reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb told Kate Hawkesby that it's the first time he's drawn a limit on what he'd endorse from Israel's response.  She says Biden has said previously Israel has a duty to respond overwhelmingly to Hamas' attacks.  Meanwhile, MFAT says around 50 New Zealanders are understood to still be in Israel, with 20 registered in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of people who expect house prices to continue to fall is dropping.   The ASB Housing Confidence Survey shows 8% believe that, down from 34% last quarter.  More people think now's a good time to buy but there's still a split.   Aucklanders are the most confident house prices will increase.  ASB economist Nathaniel Keall says it suggests the market's at a turning point.   He says people still think prices will fall further and interest rates will rise, but the number is far less than even a few months ago.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gazans are being urged to evacuate south as Israel prepares for ground operations.   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "demolish Hamas" after their deadly rampage through Israeli border towns.   Israel has unleashed a ferocious bombing campaign on Gaza in retaliation for the attacks that killed some 1300 Israelis, mostly civilians.   Gaza authorities say more than two thousand 200 people have been killed there, a quarter of them children.  European Correspondent, Gavin Grey, told Kate Hawkesby that it's become increasingly difficult to get foreign nationals out of the country.  He said that the UK’s foreign secretary is working to secure the opening of the Egyptian border for a short time in an effort to get British nationals out.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.