Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

ACT is promising a huge shake-up to the education system, aiming to hold underperforming schools to account.  Its new education policy would crack down on ECE providers that don't teach children the basics.  The party would increase surprise visits to early childhood providers and penalise those failing standards.  Leader David Seymour told Kate Hawkesby that they need to start thinking out of the box and find new ways to make the education system work.  He said that if they don’t, New Zealand runs the risk of losing its first world status.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's announced changes for migrant workers are being described as a soft cushion at the bottom of a cliff.   The package includes basic financial support to help with accommodation and essential living costs.  The Government also plans to remove 90-day trial periods for employers utilising the Accredited Employer Work Visa.  Employment lawyer Aaron Martin told Kate Hawkesby that the changes won't be much help at all, as most migrants arrive with no job.   He says the 90-day trial period isn't the problem, the problem is the Government's visa system.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid the recent allegations against Russell Brand, the BBC has announced an internal review of the comedian's time with them.  Brand hosted a series of programs on BBC 6 Music and Radio 2 between 2006 and 2008 as well as being a guest on other shows, overlapping with the period of time the allegations fall within.  The BBC has now removed programming featuring Brand from their streaming services, saying it now “falls below public expectation.”  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Kate Hawkesby that the BBC may have more to answer for, as one of the victims alleges that she was picked up by a chauffeur driven car provided to Brand by the BBC, who brought her to his house.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The events of the past few years are having a major impact on young kiwis.  Extreme weather and economic uncertainty have become a source of concern and anxiety for young people, with social media and vaping being other common stressors.  Youthline’s ‘State of the Generation’ report found that a quarter of those surveyed had been impacted by extreme weather events, and half of that group’s mental health suffered as a result.  Youthline CEO, Shae Ronald, told Kate Hawkesby that there is a range of reactions within that group.  She said that for some, especially those directly impacted, it's really increased their rates of anxiety, whereas for others its resulted in an underlying sense of unease and fear for the future.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour says it's taking a long-term approach to reducing youth crime.  In Auckland, a 16-year-old boy has been charged over Monday's fatal bus station attack, the victim's family revealing he was a 24-year-old alleged 501 deportee from Australia.  And in Christchurch, an 18-year-old learner driver is facing charges over Sunday's fatal Rangiora crash, with new figures revealing Canterbury has been facing a sharp rise in serious boy racer incidents.  Labour's Carmel Sepuloni told Kate Hawkesby that she understands community concerns about youth crime, but there is no easy short-term fix.  She says the Government has to continue to do what works to reduce crime over the long term.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How over all the violence are we right now?   I can’t tell you how over it I am. I’m sure you are too. It’s actually getting ridiculous and what I’m worried about now is that not even a change of government is going to stop it.   A stabbing murder at an Albany bus stop in Auckland Monday, another knife incident 30 minutes later in Auckland’s Waterview, the next day, Tuesday, a person taken into custody after a knife found Kepa Road, in Auckland’s Orakei. That same day a shooting at a Rotorua intersection.   And it’s not just Auckland and Rotorua, the night before in Christchurch ten youths went on a crime spree, breaking into shops to steal stuff, also stealing cars. The week prior there were three aggravated robberies across Auckland’s Point Chevalier and Mt Albert... a gang member was rounded up for those.   These are just the ones that make the news. And don’t get me started on all the people out on ankle bracelets on home detention who’re committing crimes and absconding from Police. The level of crime, p

Some are picking Chris Luxon as narrowly taking the crown in last night's leaders’ debate.  The National Party Leader went head to head with Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins in the first of three debates ahead of the election.   Newstalk ZB Political Editor, Jason Walls, told Kate Hawkesby who he thought came out on top.  He says Luxon was more passionate and had a better plan on law and order, whereas he believes Hipkins couldn't defend the Government's record on that issue.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former MP has some advice for both candidates in tonight’s leaders’ debate.  Labour's Chris Hipkins will face off against National’s Chris Luxon on TVNZ.   Peter Dunne mastered the crowd reactor tool the Worm during TV debates in the 2000s, and says Hipkins should control his words to avoid seeming snide.   But, he told Kate Hawkesby, there are traps for Luxon too.   He says Luxon needs to avoid management language and really connect with people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour said yesterday that the media can’t be trusted to fairly carry ACT’s message.  Based on the texts we got yesterday from people who attended the ACT launch rally, there may be some truth in that. In general, I don’t think we’re being well served by election coverage at the moment... but from all sides. The annoying disruptors, the shadow boxing politicians, the agenda driven clickbait media who proclaim not to have any agenda at all. Give it up, we can see your agenda, it’s plain as day. When you start insinuating someone is racist because someone else disrupted their campaign launch when that same person is a serial disruptor at multiple political party events, then you’ve lost the plot.   I think it’s just disingenuous all round. There is so much sideline noise this election campaign that it’s very difficult to actually hear any policy or detail over the hubbub of accusations and claims and counter claims. The hysteria around the coverage is drowning out any facts. I don’t know if it’s because

New Zealand is making a comeback on the world hospo map as new overseas arrivals drive up demand.   ABC Business Sales says enquiries from potential hospo owners is nearly twice that compared to 2019.  It shows that's due to migrants filling staff and ownership shortages.   Hospitality NZ CEO Steve Armitage told Kate Hawkesby that the country is viewed overseas as a safe place to do business, and customers here love to have cuisine experiences from around the world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's latest energy package is copping flack from some of those in the sector.  It includes a rebate of up to $4000 for installing solar panels and will provide $20 million for community energy projects.  Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie told Kate Hawkesby that its not the right move.   He says they should lay off picking winners in the energy sector and rely on the emission trading scheme and the sense of consumers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's made a suite of announcements targeting women.   The party's released its first women's manifesto promising improved endometriosis care and extended breast cancer screening.   It'd also introduce gender pay gap reporting and establish an innovation and entrepreneurship scholarship programme for low to middle-income women.   Employment lawyer Jennifer Mills told Kate Hawkesby New Zealand rates well on gender equality, but there is pay inequality.  “I’m not sure that frankly an entrepreneurial mentorship programme will go far in addressing the problem, but at least it’s a good start.”  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wasn’t the Warriors game just the much-needed boost we all needed? Amazing scenes on Saturday night, a wild home crowd, as raucous as any I’ve seen.   I mean that was ebullient and electric – how awesome to have been there for those who were. I was so thrilled for Shaun Johnson – a last-minute bounce back from injury and what a superb performance he gave right up until his final minutes on the field, which was a lot longer than I think any of us anticipated.  One reporter described it as a masterclass and it really was. He’s a leader and just such a great performer – so deserving of the standing ovation he got as he left the field.   But seeing how far the Warriors have come, watching them progress to this end of the competition and to look like such a class act with it – confident, strong, bulletproof. Whatever happens, this team under Andrew Webster have grabbed us all like nothing else.   My sister-in-law was bemoaning the fact her family had to leave their restaurant dinner early Saturday night as my niec

As policies fly about here and there in these last 4 weeks heading into the election, Labour's deputy prime minister and National's deputy leader will join once a week to gain insight into all things party-related.  National’s Nicola Willis joined Kate Hawkesby to discuss any fiscal plans, Act vowing to end co-governance and Labour supposedly turning down proposals to stop gang funding.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police in the UK are approaching the paper which brought allegations to light against Russell Brand and one of his former employers.   The comedian has been accused of rape and sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013.   Police have gone to Channel 4 and The Sunday Times to make sure any victims of crime can be made aware of how they can report it to police.   UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Kate Hawkesby Brand is denying the accusations and isn't stepping out of the spotlight.  “He went ahead with a scheduled gig on Saturday night. He started an hour late – people thought he wasn’t going to turn up but he did. He received a very warm response.”  Meanwhile, the Trevi Women & Children's Charity in the UK has announced it has ended its association with the star.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson continues to press his case for a fulltime Formula One seat in the 2024 season. In just his third race of deputising for injured AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo, the 21-year-old Kiwi has earned his first two points in Formula One with a ninth-placed finish at the Singapore Grand Prix. Not only was it his first finish in the points, it was the best result any AlphaTauri driver had achieved all season. Red Bull’s sister team are yet to confirm their driver lineup for the 2024 season as Ricciardo is only on loan from Red Bull until the end of 2023, and Lawson has well and truly put his hand up after missing out on a fulltime seat coming into this season. Lawson caught plenty of attention in qualifying for the event when he made it through to the third session – being the only Red Bull-affiliated driver to do so; keeping reigning World Champion Max Verstappen out of the final session in qualifying. It was a sign of things to come from Lawson, who ultimately qualified to start the race 10th on the g

Another exciting weekend of Rugby kicks off tomorrow, as the All Blacks face Namibia in their second World Cup pool match.  Newstalk ZB’s rugby commentator, Elliott Smith, told Kate Hawkesby that they can be fairly confident in winning.  He said that it should be a comfortable win tomorrow and a good chance to build some confidence back.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer NZ is backing Labour's policy to shake up the legal system to make class action lawsuits easier.  Labour says it will establish a formal class actions regime, allowing groups of people to band together to sue.  Leader Chris Hipkins says people are blocked out of justice due to costs or system delays.  Consumer NZ Chief Executive John Duffy told Kate Hawkesby that class action lawsuits are rare in New Zealand.  He says they're very common overseas, and often used for consumer rights, health and safety, and environmental issues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s funny as we get to the sharp end of the election campaign, what exercises people and what doesn’t.   The media are exercised by the Nats tax cut plan. They’re exercised by it largely I assume because the Labour party are exercised about it. And the Labour party are exercised about it because they hate it because it’s popular. It’s seen poll surges for National, and they’ll do anything to try to stem that tide.   Problem is, as the feedback I’ve received this week would attest, and as the polls would suggest too, it is popular. And people seemingly do not care how it’s costed, or what a handful of economists say about it, or how much Grant Robertson bangs on about it being flawed.   The reality is, this government can’t really talk smack about costings to anyone given the state they’re leaving the economy in. They can’t really talk costings when they’re the government who oversaw wasteful spending like we’ve never seen, money poured into mad ideology that went nowhere like bike bridges and light rail, and

Central Otago residents fighting to stop the planned Tarras Airport are doing all they can to make their voices heard.   A new survey has slammed Christchurch Airport's plans with more than 80% of the region's surveyed residents and businesses in opposition.   The study has found opposition has risen by nearly 10% compared to two years earlier.   Wanaka Stakeholders Group Chair Meg Taylor told Kate Hawkesby that it will have a major impact on their region.   She says almost 96% of respondents say Wanaka and the Upper Clutha should or must be involved in the decision-making process.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.