Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Authorities in Britain have decided not to require vaccine passports for entry into nightclubs and other crowded events in England, Britain's health secretary said Sunday, reversing course amid opposition from some of the Conservative government’s supporters in Parliament.Health Minister Sajid Javid said the government has shelved the idea of vaccine passports for now but could reconsider the decision if COVID-19 cases rise exponentially once again.“We’ve looked at it properly and whilst we should keep it in reserve as a potential option, I’m pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for vaccine passports,’’ Javid told the BBC.The U-turn came just days after both the government’s vaccines minister and the culture secretary suggested that vaccine passports would still be necessary, despite growing opposition from lawmakers.In particular, members of the governing Conservative Party have objected to such passports as an unacceptable burden on businesses and an infringement on residents' human rig

Another week, another commanding bonus-point victory for the All Blacks. Each more impressive than the last, too.After three comfortable wins against the Wallabies, the last two ensconcing the All Blacks atop the Rugby Championship table, Ian Foster's men held the Pumas to the open flame grill and then uncorked Mendoza's best Malbec with one stunning second-half try.The All Blacks enjoyed total control on the Gold Coast – so much so it was no surprise the Pumas were held scoreless. The imagination and attacking potential between the two teams was poles apart as the All Blacks' freedom of expression and variety blew the Argentines away.A change in style was supposed to restrict the All Blacks more than in recent weeks. After a Wallabies team that, like the All Blacks, embraces pace and width, the Pumas' confrontational approach, their suffocating defence, would present a different challenge. That theory was true for brief periods, but not nearly long enough.With five more in this match the All Blacks have now

For a government obsessed with optics, it beggars' belief that more thought wasn’t given to James Shaw’s decision to travel all the way to Scotland for a climate change conference in 8 weeks' time. I mean, let’s get past the glaring carbon footprint of all that travel and look at the other hypocritical aspects of this. This is a party who objected so strongly to Parliament being resumed in person that they refused to attend; such was their horror that travel should take place during Delta. That same sentiment seems to have conveniently been overlooked in this case. Add to this, the fact that he will take up an MIQ spot which has magically appeared for him at the end of it all. So that’s a spot he’s taking that could have gone to someone else. There are people in virtual queues for months on end with a variety of excellent reasons as to why they should get an MIQ spot, yet James Shaw just magically jumps the queue and gets one. Optics? Not good. But then, for a bright guy, James Shaw seems to make a lot of biz

One man is on a mission to feed the homeless in lockdown.  Hangi Master's Rewi Spraggon says he and his son have given out about three thousand hangi to Tamaki Makaurau's homeless and food banks.   The caterer told Kate Hawkesby lockdown has affected the homeless.  "A lot of them usually eat in the back of restaurants, in the rubbish cans behind the restaurants. But with no restaurants open, there's no food, so there's a huge struggle." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend will mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Most of us remember where we were that fateful day, watching those horrific images coming out of New York and Washington DC. It changed the world forever, and the challenge is how to make sure future generations don't forget the lessons learned from 9/11. Director of tourism at 9/11 memorial and museum in New York Isaac Pacheco joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland tourism operator says international tourists will be needed to help keep local businesses afloat. Bush and Beach Tour Company's Ben Thornton says most Kiwis see the region as the epicentre of Covid outbreaks.  He argues the 17 MIQ facilities scattered throughout the city, will put other New Zealanders off wanting to visit. Thornton told Kate Hawkesby international tourists will be the key to survival. "The only glimmer of hope I have is, because the Government have left it so long it's now too late. Potentially, once they've got the vaccination numbers up they'll be able to help in the new year, that's what we're hoping for and praying for." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like a raw deal doesn’t it? We’re locked down, grocery prices are creeping up and up and up, and then we get the news that we’re in for an expensive Christmas. Shipping lines have announced a ‘peak season surcharge’ on containers coming in from China and Singapore, and other shipping lines will likely follow suit.  So, when the cost goes up for them to ship stuff to us, they’re going to pass that cost on to us, and yet again, the consumer gets pinged.  Kiwibank’s chief economist said in one report that we can expect higher prices this Christmas, and potentially even some empty shelves. There may also be deliveries that just don’t show up in time due to delays.  He says that ‘significant delays and disruptions in the supply chain don’t seem to have abated since last year’ when we had ‘a shocking whiplash in global logistics’. If we haven’t caught up this year, then we know it’s not great news for the Christmas shopping. And Christmas, by the way, just to freak you out, is just over a hundred days away

It turns out herbicide resistance is a far bigger problem in New Zealand than anyone thought.   Scientists have just completed the first nationwide survey on resistance.  Instead of finding the expected 5 percent of arable farms and vineyards being resistant to common herbicides, they found 50 percent are.  Agresearch senior scientist, Dr. Trevor James joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we approach the twenty-year anniversary of the 9/11 disaster one of the key masterminds of the attack has still yet to face trial. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is known as the principal architect of the attacks. He has been kept in Guantanamo Bay since 2006. But his pre-trial has been going on for nine years, with no set date yet for when the actual trial will begin, where he could face the death penalty for his crimes. Kevin Powers, a national security expert at Boston College, who previously advised the Pentagon on Guantanamo issues, joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Delta outbreak has forced a Government rethink, on recently announced plans to reopen the border. The Government still intends to go ahead with a trial, to allow some fully vaccinated overseas travellers from low-risk countries to self-isolate at home upon arrival. But the plans on how to reopen borders early next year will have to be completely rew Auckland University Emeritus Professor of Medicine Des Gorman told Kate Hawkesby Delta strain seems to have caught the Government by surprise. "We've known abut Delta since late last year, yet when this outbreak occurred we simply weren't ready, 80 percent of us weren't vaccinated." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I know this move today to Level 2 is a step in the right direction; God only knows we all want to get down this level slide ASAP and back to some kind of normality. But I hear the businesses who're saying this Delta 2, the heavier version of Level 2 with new mask rules and capped numbers on indoor venues, is actually really tough.  Many say they're just not profitable this way, small cafes and bars for example. By the time they socially distance the tables, mask up all their staff and cap their patronage at 50, it's barely worth opening the doors. Then you've got gyms, with people expected to sweat and pump iron while stringently remaining 2 metres away from any other gym goers or an instructor. Yoga classes with mats separated 2 metres, that doesn't leave you much room unless you have a huge yoga studio.  How this plays out inside hairdressers who'll have to leave gaps in chair space, cinemas, churches, it's still a juggle for them, and many won't be making anywhere near the money they'd expect to be making

Welcome to Delta Level 2. Well, for most of the country, Auckland still has work to do. For a lot of Kiwis, the last few weeks have involved plenty of time in front of the television, with some even complaining they have run out of content to watch. Sky owns streaming service Neon and Head of Entertainment Programming Kristen Prendergast joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Northland has become an island under the new Level Two restrictions. While many businesses can reopen, travel between Northland and the rest of the country through Auckland is restricted to approved essential travel. That means the crucial tourism sector remains in hibernation for now. Jereon Jongejans from Dive Tutukaka told Kate Hawkesby everyone hopes the restrictions can be safely removed soon. "I sort of agree with being a bit cautious. Tt would be nice to have a kōrero in there, but to organise all of that in the mayhem we've got at the moment is a bit tricky." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relief in the construction industry. The Government's agreed to allow manufacturing of some building products to restart in Auckland during level 4. There's been a supply chain issue looming because those in level 2, in the rest of the country, can resume construction. Construction Industry Council chair Graham Burke told Kate Hawkesby it's a problem they'd been talking with the Government about before the dual Alert Levels were announced. "Obviously quite complex, and we're very pleased we've come out with an approach that will hopefully work." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stoked for everyone, bar Auckland, who gets to wake up tomorrow morning in Level 2. A few changes, but hey, at least you’re in level 2. Or ‘Delta 2’ as they’re calling it. Always a catchphrase. The new rules include recommending mask use in schools, especially in secondary school settings, not compulsory, but recommended. So how does this transpire? Leaving it up to schools, who’s monitoring or enforcing that? Parents? Schools? I’m sure we'll soon find out after schools go back Thursday. The other potential prickly one is surveillance testing of any essential workers crossing the Auckland border. How this takes shape I’m not exactly sure, we know it’ll be free, and you don’t have to isolate while you’re waiting on results unless you have symptoms. But how much does it inconvenience companies and how much hold up will there be at the border? Again, time will tell. The PM acknowledged these changes would be tough, which is about as useful as her expressing her frustration on things. It doesn’t change anything f

Missing boy Anthony "AJ" Elfalak has been found alive after a desperate three-day search, NSW Police have confirmed. Anthony, or "AJ", who is autistic and non-verbal, had last been seen at about 11.45am on Friday. A widespread search of the family's 650-acre property at Putty, west of Newcastle, had lasted for almost 72 hours and included police, emergency services and volunteers when the miraculous discovery was made. "Missing 3-year-old boy Anthony 'AJ' Elfalak has been located a short time ago. He is yet to be assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics. More info to come," NSW Police posted to Twitter. It is understood AJ was found by a rescue helicopter at a creek within the property, several kilometres from the family home. Police and family raced on foot to the creek and after several minutes of commotion, police confirmed they had found AJ. A widespread search of the family's 650-acre property at Putty, west of Newcastle, had lasted for almost 72 hours when the miraculous discovery was made. Photo / Google T

Confidence teachers will be able to navigate the issues around mask wearing at schools. It's recommended for over 12s but not required, when school begins for most of the country on Thursday. Clinical psychologist Dougal Sutherland told Kate Hawkesby schools should make a clear decision about mask-wearing, with exceptions for children with communication difficulties. He says it could be a bit tricky because of peer pressure. "I think, though, we should have faith in our teaching staff. Teachers, their job is to engage kids, they know how to engage kids in learning and, yes, this is another barrier, but actually these guys are professionals." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Māori leader is outraged after David Seymour tweeted a Māori only vaccine code.  The code allows people to book in or turn up without an appointment at a drive through clinic in West Auckland. The Act Party leader argues getting vaccinated shouldn't be a race-based issue.  The National Māori Authority Chair Matthew Tukaki told Kate Hawkesby his rhetoric is unhelpful.  "David has completely lost the plot on this, we are trying very, very hard to get the Māori vaccination rate up, as we are trying to get the vaccination rate up for the country more generally." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Otis, the first New Zealand oat milk brand to grow its own oats, is wanting some company.Its launching the 1 percent fund today where one percent of its sales will be dedicated to funding projects and initiatives to make oats a viable alternative for farmers.Otis co-founder Chris Wilkie told Kate Hawkesby they deliberately set out to be both pro-farmer and pro-environment and believe the two don't contradict."We've always and we will always sing the praises of New Zealand farmers because they're the best in the world, but at the same time, we're conscious that farmers might say 'well that's all very well and good Otis, but talk's cheap' and well we agree."LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How you holding up there Auckland? As the meme says, what a year last week has been. A Level 4 lockdown, an escapee from MIQ, flooding in West Auckland, and a terrorist attack. I mean you wouldn’t read about it. Except that we have. How’s everyone’s nerves?I have so many questions.Why was someone on a terror watchlist out in the community? Why was someone known to the PM at the highest level of office, as a serious threat to Kiwis, and yet the law was never changed to get him in jail? Why, after Christchurch, has nothing been learned? Why wasn’t this aspect of the terror laws tightened up? Why did they not act faster to fix the legal loopholes? Why did Police wait for him to not just grab a knife, but then go on and stab 6 people before shooting him? Can we believe in a socially distanced supermarket that he was able to stab one person every ten seconds? Six people in 60 seconds? Really? How much has been spent on surveillance of this guy 24/7 for the past 5 years? Reports of up to 30 people surveying him. Th