Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appears to have got the better of opposition leader Peter Dutton in their first election debate.   Sky News declared the incumbent Albanese as the winner after asking 100 undecided voters their thoughts.   Australian Correspondent Lesley Yeomans told Andrew Dickens two key issues emerged last night.   She says the cost of living and energy policy were two of the biggest topics.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists are seemingly aligned on where they think today's Official Cash Rate figure will land.  The Reserve Bank's expected to cut the OCR by 25 basis points, down from 3.75 percent.  It's the first rate decision since Governor Adrian Orr's resignation.   Jarden Economist and Investment Strategist, John Carran told Andrew Dickens there's been a lot of uncertainty in markets from US President Donald Trump's tariffs.  He believes it's too early for the bank to panic and cut the OCR any further. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oranga Tamariki is getting rid of its target to place 58% of the kids in its care with wider Whanau.   And it's also ditching a target for investment with Māori organisations - 23% of funding was targeted for those organisations.  The Minister for Children Karen Chhour says this is part of OT's 'Safety First' approach. She says the targets were outdated and went against the ‘need not race’ directive.   And she was concerned whether the priority of Māori organisations were getting in the way of the quality and efficacy of the services being provided.   And it all makes sense.  The ingrained belief in our child social workers that kids are always better off rehomed with whanau always seemed counter factual. In many cases the abuse directed at the kids was at the hands of whanau themselves - people that had been raised by other people in their family but failed at their own parenting. So why would we give the kids to them? It often seemed that children were being thrown right back i

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Wednesday 9th of April 2025, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello joins Andrew Dickens to talk on a report which found a substantial increase in organised crime over the past 5 years. Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans shares the reaction from the Australian public on the first debate between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his election rival Peter Dutton.  Plus, It's OCR day... John Carran, Investment Strategist and Economist at Jarden takes his pick on how the Reserve Bank will move.  And UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest on the Duke of Sussex is in court again in London to appeal a decision to downgrade the level of security he receives in the UK. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A retired lieutenant can't see how a boost in defence funding will fill missing skills and trades.  New Zealand's injecting $12 billion into defence over four years – $9 billion of which is new spending.   It includes enhancing our strike capabilities, replacing the Boeing 757 fleet, and upgrading our javelin anti-tank missiles.  Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Ricketts told Andrew Dickens the navy, army, and air force already have more vehicles than they can staff.  He says a commitment to spend more money on gear is great but without more personnel, the plan will fall apart.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former police officer is backing the force's approach to dealing with mental health cases.   Police are in the middle of four stage process to pull back from attending mental health call outs.   The Mental Health Foundation has created a petition calling on them to reverse course.  It says first phase, which started in November, has already caused damage in the sector.  Former Police Officer Lance Burdett told Andrew Dickens there are some situations where Police aren't the right answer.   He says some people don't want to see a police officer in uniform when they are having a crisis.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Tuesday 8th April 2025, The Government's announced a massive 12 billion dollar investment in defence over the next four years Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Ricketts tells Andrew Dickens how it will make a difference.  Former Politicians and health advocates are rallying against New Zealand's lobbying regulations, calling for more transparency, Boyd Swinburn tells Andrew Dickens what went on at the campaign launch. The Mental Health Foundation's launched a petition calling on Police to stop the plan to scale back attendance at mental health callouts, Former Police Officer and mental health advocate Lance Burdett shares his thoughts.  Plus, Peter Dutton has dropped a major policy promise ahead of the election, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio shares the latest.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener

A desire to level the playing field, when it comes to lobbying.  Health Coalition Aotearoa's pushing for stronger regulations alongside the Helen Clark Foundation and Transparency International.  They want a public register of lobbyist meetings, a cooling-off period to prevent ex-ministers immediately becoming lobbyists, and a lower limit forcing someone to disclose political donations.  Co-Chair, Boyd Swinburn says told Andrew Dickens those with vested interests are getting a bigger say on public policy, than groups pushing for positive social outcomes.  He says nothing wrong with balanced lobbying -- which gives policy for public good, not private good.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The news that New Zealand is going to spend 12 billion dollars on defence is not news to welcome, and yet it is welcome news.  In an unsettled world, defence is essential. And the equation for a credible defence is spending 2 percent of GDP.  So now within 8 years we’ll get to that target - it’s a doubling.   The question is why we are only just doing this now. If we’d spent that for the past 30 years we would not be facing so dramatic a spend today.  But we didn’t. Fat and complacent in a mistaken belief that we were safe and sound, and if something went wrong our friends would come and save us.  For as long as I’ve been in the news business, Australia and the States have warned that coat tailing did not cut it and that we had to do our bit. So fair play to Judith Collins, she’s finally accepting the responsibility that we’ve always needed.  But it comes at a difficult time.  Firstly, the world has become more dangerous so time is of the essence. And secondly, we’re broke.&

Liam Lawson was beaten by his Red Bull replacement Yuki Tsunoda on the opening lap of the Japanese Grand Prix.  He finished 17th, while Tsunoda finished 12th.  His former Red Bull team-mate, Max Verstappen, won from pole position.  Sports Contributor Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss the race, Auckland FC continuing their unbeaten run, Women's 7s title win, and the Blues first win over the Hurricanes.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fallout from US President Donald Trump's tariffs announced over the weekend has continued to be felt around the world.  The stock market's S&P fell 10.5%, but New Zealand only fell 0.5%.  Experts are warning tariffs could push prices up for consumers, and protesters have taken to the streets in their thousands as a result.  Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith talks to Mike Hosking about the aftermath.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government wants to change the laws surrounding free speech in New Zealand.  As part of the Quarter two action plan, legislation will be introduced to require freedom of expression in our university's.  What impact will the new law have on students and learning?  Former Victoria University Dean & NZ Initiative Research Fellow Michael Johnston talks to Andrew Dickens about the change.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 7th April 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith shares the latest on reaction out of the US following Donald Trump's tariffs. The Government wants to shake up free speech laws in universities, Former Victoria University Dean and NZ Initiative research fellow Dr Michael Johnston tells Andrew Dickens what this means. Andrew Alderson shares the latest from sport over the weekend. Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest on UK car giant Jaguar Land Rover announcing a pause all shipments to the US, following the announcement on tarrifs. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A noticeably frail Pope Francis has made a surprise appearance at Vatican City.  The 88-year-old was in a wheelchair and wearing a nasal cannula for oxygen, when greeting onlookers in St Peter's Square.  It's his first official public appearance since he was released from hospital, after a life-threatening bout of double pneumonia.  International Correspondent, Gavin Grey says told Andrew Dickens the Pope ignored doctor's orders.  He says Pope Francis was told to take several weeks off duties, upon release from hospital after a five-week stay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So it looks like the Treaty Principles Act is toast as Christopher Luxon assured us it would be.   Much was made over the weekend that 90 per cent of the submissions were against it.   But that means nothing if all the opposing submissions were just photocopies of one.  Māori are organised. Anyone who’s seen their multiple Hikoi's and the awesome organisation of the Kings Tangi should know that.   You underestimate Māori at your peril.    But it must also be noted that Act’s act was a simplistic dog. Much of it is already covered by the bill of rights.   At its heart it was three sentences designed to overthrow 50 years of legal development.  But is the movement against the treaty dead.   No, it is not. New Zealand first wants to have a crack.  And Winston Peters, being the experienced legislator, wants to amend the existing Treaty Principles legislation we already have.   He ran his election campaign on it. It's the smart way to achieve real change. 

New Zealand exporters are in the firing line, as tariffs of at least 10% are now being imposed on almost all goods.  The US surpassed Australia as our second largest export destination for beef last year due to a sharp rise in meat exports.  There’s billions of dollars' worth of trade in the sector, as the United States is unable to meet their consumption demand with their domestic production.   Meat Industry Association CEO Sirma Karapeeva told Andrew Dickens we currently trade with a “nuisance tariff” of only a few cents, so this 10% is essentially imposing over 9.3% extra cost on exports.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dispute surrounding a charity co-founded by Prince Harry will be investigated.  The Sentebale charity's caught the eye of the Charity Commission after a public war of words saw its head make claims of bullying and harassment within the organisation.  UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Andrew Dickens the Duke of Sussex is hoping the commission will be able to unveil the truth.  McAviney says Harry's welcoming the official investigation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A health group says the Government's health targets don't tell the full story of the system.  Three of the five Government's targets are on track, but two are worse than the previous quarter.  Wait lists for elective treatments and a first specialist assessment have worsened, but child vaccination rates have improved, alongside cancer treatment times and ED stay lengths.  Patient Voice Aotearoa Chair Malcolm Mulholland told Andrew Dickens the ED wait time metric doesn't include walkouts.  He's aware of a case in Palmerston North where a patient walked out of its ED because it was overwhelmed, and died the following day.  He’s also doubting how cancer treatments are measured.  Mulholland told Andrew Dickens it looks at the time from the first appointment to first treatment, instead of diagnosis.  He says patients are waiting eight weeks or longer at Waikato, Christchurch, Wellington and Southland hospitals, and some outcomes have been lethal.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnys

Formula one hits Japan this weekend, with Liam Lawson to race for the first time since dropping to the Racing Bulls.  Lawson's replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, will be racing for oracle this Sunday.  Sport's Journalist Eric Thompson says Yuki and Lawson have been friends since junior days.  He says some strain in their friendship is to be expected.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Friday 4th April 2025, NZ is finally in the firing line for Donald Trump's tariffs, Sirma Karapeeva Chief Executive of the Meat Industry Association explains how it will impact our exporters.   Formula One hits Japan this weekend, with Liam Lawson to race for the first time since dropping to the racing bulls, Sports Journalist Eric Crompton shares his take.   The Government's says it's Health targets seem to be on track, Chairperson of Patient Voices Aotearoa, Malcolm Mulholland shares his thoughts.   Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney shares reaction from the UK on Donald Trump's tariffs.   Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.            LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.