Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Uncertainty is the word of the day in the US as Donald Trump gears up for his so called "Liberation Day".   The President will reveal his latest round of tariffs at 9am New Zealand time.   It's expected to throw away decades of norms around global trade and hit people in their back pockets.   University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil told Andrew Dickens there's particular concern around further tariffs on Canada.   She says 80% of US aluminium imports come from Canada, which is a key manufacturing component.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tesla may benefit when founder Elon Musk leaves his government role.   There are reports the billionaire will leave his role at the Department of Government Efficiency to take a much smaller role in the administration.   It comes as auto maker reports a 13 percent drop in vehicle sales in the first three months of the year.   US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Andrew Dickens rumours of Musk's departure are already having an effect on Tesla's fortunes.   He says it's sent stocks up five percent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The comedian Jimmy Carr is coming back to New Zealand for a nationwide tour the culminates at Auckland's Spark Arena. These are big halls, and he can fill them because he’s that good.   It’s called 'Jimmy Carr Laughs Funny' and he does. It’s so true, it’s funny.   And that’s Jimmy’s thing.   It’s easy to lump comedians like Jimmy, and Ricky Gervais and America’s Bill Maher into a conservative label simply because so much of what they say is politically incorrect.   But what makes them funny is that it’s just true. They point out the hilarity of our tribal positions - both left and right.  I’m reading Bill Maher’s book 'What This Comedian Said Will Shock You'. It’s a collection of his best monologues over the year.   I used to think he was quite right wing when I watched his show, but that was because he was merciless against the Biden administration. Now that Trump is in power he’s equally merciless. I like that.   I like his pithy observation that conservatives govern

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Thursday 3rd April 2025, Minister for mental health Matt Doocey joins Andrew Dickens to talk on major report into mental health.  A slew of new government changes will hold cowboy builders more responsible for poor quality work, AUT Professor in construction John Tookey, tells Andrew Dickens how it will make a difference. All eyes are on America as Donald Trump announces the latest number of tarrifs, University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil, shares the reaction out of America.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch Mccann  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.

New Zealand Rugby and former kit sponsor Ineos have resolved their financial differences.  A settlement has been reached after NZR lodged an injunction at the High Court in Wellington, with the figure reportedly in excess of $21 million.  Ineos get to terminate the deal after three years, rather than the full six.  Marketing Expert Mike Hutcheson told Andrew Dickens NZ Rugby will likely wind up with a contract with a similar company.  He says we’re a tiny country at the bottom of the world, and you have to look quite hard to find someone who can afford to sponsor the All Blacks.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland Central business group says the Government has missed a golden opportunity for growth by not funding the America's Cup.   Central Government refused to give any funding to the 2027 edition of the race.   Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck says the bars, restaurants, tourist spots and hotels would have benefited immensely.   She told Andrew Dickens the event is ripe for the picking, as we have the infrastructure already, and the economic benefits would be there.  Beck says they understand the Government has other priorities, but with imagination, will, and determination, there could’ve been a different result.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's latest health and safety regulatory reforms are being viewed as a win for hunters.  A new change makes clear landowners won’t be responsible, if people are injured on their site, while doing recreational activities.  Fault will lie with the organisations running them.  Deerstalkers Association Chief Executive, Gwyn Thurlow told Andrew Dickens it's a return to personal responsibility.  He says landowners were becoming hesitant and shutting gates to hunters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Wednesday 2nd April 2025, Auckland businesses are disappointed the city will not host the 38th America's Cup, Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck shares her thoughts.   The Government's reassuring landowners that they won't be legally responsible for recreational activities they permit on their land, New Zealand Deerstalkers Association CEO, Gwyn Thurlow tells Andrew Dickens what this will mean for the tourism industry.   Andrew talks to marketing expert Mike Hutcheson on what will happen now the New Zealand Rugby and INEOS sponsorship feud has officially ended.   UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest on the UK and EU plotting their own responses to Trump's planned 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.

The draft year 7-13 English curriculum proposes compulsory Shakespeare for senior secondary school students.  That’s provoked a furious debate about the relevance of Shakespeare in this day and age - Shakespeare is important, but is it essential? Even when I was at secondary school 45 years ago, Shakespeare was not popular.  One year we were studying Hamlet. So, the school organised an afternoon matinee of the play at the Mercury Theatre. The boys were so rowdy that a young Michael Hurst commented it was the worst audience he had ever had.  We didn’t even calm down during the sword fights.  That didn’t happen when we studied Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman or Thomas Beckett’s Murder in the Cathedral.   Those plays used language we understood and themes we could relate to.  To teach you must engage and much and all as we bemoan the fall of Shakespeare, he’s still so strong that his influence on the modern world will not fail.   So, what will engage the kids, I don’t know.

Australian officials are closely monitoring a Chinese vessel that's passing through its waters, after completing a joint mission with Kiwi scientists off the coast of Fiordland.  The high-tech Chinese research ship is carrying a deep-sea submersible that's capable of exploring extreme depths.  It's following the route of Australia's deep-sea submarine cable, off the southern coast, weeks after Chinese warships carried out live drills in the Tasman Sea.  Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Andrew Dickens that when asked, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there's not much Australian can do about it.  Albanese says they'd prefer it wasn't there, but it's able to pass through, just like Australia is able to have vessels in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the future of the Cook Strait ferries becomes clearer, some are lamenting how long it's taken.   Two new road and rail-enabled ferries and port-side infrastructure will be ready by late 2029.   Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Todd Valster says while the cost isn't public yet, he's happy they will be rail-enabled.   He told Andrew Dickens the delays haven't given people confidence.   Valster says the previous Government's plan took ages to put together and there's been more delays as this Government's plan has emerged.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some are struggling to see the point of the Government's face-lift to workplace health and safety obligations.  Minister-in-Charge, Brooke van Velden confirms small businesses will only need to manage risks relating to death or serious injury – to reduce compliance costs.   Institute of Safety Management Chair Mike Cosman told Andrew Dickens multiple things the Government's painted as an issue are imaginary.  He says there's no current requirement to report minor injuries or have signage for minor risks.  Cosman believes the Government's created a myth and is now congratulating itself for cracking that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission and Auckland Airport's latest interactions are being seen as a sign regulation is working.  Auckland Airport isn't lifting its airline charges for the next two years as much as intended, after the commission's report showed their targeted returns were too high.   The report also found the airport's multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment plan is appropriate.  New Zealand Airports Association Chief Executive Billie Moore told Andrew Dickens the investigation is all part of the part of the process.  She says the feedback wasn't unexpected because these processes take time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston’s great rail solution is now revealed: it’s just like KiwiRail’s iReX but cheaper.   The boats are still big and they’re rail enabled but the portside infrastructure is more reasonable.   And that’s always been the thing. The original boats were a good deal, but the kicker came portside.   KiwiRail was under the belief that the project had to be future proofed.   This was something that had to last 50 years - a type of thinking that New Zealand hasn’t done often.   So, the Ferrari was not the boat, it was the ports.  Now Winston says Picton needs a big revamp. But the earthquake prone Wellington port just needs a revamp.  In an ideal world this is not ideal. But it is, as Winston says, pragmatic.  I know people involved with the original iReX deal on the Government side.   And when this story first broke, they told me that KiwiRail shouldn’t come to the Government expecting an open cheque book.   And he was right. The original iReX deal was a good deal

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Tuesday 1st April 2025, Todd Valster General Secretary of the Rail and Maritime Union shares his thoughts on the Government's plan for the new Cook Strait ferries.   The Commerce Commission says Auckland Airport's been over-charging airlines by $190 million since 2023, NZ Airports Chief Executive Billie Moore shares his thoughts.   The Government's announced changes to workplace health and safety Mike Cosman, Chair at the NZ Institute of Safety Management tells Andrew Dickens what this will mean for businesses.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio shares the latest on the Australian Prime Minister responding to a Chinese research ship travelling in Australian waters.   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.

Moana Pasifika completed the biggest win in the Super Rugby season so far, beating the Crusaders 45-29. It’s the first time the team have beat the Crusaders. Sports Contributor Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss the win, Ryan Fox at the Houston Open, and the Warriors win. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry has been accused of "harassment and bullying at scale" by a former chair of a charity set up by the Prince.  The allegations come as the individual and several others quit the organisation last week.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey joins the show to discuss the accusation, and how H&M is using AI to create twins.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ will cut $204 million of contractor and consultant spending, making up for more than half of the Government's target of $400m.  The public health agency has been using contractors to fill vacant roles.  Why is Health NZ not employing full time staff?  Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell joins Early Edition.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 31st of March 2025, nearly half of the Government's contractor and consultancy spending cuts are set to come from Health NZ, Former Health Nz Chair Rob Campbell shares his thoughts.  The Government's looking at bringing a third player in the grocery sector to break up the duopoly, Grocery Policy Expert Ernie Newman  tells Andrew Dickens how this could work.  Andrew Alderson has all the latest sport from over the weekend.  UK/ Europe Correspondent shares the latest on the chair of the charity set up by Prince Harry has accusing him of "harassment and bullying at scale" after he and several others quit the organisation earlier this week.  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 grocery sector expert says he's pleasantly surprised by Nicola Willis's plans for the sector. The Economic Growth Minister has confirmed she's seeking advice on potentially breaking up the supermarket duopoly. That could include separating the retail and wholesale arms of Foodstuffs and Woolworths. Ernie Newman says told Andrew Dickens he was sceptical before the announcement but is impressed by what he's heard. He says Nicola Willis has come across as a "minister on a mission" and she's done her homework.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.