Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Race Relations Commissioner says Russians here have faced discrimination over the invasion into Ukraine. Meng Foon says told Kate Hawkesby one of the main reasons immigrants come here, is to find a better life and adhere to our values. “Unfortunately, there’s a few naughty people that have violated other people’s rights.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My brother had Covid last week. Omicron struck him and his whole family, save for one child. He was asymptomatic, bar a dry cough and a tickly throat. All of which he said under normal circumstances he would’ve gone to work with. It lasted 3 days, he said he wouldn’t even rank it in the top 10 of head colds. So, from where he sat, it wasn’t worth the fear and angst afforded it. I’m sure there are those gravely affected by it – those unvaxxed, or with underlying health conditions, or immune-compromised, or elderly or young children. But for the majority, it’s so low key the CDC in America don’t recommend more than a 5-day isolation period is necessary. So my brother’s view is that it’s not worth the fear, the social dislocation, the decimation of tourism, hospo and international education.He doesn’t see the need for the $80 billion debt blow out and human misery. The massive toll on mental health, and elective surgeries. He sees the condescending endless barrage of expensive overly researched slogans, made up

Federated Farmers is welcoming the news of a free trade deal between New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The UK has agreed to phase out all tariffs on our exports, saving Kiwi exporters about 37-million dollars a year.  It's also expected to boost our GDP by up to $1 billion. President Andrew Hoggard told Kate Hawkesby free trade deals are always a win for New Zealand. “We sign them and you expect some benefits and then we're usually blown away by how many benefits we do get.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting friday 11:59pm, vaccinated Kiwis from anywhere in the world will now be able to return with no self-isolation requirements. For those coming from Australia, that begins Wednesday 11:59pm. RATs will be needed before and after arrival, and on day 5.  Cabinet is now looking at whether the remaining three steps of the five-step border reopening plan can also be bought forward.  Grounded Kiwis spokesperson Alexandra Birt joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has long been talk of government merging TVNZ and RNZ into a new public media entity. Cabinet is said to have finally made it's decision on the matter, and is expected to announce the merger will go ahead. Someone who has a keen interest in this is TVNZ's main competitor Discovery who owns TV3. Senior Vice President and General Manager of Discovery Australia and New Zealand Glen Kyle joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These are awful times globally, aren’t they? I mean there have been darker periods in history, but for young people living through a pandemic and now witnessing what’s unfolding in Ukraine right now, awful.Horrific for all of us actually, not just young people. But we have record levels of anxiety amongst our young people in this country at the moment – exacerbated by the pandemic, and I do worry how much worse it’s going to get for them. Young people are seeing this war unfold in real-time, this is not black and white grainy footage from times gone by, they’re watching civilian videos on TikTok and across social media as people literally fight for their lives in front of them. A phone in their hand is broadcasting all the action live for them to witness. And without a wider context of history, or any real memory of conflicts like the Balkans, Crimea, Chechnya, they will be rightly worried and freaked out. Mainstream media puts its own narratives on what they’re witnessing, politicians do too, but confusion s

A Colin de Grandhomme century and two vintage Neil Wagner wickets have given the Black Caps hope, but they'll still need to accomplish a rare feat for another test victory over South Africa.South Africa reached stumps on day three of the second test at Hagley Oval at 140-5, holding a lead of 211 runs as the Black Caps hunt for their first test series victory over the Proteas.While a crucial pair of Wagner wickets in the final session opened an avenue into the South African tail order, the visitors aren't far away from providing an imposing total.Just twice have New Zealand successfully chased a fourth-innings target of 230 or more in New Zealand, and there have only been five winning fourth-innings chases of more than 235 by any team in this country – none since 2003.That statistic doesn't tell the entire picture, as the 235 mark has been passed 25 times, 20 of them coming in draws or defeats, but it points to the old adage being true – fourth-innings chases, even those with feasible targets, are no walk in t

Sitting with her teenage daughter in a hotel foyer in northern Romania, 38-year-old Viktoriya Smishchkyk breaks down in tears as she recounts her departure from Ukraine.“I could hear the sound of the fighting outside, it was very scary,” Smishchkyk, who is from Vinnitsya in central Ukraine, told The Associated Press from a hotel that is offering free accommodation to refugees.“We left all our belongings behind, but they are material things — less important than the lives of our children,” she said.Smishchkyk and her daughter are among hundreds of thousands of people who have fled Ukraine since Russian launched its attack on Thursday. The U.N. refugee agency said Sunday about 368,000 people have fled the country, many into bordering nations like Romania, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and Slovakia.Amid the horrors and chaos, volunteers from far and wide are showing support by extending help to those whose lives are being shattered by war.At Romania’s Siret border crossing, where thousands of Ukrainians have entered

Covid-19 and other world events are increasing anxiety in children.Clinical therapist and parenting expert Dr Anna Martin says access to social media means kids are more likely to come across upsetting images.She told Kate Hawkesby parents can't put their heads in the sand on tough issues like the current Ukraine conflict.“Answer questions that they may have, but also let them know how safe they are and what’s happening over there isn't going to be happening in their backyard.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The travel industry's imploring the Government to remove self-isolation requirements for returnees as the first phase of the border re-opening begins.Fully-vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers from Australia can now skip MIQ and isolate at home for seven days instead.The first flight into Auckland Airport is due at 2.45 pm this afternoon while the first into Christchurch Airport is scheduled for 5.30 pm.House of Travel's Brent Thomas told Kate Hawkesby a limited number of New Zealanders will head over from here due to self-isolation.“What we do need is for business travellers to be able to travel as well. They need to be able to go and see their suppliers, they need to go and be able to see their customers, and then coming back for a week and having to self-isolate just doesn't work.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So we’re into Phase 3 as of today – and not before time. Problem is, nobody knows what any of it means. I was out all day yesterday driving around Auckland and what I can tell you is that there are still snaking queues everywhere for PCR tests. Why? Why is no one getting the memo on that? Why are all these people still queuing for tests? Possibly because RATs, which we’re supposed to be doing, are so hard to find.  One of my trips yesterday involved a covert side of the road operation like a drug mule, picking up RATs I’d managed to source – at no small expense I might add – from an anonymous source who was transferring them to me from their car boot wrapped in a rubbish bag. I kid you not. It’s like prohibition days – only the prohibited substance is something that should be readily available to everybody, like it is all over the rest of the world.  Why RATs aren’t in every Pharmacy up and down the country by now is beyond me.  But here at Hermit Central, we’re still waiting to be told when we can have stuff

Businesses still expect to feel under pressure in phase three of the Omicron response. Health officials will now primarily focus on managing high-risk contacts and locations of interest, like aged care homes.  Only cases and their household contacts must isolate for 10 days - with all other contacts expected to monitor for symptoms.  Canterbury Employers Chamber Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby the difference between phase 2 and 3 is minimal. “We’re still going to see hundreds of thousands of people who will be self-isolating – only for ten days - and that will continue to have a significant impact on businesses' ability to actually operate.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sense of shock across Ukraine - as Russia ramps up its invasion of the country. Forces are carrying out a major military assault -- with missile strikes and explosions being reported near major cities. The Ukrainian military claims to have shot down at least six Russian aircraft - with reports at least 40 of its troops and several civilians have died. Al Jazeera's Abdul Al-Kadiri spoke to Kate Hawkesby from Kiev where many people are trying to flee. “There is some reports of some heavy clashes on the West side of the capital.” Russian paratroops are now in control of an airbase near Kiev, and are reportedly trying to seize the Chernobyl nuclear plant. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Explore Tāmaki Makaurau voucher programme has been a shot in the arm for struggling Auckland businesses. It's a scheme where you sign up for a voucher to spend on Auckland activities, and registrations are closing today. More than 220,000 Aucklanders have registered, with 53,000 vouchers used so far.  Auckland Unlimited investment and industry director Pam Ford told Kate Hawkesby three and a half million dollars' worth of vouchers have been spent, and more than a hundred businesses have benefited. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The testing thing is doing my head in.  The lack of preparedness, the lack of enough RATS, the queues, the delay on results, absolute cluster.  Then we’ve got the crazy isolation rules – so many people down and out having to isolate. I mean you know when Auckland’s iconic Ponsonby Road restaurant Prego has to close due to no staff that’s it’s end times. I mean that’s surely the final straw for many Aucklanders.  And it's not just them actually - a bunch of Auckland restaurants have been hit so hard they have to close the doors for now. I’m not sure how bad it has to get for this Government to adapt, evolve, shift strategies and accept they could do this better? They seem disconnected from all reality. Here’s the absolute gut punch on all this. Students and workers are being told to isolate in their droves, and not come back until they can prove a negative test. Problem is, when and where are they getting that test? Queues for PCR’s go round the block and then some – you’re waiting hours – even if you manage t

RATs will be the norm at testing sites in Auckland.  PCR testing has been pushed to its limits causing long delays.  Covid Modelling Aotearoa Lead Researcher Emily Harvey says the tests still need to be prioritised for people who are close contacts or have symptoms.  She told Kate Hawkesby if you test positive with a RAT, you should trust it. “Very highly likely a positive result, so well over 99%. The main thing you should be worried about is the false negative rate.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is confident its new goal of zero road deaths by 2050 is realistic. An extra $140-million will be spent on road policing in the next three years as part of the Road to Zero campaign.  Police Minister Poto Williams says human error is a good place to start in addressing the issue.  She told Kate Hawkesby the plan uses not only government but community agencies and educators as well. “It really speaks to key elements; how we have safer roads, how we have safer road users, how we look at speed, how we look at infringement and education and all those things combined.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's superannuation fund, as well as ASB and Westpac's growth fund all hold shares in Russian listed companies with ties to the Kremlin.  British and American sanctions on Russian companies therefore might start impacting our KiwiSaver funds. Barry Coates, chief executive of Mindful Money joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Case numbers yesterday were another ‘record’ of course, but given the lag in getting results notified, and the delay in having them updated, we can only assume these numbers are old. And by old, I mean, out by a few days. In which case, if the experts who say numbers double every 4 to 5 days are right, then you’re looking at in all reality, us sitting at about 5 and half thousand cases at this stage, not the 2 thousand 800 reported yesterday. And if that’s the case, then the Government’s response is dealing with outdated information, and their settings are not accurate for where we’re at. Think about it, they said at about 5 thousand cases a day we’ll move to phase 3, yet we are still in phase 2 because the reported numbers say we’re only at less than 3 thousand cases at the moment. Except that in reality, we’re probably not, due to the delays.  So in fact, if testing was keeping up, we’d see a more accurate picture of numbers, instead of a week-late picture, and we’d be more accurately going to phase 3 now.

Police say genuine protesters are no longer in control of the behaviour in and around Parliament. Veteran activist John Minto told Kate Hawkesby the protest leaders have tried - and failed - to get control of the situation. “After two weeks, the group should have been able to sort this out to develop some clear guidelines, have some clear leadership and unfortunately I think with all the new people that have arrived that’s overwhelmed them.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.