Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Judith Collins says history will judge her kindly, for her decision to demote Simon Bridges. Collins was removed from the leadership yesterday -- after her surprise decision to demote Bridges the night before. She says she was acting on a complaint from a female caucus colleague about comments Bridges made in that colleague's presence five years ago. Speaking exclusively to the Mike Hosking Breakfast, Collins says it was an inappropriate action, by a person in a position of power. She says in the fullness of time, people will see she did the right thing for the party, knowing there would be consequences for her. Auckland University political commentator Lara Greaves told Kate Hawkesby opinion is likely to be divided. She says the culture of Parliament isn't comfortable for women and for many people, but on the scale of what could have been, this seems to be on the minor side. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What the hell is going on inside the National Party? Here's the problem with that question. We shouldn't even be asking it. We shouldn't need to ask it. They shouldn't be making everything about them and drawing attention to themselves in this way - at a critical time for the opposition to make hay, with so much material available to them to clobber the government with. What are they thinking? This hit job on Bridges is so poorly timed, mind you, so is his clearly bungled coup attempt. But look at all the things they could be jumping on here: the staggering MIQ announcement yesterday - no Kiwis coming home for Christmas, no trans-Tasman bubble, in fact, no access for Australians at all without MIQ until April next year for goodness' sake. I mean this is the most cruel and crazy decision. In fact, even the Kiwis who can come home mid-January still have to self-isolate for seven days when they do. It's pure fortress NZ madness and ripe fodder for a functioning opposition. Add to that, the traffic light law rush

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has arrived in Canada, but little is known of what her day will entail.  It's the last leg of her first international trip in the role. She's meeting with her Canadian counterpart today Melanie Joly. But Correspondent Anna Burns-Francis, who's in Canada with Mahuta, told Kate Hawkesby it's all a bit hush-hush. She said she’s not sure what they'll discuss, saying the media wasn't even allowed to film them meeting. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of Auckland's city slickers are upping sticks and moving north to the Hibiscus Coast. Within three days, seven coastal properties were snapped up for more than seven million dollars. Bayleys Orewa owner and manager Kirsty Macky told Kate Hawkesby inner city Aucklanders are pushing up the prices very quickly. “It’s just supply and demand. We’ve just got more buyers than we have properties for sale and so the competition for what we do have is fierce.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses are welcoming back the ability to travel internationally without MIQ. Fully vaccinated Kiwis will be able travel home from Australia without MIQ from January 16, and from all other countries from February 13. All other fully vaccinated travellers will be able to come here from April 30. All must still self-isolate for seven-days. Christchurch exporter Enztech chief executive Iain McMillan told Kate Hawkesby this is great news. “We probably look to be travelling in January to Australia; it’s a nice little warm-up market for us.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bus carrying tourists back to North Macedonia crashed and caught fire in western Bulgaria early Tuesday, killing at least 45 people, including a dozen children, authorities said. DNA tests were being carried out to identify the victims. The bus apparently ripped through a guardrail on a highway, though authorities said the cause was still under investigation. Photos taken shortly after the crash showed the vehicle engulfed in flames as plumes of thick, black smoke rose. Daylight revealed a burned-out shell with all of its windows blown out, sitting in the median. A portion of the guardrail was lying in the road. Seven survivors were hospitalized after the crash, which took place as a group of buses was returning from a trip to Turkey. Twelve children were among the dead, according to the North Macedonia chief prosecutor, Ljubomir Joveski. Bulgarian Interior Minister Boyko Rashkov told reporters at the crash site that he had "never in my life seen something more horrifying" and that the identification proces

Well, we learnt this week from a senior MIQ official, that Grant Robertson was indeed involved in the decision to refuse entry to the SailGP team, even though he denied it. Not only did he deny it, but he blamed MIQ officials for it, who’ve now called for him to “correct the record.” He won’t of course, because this government is always right, it’s never wrong, never accepts responsibility or blame for anything. And that, to me, is an increasing worry, because as the wheels come off this government, voters have to start looking beyond Ardern; who may well mic drop and exit stage left for the UN anytime. In the early days, the obvious successor was Grant Robertson. He seemed to add substance and hold a calm veneer. But a pandemic is a long time in politics. And we went from world leader to world loser. The last remaining country locked down, locked up and out of luck. During that time, Jacinda’s become increasingly removed from the mainstream, more arrogant, more out of touch. Reports from Wellington mention h

A litigation lawyer says she's been inundated with stories from neighbours of Kainga Ora tenants.  Associate Housing Minister Poto Williams says she's had discussions with the state housing provider about looking at its process around evictions. No state tenants have been kicked out since the start of 2018. Lawyer Adina Thorn told Kate Hawkesby the no evictions policy has to end. “This isn’t going around, evicting lots of people across New Zealand. It is putting deterrence's in place in state houses where we’ve got anti-social tenants.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is set to reap billions of dollars in benefits, thanks to a new travel and trade route. A New Zealand China Council-commissioned report has found a route linking Asia to South America via New Zealand could bring close to 1.9-billion dollars over 10 years Executive Director Rachel Maidment told Kate Hawkesby it would benefit our e-commerce, tourism and education sectors. “There is going to be one major point in Oceania and we really want it to be us so we need government and industries to continue to work together to ensure the right fundamentals are in place.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another major retailer is making vaccination mandatory for staff. Countdown has announced it will require all staff to be jabbed by January 10, following The Warehouse Group's decision to require its staff to be jabbed by January 16. Rival chain Foodstuffs is also discussing a vaccine mandate with its store owners, which could take effect on February 16. First Union retail organiser Ben Peterson told Kate Hawkesby unvaccinated staff should only lose their job, if there's no alternative. “That’s something we really want to avoid. We do want to look at if there are lower risk roles that can be moved into and that all other options are explored before we get to that.” Other businesses, like PWC and Russell McVeagh, have already announced vaccine mandate rules. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They say half right isn't wrong, so that's me this time yesterday. I said this time yesterday that they'd open hairdressers and the beauty industry this week. So, half right. Which is pleasing given the pasting I took after the show right across the spectrum from colleagues to siblings, all telling me I was nuts. But I was basing it on Robertson's visit to Auckland last week when he saw how acute the suffering of businesses was and seemed keen to advocate for them.  There’s increasing tension around the Cabinet table, as we know, between the fear mongers and the realists, so I don’t doubt Robertson may've put up a solid argument for Level 3 Step 3, but the fear mongers, (Ardern and Hipkins), won. So just hairdressers get to open, no hospo, no beauty.  And that’s unfair I reckon. Just plain cruel actually. Not only do they have to stay shut, at the traditionally busiest time of year, but it’s almost another fortnight before they can open. Our so-called “Freedom Day”, later than anyone thought, now not until De

Auckland hairdressers can open up from Thursday, for the purpose of trialling vaccine passes.  Aside from that, the Government says step three isn't necessary, given we're going into the traffic light system next Friday.   That's pleased a Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor, who worries vaccination rates among Māori and Pacifika in South Auckland are still desperately low.  Councillor Daniel Newman told Kate Hawkesby they’re still seeing lots of people who are very hesitant coming to get vaccinated because of the mandates and vaccine certificates.  “We’re moving in the right direction but, it has been slow.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everybody loves hearing stories of Kiwi start-ups using kiwi ingenuity to take on the global business market. A local footwear company based in Wellington says they have developed the world's lowest carbon footprint sneakers. YY Nation are launching their environmentally friendly sneakers both here and in the U.S this morning. Founding Director Jeremy Bank told Kate Hawkesby algae and sugar cane are being used as a substitute to harmful chemicals in the outer soles.  “There’s been all sorts of challenges but it’s great to be at this point where we’re launching...It’s about doing things in a new way.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The criteria for blood donations is being expanded, to help keep up with demand.  The upper age limit for first time blood or plasma donors has risen to 71 - and existing donors are now eligible until 81. New Zealand Blood Service spokeswoman Asuka Burge told Kate Hawkesby having donors give blood for longer is a big help. Three hundred donors, who currently donate, will be able to keep donating as the upper age limit has extended but there may be many more hundreds of people who previously used to donate or considering donating that will now be able eligible.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's reopening its borders to vaccinated international students, business visa holders and refugees from Wednesday next week. In this country, the Government's approved visas for a thousand international tertiary students, but they won't start arriving until March. Australian correspondent Donna Demaio told Kate Hawkesby Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the move's a major milestone in Australia's pathway back. “He says allowing foreign visa holders to enter the country is that further stepping of international travel, of course, but also supporting the economy.” Donna Demaio said the international education sector's worth about 36-billion dollars to Australia. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I run the risk of making a massive dick of myself today – well to be honest, that’s a risk everyday, but today in particular, because of what I said last Friday.Friday morning I was on the Mike Hosking Breakfast which has just a teeny tiny smidge of a larger audience than we do, just a smidge, and I said to that rather large audience, that today Cabinet would announce they’re going to open hairdressers and the beauty industry this week.I said they’ll open them up earlier than expected, so to my mind the salon doors will swing open as of Wednesday morning, that was my prediction.I was so confident in my prediction that I rang around various places like the desperate cooped up Aucklander I am, and started asking for appointment bookings.Most of them responded with “what are you talking about, we have no expectation we’ll be open until December 1st,” at which point I would regale them with my prediction of early opening doors and how they should start taking bookings.I’m not sure how much of this is me wishful t

The good news for the Black Caps is the test series starts on Thursday. The bad news? Well, there was a bit of that. New Zealand slumped to their fourth-heaviest loss by runs in T20 international history, being swept 3-0 by India at Eden Gardens this morning. The hosts triumphed by 73 runs in Kolkata, a margin of defeat for the Black Caps that marked an ignominious end to a forgettable series. After being competitive in the first match - which came three days removed from their World Cup final heartbreak - New Zealand were taken apart in the next two. There is hardly need for much recrimination, not after such a successful World Cup campaign, but this series will have certainly stung the pride. India even set themselves a challenge today, as if to make life more interesting. Boasting a perfect record when chasing and a losing record when batting first this year, they opted for the latter approach after again winning the toss. But no mercy was shown to an already-vanquished opponent as India proceeded to outpl

NCEA and scholarship exams start today after a disrupted school year.  Students who have been affected by the ongoing level three lockdown are eligible for an Unexpected Event Grade.  If students don't sit the exam, they'll get that grade and if they do sit - they'll receive whichever grade is higher.  National Party education spokesperson Paul Goldsmith told Kate Hawkesby there'll be low numbers sitting exams in Auckland.   “The bit that worries me, is that is reveals a culture of achieving basic standards, then cruising, rather than striving for excellence.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland businesses are pleading for the right to reopen this week. Cabinet will decide today whether to move the region to Step Three restrictions on Wednesday -- allowing bars, restaurants and hairdressers to reopen with public health measures in place. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister has suggested such a move is unlikely. But Hospitality New Zealand Auckland President Jamie Freeman told Kate Hawkesby he's trying to stay hopeful. “We go to 3.3 and hit the traffic light system next week, we need to move as quickly as we can to orange and that’s when hospitality starts to make money and patron numbers are back.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, Northland's lagging behind in the vaccination stakes - second to last on the national league table. But to be fair, it's not for a lack of effort. Right now, there are campervans touring around offering vaccines, pop-up vaccination tents left right and centre. At the weekend, the DHB staged an all-day event in Whangarei with music, dancers, free kai and vaccinations - must have cost thousands. The result: 350 jabs. Now, after 4 months of miserable lockdown, Aucklanders are itching to go north for a couple of weeks in the sun, spending up on accommodation and hospitality. And Northland needs it. We've been blocked from the rest of the country, blocking us from that tourist money. But the worry is, that Covid will depart from Auckland and arrive in Northland before Northland is ready to deal with it. In theory, people can't leave Auckland without being double-vaxxed or having a negative test but the Government wants to run this on a trust model. Like the drink-drive laws the Prime Minister said the other da