Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A renewed push for an Auckland bed tax, after a strong summer for its hotels.  They experienced a five-million-dollar boost, largely due to SailGP and country musician Luke Combs' Eden Park concerts in January.  CBRE Hotels and Leisure says an extra eight-thousand hotel rooms were booked over the four days.  Heart of the City Chief Executive, Viv Beck told Andrew Dickens she supports a bed tax, as a way to fund these events which bring people to Auckland.  She says it's thought that could contribute to the America's Cup - but time is of the essence, to get it across the line. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 10th of March 2025, the Government's proposing changes to the Public Works Act to speed up how it acquires land, Infrastructure NZ Policy Director Michelle McCormick explains the difference it will make to our infrastructure pipeline.    Heart of the City is calling for more big events in Auckland, CEO Viv Beck tells Andrew Dickens about the benefits of large events on the cities businesses.   Andrew Alderson shares the latest on the Blackcaps taking on India in the ICC Champions trophy.   UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey gives an update on train services between London and Paris slowly resuming to normal after an unexploded World War Two bomb was found near Gare du Nord station in Paris.   Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ended last week with some hopeful noises from the health sector.   Minister Simeon Brown was praised by academics and commentators for his increased funding for nurse practitioners, advanced training for nurses and increased training for doctors who come from overseas.   He also announced an increase in the numbers of doctors we train here.   Then, on Friday he announced the health plan which sees Lester Levy replaced by a board.   Five targets were announced, all focusing on speedier healthcare and outcomes.   And to chew through the waiting lists, the minister talked about utilising private facilities.   At this point I think it’s important to think about where we are.   Labour tried to reduce the DHBs from over twenty to four and the Māori health authority.   Even though the right wing had been complaining about the inefficiency of too many boards for years, when a left-wing government does it it’s branded as a socialist central government takeover.   After $

There's a belief Air New Zealand should turn its focus back on serving domestic customers as it looks for a new CEO.  Greg Foran has resigned after five years in the job, but he's staying on in the role until October.  He says the airline was set up well to continue its growth and innovation.  Aviation Commentator Irene King told Andrew Dickens they’ve got to be really focused on the domestic market.  She says customers are unhappy, and they perceive they’re not getting value for money.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil Goff has paid the price for stepping out of his lane and commenting on US President Donald Trump.  The comments questioning Trump's understanding of war history yesterday has cost the High Commissioner to the UK his job.  Otago University's international relations expert James Headley told Andrew Dickens in other circumstances, a diplomat wouldn't be fired after making such comments.  But he says our Government is aware that Trump is very sensitive to criticism.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Friday 7th of March 2025, Air New Zealand Boss Greg Foran is calling it quits, Aviation Commentator Irene King tells Andrew Dickens what's expected to happen to the airline from here.   Australia's bracing for tropical Cyclone Alfred to hit, Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio shares the latest.   Winston Peters has sacked The High Commissioner to London Phil Goff, Head of Politics at Otago University James Headley shares his thoughts.   Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians are bracing for Cyclone Alfred, as its first effects are felt.  The slow-moving storm is expected to reach the coast of Southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales tonight or early tomorrow morning.  Queensland's energy supplier is reporting more than 20-thousand customers are without power, of which more than 17 thousand were on the Gold Coast.  Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Andrew Dickens 12 metre waves have been seen, and a couple of people have been taken to hospital, having been knocked over in the surf. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s with all these sackings and surprise resignations this week...  Phil Goff yesterday, Adrian Orr the day before.     Richard Prebble did a runner from the gravy train of the Waitangi Tribunal   Greg Foran Calls it a day at Air New Zealand after 5 years...  One of these guys had change forced on them, the other three just packed up and left with varying degrees of notice.   Some are angry. some are relieved.   And they all have one thing in common   They’re over 60.   You don’t screw with successful over 60s, which they all are.  They have discovered a superpower. They don’t give a flying fig.   They’re financially settled. They know their own mind. They can afford to stand on their principles,    Phil Goff won't mind being held to account for what he said because he believes it.    He may be regretful that his entertaining job in London has gone but he'll just come back to the farm in Clevedon and start making some real money in

There's delight at the Government's moves to improve access to primary care.  It's announced the annual training places for nurse practitioners in primary care will double next year from 60 to 120.  Health Minister Simeon Brown also announced the Government will support advanced education for up to 120 registered primary care nurses.  Auckland University professor Warwick Bagg told Andrew Dickens Brown's efforts will make a huge difference to the sector.  He says Brown's supported new locally trained doctors, and is making use of doctors here or arriving in New Zealand, helping them become GPs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An independent economist says there'll be lasting questions about Adrian Orr's legacy as Reserve Bank Governor.  His shock exit, announced yesterday, is halfway through his second five-year tenure.  It also comes as the Reserve Bank is in the process of agreeing its funding increase for the next five years.   Cameron Bagrie told Andrew Dickens everyone will have their own thoughts on the bank's recent choices.  He believes they over-engineered the economic recovery and downturn.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada could be seeing some potential relief from US tariffs.  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slammed the 25% import levies as a "very dumb thing to do", as Ottawa announced it will impose tariffs of its own.  Trudeau is reportedly set for showdown talks with Donald Trump later today about the issue.  But US correspondent Mitch McCann told Andrew Dickens Trump's commerce secretary has hinted some sectors could be left unscathed.  He says it's been reported the auto sector could be tariff-free later today, with many cars and car parts transferring between Mexico, Canada, and the US.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, Adrian Orr is gone in a month. And he’ll probably breathe a sigh of relief.  He’s been at the centre of public scrutiny ever since he got the job as NZ Super Fund CEO back in 2007.  During his tenure as Reserve Bank Governor, he was damned no matter what he did because with every move there were victims who felt punished in the pocketbook.   So, everyone has an opinion of Adrian Orr, and most are not that complimentary. Who needs that? He’s 63 and wealthy and I’m sure keen to return to anonymity.   So, was he as bad as many say? At the Super Fund he was generally hailed as a good operator who increased our savings. But he was also vilified for taking a million-dollar salary - a sum that was well below equivalent private positions.   Was he stupid? No. He’s got an impressive CV. There’ve been stints in Paris at the OECD then back here with the National Bank, the Reserve Bank, Westpac, and the Reserve Bank again, before landing the CEO job for the super fund in 2007 and then Reserve

A return to growth in New Zealand's housing market.  Corelogic's Home Value Index saw property values rise by 0.3 percent in February -- the strongest increase in more than a year.  That follows a cumulative negative 4.1 percent decline from March to September last year.  Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson says [told Andrew Dickens] he thinks the housing market's returned to a more stable phase, post-pandemic.  He says with wage growth coming through, there's a path to reasonably stable house prices ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Thursday 6th of March 2025, Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr has resigned out of the blue - Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie tells Andrew Dickens who he thinks will be next in line for the top job.     We might have some signs of life in the property market, CoreLogic Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson shares the latest numbers in the CoreLogic Home Value Index.  The Government's announced it’s increasing the number of training places for nurse practitioners specialising in primary care to 120 a year, Professor Warwick Bagg from the University of Auckland tells Andrew how much of a difference it will make.   US Correspondent Mitch Mccann shares the latest on what came out of US President Donald Trump's congress speech and the trade war.   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

There are fresh developments in the Government's Cook Strait ferry headache.  Hyundai is back in the running to land a deal after the coalition canned its original contract in 2023, blaming ballooning costs.  Documents show the Government's set aside $300 million to cover that broken deal, which must be paid regardless of whether a new deal is struck.  Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Todd Valster told Andrew Dickens the Government rushed to cancel the original deal.  He reckons the amount of money lost is far higher, saying the $300 million doesn’t recognise costs of procurement – with estimations up to a billion dollars could have been spent.  Although, he says, it's good to see Rail Minister Winston Peters has made a trip to Korea to speak with the ship builders.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine's President is ready to sign the US deal for a ceasefire only hours after America's decision to pause military aid to the war torn nation.  Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his fiery meeting with Donald Trump at the White House was "regrettable".  He's ready to work with Trump to sign a minerals deal and reach a peace deal.  Former chief of staff to Marco Rubio —who is now the US Secretary of State— Matt Terrill told Andrew Dickens reaching a peace deal was a huge part of Trump's campaign.  He says this administration is standing by the deal because they believe in its economic and security guarantees.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Truck drivers say it will take more than just congestion charges to address Auckland's traffic woes.   Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is hoping for practical solutions to traffic after a report found congestion will cost the city 2.6 billion dollars a year by next year.   The National Road Carriers Association says it supports congestion charges, as long as they're fair.  But Chief Executive Justin Tighe-Umbers told Andrew Dickens it still needs a second harbour crossing and fixes to council roads.   He says some parts of the motorway also need to be widened. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Wednesday 5th of March 2025, Donald Trump has paused all military aid into Ukraine, Marco Rubio's Former Chief of Staff tells Andrew Dickens what he thinks will happen next.   New documents reveal $300 million was set aside by the Government to cover it's broken ferry build contract with Hyundai.  Could congestion charges come in sooner than expected? National Road Carriers Association CEO Just Tighe Umbers shares his thoughts.   UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest on US vice-president JD Vance sparking a row with comments he made about the potential involvement of international forces to police a peace deal in Ukraine.   Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You could hear the disappointment oozing out of the Maritime Union Spokesperson yesterday as we found out the break fee for the Interislander ferries would be around 300 million.    The ferries only cost 551 million at 60 per cent of the cost of the ferries.   All up 1 billion dollars has been spent on nothing at all.   It’s making Labour’s light rail fiasco look trivial.  The Union guy called the situation Nicola Willis’ mistake. And it is.   She’d be hoping to be remembered as the Saviour of the economy, but she will never escape the billion-dollar boat botch up.   A botch up she jumped into just to strike a blow against Labour and KiwiRail   As Winston Peters rushes to patch things up we seem to forget what the real cost of the project is.  It’s the wharves and more particularly the Wellington wharves   They need to be renovated.   They need to be earthquake strengthened.   We need to decide if they need rail infrastructure so we can roll a train

Questions over the future of Wellington Water's chairman, with calls for him to go after troubling findings within the organisation.  A scathing review has found poor procurement processes, potential for fraud, and a serious lack of value for money.  Board chair Nick Leggett says if the region's mayors ask him to go, he will, but thinks he's taken good action on the issues.  Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says he doesn't need to go.  She told Andrew Dickens they’re a year out from water reforms and him and Pat Dougherty are working exceptionally well together to achieve them.  Baker says she doesn’t see the point.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.