Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Airports Association is taking aim at the cost of Air New Zealand's domestic airfares.  It's calling on the Government to set up an independent airfare monitoring system.  But the Board of Airline Representatives disagrees with claims that the domestic market isn't set up to be competitive.  Executive Director, Cath O'Brien told Mike Hosking that policy settings allow any Australian airline to set-up shop tomorrow if they want to.  She says the reason they haven't, is because New Zealand's an expensive place to operate in and make a profit.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first case of its kind in New Zealand, a former Super Rugby player has been diagnosed post-death with a degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy.  Billy Guyton played for the Blues, Hurricanes, and Crusaders, but died in a suspected suicide aged 33.  An examination of his brain by the Neurological Foundation's Brain Bank has now identified he had stage 2 CTE.   Auckland University neuroscientist Helen Murray told Mike Hosking that CTE is caused by the repetitive accumulation of head impacts.   She says it's not necessarily the number of concussions but the number of impacts, and that might not have generated any symptoms.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An unaccounted-for problem of overheating in some newly built townhouses is being seen as a country-wide problem.   Frustration is brewing among owners in Auckland who are paying two times more for cooling in the summer than they would for heating in the winter.   Some townhouses have just one heat pump to cool the three-storey home, which can leave rooms on higher floors unbearably hot.   But the building code has no requirement to address overheating.   Team Green Architects owner Sian Taylor told Mike Hosking that there's an issue with a lack of forethought for the longer-term implications of design.  She says one of the biggest problems is not shading the building properly from the start, which traps the heat inside.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another bailout for Ruapehu Alpine Lifts as the Government pours $7 million into the ski field.  The operator has been running on a previous government bailout for over a year.  Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says it's their last chance after the Prime Minister previously said no more money would be poured into the ski field.  Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton told Mike Hosking he welcomes the move.  He understands this is the last bailout and wants the operator to get its ducks in a row.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

United States lawmakers are concerned TikTok users' data is being accessed by China.   The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would ban the social media platform if Chinese tech giant Byte Dance doesn't sell its stake within six months.   It will now go to a vote in Senate.  US correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that there's a lobbying campaign by TikTok underway.    He says they've hired influencers to talk about the success they've had with TikTok and the impact on small business in America.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a focus on rebuilding today for the Labour Party as MPs head to Wairarapa for their belated retreat.  The annual meeting is usually held in January.  Political commentator Peter Dunne told Mike Hosking that Labour has about a year to rebuild before being competitive for the 2026 election.  He says they're facing a big challenge from the Greens, so Labour needs to rebuild in a way which makes them the leading party on the left again.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online rental platform Airbnb is introducing a worldwide ban on indoor security cameras.   It says it's updating its policy after consultation with guests, hosts and privacy experts.  Outdoor security cameras and those in common areas, like on doorbells, are still permitted, but hosts will have to disclose their location on the property's listing.  Privacy lawyer Kathryn Dalziel told Mike Hosking that Airbnb has come under fire recently, with guests posting about finding cameras in their accommodation.   She thinks Airbnb's realising its brand is being affected by this negativity, particularly by people who aren't telling people they're recording or filming.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses hope the Government will bring change to the Holidays Act.   Brooke van Velden has laid out her agenda with a focus on regulations around contractors, public holidays, health and safety rules, and personal grievances.   Also a priority is sorting out the law around holidays.   Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking that there's no need for lengthy consultation as the Holidays Act has been talked about for some time.   He says most in the business community just want people to get on and make the changes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Climate Change Commission is urging the Government to cut back the number of carbon credits available.  They say there are too many credits on offer and the problem is just getting worse.  The coalition Government promised to use emissions pricing to meet New Zealand's climate goals.  Climate Change Research Institute adjunct professor Adrian Macey told Mike Hosking that it's not clear what the Government is going to do yet.  He says they want to stick to the existing climate targets, but how they do that is not clear.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are disruptions in the Red Sea hitting New Zealand as hard? Freedom Furniture has reported a $9 million loss in profit, saying that it’s partially due to the chaos in the Middle East.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking that the disruptions are impacting businesses in quite different ways, depending on whether they’re using that route to ship to Europe.  The challenge for us, he said, is shipping delays.  A delay of 14-21 days will have spill over effects for businesses lasting a fair bit of time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the second time in as many weeks, Kiwibank and ASB have reduced their fixed mortgage rates.   It follows falls in wholesale rates on the expectation that central banks are getting closer to cutting their benchmark rates.  ASB’s Chief Economist, Nick Tuffley, told Mike Hosking what people are seeing is the settling of rates and the response to news over the last week.  The market is still reasonably patchy, but according to Tuffley its likely to even out slightly as interest rates come down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Princess of Wales has admitted to editing an image of her and her three children.   The first image since her abdominal surgery, it was posted to mark Mother's Day in the UK.   It was then pulled by numerous media photo agencies over concerns it'd been manipulated.   Catherine says like many amateur photographers, she occasionally experiments with editing.   Daily Mirror Royal Editor Russell Myers told Mike Hosking that he's not sure why they'd publish the photo themselves or send the photo to the world's media organisations.   He says there's still a litany of issues: how much it was edited, how many photos it was taken from, and when it was edited.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Property Investors' Federation says easing rents relies on many factors. The Government's re-introducing interest deductibility for landlords. They'll be able to claim 80 percent of interest expenses from April, and 100 percent from April 2025. The Government says it'll ease pressure on rents, also benefiting tenants. Property Investors' Federation President Sue Harrison told Mike Hosking that the pressure on rents, has come from insufficient rental properties. She says they've been put under high pressure from high interest rates, and the money has to come from somewhere.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green's new co-leadership could look different under Chloe Swarbrick. The Auckland Central MP has won the race to replace James Shaw, and will lead the party alongside Marama Davidson. Former Greens MP Gareth Hughes says Swarbrick's assertive approach to politics is a contrast from Shaw. But he told Mike Hosking that people are looking for passion and authenticity in politics - and some will be drawn to her values. Hughes says people wrote her off in Auckland Central but she won overwhelmingly - so she's someone who's able to reach across and attract voters.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US military ship is on its way to Gaza, carrying equipment to build a temporary pier off the coast. It comes after President Biden announced the US would build a floating harbour to help get aid into Gaza by sea. They had carried out an airdrop on Sunday, parachuting in more than 11-thousand meals. Europe correspondent Gavin Grey spoke to Mike Hosking about what it will contain.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Associate Finance Minister says the last Government removing landlords' interest deductibility was a tax grab. The current Government's re-introducing it. They'll be able to claim 80 percent of interest expenses from April, and 100 percent from next April. David Seymour told Mike Hosking that they've restored the integrity of the tax system. He says if you invest in any business or commercial property, you're allowed to deduct interest costs from taxable income.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps have one last shot against Australia.  Today the final test match against the Australian side takes place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, kicking off at 11am.  Newstalk ZB’s Cricket Correspondent Andrew Alderson told Mike Hosking that last night was the 50th anniversary of New Zealand’s first taste of victory over Australia back in 1974.  So, if New Zealand needs any belief today, he said, the 50th anniversary might do it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former National Minister says this Government's changes are a big turn-around from the last. The Government's first 100 days are virtually up, and it's ticked off almost all of its 49 items.   Many of the things on the list were to unpick the last government's changes or to begin work on their plans.   The last point to tick off is setting major targets for the health system, and that's expected to be crossed off today.   Former Cabinet Minister Maurice Williamson told Mike Hosking that it's a change from the last Government saying it'd do things and not doing them.   He says former MPs can be critical, thinking they were better, but he says this is the best he's ever seen.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s more belief in the housing market.  ASB's latest Housing Confidence survey shows net 51% of people expect house prices to rise.  It's the highest reading since October 2021, before the start of the most recent housing market downturn.  Senior Economist Kim Mundy says last time expectations were at this level, annual house price growth was at almost 30%  - this time it's at 2.2%.  So, she says, while it doesn't necessarily point to a degree of house price growth, it does suggest house prices can lift over the coming year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of students leaving home schooling increased last year.   Education Ministry figures show 2,286 children exited home education, the highest number on record.  More than half those leaving had been learning from home for less than a year.   Total home school numbers remain well above pre-pandemic levels.   Secondary Principals' Council Chair Kate Gainsford told Mike Hosking that there are many factors why people are going back to mainstream.  She says it could be that the realities, demands, and responsibilities of providing education at home are becoming real.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.