Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Rotorua's Mayor is feeling upbeat about the Government's new emergency housing laws.   Families with children living in emergency housing for more than 12 weeks will go to the top of the social housing waitlist.   The verification process, eligibility settings, and obligations will also be strengthened for those entering emergency housing.  Tania Tapsell told Mike Hosking that there's a lot of children in these environments, so it's great they're targeting those most in need.  She sees hope for a quicker end to what's been a shambles, not only in Rotorua but across the country.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nikki Haley has withdrawn from the US presidential race meaning we're in for another Biden-Trump election.  The former South Carolina governor announced her decision to suspend her campaign this morning, a day after Super Tuesday.  Republican frontrunner Donald Trump beat her soundly in all but one of the 15 nominating contests.  US correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that Haley has yet to endorse Trump.  He says it's possible she will in the future, but it's hard to see that happening given what she's been saying about him over the past few months.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association President says military academies for youth offenders are worth a crack.   The Government plans to have an Oranga Tamariki-run pilot programme by the middle of this year.   Police Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking that people who sponsored earlier models tell him they saw kids coming in with no self-esteem and leaving with their mana restored.   He says the challenge is when they left, they went back to dysfunctional families and places with gang influence.   Cahill says support at the end of the programmes is needed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a bad look for the country as the Prime Minister's plane woes make worldwide headlines.   The Air Force's Boeing 757 never left the ground yesterday due to a technical fault with the nose landing gear.  It meant Christopher Luxon had to fly commercially to Melbourne for ASEAN talks, missing a couple of meetings due to the delay.  Auckland University marketing lecturer Marilyn Giroux told Mike Hosking that the likes of international outlets Reuters and Australia's Sky News all reported on the troubles.  She says it's definitely not the best look we want for the country, as it's been picked up quite a lot.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium swapped its usual green field for two hours of acrobatic entertainment from pop star P!nk last night.  The three-time Grammy award winner drew 37-thousand people to the first New Zealand show of her Summer Carnival tour.  The Country's Rowena Duncum was there – and told Mike Hosking that P!nk's acrobatics were impressive.  She says it was phenomenal how she could fly through the air —sometimes upside down— and still be able to sing.  P!nk will play Auckland's Eden Park on Friday and Saturday nights.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first-ever government-funded space mission is scheduled for take-off this morning.  The American-New Zealand mission will see the MethaneSAT satellite launched into space to study global emissions from agriculture and measure methane leaks from oil and gas production.  Auckland University Spacecraft Mission Operations Director Chris Jackson says the ultimate goal is to drive down global warming effects from methane sources.  He says methane is a very potent greenhouse gas, more so than carbon dioxide, so stopping it leaking can have a reversing effect.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was already a busy day for Christopher Luxon has just become busier.  A fault with New Zealand’s Defence Force plane has forced the Prime Minister fly commercial to Melbourne for today's ASEAN summit.  He has a tight schedule to keep to, meeting with eight South-East Asian leaders on the sidelines of the special ASEAN-Australia summit.  Newstalk ZB Political Reporter Demelza Jackson told Mike Hosking that each meeting is only about ten minutes long, but its more about putting a face on the New Zealand name.  Tomorrow, she said, is all business, with ANZ’s business breakfast in the morning and a trip to a Fonterra factory in the afternoon.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Road Carriers Association says the Government's draft transport plan is a great step in the right direction.   It features a half billion-dollar pothole prevention fund and 15 Roads of National Significance.  It'll be funded in part by a $25 increase in vehicle registration fees in each of the next two years.  Chief Executive Justin Tighe-Umbers told Mike Hosking that the policy's focused on the right stuff.   He says it's a strong start, so they're pleased, and it's about getting back to basics.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Germany has admitted to an apparent hack by Russia of a military meeting where personnel discussed giving Ukraine long range missiles and possible targets.  Europe correspondent Gavin grey told Mike Hosking the hack is being investigated but it is being questioned why the video conference was held on the WebEx platform rather than a secret internal army network.  Meanwhile, the first vessel to be sunk by Houthi rebels in Yemen could cause a large environmental catastrophe.   The Houthi rebels are targeting boats connected to Israel, the UK and the US – hitting a British registered cargo ship carrying tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser. Experts say the impact of this could decimate wildlife in the area of the Gulf of Aden.  Listen above. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coalition of health charities has slammed the Government’s decision to give ministerial responsibility for free school lunches to David Seymour after the Act leader campaigned for the programme to be abolished.  Speaking to Mike Hosking on Early Edition, Co-chair of the Health Coalition Aotearoa Professor Boyd Swinburn says nobody wants to see kids trying to learn on empty stomachs.   Universality is what makes the programme efficient, Swinburn says, providing relief for families with food insecurity.  Listen above. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vladimir Putin is warning NATO countries of tragic consequences if they were to send troops into Ukraine.  The Russian President is referring to comments made earlier in the week by his French counterpart.  Emmanuel Macron was speculating on opening the doors for European ground troops being sent to Ukraine.  Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that following Sweden and Finland joining NATO, Putin feels the need to strengthen his defences.  He says Russia would be ready to use their weapons offensively against other nations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is making it illegal for New Zealanders to support Hamas.   It's designated Hamas' political wing a terrorist entity, the same as its military wing.  It will also ban from New Zealand several extremist Israeli settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.  Strategic analyst Paul Buchanan told Mike Hosking that it's about tightening relations with security partners and won't dismantle Hamas.   He says it also runs contrary to the majority of world opinion, which sees a distinction between the political and armed wings of Hamas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coroners Court is recommending mandatory safety helmets on e-scooters after its report into an Auckland man's death.   The man crashed into a concrete power pole on a modified e-scooter while under the influence of methamphetamine.   Radiology registrar Mark Bekhit says a lot of the e-scooter injuries he's seen have been alcohol or drug-related.   He told Mike Hosking that he can't be sure people will wear helmets if they've taken substances.  Bekhit says it sounds like a simple recommendation that's easier than targeting methamphetamine abuse, but he doesn't know it will solve the problem.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Presidential race is heating up as both Joe Biden and Donald Trump win the Michigan Primary votes for their respective parties.  But President Biden's victory in the Democratic race wasn't all smooth sailing, with a sizable contingent issuing a protest vote.  Thirteen percent of voters, which says they weren't uncommitted.  Newshub US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that many are unhappy with Biden's involvement in the Israel Palestine war.  He says Michigan has the largest Arab community in the country.  Meanwhile, 82-year-old US Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says he'll step aside in November to make way for a new generation of leadership.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newshub's imminent closure has put the size of our population in the spotlight.  Advertising agency owner Vaughan Davis told Mike Hosking that New Zealand is like the Chatham Islands of the world.   He said that maybe we're just too small a country for two TV networks.  Davis said we try to have the big country stuff but it's just five million people on an island, far away from everywhere.  Up to 300 jobs are expected to be lost by the end of June.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch Airport's Tarras project is slowing down.  The airport had been developing a Central Otago airport on 800 hectares of land in the small town of Tarras.  It's been put on hold due to the need of co-investment from both public and private sources.  Queenstown Airport chief executive Glen Sowry told Mike Hosking that the Tarras project hasn't met community demands and expectations as Queenstown Airport has.  He says they've been working hard on making sure their future plans are what the regional businesses and community wants.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year is set to be harder than the last for many New Zealanders.  The Reserve Bank has opted to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.5%, in line with most economists' expectations.  It isn't expected to cut the OCR for a while, possibly not until the middle of next year.  Westpac Senior Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking that some households will be finding it harder to pay their bills.  He says the unemployment rate is at 4%, which is not particularly high by New Zealand standards, but it will probably reach about five during the year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International nurses are flocking to our shores - but not with the skills required. Gore Hospital recently had 80 nurses apply for an emergency department role - but say only 98 percent of applicants had the relevant qualifications. It comes as the country is four and a half thousand nurses short. Gore Health chief executive Karl Metzler told Mike Hosking that they're being turned away due to a skill issue - not a lack of understanding in New Zealand culture. He says the hospital employs Russians, Germans, Filipinos and Indians - and prides themselves on being diverse.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is making decisions on how it carves up funding for our young people. It's allocating just under 10.7 million dollars of Ministry of Youth Development funds to 34 community youth organisations. The funding covers areas from education to mental health - as well as helping those living in regions affected by flooding in early 2023. Youth Minster Matt Doocey told Mike Hosking that he's been impressed by what he's seen of hardworking youth providers around the country. He says organisations at the community level are doing great work - we just need to make sure they're financially supported.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New South Wales police have officially been uninvited from Mardi Gras, Sydney’s pride event.  Senior Constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon has been accused of murdering Sydney gay couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, and as such, the precinct has been asked not to appear.   Debate over the police's involvement with the march began after Lamarre-Cordon allegedly shot his ex-boyfriend and his new partner with his service gun. Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that police will comply.   She says Police have expressed disappointment in the decision, but will work to ensure a safe environment for all.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.