Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Young people are increasingly going on the benefit and staying on it for longer.  Reports released to Newstalk ZB suggest a sharp spike in the time beneficiaries will spend on income support, with a 23% jump in the number of people staying on job-seeker support until retirement age.  Youth advocate Shirley Johnson told Mike Hosking that the education system isn't adequately preparing young people for work.  She says schools haven't kept up with our changing world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taylor Swift's lawyers are trying to put an end to public tracking of her private jet, claiming it's 'a life or death matter'.  Student Jack Sweeney uses public data to track take-offs and landings of celebrity planes and posts them to Twitter.  US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that the 21-year-old's been issued a cease-and-desist to stop sharing Swift's plane location.  He says Sweeney has responded that he believes in public transparency and hasn't promised he'll stop.  Swift's team claims the data gives her numerous stalkers "a roadmap to carry out their plans".  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our latest unemployment numbers have caught some by surprise.  Stats NZ figures show a 4% rise in the three months to December.  That's up from 3.9% in the preceding three months but below most economists' predictions, who'd been expecting between 4.2 and 4.3%.  ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking there's potential these figures are more reflective, and things may have actually worsened.  He says other indicators —like benefit numbers— having been rising steadily.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Māori Development Minister has hit out at media coverage of events at Waitangi.  The Coalition came under fire from Māori leaders, with both ACT Leader David Seymour and NZ First Leader Winston Peters among those heckled during speeches.  Tama Potaka says he thinks most people came away feeling warm and excited for the future.  He told Mike Hosking that he thinks the coverage was not comprehensive and skewed towards describing angst.  Potaka says after the Government pōwhiri, it felt that while not everyone agreed with everything, everyone had the chance to present themselves.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry has arrived in the UK alone after his father's cancer diagnosis.  Buckingham Palace announced King Charles cancer yesterday, which was discovered during a separate procedure.  Harry was earlier photographed arriving at Clarence House.  The King's now been seen for the first time since the announcement - being driven with Queen Camilla from Clarence House to Buckingham Palace, where it's believed they flew to Sandringham. UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that it's not known how long Harry will stay, or if he's going to Sandringham.  He says there's apparently no plan to meet with his brother, Prince William.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A spike to New Zealand's unemployment rate may be on the cards later this morning.  Multiple bank economists estimate it to land at 4.3%, up from the September quarter's 3.9%.   ANZ Economist, Henry Russell told Mike Hosking that he agrees.  He says the key driver is the ongoing recovery in labour supply, reflecting the record net-migration we've seen.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re a generous bunch us Kiwis. It never ceases to amaze me how New Zealander’s step up when tragedy or just bad luck strikes someone or a community. In May 2023 - when every second headline was about the cost-of-living crisis - it was announced we’d given $36.6 million to charities and causes over that last financial year. It was a 38% increase on the previous year. That’s a lot of money. We’re givers and we give in good faith, but we’re not idiots and we like to know where the money is going and what it’s going to be used for. This week, a mayor hit the headlines asking why a considerable amount of money raised through Lotto to help communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle is still in a bank account almost a year after the disaster, with no thought given to how it may be allocated. It’s not a good look. It’s not a good look for Lotto who ran the appeal, or the Department of Internal Affairs who have banked the cash and are earning a bit of interest, or the Fund’s trustees responsible for allocations, to n

David Seymour hopes a 'peaceful debate' can come out of Waitangi - in the wake of backlash to his proposed Treaty Principles Bill. The ACT leader is being welcomed alongside the coalition at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands today. He skipped both last month's Kingitanga's hui-a-motu and Ratana commemorations. Iwi representatives spoke at Waitangi yesterday, expressing criticism over various Government leaders, and stances, in relation to Māori. Seymour told Francesca Rudkin he hopes some of the rhetoric in recent days can be dialled down. He doesn't think it's such a bad thing to have a debate on treaty principles - saying it should be welcomed as it apparently highlights the importance of the treaty.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is being warned that its attempts to streamline the costs of government-funded school lunches could backfire.   An MBIE briefing has revealed the lunches could end this year unless the Government finds $330 million.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon says his government will fund them beyond the end of the year, but he wants to optimise the programme.    Health Coalition Aotearoa co-chair Boyd Swinburn told Mike Hosking that a programme which only gives lunches to poorer kids has downsides.   He says having certain children line up for the lunches creates stigma for them, which can create so many issues that schools may decide not to bother.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Council of Trade Unions says it's heartless that the Workplace Relations and Safety Minister recommended a 1.3% minimum wage increase.   The Government's decided to increase minimum wage by 2% to $23.15 an hour from April.    Inflation is at 4.7%.   Council of Trade Unions Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges told Mike Hosking that all New Zealanders have a right to a liveable income.   She says the idea that people on low incomes should work harder, train more, and advance themselves is great, but there'll still be someone doing those jobs.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airbnb and its rivals are warning their services may need to be suspended if the Government doesn't delay a GST law change. Accommodation providers and ride-share services such as Uber will become liable for ensuring GST is paid through services booked on their websites from April 1. Airbnb, Booking.com, Bookabach, and Bachcare wrote  to Finance Minister Nicola Willis in December requesting an urgent meeting. Former Tourism Industry Aotearoa CEO Chris Roberts told Mike Hosking that the companies haven't had enough time to prepare for the changes. He said that during the election campaign National was going to scrap the idea, but are now keeping it following coalition agreements. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has decided on their course of action when it comes to retaliating to the drone strike that killed and injured over forty US troops.  Their response is likely to come in the next couple of days, officials saying that they will respond at a time of their choosing.  US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that while they have a couple of options, it’s likely that they will target the militia directly as opposed to launching a strike against Iran and potentially widening the war.  He said that the militia responsible announced this morning that they will be suspending their operations, though it may be too late to avoid repercussions from the US.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AUKUS is expected to be a topic at today's trans-Tasman meeting.   New Zealand and Australia's Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers will meet for talks in Melbourne today.   Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum Co-Chair Greg Lowe says it's certainly worth having discussions about the second pillar of AUKUS.   That second pillar involves things like cyber security and AI, rather than military action  He told Mike Hosking that the meeting is happening at an important time.   Lowe says financial troubles following the pandemic have been followed by tough geopolitical circumstances.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland high school has placed CCTV cameras in its bathrooms in a bid to stop vaping.  Green Bay High School students have taken to social media to voice their concerns, saying it's a breach of privacy.  The school has also installed a glass door to a new bathroom.  Auckland University senior law lecturer Nikki Chamberlain told Mike Hosking that children are vulnerable when it comes to privacy.  She says schools are more likely to face scrutiny from courts for their actions because of that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Banking restrictions are on the chopping block, in the hope to make the lending process smoother.  Laws introduced by the previous government which aimed to prevent loan sharks are set to be scrapped.  Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayley says it had unintended consequences.  CEO of Money Sweetspot Sasha Lockley told Mike Hosking that it made lending too restrictive for both lenders and borrowers.  She says the prescriptive requirements took the human understanding out of lending.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Parnell Business Association wants more to be done to address what it says is a sharp rise in crime and disorderly behaviour, linked to nearby Kainga Ora tenants.  It's written to Housing Minister Chris Bishop and former Prime Minister Sir Bill English who's leading a review into the agency.  General Manager Cheryl Adamson says that in the last 6-8 months they’ve seen an uptick in the number of disruptive tenants in the area.  She told Mike Hosking unlike in the past, the facility doesn’t currently have full-time onsite security to help pinpoint tenants who would cause trouble.  Adamson said that while they do have their own security systems and hired guards, collaboration works best when they can liaise with onsite management.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s potential for a more radical leadership of the Greens in the wake of co-leader James Shaw's resignation.  Shaw's announced he'll step down in March but will remain an MP for the time being to support his Sustainable Environment Bill.  Green Party rules state that a woman and a Māori person must be in leadership roles, but with Marama Davidson covering both criteria, the floor is wide open.  Former MP Catherine Delahunty says some members are looking for a genuinely radical approach from the Greens.  She says we could see a more authentically strong environmental position, which won't be so popular with the business sector, but at the end of the day that's not the Greens job.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have never really been able to work James Shaw out.  As he quit his leadership yesterday, which made perfect sense, he waxed lyrical about the Green Party, and its achievements, and its place in the political landscape.   Which makes no sense because they are a mess and no longer remotely green, and he stands out like the dogs proverbials as the one remaining environmentalist.  Of course, you wouldn't expect him to bag them, but he speaks with such clarity and conviction about them. He is either a sensational performer, or he actually believes it.  He must know surely, he was the last one standing. The rest are just rabid extremists.  And therefore, the future of the Greens is anything but assured. And without his ballast and experience they open themselves to the ever-increasing reality of heading off down a track of performance art, complete with pro-Palestinianan flags and scarves.  Rod Donald and Jeanete Fitzsimons were at least green.  But your Sue Bradfords muddied the waters with their social enginee

High inflation in certain parts of the economy is dashing hopes of a cut in the OCR.   Reserve Bank Chief Executive Paul Conway says despite overall inflation being at 4.7 percent, non-tradable inflation is still high at 5.9 percent.   New Zealand Initiative Economist Director Oliver Hartwich says that non-tradable inflation is produced in New Zealand.   He told Mike Hosking that the Reserve Bank’s policy to reduce inflation needs to be in sync with government fiscal policy.   Hartwich says high government spending makes it harder for the Reserve Bank to do its job.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament is officially back in business, with the first sitting of the year today.  The Government will resume its 100 Day Action Plan, which still includes scrapping the Māori Health Authority, Auckland Fuel Tax, and Three Waters reforms.   Parliament is still under urgency when it comes to the passing of legislation.  Political Editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking this impacts things like passing the bill that scraps the Productivity Commission, which is slated to happen today.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.