Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A sellout crowd is certain as it's just one day til Wellington Phoenix chants ring out across the city.  The nix are playing the Melbourne Victory at a packed Cake Tin.  Excitement's been building up in the capital about the A-League semifinal clash, as the team goes into the second leg on a nil-all aggregate score, at home.  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine told Mike Hosking that he gets the feeling that the match will be settled within 90 minutes.  He said that someone will have the inspirational moment, the flash of brilliance, or someone will make a mistake, and that will settle the game.  “I don’t think we’ll see a nil-all tomorrow night.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles has been attending garden parties as he returns to public duties.   The monarch returned to work in late April, about two months after it was announced he was being treated for cancer.   UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that he appeared in good spirits at the garden parties this past week.   He says hundreds of people are invited to the parties, which have days for different industries.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Workplace Relations and Safety Minister's being urged to address the huge cost of workplace bullying.  A report by the Human Rights Commission and KPMG has found the cost of bullying and harassment to employers is about $1.5 billion a year.  Equal Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo told Mike Hosking that Minister Brooke van Velden wants to look at health and safety laws and the grievance processes.  She hopes the minister's paying attention to the report, because it may be a loss for businesses but it's the people's lives that are at the centre of this.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers says most farmers are looking at Fonterra's change in strategy with cautious optimism.    The dairy giant's signalled its intent to divest well-known brands such as Anchor and overseas brands Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka.   It wants to focus on producing ingredients and selling them to consumers and other businesses.   Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Richard McIntyre told Mike Hosking that some are concerned about Fonterra's potential move away from value-added products.   But he says they're also talking about investing more in innovation, so it'll be interesting to see the detail.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After months of goading, Donald Trump has his wish.  Joe Biden has finally agreed to presidential debates, but on a different schedule.  He released a video on social media earlier today saying that he’s ready to debate, and that Trump is available on Wednesdays, referring to the day that Trump’s hush money trial is not in session.  US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Roman Travers that normally these debates take place in the last two or so months of the campaign, but the first will be taking place in June, the second in September.  Biden’s team says the usual model hasn’t been working, and that organisers have failed to keep the debates under control in the past.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of appointments and surgeries have been cancelled as junior doctors begin another strike.  They’re continuing to fight for better pay and work conditions.   More than 2000 doctors walked off the job at 7am for the second time in two weeks, the strike planned to last two days.  Sarah Dalton, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, told Roman Travers that we’re already training many young doctors just to go off and work overseas as the work conditions and pay aren’t good enough for the senior medical workforce.  Now, she said, Te Whatu Ora seems to be doing everything they can to get them to go even sooner.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a small silver lining for regional councils amid slowing local economic growth.  The March Infometrics Monitor reveals economic activity has increased just 0.2% over a year, the slowest growth since the first Covid-19 lockdown.  Building consents have dropped almost 60% in the Tasman District and fell around 25% for all regions.  Tasman District Mayor Tim King told Roman Travers that despite hard times for regions, it does present councils an opportunity  He says with the current economic downturn it's ironically a good time to invest in infrastructure.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's anticipating many Kiwi police officers will take up New South Wales' incentivised offer.  The state is 1500 officers short and has announced it'll fast-track New Zealand officers as recruits.  Training requirements will be shortened and Kiwis with at least seven years' experience can keep their current rank, up to senior constable.   Labour's Spokesperson on Police, Ginny Andersen told Roman Travers that this offers more than other poaching attempts from Australian states.  She says they know that a lot will go, and Police Association President Chris Cahill's said 20 have gone in the last week.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With any promise there’s always an element of wiggle room, misinterpretation, or perhaps reversing out at high speed.  Although I have huge admiration for anyone who keeps their word and sticks to a promise verbatim, the coalition government’s promise of tax cuts isn’t a promise I’m happy for them to keep.  Anyone who only heard that promise in the runup to the election and based their voting decision upon that one fiscal soundbite possibly has a dubious voting history. But then again, it’s promises like that which ultimately attract the low hanging fruit pickers to any party.  Yesterday, we heard Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reiterate his governments promise of tax cuts, as we head closer to this month’s budget announcement.  He made the comments in a speech to the Auckland Business Chamber yesterday afternoon; and used the opportunity to bat away criticism of the coalition's promised tax cuts, saying "the squeezed middle" deserved support given the tough cost-of-living.  The ‘squeezed middle’ he refers

A UK study has found that obesity jabs could reduce health risks.  Researchers looked at semaglutide, otherwise known as Wegovy and Ozempic, and found that the weekly shots could reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.  It was found to benefit cardiovascular health even if the user didn’t lose much weight.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Roman Travers that it’s too early to say that it’s definitely working and definitely a side effect, but the potential is fascinating.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you feel as though you’ve been living in some kind of whack job, futuristic Netflix series when it comes to this country’s deplorable attitude to crime and our increasingly farcical judicial system you were probably suitably blown away by yesterday’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.  Finally, there is good news. Finally, there’s hope that we’ll get to re-establish more than a modicum of control over the growing numbers of gangs and gang members.  Police are establishing a national gang unit, supported by 'district gang disruption teams', to target crime, harm, and intimidation caused by patched gang members. All I can say is it’s about time.  It’s about time that someone took this feral issue by the nostrils and led it out and beyond the growing levels of complacency and the general acceptance we’ve been conditioned and subjected to – for far too long.    The all-new police national team, will work with police districts across the country, drawing on joint operations to gang funerals and

It's thought the Christchurch Call's refresh is in-line with technology's rapid evolution.  The call —designed to battle online extremism and hate content— is becoming a foundation.  Taxpayer funding ends in July.  Dame Jacinda Ardern will become patron, rather than New Zealand's special envoy.  Gorilla Tech Chief Executive Paul Spain told Roman Travers that the tech world is a different place since the call began, particularly with AI.  He says the tools available now are far better and more powerful than in 2019.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some police officers are sceptical about the Government's new crackdown on gangs.  The Police Minister and Police Commissioner have announced the establishment of a new National Gang Unit.  It'll have around 30 people and up to seven ring-fenced officers in each police district.  Police Association President Chris Cahill told Roman Travers that if it doesn't have more funding, you're just asking staff to do more work.  He says officers are pretty keen to get into these gangs, but they're bogged down with the amount of work they've got at the moment.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns the Government's charter schools plan could be a political football.  Associate Education Minister David Seymour's announced more than $150 million to set up 15 new charter schools in the next four years and convert 35 state school in the next two.  Massey University's John O'Neill told Roman Travers that since the last government's disestablished them, it can't be considered a settled policy.  He says the possibility of converting or privatising existing state schools and moving them out of the state sector would be the major new bone of contention.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s federal budget is due today.  With gross debt predicted to rise above $1 trillion by 2026, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is walking a tightrope between offering cost-of-living relief without fuelling inflation.  Repayments on Government debt have become the fastest growing expense in the budget, and Dr Chalmers is facing calls to continue cutting spending.  Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that they’re hearing that inflation could be under control a year earlier than expected.  The early relief could result in interest rate cuts, and there has been talk of energy bill relief for students and welfare recipients, she said.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks Captain Sam Cane has announced his retirement from the international stage.  From next year he’ll take up a three-year contract with Suntory in Japan, where he spent this season’s sabbatical.   Elliott Smith, Newstalk ZB’s rugby commentator, told Mike Hosking that it isn’t quite the bombshell people are calling it, but it is still earlier than expected.  He said that Cane was still in the mix to continue the captaincy after he led the team to the World Cup final last year.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls for the government to better regulate salt content in our processed foods.  Research from Otago and Auckland universities reveals about two thirds of packaged foods on supermarket shelves exceed the World Health Organisation benchmark.  Stroke Foundation General Manager Jess Winchester says one fifth of New Zealanders already have high blood pressure.  She told Mike Hosking that the government needs to begin holding food manufacturers to the WHO sodium benchmarks.  Winchester says people shouldn't be risking their lives every time they bite into their favourite pie.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's thought a Court of Appeal decision finding the Waitangi Tribunal could summon ACT MP Karen Chhour doesn't set a precedent for future cases.  The decision overturned a High Court ruling which found the Children's Minister did not have to front with her reasoning for removing Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act.   Massey University Law Professor Chris Gallavin told Mike Hosking that lots of ministers have given evidence before the tribunal in the past.  He says it's a bit of a storm in a teacup.  Gallavin says there's lot of agreement between the High Court and Court of Appeal, and they just took different views on one point.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New teachers across the country are not being set up to succeed, according to the Education Review Office (ERO).  Two thirds of principals are reporting new teachers coming into the role are unprepared, and a third of new primary teachers claim they are unprepared to teach science.  The ERO is calling for more to be done.  Ruth Shinoda, Head of ERO’s Education Evaluation Centre, tells Mike Hosking the combination of teachers themselves saying they don’t feel prepared, and their principals reiterating this is concerning.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new proposal could see protest groups in the UK banned in a similar way to terrorist organisations.   Extracts of an upcoming report show recommendations will be made for a new category proscribing “extreme protest groups”, defining these as those which routinely use criminal tactics to try to achieve their aims. Protest groups such as Just Stop Oil and Palestine Action could have sanctions that restrict the groups’ ability to fundraise and rights to assembly in the UK.  Plus, a new device might cut down hospital time for cancer patients.   The Liberty has been given regulatory approval. The device allows patients to take blood tests and upload the results at home without supervision.  Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Mike Hosking the device has only been tested on a small number of types of cancer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.