Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

I popped into my local Dairy the other day and was surprised to see two Policemen standing there.I asked if they’d had a burglary, and one of the owners told me, not today, the Police were just here talking to them about safety protocols and how to beef up security. I asked why, had something happened.They said they’d been ram raided, and since then they’d installed a fog cannon machine which she pointed to on the ceiling – a large contraption resembling an air-conditioning unit which, once a button is pressed by staff, sends immediate fog throughout the shop allowing staff to scramble and escape quickly if an intruder came in with a weapon.Sounded more LA than Auckland, but here we are. It’s becoming commonplace apparently in many cities throughout the country now. I asked her if she or the staff felt scared or worried, or whether they largely feel safe at work. She said the threat of intruders with weapons is always a worry and they want to ensure everyone feels as safe as possible.The problem with the ram

Fresh concerns around the sustainability of tourism.It comes as the country is set to reopen to international tourists from next month onwards.Massey University Development Studies Professor Regina Scheyvens told Kate Hawkesby good progress has been made by implementing the Tiaki promise, but more can be done.“That could be elevated more in terms of the awareness of all visitors coming to New Zealand about what they should be promising to do to be good guests.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ifs, buts and maybes will haunt the White Ferns.Stand-in captain Amy Satterthwaite admitted as much while poring over the immediate aftermath of New Zealand's agonising one-wicket defeat to England at Eden Park on Sunday, a result that all but ends their World Cup semifinal hopes.Three tight pool matches – the tournament-opening three-run loss to the West Indies; two-wicket defeat against South Africa and this latest near miss – will prove costly in the quest to reach the knockouts.The White Ferns could have reversed each of those defeats but they all carry the familiar theme of batting collapses and not scoring enough runs.The rollercoaster of emotions was still raw when Satterthwaite, filling in for injured captain Sophie Devine, fronted after England held on for a tense victory that confined the White Ferns to two wins from six games."If you see our changing room at the moment it's difficult for everybody regardless of how experienced or old or young. Everyone is devastated," Satterthwaite said."We're

The Government's review of our Covid mandates is being described as a political tactic.Cabinet meets today to discuss whether the current rules should be eased over the coming weeks.Mandates, vaccine passes and the traffic light framework are all expected to be on the agenda.Buddle Findlay Employment and Health Lawyer Sheridan Cook told Kate Hawkesby the timing is questionable, given our hospitalisation rate is still so high.“I think it’s a response to the recent New Zealand Defence Force and Police High Court decision. When that decision came out which overturned mandates, my view is that the Government either needed to appeal that decision or it needed to abolish the other mandates.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An MIQ hotel has promised workers the living wage once it goes back to hospitality. Managed Isolation and Quarantine will be a four hotel operation by the end of June, but there's been concerns they'd be dropping back to a lower pay rate. Rydges Auckland has confirmed it will pay workers the Living Wage of $22.75 permanently. Unite Union National Secretary John Crocker told Tim Dower they're now trying to get the other hotels to follow suit. He's optimistic about some, but not others. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With borders opening, there are concerns as to whether Immigration New Zealand can meet demand. Apparently not, according to National's Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford. Standford says the only reason the border reopening is being delayed for those that need visas to get into the country, is because Immigration NZ can't meet demand. Principal immigration lawyer at NZ Immigration Law Aaron Martin joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The news that Transmission Gully will finally open at the end of this month certainly surprised a few. The motorway hasn't been a great advertisement for large roading projects and there are concerns its failures may impact support for future projects. Nick Leggett from Transporting New Zealand joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I hold out hope that media reports that Russia’s ugly war could be over in about 10 days prove true. I also hold out hope that claims peace talks are working, prove to be true. Because even if this does wrap up after a month, which in the grand scheme of wars seems a relatively short time, it has nonetheless been utterly heart breaking, painful and abhorrent to watch. And that’s part of the problem, we’ve seen it all unfold in front of us for the past 3 weeks like a horror show we just can’t switch off. It feels as though condemnation of Putin is everywhere around us here – yet it’s actually not. I posted something on Instagram about the war being hard to watch and I was staggered to get responses from Russians living in New Zealand, saying, ‘what war?, it’s not a war, you are misinformed.’ I had up until then assumed this brainwashing was restricted to inside Russia only, but a Russian friend of mine here said there are Russians, who despite being here, still tap into only Russian news sources and still beli

St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Ireland are making up for a lack of cheer over the past couple of years.   Since 2020 events organised for the holiday have had to be restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.   However, Tourism Ireland’s Siobhan McManamy told Kate Hawkesby this year’s events are going ahead at full force.   “We’re back to parades in every small town and village.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis is continuing her rapid rise in the National Party. Yesterday, she was confirmed as the party's new Finance spokesperson. Arguably, the Finance portfolio is the toughest role to have in Cabinet. Infometrics senior economist Brad Olsen joined Kate Hawkesby to discuss what makes a good Finance Minister. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand will need to step up its marketing to Australia, ahead of our border opening to them. Vaccinated Australians can come here from April 13 and those in other countries with relevant visas can come here from May 2. Travel marketing consultant, Trish May, told Kate Hawkesby Tourism New Zealand has been keeping the name of New Zealand in the minds of the Australian consumer. And she says a lot of Australians came to visit from April to July when the trans-Tasman bubble was open. “So, we haven’t been completely off the radar with Australia, but certainly the opportunity is there now to get going and roll out the welcome mat.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I must admit I haven’t actually read his book, but I am reliably informed that Simon Bridges said in it that he was staying in politics despite getting dumped as leader, to fight the good fight.  Hence his announcement that he’s now quitting parliament, surprised me. Why now? Surely with a government on the ropes, a promising new opposition leader and potentially a bright future as a senior player within the National Party, there was good reason to stay. But I guess he worked out that long term, any return to leadership is now out. He says there’s no precipitating reason, that he just felt it was time. A personal decision he says, at 45 years old with 3 kids under 10, he said those metrics were important, and he’s making the call for the right reasons – family. But also, the commercial opportunities a new career direction holds. And that part he seems to be touting quite a lot, including what he referred to as "a media project or two” which sounds like: A) like he’s got something already planned, and B) it ma

The bringing forward of entry dates for tourists is expected to help with the Australian market but not for the long-haul one. It's understood fully vaccinated Australians will be able to arrive from April 12, without self-isolating. Visitors from other countries New Zealand has visa waiver arrangements with, like the United Kingdom, will be able to come in the following weeks. Nomad Safaris owner, David Gatward-Ferguson, told Kate Hawkesby it will help get Australians here for the ski season but says a year is needed to plan travel from further afield. “We won’t see internationals long-haul until next year, which will be way, way too late.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's hoped a new long covid advisory group focuses on developing treatments not just rehab.   Long covid is used to describe cases of people who have symptoms that continue or develop more than 12 weeks after getting the virus.   An expert advisory group is being set up to provide GPs with advice on how to help people who suffer from prolonged illness.   This includes advice around a rehabilitation framework.   Auckland University immunologist Anna Brooks told Kate Hawkesby the group also needs to be looking into the most up to date research into treatments. “Really the urgency lies with needing to treat people.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accusations of songs plagiarising or copying other songs isn't new. But copyright infringement cases are big business in the United States. Ed Sheeran is currently in court arguing he didn't plagiarise his song Shape of You. While Katy Perry has just won an appeal against an artist claiming she ripped him off with her song Dark Horse. Judith Finell is a forensic musicologist who's testified at several infringement cases and she joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than a 24-hour timeframe is one of your quicker government flip flops - but nonetheless, that’s how long it took the PM to go from ‘no cost of living crisis’ to acknowledging a cost of living crisis. Although she did work hard to pin it on Russia. Let's not forget petrol prices were rising before that. But under pressure, and on the back of a bad poll, the Government's reacted - and filling your tank just got cheaper by either 11 or 17 dollars depending on the size of your tank. It's a 25 cent a litre reduction in the excise tax - which usually comprises just over 70 cents of every litre, so they're still making 45 cents a litre there. And the obvious question is whether a saving of 11 bucks on filling the car will really make a difference to people right now? Act calls it more of a trim than a cut - and it is a feel good factor - more token than of any real effect. The newspaper headlines excitedly declaring yesterday the Government had 'slashed petrol prices' were being nothing more than enthusiastic c

Public transport fares will be halved as part of the Government's plan to help ease pressure at the pump. It will come into play from April 1st for three months.  Questions are being raised as to whether public transport should have been made free. Public Transport Users Association chair Niall Robertson joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fuel prices have been slashed by 25 cents a litre to help combat rising prices. Motorists will be lining up to fill their tanks today as the discount came into effect at midnight. Questions are being raised as to whether it will help those dealing with a cost of living crisis.  New Zealand Initiative chief economist Dr Eric Crampton joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US officials say Russia has asked China for military assistance in Ukraine.  The United States' National Security Adviser is meeting with Chinese diplomats, reportedly planning to warn them of the consequences of helping Russia.  Rand Corporation Senior Political Scientist Raphael Cohen told Kate Hawkesby China has warming ties with Russia - but also abstained from a UN vote condemning Russia. “We’re getting right now mixed signals from Beijing, I think from a Western standpoint you have to think, what if China does decide to get involved.” LISTEN ABOSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi skier Adam Hall has capped New Zealand's most successful Winter Paralympics in 20 years by winning bronze in the men's standing slalom.The medal was Hall's second in Beijing to match the tally won by fellow skier Corey Peters, giving the three-man Kiwi team this country's best haul since Salt Lake City 2002.Hall was sitting second after his first run at Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre, trailing Frenchman Arthur Bauchet with China's Jingyi Liang nipping at his heels in third.With the two combined times counting for the medals, Hall put down a strong second run but his time of 1:33.21 saw him pipped by Liang, finishing 0.94 seconds off silver with Bauchet taking gold.The bronze was Hall's fifth Paralympic medal, having previously claimed two slalom golds at Vancouver 2010 and PyeongChang 2018 along with two super combined bronzes in PyeongChang and Beijing.The 34-year-old, who was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth, described the achievement as "unbelievable" after his event."Slalom and all the eve