Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The All Blacks have got to perform in this weekend’s Eden Park test.  They’re set to face Australia in the wake of their worst-ever defeat just 12 days ago against South Africa.  Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby Elliott Smith told Francesca Rudkin the All Blacks have to turn up, perform, and start finding some consistency.  He says consistency won’t come soley from tomorrow’s performance, but they need to start laying the building blocks.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push for more work-based learning, to give food and fibre employers greater input on training.  Key players like Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Federated Farmers have teamed up to demand an overhaul from the government.  The sectors have released the Food and Fibre Workforce Capability Strategy.  Forestry Owners' Association Chief Executive Elizabeth Heeg told Francesca Rudkin the strategy sets out a pathway to train the next generation of skilled workers.  She says they want to work with the government to ensure the system prioritises capabilities and not just credentials.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy claims his court case is politically motivated.  He's been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy, relating to illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.  He was acquitted of all other charges.  Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin it's unclear whether he will spend the full five years in prison.  He says the ruling means Sarkozy will spend time in jail even if he launches an appeal, which he intends to do.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Friday 26th of September 2025, Fonterra’s delivered one of its best results ever, Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean shares his thoughts.  It's the great show down between the All blacks and the Wallabies this saturday night in Auckland, Newstalk ZB rugby commentator and editor Elliott Smith tells Francesca what's at stake for the All Blacks.  Our agriculture industry claims the education system is letting it down, NZ Forest Owners Association CEO, Dr Elizabeth Heeg shares her thoughts.   Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, sentenced to five years in jail and drones shutting down a Denmark airport for the second time this week.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy farmers remain mindful of the chance of more tough times ahead.  Fonterra's confirmed a final farmgate milk price of $10.16 for the past season, with earnings of 71 cents per share.  But its midpoint forecast for this season remains at $10.  Federated Farmers Dairy Board Chair Karl Dean told Francesca Rudkin farmers will be paying off debt and investing back into their farms after battling several years of high on-farm costs.  He says they all understand costs may rise again, and incomes may drop.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, PPTA members —secondary school teachers— voted to make addressing online extremism an official policy, and are now pushing for Government action.   Teachers say they are seeing more misogyny from young boys, as well as xenophobia and anti-Māori rhetoric – and I believe them. Sit down with your teenager and ask them about Andrew Tate, Trump, trad wives —which were some of the complaints— and they’re all over it. And yes, it is driven by social media, algorithms, and their peers. So, I do understand their concerns.   But it’s not for the Government to fix.   I’ll get to the teachers in a minute, but this is primarily an issue for parents.   It’s parents who are responsible for setting the tone when it comes to their children’s beliefs and values. And as they grow and almost inevitably push back against their parents and their ideas while they develop their own, it’s also on the parents to listen and, without judgement, encourage open discussion.    As parents we need to

New Zealand will have first use of the world's first portable brain scanner that could change how concussion is diagnosed for rugby players – but will it work as said?  The device —known as the Nurocheck headset— can allegedly detect head injuries in two minutes.  Medtech Labs Group CEO Michael Lee says although the brain scanner will be rolled out next month, rugby clubs will have to wait a little longer.  Sports injury research specialist Dr Doug King told Francesca Rudkin while the concept it legitimate, the research backing it is not.   He says concussions are one of the most complex things you can try and detect, and while this could be realistic in the future, the science just isn’t there yet.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Reserve Bank Governor seems to tick all the boxes.   Dr Anna Breman has been announced as the next Governor, taking over from Christian Hawkesby in December.  She was the First Deputy Governor of Sweden’s central bank, and was selected from more than 300 candidates that were initially identified.  Economist Cameron Bagrie told Francesca Rudkin that Breman is going to be laser focused on the key priorities, including delivering low and stable inflation.  He says they’re going to go back to basics as the epicentre of any central bank is credibility – credibility of the framework, the governor, and the governance.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council's new density plan won't see fewer houses zoned, but will change where they're allowed.  The council's Policy and Planning Committee voted 18-5 to pass the plan, which will see more housing near transport hubs and less in natural hazard zones.  Former Auckland Mayor Phil Goff shares his thoughts with Francesca Rudkin.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Thursday 25th of September 2025, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts on the new Reserve Bank Governor.  A new portable med-tech device from the company Nurochek claims it has the ability to diagnose concussions on the sidelines in just two minutes, Dr Doug King Sports Injury Research Specialist tells Francesca how much of a difference it could make.  Bigger, taller and newer buildings are on the way for Auckland, Former Mayor of Auckland Phill Goff shares his thoughts.  Plus US Correspondent  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a big day at Auckland Council yesterday, and I think a good day.   The Policy and Planning Committee met for most of yesterday to thrash out the future of Auckland’s housing, debating where and how Auckland is going plan for more homes. The council voted 18-5 to discard PC78 and notify PC120 – which basically means the 3 storey townhouses seen increasingly all over Auckland’s suburbs are on the way out, and high-rises and greater intensification around key CRL stations and transport corridors are in.   This is, of course, highly contentious – and where you lean in the debate may depend on what neighbourhood you live in. Residents of wealthy inner city suburbs like Mt Eden, Parnell, Herne Bay, and Grey Lynn will likely have reservations about more high-rise apartments in their neighbourhoods – citing a loss of character, loss of light, and an increased demand on infrastructure. The new plan retains 73% of the special character areas established under the 2016 Auckland unitary plan, which isn’t

A grim outlook from business leaders.  The Herald's annual Mood of the Boardroom survey shows business leaders are less optimistic about the economy than they were a year ago.  They’re calling for more bipartisanship when it comes to tax, retirement, and the long-term outlook for New Zealand.  NZ Initiative co-founder and Chair Roger Patridge told Francesca Rudkin the business community is looking for clear direction from the Government, and it doesn’t feel like they’re delivering.  He says there’s pretty much unanimous agreement the economy isn’t taking off in the ways we were promised.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view that small businesses may suffer and not be able to survive if the Government's surcharge ban comes into play.  Commerce Minister Scott Simpson announced the ban on surcharges like PayWave will be in place by May next year.   In an open letter, 36 Chambers of Commerce, industry and business associations warn the ban will just be passed on through increased prices.  North Chamber Chief Executive Leah McKerrow told Francesca Rudkin there should a consumer line that identifies those abusing the surcharge, as now small businesses will face increased costs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changes to the Holidays Act have been welcomed by businesses as long overdue. The new system will include accrual for sick and annual leave. The Government says it will be two years before these changes are implemented. But Restaurant Association boss Marisa Bidois told Francesca Rudkin the industry wants a faster timeline. She says while she understands the need to update systems, some of their systems are already ready to go. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I didn’t really want to touch on this yesterday. I really hoped the story about President Trump coming out and declaring that pregnant mothers taking paracetamol was the cause of autism would just die a quick death in the news.  But it made an impact - as you may have seen.    Comments like Trump’s are hugely frustrating and unhelpful. They cause concern among expectant mothers about the use of paracetamol. As stated by the NZ College of Midwives yesterday, “high quality scientific evidence does not demonstrate a causal link or association between paracetamol use and autism or other developmental concerns. "Large, high-quality studies —including population data from Sweden involving over two million children— found no increased risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability from paracetamol use during pregnancy.”   You could also ask mothers of autistic children —and the ones I know are scratching their heads— because they didn’t use paracetamol when pregnant.    Please, if you

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 24th of September 2025, The Government’s overhauling the Holidays Act, Marisa Bidois Chief Executive of the Restaurant Association tells Francesca about the difference it'll make for businesses and employees. The Herald's released the Mood of the Boardroom survey, Co-founder and Chair of New Zealand Initiative, Roger Partridge shares his thoughts.  Our top business leaders are pushing back on proposed changes to credit card surcharges, Leah Mckerrow Chief Executive of Northchamber, tells Francesca, why they're pushing back.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK’s health Secretary saying ignore Trump’s health advice on Autism and a drone incursion that stopped flights at Copenhagen and Oslo airports 24 hours ago might have Russian involvement.   Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABO

Businesses are hopeful an overhaul of the Holidays Act will give them clearer leave guidelines.  The Workplace Minister will announcing a change to the 2003 Act today.  Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Francesca Rudkin the current legislation is far too complex.  She says businesses have almost needed an advanced calculus degree to meet their obligations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tech expert says there's good reason to be sceptical about digital identifications.   Digital Services Minister Judith Collins says driver licences could soon be available on our phones before the end of the year.   New South Wales has already rolled out a similar service.  Digital Identity New Zealand Executive Director Andy Higgs told Francesca Rudkin it has to be done in good faith.   He says in some countries people are treated as a number, with much of their personal information stored with the licence.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belief the Government's half-a-billion dollar investment to infrastructure will boost the construction sector. Both projects involve upgrades and maintenance for hospital and school buildings nationwide. It's at a time when construction activity is at a six year low. Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Francesca Rudkin these announcements show that better days are starting to emerge. He says the Government's starting to listen to the industry's concerns, that some pipeline of works like schools, had been closed off for the last couple of years. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Tuesday 23rd of September 2025, The long-awaited overhaul of the Holiday's act will be announced today, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson tells Francesca what she hopes will come from it.  Digital services Minister Judith Collins says digital driver’s licenses could be rolling out by the end of the year, Digital Identity NZ Executive Director Andy Higgs shares his thoughts.  The Government’s pumping more money into schools to prop up our struggling construction sector, Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming tells Francesca how much of a difference it'll make. Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on more details on the Optus catastrophic triple zero outage and the Australian Prime Minister preparing to address the UN General Assembly on Palestine. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudi