Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Freight operators are thrilled they can deliver goods to Northland a lot faster from next week.  State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyns will reopen to two-way traffic from 11.59pm next Wednesday, just in time for Matariki weekend.  The Transport Agency says additional space has been created so crews can work on repairs without lengthy closures.  James Smith, General Manager of Policy and Advocacy at the National Road Carriers Association, told Mike Hosking that it's important to note that this repair only gives them another seven years of the Brynderwyns, and then the whole lots coming down.  He said that what they're saying is that while that fix is in place, let's get on with building the diversion as fast as they can, because if the previous government had continued with it, it would’ve been just about done by this point.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We'll know later today whether New Zealand was in a technical recession last financial quarter. Gross Domestic Product figures for the three months to March are released later this morning. ASB is forecasting a 0.1% rise. Senior economist Kim Mundy told Mike Hosking that they're not expecting another recession, but neither are they expecting strong growth. She says they think the second quarter will actually be worse. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a renewed call for Boeing to be prosecuted after being grilled in the US Senate over its recent safety issues.  US Justice officials have until July 7th to decide if it lays criminal charges.  Family members of the 346 victims of two separate crashes involving Boeing planes five years ago were also at the hearing.  US Correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that they're calling for criminal liability for the company, specifically the upper management.  She says they want Boeing to be fined almost US$25 billion, and for officials to move forward with criminal prosecution.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dolphin advocates are celebrating SailGP's decision to move next year's event from Christchurch.  SailGP announced the 2025 edition wouldn't return to Lyttelton Harbour, which has hosted for the last two years.  In this year's event, the first day of racing was controversially cancelled due to a Hector's Dolphin spotting.  Maui and Hector's Dolphin Defenders spokesperson Christine Rose told Mike Hosking that regulations are in place for anyone using boats in Hector's Dolphin habitats.  She says those rules have to apply for everyone else, especially when the scale of impacts is greater.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dozens of migrants have been rescued from a sinking ship in the Mediterranean.  German aid group RESQSHIP said it picked up 51 people from a sinking wooden boat, including two unconscious people, and found ten bodies trapped in the lower deck.  A second ship sank nearby, and 64 people total are still missing from the vessels.  Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that the Mediterranean is the deadliest known migration route in the world.  He said that since 2014, over 23 thousand migrants have died or gone missing in its waters.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maintenance on ageing Interislander ferries is seen as a short-term solution by the Maritime Union.  Estimated annual maintenance costs to keep KiwiRail’s three ageing Interislander ferries running could almost double to $65 million by next year, and keeping the ferries afloat will be an “ongoing battle”.  A previous assessment of the fleet’s condition raised concerns about steel corrosion, metal getting weak and cracking, and prohibitive maintenance expenses.  The project to replace the fleet with two mega ferries was left dead in the water in December after overall costs, including new terminals and wharf upgrades, ballooned to almost $3 billion and the new Government refused to fund the blowout.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has previously refused to commit to replacing the fleet by 2026, which is when the now-cancelled mega ferries were due to arrive.  Given the project’s history of delays, budget blowouts, and other problems, Willis said people were “dreaming” if they thought the mega ferries would be

There’s hopes an improved vaccine against an infectious disease running rife through New Zealand cattle could ease costs for farmers.  The Ministry for Primary Industries is backing a project which aims to develop a modified vaccine against Bovine Viral Diarrhoea.  It impacts about 80% of our dairy and beef herds and costs the industry more than $190 million each year.  Research lead John Moffat told Mike Hosking that it's one of the many threats farmers face.  He says the virus is one of the most important issues needing to be dealt with in the cattle industry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A victims' advocate says new measures to address court backlogs are doable if all players in the system play their part.   The Chief District Court Judge has introduced maximum waiting times based on the seriousness of the crime.   For the least serious category —where there's no risk of prison— the aim is six months.   Independent victims' advocate Ruth Money told Mike Hosking that the courts are jammed and delayed.  She says people have their lives on hold waiting.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following his visit to New Zealand, the Chinese Premier has begun his visit to Australia.  Li Qiang was greeted by hundreds of supporters and protestors upon his arrival in Canberra on Sunday, receiving a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House.  Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that there has been talks of better military communication, as well as extending the offering of visa-free travel to Australians.  She said that Albanese says the bilateral relationship is back on track.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's changed its tune on transgender people participating in community sports.   A policy in the New Zealand First-National Coalition agreement threatened to withhold public funding if sports bodies didn't separate trans athletes from grassroots competitions.   After feedback from Sport New Zealand, Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says the government will now take a watching brief.   Save Women's Sport spokesperson Ro Edge told Mike Hosking that she thinks Bishop's been given inaccurate information.   She says a letter she received from Bishop wrongly stated Sport NZ's guidelines have exemptions for fairness and safety in female sport.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government promises “granny flats” of 60 square metres or less will be easier to build after planning changes that will force councils to permit small dwellings on rural and residential zones without resource consent. Making it easier to build granny flats was part of NZ First’s coalition agreement with National. NZ First leader Winston Peters, taking over as Acting Prime Minister while Christopher Luxon is in Japan, used Monday’s post-Cabinet press conference to announce consultation on changes that would fulfil that policy promise. “Making it easier to build granny flats will make it more affordable for families to live the way that suits them best,” Peters said. “Over a quarter of households that do not own their home spend more than 40 per cent of their income on housing. High housing costs have a greater impact on Māori, Pasifika, and people with disabilities, as well as seniors - so unlocking the space in the backyards of family members opens the door to new ways of living. “We know granny flats are

This weekend's Super Rugby semifinals have raised a few eyebrows over their smaller-than expected attendance numbers. ZB sports reporter Andrew Alderson suspects this is because these Super Rugby matches had to compete with this weekend's Warriors' clash. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Princess of Wales has returned to the public eye for King's Birthday celebrations, making her first public appearance this year. Kate faced wild internet speculation on her whereabouts earlier this year before revealing she's undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. She was pictured smiling, sitting alongside her three children in a carriage for the Trooping the Colour parade. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the public were thrilled to see her back. "She looked a little thin, a little drawn, but she did look, still, pretty amazing. And after all the chemo she's been in - perhaps that's no surprise at all."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One teachers' union is concerned abut the recommended changes to teaching standards in a new report. The Ministerial Advisory Group reviewing English and maths learning has recommended annual 'checkpoint' tests for students. It also recommends children be encouraged to write by hand as much as possible for their first three years at school - and cursive lessons in years four to six. NZEI president Mark Potter says children in society are facing all sorts of issues, but how teachers teach isn't one. "Things aren't going well for children in our society right now, but just focusing on what teachers do in the classroom all the time, especially by political groups and political figures, is not going to help children at all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is on the ground in Japan, but his business delegation won't be touching down for another day. The Prime Minister's plane has broken down yet again, this time while refuelling in Papua New Guinea. Luxon's been forced to fly commercial to Tokyo, while the business leaders, officials and others in his delegation are travelling to Brisbane and then on to Japan today. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Luxon abruptly disappeared from the airport, leaving his delegation confused about what was happening. "The Prime Minister leaving took everybody by surprise, I saw his face as he was leaving in the motorcade... he was not happy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain’s Labour Party has launched its manifesto.  It said on Thursday that it would be “pro-business” and prioritise “wealth creation”.  Among the party’s flagship pledges is the creation of a new publicly owned energy company, a ban on awarding new North Sea oil and gas licences, and reducing medical wait times.   UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that it’s quite different from the manifesto they ran on a few years ago under Jeremy Corbyn.  He said that Starmer is very much saying that his party is the party for change, but he is for stability, and in his own words, there were no “rabbits out of the hat”.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a big weekend in sports as the Super Rugby semifinals kick off tonight.  The Blues and the Brumbies are facing off at Eden Park tonight, the Hurricanes and the Chiefs going head-to-head in Wellington’s Sky Stadium tomorrow afternoon.  Sports Commentator Sam Ackerman told Mike Hosking that if he could only watch one of the matches, he’d take the Hurricanes v Chiefs.  He said it’s got blockbuster written all over it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s been push back against the Government's plan to scrap around the clock speed limits outside schools.   The Coalition's reversing speed limit reductions implemented over the past four years under the previous Government.   The draft report wants speed limits in place at the start and end of each school day as opposed to the current 24-7 system.    Healthy Auckland Together spokesperson Dr Jamie Hosking told Mike Hosking that kids are outside schools much more than just the first and last 30-minutes of the day.   He says five out of six deaths and serious injuries that happen around schools are outside those times, when the variable limits wouldn't be operating.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's ditching plans to make gender pay gap reporting compulsory.   The Labour Government pledged it would require companies with more than 250 workers to publish a pay gap report.  But acting Minister for Women Louise Upston's instead developing a tool for businesses to calculate pay gaps voluntarily.  Mind the Gap Co-Founder Dellwyn Stuart told Mike Hosking that while mandatory reporting would likely make more of a difference, it's great to see the Government taking action.   She says most businesses don't set out to pay people unfairly, they just don't see what's happening in their payroll until they measure it, and then they want to fix it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday saw another historic ruling in the United States, as Hunter Biden was found guilty in his federal gun trial.  The conviction makes him the first child of a sitting President to be found guilty of a crime.  He was convicted of three gun offences for lying about drug use while illegally buying and possessing a gun in 2018.  US Correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that several legal experts have already suggested that there are several avenues of appeal that Biden could take.  She said that the most likely route is that the defence will argue that under the Second Amendment, Biden has a constitutional right to own a firearm.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.