Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Well, three days on from our loss at the Rugby World Cup and we’re still not over it... clearly.  It’s still front-page news, the dissertations and opinions continue, disputes over how it was reffed, anger over the TMO and officiating of the game continue. But let’s face the hard facts: the best team won on the day.   Painful as it is, relitigating red cards versus yellow ones as we might, hating the TMO as we all do... it doesn’t change the facts. The best team won on the day.  We couldn’t get our act together in a sloppy first half, we couldn’t pull it off in the second, we didn’t win.   Sad but true.   Death threats to Wayne Barnes and all the other nonsense which has come out of the loss is futile and detracts from the reality. Which is that beyond the nitpicking over all the minutiae of that one game, a broader conversation needs to be had around what’s happening to rugby.   The Herald’s Luke Kirkness said, “Rugby union is facing a looming crisis. The game is losing its appeal with many turning to altern

Changes have already been made to adventure tourism safety as the Whakaari White Island trial ends. The island's owner, Whakaari Management Limited, has been found guilty on one health and safety charge brought by WorkSafe.   It failed to ensure adequate risk assessments ahead of the 2019 tragedy that killed 22 people. Former Tourism Industry Aotearoa CEO Chris Roberts told Kate Hawkesby that there was concern that WorkSafe was the prosecutor.  He says it was clear there were failings in WorkSafe's oversight, but they weren't prosecuted, they were the prosecutor.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's widely anticipated that New Zealand's unemployment figures will rise today.  Stats NZ numbers for the three months to September will be released later this morning.  Infometrics Principal Economist, Brad Olsen, told Kate Hawkesby that he predicts it will lift from 3.6 to 3.9%.  He says realistically, the market is still tight, with anything below 4% unusual for New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airbnb could be damaging the value of some neighbourhood homes.  Researchers using Auckland census data have identified links between more Airbnbs in communities and higher crime-rates.  It highlights how Airbnb's replace long-term owner occupiers with short term occupants, which can erode the anti-crime capability of the community.  That leads to lower house prices.  Auckland University Associate Property Professor, Edward Yiu, told Kate Hawkesby that this is especially apparent with apartment-type housing.  He said in the past a gate with a code could be installed, but because strangers can enter for their Airbnb, it’s raised security concerns.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Halloween tonight, so stand by for trick or treaters coming to a doorbell near you.  Although weather in many parts of the country may keep little trick or treaters at bay, it probably won’t deter teenagers. We’ve had a mixed run of approaches to Halloween over the years. When the kids were really little, they would find some of the costumes frightening and we wondered the merits of tiny children roaming the streets at what should be bath and bedtime, to ask for lollies from strangers. It didn’t feel right so we said no.  Mean parents.   Later on, as they got a bit older and more savvy that this could involve a whole bunch of stuff usually off limits - lollies, late nights, roaming the streets in costume with mates... they persuaded us the other way. But we contained it. Co-ordinated with neighbours, organised a small early trick or treat session, with neighbours knowing in advance and happy to participate, and with rules around how much sugar could really be consumed. Spoiler alert - not much.   Mean pa

Supie customers may be left out of pocket.   The online grocer's entered voluntary administration with PwC, owing some $3 million after launching two years ago.   It promised to bring competition to the market, and subscriptions to the service cost an annual fee of $99.   Consumer New Zealand CEO Jon Duffy told Kate Hawkesby that they don’t know all the reasons that lead to Supie going into voluntary administration, so they can’t say the duopoly is the one to blame.  He said that they do know that the market is really difficult to enter, and they’re looking to lower those barriers of entry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major bank has increased its test rate, which is the rate at which it checks that borrowers can afford a loan.   ANZ has upped it to 9.1%.   That's despite home loan rates sitting around 7% for a two-year fix.    Key Mortgages mortgage broker Jeremy Andrews told Kate Hawkesby that it's the first bank to make such a move in decades.   He says interest rates have been going up since Covid came along, so test rates have too.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India stayed perfect and England remained awful as Mohammed Shami bowled a stunning opening spell to give the hosts a 100-run win at the Cricket World Cup. Shami and Jasprit Bumrah shared an initial five wickets in a fiery exhibition of pace and seam movement in a six-over spell in the first powerplay and blew away the English top-order. That came after India had been put into bat and scored only 229-9 in 50 overs on a tough pitch with Rohit Sharma contributing 87 runs off 101 balls. The total proved more than enough for India to defend. Shami finished with 4-22 in seven overs, while Bumrah returned 3-32 in 6.5 overs, as England suffered yet another batting collapse, crashing to a fifth defeat in six games. Defending champion England were left languishing in 10th spot after a miserable outing in Lucknow against Indian pace and spin – all out for 129 runs in just 34.5 overs. India continues to fly high as the only unbeaten team in the tournament. The hosts top the standings with 12 points from six games, two p

American hockey player Adam Johnson, who appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020, has died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England on Saturday, his team said. He was 29. Johnson was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in a Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers when he suffered the skate cut during the second period of the Elite Ice Hockey League game at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena. Johnson’s injury was so horrific it forced the game to be abandoned and left traumatised fans in tears. “The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night,” the team said on Sunday. “The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner and all his friends at this extremely difficult time. Everyone at the club including players, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam’s passing.” His moth

There’s not a lot to say about that game that hasn’t already been said — however it will be a game that gets digested for a long time yet. Mainly over the place of TMO in rugby and how slowed down the game is these days. It’s almost like they’re not allowed to play it anymore. It must make players incredibly nervous when every move is questioned, yellow carded, TMO’d and often red carded. It’s too much. Yes there’s safety and rules to go by, but there’s also a game to be played. When you slow it down that much and spend too many valuable minutes analysing the play, staring at replays, talking to players on the field and generally making it too technical, then you also lose people’s interest. And they wonder why people are switching off the game. I’m sad for Fozzy, I really wanted him to get a triumphant send off and a fairytale ending. A big redemption and a successful World Cup win to prove the naysayers wrong. Having said that, yes of course they did well to get to the final — I know it seems weird saying t

Israel says its next stage of war with Hamas has begun as it expands ground operations in Gaza. Telephone and internet communications in Gaza have been partially restored after a more than day-long blackout, which badly impacted rescue operations. The UN has warned civil order in Gaza is deteriorating. Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Kate Hawkesby two-thirds of the UN supported calls for a humanitarian "pause" in Gaza. “I don’t think Netanyahu’s government can make the claim now that the world is fully supporting Israel’s response.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History does unfortunately repeat itself with an absolutely gutting loss for the All Blacks. The All Blacks have had to settle for second in the Rugby World Cup after losing to the Springboks 12-11 in Paris. They had to play the majority of the game with 14, after captain Sam Cane became the first player sent off in a Rugby World Cup final. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s finally time for a rematch.  Back in 1995 the All Blacks faced South Africa in the Rugby World Cup Final and will be doing the same this Sunday morning.  Hennie Le Roux was a member of the Springboks when they took the cup in ‘95 and told Kate Hawkesby that they’re preparing themselves for an enormous battle this time.  He said that New Zealand has shown that they’re a power to reckon with and are probably consistently the best team in the world over a long period of time.  Le Roux said that if the Springboks are going to lose, they’d rather lose to New Zealand than anyone else.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lots of reasons, obviously, why we all want the ABs to win this weekend, but my main one to be honest is Ian Foster.   That guy got dragged through the ringer, treated like utter crap from everyone, from fans to the Rugby Union itself, and he just carried on. Plugging away, keeping his head down, taking it all on the chin, and just trying to do his job. I mean he got slandered. Thumped verbally every which way but sideways. How he carried on is beyond me. Many wouldn’t have.   But he’s got clearly a couple of powerful things going for him, one, obviously a deep inner strength and calm, and two, the players love him. They love him and are loyal to him and want to win for him. They have a sense of duty I think to see him off in style and make him proud, to prove the naysayers wrong, to let him have his moment, to shut up all the vociferous critics.   So, for that reason alone, I hope they do it. I hope he gets to leave this World Cup a champion coach who won a World Cup under less than supportive cond

Reports that demand for financial help is growing among employed people and property owners.  CoreLogic data shows that despite interest rates doubling over the past two years, mortgagee sales remain below pre-pandemic levels.   But it says this is a "fingers crossed scenario" and is dependent on people's ability to keep their jobs and maintain home payments.   CoreLogic Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson, told Kate Hawkesby that while it is dependent on other factors, the key one is that basically nobody wants a mortgage.  He said it doesn’t help that banks don’t help the borrower, and do things such as switch interest rates, and extend the term of the loan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The suspect in the latest mass shooting in the United States is still on the run.  At least 18 people in the city of Lewiston in the state of Maine are dead, and a further 13 are injured. Police are hunting 40-year-old Robert Card, who is believed to be armed and dangerous.   There's a "shelter in place" order for residents and two neighbouring towns.   Portland Press Herald lead reporter Marla Hoffman told Hawkesby that these places are small town America, and it's unfathomable to think it's happening there.   She says it's broad daylight now and people are very scared and in shock.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes Christmas will bring businesses a cash bounce.  The latest Retail NZ sales index —for the third quarter— shows many retailers sat in a holding pattern before the election.   59% reported increasing prices and just 57% felt confident their businesses would survive the next year.  Business NZ CEO, Kirk Hope, told Kate Hawkesby that there’s a lot more certainty after the election.  He said that there is a very clear pathway for businesses and a lot more clarity around what policy is going to be.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Further concern about the state of Wellington City Council's books as it agrees to a new budget for the Town Hall.  The council agreed to approve up to $147-million towards the redevelopment, an expense which could bring the total up to $329-million.  The heritage-listed building has been closed to the public for the past decade for quake-strengthening.  Wellington Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Simon Arcus worries this could impact rates or other projects.  He says they've raised concerns about debt for a long time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve got to think there’s something very rotten in the state of the public service in this country that they’re carrying on —in some quarters where they know full well they’re getting cancelled— that they’re carrying on hiring people, working on projects, spending money, commissioning work.   Why? They’re not going anywhere. Three Waters, light rail, Let’s get Wellington Moving... why are people on these projects persevering when they must know it’s over? They’re gone, surely the spending stops. It’s reckless and wasteful, and smacks of a deluded sense of entitlement that they can carry on in the false belief —or maybe just arrogance— that wasting taxpayers' money on contracts and outlay trumps the reality, which is they’re toast.   Give it up. Stop already. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent on things that will be completely irrelevant and non-existent. There is a guy, as we know from yesterday, at Three Waters hiring people. What a waste of time and money.   This is another problem with dela

New Zealand's Government has made further public comment on the conflict in Israel and Gaza.   Outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, in consultation with incoming Prime Minister Chris Luxon, has joined international calls for humanitarian corridors in Gaza and designated safe areas.   Honorary Consul for Israel, Henri Eliot, told Kate Hawkesby that what's missing is the New Zealand government recognising Hamas as a terrorist organisation.   He says the hostages still being held in Gaza aren't being talked about enough.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.