Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

New research shows rural kids are less likely to gain University Entrance than urban counterparts.   An Auckland University study's found rural students had a 15% lower university entrance rate, creating barriers for them to get into courses like medicine.   Area Schools Association President Louisa Barham told Kate Hawkesby that it doesn't surprise her or concern her.  She said that there’s a difference in pathways and curriculum between urban and rural schools, as the environment influences what is focused on and what students are likely to do once completing their education.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m just not sure how —in this day and age— we’re still doing hazing rituals at Uni initiations.   I know it’s huge in America, but like all the US’s bad habits, why’s it come here? It seems particularly prevalent in Otago. So far this week we’ve heard of horrific initiations, one involving biting the legs off a live duck, I mean I can’t even believe we’re saying that in a sentence it’s so barbaric.   The other one being where two students allegedly got told to strip down to their underwear only to be called “piggies”. It was reported they were told “to strip to their underwear and stand in the centre of the room while 30 men and women watched on.” The second-year students who’d asked them to do this, then ‘used marker pens to circle parts of the young women’s bodies deemed to be “fat” and called them “the piggies” during the evening.’   I mean how is this happening in 2023? How is this possible that women could do this to other women? The idea was to humiliate them, which was very effective. It’s disgusting.

The death toll in the Middle East conflict continues to rise.  A thousand Israeli people have died since Hamas' surprise attack, while retaliatory attacks in Gaza have killed more than 800.  Up to 150 Israelis are believed to be held hostage currently, with Hamas saying it won't negotiate over them 'until the end of the battle'.  US President Joe Biden will address the American people shortly about the conflict.  Washington Post Foreign Affairs Columnist, Ishaan Tharoor, told Kate Hawkesby that there are questions of how Biden defuses a crisis like this — one which potentially may reach a scale never seen before.  He says he'll have to articulate some form of vision beyond his already pledged 'unwavering support'.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on.  Israel's death toll has surpassed 1000 people since Hamas' attack, while more than 800 are dead in Gaza following retaliatory strikes.  Up to 150 Israelis are being held hostage currently.  Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni told Kate Hawkesby that they're waiting on the next steps and will provide humanitarian support when the opportunity arises.  She says those kinds of measures take time, but New Zealand is always quick to provide support and will do so when possible.  US President Joe Biden will address the American people about the conflict shortly.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think what stood out for me yesterday when Chris Hipkins was in the studio with Mike for a couple of hours, was how relaxed Hipkins was.   As the two hours slipped by, he seemed to get more relaxed, leaning back in his chair more and more, taking it easy. I wondered if the Coke Zero hadn’t kicked in, or maybe he was just tired, or maybe he’s just given up.   I mean don’t get me wrong, I thought he came across well, I think relaxed is good. But I was interested to hear what he backs about his government, and what he was less proud of. MIQ, the debt still owed to them over that and their handling of how to manage that, he thinks they could’ve done that better or differently.   As an Aucklander who felt like they got locked down for way too long I can tell you from where I sit, I’d have liked to think he would have felt they could have handled that better. He didn’t mention any regrets around slow procurement of PPE or RAT tests or locking Kiwis out of their own country for so long, or having the borders shut

It's thought that up to 1,300 have died in the conflict between Israel and Hamas so far.  Around 800 Israeli people have been killed since the Palestinian militant group launched its attack, and almost 500 have died in Gaza after Israel retaliated.  It's thought up to 100 Israeli citizens have been taken hostage.  Israel is cutting off all electricity, food, and fuel to the Gaza Strip.  Victoria University international relations expert, Alexander Bukh grew up in Israel.  He told Kate Hawkesby that citizens are in a state of shock and pain.  Bukh says the Israeli Government is punishing Hamas and unfortunately Palestinian civilians also living in Gaza.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pleas from Massey University's science faculty seem to have fallen on deaf ears.  The university is forecasting a loss of more than $50 million, well up from last year's deficit of around $8.8 million.  It plans to slash around 100 science jobs and stop teaching engineering at Albany.  Tertiary Education Union organiser Ben Schmidt told Kate Hawkesby that Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas seems determined to push through with it.  He says she needs to slow down, listen to staff and work for better funding, maintaining these services and access to education.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the many things that are hopefully on the new government’s radar come October 15 is the state of our cities.   I mean yes our communities and our suburbs are in dire straits too getting ravaged by crime and unruly gangs in many places, but our CBDs are a mess - they’re unsavoury places.   They don’t feel safe anymore. I get people messaging me every day about the CBD, particularly Auckland, and what a mess it is, or how embarrassed they are of it. Which is a shame because parts of it are really cool.   There are cute little precincts and awesome little shopping areas which have been hijacked by dickheads and losers.   Two messages I got just this week, from two completely different people, travelling in Australia at the moment.   The first one said, “In Sydney, not a road cone in sight, streets are clean, everyone looks lovely, don’t feel unsafe at all, city is buzzing, Michael Hill don’t have security guards.. didn’t realise how bad NZ was til we left.”   Another one said, “Hi Kate I’m in Sydney. What

Calls have come for New Zealand to use its voice as a war breaks out in the Middle East.   Dozens are believed to have been captured by Palestinian militant group Hamas which has launched an attack on Gaza.  The Government says more than 600 Israelis have been killed in attacks from Gaza.  It's believed that as many as 100 soldiers and civilians were kidnapped when Palestinian fighters crossed the border and raided communities. Palestinian officials say retaliatory Israeli air strikes have killed at least 370 people in the Gaza Strip, with 2,200 wounded.  Democracy Project Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller says it was appropriate for Chris Hipkins to condemned the attacks.  He says there was no condemnation in the Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta's earlier statement.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Deputy Leader Nicola Willis is defending the party warning of a second election. The party has ramped up efforts to keep New Zealand First out of the mix - warning there's a growing possibility National wouldn't be able to get a deal done. Willis told Kate Hawkesby there's always a risk they won't get enough support. She says a lot of people already believe there's going to be a change - but they have to vote. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we reflect on the —let’s be frank— end of this government’s tenure, I can’t help thinking about all the stuff they dropped the ball on, that I wonder if they regret.   Mental health, the $1.9 billion none of us know where it is. Light rail. Child poverty. Kiwibuild, a tangible disaster. Not taking the country with them when they had a majority, an unheard of opportunity to take us with them, and they blew it.   The MIQ shenanigans, the shutting of the borders for so long, the crime levels, the co-governance, three waters, they had so much promise, and they just dropped the ball on it all. Too many consultants, too many reviews, too many ministers with scandals and issues that saw them off one by one, just too much chaos.   But I wonder if we only feel acutely about the stuff that affects us directly. I was in the car yesterday and heard a caller ring Kerre when she had Hipkins on. He had a question for the PM, who was sitting in his hotel room, doing the interview over Zoom. But this guy sounded really mad

Pay equity for care and support workers has been halted.  Te Whatu Ora's called for a review as the claim process nears the end, much to the disappointment of unions and employers.  Aged Care Association Chief Executive, Katherine Rich told Kate Hawkesby that she believes the health agency halted the process as the cost was more than anticipated.  She says they're calling foul as it impacts the most vulnerable and lowly-paid workers in the sector.  Te Whatu Ora says the review seeks further assurance on specific technical questions, and once answered they'll progress to the next stage.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown's mayor is raising concerns over the country's water supply crackdown.  Water regulator Taumata Arowai has sent a letter to 27 councils lacking in a sufficient protozoa barrier, informing them they have till mid next year to get a plan in place.  Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers told Kate Hawkesby that when it comes to enforcement, the regulator has teeth, with fines and jail time both being a possibility.   He believes he's under-mining the industry they're trying to regulate.   He says rates will likely increase as councils compete for resources, which have largely been sucked out of the country thanks to Queenstown's cryptosporidium infection outbreak.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bumper summer is expected ahead of the cruise ship season.  A total of 54 ships will make 1,000 visits to New Zealand shores this season, expecting to bring around 350,000 passengers.  Kaikōura and Bluff both have forward bookings, and Lyttelton is back on the calendar following upgrades.  But Tourism Holding Limited CEO Grant Webster warns that infrastructure issues will eventually come into play.  He says we need a quality international cruise port, and we'll lose the cruise ships to Australia if we don't invest in that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m rallying the troops at the moment to early vote.   By troops I mean family members, but also anyone who’ll listen. So far I think just my husband, my sister and I have early voted. Others are waiting til the last minute. I’m not sure what might happen last minute that could change your mind, short of a scandal of some kind I guess. But you either like the direction the country is going and want to keep it this way, or you don’t.   At the heart of it we’re essentially voting for change or more of the same. My concern is the short memories of Kiwis as I said the other day, and how many will try to justify pepper potting their vote around like some kind of MMP pick and mix. That’ll only end in tears, probably mine if Winston has anything to do with it.   I do worry about people’s understanding of how government works that they want to appoint a troublemaker to the mix and think that’ll elicit change for this country, It won’t. it’ll just elicit chaos. And surely we’ve had enough of that. But, democracy is de

Marlborough residents could be in for an expensive few years, with millions more needed for road repairs than first thought.   Fixing the flood damaged transport system is expected to cost $74 million more, totalling $234 million.  Marlborough District Council Chief Executive Mark Wheeler told Kate Hawkesby that their cost estimates were cautious but reflect the current reality.  He says construction cost, inflation, and contractor shortages have also added to the expense.  Wheeler says rates are expected to rise by 10%, assuming Waka Kotahi provides financial assistance.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is tipped to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.5% when it comes up for review this afternoon.  Westpac's Kelly Eckhold told Kate Hawkesby that a change is unlikely so close to an election.  However, she said, the markets are looking at a 50-60% rate increase in November, earlier than the Reserve Bank had previously indicated.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year of wet weather has taken its toll on some in the veggie industry.   New data from NIWA shows that in September, areas like Otago, Southland, Canterbury, Wairarapa, and Auckland received well above normal rainfall.  But last month was also the warmest September on record.   Leaderbrand Chief Executive, Richard Burke told Kate Hawkesby that recent rainfall has been difficult.   He says it's been the hardest 18 months they've seen from the growers right through to sales, with outages and a lack of product.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I come to you today with – fingers crossed – great news.   I say fingers crossed because let’s hope it lasts, I don’t want to be accused of speaking too soon, but I’m hearing reports that Auckland airport is on the improve. For starters, it’s opened an express lane. Very heartened by the headline yesterday which read, “Auckland Airport trials screening Express Lane to cut down unacceptable wait times”. I mean is that not music to all of our ears?   I was reading a text to you guys yesterday about the listener who had paid extra to fly home via Christchurch airport purely to avoid travelling through Auckland. We’ve been aghast at the number of messages, emails, texts and complaints from people saying how chaotic Auckland airport is. How long it takes, how shambolic it is, how disorganised... not enough staff, staff who don’t know what they’re doing, lack of communication, just general mayhem. And this has been going on for months. So if they’re onto sorting that already, fantastic.   Because don’t forget Greg

It was too good an opportunity to pass up.  Auckland Council has spent more than $12 million expanding its Botanical Gardens.   It's bought 1.6 hectares, the size of two soccer pitches, on Hill Road in Manurewa.   More than 10 million dollars of the purchase price will be funded by debt.  Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor, Daniel Newman, says he lobbied hard for the purchase.   He knows money's tight, but this was the only time they could buy this particular parcel of land.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.