Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Very different campaign launches by the two major parties over the weekend.   Chris Hipkins launched Labour's in Auckland on Saturday, with the promise of free basic dental care for those under 30 by 2030.  The following day, in the same city, Chris Luxon went with an eight-point pledge card to voters, but no new policy.  Newstalk ZB Political editor Jason Walls told Kate Hawkesby Luxon didn't want to take the focus away from the party's just-released tax plan.  But he says people are starting to poke holes in it.  Walls says the issue of the foreign buyers' tax has started to rear its head, and Luxon and finance spokesperson Nicola Willis have had to answer many questions about that.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am on what seems a never-ending quest to find a good fruit and vege supplier - and it’s not the supermarket. I’m so sick of soft old apples and wilted lettuce on supermarket shelves, I’m hankering for a good farmers market vibe to get fresh produce into the house. I’ve tried many of the online ones, the companies who purport to pick it fresh that morning and deliver straight to your door. But so far not great, they’re average, but not as fresh as you might hope. Bit hit and miss. You may get a dodgy bunch of bananas and a questionable cucumber, the salad greens are OK - but it’s consistency I’m looking for. My husband and I often talk about growing our own, the problem though with country living is that unless you have a greenhouse or a raised covered vege bed, you’re going to get attacked by pests. My parents raised their vege gardens on Waiheke, then put extra fencing around them, the rabbits still found a way in. A whole family of them. Any rural vege patch is usually taken over by small furry (un

The review into New Zealand Rugby is being labelled a step in the right direction.   It found rugby unions constitution and structures 'are not fit for purpose in the modern era.'  And there's questions being raised of how to ensure change is made moving forward.   New Zealand Rugby Players' Association CEO Rob Nichol joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand is expected to follow suit and ditch expiry dates on Covid travel credits. Qantas is removing the expiration dates for the credits that were due to run out at the end of the year. Customers with these credits can request a cash refund, while Jetstar customers can use their vouchers for flights indefinitely. Aviation commentator, Irene King, told Kate Hawkesby copying the idea would make a lot of sense. She says it's a competitive market, particularly across the Tasman, so we're going to see change. LISTEN ABOVE     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conflicting reports have emerged of how business owners are feeling about the state of the economy.  ANZ's latest business outlook survey shows business confidence has lifted another nine points in August, with inflationary expectations down.  But, Canterbury Business Chamber CEO Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby they've done their own survey - which paints a different picture.  She says 58 percent of businesses expect the economy to get moderately or significantly worse, compared with just 39 percent last quarter.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricane Idalia has thrashed Florida’s Gulf Coast, sparking the evacuation of millions of residents as they hunker down for a surge of tidal water.  At least two storm-related deaths have been reported.  US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Kate Hawkesby says more than 300,000 residents in Florida and Georgia are without power.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A foodbank owner says National's tax plan does a lot for middle income earners, but not much for those really struggling.  It's promising a $14.6 billion package - adjusting income tax brackets for inflation and expanding tax credits.   Community leader David Letele told Kate Hawkesby if we can help people, we should.  He says they're seeing more and more starving children, and some who haven't gone to school since March because they're in emergency housing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So the Nat’s tax plan – is good – and we know it’s good for two reasons, one, because of all the positive feedback it’s had, and two, because of how ropeable the Government are about it.   They are dark on it because they know they’ve been badly exposed here, by a sensible party doing sensible things, which reeks of common sense.   It reminds us just what common sense feels like - a distant memory for most of us politically these days let’s be honest.   But the left are increasingly angry – they’re on the ropes and you can feel it.  They’re alleging all sorts of crazy and negative claims against the right, they’re starting to look unhinged. Cue the government’s cheerleaders stage left - the Unions.   Now here’s where this whole thing’s going to come unstuck and it’s all going to backfire on them.   Yesterday the CTU launched an attack ad on Luxon – by mistake, it apparently got launched early by mistake.   But it was a digital billboard with a big close-up picture of an angry looking Luxon, with the caption,

KiwiSaver investments in companies that cause social and environmental harm have reached a record high.  Charity Mindful Money has found 8.9 percent of KiwiSaver funds go into companies the public generally want to avoid.  Mindful Money Chief Executive, Barry Coates, told Kate Hawkesby climate change is a major concern, but investment in fossil fuels by KiwiSaver is at a record high.  He says they're worried about climate change, animal cruelty, and human rights.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our national health service is being accused of structural imbalance.   New documents reveal Te Whatu Ora's contractor workforce may not have earned their high wages.   The number of contractors has dropped from more than 1,000 to just over 600 - after the audit found significant deficiencies in the agency's recruitment processes.  The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Kate Hawkesby bringing 20 DHBs together was always going to be challenging.   She says the agency has things the wrong way round and the focus needs to be on clinical services.  Dalton says health professionals should be allowed to drive the system.     LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour announced yesterday that ‘bottom trawling and Danish seining will be banned in most of the Hauraki Gulf as part of a plan to better protect the 1.2-million-hectare marine park.’   They have four options going for public consultation next week, one of them stipulating that ‘bottom-trawling would be banned from 89 per cent of the Gulf. Currently, 27 per cent of the Gulf is closed to bottom trawling and Danish seining fishing methods.’   Bottom trawling involves dragging weighted nets over the seafloor to catch fish.   Danish seining, I had to look up because I had no idea what that was, but it’s apparently ‘similar to a small trawl net, but the wire warps are much longer and there are no otter boards. The seine boat drags the warps and the net in a circle around the fish. The motion of the warps herds the fish into the central net,’ according to Wikipedia.   So is the Government’s announcement yesterday of looking to ban this in most of the Hauraki Gulf, too little too late though?   Because we have a ma

The Government is expected to announce a mental health co-response model between Police and health today.   Psychologist Sara Chatwin says it's a nice notion, but when it comes to mental health you need to tread lightly.  Chatwin joined Kate Hawkesby on Early Edition. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fears have come that new legalisation aimed at taxing multinational companies that provide digital services might not be as effective as hoped.   The Government has unveiled the Digital Services Tax, which will slap three percent on New Zealand revenue of companies like Amazon, Meta and Google.  It's expected to bring in $222 million over four years.  However, Tech Commentator Paul Spain told Kate Hawkesby some companies may simply put up their New Zealand prices to cover the difference.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National is expected to make tax bracket changes to keep up with inflation.  It'll unveil its policy in a few hours, with Finance Spokesperson Nicola Willis saying it'll be funded through a mix of spending cuts and "targeted" revenue tools.  She's long talked about the "squeezed middle", meaning as much relief for middle income earners as higher income earners.  Auckland University tax expert Craig Elliffe told Kate Hawkesby changing the brackets is a good idea for middle New Zealand.  He says the fiscal drag caused by inflation means there's more tax on them right now, so it's a sensible signal of a policy.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a lot of sport going on at the moment – school sport I mean - and I’m always amazed at how dedicated and committed parents and volunteer coaches are to these school teams.  Having had kids as players, and later on as coaches, having seen how much work goes into it all, it’s very impressive.   Especially in terrible weather and especially in a cost of living crisis where things like sports gear, shoes and uniforms are not cheap.   Some families are paying a fortune for their kids to do sport – and I’m always amazed at how many prioritise it.   It takes up weekends and evenings too, so it’s very time and finance heavy.   But it’s those sports teams and club games which often spark real enthusiasm for kids, not to mention set them up with a lifetime of friendship or a good foundation for fitness. Both of which are crucial for mental health, so it’s got to be good for them, even if they’re pretty average at it.   I remember when my husband was the girls’ netball manager back in their primary school days,

New Zealand Fashion Week is being refreshed after three years away from the catwalk.  Starting today Kiwi designers will have their talent showcased across more than 50 runway shows, talks, and workshops.  Owner Feroz Ali told Kate Hawkesby this time round there's greater opportunity for the public to see work from a more diverse pool of designers.  Ali says there are a lot more indigenous and emerging designers coming through.   He says the new talent will be shepherded by stewards like Kate Sylvester, who is celebrating 30 years in the local industry.  The event is partnering with Ngāti Whātua.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are fears unemployment could rise as many businesses look to restructure.  Seek's latest report for July shows job ad volumes dropped four percent month-on-month and are 26 percent lower year-on-year.   They're now just one percent higher than in July 2019 - while applications per job have risen by 11 percent - the highest level on record.  Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Strategy Alan McDonald told Kate Hawkesby many businesses are looking to cut costs rather than take on more people.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National says Grant Robertson can't deliver on the savings he's announced by slashing public contractors and consultants' spending.  The Finance Minister says the move will mean savings of almost $4 billion over the next four years.  He's also announced a trimming back of programmes and a limit on future budget allowances.    National Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis told Kate Hawkesby this won't make any difference. She says the Government has thrown billions at growing the bureaucracy and this kind of spending - so it's too little, too late.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Cabinet Minister believes Chris Hipkins has snookered Luxon very cleverly.  The Labour leader has ruled out working with New Zealand First, saying Winston Peters no longer holds policies fit to run the country.  Hipkins has labelled Peters a force of instability and chaos.  Former MP Peter Dunne told Kate Hawkesby that he's reinforced in people's minds that a vote for New Zealand First is a vote for National.  He says National's hand has been forced to make clear whether he'll work with Peters, which could be risky.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report reveals that the majority of New Zealand employers are contributing the minimum 3% towards their employees Kiwi Saver.   The latest Value for Money Report by KiwiSaver watchdog, National Capital, shows the average contribution rate for all New Zealanders is 4.3%.  Director and KiwiSaver expert Clive Fernandes told Kate Hawkesby that based on the average contribution rate, retirement expenses, and inflation the contribution rate average should be 6.3% .   He says the extra money saved now will take a lot more pressure off when it comes to retirement.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.