Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Hurricane Ian's most damaging winds have begun hitting Florida's southwest coast, lashing the state with heavy rain and pushing a devastating storm surge after strengthening to the threshold of the most dangerous Category 5 status. Fueled by warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Ian grew to a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane overnight with top winds of 250km/h, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm trudged on a track that would have it making landfall north of the heavily populated Fort Myers area, which forecasters said could be inundated by a storm surge of up to 5.5m. People walk where water is receding out of Tampa Bay due to a negative surge ahead of Hurricane Ian. Photo / Steve Helber, AP "This is going to be a nasty nasty day, two days," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said, stressing that people in Ian's path along the coast should rush to the safest possible shelter and stay there. Ian menaced Florida after bringing destruction Tuesday to western Cuba, where two people were reported dead an

Questions have been asked as to whether health policies are backed by the latest science. That's what researchers are asking as they call on the Government to improve the way health policy makers are informed. The 'Healthier Lives National Science Challenge' group wants systems put in place to ensure health policy makers have access to robust, up to date scientific evidence. They also want mechanisms for prioritising issues. Head of AUT’s Public Health department Dr. Heather Came joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Children's Commissioner believes there are complex reasons behind youth participation in ram raids. Of a group of 63, more than 95 percent first came to Police attention through a family harm event. Judge Frances Eivers says we can’t ignore the fact that for some mokopuna involved in ram raids, their home may be chaotic, unstable, and possibly even dangerous. She says it's important we focus on a holistic approach where whanau and community, including iwi and Police, work collaboratively to wrap support around these youth who might be more at risk. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A landlord wrote to me the other day saying how many more tenants these days are applying for rentals, and on the application form are putting under proof of income, ‘WINZ’. Her point was, since when was a WINZ benefit, which is supposed to be a short term solution for people in difficult circumstances, since when has that become an income? It’s supposed to be a benefit, which you’re on for a short time. But she was saying how many single mums with only one or two kids are going into four bedroom homes courtesy of a government grant or benefit, and that perhaps the real housing crisis lies in the fact too many rentals are being subsidised by government benefits, which allow small no income families to go into large homes that they actually don’t need. And then we hear about the solo dad who said the other day that WINZ actually don’t want to help you get off the benefit. A “Bay of Plenty father with four kids aged four to 10 told Newshub he started looking for part-time work a few months ago…” He has.. “a bac

A wine grower says more seasonal workers shows the Government is listening to the industry's concerns. It's increased the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme by 3,000 more workers this year - the biggest increase in a decade. The Government's also requiring employers provide the workers sick leave. Wine Growers Chief Executive Philip Gregan told Kate Hawkesby it won't solve labour issues, but will make a big difference. He says they're trying to balance RSE and Working Holidaymaker numbers - but don't know how many people on a working holiday will arrive. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine is accusing Russia of carrying out a "terrorist attack" on two major gas pipelines into Europe. Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Kate Hawkesby the Nord Stream One and Two have been damaged and have begun leaking off the coast of Denmark, creating the risk of an explosion. “The Russians say they know nothing about it, the EU says it’s too early to draw conclusions but other world leaders are beginning to point sabotage and blaming Russia.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Kiwi company has secured exclusive shelf space. Everblue is the only New Zealand-made haircare brand to be stocked, despite launching just over a year ago. Chief Operating Officer, Renee Lee told Kate Hawkesby going in with a strong pitch was key. “They don’t want heaps of different brands playing in the same space, they want to find the absolute best brand and get the absolute best deal for their customers. It was really important for them to also work with local businesses.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Act Party Leader David Seymour has faith Chris Luxon can turnaround his preferred Prime Minister numbers. The latest 1News Kantar Poll shows the National Party is in the popularity lead at 37 percent, compared to Labour on 34. But the preferred Prime Minister rankings aren't as rosy for the Nats, with Luxon on 21 percent and Jacinda Ardern on 30 percent. Seymour told Kate Hawkesby Luxon has a year to get better, whereas Ardern has probably peaked. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think they’re going to have to start offering danger money to work in a jewellery store these days. These clowns in hoods and masks, they’re probably just teenagers trying it on, but they’re armed, they’re yelling at people as they smash up glass cases and demand jewellery, and that must be terrifying if you’re working in a mall not knowing how it could all end up. Hamilton shoppers witnessed not just one, but two smash and grabs in one day at the weekend. Broad daylight, busy shopping areas, armed robbers these days do not care. They don’t care how busy the mall is, how packed the shop might be, how many witnesses are there, they just go in anyway. Witnesses said some in the group of robbers looked as young as 13. Retailers, shoppers, the public, we’ve all been saying it’s not long before someone gets injured or worse; so how bad does it have to get? Some of the young children who witnessed all this in Hamilton were traumatised and wanted to go back home to Northland. And that’s a problem too – how do you

Employers are getting creative as they fight to attract workers in our tight job market. Flexi-work, work-from-home, sign-on bonuses, extra weeks holidays are all on offer as companies scramble to fill job vacancies. Restaurateur Michele Passarello, owner of Paraparaumu based restaurant Passo has gone one step above, offering not only free accommodation and increased wages but a shared profit scheme to his employees, he joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are being encouraged to ditch filters on social media this Mental Health Awareness Week. Netsafe and global movement Bodyright are joining to combat photo retouching and body dysmorphia. They're launching an initiative called #beyourselfie. Bodyright spokesperson and psychologist Sara Chatwin joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Someone messaged me yesterday and said I feel sorry for you Aucklanders with your mayoral candidates being so lame – you have the choice of two frontrunners – neither of whom sound up to much. And it’s true. It’s a pretty average line up. I think I’ve rationalized it in terms of viewing it as voting for a direction not a person. I care about my city, like many of us, and it breaks my heart what’s happened to Auckland over the past few years. It’s a shambles. Violence, crime, ram raids, burglaries, homelessness, vandalism, it’s not the vibrant city it once felt like. It doesn’t feel safe, the suburbs feel under constant threat from rampant feral bored teenagers, the CBD is a mess, the roads are clogged, the public transport doesn’t move as efficiently as it should, once a city of sails, it’s turned into a city of fails.   So given that, I would’ve thought more and more Aucklanders would be more exercised to get out vote at local body elections. I’d have thought we’d be paying more attention to the race and kno

For those looking for a job, McDonald’s might just have the answer for you. Tomorrow the fast-food chain is holding walk in interviews at its restaurants with 2000 jobs up for grabs. McDonald’s New Zealand Managing Director Kylie Freeland joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business leaders feel the Government isn't listening. The NZ Herald's annual Mood of the Boardroom survey has found chief executives and senior directors' confidence in the Government's leadership in falling. They have scored Jacinda Ardern just 1.61 out of five when it comes to building confidence with the business community. Business NZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope told Kate Hawkesby the Government is pushing ahead with things like fair pay agreements, which are the exact opposite of what businesses want. He says they want more flexibility when it comes to employee relations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vladimir Putin's threat of using nuclear weapons hasn't phased Ukrainians fighting for their country. Tom Mutch, a New Zealand journalist in Ukraine, told Kate Hawkesby people no longer see Putin as the threat he once was. He says Russia has lost so many soldiers, weapons and territory, so people in Ukraine aren't scared of Putin anymore. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think Grant Robertson hit something of an own goal this week complaining that he needs more security and that politicians are under more pressure these days out on the streets. People have hurled insults at him and there was a threat of a lamington being thrown. Other MPs say they don’t have these issues and they consider being out and about on the streets a key part of interacting with the community. Now for Robertson, I get that he’s a recognizable and familiar face, he’s more likely as Finance Minister to be held responsible for a lot of the pressures facing Kiwis right now. But former Labour Party chief of staff Mike Munro even admitted on the show yesterday that Robertson may just be being a bit sensitive here. I think if he’s paving the way for a 'woe is me' approach and some sympathy come election year, it’s a bad move. The most common text we received yesterday was that it’s a bit rich for politicians flanked by cops to be crying foul on people yelling abuse at them, when there are dairy owners and

A reminder for Aucklanders to cast their vote, as the race for the mayoralty closes in. A Ratepayers' Alliance-Curia poll shows centre-right candidate Wayne Brown in the lead at 28 percent - up eight points. Efeso Collins, who has the support of Labour and the Greens, is up four points but falling slightly behind at 26 percent. Viv Beck withdrew from the race during the polling period, but still has 10 percent. Brown told Kate Hawkesby he and Collins are offering voters a clear choice. “This year we’ve got a real choice of someone who wants to spend more and someone who wants to spend less.” LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A very special robot will begin operating this week to help cure brain cancer. Wellington teenager Jemima Gazley raised money for the 'Jem-Bot' as she was dying from an aggressive brain tumour late last year. It will eliminate human error and speed up the work of testing drugs on tumours by 400 times. Jemima's dad Oliver Gazley joined Early Edition. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A property expert says banks are aiding and abetting housing speculation and thereby contributing to the housing crisis. Auckland University's Dr Michael Rehm says when it comes to speculation, banks take a more relaxed view towards lending to residential property investors than commercial buyers. And he says the banks are benefiting from that. Rehm says compared to countries like the United States, a huge amount of New Zealand's market is residential investment property. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, Queensland authorities will be reviewing DNA samples linked to major crimes.  This is over concerns over miscarriage of justice.  According to Australian correspondent, Donna Demaio, thousands of cases may need to be re-investigated. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.