Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A warning has come that kiwis in their 30's are set to run out of cash less than four years into their retirement.The findings are based on people who are currently in ‘balanced’ KiwiSaver funds, earning the average wage, have average household expenditure as well as having the ‘average’ KiwiSaver balance.Essentially working off the model that we will retire at 65 and go back to work at  68, according to these figures.Better Saver founder and chief executive, Joe Taylor, has run the numbers and joined Kate Hawkesby.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a lot to unpack with Simon Henry and his attempt at an apology to Nadia Lim. I don’t know if two minutes on the radio will do justice to how much there is to unpack here, it may need a counsellor with a lot of time on their hands to help Simon get to the bottom of what on earth is going on with him, suffice to say, it’s embarrassing. I mean why’d he even bother? Two lines, in a token email, sent by his office manager, six days after the event, and days after he said he’d apologized. How awkward. The email said, “Please take this letter as my sincere and formal apology for my inappropriate language in relation to you used in the interview.” That’s it. Are you kidding me? You can’t make this stuff up.He also alleged he’d made several attempts to call Lim on her cell phone, but Nadia says she has no missed calls or voicemails, so that’s awkward as well. How a guy this high up the food chain has cocked this up so badly beggars belief, but it also calls into question those around him. Who’s advising this g

News of a full border re-opening is being met with a warm welcome.Our newsroom understands Jacinda Ardern will announce an early border opening for July, three months ahead of schedule.It's also thought the Prime Minister will lay out new immigration settings, favouring high skilled workers.D&L Law Partner Pooja Sundar told Kate Hawkesby says the skill shortage isn't just being affected by people not being able to get in.She says we also have to be concerned with people leaving the country who we haven't been able to replace.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spotlight is turning to other cases at Gloriavale which could be described as forced labour.The Employment Court has ruled three ex-residents were employees from the age of six, not volunteers.It found the work can't be described as chores or education, because of the commercial nature.Gloriavale Leavers Support Trust Manager Liz Gregory told Kate Hawkesby there's now the opportunity for others, with a second case already set down for September.She says it's set a precedent for how future cases are decided.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In another case of theory versus reality, Tourism Minister Stuart Nash is telling us we’re open as a country, but tourism groups and others will tell you – we’re not really.The thing holding us up? The Covid testing regime our government insists on keeping in place. The problem with it is twofold.One, we are one of the few countries left in the world still doing this, and two, it’s bureaucratically heavy and administratively cumbersome. Travel is logistically challenging enough, we don’t need additional barriers and hoops to jump through. I don’t know of anyone who has travelled recently whose come back and had a favourable word to say about it, in fact quite the opposite. They say it’s a nightmare and given that, we’re not really fully ‘open’ are we?Open means door open, come on in, no barriers. This is more a case of – hey we’re open but if you could just get this supervised Covid test, download this result, add this app, load it in there, send it to the other app, keep a QR code handy, take these RAT’s for

Unmanaged emergency housing facilities are said to be causing significant social issues in Rotorua.A council committee meeting has revealed a third of family harm calls each week in the city, are to emergency housing motels.District Councillor Tania Tapsell told Kate Hawkesby the Government promised to find a better system a year ago - but they're still waiting for action.She says people and families are suffering, many of whom are likely to be escaping domestic violence - and the Government needs to do better.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been revealed nearly fifty percent of our jobs were protected by the Government’s wage subsidies at some point last year.This resulted in less people losing their jobs during the pandemic and less businesses going under.But now, as wage subsidies are gone and businesses need to fend for themselves again, one economist says we could see a wave of "zombie" businesses closing.Shamubeel Eaqub from Sense Partners joined Kate Hawkesby.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The construction industry is ageing more quickly than new people coming on board.The Government's Apprenticeship Boost scheme, which supports trades training programmes, will now run until the end of next year.The funding goes towards trades training programmes, and will support an additional 24,000 apprentices.Construction Industry Council Chair Graham Burke told Kate Hawkesby it's a good start but it won't fix the skills shortage.He says the number of people retiring is increasing at a rapid pace.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So just when I was giving them the benefit of the doubt, the Government showed its true colours again yesterday and went back to its head in the sand approach. They’re not soft on crime after all, according to them. I thought all this money being thrown at crime was admission crime is a problem, and their dealing with it hasn’t been flash, but alas, wrong. The PM came out and said yesterday nope, they’re not soft on crime. She also denied this funding announcement was a rushed reaction to bad polls and bad headlines.As for Poto Williams, yesterday she was bluffing her way around what they’re doing about ram raids, she didn’t sound any clearer than she did when she first announced it. Essentially, they’re not sure how they’re going to help businesses deal with ram raiders, but they’ll consult. Of course they will. As for whether they’re soft on crime, she was singing from the same song sheet as the Prime Minster. When it was put to her that a Newshub poll showed 70% of New Zealanders think they're soft on crim

A former community constable says the youth committing ram raids lack respect for their family units.More than $562 million has been promised over four years for more frontline police, a new firearms unit and a package for businesses to protect themselves. Manukau Ward councillor Alf Filipaina told Kate Hawkesby it's a good start, and he's looking forward to seeing its implementation.“We’ve seen the disrespect for not only the family unit at a very young age and also to Police and authority; we’ve seen that happen over many years.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Very pleased to see a crackdown on crime coming in the form of some dollars and sense from the government. The sense to finally recognise we have a major problem with crime in this country. $562 million in funding over four years will see a long-overdue increase in Police numbers and plans to tackle gang violence. More Police is a no brainer and should've happened ages ago, but I’m interested in how they tangibly expect to crack down on gang crime. Because it’s rife now and embedded in virtually every corner of this country. The Police have also announced a new crackdown coming for gangs starting in June, but it raises a few questions. First of all, why would they make a gang crackdown public and essentially give gangs a month or two’s notice? Secondly, what actually does ‘increasing focus on unlawful behaviour’ entail? I mean is that simply a surveillance thing? They’ll watch the gangs and start monitoring what they’re up to? Part of yesterday’s release on tackling gang violence said money would include exte

Allied health workers say they're fed up being overworked and underpaid.They're set to begin industrial action today before a full 24-hour strike next week.After 18 months of negotiations, the Employment Relations Authority made a recommendation last week, which DHBs are yet to act on.PSA organiser Will Matthews told Kate Hawkesby a lot of these workers could head overseas if a new offer isn't put on the table.“We have people being actively targeted by Australian health agencies who can offer tens of thousands of dollars more, even as a starting rate, than an Allied health worker can ever hope to earn in New Zealand.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharks 29Warriors 10One step forward, two big steps back for the Warriors.After their win last week, an unwanted pattern continued on Sunday, with a truly baffling performance against Cronulla as they slumped to an awful 29-10 defeat, despite the Sharks playing more than an hour with only 12 men.Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy was dismissed in the 16th minute, after a terrible high tackle on Reece Walsh, and that should have been a game-changing moment.It was – but for the wrong team. The home side were inspired, digging deep in a magnificent display, even proving resolute when they were down to 11 men for a 10-minute period in the second half, and becoming the first team to win with 12 men against 13 since 2008.In contrast, the Warriors were a muddle; falling short in effort and execution and being let down by a number of poor decisions and a lack of patience.Their attack was too often laboured, and they tried to go east to west too often before they had gone north.The lack of composure and leadership was a w

How much longer will the United Kingdom remain "united"?Sinn Féin is calling for a referendum on the reunification of Ireland and Northern Ireland, following its shock success at the Northern Irish election over the weekend.It's won the most seats of any party in the Northern Irish Assembly, a first for a nationalist party.UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Kate Hawkesby that while the UK government is ruling out a vote for now, there's now mounting pressure for change.“Make no mistake. With the Scottish National Party winning seats in Scotland, it’s Scotland and Northern Ireland that is threatening to break away from the United Kingdom.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queen Elizabeth II will miss the traditional royal garden party season, where she would normally meet with hundreds of people on the grounds of her residences in London and Edinburgh, palace officials said.The 96-year-old monarch will be represented instead by other members of her family, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.Before the pandemic, the queen invited over 30,000 people each year to the gardens of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.The guests, who have all served their community in different ways, have the opportunity to speak with the queen and other royal family members at the parties.The parties were set to return for the first time in three years starting next week.The monarch has missed several major events this year and has been carrying out online engagements instead. She spent a night in the hospital in October and only conducted light duties for several months on her doctors' orders.In March, the queen attended a service honouring the life of her late husband,

More staff is needed to help reduce growing violence at Christchurch Hospital's emergency department.Research in the New Zealand Medical Journal says each and every staff member has experienced the abuse.Emergency medicine specialist Dr John Bonning says more resource is needed across the health sector to reduce waiting times.He told Kate Hawkesby they've produced hospital access targets like shorter stays -  but that requires the whole system buying in.Bonning says with the transition into the new health authorities from July - it's still unknown what that means for those on the frontline.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How would you feel about investing your KiwiSaver in Bitcoin?A KiwiSaver scheme is launching the world's second carbon neutral cryptocurrency fund.Koura is launching new specialty funds that will invest in Bitcoin and offset carbon emissions through purchasing carbon offsets.Founder and managing director of Koura Rupert Carlyon joined Kate Hawkesby.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are  hopes newly-approved Auckland cycleway extensions will provide safety for city commuters.Plans for more than $300 million in funding was endorsed by the Auckland Council yesterday.Bike Auckland Chair Tony Mitchell told Kate Hawkesby when you look at major cities like London and Paris - it's clear people don't get on their bikes unless it's safe to do so.He says the main issue with cycleways in the super city is a lack of safety, and people are dying while trying to commute.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was out in Auckland city last night - which if you know me, you know is extremely rare on a weeknight for me to be out anywhere, far less the CBD. But I was driving through downtown Auckland with my kids in the car and I couldn't believe how heaving town was for a Thursday night.Bars and restaurants full, people sitting cheek by jowl at tables both inside and out on the street, it was buzzing. I said to my kids, "look at this! Town's on fire!" and my very wise 22 year old son said, "Mum, you just wait, past 8 o'clock you do not want to be in here, it gets as rough as guts."Luckily I didn't plan on being in town past 8pm, but I knew he was right. Once the post work drinks and dinner crowd go home, Auckland's CBD transforms into a pretty unsavoury place. And I note even during the day it's getting untenable for some retailers.Clothing store Huffer said this week that Auckland’s just not safe anymore, which anyone who lives in Auckland knows. From guns going off, to ram raids, to violent crime, to the CBD full

Talk of the aged-care sector cannibalising itself.Survey results from 17 industry Chief Executives show more than two thirds say it's likely they'll have to stop or restrict admissions in the next year.Facility closures could be on the cards too - with more than a third saying it's likely.Radius Care's Michael Parker told Kate Hawkesby staffing shortages are playing a part.He says there's a lot of churn within the industry - with no new nurses coming in.Parker says the sector's in a perfect storm with Covid, immigration settings, and historical under-funding also.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.