Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A rural community on the Forgotten World Highway has received high international praise as a tourist destination.Whangamomona is probably most famous for declaring independence from New Zealand over a regional boundary dispute.Well it has been featured on BBC Travel, which has an audience of around 3 million people worldwide.John Herlihy, President of the Republic of Whangamomona, joined Kate Hawkesby.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States is in political uproar over a leaked document from its Supreme Court, which indicates abortion rights are about to be rolled back across much of the country.Overnight the court's Chief Justice, John Roberts, confirmed a draft opinion published by the news website Politico yesterday was "authentic".He described the leak as a "betrayal of the confidences of the court" and "an egregious breach of trust", and said there would be an investigation.The draft, written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, would overrule the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe vs Wade, which has underpinned abortion rights in the US for the past 50 years.Under the precedent set by Roe, and a subsequent decision in the 1992 case Planned Parenthood vs Casey, governments across the US can only ban abortion from the point of "viability" onwards, meaning the time at which a foetus can realistically survive outside the womb. That threshold is reached at about 23 or 24 weeks of pregnancy.Overturning those rulings wo

This Government has an image problem and that may be partially reflected in their poll result.It's the bury the head in the sand approach - 'I reject the premise of the question', nothing to see here.But worse than that now I think, is this push back we're seeing where the Government is gas lighting its critics.If you dare to question co-governance, you are racist.If you criticise a female minister you are sexist.And now, Poto Williams has taken it next level - she's claiming that saying the Government is 'soft on crime' is a gendered issue and an attack on her, because she's female. Are you serious?That one is a such a stretch it's hard to believe she even said it out loud, but then she did also call the Police's handling of the Parliamentary protest "fabulous".That was her word - "fabulous".I can think of a lot of other words to describe how Police handled the Parliamentary protest but 'fabulous' isn’t one of them.But to think that soft on crime is a personal attack on her for being a woman? That's madness.

Today Stats NZ will be releasing unemployment figures for the first quarter.Economists are predicting it will fall to a new record low, just three percent.So with a lack of workers, and wage inflations, what can businesses do?For some in the primary sector, they are using AI, robotics and automation tech to do the jobs instead.Robotics is a kiwi-based world class company in robotics technology.Founder and CEO Steve Saunders joined Kate Hawkesby.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's hard to find any supporters for Trevor Mallard's move against Winston Peters.The Speaker of the House has trespassed Peters from Parliament for two years, - along with former National MP Matt King -  after they visited the anti-mandate occupation in February.A political commentator says it reaffirms Mallard's unfit for the role.Victoria University's Bryce Edwards says it's likely the New Zealand First leader will be launching legal action over the decision.He adds it gives Peters great publicity, and potentially a launching pad for a comeback in the Tauranga by-election.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers have pinned down exactly how much Vitamin C is needed to maximise immune health.New Otago University, Christchurch research has found for every 10kg over the baseline of 60kg a person weighs - their body needs an extra 10 milligrams.That means if you weigh 90 kilos, you need an extra 30 milligrams over the daily 110 milligrams of Vitamin C.Associate Professor Anitra Carr says overweight people may be more susceptible to getting severe Covid, because their Vitamin C levels are lower.She says many don't realise the bigger someone is, the more Vitamin C they should consume. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a rare day I find myself agreeing with Winston Peters, in fact I’d go so far as to say it’s never happened. But given the circumstances of yesterday, I’d have to agree with Winnie; Trevor Mallard has lost the plot. I mean I have actually used those exact words about Trevor Mallard before. When he spent half a million taxpayer dollars on a playground slide at Parliament, when he played the protestors the Macarena and set sprinklers in them, when he made false rape allegations and then used taxpayer money to fund his legal defence.Also when he kept leaping to Ardern’s defence when she was a newly appointed PM and he seemingly thought it was the 1800’s as he constantly spoke on her behalf, all the times he’s thrown people out of the House for no reason other than a pet peeve with them. I mean the list is endless. This guy is well past his use by date and I have no idea how he still gets to be there at all, let alone in charge of anything. If anyone should be banned it should be him. So if you’re not up with

Amber Heard has replaced her entire public relations team.Former husband Johnny Depp is taking her to court in a civil defamation suit.She's said to be frustrated by the negative press she's receiving - coming just days before the star is due to give her testimony in court.Red Banyon PR's Evan Nierman told Kate Hawkesby Heard needs to stay focussed.He says regardless of the trial's outcome - she's going to need proper reputation rehabilitation.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As house prices continue to climb, Kiwibank have set up an alternative to the traditional home ownership model, to help kiwis break into the housing market.Kiwibank say the new "co-own" scheme is hoped to streamline the process of buying into property with friends or family.Mobile mortgage manager at Kiwibank Madeleine Allen joined Kate Hawkesby.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former National party minister says it's risky for politicians to rule things out at any stage.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has ruled out introducing a wealth tax this term or next, if Labour is re-elected.Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Kate Hawkesby if she happens to change approach, the public will question her word.He says sometimes politicians rule something out because the public is worried about it, and if you rule it out then do it anyway, there a real issue from a public trust perspective. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So do we have a big backflip from the PM coming? The Heralds Political Editor Claire Trevett reminded us all yesterday of Ardern’s words regarding a wealth tax during the 2020 election campaign, remember that? It seems not even the PM recalled what she'd said, given she’s now saying something different.  So back in 2020, as Claire reminds us, Ardern not only ruled out a wealth tax - but said she would not allow it to happen while she was PM. Not on her watch, not happening. She was definitive.  Fast forward to yesterday morning when she was asked again - is a wealth tax coming? Well now, now she’s not so sure.  But by yesterday afternoon when asked again, she was back to, "not this term."So does that mean we can expect a wealth tax as part of the 2023 campaign?She certainly didn’t rule it out. She said Labour was “yet to form its tax policy for 2023” which sounds a lot like fudging the answer.But at the moment, on top of David Parker snooping into the IRD info on what taxes the country’s wealthiest are paying

The Warriors were able to bounce back from last week's trouncing to the Melbourne Storm this weekend.This time against the Canberra Raiders, Shaun Johnson once again kicked another golden-point as they came back to win 21-20.Australian sides were successful in this weekend's Super Rugby.Although the Blues, Highlanders and Chiefs were able to get wins over the Force, Fijian Drua and Reds respectively, the Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels recorded victories over the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika over the weekend.Shane van Gisbergen was able to finally get a weekend in Perth.He won 2 out of 3 races at the weekend and is 164 points clear in the standings.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So term goes back today for schools, and as we enter the winter months many seem nervous about colds and flu viruses and winter bugs. But I was hoping that sense would prevail at this point and most would realise that we are a highly vaccinated country, past the peak of the pandemic, and that life returning to normal is actually really important for everyone’s wellbeing and mental health. So it was with disappointment I read an email from our school stating that for this term, they’ve decided to continue with masks.Not even the Ministry of Education is pushing that barrow anymore – they’ve said it’s up to individual schools, essentially that’s the Ministry passing the buck so they don’t have to have any responsibility for it of course. But it’s left schools in the invidious position of 1, trying to please everyone, and 2, do their best for their school community.So what is best? I would've argued at this point of young people’s lives, a return to normality would be a good start. To have fear messaging still b

Major players from the Biden Administration are joining the Prime Minister and other business leaders for the US Business Summit in Auckland today.It's organised by the Auckland Business Chamber and business intelligence firm NZINC.The summit comes as the US is doubling down on efforts to enhance its alliances and partnerships as it sets out its plan to compete with China.NZUS Council Executive Director Jordan Small says told Kate Hawkesby it will be interesting getting US perspectives on current issues as well as hearing from local business owners on how they're faring.“So getting their views and perspectives on how they’re seeing the landscape, where they’re seeing the challenges, where they’re seeing the opportunities will be really valuable.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain's Parliamentary Speaker has ordered a major review of the work culture of the House of Commons after a series of scandals in the past month.Conservative MP Neil Parish has resigned after viewing porn in the Commons Chamber.UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Kate Hawkesby MPs have also been accused of physical assaults and bullying.“I think plenty of people think enough is enough.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is moving into the next stage of our border reopening plan.Vaccinated tourists from around 60 visa waiver countries can now come here, as long as they do Covid pre-departure and arrival tests.Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran told Kate Hawkesby passengers from all over the globe are expected to touch down in the country today.“We’ve got flights coming in from the United States and from Nadi coming in, so about 1000 people arriving today and it’s pretty steady right through.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last couple of years, DoC figures show three out of four kiwis visited outdoor conversation areas like campgrounds and our great walks.It's not all good news though, we're still not as good as protecting the sites as we should be.DoCc's figures show 2 out of 5 visitors to protected areas in the last 2 years noticed damage from others.Tim Bamford, DoC's Heritage and Visitors Director joined Roman Travers.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Families may not be the only ones to blame for a rise in youth crime.There's been a string of retail robberies. with the latest involving four children aged between seven and 12, who were found by police holding stolen toys in a Hamilton mall early yesterday morning.The 11-year-old fell eight metres as they tried to run off, hurting their arm.Glen Innes Family Centre manager, Chris Makoare told Roman Travers the child may be led astray by an older relative or friend.He says someone else is influencing that child, because not every family has no values in the home.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rotorua councillors have been left shocked after one of their own suddenly quit in a fiery exchange with mayor Steve Chadwick.Peter Bentley resigned, effective immediately, in a public council meeting during a discussion about the council's controversial Māori wards bill, which was put on pause just hours later.Other councillors have criticised the mayor's handling of the meeting.Chadwick says she is "disappointed" Bentley quit, and takes exception to what she believes were "disrespectful" accusations he made about her.In the full Rotorua Lakes Council meeting, Chadwick moved to include a confidential discussion about the Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill.She said it was to "enable us all as council, together, to have a free and frank discussion in response to the attorney general's request for further information needed to develop policy work".Attorney General David Parker last week found the bill would breach the Bill of Rights Act, but that more information may be needed for a ful

The global pandemic has made many people who are able to look elsewhere for the promised land; some cornucopia; a veritable Garden of Eden with grass that is a whole lot greener than here - commit to plans to export themselves.The problem that's possibly going to confront them is the stark reality that the grass is possibly not that green, in fact, in some parts of the world there will be no grass.Have a look at what’s happening in Australia just a couple of weeks out from their election. Financially things are not looking as rosy as they once did in their backyard.Wednesday's inflation data was a shock to both the Australian government and their reserve bank. They were expecting a figure with a 4 at the front - but instead it’s 5.1 percent, another blow to the coalition campaign.With interest rates rising and inflation figures creeping up on them, along with the possibility of more Scott Morrison, you'd have to be pretty sure that the promised land you’ve envisaged will be a great deal better than what you a