Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Do you know what I’m loving at the moment? Normality.At least as much normality as you can get with a mask still on.But as of tonight mandates are gone, and vaccine passes are gone - more steps towards a more relaxed lifestyle.Our local pub was excited - it posted on social media that it looks forward to welcoming everyone back into the pub and not having to scan vaccine passes, and exclude people  It also said it’d love to see Covid dropped as the only conversation being had. The pubs post said “let’s try to keep Covid chat to a minimum and find something more interesting to talk about”. Too right.And how good is it to see crowds back at the Super Rugby? And good crowds too.What a difference it makes to the atmosphere and the vibe of live sport to have people there enjoying it in person.We are slowly getting back to the way it should be.Not everyone’s on board of course. These changes have some concerned. The Herald had a story yesterday on the age divide over the reaction to mandates going. It said, “Resear

The ripples from that Oscar slap continue for Will Smith.The actor's resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Netflix has now put his next film on the backburner.PR firm Red Banyan CEO Evan Nierman Kate Hawkesby he missed an opportunity to act quickly during his Best Actor Oscar acceptance speech.“In that speech, he apologises to all sorts of folks like the Academy, his fellow nominees, but he doesn’t apologise to the guy he’s just smacked across the face on live television.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington bar is catering to its customers still keen on vaccine passes.From midnight tonight, it won't be mandatory for businesses to check passes.Hashigo Zake is planning on still requiring them for the first half of the week, and not for the second half.Owner Dominic Kelly told Kate Hawkesby some of his patrons are only comfortable going places checking for passes.He says the arrangement probably won't be long-term.“By the start of May, everyone’s vaccine passes are going to start expiring and unless there’s a flurry of activity from some in, I don’t know, Ministry of Health, they’re probably all going to stop working anyway.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon thinks National's responded well after Labour politicians in Christchurch were harassed online.  Two Young Nats have resigned from the National party as a result. The move followed misogynistic and personal attacks were targeted at three women. They were Cabinet Minister and Wigram MP Megan Woods, Ilam MP Sarah Pallett and Christchurch City Council member Sara Templeton. Christopher Luxon told Kate Hawkesby the pair reflected on the party's new code of conduct, and quit.  He says they've implemented the code, as the comments were vile and utterly unacceptable. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A student representative says the increase to the student allowance and living costs will affect very few people. They are both increasing by $25 a week. Union of Students' Associations President Andrew Lessells told Kate Hawkesby it's far too little far too late. He says the increase isn't going to cover the rental increases most students are seeing and it's not going to cover the cost of food they're seeing either. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve been pretty vocal in my criticism of the Police Commissioner, but never the actual police. However, yesterday my brother had an experience that makes me question what on earth is going on inside the police force at the moment.  Yesterday morning my brother was dropping his son and his son’s mate to school around 8am. My brother’s friend who's just flown back into the country was on speaker phone in the car, telling them all about his trip, when my brother notices a paddy wagon surging up behind, lights flashing, 4 or 5 cops inside.  He immediately pulls over to let them pass, assuming they’re after someone ahead and he wants to get out of their way. But the wagon pulls in behind his car. A female officer hops out, comes over and says to my brother – “you’re on your phone.” He says, “it’s a hands free call, it’s coming through the car speaker.” She says, “no, you had the phone up to your ear.” He says, “no I’ve never had it at my ear, it’s been on speaker, my boys can testify to that because we were all l

One of the things that's irked me this week - apart from Will Smith - (who I'm still irked by, by the way), but the other thing annoying me, is Auckland Transport.  I mean I guess we shouldn’t be surprised at the lengths they'll go to, to get us out of our cars.. and actually if you think this is just an Auckland thing, think again. The anti-car brigade is coming to a road near you any day now. It’s top down, driven by idealogues inside the Government and includes advocates like Julie Anne Genter who would have us all on bikes by now if she could.  The latest car bashing going on is to strip away all the parking. Not just the regular amount of parking they’ve already stripped away, oh no, that was just an appetiser.  They won’t rest until ALL parking is stripped away. That includes parking on the road right outside your house. And what, you may ask, will they do with all that empty space where cars were once allowed to park? More bike and bus lanes of course!  Here’s the thing no one seems to want to admit –

Air New Zealand's  $2.2 billion recapitalisation package is being seen as the only way forward. It plans to use it to repay the Crown loan.  The Government will participate in the raise to retain its majority 51 per cent shareholding. Aviation commentator Irene King told Kate Hawkesby Air New Zealand really doesn't have any option. She says the fallback is for the Government to inject more money, and then it brings into question whether Air New Zealand shouldn't be nationalised. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With most vaccine mandates being scrapped for workers soon, the Government have given some guidance for how private businesses should navigate the changes. It says businesses should undertake their own risk assessment as to whether they should keep mandates. But just because you lost your job due to being unvaxxed, doesn't mean you should expect an offer for your old job back. CEO of Beyond Recruitment Liza Viz joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A large study out this morning found New Zealand has the highest melanoma death rate in the world. It also predicts worldwide cases within the next 20 years will increase by 50 per cent, and mortality rates will increase by 68 per cent.  Dr. Chris Jackson, medical oncologist and former Cancer Society medical director joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is spending $15 million over three years on its zero road toll campaign.  The National Party say that money is better spent on actually fixing the roads.  But Transport Minister Michael Wood says it's about getting the word out that change is needed. Mike Lee, Associate Professor of Marketing at Auckland University joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holding the America's Cup in Barcelona is expected to breathe new life into the event. Team New Zealand head Grant Dalton says having the event there will allow the team to propel its growth trajectory on the global sporting stage. America's Cup commentator and double Olympic gold medalist, Shirley Robertson, says the team was up against others with unlimited budgets. She told Kate Hawkesby she's sure it's been a tough decision, but says it will put some energy into the Cup. Robertson says three European teams are confirmed, and to have the event in Europe will be good for investment and fans. She says Barcelona is also an easy-to-get-to, loveable city. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm not remotely bothered that the America's Cup's going to be held in Barcelona. I can't even imagine how tough it is to organise and fund an event like this - and I take my hat off to all those working so hard to keep it going and to find locations - no easy task. Securing this location has taken a year, no mean feat. But also - can we really complain that it's heading offshore? I mean look what they were offered to stay here. The Auckland Council gave them money in kind - that's not real money, the Government were clearly not that interested in it being here, so, gave them a pittance.  If the powers that be really wanted it here, they'd have fronted up with more cash and made the whole thing more simple. But they didn't. Many of the moaners about it going offshore are punters who like the idea of it being here, but aren't that committed to it anyway. Often, they're the same people who bemoan the whole thing as a rich white man's sport, the ones who bang on about how much wealthy sailing teams shouldn't be

Mixed reaction to the Government's decision to push ahead with Fair Pay Agreements. The bill was submitted to Parliament yesterday - in a bid by the Government to lift incomes and improve working conditions.  It would allow employees to force negotiations with employers, if 10 percent of the workforce, or a thousand workers, agree. Primary teacher union NZEI president Liam Rutherford told Kate Hawkesby early childhood is one sector welcoming this news. He says they can use Fair Pay Agreements to attract and retain teachers in the system. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well Denzel Washington was right when he said to Will Smith last night that - 'at your highest moment, the devil comes for you'. But the devil didn't just come for Will Smith, the whole Academy and Hollywood glitterati who witnessed it are also at fault here, I reckon. They just sat there and acted like nothing happened, they carried on clapping, laughing.. why did they condone it? Why did absolutely no one working at the ceremony get on stage to check if Chris Rock was OK? Police were there, why did they do nothing? Security was there - nothing. The hypocrisy here just blows my mind. Compare it to Kanye - banned from the Grammys for his Instagram comments about Pete Davidson, virtually cancelled by America's liberal elite for acting in their words – unhinged. Yet Will Smith, a thug, who displayed uncontrollable anger assaulting someone on stage in front of millions of viewers, at a ceremony supposed to be about inclusivity, peace and love.. gets to remain at the event all night, go on to win an Oscar, give a

LA's A-listers are spilt down the middle, over Will Smith's assault on Chris Rock. The incident overshadowed the Oscars ceremony. Hollywood reporter Dean McCarthy told Kate Hawkesby stars like Nikki Minaj are backing Smith, while comedians like Rosie O'Donnell have condemned him. “You’ve got part of Hollywood who are like, yes, that’s how you defend your wife and then the other side is that behaviour is never acceptable.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ukrainian community says while support from New Zealand has been helpful, there's more to be done.  We're sending nine members of our Defence Force to UK and Belgium to aid with intelligence.  The Ukrainian Association says the Government has been quick to sort out visas.   However Chairman Yuriy Gladun told Kate Hawkesby there needs to be more understanding of the situation.  He says our immigration system can be too rigid for people without documents. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon Musk isn't happy. With a personal fortune that is flirting with US$300 billion, the Tesla CEO — the richest person on earth — has been attacking a Democratic proposal to tax the assets of billionaires like him. The idea behind the Democratic plan is to use revenue from a billionaires tax to help pay for a domestic policy package being negotiated in the US Congress that would, among other things, help combat climate change, provide universal prekindergarten and expand health care programmes. Musk, who recently blew past Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as the world Number 1 in wealth thanks to Tesla's soaring share price, would be liable for perhaps a US$50 billion tax hit under the Democratic proposal. Forget it, he says. "My plan," the SpaceX founder tweeted Thursday about his fortune, "is to use the money to get humanity to Mars and preserve the light of consciousness." Musk may well get his wish. Prospects for the billionaires tax appear to be dimming fast in Congress. The pivotal Senator Joe Manchin of West

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is pushing ahead with plans for the National Erebus Memorial to be at Parnell's Dove Myer-Robinson Park. That's despite criticism from the Chief Ombudsman that the ministry should have consulted more widely, before forming its preference for a location. Former Waitemata Local Board Member Sarah Trotman voted against the memorial.  She told Kate Hawkesby while it's a great result, the fight isn't over yet. Trotman says the ministry has to realise its consultation has been defective and the site is tainted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Caribbean nations debate their relationship with the British crown, Prince William says he will support and respect whatever decision the people make.William, second in line to the throne, made the comments after an eight-day tour of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas during which he and wife Kate were celebrated but also criticized as being “tone deaf” for perpetuating images of Britain’s colonial rule. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness told the royals his country intended to become a republic, removing the British monarch as its head of state.“I know that this tour has brought into even sharper focus questions about the past and the future,” William said in a statement reflecting the end of their tour on Saturday. “In Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas, that future is for the people to decide upon.”The young royals visited the three nations as representatives of Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrates the 70th anniversary of her reign this year. During those seven decades she has been the head of state for the