Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

As the future of the Cook Strait ferries becomes clearer, some are lamenting how long it's taken.   Two new road and rail-enabled ferries and port-side infrastructure will be ready by late 2029.   Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Todd Valster says while the cost isn't public yet, he's happy they will be rail-enabled.   He told Andrew Dickens the delays haven't given people confidence.   Valster says the previous Government's plan took ages to put together and there's been more delays as this Government's plan has emerged.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some are struggling to see the point of the Government's face-lift to workplace health and safety obligations.  Minister-in-Charge, Brooke van Velden confirms small businesses will only need to manage risks relating to death or serious injury – to reduce compliance costs.   Institute of Safety Management Chair Mike Cosman told Andrew Dickens multiple things the Government's painted as an issue are imaginary.  He says there's no current requirement to report minor injuries or have signage for minor risks.  Cosman believes the Government's created a myth and is now congratulating itself for cracking that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission and Auckland Airport's latest interactions are being seen as a sign regulation is working.  Auckland Airport isn't lifting its airline charges for the next two years as much as intended, after the commission's report showed their targeted returns were too high.   The report also found the airport's multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment plan is appropriate.  New Zealand Airports Association Chief Executive Billie Moore told Andrew Dickens the investigation is all part of the part of the process.  She says the feedback wasn't unexpected because these processes take time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston’s great rail solution is now revealed: it’s just like KiwiRail’s iReX but cheaper.   The boats are still big and they’re rail enabled but the portside infrastructure is more reasonable.   And that’s always been the thing. The original boats were a good deal, but the kicker came portside.   KiwiRail was under the belief that the project had to be future proofed.   This was something that had to last 50 years - a type of thinking that New Zealand hasn’t done often.   So, the Ferrari was not the boat, it was the ports.  Now Winston says Picton needs a big revamp. But the earthquake prone Wellington port just needs a revamp.  In an ideal world this is not ideal. But it is, as Winston says, pragmatic.  I know people involved with the original iReX deal on the Government side.   And when this story first broke, they told me that KiwiRail shouldn’t come to the Government expecting an open cheque book.   And he was right. The original iReX deal was a good deal

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Tuesday 1st April 2025, Todd Valster General Secretary of the Rail and Maritime Union shares his thoughts on the Government's plan for the new Cook Strait ferries.   The Commerce Commission says Auckland Airport's been over-charging airlines by $190 million since 2023, NZ Airports Chief Executive Billie Moore shares his thoughts.   The Government's announced changes to workplace health and safety Mike Cosman, Chair at the NZ Institute of Safety Management tells Andrew Dickens what this will mean for businesses.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio shares the latest on the Australian Prime Minister responding to a Chinese research ship travelling in Australian waters.   Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.         LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moana Pasifika completed the biggest win in the Super Rugby season so far, beating the Crusaders 45-29. It’s the first time the team have beat the Crusaders. Sports Contributor Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss the win, Ryan Fox at the Houston Open, and the Warriors win. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry has been accused of "harassment and bullying at scale" by a former chair of a charity set up by the Prince.  The allegations come as the individual and several others quit the organisation last week.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey joins the show to discuss the accusation, and how H&M is using AI to create twins.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ will cut $204 million of contractor and consultant spending, making up for more than half of the Government's target of $400m.  The public health agency has been using contractors to fill vacant roles.  Why is Health NZ not employing full time staff?  Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell joins Early Edition.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 31st of March 2025, nearly half of the Government's contractor and consultancy spending cuts are set to come from Health NZ, Former Health Nz Chair Rob Campbell shares his thoughts.  The Government's looking at bringing a third player in the grocery sector to break up the duopoly, Grocery Policy Expert Ernie Newman  tells Andrew Dickens how this could work.  Andrew Alderson has all the latest sport from over the weekend.  UK/ Europe Correspondent shares the latest on the chair of the charity set up by Prince Harry has accusing him of "harassment and bullying at scale" after he and several others quit the organisation earlier this week.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A grocery sector expert says he's pleasantly surprised by Nicola Willis's plans for the sector. The Economic Growth Minister has confirmed she's seeking advice on potentially breaking up the supermarket duopoly. That could include separating the retail and wholesale arms of Foodstuffs and Woolworths. Ernie Newman says told Andrew Dickens he was sceptical before the announcement but is impressed by what he's heard. He says Nicola Willis has come across as a "minister on a mission" and she's done her homework.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spent all weekend waiting for more details about the death by dog in the Bay of Plenty.   This story upset me greatly. We heard about the victim.  A cheeky cheery 4-year-old kid. His family say he had a little mischief in his smile, a little wid in his heart and a heart full of cuteness.   We heard a statement from the Marae that something had happened suggesting this was in Maori circles. For a while I thought it was an incident on the Marae but it wasn’t.   We heard another person was injured and presumably they were trying to save the boy.  On social media I saw claims that the boy may have razzed the dogs but that’s not the point. That’s victim blaming.   The thing that always gets me on these stories is that dogs should not kill people.   Even though 4 people have died at the teeth of dogs in the past 5 years.  Dogs are man’s best friend. Dogs are a useful tool. But dogs should never kill humans. The way robots are programmed to never kill humans.  Even the do

Liam Lawson has officially been demoted from the Red Bull Formula One team.   He lasted two Grands Prix before management decided to replace him with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda for his home event next weekend at Suzuka.   The switch confirms widespread speculation of a new partner for defending champion Max Verstappen.  F1 Journalist Thomas Maher told Andrew Dickens that this is a risk for Red Bull, as if Lawson does well in the Racing Bulls car, the blame for his struggles in the big leagues will fall back onto the car.  He says Yuki Tsunoda is a known quantity when it comes to racing, so answers about whether the car is to blame will be gained very quickly.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eden Park has triumphed in its battle to be Auckland's Council's preferred stadium over building a new facility near the city's waterfront.  The council has voted to endorse in principle the first stage of upgrading the Park – 17 in favour and two against, with one abstention.  But it's making it clear it won't pay for it.  Councillor Shane Henderson told Andrew Dickens that while both bids had their issues, Eden Park had less to do to become viable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK and France have agreed to lead a "reassurance force" in Ukraine.  British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says Europe is mobilising on a scale "not seen for decades" to be ready for peace, following a leaders summit in Paris.  They've agreed not to lift Russian sanctions as Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for stronger US support.  But Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney told Andrew Dickens Putin has previously said he doesn't want any NATO troops involved in Ukraine.  He says that doesn't leave really any European soldiers these days, after long holdouts Sweden and Finland joined NATO after Russia's invasion.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former associate finance minister believes public sector job cuts are needed to grow the economy.  Latest Public Service Commission data shows the core workforce reduced by four percent in the year to December 2024.   The Tertiary Education Commission, Archives New Zealand, and Department of Corrections yesterday earmarked further cuts.  But former Minister Sir Lockwood Smith told Andrew Dickens the sector has got productivity problems.  He says there's so much unproductive work going on by well-meaning good people, who lack focus on what's needed to deliver an effective workforce. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Friday 28th of March 2025, Red Bull have officially demoted Liam Lawson, F1Planet.com Editor and Journalist Thomas Maher shares the latest from Red Bull.   Auckland Council is backing an Eden Park upgrade for the city's new stadium plan, Councillor Shane Henderson shares the reasons for the decision.   The Government almost doubled its target for cutting consultancy spending, Former Associate Minister of Finance, Sir Lockwood Smith shares his thoughts.   UK/ Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney shares the latest on European leaders gathering in Paris to discuss plans for a coalition of the willing peacekeeping force and continued sanctions on Russia.   Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters turned into a grumpy old conservative man in the house yesterday.  A role he assumes to hoover up votes from his constituents rather than the stately Foreign Minister image he shows to the rest of the world.  He complained that Ricardo Menéndez March, the Green MP, wore a leather jacket in the house. It was a glossy little number, but was it disrespectful?  It raises the question about clothes in the workforce.  If you wear a $1,500 designer leather jacket, is that less respectful than a $300 suit from Laidlaw + Leeds from Farmers? Things have obviously loosened. Our big boss wears a jacket, but I’ve never seen him in a tie.  Casual Friday has become casual weekday.   So, I’m not worried about Ricardo’s leather jacket - even though it gave off Boy George vibes and he looked like he was off to the disco.  He obviously took care of his look and turned up well-groomed, even if he looked like a clown.  And it’s not called the House of Representatives for

Motorsport expert Bob McMurray claims Liam Lawson's been treated unfairly by Red Bull as he faces demotion two races into the Formula One season.  Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda is reportedly set to swap with Lawson for next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.  Lawson's didn't finish at Melbourne and came 12th in Shanghai - Tsunoda returned 12th and 16th place results at the same events.  McMurray told Andrew Dickens he’s being made a scapegoat for the failings of the team themselves.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's debate over the potential loosening of bank rules.  Reserve Bank requirements —forcing banks to have enough capital to withstand a one-in-200-year shock— look set to be loosened.  Banks say that could reduce the cost of borrowing.  But Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub told Andrew Dickens it won't address the underlying reasons why banks aren't lending more money.  He says mortgage rates are currently 2% over the cost of borrowing, and banks aren't lending enough to businesses and farms.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Primary healthcare appears to be bearing the brunt of a vicious funding cycle.   New Royal New Zealand College of GPs research shows the sector's facing financial neglect, receiving just 5.4% of each health budget since 2009.   President Dr Samantha Murton told Andrew Dickens it's costing more in the long run, as people get sicker.   She says people are going to hospital at greater expense, meaning money can't be invested into primary care where the best work is done to prevent hospitalisations in the first place.   Murton says they need 10% of the funding pool at least.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.