Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

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.

The White House says screenshots of a top US officials group chat didn't contain classified information.  The Atlantic magazine editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a group thread on the encrypted messaging app Signal.  Screenshots made public overnight include exact timings of drone and missile attacks on the Iran-backed Houthis, followed by updates on targets hit.  US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Andrew Dickens the Democrats claim the messages were classified.  He says they're now calling on Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who sent some of the messages, to resign. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Thursday 27th of March 2025, could Liam Lawson be dropped by RedBull already? Motorsport expert Bob McMurray shares his thoughts. New research from the Royal NZ College of GPs shows primary healthcare is being financially neglected, President Samantha Murton shares her concerns. Westpac is calling for the Reserve Bank to relax capital requirements, Chief economist at Simplicity, Shumabeel Eaqub tells Andrew Dickens if it'sa good idea. US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the Atlantic deciding to publish additional text messages from the group chat of top Trump national security officials, on the Houthi attack. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamatha Paul: a woman mocked for her views on Police.   Chris Hipkins says her views on beat Police were unwise, and then he went further and said they were stupid.   The Prime Minister says she’s in lala land.  Yesterday I commented that life must be really sweet on her planet - pity it’s not ours.  But that didn’t stop her doubling down yesterday on her views, because they are not untrue.  She pointed out that brown people have quite a different perception of police than others.  Look up profiling and it’s meaning.  She pointed out the terrible failure of the police in the case of the 11-year-old confused with a twenty-year-old that we’re all shocked at.  She highlighted the hassle of homeless.  She didn’t back down because as she said they are legitimate experiences amongst her constituents.   And she has constituents. She’s not a list MP. She won Wellington Central fair and square.  However, the complaints of one are not the complaints of a hundr

The just revealed Australian Federal Budget is being criticised as an election sweetener.  The Treasurer's announced tax relief for households.   Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is yet to call the election, but it's expected in coming months.  Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans says they’ve tried to give people a little bit of everything in this budget, with tax cuts, more energy bill relief, wage increases and cheaper medicines.  He says the Government is probably hoping it will sway people, but it’s hard to tell whether it will or won’t.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neither of two options for Auckland's main stadium are entirely feasible.   Auckland Council staff say feasibility studies for either an upgraded Eden Park or a new stadium at Quay Park found both lacking.   The report says the Eden Park option would not be financially feasible without council or central Government funding, and Quay Park has optimistic assumptions around infrastructure and construction costs.   Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson told Andrew Dickens he’s questioning why the council is being brought into it.  He says the Mayor has made it clear the council won’t be contributing financially.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caveats to the new Russia-Ukraine Black Sea ceasefire deal are causing uncertainty.  The United States says both countries have agreed to stop military strikes in the Black Sea and develop measures to implement a ban on energy facility strikes.   But Newstalk ZB European Correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens Ukraine's warned any Russian naval movement would be a violation.  He says in return, Russia's demanding sanctions on banks, insurers, and food exporters must be lifted first.   Sky News reports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the maritime ceasefire is effective immediately, and no one can accuse them not moving towards peace after this.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Wednesday 26th of March 2025, officials warn neither options for an Auckland stadium are feasible, Auckland Councilor Maurice Williamson explains why.   Australia's Federal budget is out and tax cuts are on the way, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans shares the latest.   Employment confidence is down across the country, Employment Expert Tom O'Neil says employers can sense the desperation from applicants.   UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest with more protests and arrests expected in Turkey following the detention of the Ekrem Imamoglu.   Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.         LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A blow for Kiwi business confidence, which has slumped to its lowest level since the post-2020 Covid lockdown lows.  The Westpac-McDermott Miller index shows despite the weaker overall result, confidence has only fallen in four of 11 regions.  That includes the biggest job market -- Auckland -- which dominated the national average.  CV.co.nz Managing Director, Tom O'Neil told Andrew Dickens he reckons it's partially due to looming American tariffs.  He believes there's been a massive hangover encapsulating all the difficulties New Zealand's faced since 2020. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, Auckland looks like it’s doing it again: dilly dallying in decision making about big stuff.   A council advisory group has informed us that neither the fancy waterfront stadium nor an upgrade of Eden Park is considered feasible.   The full council still must vote on it on Thursday, so we’ll see if anyone has some balls.    Now by "not feasible" they mean not viable without public funding. We don’t seem to have a charitable billionaire in our midst so the dough would have to come from the public purse.   This is a question every major city wrestles with, but other cities seem to be braver.   This week Brisbane has casually announced a new stadium to host the Olympics, calming putting nearly four billion dollars on the line.  We’re a growing nation. We need a venue for the events that come in 2025. Whether it’s big sport or big concerts. We’ve seen how much fun Eden Park has been this week, three different sports in one week.   It would be great to have a venue that’s

Great news for football fans – the All Whites are heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  Their 3-0 win over the New Caledonia side was enough to book their trip next year to the US, Canada, and Mexico.  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine told Andrew Dickens that quite a few people probably expected the game to be fairly straight forward, but it didn’t take long for those illusions to be dispelled.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are keeping an eye on how some aspects of Resource Management Act reforms will work in practice.  The Government's new framework for planning includes new acts around development of land and on protection of the natural environment.  It also includes greater property rights – including allowing landowners to seek compensation against unjustified restrictions on their land.  But Federated Farmers RMA spokesperson Mark Hooper told Andrew Dickens it's important local voices take precedence.  However, he says there's a good line being developed regarding proposing each individual district have its own plan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sizable boost to defence spending's expected in Australia's budget.  Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down his fourth federal budget for Labor tonight.  The Defence Minister says it will include bringing forward a billion dollar spend on defence.  It comes as New Zealand ministers hint at more spending in defence here too.  Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Andrew Dickens it's a significant spend.  She says it will be the biggest defence spend since World War II, and will boost the country's military capability.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Save the Children says Oranga Tamariki needs to step up communication in the name of trust, so they can do their job.   A newly released review has highlighted nine representative privacy breaches, with at least one leading to a mother being abused after her address was shared to her child's father.   Save the Children Advocacy Director Jacqui Southey told Andrew Dickens if the public don't trust the agency, they'll struggle to receive the reports they need to work effectively.    Southey says it cannot be underestimated how critical it is for them to step up and communicate how they're rectifying this and making the changes people want to see. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Tuesday 25th of March 2025, The Government's finally scrapping the Resource Management Act, Federated Farmers RMA Reform Spokesperson Mark Hooper tells Andrew Dickens what he thinks of the new plan.   The All Whites won 3-0 to New Caledonia, Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine was on the sidelines at the game.   Oranga Tamariki has still not fixed systems that led to privacy breaches Save the Children Child Rights Advocacy and Research Director, Jacqui Southey shares her concerns.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio keeps us up to date with the finishing touches on Australia's Federal Budget.  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.

It’s no secret to anyone that we do not have enough doctors in New Zealand. Recent policy moves to attract more qualified overseas doctors have been eagerly received. As have directives to increase the number of doctors we train locally - the Government's decision to fund another 50 medical school places from next year, increasing the cap to 639 first-year students. But what is the point of training more doctors if we don’t have jobs for them? Medical Council data showed 30 percent of medical graduates left the country within 10 years. They leave because Health NZ do not fund enough jobs. The jobs they do fund are low paid and future prospects are limited, except for a talented few. They get paid better overseas and they can pay off their student loan faster. And it starts from day one. Each year Health NZ fails to fund internships for 25 to 30 graduates, forcing them to look overseas.  Sure, some were overseas students but after spending 7 years here they’d quite like to stay if prospects are good. Now

Newstalk ZB Sports Reporter Andrew Alderson joined Andrew Dickens to wrap this weekend’s sporting events.   They discussed the Chinese Grand Prix and Liam Lawson’s unfortunate run, and the life and legacy of Alex “Grizz” Wyllie.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tax expert says changes to the tax system must not stand in the way of economic growth.  A UN committee is calling on countries to ensure tax policies are being applied proportionally to the wealthier individuals.  It says regressive and ineffective policies can disproportionately affect already disadvantaged groups.  But PWC partner Sandy Lau told Andrew Dickens while fairness is important, it's a complex issue.  She says company tax rates needs to be competitive to attract foreign investment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.