Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Christopher Luxon and the Indian Prime Minister have agreed on several priorities while in a private meeting yesterday, including on security.   Luxon is leading a delegation in India this week and announced negotiations for a free trade agreement will kick off next month.  The Herald's Adam Pearse is with Luxon and Narendra Modi, and told Andrew Dickens it's been a very cordial meeting.  He says the pair have been getting along well, and are spending quite a bit of time together, taking part in things Modi wouldn't normally take part in.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Papa's popular Gallipoli exhibit is going to be around for another seven years.  The Scale Of Our War exhibit, which showcases giant Weta Workshop made sculptures of New Zealanders at war, was meant to close in 2019.  But it's been extended three times now, the latest extension stretching to 2032.  Te Papa's Kate Camp told Andrew Dickens it's the most popular exhibit the country's ever seen.  She says the sculptures do have a shelf life, but they've been surprised by how long they've lasted, so they want to see it continue.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new chapter for the Act Party, as it takes on local body elections for the first time.   Leader David Seymour is calling for expressions of interest of anyone keen to stand -- saying it's time for a clean out of local councillors.  Act isn't considering challenging the mayoralty in any parts of the country.   Political Editor, Jason Walls says told Andrew Dickens the party is unhappy with widespread rate increases and wants a change.  He says Act wants to take its war on wasteful spending from the Beehive, around the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Tuesday 18th of March 2025, NZ Herald Political Reporter Adam Pearse shares the latest on the Christopher Luxon meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.   Te Papa's Gallipoli exhibition is shaping up to be the most successful art exhibit in the country, with the museum extending it's stay for another four years.   Act's announced it will have candidates in this year's local elections, Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls tells Andrew Dickens what this means.   Andrew believes the Government's announcement that free trade talks between New Zealand and India will start next month is great news.   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 a bit easy to be negative these days. Times are tough and talk is cheap, and I like to manage expectations and not get too carried away with rhetoric.  But today I'm going to praise the Government and be positive.  The surprise announcement that free trade talks between New Zealand and India will start next month was great news.   Like PPPs, it won’t be a game changer short term, but it is a step in the right direction.  The welcome given to Christopher Luxon was quite a thing.   Flags and billboards all over town.  A rowdy welcome from folk dancers and then the news that finally we will negotiate.   Our recent battle in cricket is top of Indian minds and they know that we are already good friends.   The benefits for both countries are large.  For too long our need for dairy to be part of a comprehensive deal has held talks back. But India is still a way away from needing us.   They have a huge but poorly performing herd of cows, but they are still self-s

The Government's target to reduce the number of people on the benefit hasn't gone to plan.  Recent statistics show a 12% increase in people getting assistance in the past 12 months.  22,000 more Kiwis are currently receiving financial support from the jobseeker benefit alone.  Employment relations specialist Max Whitehead joins the show to discuss the numbers.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced military planning to protect a potential Ukraine ceasefire is moving to an "operational phase."  Military leaders will meet in London on Thursday to secure plans that will back a peace deal.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey joins the show to discuss the Starmer's announcement, and the fire that killed at least 59 people in North Macedonia. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports reporter Andrew Alderson catches us up on the weekend that was in sport.  Liam Lawson was eliminated in his first Red Bull debut in Melbourne yesterday, and Mclaren showed it's the team to beat.  The Black Caps played Pakistan at the Hagley Oval in the second T20, the Kiwi's winning by nine wickets.  Warriors fans were in for a treat when the team took home a 36 - 16 win in front of a home crowd.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 17th of March 2025, the number of people on the Jobseeker Benefit is rising, employment relations specialist Max Whitehead explains how we can change that. There's calls for a national reporting system for bullying in schools. UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest on the hundreds injured in a nightclub fire in North Macedonia. Andrew Dickens believes the school lunch programme has been a train wreck and lunches should be targeted at those who need them. 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 thought more work is needed, before a national school bullying database could work. New Zealand holds the highest level of bullying in the OECD, according to a 2024 report. Schools are required to develop prevention and response approaches - but there's no regular data reported to the Ministry of Education. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Andrew Dickens he isn't opposed to a database He says the issue is every school has its own definition of bullying, which would need to be discussed and rectified.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week as the world puzzled over war and peace and the end of globalisation and rules based free trade, New Zealand was watching the slow-motion train wreck of a free lunch programme.   David Seymour, a long-term opponent of the idea, was put in charge of it by the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Which may have been a genius political move but may rebound in his face.   The Act Leader then reckoned he could centralise it and cut costs until each lunch cost 3 dollars a child.   But the providers had problems. None more so than Libelle who went bust and we finished the week bringing in lunches from Australia.   But there was more sting in the tail.  Long time listener Matt, and long-time opponent of the idea, was incensed by part of a story from last week and sent me an email.   It was part of the story about a Gisborne kid who got burnt by his school meal.   But what got Matt is the revelation that the school orders 310 lunches each day.    But 150 go untouched

Liam Lawson will get his first taste of Formula One as a fulltime Red Bull driver when practice begins this afternoon for the season-opening Melbourne Grand Prix.  His only previous experience at the circuit came via a lap in a V8 Supercar last year.  Motorsport Commentator James Allen told Andrew Dickens that there’s no question Lawson’s got talent.   He says he wouldn’t judge him too much on how he performs on the Melbourne track though, as it has some very strange characteristics and doesn’t really reflect anything of the season ahead.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Push back on the Act Party's attempts to get Auckland University to scrap its compulsory ‘Waipapa Taumata Rau’ course.  The near $6 thousand paper covers the Treaty of Waitangi and traditional Māori tikanga for first year students.  Act says international learners shouldn't be forced into a course irrelevant to their studies and future careers.  University Students Association President Gabriel Boyd told Andrew Dickens it teaches essential skills to help new students and isn't unfairly priced.  He says it's in-line with course costs for international learners, which they're aware of before they come.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is threatening to slap 200% tariffs on European alcohol.  The EU is planning to impose tariffs on American bourbon next month, in retaliation to steel and aluminium levies.  A spokesperson for the bloc says they're preparing to discuss the situation with the US.  Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney told Andrew Dickens spirits, wine, and champagne would all be affected.  He says it would be absolutely drastic to their prices, which are both big EU exports but also in high demand in the US.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The jury's still out on how much foreign capital the Government's Infrastructure Investment Summit will pull in.   More than 100 offshore entities are attending the two-day event in Auckland.   There's already talk of public-private partnerships for prisons and roads, after day one.   Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls, who's there, told Andrew Dickens multiple investors have expressed how keen they are to invest in our assets.   He says for example; Italian companies have told media of their interest in the Northern Expressway extension. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Friday 14th of March 2025, Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls tells Andrew Dickens what came out of the Government's Investment Summit. The Formula one Grand Prix kicks off in Melbourne this weekend where Kiwi race car driver, Liam Lawson will be racing for RedBull, Motorsport Commentator James Allen tells Andrew how he expects it to go. The Act Party is calling for Auckland University to scrap a compulsory traditional Maori knowledge course for international students. Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney tells Andrew the latest on Trump's envoy meeting with Russia is in Moscow for talks on a ceasefire deal. 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.

So, Barbara Edmonds is in front of the investment conference today, representing the Labour Party who may or may not be in charge of the Treasury benches in the future.  The conference will be waiting to see if Labour is on the infrastructure bus. If they will support the projects the National-led government are into, and if they’re on board with foreign investment in our infrastructure plans   It’s actually the critical address of the weekend. Yesterday we heard that the big concern is the pipeline of work.   Overseas investors don’t want to set up shop in New Zealand for a project only to find we back out, leaving them with a big investment and nowhere to go.   To be fair, National has done it with the cancellation of big projects like the ferries.   Labour also did it with a moratorium on road development. It’s time for a bipartisan accord on what we need to do, but that will be hard to find as our parties have used infrastructure as a way to differentiate between themselves.

There are hopes proposed changes to the Foreign Investment Fund will boost our own productivity.  The changes will allow new migrants to be taxed on a realisation basis for interests not easily disposable and acquired before coming to New Zealand.  Revenue Minister Simon Watts says the legislation for this will likely be introduced in August.  Phase One Ventures chief executive Mahesh Muralidhar told Andrew Dickens there are also opportunities to transfer skills from migrants to our entrepreneurs.  He says it allows for more Kiwis to start investing and playing a global game, which is the main thing we need to do to be more productive.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public trust and confidence in New Zealand Police is recovering.  The latest Crime and Victims Survey shows its risen to 69% – a 2% rise in the year to October 2024.  More than 80% of Kiwis believe officers conduct themselves professionally.  Former Police Negotiator Lance Burdett told Andrew Dickens it's good news, and follows changes to the organisation's leadership.  He says new Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has front-line experience and is making alternations that have a flow-on effect to officers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expectations we'll have a strong showing of investment opportunities for our venture-hungry guests.   More than 100 offshore firms are making an appearance at the Government's Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland over the next two days.    Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Andrew Dickens expects to see the opening up of public-private partnerships in areas like health, justice and the Māori economy.  He says investors want the sizzle and the vision, but that's ultimately what they're coming to see - and we need their capital.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.