Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Pope Francis has been unable to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer in person for the third week in the row.  The Vatican published the Pope's written comments instead, saying he had written the text from his hospital room in a Rome "in the past few days." UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks the Andrew Dickens about the Pope's current health, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with European leaders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his intention in the Oval Office was for the US to "stand more firmly on our side."  During the meeting Trump told Zelenskyy to make a deal with Russia or the US would be out.  Former US Defence Department official Jeffrey Price joins the show to discuss the meeting that continues to be felt around the world. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors have faced a crushing defeat in Las Vegas as the 2025 NRL season opener.  The Black Caps also crumbled to India by 44 runs.  Dame Lydia Ko, on the other hand, has won the LPGA Women's World Championship.  Newstalk ZB's Elliott Smith joins the show to debrief our sporting events over the weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Dickens: Trump's meeting with Zelensky was schoolyard bullying Well who didn’t see the Trump Zelensky meltdown coming? The whole thing has been a show for the crowds and not a real play for peace. Before the summit Zelensky made it very clear that he wanted a ceasefire but with security guarantees.   Reportedly America told Zelensky not to mention the security guarantees at the press conference. But that’s the heart of his position. He doesn’t trust Putin because they’ve had a ceasefire with Putin before that Putin broke. Trump made it very clear he wants out and he wants a payoff of minerals for everything the US has put in so far. He has a mandate for that. He campaigned on it and he got the vote. So when they met and the press started recording, Trump and Vance spoke as though their plan was a fait d’accompli. But it wasn’t. Ukraine has always said “no security guarantee no deal” So when Zelensky starts reminding them of what had happened in the past, Trump and Vance went 2 on 1 and

The Government is trying to hit the mark on work-life balance as it announces a new Police training site in Auckland.   The Police Commissioner says he hopes to open the new base by the end of June to help the force reach its goal of 500 new officers.   However, Richard Chambers says they are yet to confirm its location.    Associate Police Minister Casey Costello told Andrew Dickens the base will attract people wanting to live at home while training.   She says there are currently barriers to police college for people starting young families.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Monday 3rd of February 2025, Auckland's getting a new police training facility, Associate Minister for Police Casey Costello tells Andrew Dickens how it will help with reaching the Government's goal of increasing the number of frontline police by 500.  Former US Defence Department Official Jeffrey Price analyses the weekend's spectacle between US President Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky where Trump told Zelensky to make a deal with Russia or theUS would be out.  And UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest on the European leaders summit in London where security talks have been under way.  Newstalk ZB's Elliot Smith shares the latest on the Black Caps facing India in the ICC Champions trophy in South Africa.  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.

Well, who didn’t see the Trump Zelensky meltdown coming?   The whole thing was a show for the crowds and not a real play for peace.   Before the summit Zelensky made it very clear that he wanted a ceasefire but with security guarantees.     Reportedly America told Zelensky not to mention the security guarantees at the press conference. But that’s the heart of his position.   He doesn’t trust Putin because they’ve had a ceasefire with Putin before Putin broke.   Trump made it very clear he wants out and he wants a payoff of minerals for everything the US has put in so far.   He has a mandate for that. He campaigned on it and he got the vote.  So, when they met and the press started recording, Trump and Vance spoke as though their plan was a fait d’accompli.   But it wasn’t. Ukraine has always said “no security guarantees no deal”   So, when Zelensky starts reminding them of what had happened in the past, Trump and Vance went two on one and gave him a lesson. &n

The Warriors have gone to Las Vegas with a purpose.  The team is in Sin City for their season opener, clashing with the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.  CEO Cameron George told Andrew Dickens the team has prepared really well.  American sports fans seem to be enthusiastic as well, as George says that 15,000 of the 48,000 tickets sold have been purchased by Americans.   “It’s a great sign that the game’s being, y’know, accepted over here.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hope from farmers and growers as the Government commits to speeding approvals for animal and plant health products. It's accepted all 16 Ministry of Regulation recommendations for cutting red tape in agriculture and horticulture.   Its review last year looked into processes for new veterinary medicines and agrichemicals.  Animal and Plant Health NZ CEO, Liz Shackleton, says this is a sign change is coming.  She told Andrew Dickens that when farmers have these products, it’s a race to the top, but without them it’s a race to the bottom.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changing the rules of the electricity sector is one thing, getting the sector to follow the rules could be another.  The Electricity Authority is proposing requiring the four main electricity generators to sell power to independent companies at the same price they sell power to themselves.  The independents would also get the same access to hedge contracts, protecting them from price fluctuations.  Mike Casey —the chief executive of electrification advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa— told Andrew Dickens the rules need to be given teeth.  He says there is a lot of work that needs to be done to make sure this actually happens, rather than being enforced after the fact.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speculation over how much the United States intervened in the Romanian justice system, to help the Tate brothers reach American soil.   A private jet believed to be carrying Andrew and Tristan Tate has landed in Florida, in the midst of Romanian investigations into their trafficking, and rape charges.   European Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Andrew Dickens it appears Richard Grenell - a special US presidential envoy - held a meeting with the Romanian foreign minister at the Munich Security Conference to let them leave. McAviney says once in the US, it's highly unlikely extradition for Romanian and UK charges would be possible.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Friday 28th of February 2025, The energy competition task force is making moves to bring down power bills.   The Government is committing to speeding up approvals for animal and plant health products, Liz Shackleton Chief Executive of Plant and Animal Health NZ tells Andrew Dickens what she'd like to see come out of it.   Warriors CEO Cameron George joins Andrew from Las Vegas where the Warriors will take on the Raiders in the season opener this Sunday.   Sir Keir Starmer makes his first trip to visit President Trump in the White House in the hope of convincing him to support Ukraine ahead of President Zelensky's visit tomorrow, UK Correspondent Vicent McAviney shares the latest.   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.

Now I'm a bit of a policy wonk. I don't care which party it is. If they come up with a policy, I like to break it down and see if it makes sense. Now I know politicians are addicted to announcements, attention and media coverage. Which means they sometimes say the first thing in their heads that sound like they’ll get votes. No matter if it’s deliverable or not. Labour had a bad case of it. Phil Twyford and his 100 thousand Kiwibuild fantasy.  Michael Wood was the champion. Based on five minutes on the back of an envelope he announced a nearly $900 million bike bridge. Faced with backlash from Dominion Road businesses he stuck the light rail project underground. Tripling the price to an unaffordable $18 billion dollars. Now it seems like the National led coalition has a case of the same disease.  Paul Goldsmith has it bad. This week he announced a change to citizen's arrest rules but had no idea of what the changes are going to be. Classic announcement of an announcement. But the king of wishful thi

A return to form for international tourist spending.  Data shows it was up 60% to nearly $17 billion in the year to March 2024, just under pre-pandemic levels.  Total industry expenditure crossed $44 billion – a near 15% rise on the year prior.  Tourism Holdings Chief Executive Grant Webster told Andrew Dickens it was bound to happen.  He says it's in people's DNA globally to want to explore, and New Zealand's an attractive destination, so they're coming.  However, there are questions over whether our infrastructure is up to a tourism boom.  Queenstown officials believe New Zealand's shift from seeking high-wealth visitors to mass tourism is unsustainable.  But Webster told Dickens he’s pushing back.  He says it's a very small point relative to a few locations, at a short time of the year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Government has raised concerns about China's warships in the Tasman Sea at the highest level, as our Defence Force continues to monitor the ships' movements.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters has discussed the issue with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a meeting in Beijing.  Former Defence Minister Andrew Little says it will have been a frank conversation.  The Chinese Naval vessels are now moving west in Australia's exclusive economic zone, but Little told Andrew Dickens they still aren't in Australia's territorial waters.  Little says China is following the law of the sea and will presumably seek permission before entering the 12-mile zone.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Safety concerns are top of a mind for one retail representative, at news the Government is proposing to loosen citizen arrest laws.   The measure is being pitched as a remedy for retail crime, by allowing workers and the public to detain suspected thieves with "reasonable force".  But Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Andrew Dickens it's dangerous, especially when many retailers are so young.   Young says they fear it will create situations where offenders will arm themselves more out of fear of being restrained.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The power of citizen’s arrest was all the talk yesterday.   And I think we all agree that poor old dairy owners and small retailers who watch ratbags nicking their stuff need the ability to be able to detain the thieves.   But the announcement comes without many details.   Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says the changes will expand a person’s ability to detain someone committing a crime to any time of the day and over any stolen goods.   Under current legislation, a citizen’s arrest couldn’t be made outside the hours of 9pm-6am unless the goods being stolen were worth at least $1000. You can make a citizen’s arrest, but you need to know your law.   You need to know whether the crime committed is going to attract a custodial sentence of more than three years and you need to know the legal definition of reasonable.   When appearing on Ryan Bridge's show last night the Minister stammered and stressed that it’s only a proposal and he seemed vague on the rules of engagement. Which is

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Thursday 27th of February 2025, Retailers don't seem to be onboard with the Government's proposed changes to citizens arrests, Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young tells Andrew Dickens why.   International tourism expenditure has returned to pre-Covid levels.   Former Defence Minister Andrew Little analyses Foreign Minister Winston Peter's visit to China to meet their Foreign Minister Wang Yi.   Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK's confirmed the biggest boost in defence spending since the Cold War.  It comes as our Government is committing to a "very significant" increase in defence spending.  British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says the world has entered a "dangerous new era", where defence and national security must come first.  UK Correspondent Wesley Smith told Andrew Dickens the funding is coming at the cost of cuts to international aid, much to the disquiet of those fearing the impact this will have on the UK’s international reputation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A growing infrastructure pipeline is being welcomed, but more work is needed.   The latest update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission shows the value of projects in the pipeline increased $60.4 billion in the last quarter.   The pipeline is now made up of 7,600 projects, worth $204 billion.   Infrastructure New Zealand Policy Director Michelle McCormick told Andrew Dickens it's good to see growth, but only half those projects have funding committed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.