Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The news that New Zealand is going to spend 12 billion dollars on defence is not news to welcome, and yet it is welcome news.  In an unsettled world, defence is essential. And the equation for a credible defence is spending 2 percent of GDP.  So now within 8 years we’ll get to that target - it’s a doubling.   The question is why we are only just doing this now. If we’d spent that for the past 30 years we would not be facing so dramatic a spend today.  But we didn’t. Fat and complacent in a mistaken belief that we were safe and sound, and if something went wrong our friends would come and save us.  For as long as I’ve been in the news business, Australia and the States have warned that coat tailing did not cut it and that we had to do our bit. So fair play to Judith Collins, she’s finally accepting the responsibility that we’ve always needed.  But it comes at a difficult time.  Firstly, the world has become more dangerous so time is of the essence. And secondly, we’re broke.&

Liam Lawson was beaten by his Red Bull replacement Yuki Tsunoda on the opening lap of the Japanese Grand Prix.  He finished 17th, while Tsunoda finished 12th.  His former Red Bull team-mate, Max Verstappen, won from pole position.  Sports Contributor Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss the race, Auckland FC continuing their unbeaten run, Women's 7s title win, and the Blues first win over the Hurricanes.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fallout from US President Donald Trump's tariffs announced over the weekend has continued to be felt around the world.  The stock market's S&P fell 10.5%, but New Zealand only fell 0.5%.  Experts are warning tariffs could push prices up for consumers, and protesters have taken to the streets in their thousands as a result.  Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith talks to Mike Hosking about the aftermath.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government wants to change the laws surrounding free speech in New Zealand.  As part of the Quarter two action plan, legislation will be introduced to require freedom of expression in our university's.  What impact will the new law have on students and learning?  Former Victoria University Dean & NZ Initiative Research Fellow Michael Johnston talks to Andrew Dickens about the change.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 7th April 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith shares the latest on reaction out of the US following Donald Trump's tariffs. The Government wants to shake up free speech laws in universities, Former Victoria University Dean and NZ Initiative research fellow Dr Michael Johnston tells Andrew Dickens what this means. Andrew Alderson shares the latest from sport over the weekend. Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest on UK car giant Jaguar Land Rover announcing a pause all shipments to the US, following the announcement on tarrifs. 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 noticeably frail Pope Francis has made a surprise appearance at Vatican City.  The 88-year-old was in a wheelchair and wearing a nasal cannula for oxygen, when greeting onlookers in St Peter's Square.  It's his first official public appearance since he was released from hospital, after a life-threatening bout of double pneumonia.  International Correspondent, Gavin Grey says told Andrew Dickens the Pope ignored doctor's orders.  He says Pope Francis was told to take several weeks off duties, upon release from hospital after a five-week stay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So it looks like the Treaty Principles Act is toast as Christopher Luxon assured us it would be.   Much was made over the weekend that 90 per cent of the submissions were against it.   But that means nothing if all the opposing submissions were just photocopies of one.  Māori are organised. Anyone who’s seen their multiple Hikoi's and the awesome organisation of the Kings Tangi should know that.   You underestimate Māori at your peril.    But it must also be noted that Act’s act was a simplistic dog. Much of it is already covered by the bill of rights.   At its heart it was three sentences designed to overthrow 50 years of legal development.  But is the movement against the treaty dead.   No, it is not. New Zealand first wants to have a crack.  And Winston Peters, being the experienced legislator, wants to amend the existing Treaty Principles legislation we already have.   He ran his election campaign on it. It's the smart way to achieve real change. 

New Zealand exporters are in the firing line, as tariffs of at least 10% are now being imposed on almost all goods.  The US surpassed Australia as our second largest export destination for beef last year due to a sharp rise in meat exports.  There’s billions of dollars' worth of trade in the sector, as the United States is unable to meet their consumption demand with their domestic production.   Meat Industry Association CEO Sirma Karapeeva told Andrew Dickens we currently trade with a “nuisance tariff” of only a few cents, so this 10% is essentially imposing over 9.3% extra cost on exports.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dispute surrounding a charity co-founded by Prince Harry will be investigated.  The Sentebale charity's caught the eye of the Charity Commission after a public war of words saw its head make claims of bullying and harassment within the organisation.  UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Andrew Dickens the Duke of Sussex is hoping the commission will be able to unveil the truth.  McAviney says Harry's welcoming the official investigation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A health group says the Government's health targets don't tell the full story of the system.  Three of the five Government's targets are on track, but two are worse than the previous quarter.  Wait lists for elective treatments and a first specialist assessment have worsened, but child vaccination rates have improved, alongside cancer treatment times and ED stay lengths.  Patient Voice Aotearoa Chair Malcolm Mulholland told Andrew Dickens the ED wait time metric doesn't include walkouts.  He's aware of a case in Palmerston North where a patient walked out of its ED because it was overwhelmed, and died the following day.  He’s also doubting how cancer treatments are measured.  Mulholland told Andrew Dickens it looks at the time from the first appointment to first treatment, instead of diagnosis.  He says patients are waiting eight weeks or longer at Waikato, Christchurch, Wellington and Southland hospitals, and some outcomes have been lethal.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnys

Formula one hits Japan this weekend, with Liam Lawson to race for the first time since dropping to the Racing Bulls.  Lawson's replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, will be racing for oracle this Sunday.  Sport's Journalist Eric Thompson says Yuki and Lawson have been friends since junior days.  He says some strain in their friendship is to be expected.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Friday 4th April 2025, NZ is finally in the firing line for Donald Trump's tariffs, Sirma Karapeeva Chief Executive of the Meat Industry Association explains how it will impact our exporters.   Formula One hits Japan this weekend, with Liam Lawson to race for the first time since dropping to the racing bulls, Sports Journalist Eric Crompton shares his take.   The Government's says it's Health targets seem to be on track, Chairperson of Patient Voices Aotearoa, Malcolm Mulholland shares his thoughts.   Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney shares reaction from the UK on Donald Trump's tariffs.   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.

The age of globalisation is dead. Trump has withdrawn America. Now we’re in an age of blocs - nations that agree to trade with each other, nations that have commonality.   So, who are our friends and who are our friends that we get on with?   China is our biggest trade friend, but is China our friend? No, they’re not.   So we are into a period of delicate negotiations and that’s going to cause fewer than perfect trade deals.   Now what do we do about America? Some have said that the situation is not too bad - 10% as we speak.   But our trade with America is $9 billion a year, so 10 per cent is near enough a billion dollars, which is not inconsiderable. So what should we do? The Trade Minister and Prime Minister say it would be foolish to retaliate. We’re not in the same weight class.  Maybe we should go the Trump playbook. We all know that Trump likes to go big and then pull back to his bottom line.  So should we go back and say let’s call it 5%, and then wait

A rising concern about shoddy builders has prompted the Government to roll out industry reforms.   The Building and Construction Minister says relatively few examples of high-profile poor workmanship is tarring the image of tradies.   Chris Penk has announced there'll be more transparency about suspended builders, stronger discipline, and an improved complains process.  AUT Construction Management Professor John Tookey told Andrew Dickens it’s a step in the right direction.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's highlighted an Achilles' heel with a $664 million mental health programme that's missing targets.  Labour's 2019 'Wellbeing' Budget saw the Access and Choice Programme receive its funding over five years.  It's aiming to support 325 thousand people per year, but during 2023-24 saw just over 207 thousand.   Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey told Andrew Dickens utilization is a weak point.  He says a warm handover to GPs is good for those who need to be seen urgently, but it means there's a workforce being under used.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uncertainty is the word of the day in the US as Donald Trump gears up for his so called "Liberation Day".   The President will reveal his latest round of tariffs at 9am New Zealand time.   It's expected to throw away decades of norms around global trade and hit people in their back pockets.   University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil told Andrew Dickens there's particular concern around further tariffs on Canada.   She says 80% of US aluminium imports come from Canada, which is a key manufacturing component.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tesla may benefit when founder Elon Musk leaves his government role.   There are reports the billionaire will leave his role at the Department of Government Efficiency to take a much smaller role in the administration.   It comes as auto maker reports a 13 percent drop in vehicle sales in the first three months of the year.   US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Andrew Dickens rumours of Musk's departure are already having an effect on Tesla's fortunes.   He says it's sent stocks up five percent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The comedian Jimmy Carr is coming back to New Zealand for a nationwide tour the culminates at Auckland's Spark Arena. These are big halls, and he can fill them because he’s that good.   It’s called 'Jimmy Carr Laughs Funny' and he does. It’s so true, it’s funny.   And that’s Jimmy’s thing.   It’s easy to lump comedians like Jimmy, and Ricky Gervais and America’s Bill Maher into a conservative label simply because so much of what they say is politically incorrect.   But what makes them funny is that it’s just true. They point out the hilarity of our tribal positions - both left and right.  I’m reading Bill Maher’s book 'What This Comedian Said Will Shock You'. It’s a collection of his best monologues over the year.   I used to think he was quite right wing when I watched his show, but that was because he was merciless against the Biden administration. Now that Trump is in power he’s equally merciless. I like that.   I like his pithy observation that conservatives govern

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Thursday 3rd April 2025, Minister for mental health Matt Doocey joins Andrew Dickens to talk on major report into mental health.  A slew of new government changes will hold cowboy builders more responsible for poor quality work, AUT Professor in construction John Tookey, tells Andrew Dickens how it will make a difference. All eyes are on America as Donald Trump announces the latest number of tarrifs, University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil, shares the reaction out of America.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch Mccann  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.

New Zealand Rugby and former kit sponsor Ineos have resolved their financial differences.  A settlement has been reached after NZR lodged an injunction at the High Court in Wellington, with the figure reportedly in excess of $21 million.  Ineos get to terminate the deal after three years, rather than the full six.  Marketing Expert Mike Hutcheson told Andrew Dickens NZ Rugby will likely wind up with a contract with a similar company.  He says we’re a tiny country at the bottom of the world, and you have to look quite hard to find someone who can afford to sponsor the All Blacks.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.