Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is determined to have more success in the air against France during Saturday's second test in Wellington.  The French aerial assault often caught the ABs on the hop in the narrow first test win, an area Robertson says the All Blacks have been tidying up in practice.  Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Andew Dickens that defusing their ariel game is essential, and Caleb Clarke, who is coming on as injury cover, is a big part of that.  “He’s probably the All Blacks’ best winger in terms of diffusing the high bomb.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A belief all sectors will need to step up to deal with online scammers.  The new Anti-Scam Alliance brings together government agencies, banks, telcos, digital platforms, and consumer groups.  The task force will share data about scams to shut them down in real time.  Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont says it will make a difference if all participants play their part.  He says particularly social media companies and digital platforms need to do what they can to interrupt scams.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Friday 11th of July 2025, the Government's going to address the country's scamming issues head on with a anti-scam alliance, NZ Banking Association Chief Executive Roger Beaumont, tells Andrew Dickens the difference it will make.  The All Blacks are taking on France this weekend in Wellington, Newstalk ZB's Jason Pine shares his thoughts ahead of the game.  Just under 30 thousand New Zealanders left the country for Australia last year, the highest level of emigration across the ditch since 2012. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on a new deal between the UK and France which addresses small boat crossings.  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 migration numbers may be painting a bleak picture of our economy.  New Zealand saw it's highest net migration loss to Australia in the year to December in more than a decade - with 30 thousand leaving. Overall net migration for the May 2025 year levelled out at a gain of just under 15 thousand.  But ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Andrew Dickens net migration is normally about a 30 thousand person inflow.  He says over the past few years, there's been a sharp slowdown in the number of people coming in, and we've also seen record numbers leaving - which reflects the weakness in the economy.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another poll. Another rush of fevered opinion, and yet still so far away from an election.  The poll business is booming. Once upon a time we had just the two TV networks in the game, but now they’ve been joined by others.  Keeping the opinion writers in business and politics as the leading news driver in this country.  So this one was paid for by the Taxpayers Union and it breathlessly reports that New Zealand First is on the rise and is now the third most popular party.   Winston may be 80, but it looks like he’s here to stay. And the two major parties are pretty equal at 30 odd each - there is no dominant party right now in New Zealand.  Other than that, the other take away is that we don’t like the leaders of the major parities.   Both leaders have popularity rankings less than 20%, and that’s because they’re both demonstrably a bit average.  That’s particularly concerning for National and the Prime Minister, who learned that 80% of New Zealanders don’t rate him as PM.&n

Mortgage-holders will be holding their breath in after yesterday's OCR announcement. The Reserve Bank's opted to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 3.25% while signalling the possibility of further cuts.  But new ASB research suggests interest rates remain volatile, with several opposing forces at play.  Finance and Mortgage Association Country Manager Leigh Hodgetts told Andrew Dickens that they’re holding out hope for a cut in August.  She says that people are looking for a bit of relief in their household spending, which would come from interest rates coming down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tax rebate scheme's helped boost the number of people employed in the video game sector by more than 20%.  The four-year, $160 million Game Development Sector Rebate allows eligible studios to claim back 20% of their spend.   Forty studios will receive a share of $22.4 million this year, for its second year.  Game Development Association Executive Director Joy Keene told Andrew Dickens the sector's booming compared to a few years ago.  She says it's been a game-changer, as a lot of New Zealand studios were looking to move to Australia because of their rebate.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 10th of July 2025, the Reserve Bank kept the OCR at 3.25%, Finance and Mortgages Association country Manager Leigh Hodgetts tells Andrew Dickens what this means for mortgages.  Our video game sector is having a major boom due to a government tax rebate, NZ Game Developers Association Executive Director Joy Keene shares his thoughts.  Some Jobseeker beneficiaries are being sent to Tasman and Marlborough to help with the clean up of flooding, Rural support trust top of the South Chairperson and Former Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne tells Andrew how much of a difference they're making for clean up support.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the Texas floods and President Trump meeting with African Leaders Following USAID Cuts. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com

The Rural Support Trust believes beneficiaries will make a difference to the flooding clean-up in the upper South Island. The Government's activated a beneficiary task force in Tasman and Marlborough, to support those affected by severe weather. Tasman has 600 work-ready beneficiaries. Rural Support's Top of the South chair, Richard Kempthorne told Andrew Dickens the initiative's worked well before. He doesn't know what happens if people are physically and mentally capable and refuse to do the work. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a while now I’ve been thinking that the Reserve bank and the Government are working at cross purposes for the country.  Yesterday the Reserve Bank kept the OCR at the same rate it’s at. The reason: increasing inflation and little or no growth in GDP. Now the Government has an agenda of growth, growth, growth.  So reduced interest rates could help stimulate the economy that has some very flat spots in between primary produce and tourism.  But the Reserve Bank's purview is inflation, and low interest rates fire on consumerism and inflation. So, the rate isn't lowered. It's fair to say the Reserve Bank won’t do what the Government would like it to do.  Meanwhile, the Government pulls back on all government spending, including stuff that fires on an economy, like construction, public builds, roading, and more.  If you want proof: Government accounts in the 11 months to the end of May for investing and operational activities was $3 billion less than forecast and $6.4 billion less than

Chris Hipkins was on with Kerre Woodham yesterday, as well as with Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW, and he talked about the Covid inquiry – insinuating it was slanted against Labour because New Zealand First is now part of a National government and had drawn up the scope of the inquiry to benefit them.   It also came out that he has drafted written responses to the questions the Commission might ask of him, but he is non-committal about fronting up for a verbal grilling – a good cross examination. Now also on the table is Jacinda Arden, who doesn't look like showing despite the wish of many for her to be held to account.   But the thing about this Commission is that it is not a trial, it's an inquiry. It's a show trial, really. It's a political thing and Chris Hipkins is still in the political game, unlike Jacinda Ardern. So he needs to handle this thing well.   He was the Minister of Health during the pandemic. In fact, he was the Minister of just about everything, because he was the most competent

Hopes a move to boost New Zealand's use of AI will get small businesses on board.   Science Minister Shane Reti's announced the Government's first strategy for using Artificial Intelligence to reduce barriers to adoption and promote responsible use.   He says it could lift our GDP $76 billion by 2038.   BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Andrew Dickens AI use for Kiwi small businesses is currently well behind Australia.  She says to boost their productivity they need to embrace it, and there are plans to help support them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamilton's not losing sleep over the French rugby team's decision to snub the city.  The Les Bleus are basing themselves in Auckland for as long as possible before the third test against the All Blacks in Waikato next week.  A spokesperson says the team prefer the facilities in Auckland.  Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate told Andrew Dickens the city does sporting events very well, using its co-hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup as an example.  She says the event was very pleased with the facilities at FMG Stadium and believed Hamilton's hosting was some of the best.  The Mayor says thousands of visitors are heading to the city for the game.  Southgate says they're going to pack out local business and accommodation and thinks it's the French team's loss.  The second test is on Saturday night in Wellington.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank's expected to press pause on the Official Cash Rate this afternoon, but that's not it's only option.    The OCR's sitting at 3.2% after six consecutive rates reductions since last August.   Mortgage rates have followed it down over that time, falling to about 5%.   ANZ Chief economist Sharon Zollner told Andrew Dickens a 25-basis-point cut wouldn't be a bad idea, given GDP may have gone backwards.   She says that more than offsets the fact that GDP in the first three months was stronger than expected.   Zollner says it matters quite a bit that momentum's flagging at the moment.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The red carpet's been rolled out for French President Emmanuel Macron for his first visit to the UK since Brexit.  The three-day visit marks his first time there since 2008.  Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to hold meetings this week, expecting 'good progress' on issues like illegal migration.  UK and Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens the UK wants to be more welcoming towards Europe.  He says UK dignitaries have shown a great deal of warmth towards Macron.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 9th of July, the OCR has been cut six times in a row... what will happen today? ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner joins Andrew Dickens to discuss why a cut should happen, but probably won't.  Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard explains what the Government's new AI strategy means for business.  And Mayor of Hamilton Paula Southgate reacts to Les Bleus snubbing a stay in the Tron for the final test in the series.  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.

Iwi-owned entities have emerged in good shape following the country's economic downturn.  ANZ’s annual Te Tirohanga Whanui report reveals iwi surveyed saw asset values grow a median 4.1% in the 2023-2024 year.   Auckland University Professor of Māori Management Jason Mika told Andrew Dickens iwi have focused on being prudent when it comes to treaty settlements.  He says they only get one shot, so they're doing all they can to be careful while also being innovative with how they manage these assets.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belief changes to child banking requirements will affect teens the most.  The Government's making it easier to sign children up for a bank account, saying the current laws are unnecessarily difficult, in an attempt to prevent serious crime.   It's one of the first steps in Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee's revamped anti money-laundering regime.    MyMahi founder Jeff King told Andrew Dickens New Zealand would be in a good place if all young people had a bank account.  He says those aged 15-to-16 are looking for their first part-time job and need an account.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's mushroom murder trial is set to go down in the history books.  Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering her estranged husband's parents and aunt and attempting to kill his uncle with a beef wellington with death cap mushrooms in it.  Newstalk ZB's Donna Demaio is in Victoria, following developments.  She told Andrew Dickens hundreds of people have been descending on the small town of Morwell for the trial.  Demaio says people took time off work and arrived early each morning for a chance to be in court.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Question: should Jacinda Ardern come home and appear before the Royal Commission into our Covid response? I think she should.   I could understand though if she doesn't. Because just as she became the symbol of our successful response to the pandemic, which we rewarded with a supermajority in Labour's second term, she also then became the symbol of everything that we did wrong.   And there's a significant number of people who have been weaponised against the former Prime Minister because of the things they resent, and they want a holding to account. They want a Nuremberg trial, as you heard from my texts, you know, they want fines, they want jail.   But they won't get that, even if she did come back. This is an inquiry about Covid to understand everything they got wrong as well as everything they got right. Now, I'm sure Jacinda Ardern, even if her conscience is completely clear, she would be worried about the consequences of coming home and being at the front of this investigation for her fami