Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Yet another push for the Government to intervene and shut Gloriavale's school down for good. The school’s licence was due to expire on Friday, but the Ministry of Education agreed to keep it open after the School Board applied to the High Court for a judicial review. Gloriavale Leaver's Trust Founder Liz Gregory shares her concerns with Ryan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Question: Who wants a pay rise? Who deserves a pay rise? Simple question, easy answer.  Answer: Everybody and most kiwis. By and large we’re hard workers and deserve more. Teacher, nurses and doctors. By and large, yes. Yes. Yes.  At the weekend, more reports of doctor shortage - Whakatāne this time. Last week it was a teacher shortage.  Union came out and said what unions say. Throw some cash at it. Higher salaries. More staff. Problem solved.  The problem is not what to do but how to pay for it.  Remember our government is borrowing money from overseas lenders to pay for everyday items like teachers' salaries, fixing roads and paying welfare. Operational spending. We’re paying interest on that borrowing.  That interest bill is the highest it’s ever been in our nation’s history and even with National and ACT in government, who are meant to be the right ones, we will keep borrowing for this stuff and won’t start paying it back until at least 2030. Most know the uncomfortable trut

An ACC lawyer believes the crown entities new plan to improve costs completely misses what the Accident Compensation Act is about.  Its new plan's been released after a critical report that found its deficit would balloon to $26 billion by 2030.  It focuses on getting people back to work quicker and increasing the number of clients who have their own case manager as a single point of contact.   ACC lawyer and researcher Warren Forster told Andrew Dickens the act required all parties involved in an injury to get together to make a plan, which isn't happening.  He says ACC's plan has failed to address its statutory obligations that led to the cost blowout.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel costs are keeping inflation higher for longer than the Reserve Bank would probably like.  Stats NZ is providing its latest CPI update at 10.45.  Three months ago, the annual inflation rate was 3% - at the very top end of the Reserve Bank's target range.  Economists expect it now to be between 2.9 and 3.1%.  Economist Cameron Bagrie told Andrew Dickens inflation is looking to be a little bit sticky towards the top end of the target zone.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mt Maunganui's community is stepping up to help families and first responders a day after a landslide drove through a campground and hot pools.  The Herald understands from a source involved in rescue efforts that there could be up to nine people unaccounted for. Hundreds of emergency responders have been at the base of Mauao since from just after 9.30 yesterday morning. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale told Andrew Dickens volunteers and locals have been very generous during what is a tough time.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So yesterday the Otago Daily Times ran an article about the thoughts of Grant Kitto, a former Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) worker. Grant Kitto argues that showcasing the USAF F-22 Raptor at Warbirds Over Wānaka effectively legitimises US military power and the weapons systems that have been used in conflicts where civilians were killed.  The Raptor is made by Lockheed Martin and back in 2015 incident,  a US Air Force gun ship —also built by Lockheed Martin— attacked a Doctors Without Borders hospital, killing 42 people, including 14 staff members. He also worries the huge emissions from the planes. A local councillor echoed his concerns and said that the current global environment was not good for a display of US military power. And he said because this is kit in current use, it makes a difference compared to the older planes. What a load of tosh.   Firstly I guess the giveaway is the name of the event: Warbirds. This is a celebration of war machines, but more so the ingen

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2025, Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale has the latest on the rescue mission at the Mount Maunganui landslide.  The ACC has outlined its plan to get out of a $26 billion deficit by 2030, ACC lawyer and researcher Warren Forster shares his thoughts.  We're expecting the official inflation number for the year 2025 independent economist, cameron bagrie tells andrew what we can expect.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Davos and Prince Harry's court case against the Daily Mail.  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 long runway for an economic recovery is thought to be the main reason for a November election.   Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's set November 7th as election day – the latest election since 2008.   Early voting will open on October 26, with final results due in early November.  Political Commentator Liam Hehir told Andrew Dickens that the Government’s hoping that if they have as much time as possible, people will start to feel more confident regarding the economy.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump's delivered his two cents on the state of Europe, as tariff threats over the Greenland issue loom.   Trump's spoken at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, confirming he still wants to buy and control the Danish territory, but won't use force.   He's already threatened increasing tariffs on eight European countries if he doesn't get a deal.  University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil told Andrew Dickens the threat of a tariff war is extremely concerning, as it could do a lot of economic damage to the world.  She says everybody involved loses, which is why it’s not something we should be doing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 22nd of January 2025, Donald Trump's made a speech to the World Economic Forum saying he won't use excessive force to acquire Greenland, but he will push ahead with Tariffs, University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil explains the impact this will have on the US.  Confidence seems to be returning to the construction sector, with jobs ads for construction increasing 3.4% from November to December, Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming shares his thoughts. Christopher Luxon's announced the date of the election will be the 7th of November and he's ruled out National working with the Greens, Te Pāti Māori and Labour Political Commentator Liam Heir shares his thoughts.  Plus, US Correspondent has the latest on Donald Trump's speech in Davos and wild weather in the US.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee

Builders across the country are starting to feel the benefits of the rise of employment opportunities.  SEEK NZ's latest Employment Report shows a drop of 0.3% on overall job ads. But demand for construction workers continues to add volume, with a rise of 3.4% nationally, up 43% year on year. Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Andrew Dickens jobs are coming from across the country.  He says employment agreements in January are up 20% on this time last year - which is positive at this quieter time of year.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am becoming even more impressed with Mark Carney as time goes on. I said that yesterday on the radio and got a text that Carney is just Trudeau but without Katy Perry - a snappy one liner fed to my texter by the President’s camp, and nowhere near the truth. Carney yesterday gave a speech to Davos that may go down in history as era defining. He said great powers can go alone. They have the size and the money and the military to do whatever they want. But that does not mean the middle powers don’t exist. He made a call for countries like Canada, Australia, South Korea, and others to build strategic autonomy and collaborate to stabilize the global system.  He argued that middle powers could no longer rely on great powers to maintain order - they appear hell bent on sewing disorder. Carney framed the moment as a pivot point: either middle powers coordinate to build a more resilient, cooperative system, or the world slides deeper into fragmentation. And then he said some words that completely frea

Opposition leaders in the UK are concerned following through with plans for a giant Chinese Embassy in London.  The UK Government's approved the mega embassy, located near Tower Bridge in the central city.  Opponents have been warning the embassy could be used as a spying base.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens there are fears the embassy will be used to eavesdrop on both data, and people.  He says the embassy's so big, and  there are lots of rooms that appear to have no use.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calls are growing for tougher gambling regulations to prevent relapse.  New AUT research shows one in four gamblers who recover from harmful gambling slip back and return to the habit at a risky level.  Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Bridgette Thornley told Andrew Dickins people need concrete plans in place to kick their addiction, and New Zealand needs to help.   She says they need to remove predatory online marketing and gambling advertising in front of young people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children will analyse if New Zealand met its obligations under international law.   The four year search for the group ended in a shootout last September, where Phillips severely injured a police officer before being shot dead.  An inquiry into their disappearance will begin hearing evidence today, looking at whether agencies should have done more or acted faster to protect the children.   Waikato University Senior Law Lecturer Anna-Marie Brennan told Andrew Dickens New Zealand has obligations to protect children under UN conventions.   She says children deprived of their family environment must be given special protection and assistance.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building's calling time on its construction arm after a difficult few years.  It's signed a sale deal with French multi-national Vinci Construction, subject to regulatory approval.  The final reckoning could sit on about $334 million, and it'll move its focus to manufacturing and distribution.  AUT Construction Professor John Tookey says it's a seismic shift, but Fletcher's been overstretched in recent years, so it's not a big surprise.  He told Andrew Dickens the question is going to be whether the removal will significantly impact the profitability and sales of the building products side of things.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It might be today that the Government announces the date of the election. Some have called for an early election. They argue that the job to fix us up needs more time. The Government could argue they’re the ones to do it.   They could ask for a mandate for another three years to finish the job, and the sooner we get on with it the better. I can see that, but I don’t agree with it. We’ve been through a tough two years. Government’s always get the blame for tough years.   So the Government is currently at a low ebb in their popularity, but as we’re starting to hear there are good signs in the economy.   Not just here, but everywhere - geopolitical events not withstanding. So why not wait until the green shoots actually turn into a proper crop? And with Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation speech being portrayed as a yawn fest with little new vision, there’s no silver bullet in the chamber that might excite the electorate. So why pull the trigger early? My pick is still nearly November. An

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 21st of January 2025, the Tom Phillips inquiry is underway today, Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato School of Law Dr Anna-Marie Brennan tells Andrew what we can expect from it.  A new study is hoping to highlight just how hard it is to kick a gambling habit, Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Brigette Thornley shares her thoughts.  Fletcher Building has sold its construction arm to a French multinational, John Tookey, Professor of Construction Management at AUT, tells Andrew what this means for the company.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on world leaders arriving in Davos for the World Economic Forum and the UK approving China's plans for a huge new embassy in central London.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor

As prices for everyone's favourite sweet treat soar, chocolate makers are searching to find cheaper alternatives.  A Rabobank report reveals manufacturers are exploring ways to replace cocoa beans, including lab-grown options, as climate pressures disrupt supply and make global cocoa prices rise.  Raglan Chocolate Head Maker Mike Renfree told Andrew Dickens the commodity price of cocoa has been double what it was in 2023, but it's mostly impacting the large multi-nationals.   He says it was $2 a kilo in 2023, went up to $12 a kilo in 2024 and 2025, and it's now lower down at $5, but there's a lag in the system.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A superannuation expert suggests the Government looks across the ditch for ways to maintain the retirement age.   The Prime Minister took the opposite stance during his State of the Nation speech in Auckland yesterday afternoon.   Christopher Luxon says as life expectancy rises, the pension age of 65 is too low.   Jonathan Eriksen told Andrew Dickens Australia introduced compulsory superannuation in 1991 with 3% employer contribution.   He says it now has trillions of dollars, which it invests in infrastructure and tourism.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.