Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A turning point for Auckland.  The third annual State of the City report has been released, showing how we compare on a global scale.  It highlights strengths in sustainability, resilience, and culture, but says we lag behind in prosperity, skills, and innovation development.  Deloitte’s Future of Auckland Lead Kate Sutton told Andrew Dickens that Auckland’s at 40% of GDP while the productivity per capita is about 20% lower than comparable cities around the world.  She says we’re doing more for less, and a step up needs to be done to deal with the structural reasons behind it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here we go again.  The polytechs that were centralised by the last government are going to be de-centralised by the current mob.  It's not quite back to the future because it won't be the same as we had before the politicians started tinkering. There will now be ten polytechs run locally, six others will have to prove their financial viability, but it still feels like we're going back to where we started from. And this ideological flip flop isn't free.  The Labour Government allocated hundreds of millions of dollars over several years to support the merger and transformation of the vocational education sector. And now National has budgeted $200 million to fund the reversal. Key Cost Drivers in this change include swapping out the IT and systems integration across multiple institutions from centralised to local.  Obviously, staff restructuring, which includes finding new staff for the polytechs and firing some staff created in the centralisation.  Then there's branding and communicatio

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 15th of July 2025, Secondary Principals Council Chair and Aotea College Principal Kate Gainsford joins Andrew Dickens to discuss the number of students passing the NCEA literacy and numeracy co-requisite tests slowly on the rise. Dr Sandra Grey, National Secretary of the Tertiary Education Union, shares her thoughts on the Government’s plan to replace Te Pūkenga and return to a more localised polytech model. Kate Sutton, Future of Auckland Lead at Deloitte, breaks down a new global report comparing Auckland’s strengths and weaknesses on the world stage. Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the incredible story of a German backpacker found alive after surviving 11 days lost in the harsh outback. 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.

Concerns we're narrowing the focus too much in the push to improve literacy and numeracy rates. Small improvements were seen on last year with 57% of NCEA students achieving the numeracy standard, 61% achieving the reading standard and 55% achieving the writing standard. Secondary Principals Council Chair, Kate Gainsford told Andrew Dickens the focus hasn't been spread across other important subjects like science or languages.  She says we need to ensure we don't neglect other parts of the curriculum while also looking at the basics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, a group of well-known organizations published an open letter to the Prime Minister.  Organizations like the EMA, 2degrees and Consumer New Zealand all signed the letter calling for the government to reform the energy sector.  Chief Executive of Consumer New Zealand John Duffy said that the government needs to have a fast, but measured response.  He said, ‘[We don’t] want the minister to rush into a knee-jerk reaction.’   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday 14th of July 2025, Act's Tertiary Education Spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar shares her thoughts on a new plan from the government to double the amount international students contribute to our economy to $7.2 billion by 2034.  A group of well-known organisations have written an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for immediate reform to our energy sector, Consumer NZ Chief Executive Jon Duffy, tells Andrew Dickens why.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus Europe/ UK Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on more than 70 people arrested at protests against Palestine Action, being designated a proscribed terrorist group. 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 Government's unveiling new initiatives in hopes of doubling the international education sector.  Education Minister Erica Stanford wants it to contribute 7.2 billion dollars to the economy by 2034.  The Government's plan begins with expanding work rights to all tertiary students in approved exchange programmes.  It's also allowing eligible students to work 25-hours per week - up from the current 20.  It will also investigate a new short-duration work visa and streamlining multi-year visa application.   Act Tertiary Education Spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar told Andrew Dickens she welcomes the news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I find it ironic that the government and the electorate are once a gain keen on getting rid of some of the layers of our council bureaucracy. First NZ First’s Shane Jones publicly questioned the role of regional councils, pondering whether “there’s going to be a compelling case for regional government to continue to exist”. Then Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking that the Government was looking at local government reform. On Friday Matthew Hooten wrote a piece about Regional Councils reiterating Chris Bishop’s question that he’s been asking many local councillors.  Is there any point in having regional councils.  So it's on the table.  Of course the battle against bureaucracy is alive and well around the world. Duplication of services and excessive layers of governance means that savings could be made easily and safely and it's something we've always discussed. Last term the government reformed District Health Board from 20 boards into a single entity Health New Zealand or just

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.