Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Christchurch Council is being urged to back the bid for a South Island NRL team.  It’s said the team could bring in $50 million in revenue for the city each year.  The call’s come from South Island NRL Bid ltd, led by Canterbury Rugby League Chairman Tony Kidd, and is a rival bid to David Moffett’s South Island Kea.  Adam Blair, former Warriors player and commentator, told Mike Hosking that there’s always been conversation about the need for another New Zealand team.  He said that the important thing is having people in the know that have done it before, and he’s not sure if there’s anyone in the South Island who has been in that position and knows how to get it across the line.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK police are still unable to find the parents they say abandoned three babies across East London across seven years.   DNA testing shows newborn Baby Elsa —found in a park earlier this year— is the sibling of two others found similarly in 2017 and 2019.   UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that a judge has made allowances because of the case's public interest.   He says the public can know the babies are black, and its believed they share the same parents.  Elsa was just one hour old when she was found.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More people are getting mental health support in primary care, but not as many are accessing specialist services.   A Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report shows more people are receiving community-based care.   But access to specialist services dropped from 3.8% of people in 2018 and 19 to 3.4% in 2022 and 23.  Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Shaun Robinson told Mike Hosking that new services at GP level have drawn resources from specialist services.   He says we keep putting money into one piece of it, but ignoring the whole system, therefore creating a hole elsewhere.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The T20 World Cup is coming up soon, and New Zealand has been put out in the back paddock with no games in the United States.  The Super Rugby quarterfinals have been set after a tense weekend of matches. The Blues are on top of the board, and the final looks to be between them, the Hurricanes, or the Chiefs.  Andrew Alderson wrapped the long weekend of sports.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says there’s been a drop in respect for police over the past six to seven years and they have become “punching bags” - and he wants to fix it.  Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking about a large boy racer event in Levin on the weekend - in which two police officers were hurt - Mitchell said police had been overwhelmed by the number of people at the meet.  More than 200 cars were at the gathering, with around 30 police staff deployed to the centre of Levin pre-emptively.  Manawatū area commander Inspector Ross Grantham said police were put at serious risk due to “aggressive behaviour”, with two officers hurt when they were pelted with rocks and bottles when they tried to intervene.  Six cars were impounded and two people arrested, and Mitchell told Hosking more people would be arrested.  Skid marks from cars doing burnouts during a car meet in Levin. Photo / Supplied  The Police Minister said he planned to talk to Transport Minister Simeon Brown about the legislation regarding i

The Prime Minister will be doing what he can to steer clear of Fiji's domestic political issues while there.   Christopher Luxon's visiting Fiji and Niue this week, his first visit to the region as PM.   The Fiji trip will have a significant trade and economic focus and includes a meeting with the country's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.   Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Mike Hosking that there's a slight tension between New Zealand establishing itself as a close partner and discussions around AUKUS.   He says many Pacific Island countries aren't keen on that, and don't see themselves as a pawn in a US-China dominance showdown.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is defending the time it's going to take to get the Government's books back in the black.  Nicola Willis says a surplus is expected in 2027-28.  Labour's Finance Spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, told Mike Hosking that Willis isn't delivering the direction she promised.  She said that they’re borrowing way more than Labour would’ve at the end of the forecast period, and running larger deficits than Grant Robertson did, except for at the peak of Covid.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cancer Society says some patients won't have a year to wait for National to make good on their promise.   Over the next four years the government is spending $6.5 billion to boost hospital and primary care.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's disappointed it couldn't include funding for 13 new cancer drugs, despite promising it pre-election.   Cancer Society Chief Executive Rachel Hart told Mike Hosking that she's also disappointed for the cancer patients who voted for National thinking it would keep its promise.   Health Minister Shane Reti says the funding should come in one year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A civil war has been sparked after a vote at NZ Rugby’s headquarters saw Proposal Two passed.  It passed with a majority, 69 votes for and 21 against.  New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association CEO Rob Nichols claims the game could now be in an even worse position than before.  He said that Proposal One, which adopted more of the recommendations from the Pilkington report, was a great opportunity for the game to make the changes required.  ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that while it is a democracy, this is not the end of the saga by any stretch.  He said that eyes are now on the provincial unions to implement their ideas, board, and get on with it.  It’s time to see whether they can put their money where their mouth is and whether they can govern the game, Smith said.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today sees a crucial vote take place for New Zealand Rugby.  A Special General Meeting is taking place, in which the union will vote on the new governance structure.  The proposed changes follow the review last year that found the current model not fit for purpose.   ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that he doesn’t think they’ll reach the two-thirds needed to pass either model.  He thinks a stalemate is more likely, but Proposal Two, backed by the Provincial Unions, might get closer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns that another rise in power bills could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.  The Commerce Commission is proposing increased revenue limits for Transpower and 16 local lines companies to help cover rising demands of the national grid.  Electric bills would increase by an average $15 a month from April and $5 a month over the following four years to cover maintenance.  Consumer Advocacy Council Chair Deborah Hart says all alternatives need to be weighed up before a decision is made.  She says costs are already too much for some with rising inflation and the phased removal of the low fixed user fees.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will unveil the final shape of the tax cuts promised to New Zealanders in the Budget today as well as how the Government will pay for them.  The contents of the Budget will be revealed by Willis in Parliament at 2pm.  Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker says there won't be any major tax shocks in today's Budget.  She told Mike Hosking Walker she’s expecting to see some modest increases in just the thresholds at which tax rates apply.   Walker said it will be a Budget of "adjustments".  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's hush money trial is nearing its end, with jurors retiring to deliberate.  The former US president is facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records relating to a hush money payment to an adult film star before the 2016 election.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's a win-win situation for Trump.  He told Mike Hosking that if he's found not guilty, the jurors will be labelled heroes and the justice system will be deemed great again.  But if he's found guilty, Mitchinson says Trump will become a martyr and his supporters will be convinced that this was a political attack.  The jury must be unanimous in its decision.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest rate sentiment might have turned, but people are uncertain about the future of house prices and whether it's a good time to buy.  A new ASB survey's found more people expect interest rates to fall rather than lift in the coming year.  Senior Economist Kim Mundy says uncertainty is still high, and the economic outlook isn't very strong.  She says consumers are still going to be cautious around the housing market, even if the interest rates story is likely to improve.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis has apologised after he was quoted using a derogatory term about gay men.  It's alleged the Pope made the remark during a closed-door meeting with bishops in Rome last week.  They were reportedly discussing whether gay men should be admitted to Catholic seminaries, where priests are trained.  Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that the Pope apparently said gay men shouldn't be allowed to train for the priesthood.  He says there's been shock at this, as the Pope has spoken publicly in the past about being respectful towards gay people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour is urging students to stay in school tomorrow and not join protests across the country.  Toitu Te Tiriti is urging Māori to strike countrywide across the New Zealand on Budget Day as a demonstration against a Government assault on Tangata Whenua and Te Tiriti.  Multiple hikoi are planned, including rolling road blockages in Auckland and a rally outside the Beehive.  Associate Education Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking that education needs to be the top priority for students.  He doesn't see how a protest focused on race without constructive solutions will help.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The News Publishers Association remains optimistic the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill will go through.   A Select Committee's recommended the bill not be passed in its current form.   The bill would force social media giants to pay for using news media.   Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says they've not made a decision and it's still on the table.   News Publishers Association spokesperson Andrew Holden told Mike Hosking that ACT is against the bill while Labour and the Greens are in support.   He says there's no comment from National or New Zealand First, leaving the ground open for Goldsmith to step in and say exactly what he'd do.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nelson-based fuel company NPD has remained 100% Kiwi owned.  The company left the hands of the founding family, selling a majority of the shares.  One Kiwi in particular now owns the company, current CEO and longtime employee, Barry Sheridan.  Sheridan told Mike Hosking that their goal is to bring the most competitive fuel prices they can as they expand through New Zealand, while still maintaining that strong New Zealand family-owned position.  He said that it helps the economy, as they retain all the funds within New Zealand, which then helps to strengthen the families within New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A public transport advocate believes we're paying the price for a lack of investment in trains.  Only 22.5% of Wairarapa trains arrived within five minutes of being on schedule in April.  It's a slight improvement from February, which had only around 5% of trains within target.  Jon Reeves from the Public Transport Users Association told Mike Hosking that there's a lot to catch up on.  He says new trains are coming in 2028 and there are issues with tracks and tunnels, impacting both passengers and freight.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A struggle to staff the country's radiation oncology services is turning more cancer patients to private care.   RNZ is reporting that a service caring for patients in five regions across the North Island is not allowed to recruit the staff it needs, despite recommendations from Te Whatu Ora.   Cancer Society Co-Director Kate Gregory told Mike Hosking that the shortage is just one reason for the patient shift.  She says the private sector also has more cancer medicine options available.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.