Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Annual inflation has remained at 2.2% for the year to December according to the latest update from Stats NZ. It's slightly above what the Reserve Bank had forecast but economists say it shouldn't impact the potential of a February OCR cut. Rent was the largest driver of the annual increase, rising 4.2% in the past year. Westpac Senior Economist Satish Ranchhod says inflation pressures should continue to ease over the coming year. "Importantly, measures of core inflation (which track the underlying trend in consumer prices) have continued to trend down towards the RBNZ’s target range," LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am so pleased to see NZ Herald Business Journalist Kate McNamara continue to write about the woes in the Ruapehu District.   Why? Because the Ruapehu region has been hit hard with indecision around the two ski fields, the sudden closure of the Chateau two years ago; followed by the loss of over 200 jobs when Winstone’s pulp and timber mills shut down late last year.  This region has taken a beating through no fault of their own!   Yesterday McNamara focused on the issues surrounding the majestic Chateau Tongariro Hotel, which has been sitting in a derelict state for two years. It's a sad sight at the base of Ruapehu. A desolate Chateau, the golf course overgrown, and empty buildings surrounding it. The area feels quietly paused in time, with no sense of if and when it may spring back to life.  Whakapapa Holdings Ltd, the company in the process of buying the Whakapapa Ski Field, is keen to discuss the future of the Chateau with government officials. They are interested in taking on the hi

Almost 70 people have been killed in a fire at a Turkish ski resort.  The 12 storey Grand Karla hotel in Bolo was engulfed in flames in the early hours of the morning and took 12 hours to be extinguished.  UK and Europe correspondent Gail Downey told Francesca Rudkin the scenes from Bolo have been harrowing.  She says footage circulating on Turkish social media shows people using bed sheets to hang from windows in an attempt to escape.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's sweeping changes to US policy are already garnering pushback.   Trump's immediately begun wielding his new presidential powers, signing off 26 orders and backtracking 78 of Joe Biden's after being sworn in His withdrawals from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement have prompted global concern. US Correspondent Nick Harper told Francesca Rudkin the new Department of Government Efficiency is already facing three lawsuits. He says the decision to end birthright citizenship is also being challenged, with claimants coming forward saying he has no authority to redefine American citizenship. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A principal says schools across the country are struggling to fill teaching roles.   More than 400 principal and teaching roles are currently being advertised in the Education Gazette.   In 2024 there were almost 1600 vacancies - a similar number to recent comparable years.   Lumsden's Northern Southland College Principal Pete Wilkinson told Francesca Rudkin that traditionally, it's always been difficult to attract teachers to rural areas.  But he says it's a nationwide problem now.  Wilkinson says it's exceptionally hard to attract people into teaching and they have vacancies going unfilled for months, if not years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 21st of January. Donald Trump has been ssworn in as President for his second term - the first non-consecutive second term since the 1800's. Election expert Sean Trende joins us from the U.S. Water New Zealand's Chief Executive reacts to a new report which has found our water infrastructure is leaking at a very high rate. Auckland Council is considering big changes to dog walking. What does it mean for you and professional dog walkers? Get the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stats NZ will release Consumer Price Index inflation numbers for quarter four on Wednesday, and economists are predicting it will be within the Reserve Banks's target range of 1 - 3% It comes off the back of December card spending numbers which saw retail spending increase by 2% NZ Institute for Economic Research Deputy Chief Executive Christina Leung says they're expecting a rise of 0.6% for the quarter, and put annual inflation at 2.2% She says today's numbers shouldn't change the chances of a rates cut in February, expected to be 0.5% LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a lot going on in the world this week.   This Friday The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences provides some lighthearted relief from the world's challenges by announcing the Oscar nominees for the 2025 Academy Awards.   The nominees were due to be announced on January 18th, then January 20th, before being delayed again, giving those impacted by the fires still raging in Southern California more time to vote.   But as filmmakers, actors and the masterful craftspeople responsible for making some of the best films of the year wait patiently to see whether they get the nomination nod from their peers, a prickly conversation is brewing about AI.   The latest controversy in film is around the use of AI in two potential nominees, The Brutalist and Emila Perez, which both won at the Golden Globes. These two Oscar front runners are dealing with a backlash after it was revealed they used voice-cloning to enhance actors’ performances.  In The Brutalist, Adrien Brody and Felicity

Professional dog walkers say proposed Auckland Council changes will impact their services.   The council's looking at limiting the number of dogs people can walk at once to six, with only three of those able to be off a leash.   There are also changes proposed to keep dogs out of places with vulnerable wildlife at parks, and to provide some places that are completely dog free.   Cassie Jefferies from the Professional Dog Walkers' Association told Francesca Rudkin they take large packs of around 14 so it's affordable for people.   She says they take them to the beach or forest, and the cost of petrol is balanced out by taking the numbers they do.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are pleas for more investment in the country's water infrastructure.  Otago University research shows 21% of piped water is being lost – in comparison, the Netherlands loses 5% and Germany 6%.  They're also wasting around $122 million each year.  Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe told Francesca Rudkin different technologies like thermal imagery or acoustic devices need to be utilised.  She says there are leaks throughout the system, not just the ones that show in your house or on the street.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 21st of January. Donald Trump has been sworn in as President for his second term. Election expert Sean Trende joins us from the U.S. Water New Zealand's Chief Executive reacts to a new report which has found our water infrastructure is leaking at a very high rate compared to other countries. Auckland Council is considering big changes to dog walking. What does it mean for you and professional dog walkers?  Get the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has been inaugurated President for the second time. It's the first time since 1893 a president has been sworn in for a second non-consecutive term, the last being Grover Cleveland. Trump has promised to to issue multiple executive orders on day one, with immigration and border protection a big focus. Real Clear Politics Senior Election Analyst Sean Trende says things have changed since his first term. "He won the most votes this time around, unlike 2016. And so I think there's just a general sense of legitimacy about this presidency that there wasn't in 2016." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, it’s a big day in the United States today - and in Panama, Greenland, Canada, Mexico, and the many countries who are going to feel the weight of President Trump’s return.   Today is a day of ceremony, tradition and balls; but most importantly a day of action as Trump begins to fire off the first of the many executive orders promised on the campaign trail.   What I find most interesting about this Presidential transition is how transactional it has been. The New York Times reports there are at least a dozen billionaires among Trump’s cabinet picks or in line for senior roles in his administration. Another publication worked out that the combined net worth of the wealthiest members of his administration could surpass $460 billion.   Many are his richest donors, such as Elon Musk, who we all know spent a large sum getting Trump elected. Some of the roles these billionaires are taking on will see them become responsible for sectors they’ve been involved with.   Off the back of this, Pres

Following last minute strikes over Gaza and a three-hour long delay, an Israel-Hamas ceasefire has begun.  Israel is expecting to receive 33 hostages from Hamas over the coming weeks. The first three hostages have been returned to Israel, after spending around 15 months in captivity. Hamas says for every hostage released, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli jails. UK and Europe Correspondent Gail Downey joins the show to discuss the details.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis will pick up a new role with a new name in the Economic Growth Portfolio - formerly the Economic Development Portfolio occupied by Melissa Lee. Willis told Francesca Rudkin she is planning to identify the barriers for small businesses, industry leaders and entrepreneurs.  The change is among a variety of shakeups to cabinet - Doctor Shane Reti has lost the health portfolio, Simeon Brown has become the new minister for health and handed over his portfolio to Chris Bishop.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Foil's finished fourth in front of a home crowd in the Sail GP over the weekend.  Beat out by our rivals across the Tasman, Australia's Tom Slingsby said recovering after a technical scare was what helped them win the maiden final.  Sports reporter Elliott Smith joins early edition, giving a run down of the weekends sailing, the powerhouses taking on the Australian Open and Auckland FC is back in action.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stage is set for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.  In less than 24 hours he will be sworn in as the 47th United States President, however dangerously cold temperatures are threatening the ceremony's outdoor venue.  The former President isn't missing a beat with promises to conduct 100 executive orders on day one of his second term.  Marco Rubio's former chief of staff Matt Terrill joins Early Edition to discuss what can be expected this time around.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Monday the 20th of January. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reshuffled his cabinet with health and the economy the renewed focus. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis talks to Francesca about her expanded role. Matt Terrill joins the show live from the United States a day before Donald Trump's inauguration as president for the second time. It was a busy weekend of sport with Australia winning Sail GP in Auckland. Elliott Smith has your weekend sport wrap. Get the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has made a series of changes to his cabinet for the new year. Melissa Lee has been demoted from his ministerial team, taking her economic development and ethnic communities portfolios off her. Lee’s economic development portfolio had morphed into economic growth, which has been given to Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “[Willis'] focus will be on leading the Government’s growth agenda to unleash the potential of our businesses to grow, develop talent and attract investment,” Luxon said. Nicola Willis says signs of economic recovery are already starting to show. "Our plan is about more than simply getting through the recent economic downturn."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like many of us over the summer, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon used his downtime to reflect on the year that had been, and like many of us put together his in and out list for 2025. This is the way young people do New Year’s Resolutions these days. But what’s in and out took on a new rather crude spin yesterday afternoon when he announced a reshuffle of Ministerial roles for National MPs.  Melissa Lee lost all her portfolios. Matt Doocey is handing over ACC, Tourism and Hospitality, and Youth to various other MP’s to focus on his Mental Health and Associate Health roles. And Dr Shane Reti passes on the Health portfolio to Simeon Brown, instead picking up a new Universities roles, plus Science, Innovation and Technology.   The emphasis on health and economic growth is not a surprise, and while the Prime Minister continues to express confidence in Reti, and spoke of his achievements last year, it’s clear he’s decided his Minister’s skills are better used elsewhere.   However, the health goals