Holiday Breakfast

Air New Zealand will see more than 50,000 people today on its busiest day of the holiday season.  The airline is expecting over three million customers between the December and holiday period.  What can those flying today expect?  Chief Operating Officer Alex Marren joins the show to discuss how Air NZ is tracking during this time.  LISTEN ABOVE .  See omnystudio.com/liste...

In a few days' time, on New Year’s Eve, we’re going to learn who the recipients of the New Year’s Honours will be. So, I thought I’d get in early, so it doesn’t look like I’m undermining any of the fine New Zealanders who have been chosen for those honours. Before then, I want to highlight a couple of New Zealanders who, for different reasons, are worthy of recognition as outstanding contributors...

It's a wet start to most of the Island today.  The weekend will bring another front off the Tasman sea, spreading across much of the North Island.  Parts of central New Zealand is looking fine as we head into the weekend.  Met Service's Heath Gulery talks weather on the show today.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 25 days until he is sworn in as President, Donald Trump has made claims extraordinary claims on social media about the taking over of other nations.  On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump suggested he may take ownership of the Panama Canal, that the states could buy Greenland, and that if Canada doesn't want to pay US tariffs it can become the 51st state of America.  US C...

After a difficult few years following major storms, the Far North is back open and ready for summer.  The Mangamuka gorge opened in time for Santa and once again connects the district and its two largest centres.  The gorge had been closed for over two years.  Far North Mayor Moko Tepania joins the show to discuss all the region has to offer.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnys...

A double tragedy has rocked the famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race after two sailors died in separate incidents. Authorities reported that a crew member aboard one entry into the race was struck by a boom just before midnight - fellow members attempted CPR but were unable to revive them. Around two hours later disaster struck again as another sailor was also struck by a boom and died. New South Wa...

There aren’t many people who are known around the world by just one name... but Cheryl Sarkisian is one them, known as Cher.  The goddess of pop has sold over 100 million records across seven decades, is in the rock and roll hall of fame, has Grammy’s, Emmy’s and even an Academy Award.  Cher is also the only artist to have a number one single on the Billboard chart in seven consecutive d...

Today marks 20 years since the massive Boxing day tsunami which caused widespread destruction, displacement and death in countries on the Indian Ocean rim.  A 9.0 earthquake struck off the West Coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Boxing Day 2004. It triggers a series of tsunamis that charged across the Indian Ocean and killed around 230,000 people.  Former World Vision Staffer A...

Former New Zealand Rugby Chairman Brent Impey is taking part in rugby initiative Kiwi K.A.R.E to help support rugby players in Ukraine who have been affected by war.  Impey has been working alongside Sir Graham Henry and other volunteers to help Ukrainian rugby teams continue to train and upskill their players.  Trustee of Kiwi Aid and Refugee Evacuation, Impey tells Tim Beveridge he vis...

Christmas is a time of year when wallets feel the crunch – and it seems many have been scaling back their Christmas spending this year.  A Westpac survey conducted just before Christmas revealed that 45% of kiwis were planning to spend less over the holidays than last year.  72% of respondents were extremely or moderately concerned with the cost of living.  Westpac Financial Wellbei...

Retailers are hoping for a big cash injection this Boxing Day.  Malls across the country are gearing up for a rush of customers as sales get underway.  Last year, Dress Smart Auckland saw an 8.3% increase in foot traffic in December and Centre Manager Lauri Solecki tells Tim Beveridge there is no expectation of big growth this year, due to spending being down generally.  But, queues...

The Royals have attended a Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.  The private church sits on estate land, and monarchs have completed the walk from the estate house up to St Magdalene’s Church for a Christmas Day ceremony for centuries.  King Charles was joined by Camilla, and William, Kate and their children.  Plus, the French Champagne industry saw a $10 billion drop in the...

Just months after what was believed to have been the sabotage of two telecoms cables linking Sweden and Denmark, authorities in Finland say an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia has ‘broken down’ on Christmas Day.  Tensions in the Baltic have mounted since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.  France correspondent Catherine Field tells Tim Beveridge “the fact that these sa...

An active summer is on offer in the Queenstown Lakes District as the alpine town transforms into an outdoor playground.  Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers tells Tim Beveridge bookings are up 6% in the area compared to last year, and airport passenger numbers are higher than pre-Covid.  To attend every event on in the region, Mayors Lewers would be stretching himself thin with m...

Cook Islands have had a proposal to introduce separate passports for its citizens while retaining New Zealand citizenship rejected.  The office of New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the Cook Islands can only have its own passport if it gives up NZ citizenship.  The Cook Islands operates in free association with New Zealand, conducting its own affairs. But, New Zealand is...

One of New Zealand’s largest performing arts events has been forced to scale back.  Polyfest organisers say they were promised a boost in funding from Pacific Peoples Minister Shane Reti, and given assurances the money would come through from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.  When the time came, the boost was just $5000 – which Polyfest Trust Chair Steven Hargreaves tells Tim Beveri...

An illegal tobacco operation has seen $2.5 million worth of assets seized.  Police and Customs found 100kg of loose tobacco, 230,000 cigarettes, and 10,000 concealed tea packets at properties in Napier and Gisborne.   Four of those involved in the operation are currently before the courts.  Action for SmokeFree chairperson Professor Robert Beaglehole tells Tim Beveridge the number o...

Westpac has made an expensive blunder – overcharging customers by $6.3 million.  25,000 customers are affected.  The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has launched civil proceedings against the bank and both parties have agreed to resolve the matter.  Massey University banking expert Dr Claire Matthews tells Tim Beveridge from a monetary perspective the mistake is not that big for W...

Dominique Pelicot, who has been jailed for 20 years for drugging and inviting men to rape his then wife, Gisele Pelicot, is facing further investigation.  French police are re-examining a 1991 murder case in Paris amid questions that Pelicot could have been a serial offender for decades.  Meanwhile, Jeremy Clarkson says his pub venture is “chaos” with 104 beer glasses stolen in one day.&...

Four days after the deadly Christmas market attack in eastern Germany, security is back at the centre of European politics.  Five people were killed and more than 200 injured when a car was driven into the Magdeburg market.  Europe correspondent Catherine Field tells Tim Beveridge questions are being raised about whether more could have been done to protect the site as Christmas markets...

It has been an extraordinary year for Team New Zealand, securing a third successive win in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona.  They were up against Challenger of the Record, INEOS Britannia, in a single race that ebbed and flowed from the outset but ultimately saw the kiwis secure victory by 37 seconds.  Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton has led the team for many years, a...

World class surf beaches and a picturesque national park are just a taste of what the quiet South Taranaki district has to offer tourists on their summer roadie.  South Taranaki District Mayor Phil Nixon tells Tim Beveridge the region boasts a unique blend of stunning natural landscapes, remarkable history, arts and culture, and sun, drinks and beaches.  “What more do you want on a summe...

After the election defeat, the Labour party has had to take a good look in the mirror and reflect.  Labour leader Chris Hipkins tells Tim Beveridge on Summer Breakfast being in opposition means he must focus on the longer term.  “You have to actually think about if we were the government in two years, what would we do differently?”  Hipkins says his major lesson from the election lo...

Financial technology firm Revolut has applied to become a registered bank in New Zealand.  Revolut already offers a “one-stop-shop" money management app here with payment, card and money management services.  With a banking license, it hopes to offer things like credit cards, consumer loans and mortgages.  Head of Revolut NZ Georgia Grange tells Tim Beveridge the firm is on a missio...

The Energy sector is warning gas supply woes are not going away.  Electricity companies are worried the winter gas shortage is not yet a thing of the past, with an even bigger problem bubbling under the surface for next year.  Octopus Energy want to introduce a reward system, where they pay customers to reduce their usage during peak times. They say if 20% of kiwis participated in an hou...