Holiday Breakfast

No longer flightless, Kiwis are taking to the stars as New Zealand’s space sector continues to grow.   Rocket Lab in particular had a busy year, with a total of ten missions launching in 2023.   While rockets tend to steal the show, Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck told Tim Dower that 2023 was a major year for satellites, with two thirds of their business being in space systems.   Beck told Dower that th...

Only a couple hours' drive from Mount Cook is Waimate, home to wallabies, the rocky coast, and native bush.   The district has beautiful campsites on the shores of Lake Aviemore, the perfect place to spend a day, the night, or even the whole summer.   Waimate District mayor, Craig Rowley, told Tim Dower that they’ve seen a real resurgence in rural New Zealand, as kiwis from across the country look...

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the UK.   Harry Pitman was attacked in North London on New Years Eve as he and a group of friends watched the fireworks display.   The 16-year-old was stabbed in the neck, dying shortly before midnight.   UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Tim Dower that while it is a horrible story, it is not alone.   He said that knife crime in London i...

A graphic video showing a pregnant shark being cut open, while still alive, has been circulating the internet.   The video shows beachgoers at Christchurch's New Brighton Beach carrying dozens of baby sharks from the mother's stomach back into the ocean.   Shark scientist Dr Riley Elliott told Tim Dower that there’s a bigger message here.   He said that instead of targeting certain people for cert...

A wet end to the week for some could lead into a weekend of nice weather.   A wet front is making its way through the country this week.   But MetService forecaster Alistair Gorman told Tim Dower that there's a chance Kiwis will enjoy some sunshine over the weekend.   He says although there may be the odd summer shower, we can expect more settled weather.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listen...

Donald Trump is hitting back after Maine's Secretary of State ruled to strike the former president's name off the ballot.   Trump has challenged the ruling, which would see him ineligible as a candidate in the state's primary elections due to his involvement in the attempted insurrection on January 6, 2022.   Newshub US Correspondent Mitch Mccan told Tim Dower that his legal team are labelling it...

There’s political outcry in Italy after a man was injured by a gun owned by a government minister at a New Years eve party.   Lawmaker Emanuele Pozzolo is a member of Italy's far right Government, and says although he did not fire the shot, he does own the firearm.   The victim was taken to hospital with what is being described as light injuries to his leg.   Newstalk ZB Italy Correspondent Jo McK...

A Wellington property developer is calling on the Government to slash red tape after he was forced to pull the pin on a housing development due to unworkable regulations.   Brent Slater says compliance costs and rules around retaining wall specifications drove the build cost to almost $10 thousand per square-meter.   Slater told Tim Dower that governments and councils need to better support develo...

Water Safety New Zealand says behavioural change experts are needed to help bring our drowning figures down.   Provisional figures show 90 preventable drownings last year, down slightly on the 94 in 2022 but still higher than the 10-year average of 82.   More than 80% are male, and 58% are over the age of 45.   Chief Executive Daniel Gerrard told Tim Dower that it's about trying to get the message...

An interim report was released yesterday looking into the factors involved in last year’s Sea World helicopter crash.   Four people were killed and nine were injured in the mid-air collision when a departing helicopter's rotors collided with another coming into land near the theme park.   The interim report found the departing pilot, who died in the crash, had low levels of cocaine in his system....

Those looking for a quick trip down to Queenstown this summer may be left disappointed as beds have already filled up for the season.   The region is filled with gorgeous scenery, music festivals, and a variety of events and activities for visitors to enjoy.   Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers joined Tim Dower on the ZB’s Summer Breakfast for a rundown of what the region has to offer.   LISTEN AB...

Three are dead and nine injured after a fiery crash in Rochester New York, in the very first moments of the New Year.   The FBI were called in to investigate the incident in which an SUV driver was reported to be driving at speed directly towards a pedestrian crossing.   The SUV then hit a smaller vehicle, killing both passengers.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Dower that thus far, no...

The vandalism of a piece of art on a Manawatu Gorge hiking trail has caused a surge of anger in the community.   Whatonga —a six-metre-tall steel statue on the Tawa Loop Track— has had its phallus removed with steel cutting equipment last Saturday night.   Local iwi Rangitāne say they are extremely disappointed with the disrespectful act on one of the region's most iconic landmarks.   Te Āpiti-Man...

The holiday road toll is down from last year.   An advocacy group says there's still a long way to go, with 19 people confirmed dead on our roads between December 22 nd and 6am today, January 3 rd .   Last year's holiday road deaths sat at 21.   Brake NZ advocacy director, Caroline Perry, told Tim Dower that we are starting to see some improvements, including median barriers and safer speed limits...

A consumer advocate's vowing to hold the Grocery Commissioner's feet to the fire on a shakeup to the supermarket duopoly.   A new lobby group's being formed, driven by the former Consumer New Zealand Chief Executive, Sue Chetwin.   It comes after struggles with The Warehouse supply of Weetbix and the fall of potential third player, Supie.   Chetwin wants to see action happening faster, telling Tim...

A combination of factors have combined to create a shortage in military personnel.   In the 21 months to April this year, the New Zealand Defence Force lost almost a third of uniformed staff.   It leaves gaps which mean three Navy patrol vessels and the Navy's main transport vessel can't be at sea because of safety issues.   Auckland University Associate Professor of International Relations Stephe...

Research into the illegal drugs market has revealed the extent of trade through social media channels.  Massey University’s Shore and Wh ākiri Research Centre Associate Professor Chris Wilkins told Tim Dower that dealers are using this tech to penetrate younger markets.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism providers in Bay of Plenty are preparing for their busiest cruise season since the pandemic – with 113 ships expected to visit Tauranga’s port this summer.   Tauranga Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Matt Cowley told Tim Dower the region is primarily a domestic tourism market and cruise tourism is the cherry on the cake.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

The famous themed gardens in Hamilton will begin charging a fee to out-of-town visitors this year.   The announcement follows a local rates increase of 25%, but is also about the garden becoming self-sustainable, according to Garden Director Lucy Ryan.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duties on New Zealand dairy products entering China have ended as part of the trade deal negotiated in 2008.   The removal of duty creates a saving of about $350 million a year for farmers in New Zealand, Minister of Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay told Tim Dower.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surf Lifeguards working at a beach in Auckland say they are being verbally abused when trying to help swimmers.   Swimmers were warned they were in a dangerous spot before abusing the lifeguards who half an hour later rescued them.   Retired Gisborne Lifeguard Murray Robertson told Tim Dower the abuse can be disheartening to those passionate about being there to save lives.   Listen above.   See o...

After 20 years of research, scientists have created three new types of apricot for New Zealand orchards.   Sharon Kirk at Ardgour Valley Orchards is growing 20 hectares of the new crop and told Tim Dower the new varieties are suited to New Zealand conditions and were bred “the old-fashioned way” to make a highly coloured and juicy fruit.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

As Virtual Reality becomes more accessible, Whangaparāoa College has decided to invest heavily in using the technology in the classroom.   Whangaparāoa College Principal Steve McCracken told Tim Dower the technology “brings learning to life.”   The college hopes to engage young people in a new way whilst upskilling teachers to make content relevant.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

New Years Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for our emergency services.   St John Deputy Chief Executive Dan Ohs talks to Tim Dower about the increase in callouts that come on New Years night, as well as what ambulance workers expect to deal with.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's video game sector continued to grow in 2023 with a 7% increase, despite Australian Incentives. Video game studios earned $434.4M in the year to 31st March 2023 of which 95% came from high-value digital exports. Chairperson of New Zealand Game Developers Association Carl Leducq told Tim Dower that New Zealand has a good ecosystem of recruiting young talent into the industry.   LISTEN...