Holiday Breakfast

Firefighters are continuing to battle hot spots on Matakana Island near Tauranga. A massive vegetation fire broke out on Saturday - it's since been contained to a perimeter. Incident Controller Jeff Maunder says drone technology has been extremely useful in fighting the fire as it eliminates guess work around where the hot spots are. He told Tim Dower this fire could be just the beginning. Maunder...

Summer With The Mayors continues again this morning as Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown joins Tim Dower. Mayor Wayne Brown says there will be plenty of things to take advantage of these holidays - from the ASB Tennis Classic to Movies in the Park. He told Tim Dower businesses and restaurants are holding out for customers. Brown says they want it to be better than the rest of the year, which has been dis...

Kiwis are wanting a summer taste of the tropics - and they're after a guarantee of warmth. Flight Centre has seen an 80 percent boost in bookings to Fiji and the Cook Islands, in the past three months. General Manager, Heidi Walker told Tim Dower the sunshine is an appealing factor. She says families want to spend time together, and guarantee it's going to be warm.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co...

Donald Trump has given his own version of a Christmas message, but it wasn't your typical season's greetings. The former US President spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day writing messages on social media, repeating his claims there was interference in the 2020 Presidential election. He also promised retribution on his enemies, if he's elected next year. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Do...

Boating safety's in the spotlight in the Waikato. The regional council's Operation Neptune programme restarts today, to ensure those on the water are following safety regulations. Last year 131 infringement notices were issued, as well as 27 formal warnings and 24 verbal warnings. Waikato Deputy Regional Harbourmaster, Lee Samphier told Tim Dower the influx of new boaties without a lot of base kno...

The European Union is warning of a 'huge risk' of terrorist attacks over this Christmas period. It says the polarisation in society caused by the conflict between Israel and Hamas, is increasing the risk of violence. Europe Correspondent Catherine Field told Tim Dower the EU's acknowledged security threats may continue into New Years. She says officials are concerned for that period as there's mor...

Tim Dower continues Summer With The Mayors, This week heading to the Tasman District to speak to Mayor Tim King. King and Dower discuss museums shops and landscapes and what Tasman has to offer people visiting or living there.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour is celebrating a bumper 2023. The Act Party leader and Minister of Regulation says he's proud of the campaign he ran and is looking forward to working with two other coalition parties next year. He says he was delighted to meet so many people and check out so many businesses on the campaign trail. Seymour told Tim Dower Act broke ground in ways it hadn't before. He says Brooke Van Ve...

A 6 year-old Hamilton boy has received the lifesaving gift of a new heart. Chase Porter was born with a heart muscle problem called dilated cardiomyopathy, and barth syndrome which caused an enlarged and weakened heart. Chase's Mum spoke to Tim Dower this morning and said that "it's not something that we could have imagined months ago". She said that the family have accommodation by the hospital a...

Sarah Ferguson has joined members of the royal family for their traditional Christmas Day outing, alongside ex-husband Prince Andrew. Ferguson has not appeared at the walk since the early 1990s, when the pair split. UK correspondent Enda Brady told Tim Dower the surprise appearance is likely because of Prince Phillip's death. He says Philip didn't want her near those functions, but King Charles se...

An Auckland Councillor says residents need to lighten up, amid complaints of street vendors at the famous Franklin Road Christmas Lights. People selling balloons, Christmas lights and food have been accused of ruining the fun by residents. But councillor Mike Lee says it's not the council's job to move people along. He told Tim Dower, they're simply trying to make some extra money for their family...

Artificial Intelligence has found what business leaders struggle with most. Canterbury-based company Pivot and Pace, used artificial intelligence to trawl though data from 75 New Zealand businesses. Partner, Greg Allnutt told Tim Dower staff capacity is a major worry. He says it's easy to know what to do, but it's different to actually prioritise time and capability, to solve it.   LISTEN ABOVE Se...

The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled Donald Trump is not an eligible presidential candidate in the state, wiping his name from the ballot for its primary elections.   That's due to his involvement with the attempted Capitol insurrection in January 2021.   TVNZ US Correspondent Logan Church told Tim Dower that Colorado is not a state Donald Trump needs, or one that he's captured in the past.   But...

The El Nino weather pattern is expected to bring more than just hot weather this summer, with experts warning worsened effects of hay-fever are likely.   The dry heat will see more airborne pollen and allergens.   Asthma Foundation CEO Letitia Harding told Tim Dower that those who experience hay-fever and asthma should take necessary precautions.   She is reminding sufferers to have medication han...

Travellers are being urged not to avoid King Country on their holiday road trips, with the mayor reminding people it's more than just a winter destination.   Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says the district has plenty of enjoyable summertime activities.   He told Tim Dower that he recommends a guided rail cart experience, where visitors travel along 142 kilometres of rail track on modified golf carts...

Landlords are one of the winners from the Government's mini-Budget.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis has unveiled $7.5 billion worth of cuts and savings, which she calls a down payment on tax cut plans.   She has also confirmed the Brightline test will be brought back to two years, effective from July next year.   Willis told Tim Dower that the current ten-year time frame isn't right and hasn't he...

The Italian Government is celebrating as the European Union has agreed to investigate reforming laws to manage migration.   The country's right-wing government campaigned on slashing the number of migrants entering the country.   Many arrive from North Africa by boat, crossing the Mediterranean Sea.   Newstalk ZB Italian Correspondent Jo McKenna says that while some have called the plan cruel, new...

UK inflation plunged in November to 3.9%, its lowest rate in more than two years.   It was at 4.6% in October.   UK Correspondent Rod Liddle says it puts Britain in a better position than many other countries in the European Union.   He told Tim Dower that it's also a major bonus for the Government.   Liddle says improving how much money people have in their pockets remains virtually the last hope...

The former Finance Minister says we need less hyperbole from his successor and more about what she plans to do.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis has accused Labour of economic and fiscal vandalism on the back of Treasury's half-yearly economic and fiscal update.   The butt of much of her criticism is Labour's Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson.   He told Tim Dower that international ratings agen...

Oil prices are once again a concern as the conflict in the Middle East continues. The United States has announced a multi-national force to protect tankers travelling through the Red Sea.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold says about 12% of world trade goes through this route.   He says many tankers are being forced to take a longer route to avoid being targeted.   LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.co...

Rhythm and Alps has had its special liquor licence approved, despite a request from Police and Health authorities to restrict the amount of alcohol served.   People are able to buy four drinks at a time at the South Island festival, which the founder says is the status quo.   Alex Turnbull told Tim Dower that they want to treat people like adults and don't want to create angst and anger in a crowd...

Solidifying the Prime Ministerial relationship will be top of the agenda for Chris Luxon when he touches down in Australia this morning.   The Prime Minister is making his way over the Tasman to Sydney to meet with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.   Newstalk ZB Political reporter Sophie Trigger told Tim Dower that Albanese got on famously with his predecessors Dame Jacinda Ardern and C...

There's been a lot of downplaying of expectations ahead of this afternoon's much-anticipated mini budget.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis will have her moment in the sun at 1pm.   Infometrics Chief Executive and Principal Economist Brad Olsen says he expects to get a teaser about some changes, but not the full details yet.    He says mini budgets often focus on the first hundred days, giving the...

The new Health Minister is taking matters into his own hands to get his eyes and ears on the ground at Te Whatu Ora.    Shane Reti's appointing Ken Whelan as the agency's crown observer, to address issues around workforce shortages and hospital wait times.   Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Tim Dower that it doesn't sound like a ringing vote of confi...

Australia's weather bureau is facing heat over a lack of warnings ahead of Queensland's once in a century floods.   Cairns has been cut off by floodwaters, towns have been evacuated after being stranded for days, and emergency services there are becoming overwhelmed.   Australian correspondent Murray Olds told Tim Dower that it's been like a mini-Dunkirk with locals stepping up to assist.   He say...