Holiday Breakfast

Humming along, with a host of events, eateries, and community markets, Christchurch might just be the place to be this summer.    From Motorsport to the Foo Fighters to New Year's in the park, the city is open for business for everyone.   As popularity soars, the region has seen an enormous influx of people, taking in about 1,500 a month in the year to June.   Mayor Phil Mauger told Tim Dower that...

Stunning walks, rich history, and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Mayor Toby Adams joined Tim Dower on Summer Breakfast to give a rundown of everything there is to enjoy in the Hauraki District this summer. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome news for businesses, as new data shows that consumer confidence is on the rise.   The latest Westpac McDermott Miller Index shows consumer confidence is at its highest level in nearly two years.   Hospitality NZ CEO Steve Armitage told Tim Dower that it's a good sign ahead of the holidays, and the sector is feeling encouraged by a change in government.   He says business owners are welcomi...

The Vatican has given Catholic priests approval to bless same-sex couples.   Pope Francis has approved the change, which hopes to send a message the Catholic church "welcomes all".   Newstalk ZB Italy Correspondent, Jo McKenna, told Tim Dower that while the move is a popular step in the progress of the church, not all will be celebrating.   She says the socially conservative branch of the church m...

A small brewery business in Auckland is selling up to pay back tens of thousands of dollars in Covid support subsidies.   Hopscotch Brewery says the IRD has ordered them to cough up almost $50 thousand in wage subsidies and resurgent payments, as they've now been deemed ineligible.   Hopscotch owner Hugh Grierson told Tim Dower that the rules were unclear and were only clarified after IRD's audit....

The legal battle over whether a convicted criminal has the right to 'lad mags' in prison is being described as a storm in a teacup.   Stephen Thomas Hudson has won his case in the Court of Appeal after his request for copies of FHM and Ralph were censored by Corrections.   Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen told Tim Dower that the department's argument the publications could become currency is grossly s...

The Government's defending a review of Kāinga Ora, saying it's the right course of action for the country's struggling social housing provider.   The review will be led by former National Prime Minister Sir Bill English.   Housing Minister Chris Bishop told Tim Dower that an independent look at books of the country's largest landlord will be good news for everyone.   He says it's about making sure...

Satisfaction from Wellington's Mayor over the scrapping of Let's Get Wellington Moving, despite her vocal opposition to the idea. Central and local government have agreed in principle to dissolve the project, confirming other transport infrastructure projects such as a second Mt Victoria tunnel is in the works. Tory Whanau told Tim Dower local leaders were able to meet half way during the discussi...

The Prime Minister says getting price stability under control, will help grow our GDP. It fell 0.3 percent in the three months to September, in a worse result than economists had predicted. Chris Luxon says the previous government pumped money into the domestic economy. He told Tim Dower in-turn, that's driven domestic inflation, which impacts everyone, as well as the economy. Luxon says we have t...

Microplastics are probably impacting us, much more than we know. It's been revealed some of Auckland's popular beaches are 50 times more polluted with microplastics than elsewhere in New Zealand. They're made up of everything from microbeads to clothing fibres and broken-down bottles. Nanotechnologist and science educator Dr Michelle Dickinson says as a result, our fish are filled with them. She t...

The Kiwi musician first burst onto the scene in 2016 with her breakout hit "Rome". She now has three EPs under her belt and, after touring the US and Canada, she is back in New Zealand. Theia joined Tim Dower to talk about her past success and her future plans.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American Express have recorded a strong quarter on the back of increased retail spending, and Germany has seen a record drop in inflation. Devon Funds' Greg Smith talked to Tim Dower about the latest money news from around the world.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps have suffered their first lost at this year's Cricket World Cup. India eased to a four-wicket win in a top-of-the-table showdown in Dharamsala. ZB Morning Sport director Clay Wilson talked with Tim Dower on what happened and what next for the Black Caps.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reading Recovery, the one on one literacy program in primary schools, has taken a dive. Fewer than 40% of schools are now offering it and many are looking at other ways of supporting students. NZEI president Mark Potter spoke to Tim Dower about it.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International airfares are again set to rise next year. Capacity and engineering issues are believed to be the problem. Hawaiian Airlines recently scaled back it's New Zealand route, leaving Air New Zealand the key player in that market. Aviation commentator Irene King spoke to Tim Dower about why this is happening.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International airfares are again set to rise next year. Capacity and engineering issues are believed to be the problem. Hawaiian Airlines recently scaled back it's New Zealand route, leaving Air New Zealand the key player in that market. Aviation commentator Irene King spoke to Tim Dower about why this is happening.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions are being asked about how a Rebels gang member was able to travel overseas to watch the Rugby World Cup. Mace Raymond Sitope, aka Ray Elise, is allegedly the president of the Māngere chapter of the Rebels Motorcycle Club. The prominent Auckland 501 deportee managed to overcome a legal bid by Corrections to ground his Rugby World Cup trip. He has gone viral in France for his heartfelt cel...

The Rugby World Cup final is set for a mouth watering clash between the old rivals the Springboks and the All Blacks.  It comes after the Boks pipped England at the post 16-15 in their semi-final. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliot Smith spoke to Tim Dower about the two teams trading barbs in the lead up to the final. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qantas is putting the cost of their fares up again.  The national carrier says it's due to increased fuel costs from Ukraine and the war in Gaza.  Australia has also settles it's spat with China over wine with the China removing it's tariffs.  Australian Correspondent Murray Olds talks to Tim Dower about it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US is pressing Israel to delay it's planned invasion of Gaza to allow for the possibility of hostage releases and more humanitarian aid. The House of Representatives has gone three weeks without a Speaker, meaning one half of Congress cannot do any work. US Correspondent Richard Arnold spoke to Tim Dower about it.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi glam rock band Space Waltz is back with another album. After almost fifty years, their new album is titled ‘Victory,’ and the band plans to tour later this year. They have three original members, Peter Cuddihy, Eddie Rayner, and Alastair Riddell, along with two new members to fill out the lineup. Alastair Riddell joined Tim Dower this morning to chat about the band’s past, their success, as w...

Tomorrow night features a sold out test between the All Blacks and the Springboks at Mt Smart Stadium. The South African contingent is taking the test seriously, sending an advance party to ensure that their game would be the best it could be. Super Sport South Africa commentator Matt Pearce told Tim Dower that it’s a matter of mixing and matching resources, those in the advanced party using their...

Treasury documents have revealed that an estimated $70 million dollars could line the pockets of big businesses as the government aims to abolish $5 dollar prescription charges. Discount pharmacies such as Chemist Warehouse already paid the fees themselves—offering free prescriptions to bring in customers— and a result, chains would simply be receiving free money from the Government without it aff...

This weekend New Zealand is hosting the commission for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (otherwise known as the CPTPP), hosting eleven countries with the UK due to join. The CPTPP was enacted at the end of 2018, and with the UK's inclusion the agreement will be expanded beyond the Pacific Centre.   Export NZ Executive Director Josh Tan told Tim Dower th...

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins ruled out a wealth or capital gains tax under his leadership. But the Herald's "poll of polls" shows that Labour cannot govern without Te Pāti Māori or the Greens. Te Pati Maori launched their campaign last night in a street party in West Henderson. NZ Herald Reporter Joey Dwyer told Tim Dower that Te Pati Maori have said that a tax would help redist...