Holiday Breakfast

The Waikato district is the 4th largest region in New Zealand, covering 25,000 square kilometres. Waikato Mayor Aksel Bech is encouraging Kiwis to take a trip to the Waikato over summer, saying that there's more going on than people may think.  'The Waikato region's got lots to offer, not just future facing, but, some of the old-time charms as well' LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Over summer Andrew Dickens is catching up with the Mayors of Aotearoa in his Summer Road Trip series. Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley joined Dickens to talk about her focus for 2026, the potential for a Tarras Airport, local wineries and upcoming summer events. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synthony owner and boxing promoter David Higgins joined Andrew Dickens to chat about Synthony's meteoric rise and next steps in the world of boxing.  Higgins was always put off by joining the world of music, until he discovered Synthony.  "With Synthony, I thought, wow, it's like Cirque du Soleil. It's a brand, I could trademark in 100 countries, which I did. I could then schedule d...

The Boxing Day Races at Ellerslie, in what is likely the biggest wedding of the year, Louise Savage will become a wife. The Races are expected to have 15,000 attendees.  Savage joined Andrew Dickens to chat about the big day. "I will just be imagining and preparing to go for a lovely day out at the races and there happens to be a wedding thrown in between race two and three," she said. ...

New polls are showing older Australians firmly standing behind One Nation as support for Labour and National wanes.  Whereas, Australia Correspondent Murray Olds told Andrew Dickens, "young people are running running 100 miles an hour away from the conservative side of politics." And, questions of rising antisemitism continue as a car with Hanukkah decorations, belonging to Rabbi Effy Block,...

Dress Smart Auckland manager Lauri Solecki chats to Andrew Dickens about the best sales, her expectations for Boxing Day busyness, and overviews the Christmas shopping period.  "We're expecting strong performance and we remain optimistic," she said.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gavin Grey catches up with Andrew Dickens to discuss the EU and UK news of the day.  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson were both absent for the Sandringham Christmas service. Two anti-hate social media campaigners were denied entry to the US as the State Department accuses them of trying to supress free speech. And, 115 people were arrested in Turkey for alleged planned New Years...

Fuel providers NPD and Gull announced a proposed merger of the two entities on Wednesday, December 24. The decision now sits with the Commerce Commission as they decide if the merger will increase or decrease competition in the market. Both companies are already low-cost providers, so, it is hoped the proposed merge could lower prices for consumers. Customers have been awaiting a fuel price drop f...

The New Zealand cruise season got off to a slow start, but from Boxing Day until January 5th over 50 cruise ships will dock in across the country bringing a boost to local economies.  Although, NZ Cruise Association CEO Jacqui Lloyd told Andrew Dickens that eco-regulations and increased costs have slowed the industry.  "While it's great to have the ships in port, it is disappointing in t...

The Far North District is a hot-spot for Kiwis looking to get away over the holidays.  However, due to the impacts of cyclones, storms and COVID - the area's businesses are still struggling.  Far North District Mayor Moko Tepania told Andrew Dickens that tourism this summer is key to boosting Northland's struggling businesses. 'We need you all to come up here and spend your money because...

Wellington City Mission is expecting to welcome hundreds of people for Christmas lunches across the city tomorrow. Five different locations will offer food and quality time for those living within City Mission housing, and those who use its services. Missioner Murray Edridge told Andrew Dickens that it's been the hardest year many have experienced, but tomorrow's a time to come together. He says C...

Santa Claus says he's fully wrapped up his Christmas preparations - ahead of tonight's global gift run. New Zealand is one of his first stops on his longest night of the year. Santa rolled out a dad joke - as he described what kids have been asking him for this year. He says remote control vehicles are a big thing - but he's not sure how remote children want to be from the vehicle. LISTEN ABOVE Se...

Red meat may no longer be the star of the Christmas dinner table. The price of sirloin and porterhouse steaks and lamb chops rose about 25-percent in the past year, and beef mince and sausages more than 10-percent. But poultry and pork have stayed at or below the rate of inflation. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Andrew Dickens that a summer salad's more affordable. LISTEN ABOVE Se...

US President Donald Trump may have spent more time travelling with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than previously reported. The Department of Justice has released thousands of documents and images. Emails from 2020 say Trump's listed as a passenger on Epstein's private jet to places including Palm Beach and Washington. US correspondent Richard Arnold says they weren't to the infamous Epstein Is...

Businesses are cautiously reopening along Sydney’s Bondi Beach, after its terror attack. Fifteen people were killed and more than 40 others injured when two gunmen opened fire during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on the beach. Many local businesses sheltered victims during the attack and have struggled in the days since. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Andrew Dickens that the area's slow...

New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters says the new Free Trade Agreement with India is rushed. It reduces or removes 95 percent of export tariffs, offers targeted temporary work visas - and gets preferential treatment for our  apples and manuka honey. I comes after nine months of negotiations. Peters says it gives India too many concessions on immigration and investment, and does little for...

71,627, that's how many mobile phones have been diverted from landfill this year. The Telecommunications Forum has been running their re-mobile scheme since 2014, diverted almost a million phones since then. The nationwide shutdown of 3G is leaving a large number of mobile phones obsolete, so many people are looking to get rid of their phones. TCF Chief Executive Paul Brislen told Andrew Dickens t...

The Trade Minister claims our new Free Trade Agreement with India, is its best deal struck with any country. It's followed nine months of negotiations, ending with India agreeing to lower or remove tariffs on 95-percent of our exports, with wins for fruit, meat, wool, coal and forestry sectors. Little's changed for dairy - with duty free access only for certain protein products and those for re-ex...

US President Donald Trump has appointed the Governor of Louisiana as a Greenland Envoy.  Governor Jeff Landry has said that he will fight to make Greenland part of America.  European correspondent Catherine Field told Andrew Dickens that the Danish Prime Minister is 'absolutely furious.' "She has said national borders are are rooted in international law, you can't just annex another coun...

Wellington's had an interesting year. Leaky pipes, Golden Mile chaos, and of course, they got themselves a brand new mayor out of national politics. Tory Whanau quit the mayoralty race, headed to Melbourne, and now Andrew Little is in office.  He told Andrew Dickens that he's looking forward to next year, saying, "There's some pretty exciting things scheduled for 2026." LISTEN ABOVE See omnys...

It's been an up-and-down year for National, seeing success in some areas and struggles in more.  However, the slowly recovering economy is an early Christmas gift ahead of next year's election. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joins Andrew Dickens to discuss the key talking points of the year in politics, and discuss what Kiwis can expect to see from the government as we head in to the new ye...

Police are renewing calls for patience on the roads this holiday period, warning lives are at risk. Fifteen people were killed in crashes between Christmas Eve and early January last summer. The toll has topped 11 for five consecutive years. National Road Policing Manager Superintendent Stephen Greally told Andrew Dickens that too many drivers are focused on getting to the front of the queue. He s...

Pet Refuge is urgently appealing for donations, and bracing for demand to surge over Christmas. The charity is receiving daily pleas for help from people escaping family violence - and is currently caring for 29 pets. Founder Dame Julie Chapman told Andrew Dickens that more than half of women delay leaving family violence - because they're scared to leave pets behind. She says the charity takes pe...

The Associate Police Minister's pushing back on claims her new organised crime plan is purely a holiday headline.  The newly released Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime Strategy aims to make New Zealand the hardest place for criminals to do business. Initiatives include options for setting up a new dedicated department, and developing cross-agency data sharing.  Casey Costello sa...

Questions are being asked of Australia's federal Government in the aftermath of the Bondi terror attack - as it appears to bow to the New South Wales premier.  Just over a week ago, 15 people were killed at a Hanukkah celebration - when two gunmen opened fire.  The New South Wales Parliament's been recalled to debate a suite of measures proposed by state premier Chris Minns.  Austra...