Holiday Breakfast

The US has launched another pursuit of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela - the second operation within days. Reuters reports the US Coast Guard is actively chasing the vessel in international waters, to make it the third tanker seized in less than two weeks. President Donald Trump last week ordered a full blockade of sanctioned oil shipments in and out of Venezuela.  US Correspondent R...

Auckland, where the city's economy isn't firing on all cylinders just yet, but the Chamber of Commerce does say that green shoots are emerging. Crime crackdowns in the CBD and changes to boost events at Eden Park are all part of a push to get Auckland City humming again. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown joins Andrew Dickens to discuss the progress made this year, and talk about what we can expect to see...

Last year the World Health Organisation warned New Zealand about the "alarming" gap in its measles immunisation. Today news of two more measles cases in New Zealand was released bringing the total known measles cases to ten.  Dr Angus Chambers said to Andrew Dickens that low immunisation rates can be partially attributed to Covid and systematic issues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/li...

During the first game of the baseball World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays the province of Ontario aired an anti-tariff ad. The ad featured clips from Ronald Reagan's 1987 national radio address which focused on foreign trade. In retaliation US President Donald Trump slammed Canada with an additional 10% tariffs on goods imported from Canada to the United States.&...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Malaysia this morning, along with other world leaders, for the start of the East Asia Summit. US President Donald Trump will also be in attendance meaning a potential face-to-face meeting with Luxon. Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller told Andrew Dickens, "They do need to keep their heads down a little bit because they can't risk antagonising Donald Tr...

Auckland-based Samoan artist Lou'ana Whitney Pereira, who performs under her first name, chats to Andrew Dickens about her upcoming album titled 'Disco Witch'. The album was divided into two parts titled 'AS ABOVE' and 'SO BELOW'. The latter was released in June but the release of 'AS ABOVE' this week will complete the album.  Lou'ana is a trained jazz singer obtaining a Bachelor of Jazz Perf...

Hawaiian soul and R&B musician Deva Mahal joins Andrew Dickens to discuss her new single ‘South Coast’.  Deva Mahal is the daughter of legendary Blues Singer Taj Mahal, a factor that she says does not impede her music.   She said that “[Taj Mahal] has always taught us it’s not following in his footsteps; it’s standing in his light”   The Wellington-based artist has hinted that h...

The Department of Internal Affairs' Digital Messaging Transparency Report shows reports of text scams fell by 62 percent between 2023 and 2024.  It seized almost 400 thousand dollars' worth of scam equipment last year.  Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson told Andrew Dickens that people can now report text scams with a single click.  He says there have already been...

The Crusaders take on the Chiefs in the Super Rugby final held in Christchurch tomorrow night.   With nearly half the games decided by 7 points or less, the recent games have been tight and entertaining, leading to a boost in viewer numbers.  Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley says, 'law innovation’ and ‘close games and unexpected results’ have helped Super Rugby gain its recent boost i...

An International Relations Expert says the Prime Minister will set the record straight in China regarding the pause on Cook Island aid funding.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters has put millions of dollars in developmental aid on hold - saying trust needs to be restored.  The island nation signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, without reference to New Zealand, despite o...

Prime Minister Chris Luxon’s trip to China looks to be successful so far as it reaches its conclusion today.  Chris Luxon is due to meet President Xi Jinping this afternoon after 871 million dollars of commercial agreements have been signed so far between Kiwi businesses and our Chinese counterparts.  New Zealand China Council executive director Alistair Crozier told Andrew Dickens that...

The Australian Government has faced calls to update its tax system to pay off its national debt. The Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said he won’t ‘rule in or rule out’ any changes to future tax plans, including raising the GST, something the treasurer has clearly said he is against. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds says, “there’s no doubt, you have to have to have some reform over here....

The US President has set himself a two-week deadline to decide on US involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict. Hundreds have been injured and killed over the past week, with both sides trading punishing strikes. Israel has bombed nuclear and civilian targets in Iran - and Iranian missiles hit an Israeli hospital overnight. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Andrew Dickens that Donald Trump has ve...

Black Fern's player Portia Woodham Wickliffe has become an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to rugby.  She entered the record books last week as the Black Fern's all-time leading try scorer when she scored seven try's in a row against the United States.  She joins the show to discuss her latest achievement.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Known for her bright smile, catchy songs, and helping Kiwi kids socialise, speak and count, TV host Suzy Cato is now an officer of the New Zealand order of Merit.  She has been a central figure in children's programming for more than 35 years.  Cato talks to Andrew Dickens about the honour.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Dai Henwood has been honoured as an officer of the New Zealand order of merit.  It comes as he's battling stage-four bowel cancer.  He talks to Andrew Dickens about what the honour means to him.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has a new Deputy Prime Minister.  ACT Leader David Seymour has officially been sworn in, taking over from New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters.  He is the first ACT Party member to take on the role.  David Seymour joins the show for his first official interview with Newstalk ZB as Deputy Prime Minister.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

The founder of plastics storage container business Sistema Plastics Brendan Lindsay has been appointed a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. Lindsay received the honour for his services to business and philanthropy, noting his work at Sistema and his efforts as part of the Lindsay Foundation. He founded the plastic business in 1982.  He w...

The Government's celebrating Kāinga Ora seeing a 600 percent rise in warnings under a new tenant crackdown.  Sixty-three Kāinga Ora tenancies have been terminated in the past 10 months.  Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says it's a result of tenants exhibiting abusive, threatening, or persistently disruptive behaviour.  Former Monte Cecilia Housing Trust CEO Bernie Smith joins...

The United States is battling a measles outbreak as the disease surges across the country.  Experts are saying a post-covid anti-vaccine movement is contributing to the rising numbers.  So far the disease has been confirmed in 30 states.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold joins the show to discuss how the country's tackling the outbreak. LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener...

The US is trying to convince Australia to lift its defence spending “as soon as possible.” US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing for a rise of 3.5 percent. He says it's a protection measure against the threat of China. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his country will determineits own defence policy. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds joins the show to discuss this and Trump’s new ste...

Indie-pop artist Lisa Crawley makes portraying vulnerability in song writing seem effortless.  She's built a career as a multi-instrumentalist, in demand session player and songwriter spanning multiple contents.  Lisa has a new EP out today called 'New Girl Syndrome'.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media's latest obsession is ... cottage cheese!  High protein, low calorie recipes with the ingredient at its centre are going viral.  Sales are now through the roof, with Woolworths up 50 percent in the past three months.  Owner of organic cheese maker, the Cheese Wheel, Kevin Jenkins talks to Tim Beveridge about the craze.  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/...

The Government is taking action on calls made from those in the trade industry.  Experts will now be able to run things in their own way as an overhaul of apprenticeships is taking shape. An independent, industry-led model will be introduced early next year.  Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmons joins Tim Beveridge.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Industry owned and industry-led apprenticeships are on their way back. The Government's announced an overhaul of vocational training after widespread criticism of Te Pūkenga's attempt, with some labelling it a disaster.  Motor Trade Association head of advocacy, James McDowell, talks to Tim Beveridge about the change.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...