Holiday Breakfast

Safety in central Auckland's back in the spotlight, after Sunday morning's mass brawl on Karangahape Road, leaving three people with serious head injuries. A 21-year-old man's appeared in court, but Police are still looking for other people involved. K Road Community Safety co-founder, Karen Ritchie, told Andrew Dickens that public violence, anti-social behaviour and drug-taking are far too common...

Rain hasn't dampened the party atmosphere at Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines festival. Thousands of festival-goers have descended on Waiohika Estate vineyard for three-day music and camping festival - running since 2003. Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz told Andrew Dickens that locals once loathed the event but it's now embraced by almost everyone. He says the young people who attend bring millions of do...

Over 450 kilometres of Auckland roads will be getting a refresh in the coming weeks as droves of Aucklanders head out of town for summer.  Auckland Transport's head of road maintenance Alan Wallace joined Andrew Dickens to chat about how people can best avoid the roadworks. Wallace said, "everything we're doing, we're trying to do it in a way that minimises how it affects others."  LISTE...

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says he is confident ahead of next year's election.  He told Andrew Dickens that the party is focused on gaining more confidence from the public, and says he will still be the Labour Leader when the election rolls round.  'Our our public support's been, really building, and we've got some real momentum going into this campaign' LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

More attacks from Russia - as the Presidents of the US and Ukraine prepare to hold talks in Florida. Russia has bombarded Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with strikes by missiles and hundreds of drones - knocking out power and heat in parts of the capital. Kyiv based Foreign Policy and Security Expert, Jimmy Rushton, [told Andrew Dickens that this is a continuing pattern of attacks. He says Russia...

The PPTA says the popularity of school life skills and personal development classes reflects a shift in what students want from school - not just parents. Ministry of Education figures reveal nearly 68 thousand students enrolled in courses in this field in 2025 - up from about 49 thousand in 2021.  PPTA President, Chris Abercrombie, told Andrew Dickens that parents are more aware of their chi...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has travelled to Florida to begin talks with President Trump about a peace plan. This is the first visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago by Zelenskyy, and the talks aim to narrow the issues on the US sponsored peace plan. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Andrew Dickens that while Zelenskyy has been negotiating peace, Putin has been launching drones against civilia...

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...