Holiday Breakfast

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...

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...