Morning Edition: 03 January 2026

The Morning Edition of News Fix for 03 January 2026, straight from the Newstalk ZB newsroom - bringing you everything you need to know in news, politics, business, entertainment and sport.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
From the News Talk ZEBBI newsroom. This is NEWSFX.

Speaker 2 (00:06):
In this update, sparklers on top of champagne bottles are
the likely cause of a deadly blaze at a Swiss
ski resort New Year party. Forty people died and more
than one hundred and nineteen injured, many of them young
people who have suffered severe burns. Investigators have started identifying
victims of several countries, including Switzerland, France and Italy. Valet

(00:26):
Area Prosecutor General Beatrice Pilau says criminal liability has not
been ruled out.

Speaker 3 (00:33):
There will be the possibility or not to consider where
there is a penal liability which could affect people if
that is the case.

Speaker 2 (00:43):
Also today, two people are injured, one critically, following a
two vehicle crash involving an ambulance in Northland. It was
transporting a patient from Manga Fi Heads to Farnade Hospital
when it crashed at Waipou last night at Honeys and
John says one ambulance officer suffered moderate injury while the
other and the patient were uninjured. In the crash. A
person from the other vehicle is critical. Federated Farmers wants

(01:07):
to see rural and provincial councils separated from urban ones.
The government's announced plans to abolish regional councils and create
combined territory boards. Council reporter Jacob Jones has.

Speaker 1 (01:18):
More federated farmers Caesar would like to see the number
of local authorities shrunk from seventy eight to fewer than
half of that. It's supportive of the government's moves, but
is concerned with a lack of detail in the government
discussion papers. It says of voting on the territory boards
is based off population, then rural and provincial concerns could

(01:39):
be sidelined.

Speaker 2 (01:40):
And Tessler has lost its title as the world's best
selling electric vehicle maker. It's one point sixty four million
vehicle sales in twenty twenty five, as a decrease of
nine percent from a year earlier. Chinese rival BYD sold
two point two six million vehicles, crowning as the biggest
ev maker. That's news.

Speaker 3 (02:00):
In sport, four.

Speaker 2 (02:01):
Time Grand Slam tennis one in Naomi Osaka has admitted
she isn't one hundred percent. Following a straight sets lost
at the United Cup in Perth, the world number sixteen
suffered a six four six two defeat against Maria Sakari
as Japan would go on to lose their group tie
against Greece at three nil. Osaka says she's been dealing
with illness since Christmas.

Speaker 4 (02:22):
I think I'm at the tail end of that, but
it's still not amazing and obviously like I had a cough,
like a runny nose, like all that nasty stuff. So yeah,
hopefully it goes away before the Australian Open and.

Speaker 2 (02:36):
The Brisbane Heat have pulled off. A four wicket went
over the Melbourne Stars and their Big Bash League Cricket
contest at the Gabba. Melbourne seta targets of one ninety six,
with Brisbane chasing down the mark with two balls to spare.
That's sport. I'm clear showboards.

Speaker 1 (02:51):
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