Early Edition on Newstalk ZB

There's an expectation New Zealanders will continue to file out of the country in high numbers. 

The latest figures from Stats NZ show more than 130,000 people left the country in the year to April, the highest number on record. 

Among those were a record 81,200 NZ citizens. 

ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking that we are moving in the right direction, but there’s still...

There’s a belief that there's a problem with the New Zealand electricity business model, not just the new disclosure rules. 

Gentailers —companies that both generate and sell electricity— are required to disclose the price they use internally to sell power to their retail arms.  

But NZIER research found the new disclosure rules don't provide enough information to show if companies are artificially...

It's thought New Zealanders' faith in rural banks is dwindling. 

The Government's requested for the Finance and Expenditure and Primary Production select committees to lead a joint inquiry into rural banking. 

Rural Women NZ says their communities are facing a range of problems including banking competition and customer service. 

Chief Executive Gabrielle O'Brien told Mike Hosking tha...

Unemployment is hitting the UK hard. 

It’s unexpectedly risen to its highest level for two and a half years, climbing to 4.4% in the three months to April. 

On the other hand, wage growth has remained strong and is outstripping inflation, having increased at an annual rate of 2.9%. 

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking the other striking figure is the inactivity rate, which i...

Police have already received tips on the back of the $80 thousand reward offered in the case of the Phillips children. 

The now eight, nine, and ten year olds, along with their father Tom Phillips, have been missing since 2021. 

They're believed to be in western Waikato, near or in Marokopa. 

Police have given two weeks for the reward to be claimed and say information has been coming ...

The Government's decision to work with farmers to price their emissions by 2030 is being welcomed by the industry. 

A law change will stop farming being charged through the Emissions Trading Scheme, which offsets credits against emitting.  

It was a fallback option if partnership group He Waka Eka Noa didn't find an alternative for agriculture. 

Meat Industry Association advocacy mana...

A fuel retailer's applauding the Commerce Commission for raising awareness about prices at the pump ahead of the removal of Auckland's fuel tax. 

The commission's calling out retailers who lag in dropping prices at the pump, saying it's costing motorists millions each year. 

It says it's a timely reminder, with the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax being removed at the end of this month. 

Wa...

A council in Australia’s New South Wales is displeased after being ordered to repay millions of dollars. 

The NSW Government has ordered the Hornsby Shire council to repay $36 million as after six years, it still has yet to develop and build a park. 

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock, a former federal minister, has accused the government of looking to save money ahead of the state budget coming next wee...

The cost of building a new home's starting to stabilise. 

Figures from QV CostBuilder show the average cost to build a three-bedroom home in main centres has risen by 1.8% for the year, and 0.3% this quarter.  

It compares to an annual average increase of nearly 5% last December, and nearly 10% last June. 

Newstalk ZB’s Resident Builder Pete Wolfkamp told Mike Hosking that the main di...

A political scientist says the allegations that Census data has been misused by a political party would be very concerning if true. 

The Prime Minister's announced the Public Service Commission will undertake an independent investigation amid allegations surrounding Te Pāti Māori and Manurewa Marae. 

It relates to the misuse of Census data and Covid-19 vaccination information. 

Politi...

It's expected China will try to sweeten the pot for New Zealand. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will arrive in Wellington this week, the first such visit since 2017. 

International relations expert Geoffrey Miller told Mike Hosking that expects he'll want to cover business, education, and likely New Zealand's position on AUKUS. 

He says tempting offers will likely be made to the Prime Mini...

The Government will remove the 2018 ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki. 

The decision's being labelled a 'backwards step' by environmentalist groups. 

Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive, John Carnegie, told Mike Hosking “In New Zealand, the ironic thing is coal has been a balanci...

British TV presenter Michael Mosley has been found dead on the Greek Island of Symi after disappearing while on holiday last week. 

The 67-year-old healthy living advocate, had been a prominent face on TV in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.  

His body was found as teams were searching the coastline wi...

The Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals are kicking off this weekend. 

The Hurricanes are still sitting at the top of the table, just ahead of the Blues on a points differential. 

The Chiefs are starting the action, facing off against the Reds tonight at 7pm. 

Sports Commentator Tony Johnson told Mike Hosking that the season is heading towards a pretty good climax. 

He sai...

It's a much-needed record funding boost in pothole prevention. 

The Transport Agency's confirmed it'll put just over $2 billion into prevention on state highways, and nearly $2 billion for local roads. 

It'll cover resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance, with more than 62,000 holes recorded last year. 

Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett told Mike Hosk...

A concerning healthcare trend finds more Kiwis unable to access specialist care, leaving GPs to manage cases without extra resources. 

Otago University has found between 2018 and 2022, the risk of being declined referred specialist services increased significantly, by 5.2%.  

General Practice New Zealand chair Bryan Betty told Mike Hosking that the threshold seems to be changing. 

He ...

Third time’s a charm for Boeing as its first manned ship takes off to space. 

Previous launch attempts had been called off due to system and machinery failures.  

Two veteran NASA astronauts are riding aboard the Starliner capsule, on a journey to the International Space Station. 

US correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that it's a much-needed win for Boeing. 

The Early Childhood Sector is welcoming the Ministry of Regulation review. 

Regulation Minister David Seymour's saying affordability, access, and regulation will be tackled in the review. 

In six months, a report will be sent back with recommendations for Cabinet on rules that could be removed or changed.  

Early Childhood New Zealand Chief Executive Kathy Wolfe told Mike Hosking that...

The allegations against Te Pāti Māori need to be handled with sensitivity.  

It's been alleged information collected at Auckland's Manurewa Marae was used to help the party's election campaign, something Te Pāti Māori denies. 

Stats NZ has appointed an investigator, Police have received a complaint, and the Privacy Commissioner's considering what to do next. 

Political commentator Pet...