Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Finance Minister is defending the time it's going to take to get the Government's books back in the black.  Nicola Willis says a surplus is expected in 2027-28.  Labour's Finance Spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, told Mike Hosking that Willis isn't delivering the direction she promised.  She said that they’re borrowing way more than Labour would’ve at the end of the forecast period, and running larger deficits than Grant Robertson did, except for at the peak of Covid.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cancer Society says some patients won't have a year to wait for National to make good on their promise.   Over the next four years the government is spending $6.5 billion to boost hospital and primary care.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's disappointed it couldn't include funding for 13 new cancer drugs, despite promising it pre-election.   Cancer Society Chief Executive Rachel Hart told Mike Hosking that she's also disappointed for the cancer patients who voted for National thinking it would keep its promise.   Health Minister Shane Reti says the funding should come in one year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A civil war has been sparked after a vote at NZ Rugby’s headquarters saw Proposal Two passed.  It passed with a majority, 69 votes for and 21 against.  New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association CEO Rob Nichols claims the game could now be in an even worse position than before.  He said that Proposal One, which adopted more of the recommendations from the Pilkington report, was a great opportunity for the game to make the changes required.  ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that while it is a democracy, this is not the end of the saga by any stretch.  He said that eyes are now on the provincial unions to implement their ideas, board, and get on with it.  It’s time to see whether they can put their money where their mouth is and whether they can govern the game, Smith said.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today sees a crucial vote take place for New Zealand Rugby.  A Special General Meeting is taking place, in which the union will vote on the new governance structure.  The proposed changes follow the review last year that found the current model not fit for purpose.   ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that he doesn’t think they’ll reach the two-thirds needed to pass either model.  He thinks a stalemate is more likely, but Proposal Two, backed by the Provincial Unions, might get closer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns that another rise in power bills could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.  The Commerce Commission is proposing increased revenue limits for Transpower and 16 local lines companies to help cover rising demands of the national grid.  Electric bills would increase by an average $15 a month from April and $5 a month over the following four years to cover maintenance.  Consumer Advocacy Council Chair Deborah Hart says all alternatives need to be weighed up before a decision is made.  She says costs are already too much for some with rising inflation and the phased removal of the low fixed user fees.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will unveil the final shape of the tax cuts promised to New Zealanders in the Budget today as well as how the Government will pay for them.  The contents of the Budget will be revealed by Willis in Parliament at 2pm.  Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker says there won't be any major tax shocks in today's Budget.  She told Mike Hosking Walker she’s expecting to see some modest increases in just the thresholds at which tax rates apply.   Walker said it will be a Budget of "adjustments".  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's hush money trial is nearing its end, with jurors retiring to deliberate.  The former US president is facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records relating to a hush money payment to an adult film star before the 2016 election.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's a win-win situation for Trump.  He told Mike Hosking that if he's found not guilty, the jurors will be labelled heroes and the justice system will be deemed great again.  But if he's found guilty, Mitchinson says Trump will become a martyr and his supporters will be convinced that this was a political attack.  The jury must be unanimous in its decision.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest rate sentiment might have turned, but people are uncertain about the future of house prices and whether it's a good time to buy.  A new ASB survey's found more people expect interest rates to fall rather than lift in the coming year.  Senior Economist Kim Mundy says uncertainty is still high, and the economic outlook isn't very strong.  She says consumers are still going to be cautious around the housing market, even if the interest rates story is likely to improve.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis has apologised after he was quoted using a derogatory term about gay men.  It's alleged the Pope made the remark during a closed-door meeting with bishops in Rome last week.  They were reportedly discussing whether gay men should be admitted to Catholic seminaries, where priests are trained.  Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that the Pope apparently said gay men shouldn't be allowed to train for the priesthood.  He says there's been shock at this, as the Pope has spoken publicly in the past about being respectful towards gay people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour is urging students to stay in school tomorrow and not join protests across the country.  Toitu Te Tiriti is urging Māori to strike countrywide across the New Zealand on Budget Day as a demonstration against a Government assault on Tangata Whenua and Te Tiriti.  Multiple hikoi are planned, including rolling road blockages in Auckland and a rally outside the Beehive.  Associate Education Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking that education needs to be the top priority for students.  He doesn't see how a protest focused on race without constructive solutions will help.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The News Publishers Association remains optimistic the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill will go through.   A Select Committee's recommended the bill not be passed in its current form.   The bill would force social media giants to pay for using news media.   Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says they've not made a decision and it's still on the table.   News Publishers Association spokesperson Andrew Holden told Mike Hosking that ACT is against the bill while Labour and the Greens are in support.   He says there's no comment from National or New Zealand First, leaving the ground open for Goldsmith to step in and say exactly what he'd do.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nelson-based fuel company NPD has remained 100% Kiwi owned.  The company left the hands of the founding family, selling a majority of the shares.  One Kiwi in particular now owns the company, current CEO and longtime employee, Barry Sheridan.  Sheridan told Mike Hosking that their goal is to bring the most competitive fuel prices they can as they expand through New Zealand, while still maintaining that strong New Zealand family-owned position.  He said that it helps the economy, as they retain all the funds within New Zealand, which then helps to strengthen the families within New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A public transport advocate believes we're paying the price for a lack of investment in trains.  Only 22.5% of Wairarapa trains arrived within five minutes of being on schedule in April.  It's a slight improvement from February, which had only around 5% of trains within target.  Jon Reeves from the Public Transport Users Association told Mike Hosking that there's a lot to catch up on.  He says new trains are coming in 2028 and there are issues with tracks and tunnels, impacting both passengers and freight.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A struggle to staff the country's radiation oncology services is turning more cancer patients to private care.   RNZ is reporting that a service caring for patients in five regions across the North Island is not allowed to recruit the staff it needs, despite recommendations from Te Whatu Ora.   Cancer Society Co-Director Kate Gregory told Mike Hosking that the shortage is just one reason for the patient shift.  She says the private sector also has more cancer medicine options available.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

- Charles Leclerc’s first win since July 2022 - Max Verstappen started and finished the race sixth for Red Bull - Early crash took out Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc won the restarted Monaco Grand Prix from pole position today for his first Formula 1 victory in nearly two years. Leclerc was on pole for the third time in four years, but had previously never finished on the podium at his home race. His first win since Austria in July 2022 took his career tally to six, all with Ferrari. “Tonight’s going to be a big night,” he told his team over the radio. A Monaco victory felt extra special for him, having grown up in a flat overlooking the start-finish line watching cars zooming past below. “No words can explain that. It was the race that made me want to be a Formula 1 driver one day,” the 26-year-old Leclerc said. “Seeing so many of my friends on the balcony, so many people I know. It means a huge amount to me.” The last 15 laps were the most difficult as the

The secondary teachers union says the Government's pre-Budget teacher recruitment announcement is a good start but it needs to ramp up. Education Minister Erica Stanford's announced a 53-million dollar package to train and recruit 1500 teachers over four years. It includes establishing 1200 places for aspiring teachers to learn on the job. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Mike Hosking that there's a lot of demand for teachers coming from offshore. He says it can take six months for a teacher to come here and trying to get a teacher that's a right fit for our system, is also an issue.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Prime Minister has made a big pre-election promise - ahead of July's general election. The Conservative party wants to bring back 12 months of national mandatory military service.Eighteen year olds could choose between a fulltime military placement or one weekend a month of community service. Rishi Sunak's party has not stated the planned punishment if the compulsory service is not completed. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking it'll appeal to right wing voters. He says it'll cost roughly five billion New Zealand dollars and Rishi Sunak says it'll foster national spirit.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week marks the conclusion to the Donald Trump Hush Money Trial in New York. The first criminal trial of former President Donald J Trump will have its closing arguments on Tuesday before Jurors have to decide to convict him. Mr Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Anthony Davis is an LA based journalist and host of Five Minute News and told Mike Hosking it is "hard to know just how damaging this will be" for him.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state of New Zealand’s economy is a disappointment.  In a pre-Budget speech to the Employers and Manufacturers Association, Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed the Government had found savings to pay for tax cuts.  However, she warned that the books are still in a structural deficit, with spending outpacing tax revenue.   EMA CEO Brett O’Riley told Mike Hosking that while it was disappointing to hear how bad the economy has gotten; it’s heartening to know that there’s a long-term plan.   He said the early hints of the Government’s economic growth plan was encouraging to a lot of people in the audience.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have hit the ground running in the UK.  The leaders of the Conservative and Labour parties, respectively, are out and about ahead of the July 4 election.  But Newstalk ZB UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that it hasn't been a smooth start for the Conservative leader.  He says Sunak had an embarrassing faux par in Wales when he asked locals if they were excited to watch the upcoming football, despite Wales not getting through to the Euro finals.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.