Region: Auckland

Early Edition

5AM-6AM Weekdays

Early Edition

EARLY EDITION
WITH KATE HAWKESBY

5am–6am weekdays

A fresh and intelligent start to your day.

Kate Hawkesby’s no-nonsense journalistic approach, hard-hitting opinion and engaging sense of humour bring Early Edition to life every day of the week.

Covering the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business, Early Edition is the only place to get your full pre-breakfast fix.

Kate Hawkesby: How can Auckland Council be so out of touch?

Aucklanders, do you want the following things, and if so, how much are you prepared to pay for them? Because if the mayor has his way, you will be paying for them. A...
Accuser's credibility attacked at Ghislaine Maxwell trial

Ghislaine Maxwell's defense attorneys sought Wednesday to undermine a key accuser's allegation that the British socialite helped financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually...
MP for Auckand Central on hospitality sector being 'left out to die' by Govt voucher scheme

A Government support package which aims to revitalise Auckland by issuing families vouchers for local attractions and events has been panned by the hospitality sector,...
Cyber criminals offering dodgy Christmas deals on toys

Security experts are warning kiwis to be extra cautious when buying toys online this Christmas. Cyber criminals are banking on global supply issues and people's frustrations,...
Principals' union warns not to put schools in middle of vaccine debate

A warning to not put schools in the middle of the Covid-19 vaccine debate. The Government's hoping to start rolling out the inoculation programme for five to 11-year-olds...
Kate Hawkesby: I've changed my mind on Christopher Luxon

I wrote an editorial on Luxon getting the leadership yesterday once we got wind of it in the afternoon, about an hour before their caucus met and before Luxon spoke. But...
Dunedin tech company inks a near $19 million deal for automated beef-boning system

A world-first automated beef boning system made in Dunedin hopes to solve worker shortages. The high-speed technology, combining X-ray vision with robotic and mechanical...
Stocks and oil prices fall as Moderna CEO says current vaccines will struggle with Omicron

Global stocks and oil prices fell again Tuesday after a brief respite from the heavy sell-off triggered by the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Stocks...
Economist: Wellington seems to have become a millionaire's paradise

House values continue to rise out of reach of many young Wellingtonians. The latest rating valuation has been released by QV. Over the past three years, the average...
Nicola Willis: National's liberal and conservative wings came together yesterday

Christopher Luxon's new deputy leader of the National Party is confident the pair can overcome the party's internal divisions. Nicola Willis told Kate Hawkesby National's...
Former Cabinet minister: Luxon will need to unite the liberal-conservative divide if he wins

A big challenge for National, to appeal to almost everyone with its next choice of leader. Former Air New Zealand boss Christopher Luxon appears to have the numbers...
Kate Hawkesby: Traffic Light System still not showing a clear road out of Covid

I don’t know why we keep getting our hopes up for these announcements, they’re always such a letdown. I mean I guess we knew Auckland was starting in Red, and not...
Australia's easing of border restrictions delayed because of new variant

The Australian federal government has "paused" its plan to ease border restrictions from Wednesday, December 1, delaying the move by a fortnight as the world grapples...
Former officer: Police need more to respond with than pepper spray and a taser

Auckland Police officers might need better protection as they respond to more firearms events. Three police officers are recovering in Auckland Hospital after being...
Whakatane Mayor: I'm not surprised the region is in Red

Understanding from Whakatane about why it's moving into Red under the traffic light system from Friday. Most regions will start in Orange, apart from Auckland and...
Kate Hawkesby: Omicron reminds us that Covid is in the driving seat, not us

As Aucklanders endured their last weekend of an alert level lockdown, waiting to move into our red traffic light this weekend, Covid reminded us that it’s in the...
Sociology professor predicts how people will react to the traffic light system

So it's November 29, a date we've all been waiting for. Originally the D-day for the announcement of all announcements, we already know on Friday we're heading...
Scientist on what we know about the Omicron Covid-19 variant

A new heavily mutated Covid variant has been identified named Omicron. It's been rapidly labelled a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation, and is...
Former National MP: Frontrunners Luxon, Mitchell - 'very able'

Surprise from Judith Collins' former and current colleagues, about how her time as National leader came to an end. MP Jacqui Dean has told the Otago Daily Times...
$The thing that appeals to me about Mark Mitchell, is that he’s had life experience. (Photo \ NZ Herald)$

Kate Hawkesby: Who I think should replace Judith Collins

Who’d be in politics, eh? I mean talk about brutal. How do they just keep getting knocked over and get back up again. It’s so so tough. I don’t know what came...
England, France at odds: 27 dead in Channel crossing tragedy

England and France are at odds over how to deal with illegal migrants crossing the Channel, after 27 people died trying to get across. It's the largest loss of...
Black Friday hoped to bring retail sector much-needed boost

The retail sector is in for a much-needed boost today. The industry is set to make about 270-million dollars from Black Friday sales. Retail NZ Chief Executive...
Judith Collins' leadership loss over 'minor' complaint

Judith Collins says history will judge her kindly, for her decision to demote Simon Bridges. Collins was removed from the leadership yesterday -- after her surprise...
Kate Hawkesby: National Party have completely stuffed this up

What the hell is going on inside the National Party? Here's the problem with that question. We shouldn't even be asking it. We shouldn't need to ask it. They shouldn't...
Foreign Minister's seemingly hush-hush meeting in Canada

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has arrived in Canada, but little is known of what her day will entail. It's the last leg of her first international trip in the...