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.

Latest

Psychologist: 'Kiwis have every right to be frustrated over lockdown'

Frustrating has been one of the words of this past week. First it was Jacinda Ardern being frustrated at the non-isolating positive Covid case. And now it seems...
Hospitalized Prince Philip has successful heart procedure

Prince Philip has had a successful heart procedure at a London hospital and is expected to remain for several days of "rest and recuperation," Buckingham Palace...
White Island eruption: 13 defendants in case now identified

All 13 of the defendants facing charges in relation to the death of 22 people when Whakaari/White Island erupted can now be reported. The first hearing was today...
Tim Dower: Was the lockdown a sledgehammer to crack a nut?

In the past week I guess we’ve all been through that Covid rollercoaster again. Shock first, at the news of the new lockdown, jeez really, again? Exasperation at...
Biden vows enough vaccine for all US adults by end of May

President Joe Biden said Tuesday local time the U.S. expects to take delivery of enough coronavirus vaccine for all adults by the end of May — two months earlier...
Scott Morrison speaks publicly over Attorney-General rape allegation

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has spoken publicly for the first time since Attorney-General Christian Porter addressed the historic rape allegation levelled against...
Buckingham Palace launches investigation into Meghan Markle bullying claims

Buckingham Palace has today released a statement sharing their intent to investigate claims of bullying against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, after the couple...
National pressures Govt to increase payment for isolating employees

The National Party believes the government will come around on paying employees their full wage for taking time off for Covid-19. The payment would be capped at...
Kate Hawkesby: I don't begrudge those who left Auckland before lockdown

The latest people getting kicked by the government and trolled from the pulpit of truth are the Tamakis, as in Brian and Hannah. Now like many people I’m no fan...
HR expert on the troubling report into police culture

It may take years for the police to fix its culture. The spotlight's been turned on the force by the release of an Independent Police Conduct Authority report, which...
Breast Cancer Foundation on Pharmac's "long overdue" review

A review of drug buying agency Pharmac is being described as long overdue. The investigation will look into the speed and transparency of the organisation's decision...
Kiwi company turning surplus food into delicious treats and drinks

Some new insights into food trends have emerged, with Otago University teaming up with Foodstuffs to investigate how Kiwi consumers feel about upcycled food products. These...
Kate Hawkesby: Government must look at other ways to contain small clusters

I note another day of zero new cases yesterday - could that mean Auckland comes out of lockdown early? I wouldn't bet the house on it but the cost of being in lockdown...
Why young people seem to flout Covid-19 rules more often

It's the question we all want an answer to: why did our new Covid case decide to head to the gym after getting his test? And why is it that young people in particular...
Banks incentivising farmers to meet environmental targets

Farmers could soon get cheaper bank loans if they meet environmental targets. BNZ's running a pilot partnership with Southern Pastures, to give the dairy investor...
Key lockdown decision rests with gymgoers yet to be tested

Whether or not Auckland is dealing with a bigger Covid-19 cluster will not be known until the next day or two, when a group of gymgoers are tested for the virus...
Kate Hawkesby: We need to keep asking questions about the Govt's Covid response

There're lots of people I feel bad for during a lockdown, business owners, vulnerable people, women in domestic violence situations, elderly, those who’re anxious....
David Seymour accuses Govt of being beholden to 'cult of Ashley'

ACT leader David Seymour's accusing the Government of creating 'the cult of Ashley', when its former Health Minister was off mountain biking. He says the Government...
Kate Hawkesby: Ministry of Health dropping the ball has led us to new lockdown

Here we go again. Groundhog Day. I saw the headline that the PM was “frustrated”. Really? She's frustrated? How do you think the “team of 5 million” feel? Because...
Wellington replaces Bay Oval as host of final Twenty20 double header

Wellington has replaced Bay Oval as the venue for the final Black Caps v Australia and White Ferns England T20 double-header on Sunday. New Zealand Cricket has...
Expert: Lockdown return suggests we moved down too quickly initially

One expert says the latest lockdown may be a sign Auckland's last lockdown didn't last long enough. Auckland University public health expert Colin Tukuitonga told...
Changes in KiwiSaver rules for those with congenital conditions annouced

The Government has announced the four life-shortening conditions that will allow people impacted by them early access to their KiwiSaver funds. Anyone with Down...
Papatoetoe Covid cluster dents Auckland's business confidence

Auckland's Papatoetoe Covid cluster has dented business confidence, and taken a massive slice out of businesses' bottom lines. New figures from Paymark show the...
Kate Hawkesby: Do we need watchdogs to tell us influencers might be trying to influence us?

I don’t get the big deal about Gwyneth Paltrow’s blog about her what she’s taking to combat some long term effects she’s suffering from having Covid. Apparently...
Immigration lawyer concerned over skilled migrants policy review

An immigration lawyer is concerned about a possible review of the country's skilled migrants policy. The Immigration Minister's flagged a possible review, with...