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

Call for even tougher penalties for people who text while driving

A road safety campaigner says nearly doubling the fine for using a phone while driving, isn't enough. From the end of the month, the penalty will increase from $80...
Government looks at limiting nicotine, age restrictions in 2025 goal

The Government is suggesting limiting the amount of nicotine allowed in cigarettes. It is one of a number of proposals being put forward to meet its goal of making...
Kate Hawkesby: Trans-Tasman bubble opening is the first step of normality resuming

School holidays start today, it’s the end of Term 1. I know, we’ve just had Easter, and for Auckland families with a couple of lockdowns this year, it feels like...
New free range farm to let chickens roam through a forest

A South Waikato forest is about to be full of hens - but free of cruelty. A 139-hectare property near Tokoroa, is set to become the country's leading egg production...
Government launches strategy to boost financial knowledge

Boosting financial knowledge for the general public. The National Strategy for Financial Capability will be launched at Parliament today, by commerce minister David...
Kate Hawkesby: NZTA needs to listen to their own people

My favourite story so far this week has been the Hamilton to Auckland train.. and one of the board members calling it out for the waste of time and money that it...
MedSafe to make decision on Johnson & Johnson's vaccine today

A big decision for MedSafe, on whether to approve Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 Janssen vaccine for use in New Zealand. The medical regulator is due to make a recommendation...
Ashley Church criticises National Party's 'virtue signalling' housing policy

Disappointment over a new National Party housing policy. Leader Judith Collins has drafted a member's bill that would oblige councils to immediately zone more housing...
Doctors urge Ministry of Health to make sure there's enough flu jabs for everyone

Doctors are urging the Ministry of Health to make sure there are enough flu jabs to go around everyone. People over 65 can be vaccinated from today, but everyone...
UK hits vaccine target; Boris Johnson warns of more virus deaths

Britain began offering coronavirus vaccinations to anyone over 45 on Tuesday after hitting its target of giving at least one dose to everyone over 50 by the middle...
Kate Hawkesby: Young people still want to drive

I was on the phone to my brother the other day and he was in the car giving his son a driving lesson. This was a very nerve wracking time to be on the phone to him,...
Japan to start releasing Fukushima water into sea in two years

Japan's government decided Tuesday to start releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean in two years — an...
Labour facing pressure to raise benefits in the Budget

The government's going to be under pressure to raise benefits come budget day. It's been revealed New Zealanders currently owe $560,000 to the Ministry of Social...
Support workers feeling overworked and underpaid

A suggestion that support workers should be more appreciated. Analysis of an AUT workforce survey carried out in 2019, has found most support carers feel overworked...
School teachers concerned over changes to NCEA Level One

A plea to keep commerce subjects separate at high school. The Government's planning to combine accounting, economics and business studies into one subject at NCEA...
Kate Hawkesby: What I have learned from my "salmon activism"

Dipping my toe into my pseudo ‘salmon activism’ as my husband sarcastically calls it, has been an interesting saga. This is all off the back of that Seaspiracy documentary...
Aquaculture NZ CEO dismisses concerns raised by 'shock doco' Seaspiracy

None of the issues raised in a Netflix documentary are present in New Zealand, according to the local industry. Netflix's Seaspiracy has gone viral after presenting...
Kate Hawkesby: The Royal Family will march on

I see with the death of Prince Philip that some are saying this is the gradual erosion or phasing out of the Monarchy. That once the Queen passes too, there’ll...
Lewis Clareburt breaks another NZ record on eve of Tokyo Olympics

A stronger contender for a medal in the pool at the Tokyo Olympics is proving he should head into the Games in career-best form. Lewis Clareburt set his second...
Coalition calls for health-based approach to drug use in open letter to Govt

More than 25 health and social service organisations have banded together to call on the Government to repeal the country's drug laws, to drop penalties for use...
Philip's death has left a "huge void" in Queen's life as more royals pay tribute

The death of Prince Philip has left a "huge void" in Queen Elizabeth II's life, their son Prince Andrew said Sunday, as Princess Anne paid tribute to her father...
Marine scientist Dr Riley Elliott to host Blue Planet II Live in Concert

New Zealand's very own shark man, marine scientist Dr. Riley Elliott, will host 'Blue Planet II Live in Concert ' on tonight and tomorrow in Auckland. It's a huge...
Northern Ireland leaders seek calm after violence escalates

Authorities in Northern Ireland sought to restore calm Thursday after Protestant and Catholic youths in Belfast hurled bricks, fireworks and gasoline bombs at police...
Fears vaccine passports will create unfair advantages

Fears a vaccine passport would create unfair advantages for the healthy and wealthy. Emirates is hosting a 'vaccinated only' flight this weekend, where all staff...
Health expert back Government's decision to suspend flights from India

A public health expert is backing the suspension of flights from India, saying it's an absolutely necessary step. The Government is temporarily banning arrivals,...