Liam Hehir: Political Commentator on the general election being set for November 7th

A long runway for an economic recovery is thought to be the main reason for a November election.   Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's set November 7th as election day – the latest election since 2008.   Early voting will open on October 26, with final results due in early November.  Political Co…

Anne Villamil: University of Iowa Economics Professor on Trump's threat of tariffs over Greenland

US President Donald Trump's delivered his two cents on the state of Europe, as tariff threats over the Greenland issue loom.   Trump's spoken at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, confirming he still wants to buy and control the Danish territory, but won't use force.   He's already threaten…

Full Show Podcast: 22 January 2026

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 22nd of January 2025, Donald Trump's made a speech to the World Economic Forum saying he won't use excessive force to acquire Greenland, but he will push ahead with Tariffs, University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil expl…

Malcolm Fleming: Certified Builders Chief Executive on demand for construction workers increasing

Builders across the country are starting to feel the benefits of the rise of employment opportunities.  SEEK NZ's latest Employment Report shows a drop of 0.3% on overall job ads. But demand for construction workers continues to add volume, with a rise of 3.4% nationally, up 43% year on year. Ce…

Andrew Dickens: I'm impressed with Mark Carney

I am becoming even more impressed with Mark Carney as time goes on. I said that yesterday on the radio and got a text that Carney is just Trudeau but without Katy Perry - a snappy one liner fed to my texter by the President’s camp, and nowhere near the truth. Carney yesterday gave a speech to Dav…

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on the Chinese mega-embassy in London getting approved

Opposition leaders in the UK are concerned following through with plans for a giant Chinese Embassy in London.  The UK Government's approved the mega embassy, located near Tower Bridge in the central city.  Opponents have been warning the embassy could be used as a spying base.  UK correspondent…

Bridgette Thornley: Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director on the calls for tougher gambling regulations

Calls are growing for tougher gambling regulations to prevent relapse.  New AUT research shows one in four gamblers who recover from harmful gambling slip back and return to the habit at a risky level.  Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Bridgette Thornley told Andrew Dickins people ne…

Anna-Marie Brennan: Waikato University Senior Law Lecturer on the Inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children

An inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children will analyse if New Zealand met its obligations under international law.   The four year search for the group ended in a shootout last September, where Phillips severely injured a police officer before being shot dead.  An inquiry…

John Tookey: Professor of Construction Management at AUT on Fletcher Building's sale of its construction arm

Fletcher Building's calling time on its construction arm after a difficult few years.  It's signed a sale deal with French multi-national Vinci Construction, subject to regulatory approval.  The final reckoning could sit on about $334 million, and it'll move its focus to manufacturing and distrib…

Andrew Dickens: When are we getting an election?

It might be today that the Government announces the date of the election. Some have called for an early election. They argue that the job to fix us up needs more time. The Government could argue they’re the ones to do it.   They could ask for a mandate for another three years to finish the job, a…