School leaders want more information from Labour on its plan to scrap a mandated hour of reading, writing, and maths in schools, while achievement results are improving. 

Leader Chris Hipkins announced last week teachers would be given more choice over how they spend their time. 

But a Curia Market Research poll shows 74% of Kiwis support the mandated hour policy. 

Secondary Principals' Council chair Steve McCracken told Andrew Dickens it ensures the subjects are taught regularly and consistently across the country. 

He says his school is seeing an increase in literacy and numeracy results already, and hearing the same from other schools. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

School leaders want more information from Labour on its plan to scrap a mandated hour of reading, writing, and maths in schools, while achievement results are improving.&nbsp;
Leader Chris Hipkins announced last week teachers would be given more choice over how they spend their time.&nbsp;
But a Curia Market Research poll shows 74% of Kiwis support the mandated hour policy.&nbsp;
Secondary Principals' Council chair Steve McCracken told Andrew Dickens it ensures the subjects are taught regularly and consistently across the country.&nbsp;
He says his school is seeing an increase in literacy and numeracy results already, and hearing the same from other schools.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Steve McCracken: Secondary Principals' Council Chair on Labour's plan to axe the mandatory hour of reading, writing, and maths despite parent approval

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ff18f8db-12be-41d5-9c97-b4e20165eba6/transcript

Employers are being warned cocaine use is surging in workplace drug testing. 

Drug Detection Agency data shows the drug made up 3.2% of positive tests in three months to October, up 118% year on year. 

Amphetamine-type substances, including meth, accounted for 25.4%, up 9.4% over the past year. 

Chief Executive Glenn Dobson says there are similar trends in the US and Australia. 

He told Andrew Dickens that most workplaces have a drug and alcohol policy that guides employers on how to deal with drug use. 

Generally, Dobson says, rehabilitation is offered, as they’re looking for the employee to stop taking the drug and make the workplace a safer place.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Employers are being warned cocaine use is surging in workplace drug testing.&nbsp;
Drug Detection Agency data shows the drug made up 3.2% of positive tests in three months to October, up 118% year on year.&nbsp;
Amphetamine-type substances, including meth, accounted for 25.4%, up 9.4% over the past year.&nbsp;
Chief Executive Glenn Dobson says there are similar trends in the US and Australia.&nbsp;
He told Andrew Dickens that most workplaces have a drug and alcohol policy that guides employers on how to deal with drug use.&nbsp;
Generally, Dobson says, rehabilitation is offered, as they’re looking for the employee to stop taking the drug and make the workplace a safer place. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Glenn Dobson: Drug Detection Agency CEO on workplace testing revealing surging cocaine use

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e208d9f0-9a1c-40f1-b6a6-b4e2017b2dee/transcript

There are concerns a flood of cheaper aluminium imports from China could lead to local manufacturers shutting their doors. 

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer has declined a request for safeguard measures to protect them.  

MBIE noted the domestic industry is struggling, with the increase in imports just one reason among many, including increasing costs. 

E tu National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh told Andrew Dickens these plants are the lifeblood of regional communities. 

She says when we lose industry in this country it doesn't come back, and its effects flow more widely than just job losses. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

There are concerns a flood of cheaper aluminium imports from China could lead to local manufacturers shutting their doors.&nbsp;
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer has declined a request for safeguard measures to protect them. &nbsp;
MBIE noted the domestic industry is struggling, with the increase in imports just one reason among many, including increasing costs.&nbsp;
E tu National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh told Andrew Dickens these plants are the lifeblood of regional communities.&nbsp;
She says when we lose industry in this country it doesn't come back, and its effects flow more widely than just job losses.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Rachel Mackintosh: Etū National Secretary on the aluminium sector warning of job losses after govt declines request for safeguards

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bf13e799-8e85-4308-8ed7-b4e2011bccee/transcript

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 14th of October 2026, a new poll shows just how popular the hour of reading, writing and maths has become, Secondary Principals Association Chair Steve McCracken tells Andrew if teachers are on board with it too.

There's concern for New Zealand's aluminium industry after the Government rejected protection against cheap imports, ETU National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh shares her thoughts. 

Our increasing love of Cocaine is bleeding through into the workplace, the Drug Detection Agency CEO Glenn Dobson shares his thoughts. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on hundreds of French supermarkets have been hit by a cyber attack that caused their fridges and freezers to heat up, spoiling fresh and frozen food estimated to be worth millions of euros and UK PM Andy Burnham under growing pressure after he claimed Russia did interfere with the Brexit referendum. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 14th of October 2026, a new poll shows just how popular the hour of reading, writing and maths has become, Secondary Principals Association Chair Steve McCracken tells Andrew if teachers are on board with it too.
There's concern for New Zealand's aluminium industry after the Government rejected protection against cheap imports, ETU National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh shares her thoughts.&nbsp;
Our increasing love of Cocaine is bleeding through into the workplace, the Drug Detection Agency CEO Glenn Dobson shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on hundreds of French supermarkets have been hit by a cyber attack that caused their fridges and freezers to heat up, spoiling fresh and frozen food estimated to be worth millions of euros and UK PM Andy Burnham under growing pressure after he claimed Russia did interfere with the Brexit referendum.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 14 October 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/761a6cc2-bf31-4719-866d-b4e2011a49ed/transcript

Steve McCracken: Secondary Principals' Council Chair on Labour's plan to axe the mandatory hour of reading, writing, and maths despite parent approval

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