Holiday Breakfast

Over 450 kilometres of Auckland roads will be getting a refresh in the coming weeks as droves of Aucklanders head out of town for summer. 

Auckland Transport's head of road maintenance Alan Wallace joined Andrew Dickens to chat about how people can best avoid the roadworks.

Wallace said, "everything we're doing, we're trying to do it in a way that minimises how it affects others." 

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Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says he is confident ahead of next year's election. 

He told Andrew Dickens that the party is focused on gaining more confidence from the public, and says he will still be the Labour Leader when the election rolls round. 

'Our our public support's been, really building, and we've got some real momentum going into this campaign'

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More attacks from Russia - as the Presidents of the US and Ukraine prepare to hold talks in Florida.

Russia has bombarded Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with strikes by missiles and hundreds of drones - knocking out power and heat in parts of the capital.

Kyiv based Foreign Policy and Security Expert, Jimmy Rushton, [told Andrew Dickens that this is a continuing pattern of attacks.

He says Russia's goal is to force Ukrainians to pressure their Government to surrender. 

He says despite having no power in the height of winter, Ukrainian people are strong and won't give in. 

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The PPTA says the popularity of school life skills and personal development classes reflects a shift in what students want from school - not just parents.

Ministry of Education figures reveal nearly 68 thousand students enrolled in courses in this field in 2025 - up from about 49 thousand in 2021. 

PPTA President, Chris Abercrombie, told Andrew Dickens that parents are more aware of their children's goals. 

He says students are less likely to take subjects because they’re told to - and more likely to choose courses matching their own aspirations.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has travelled to Florida to begin talks with President Trump about a peace plan.

This is the first visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago by Zelenskyy, and the talks aim to narrow the issues on the US sponsored peace plan.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Andrew Dickens that while Zelenskyy has been negotiating peace, Putin has been launching drones against civilian targets over Christmas.

'Putin stepped up the Russian attacks through the holiday period, with at least 1810 drones fired.'

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The Waikato district is the 4th largest region in New Zealand, covering 25,000 square kilometres.

Waikato Mayor Aksel Bech is encouraging Kiwis to take a trip to the Waikato over summer, saying that there's more going on than people may think. 

'The Waikato region's got lots to offer, not just future facing, but, some of the old-time charms as well'

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Over summer Andrew Dickens is catching up with the Mayors of Aotearoa in his Summer Road Trip series.

Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley joined Dickens to talk about her focus for 2026, the potential for a Tarras Airport, local wineries and upcoming summer events.

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Synthony owner and boxing promoter David Higgins joined Andrew Dickens to chat about Synthony's meteoric rise and next steps in the world of boxing. 

Higgins was always put off by joining the world of music, until he discovered Synthony. 

"With Synthony, I thought, wow, it's like Cirque du Soleil. It's a brand, I could trademark in 100 countries, which I did. I could then schedule dates and venues, at will and use local orchestras and young talent who are grateful for the opportunity and not be at the behest of global agencies and management," he told Dickens.

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The Boxing Day Races at Ellerslie, in what is likely the biggest wedding of the year, Louise Savage will become a wife.

The Races are expected to have 15,000 attendees. 

Savage joined Andrew Dickens to chat about the big day.

"I will just be imagining and preparing to go for a lovely day out at the races and there happens to be a wedding thrown in between race two and three," she said. 

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New polls are showing older Australians firmly standing behind One Nation as support for Labour and National wanes. 

Whereas, Australia Correspondent Murray Olds told Andrew Dickens, "young people are running running 100 miles an hour away from the conservative side of politics."

And, questions of rising antisemitism continue as a car with Hanukkah decorations, belonging to Rabbi Effy Block, was firebombed on Christmas Day.

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