Holiday Breakfast

Dress Smart Auckland manager Lauri Solecki chats to Andrew Dickens about the best sales, her expectations for Boxing Day busyness, and overviews the Christmas shopping period. 

"We're expecting strong performance and we remain optimistic," she said. 

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Gavin Grey catches up with Andrew Dickens to discuss the EU and UK news of the day. 

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson were both absent for the Sandringham Christmas service.

Two anti-hate social media campaigners were denied entry to the US as the State Department accuses them of trying to supress free speech.

And, 115 people were arrested in Turkey for alleged planned New Years attacks connected to ISIS.

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Fuel providers NPD and Gull announced a proposed merger of the two entities on Wednesday, December 24.

The decision now sits with the Commerce Commission as they decide if the merger will increase or decrease competition in the market.

Both companies are already low-cost providers, so, it is hoped the proposed merge could lower prices for consumers.

Customers have been awaiting a fuel price drop for a while now, as oil prices have fallen, but the change has not been seen at the till. 

AA Fuel spokesperson Terry Collins told Andrew Dickens, "it's the largest margin I've seen between landed price and retail price, and these companies, what they need to do is not just offer discounts and specials on particular days, but we need to see across the board drop in our fuel prices currently."

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The New Zealand cruise season got off to a slow start, but from Boxing Day until January 5th over 50 cruise ships will dock in across the country bringing a boost to local economies. 

Although, NZ Cruise Association CEO Jacqui Lloyd told Andrew Dickens that eco-regulations and increased costs have slowed the industry. 

"While it's great to have the ships in port, it is disappointing in the numbers that are coming in," Lloyd said.

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The Far North District is a hot-spot for Kiwis looking to get away over the holidays. 

However, due to the impacts of cyclones, storms and COVID - the area's businesses are still struggling. 

Far North District Mayor Moko Tepania told Andrew Dickens that tourism this summer is key to boosting Northland's struggling businesses.

'We need you all to come up here and spend your money because our businesses bloody need it.'

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Wellington City Mission is expecting to welcome hundreds of people for Christmas lunches across the city tomorrow.

Five different locations will offer food and quality time for those living within City Mission housing, and those who use its services.

Missioner Murray Edridge told Andrew Dickens that it's been the hardest year many have experienced, but tomorrow's a time to come together.

He says Christmas can be difficult because it reminds those struggling of what they don't have.

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Santa Claus says he's fully wrapped up his Christmas preparations - ahead of tonight's global gift run.

New Zealand is one of his first stops on his longest night of the year.

Santa rolled out a dad joke - as he described what kids have been asking him for this year.

He says remote control vehicles are a big thing - but he's not sure how remote children want to be from the vehicle.

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Red meat may no longer be the star of the Christmas dinner table.

The price of sirloin and porterhouse steaks and lamb chops rose about 25-percent in the past year, and beef mince and sausages more than 10-percent.

But poultry and pork have stayed at or below the rate of inflation.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Andrew Dickens that a summer salad's more affordable.

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US President Donald Trump may have spent more time travelling with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than previously reported.

The Department of Justice has released thousands of documents and images.

Emails from 2020 say Trump's listed as a passenger on Epstein's private jet to places including Palm Beach and Washington.

US correspondent Richard Arnold says they weren't to the infamous Epstein Island.

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Businesses are cautiously reopening along Sydney’s Bondi Beach, after its terror attack.

Fifteen people were killed and more than 40 others injured when two gunmen opened fire during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on the beach.

Many local businesses sheltered victims during the attack and have struggled in the days since.

Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Andrew Dickens that the area's slowly coming to terms with a new reality.

He says cafes are open and people are back surfing.

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