Holiday Breakfast

The weather hasn't seemed to dampen the spirits of the festival goers in Gisborne, Rhythm and Vines co-founder Hamish Pinkham said. 

The festival employs around 1200 staff to ensure the events success and 25,000 festivalgoers will see the year out.

Tonight is the final night of the festival, hosting kiwi classic's Dave Dobbyn and Sachi and international acts Luude.

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When the clock strikes midnight tonight Auckland City's skyline will be illuminated with the iconic fireworks display off the Sky Tower.

Sky City Chief Operating Officer Callum Mallet joins the show to talk about what goes into planning the event, the best spots to watch it and how the weather could rain on the parade. 

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Kiwi's are being urged to stay sensible this New Year's Eve as the Police ramp up their presence across the country.

"If people behave well, look after their mates, and have a great time, that will be success for us." 

Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson talks to Tim Beveridge about how the police are patrolling as midnight rolls in. 

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Some bright spots are expected but it is a lacklustre last day of the year for most of the country. 

Strong southerlies in many areas, wet in the east and strong south-westerly winds over Northland and Auckland to be expected today. 

New years day will weaken come new years day. 

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German government has accused maverick mischief maker Elon Musk of seeking to sway February's general elections. The remarks by a German government spokesperson came after Musk declared his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party.  Musk has pushed himself onto the stage on the basis that Tesla operates a manufacturing plant in the eastern of Germany.

More fall out from the Magdeburg Christmas market attack. German authorities announce that stepped-up border controls will continue through (and possibly beyond) March 2025. The government introduced the measures at its borders with 9 neighbouring countries in September 2024, and since then some 40,000 have been turned back at the country's borders and 1,800 arrested.

It's a New Year tradition that dates back to 1804..the Legion d'honneur. Or it was. It seems, with the political crisis in France (four governments and as many prime ministers this year) that there hasn't been enough cabinet meetings to approve those proposed for the highest order. The awarding of the highest order of merit takes place twice a year ...New Year and Bastille Day on 14 July.

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The UK'S coldest New Year in 12 years is coming their way.

Scotland is predicted to see five and a half inches of rain in less than 24 hours and the city has cancelled NYE celebrations. 

A huge rise in the number of young Brits visiting Australia on working holiday visas this year is troubling for the National Health Service in the UK.

And a huge year ahead for Keir Starmer after a turbulent 12 months - can he turn things around?

UK Correspondent Enda Brady joins the show. 

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Emergency housing and crime rates have been two major issues for Rotorua. 

But Mayor Tania Tapsell gives Tim Beveridge the numbers on where those issues sit now for the city. 

Named one of the top destinations in the world by Booking.com, Rotorua's tourism is soaring. 

From thermal activity and cultural experiences to the more unexpected attractions, Rotorua is a vibrant place to be this summer. 

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Surprised, and humbled. That’s the reaction of former All Blacks coach Ian Foster after being made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Having spent decades working in rugby, including 12 years with the All Blacks, Foster’s contribution to the game has earned him inclusion in the New Year’s Honours list.

But Foster’s contribution to the sport extends far beyond what he did at the highest level.

The 148 matches Foster played for Waikato are still a record for the province and the tally is unlikely to be bettered. Among active players, only Liam Messam, aged 40, gets close at 104 games.

As a coach, Foster’s spells with both Waikato and the Chiefs paved the way for him to step into the All Blacks, where he lifted the World Cup as an assistant to Sir Steve Hansen in 2012.

And speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Summer Breakfast with Tim Beveridge, the 59-year-old is happy to deflect praise towards those who have helped him get to where he is, rather than take personal credit.

“It’s always for other people, isn’t it? It’s never for you,” Foster said. “But upon a little bit of reflection, I’m incredibly grateful for the acknowledgment.

“That’s, I guess, for my involvement in rugby, and something I’ve loved. You don’t do it for any acknowledgment, but it’s been pretty special.

“With every layer, there’s special memories. There’s people that have been a massive influence, and people that have helped you along the pathways.

“Every level has its own highs and lows. It was never a written goal to be coach of the All Blacks.

“It was always about enjoying the moment and enjoying the group of people I was with at the time.

“The thing that’s been most special for me is seeing the support I’ve had over the years from family and friends at those different levels.”

A year on from the All Blacks’ heartbreaking one-point loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final, Foster has taken his coaching acumen offshore and been reunited with former mentor Hansen at Toyota Verblitz in Japan.

The move to Japan came after New Zealand Rugby acted to replace Foster before a ball had even been kicked in 2023, as Scott Robertson was backed as the man to lead the All Blacks into the future.

Despite that, though, Foster’s tenure ultimately showed his worth as a coach.

Ian Foster and Sir Steve Hansen in 2019. Photo / Getty Images

Aside from his World Cup campaign as head coach, where the All Blacks ended Ireland’s run before losing to South Africa, Foster defended the Bledisloe Cup every year, and also kept hold of the Freedom Cup against the Springboks.

One year on, that prize has been surrendered to South Africa.

And while public praise may not have flowed during his tenure, Foster never lost the support of his players.

In mid-2022, when Foster faced the sack while the team were away in South Africa, a group of senior players personally pulled NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson aside to outline that the coach needed to keep his job.

After the World Cup final defeat in the bowels of Stade de France, assistant coach Jason Ryan was asked what he thought Foster deserved to be remembered for. His answer was how much Foster cared for the All Blacks.

That care is consistent with Foster’s approach to coaching on the whole, and the credit Foster gives to the players who have been part of his career.

“For me, coaching is about caring for the people you work with. You get the best out of them if you care for them, if you try to understand what they’re going through.

“I love coaching, it’s a great chance to influence people. But to do that, you’ve got to walk a little bit of life in their shoes, and understand the pressures they’re going through.

“Quite frankly, the players, every week we put them out, we expect high standards, so they should expect the same out of us.”

Now, though, Foster’s challenge lies in Japan. His Toyota Verblitz have opened their Rugby League One season with defeats to Kubota Spears and Honda Heat.

Japan has become a destination for Kiwis, coaches and players alike.

Foster is joined at Toyota by Aaron Smith, while former All Blacks charges Sam Cane and TJ Perenara have also just moved to Suntory Sungoliath and Black Rams Tokyo respectively.

But as seen by the large number of quality internationals moving to Japanese clubs, playing there is about so much more than earning a paycheque. Foster is no different.

“It’s a great new challenge, a new culture, a new language, new food, new road to drive to work, new personalities — a new Ian Foster,” he said.

“It’s a great chance to try and teach an old dog new tricks. I want to keep growing as a coach, this is a great chance to do it.

“But what I’ve learned is really, rugby players are rugby players — whether they speak Kiwi, Aussie or Japanese.

“The beautiful thing is there’s some great people over here, and I’m enjoying getting to know them.

“I love what I’m doing.”

Alex Powell is an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016, and previously worked for both Newshub and 1News.

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National's first year in government has seen everything - phone bans, hikoi's, and harsher rules around law and order. 

It has been a big year for Christopher Luxon and he is confronting the challenges he faced. 

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The ASB Classic starts up today in Auckland with 12 million people expected to tune in to watch it. 

Kicking it all off is Kiwi and Wimbledon Quarter Finalist Lulu Sun, it has been announced today. 

ASB Classic Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin joins the show. 

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