Holiday Breakfast

It has been an extraordinary year for Team New Zealand, securing a third successive win in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona. 

They were up against Challenger of the Record, INEOS Britannia, in a single race that ebbed and flowed from the outset but ultimately saw the kiwis secure victory by 37 seconds. 

Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton has led the team for many years, and tells Tim Beveridge the absolute relief of winning and the reception as the team came in can’t be topped for highlights this year. 

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World class surf beaches and a picturesque national park are just a taste of what the quiet South Taranaki district has to offer tourists on their summer roadie. 

South Taranaki District Mayor Phil Nixon tells Tim Beveridge the region boasts a unique blend of stunning natural landscapes, remarkable history, arts and culture, and sun, drinks and beaches. 

“What more do you want on a summer holiday, Tim?” 

With events like the Opunake Beach Carnival and Sounds on the Sand, there is plenty of fun for the family in South Taranaki this summer. 

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After the election defeat, the Labour party has had to take a good look in the mirror and reflect. 

Labour leader Chris Hipkins tells Tim Beveridge on Summer Breakfast being in opposition means he must focus on the longer term. 

“You have to actually think about if we were the government in two years, what would we do differently?” 

Hipkins says his major lesson from the election loss is that voters set the question, and politicians must make sure it is the question they are answering. The party now must look forward to what they will do better, rather than what they should have done differently. 

“No election is ever a re-battle of the last one.” 

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Financial technology firm Revolut has applied to become a registered bank in New Zealand. 

Revolut already offers a “one-stop-shop" money management app here with payment, card and money management services. 

With a banking license, it hopes to offer things like credit cards, consumer loans and mortgages. 

Head of Revolut NZ Georgia Grange tells Tim Beveridge the firm is on a mission to build the world’s first truly global bank. 

Grange says consumers are constrained by a lack of innovation in the current traditional banking system in New Zealand. 

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The Energy sector is warning gas supply woes are not going away. 

Electricity companies are worried the winter gas shortage is not yet a thing of the past, with an even bigger problem bubbling under the surface for next year. 

Octopus Energy want to introduce a reward system, where they pay customers to reduce their usage during peak times. They say if 20% of kiwis participated in an hour-long session, it would save the equivalent of 122,000 warm wash cycles. 

Chief Operating Officer Margaret Cooney tells Tim Beveridge New Zealand is “pretty much matched in terms of the demand and supply available”. 

This leads to challenges if things go wrong, and in meeting peak demand periods during winter. 

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The New Zealand Defence Force is making more cuts in a bid to help its nearly $130-million budget shortfall. 

Documents obtained by the NZ Herald under the Official Information Act show the NZDF is looking to scrap flu vaccines for all civilian staff, international travel for sports teams, some support to Gallipoli and staff gym memberships. 

The documents acknowledge the move could lead to “impact on morale and possible increased staff absence in the 2025 flu season”. 

Retired Lieutenant Colonel from Mission Homefront, Hayden Ricketts tells Tim Beveridge “this is just another series of symptoms from a defence force that is struggling to keep the aircraft flying, the ship sailing and the tanks driving”. 

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Foreign-trained doctors will now have a greater chance at joining the New Zealand workforce, with a rise in the number of exam spots for those looking to get accredited. 

The medical council announced it is increasing the number of spots for New Zealand registration exams from 60 up to 180 from 2025. 

Health New Zealand have been instructed to move to secure the clinical placements needed to speed up transitions. 

Health Minister Shane Reti tells Tim Beveridge foreign-trained doctors in New Zealand have taken up work such as driving taxis because they couldn’t sit the examination to become accredited.  

“That makes no sense when we need doctors.” 

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Hollywood is abuzz over a lawsuit brought by actress Blake Lively against her co-star and director Justin Baldoni. 

Lively claims in a lengthy filing that on the set of their film It Ends With Us, Baldoni engaged in sexual harassment and then tried to smear her after she raised concerns about his behaviour. 

US correspondent Richard Arnold tells Tim Beveridge the complaints were graphic in nature and Baldoni’s representative has called the actress’s claims “categorically false”. 

Meanwhile, a US navy plane has been shot down over the Red Sea, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels. 

Both pilots were recovered alive, with one sustaining minor injuries. 

And, Lara Trump has withdrawn from consideration to replace Marco Rubio in the US Senate. Arnold says it’s not clear what has gone into her decision and it will be Florida Governor Ron de Santos who names Rubio’s interim replacement. 

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Popular rideshare company Ola has reportedly cracked down on staff for their “very poor office attendance”. 

In a company-wide email, fed-up CEO Bhavish Aggarwal warned that action will be taken against those who have “misused the freedom”, cautioning staff to maintain “basic self-respect" and not take advantage of the company. 

Australia correspondent Murray Olds tells Tim Beveridge the email has since gone viral. 

Meanwhile, Australia’s Transport Minister Catherine King has called on the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) to sort its dispute with the NSW Government amid fears a train driver strike on New Year’s Eve could endanger hundreds of thousands in Sydney. 

Train services have been under strain this week due to industrial action over ongoing pay dispute. 

Plus, an uncontained bushfire is raging in the state of Victoria, prompting an evacuation order for hundreds of residents. 

Murray Olds tells Tim Beveridge it is a very serious situation, though no homes are yet under threat. 

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Just north-east of the capital, and part of the Greater Wellington region, Hutt City hosts quiet cafes, galleries and museums. 

And, if you venture out just a little, the area also offers plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. 

Campbell Barry has been Hutt City Council Mayor since 2019 and joins Tim Beveridge on Summer Breakfast to discuss the town’s summer events and best secret local spots. 

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