Holiday Breakfast

There’s confidence the future of Mount Ruapehu's ski operations is positive, despite the asset value of its infrastructure being lower than originally estimated. 

The first receivers report regarding Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has been released, showing it plans to sell off its assets at a much lower value. 

RAL owes numerous creditors millions. 

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton told Tim Dower that potential buyers know some debts from the past are going to be written off. 

In the past, banks and the government have written off money. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The further south the better for people wanting to make the most of the summer weather today. 

MetService forecaster Alistair Gorman told Tim Dower that there's a cloudy day ahead for most of the country, with rain coming for many parts in the North Island. 

He says a front over the Westland and Canterbury area is moving northwards, but places south of that will clear up during the day. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A suggestion that it's time to re-evaluate our approach to foreign aid to ensure it more closely aligns with our values. 

The Taxpayers' Union is questioning why we're dishing out millions to countries who have state-sponsored space programmes. 

Investigations Coordinator Oliver Bryan told Tim Dower that if a country can invest in these ambitious projects, it shouldn't expect to receive payments from us.  

He says they would much rather our finite resources go to our neighbours in the Pacific and support things we can tangibly see making a difference. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disgraced royal, Prince Andrew, has been named in American court papers again showing connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

The documents have been unsealed in relation to the case of Epstein's partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. 

The BBC reports Prince Andrew is accused of groping a woman in 2001, something he denies. 

Royal Commentator, Victoria Arbiter, told Tim Dower that Andrew maintained a friendship with Epstein after he was imprisoned in 2008. 

She believes the Royal Family will continue to keep him far away from anything public, including working royal life. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the men who rescued a fisherman who spent nearly 24 hours in the water off the Coromandel says he's glad things worked out the way they did.

Will Fransen was 30 nautical miles out to sea and had a brush with a shark before the reflection of his wristwatch caught the attention of some fisherman.

He says he can't thank his rescuers enough, and hopes to shout them a drink.

One of them, Max White told Tim Dower that the feeling is mutual.

He says while they've only had a small amount of contact with him so far, he thinks this will turn into a life-long friendship.

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With last year’s release of ‘Monopoly’, kiwi singer-songwriter Georgia Lines’ success continues to grow. 

She’s made a name for herself both in New Zealand and overseas, a string of gigs over in the States catching the attention of one of America’s biggest booking agencies: Wasserman Music. 

Lines claimed the Breakthrough Artist award at the 2022 New Zealand Music Awards and was nominated for Best Pop Artist alongside kiwi powerhouses Lorde and Benee. 

2023 was also a massive year for the singer, telling Tim Dower that you can never plan for the big moments. 

“You can work your butt off and do everything you can,” Lines said. “But you can never guarantee that the right people are going to be there.” 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 marked the long-awaited return of the ASB Classic, and next year’s event looks like it’ll be bigger and better than ever before. 

Some of tennis’ biggest names will be playing, with Coco Gauff, Caroline Wozniacki, and Cam Norrie already confirmed to be taking part.  

ASB Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin told Tim Dower that they’ve taken everything they learnt from the last tournament to build a plan for the next competition and are in a much better position. 

He said the response from the sponsors has been tremendous. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi driver Liam Lawson had a fantastic year in 2023, stepping into Daniel Riccardo’s AlphaTauri seat while the Australian was out with an injured hand. 

He competed in five races, gaining two championship points for the ninth placing at Singapore. 

Lawson told Tim Dower that he didn’t expect it to unfold the way it did. 

He said that while it’s not a set of circumstances he would choose to go in on, with Riccardo injuring his hand, you have to take every opportunity you can. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No longer flightless, Kiwis are taking to the stars as New Zealand’s space sector continues to grow. 

Rocket Lab in particular had a busy year, with a total of ten missions launching in 2023.  

While rockets tend to steal the show, Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck told Tim Dower that 2023 was a major year for satellites, with two thirds of their business being in space systems. 

Beck told Dower that they’re one of three space grade solar cell providers in the world, and as a result, they get to do some really interesting missions. 

He said that working in the space industry is like having “competi-mates”, where it’s both intensely competitive and hugely collaborative due to how small the sector is.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only a couple hours' drive from Mount Cook is Waimate, home to wallabies, the rocky coast, and native bush.  

The district has beautiful campsites on the shores of Lake Aviemore, the perfect place to spend a day, the night, or even the whole summer. 

Waimate District mayor, Craig Rowley, told Tim Dower that they’ve seen a real resurgence in rural New Zealand, as kiwis from across the country look for a different lifestyle.  

If you’re looking for a quieter, more laidback vibe for your holiday or even your life, Waimate might have what you’re after.  

Certainly has less traffic.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.