Holiday Breakfast

Firefighters are continuing to battle hot spots on Matakana Island near Tauranga.

A massive vegetation fire broke out on Saturday - it's since been contained to a perimeter.

Incident Controller Jeff Maunder says drone technology has been extremely useful in fighting the fire as it eliminates guess work around where the hot spots are.

He told Tim Dower this fire could be just the beginning.

Maunder says it's expected to be a hot and dry summer which makes fires more likely.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer With The Mayors continues again this morning as Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown joins Tim Dower.

Mayor Wayne Brown says there will be plenty of things to take advantage of these holidays - from the ASB Tennis Classic to Movies in the Park.

He told Tim Dower businesses and restaurants are holding out for customers.

Brown says they want it to be better than the rest of the year, which has been disrupted by weather events.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are wanting a summer taste of the tropics - and they're after a guarantee of warmth.

Flight Centre has seen an 80 percent boost in bookings to Fiji and the Cook Islands, in the past three months.

General Manager, Heidi Walker told Tim Dower the sunshine is an appealing factor.

She says families want to spend time together, and guarantee it's going to be warm.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has given his own version of a Christmas message, but it wasn't your typical season's greetings.

The former US President spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day writing messages on social media, repeating his claims there was interference in the 2020 Presidential election.

He also promised retribution on his enemies, if he's elected next year.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Dower it comes ahead of a key part of the US electoral cycle.

He says voting in the Republican Primary race begins in just 20 days.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boating safety's in the spotlight in the Waikato.

The regional council's Operation Neptune programme restarts today, to ensure those on the water are following safety regulations.

Last year 131 infringement notices were issued, as well as 27 formal warnings and 24 verbal warnings.

Waikato Deputy Regional Harbourmaster, Lee Samphier told Tim Dower the influx of new boaties without a lot of base knowledge, has the potential to cause problems.

He says they want to make sure people have an understanding of what the rules are -- and comply with those on the water.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Union is warning of a 'huge risk' of terrorist attacks over this Christmas period.

It says the polarisation in society caused by the conflict between Israel and Hamas, is increasing the risk of violence.

Europe Correspondent Catherine Field told Tim Dower the EU's acknowledged security threats may continue into New Years.

She says officials are concerned for that period as there's more people outside, in bars, and going into public areas.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Dower continues Summer With The Mayors, This week heading to the Tasman District to speak to Mayor Tim King.

King and Dower discuss museums shops and landscapes and what Tasman has to offer people visiting or living there.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour is celebrating a bumper 2023.

The Act Party leader and Minister of Regulation says he's proud of the campaign he ran and is looking forward to working with two other coalition parties next year.

He says he was delighted to meet so many people and check out so many businesses on the campaign trail.

Seymour told Tim Dower Act broke ground in ways it hadn't before.

He says Brooke Van Velden's win in Tamaki was amazing and even better than he expected.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 6 year-old Hamilton boy has received the lifesaving gift of a new heart.

Chase Porter was born with a heart muscle problem called dilated cardiomyopathy, and barth syndrome which caused an enlarged and weakened heart.

Chase's Mum spoke to Tim Dower this morning and said that "it's not something that we could have imagined months ago".

She said that the family have accommodation by the hospital and that he was able to spend some time there on Christmas Day.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Ferguson has joined members of the royal family for their traditional Christmas Day outing, alongside ex-husband Prince Andrew.

Ferguson has not appeared at the walk since the early 1990s, when the pair split.

UK correspondent Enda Brady told Tim Dower the surprise appearance is likely because of Prince Phillip's death.

He says Philip didn't want her near those functions, but King Charles seems more charitable.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.