Holiday Breakfast

Rhythm and Alps has had its special liquor licence approved, despite a request from Police and Health authorities to restrict the amount of alcohol served. 

People are able to buy four drinks at a time at the South Island festival, which the founder says is the status quo.  

Alex Turnbull told Tim Dower that they want to treat people like adults and don't want to create angst and anger in a crowd.  

He says they haven't had any issues with serving four drinks in the past and they have systems in place to manage it.  

Turnbull says if police want to reduce harm, they need to educate society not restrict events, thereby causing queues. 

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Solidifying the Prime Ministerial relationship will be top of the agenda for Chris Luxon when he touches down in Australia this morning.  

The Prime Minister is making his way over the Tasman to Sydney to meet with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.  

Newstalk ZB Political reporter Sophie Trigger told Tim Dower that Albanese got on famously with his predecessors Dame Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins.  

She says Luxon will be wanting to send a message to say despite the shift in government, there's no change in Australia and New Zealand's relationship. 

Trigger says trade and security, the pacific region, and climate change will be hot topics of discussion. 

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There's been a lot of downplaying of expectations ahead of this afternoon's much-anticipated mini budget. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will have her moment in the sun at 1pm. 

Infometrics Chief Executive and Principal Economist Brad Olsen says he expects to get a teaser about some changes, but not the full details yet.   

He says mini budgets often focus on the first hundred days, giving the Treasury and the wider public sector more time to fully understand what they want to do in Government. 

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The new Health Minister is taking matters into his own hands to get his eyes and ears on the ground at Te Whatu Ora.   

Shane Reti's appointing Ken Whelan as the agency's crown observer, to address issues around workforce shortages and hospital wait times.  

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Tim Dower that it doesn't sound like a ringing vote of confidence from the minister.  

She says it suggests he wants his own line of enquiry and information, as well as and separate from the board and executive leadership team. 

Dalton says staff on the ground need more input into issues facing the sector. 

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Australia's weather bureau is facing heat over a lack of warnings ahead of Queensland's once in a century floods.  

Cairns has been cut off by floodwaters, towns have been evacuated after being stranded for days, and emergency services there are becoming overwhelmed.  

Australian correspondent Murray Olds told Tim Dower that it's been like a mini-Dunkirk with locals stepping up to assist.  

He says the Government's defending forecasters and why they failed to pick up how much of an impact Cyclone Jasper was going to have. 

Murray Olds says this is cold comfort to those neck deep in water with a crocodile just over the back fence. 

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Humming along, with a host of events, eateries, and community markets, Christchurch might just be the place to be this summer.   

From Motorsport to the Foo Fighters to New Year's in the park, the city is open for business for everyone. 

As popularity soars, the region has seen an enormous influx of people, taking in about 1,500 a month in the year to June.  

Mayor Phil Mauger told Tim Dower that Christchurch is starting to become a mini-Melbourne.  

He says they have the river, the tram, the eateries, and little laneways which are drawing people, especially from Auckland and Wellington, to live there. 

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Stunning walks, rich history, and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Mayor Toby Adams joined Tim Dower on Summer Breakfast to give a rundown of everything there is to enjoy in the Hauraki District this summer.

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Welcome news for businesses, as new data shows that consumer confidence is on the rise. 

The latest Westpac McDermott Miller Index shows consumer confidence is at its highest level in nearly two years. 

Hospitality NZ CEO Steve Armitage told Tim Dower that it's a good sign ahead of the holidays, and the sector is feeling encouraged by a change in government. 

He says business owners are welcoming the government's move to scrap fair pay agreements. 

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The Vatican has given Catholic priests approval to bless same-sex couples. 

Pope Francis has approved the change, which hopes to send a message the Catholic church "welcomes all". 

Newstalk ZB Italy Correspondent, Jo McKenna, told Tim Dower that while the move is a popular step in the progress of the church, not all will be celebrating. 

She says the socially conservative branch of the church may take issue with any watering down of its traditional rejection of homosexuality. 

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A small brewery business in Auckland is selling up to pay back tens of thousands of dollars in Covid support subsidies.  

Hopscotch Brewery says the IRD has ordered them to cough up almost $50 thousand in wage subsidies and resurgent payments, as they've now been deemed ineligible. 

Hopscotch owner Hugh Grierson told Tim Dower that the rules were unclear and were only clarified after IRD's audit. 

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