Holiday Breakfast

The fall-out is continuing across the Tasman over the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case.

The Victoria Cross recipient has lost a defamation case over three newspapers, that published articles about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and bullying of former SAS colleagues.

Roberts-Smith could now face criminal charges.

Australia Correspondent Murray Olds told Tim Dower that the verdict has been raising some awkward questions.

He says there's a large display about Ben Roberts-Smith at the Australian War Memorial.

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Major General Lindsay M Inglis was one of New Zealand's most prominent soldiers, and left behind a wealth of notes, letters, and a memoir.

Nathalie Philippe is the editor of Death Among Good Men, a new book consisting of these texts.

Nathalie joined Tim Beveridge to chat about the process of editing the book, and the importance of this kind of text.

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RSA National President Sir Wayne Shelford was at the Wellington Dawn Service.

He told Tim Beveridge that there were good numbers in attendance.

The Anzac day National Service will be held at Wellington's Pukeahu National War Memorial Park at 11am.

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The only birthing unit in Christchurch is closing at the end of June.

The maternity contract between Te Whatu Ora and St George will not be renewed, even after the deadline was extended due to protests last year.

Co-leader of Meras, the Midwives Union, Jill Ovens joined Tim Beveridge to discuss the situation.

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Insurance is on the chopping block for many kiwis as the cost of living continues to rise.

Many kiwis are cutting costs by opting out or straight out cancelling their insurance plans, particularly their home and contents insurance.

Insurance Council CEO Tim Grafton says that anyone who is considering opting out of their insurance should discuss options with their provider first.

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$53 million dollars have been spent on Auckland speed limit reductions over the past five years.

Despite Prime Minister Chris Hipkins saying last month that more reductions were off the table, National says that Auckland Transport are about to propose further reductions across the city.

Simeon Brown, National's transport spokesperson, says that the Government needs to repeal their blanket speed limit policy.

He says the power to set speed limits should be returned to local councils.

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Defence Minister Andrew Little is in Gallipoli for Anzac Day.

It’s been 108 years since the ANZAC corps landed during the First World War.

Of the 17-thousand Kiwi soldiers who fought, about five thousand were wounded and almost two-thousand-700 never came home.

Little will attend the Dawn Service and New Zealand National Service.

He says that it's an amazing feeling being there.

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Guy Williams joined the show from his hotel swimming pool in Melbourne to chat about comedy, Australian versus kiwi audiences, and the upcoming New Zealand International Comedy Festival.

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Are children acquiring the practical skills they need to navigate “adult life”?

On top of a traditional education, should schools be teaching children how to do things like open bank accounts, taxes, or the basics of our political system?

Secondary Principals Association President Vaughan Couillault says that while they aren’t packaged as a “life skills course”, these skills are covered in subjects such as social studies, maths, and technologies.

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The Qatar World Cup highlighted that alcohol isn’t necessary for an enjoyable sporting experience, so a question has been raised: is it time to look at New Zealand sporting grounds going alcohol free?

Around 20 to 25 percent of adults in New Zealand have harmful levels of alcohol consumption, with higher percentages among different subgroups.

Alcohol Healthwatch Executive Director Rebecca Williams says that with New Zealand’s love of sports and it’s love of social drinking, the conversation around finding a less harmful alternative will be “incredibly challenging.”

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