Don't miss a thing while you're on holiday, with Newstalk ZB Holiday Breakfast. We deliver the best in news, views and opinion to keep Kiwis informed and entert...
Sir Peter Beck: Rocket Lab founder on the strength of the company, his career history
Rocket Lab founder Sir Peter Beck is trying not to compare himself too much to his mega-wealthy rivals. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origins has successfully launched its first rocket into orbit overnight, while Elon Musk's SpaceX has been launching a pair of landers towards the moon. Rocket Lab, meanwhile, has been launching a second Varda Pioneer Spacecraft into orbit. Beck told Tim Beveridge he's never had the capital of his two main competitors, owned by the two wealthiest people on the planet, and he probably never will. He says the lack of money has forced Rocket Lab to innovate, which has become its strength. In other space developments, India has docked two spacecraft for the first time, while stranded NASA astronaut Suni Williams has made her first spacewalk on the ISS. She and her colleague Butch Wilmore aren't expected back on Earth until late March at the earliest. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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12:32
Gerry Brownlee: Speaker of the House reflects on the behaviour in Parliament in 2024
Have the standards in New Zealand’s Parliament been slipping? Between constant interruptions and heckling, name calling, and a haka towards the end of last year, 2024 was filled with events that drew concern about the behaviour of our MPs. Speaker of the House, Gerry Brownlee, told Tim Beveridge that since there is now a party of reasonable size that wants to make cultural expressions that recognise their voters, they need to ask how that fits in. He says there’s a lot of tension surrounding it, and they’re looking at ways in which they might formalise some aspects so that there isn’t the element of surprise or ambush. Brownlee says that in the end, New Zealand has a very safe Parliament, and people shouldn’t lose sight of that. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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6:10
Nat Fortier: SailGP Global Director of Communications ahead of the Auckland regatta
There’s multiple debuts happening at this weekend’s SailGP regatta. Not only is it Auckland’s hosting debut, but it’s also the first time the new high-speed titanium T-Foils will be seen in action, having been trialled for the last two years. Nat Fortier, SailGP’s Global Director of Communications, told Tim Beveridge that the last speed record was under 100kph an hour, but now they’re seeing the boats hit just over 100kph. She says they’re all hoping they’ll see that kind of speed out on the water this weekend. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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2:47
Thomas Harre: Fire and Emergency New Zealand responder on the wildfires in California
Winds have briefly eased in LA but the battle continues for firefighters trying to contain deadly wildfires. Whole neighbourhoods have burned to the ground and many evacuated families don't know when they can return home. Meanwhile, local authorities warn the gusts could pick up again next week. Fire and Emergency New Zealand's Thomas Harre has worked in California. He told Tim Beveridge the environment's very complex in terms of its terrain, fuel types, and vegetation types, as well as the number of communities affected. Harre says that makes it very difficult to extinguish, especially combined with the current weather conditions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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4:20
Hordur Thordarson: MetService forecaster on the forecast for Auckland's weekend of events
The forecast isn't looking too bad for what's arguably Auckland's biggest events weekend of the summer. Thousands are expected to descend on Eden Park over the next two nights, to see country music star Luke Combs. The city's also placing host to Sail GP over the next two days and Auckland FC is taking on Melbourne FC at Mount Smart Stadium tomorrow night. MetService forecaster Hordur Thordarson told Tim Beveridge it should be a mostly settled weekend for most parts of the country, including Auckland. He says there'll be an easterly flow, reasonably warm temperatures and the odd shower, but lots of fine spells as well. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Don't miss a thing while you're on holiday, with Newstalk ZB Holiday Breakfast. We deliver the best in news, views and opinion to keep Kiwis informed and entertained while you're on the road, at the bach, or relaxing at home.
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