Kerre Woodham Mornings Podcast

Tauranga's mayor says Kiwis deported from Australia could be responsible for an increase in violent crime in his city.Tenby Powell will host a public meeting on Thursday, after a double homicide, a fatal police shoot-out, and the discovery of a woman's body at a house last week.He told Kerre McIvor deportees bring with them a level of sophistication we haven't seen in New Zealand."They bring with them also a level of violence which we really haven't seen and we are yet to truly understand in New Zealand."He also says meth is one problem that could be contributing to the spate of violence. Powell says we need to tackle our country's meth problem in a different way."The Police are doing a great job. Tactically, we need as a country to look at this strategically. Meth is destroying the fabric of our society." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A $300 million boost for emergency housing aims to get people out of motels.A thousand new transitional houses will be ready by the end of the year as part of the government initiative.Housing Minister Megan Woods says those who do stay in motels for more than a week will have to pay 25 percent for it.Also making news today, a call to introduce a capital gains tax and limit how much money wealthy people can borrow has been labelled 'nonsense'.The latest Helen Clark Foundation report recommended the new restrictions, in a move to drive down house prices.It states the decades-long property investment boom has created windfall gains for property owners, the real estate sector and banks at the expense of people's basic need for shelter.Kerre McIvor shares her thoughts on the two issues.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The price of snapper has shocked many consumers this week.So why we aren't eating other varieties of fish that might be cheaper and just as tasty?Annabel Langbein has partnered with Sandford & Sons, New Zealand's oldest and largest fishing company, to educate Kiwi's on the different species of fish we can eat outside of the big four - Gurnard, Hoki, Snapper and Terekihi.The new initiative, Catch to Cook, offers a series of online recipes and meal kits, encouraging to consume fish more sustainably.Annabel Langbein joined Kerre McIcor to discuss the initiative.LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds have gathered in a Hastings park tonight after a local 4-year-old boy suffered a brutal beating at home.The boy suffered horrific injuries in his Flaxmere home two weeks ago.Police still don't know who inflicted the beating and residents are gathering tonight for a karakia.More than 250 people are attending in the play area of Flaxmere Park.There is open discussion for anyone who wants to talk to the crowd on the microphone, and prayers, songs and speeches from community members and pastors.Lynsey Abbott, One Voice Community Services founder and Hastings District Councillor Henare O'Keefe. Photo / Paul TaylorLynsey Abbott, One Voice Community Services founder, lives just three streets away from the home where the child was severely beaten."I'm absolutely heartbroken, I'm absolutely devastated," she said."All that's going through my mind, and has been going through my mind, is that this baby has been abused in his home [where there should have been people who] loved him and protected him and sadly this hasn't happened.""What would he have been thinking when he was going through all of that, when that was all happening to him?"She organised the karakia in support of the toddler so that community could come together as a whānau, as police continue to investigate the incident."Higher intervention is needed now."We need people to see that this is not Paharakeke (Flaxmere) , this is not what we do behind closed doors. And to bring the mana back, the aroha back, because unfortunately, from what's happened to that baby, it's just gone and broken."Abbott has provided colouring books and pencils for children, which will be sent to Starship Hospital.Hastings District Councillor Henare O'Keefe said good parenting began and ended in the home."If there is a solution, it cannot be legislated. If there is a solution you won't find it in Wellington. If there is a solution, you won't find it in council … we need to take a look in the mirror."Photo / Paul TaylorDave Connell, Senior Pastor at Bay City Church, said that like many, he was deeply grieved by what had happened."Anything that happens to a child is a tragedy."Connell said people should not look to one person, or organisation, to solve the challenge of child abuse."The answer has got be in the heart of us collectively."Man Up Regional Director Michael Ngahuka said his heart went out to the child in hospital and their whānau."Paharakeke deserves better, Flaxmere families deserve better. Each and every one of us deserves better."Ngahuka echoed O'Keefe's sentiment that change began at home. "Whānau isn't harden up, it isn't hide. It's open up, share. It's where you be vulnerable. If we can change our family unit, we change our community."Senior Pastor at Bay City Church Dave Connell encouraged attendees to "examine their hearts"."Don't let it get to the point where it boils over and you use your fists.""If there's anger in our own hearts, don't bottle it up, cause it's never going to go away. At some point, it comes out to the surface. What we saw here, what we've experienced its somebody's anger that has come to the surface."The boy, 4, was in a stable condition at Starship Hospital but is likely to be severely disabled after being badly injured at a Hastings property on January 29.Detective Inspector Mike Foster said earlier today the boy was being looked after by extended whānau at the time of the incident. He is now in the care of his immediate family.Foster said it was one of the most appalling cases of child abuse he has seen in his three decades on the force.Photo / Paul TaylorHe said the boy suffered a sustained beating - possibly over days."He's received extensive injuries across the whole of his body.""He has a severe brain injury, part of his brain is...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike and Lee have two different stories but were brave enough to call and share their experiences. Both changed what they were doing with their lives for the betterment of their families. Their calls were both enlightening and inspiring. Listen to the audio above as Kerre McIvor talks to callers Mike and Lee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year’s State of the Nation report by The Salvation Army offers a mixed bag of outcomes and an ambitious list of “can do better”.The government's action on a number of areas is having "limited improvement", with areas such as social housing, crime, family violence, drug and alcohol abuse and children still real problems.Director of the Salvation Army's Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, Lt. Colonel Ian Hutson joined Kerre McIvor to unpack the report and what needs to improve.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A police officer's reflecting on his 30 years of policing after seeing a young boy hospitalised with some of the worst injuries he's ever seen.The four-year-old was injured in Flaxmere's Ramsey Court, near Hastings, on January 29, and remains in Starship Hospital in a serious condition.Detective Inspector Mike Foster is thankful he doesn't often see children so severely injured and child abuse is too prevalent in New Zealand, and cases like this are tragic.Add to this, the Salvation Army State of the Nation Report which confirms the number children still being hurt by the very people who should be protecting them, is still appalling.  The number of serious assaults on children resulting in serious injury has increased forty per cent over the past four years. Whanau Ora's leading advocate for women's and children's rights, Merepeka Taukawa-Tait, told Kerre McIvor Jacinda Ardern does care about vulnerable Kiwi children, but the Government must do more."If we don't do better and do more and get extra resources to do more, our children continue to die." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freshwater campaigners have congregated outside parliament with large banners reminding the Prime Minister of her party’s 2017 pre-election promises to clean up the country’s rivers.Choose Clean Water is calling on the Prime Minister to make good on her party’s promises of ‘swimmable, healthy rivers in a generation’ and ‘measurable improvements within five years’.Choose Clean Water spokesperson Marnie Prickett joined Kerre McIvor to explain why they are disappointed with the government over the country’s rivers.LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in 2017 when Jacinda Ardern was campaigning as leader of the Labour party, she was a passionate outspoken advocate for cleaner waterways.  Nick Smith was in charge of our streams and rivers in the previous government and he, and the National government were widely and roundly criticised when they announced their Clean Water Package.  The goal was laudable - a goal of making 90 per cent of rivers and lakes swimmable by 2040.  And how was he going to do that?  His critics claimed that to achieve that goal, National was simply shifting the goalposts and redefining the definition of swimmable.  Jacinda Arden, David Parker and the rest of the Labour team were adamant that cleaning up our rivers and streams and reclaiming a Kiwi birthright were a top priority for them, if they were to become the government.Listen to the audio above as Kerre McIvor talks about whose responsibility it is to keep our waterways clean.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has put its funding for the Commonwealth Secretariat on hold.This follows concerns about the Secretariat's procurement procedures.Taxpayers contribute almost $4.5 million a year to the UK-based secretariat, led by Baroness Scotland.Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Sir Don McKinnon joins Kerre McIvor to discuss the purpose and relevance of the Secretariat to the Commonwealth. Listen above.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.