Focus Morning Bulletin: Government sworn in, Auckland budget and medical students struggle

Don’t have time to read the headlines? Watch the Focus Morning Bulletin presented by Chereè Kinnear above

GOVERNMENT GETS SWORN IN

Christopher Luxon will officially become Prime Minister this morning.

He and coalition partners Act leader David Seymour and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters will be sworn in at Government House at 11am.

Peters will become Deputy Prime Minister for the first 18 months before Seymour takes over for the remainder of the parliamentary term.

The role split was one of the last compromises reached in the talks to cut the coalition deal, which resulted in the first three-party coalition under MMP.

The 20-strong Cabinet will include three New Zealand First ministers and three Act Ministers.

All three parties also have ministers outside Cabinet.

COMMISSIONER’S FUTURE

Meanwhile, new Police Minister Mark Mitchell won’t be drawn on whether he expects Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to offer his resignation.

Mitchell has criticised Coster’s leadership and approach to policing in the past.

But he says he’s yet to meet with him about his expectations, so did not want to comment on the commissioner.

Coster, whose term ends in April 2025, has signalled he has no intention of stepping down before then.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell won’t be drawn on whether he expects Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to offer his resignation. Photo / Alex Burton

BROWN’S BUDGET PROPOSAL

Aucklanders could be in for more rates rises under mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed 10-year budget.

A preview of the proposal - which will go to an Auckland Council budget workshop this week - endeavours to implement ‘significant financial restraint’ on the city.

It includes a raft of cost-cutting measures including likely council job losses, scrapped cycle lanes and defunding earthquake strengthening and road renewals.

A statement from the mayor’s office says rates will need to increase as Auckland Council plays ‘catch-up’ on previous decisions.

MED STUDENTS STRUGGLE

Medical students are struggling to make ends meet - with the Trainee Intern grant unchanged for close to two decades.

Set in 2006, the $26,000 grant is for domestic medical students working as interns in their sixth year.

They work up to 40 hours a week and are discouraged from taking up other work.

The Medical Students’ Association says it also means they are no longer eligible for a student allowance.

The $26,000 grant is for domestic medical students working as interns in their sixth year. Photo /123rf

ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE

And in world news, it’s the third day of a four-day pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Forty-one Hamas-held hostages have been freed during the first two days of the ceasefire.

Israel’s military has just confirmed another 17 hostages have been released to the Red Cross and the US has indicated an American-Israeli would be part of the deal, for the first time.

CNN is reporting that hostage is a 4-year-old girl.