Holiday Breakfast Newstalk ZB

Self-taught rocket scientist Sir Peter Beck had humble beginnings as a Fisher & Paykel Appliances apprentice. 

Since 2006, he’s been chief executive of Rocket Lab – which has been pivotal in growing New Zealand’s $1.69 billion space industry.  

Employing 1,800 staff, Beck’s Rocket Lab is second only to Elon Musk’s Space X as the most prolific commercial launch provider globally.  

It has worked with Nasa on multiple missions and launched the first rocket in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space in 2009. 

Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck told Tim Beveridge “I was sitting on a place at the time, halfway across the United States. When I received the email, it was unexpected – I'm tremendously humbled.” 

Beck said “For all the engineers in the space industry and entrepreneurs of New Zealand – there’s aways a big team and lots of people help. It’s a recognition of those people.” 

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Around 70 Kiwis turning 18 from August will become the first cohort legally allowed to seek details about their donor parent from Births, Deaths and Marriages. 

As officials prepare for requests about donor-biological parents, a team of University of Auckland researchers are asking their own questions in a new nationwide survey. 

Since the Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies (Hart) register began collecting information nearly two decades ago, more than 3,000 donor-conceived people have been born. 

Auckland University Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cindy Farquhar, told Tim Beveridge “We’re aware that it’s a delicate situation.” 

Farquhar said “Some people make their own private arrangements – same-sex couples may find their own donor outside of the fertility clinic.”  

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In 1999, Theresa Gattung became the first female chief executive of a major New Zealand company at Telecom (now Spark). 

She broke through a major glass ceiling – paving the way for a prolific corporate career - co-founding My Food Bag, sitting on the board of healthcare start-up Tend, as well as the dating website Compatico.   

She’s been named a Dame in this King’s Birthday Honours alongside Joan Withers.   

Dame Theresa Gattung told Tim Beveridge “I wasn’t sure if it was a gag or not – 10 years ago when I got my previous honour, it came in the mail.” 

Gattung said “Girls looking up have to believe that anything is possible – they could be a Prime Minster, CEO, chair, or philanthropist. That’s what important.” 

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The construction of new builds is coming to a halt. 

About 35,000 new builds were given consent in the last year – more than a 20% drop from the period ending April 2023. 

This is being chalked up to inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.  

Chief Executive of Building Industry Federation, Julien Leys, told Tim Beveridge “The Covid building boom is over.” 

Leys said “Interestingly enough, the renovation market is doing quite well – and we’ve seen a bit of a boost come through with infrastructure.” 

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Prime Minister Chris Luxon will visit Niue and Fiji this week to develop and reaffirm New Zealand's cooperation with the region. 

This will be Luxon’s first visit to the Pacific as Prime Minister.  

Political Editor Jason Walls told Tim Beveridge “He’s expecting to be received warmly and get a good welcome. It’s a strategic area of the world for New Zealand.” 

Walls said “He’s been in the job for about six months, but he hasn’t been jet-setting much - he’s been very focused on the 100-day plan and getting the budget out of the way.”  

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Award-winning NZ businesswoman Joan Withers has been made a Dame Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for services to business, government and women. 

She’s led many prominent companies, including: The Warehouse, Mercury Energy, Auckland International Airport and TVNZ. 

Dame Joan Withers told Tim Beveridge “You’re the first person I've had call me that – it is weird.” 

Withers said “People with background like mine don’t expect to get that acknowledgement.” 

Dame Joan Withers has a message for younger women: "It doesn't matter where you come from. If you work hard, keep your integrity and do the right thing - you can do many things that you might not have anticipated."

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