Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, the government's announced a rates cap for councils, Wellington City Council Mayor Andrew Little shares his thoughts.  More renters reckon they have a shot at buying a home of their own, David Cunningham from Squirrel Mortgages tells Ryan why the housing market is improving for first home buyers.  We finally have an opening day for the new International Convention Centre, General Manager tells Ryan what we can expect from the opening.  Plus, four people have been arrested in Sydney, accused of being involved in a satanic child sex abuse ring, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 2025, Labour’s pledging to offer low-interest loans for doctors and nurse practitioners to set up or buy into GP practices next year, GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers shares his thoughts.  The government says Local Water done well reforms will cost $48 billion over the next decade, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker tells Ryan if the money will be well spent.  Adam Cooper has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on dozens of protesters arrested under the Terrorism Act and three Austrian nuns in their 80s who ran away from the old people's home where they were placed have been told they can stay in their former convent "until further notice". Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doubts ratepayers will be any better off under the Government's Local Water Done Well plan. The Department of Internal Affairs says councils face nearly 48-billion dollars in water infrastructure costs over the next decade. By comparison, the former Government’s reforms were projected to cost at least 120-billion over 30 years. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker told Ryan Bridge the price tag will likely end up similar to Labour’s model. She says it's still 30 percent of council's debt moving over the new water entity, with the ratepayer footing the bill due the under-investment in water previously.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The housing market is once again in the driver's seat for the economy, but it's not heading in the direction we're used to.  Yes, a recovery is underway.  But the brutal truth of 2025 was summed up rather well, I thought, by Sir Bill English in an interview about the current state of play.  Basically, this protracted downturn - which for anyone living outside Queenstown or living on dairy farm has felt as drawn out and depressing as a Covid lockdown - has been made worse by the housing market. It's not firing back into life like it usually would at this stage of the cycle.  The wealth effect hasn't kicked in. The recovery's taken longer.  In the long run, English argues, this is a good thing. Because supply has been coming on, planning laws are being changed, intensification will keep prices low or in some cases, see them fall.  Does this make it any easier to stomach? No? Is he right? Probably.  If it's happening, this structural shift is going to create headaches for anyone relying on property to boom in order to get rich.  Like. um I don't know, Hipkins and Labour.  They were out at the weekend, making in rain cash, this time on GP clinics who apparently get bank loans to start practices which are effectively licenses to print money.  Like the free GP visits for billionaires and the rest of us, the policy relies on revenue from a capital gains tax.  What if those gains don't happen, or the happen but not to the extent they assume they will?  What if the gains look more of the sort we've seen over the past few years i.e. nil or losses?  Then what? What's that old saying about your mouth writing cheques your ass can't cash? Without those golden-year capital increases, it won't just be the economy feeling their loss, but politicians with big spending agendas also. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A retail frenzy is expected today as shoppers take advantage of Black Friday sales.   Data from PriceMe shows nearly 40% of Kiwis are planning to take advantage of Black Friday to do their Christmas shopping.   The day now outpaces Boxing Day in terms of sales volumes and popularity.  Oyster Property Group’s Jennifer Andrews told Ryan Bridge that they’re preparing for a very busy day today.  She says they have discounts all through the weekend, but particularly today as it’s when most people like to come out to find the discounts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A youth protection advocate says it's entirely appropriate to look deeper into Tom Phillips' children's four years on the run.  The saga ended when he died in a Police shootout in September.  The Government will explore whether agencies did everything possible for the children's safety and welfare.  Child Matters Chief Executive Jane Searle told Ryan Bridge she’s hopeful it will be a constructive process.  She says they want is the system to be strengthened as a result of the review.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 28th of November 2025, Judith Collins has ordered a public inquiry into the Tom Phillips case, Child Matters CEO Jane Searle tells Ryan what she hopes to see from it. Jennifer Andrews from Oyster Property Group which manages Dress Mart shares what retailers are hoping for this Black Friday.  The Government's considering moving escooters into cycle lanes as injury costs soar, Cycling Action Spokesperson Patrick Morgan shares his thoughts.  Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Labour's budget and a limited form of military service being re-introduced in France. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push to get more bike lanes as the Government eyes up moving e-scooters onto them from pathways. ACC statistics show there were more than 2,100 claims for e-scooter related injuries in the first half of this year.  Payouts for e-scooter injuries this year are close to surpassing $14 million.  Cycling Action Spokesperson Patrick Morgan told Ryan Bridge e-scooters are here to stay, so councils need to build more bike lanes to meet demand. He says we don't need a bike lane on every street, just on main thoroughfares where people want to go. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RBNZ update this week again made the point that yes, the economy's in bounce back mode. We'll grow 2.5% next year, they reckon.  But this country needs more than that. It deserves more than that. The problem for us is, and has been for about the past 30 years, productivity.  How much we get out for what we put in. We went sideways and it's now falling.  As you know, this is a bad thing. It's taking us more people and resources to make less stuff.  It puts a ceiling on success. It's a wealth killer. Some reckon it's the canary in the coalmine - the thing we should care about most because we're basically sleepwalking into third world status.  Like falling asleep on a plane and waking up in a different country, we'll one day wake up outside the OECD. The solution, in part, is AI.  The World Economic Forum had some numbers showing it can boost labour productivity in developed countries by up to 40% over the next 15 years. The richer your country, the more you gain, which stands to reason because higher labour costs incentivise switching to AI to save on wage bills. The economic upswing we're seeing right now is a business cycle uplift: they go up and down.  But if you're talking about making this country a serious economic contender on the world stage, as we once were, you need a plan. You need a strategy. You need electricity. You need to get rid of a bunch of regulations.  Do we have those things? No.  But we need to. I'm hoping next year at the election, more than a tax cut here or a medi-card there, somebody, from some party, I don't care which, paints us a credible path towards prosperity and wealth again. Lord knows we need it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister believes the country is in a position to grow.   The Reserve Bank believes the economy has now turned a corner after last month's 50-basis-point cut to the OCR.  It's cut the cash rate a further 25-basis-points to 2.25%, but is signalling further cuts are unlikely.  Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge that while the data lags make things difficult, there is enough other information to give them a sense of where the economy is at.   She says it’s allowed the Reserve Bank to be confident in their forecast that the economy is growing and that growth will strengthen next year, and inflation will come down.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Encouragement for any Northlander who feels hard done by from the region-wide power outages last year to explore legal avenues.  Local businesses are taking class action against Transpower and its lines maintenance contractor over the outages caused from a pylon collapsing in Glorit, north of Helensville.  An investigation found a relatively inexperienced and inadequately supervised Omexom worker removed nuts from three of the pylon's four legs.   Northland MP Grant McCallum told Ryan Bridge he's backing the local businesses seeking legal action.  He says we all know what happened which still beggars belief, but we will have to wait for the legal process to be completed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auckland Business Chamber believes a a surcharge cap is a reasonable compromise to an otherwise unfair rule.  In July, the Government announced its plan to ban surcharges for shoppers on methods like Paywave, forcing merchants to front the cost instead.   The business chamber says this will just force businesses to increase costs, which will be unfair for other customers.   CEO Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge a cap will give a balanced and more practical alternative.  He says retailers like hospitality and tourism can recuperate some of their costs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 27th of October 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Ryan to talk on the final OCR cut of the year. The Northland pylon fiasco is heading to court, Northland MP Grant McCallum shares his thoughts.  Business groups have come up with an alternative plan for the surcharge ban, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges tells Ryan what they're asking of the Government.  Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Steve Witkoff appearing to coach a Russian official on how to win Trump over and Black Friday sales for the American economy.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So what do we know today that we didn't know yesterday after the big show from the Reserve Bank?  Well not much, really.  The cut was expected - it was already priced in. They're a bit more rosy on growth, it looks like the end of the cycle for cuts.  But beyond that, it really is guesswork.  The central outlook was 'balanced'. Meaning closed wallets could could hurt the outlook, higher housing prices and export prices could help it.  We put a lot of faith in the OCR to get us out of the rut. Even though it hasn't really worked thus far, even after six rounds of slashing. At one point in the presser the Chief Economist was almost repeating this like a mantra, as if by saying it over and over again, he'd will it to happen.  There are two problems here: First, we've heard it all before and not seen the results. Second, by their own admission, the GDP numbers we've been relying on aren't reliable.  There's a bunch of seasonality in the numbers - especially for that shocker in June where where we apparently went backwards almost 1%. We didn't. The computer's a bit bust after Covid and hasn't caught up, basically.  The good news? It probably wasn't as bad as they said it was. The bad news? Growth the following quarters probably wasn't as good as forecast either.  Give with one hand and take with another.  So we have a system we're hoping like hell still works in this new post-Covid/tariff environment with sticky inflation and pretty lame-o growth. And numbers we can't really rely on, which if you cast your mind back to quarter two, get blown up by us in the media, scaring people into closing their wallets again, and perpetuating the cycle.  To be be fair, there's always been a lag with the OCR working its magic. And at some point, surely, we'll hit the g-spot again, for growth. If for no other reason than what goes down must, at some point, bounce back up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another cut to the Official Cash Rate is expected today but it could be the last for a long time.  The Reserve Bank's reviewing the OCR at 2pm.  Most economists expect the cash rate to be cut 25-basis-points to 2.5%.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge they expect the Reserve Bank to keep the door wide open to taking further action next year if needed.   He says it will be wanting to use the three-month closedown period to really gauge whether it’s needed.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of roles could be facing the axe as the Government looks to scrap regional councils.  The Government's proposing replacing them with boards made up of Mayors in a particular region.  The proposal aims to reduce duplication and put downward pressure on rates.  Boards would be required to put plans in place around re-organising services and infrastructure, which will be checked over and ticked off for financial sustainability.  Otago Regional Council Chair Hilary Calvert told Ryan Bridge says they employ a lot of staff.   She says they have around 368 roles, which is twice as many as there were six years ago.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes a nationwide maths pilot can continue to deliver results. The $40 million Government programme targeted 1,500 Year 7 and 8 students needing extra support, through small-group tutoring up to four times a week.  New data shows students averaged one to two years progress in 12 weeks. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge the focus on core skills like maths never stopped, but this is a new way of doing it. He says one of the issues with intense focus is that it's resource-heavy, which is fine as long as it can continue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm part of the generation that grew up pre-cell phones.  Gifts were usually clothing you needed. Toys were chatter rings, marbles, maybe a skate board.  There was no 'picky eating', as we've heard about this week. If you didn't finish what was on your plate at dinner, you didn't get a treat afterwards.  Sweet treats were fruit. Or Raro sachets (sugar rush) if you managed to sneak one out the pantry. There were no snacks - if you were hungry before dinner, mum would tell you to drink a glass of water.  School was basics. Maths, reading, writing. A bit of everything else.  What we're learning, as a society, is that we've collectively taken our eye off the ball. We've taken parenting to a level beyond usefulness.  Do we need cheap imported asbestos sand to engage toddlers?  Do we need a thousand fun school subjects in place of decent time on basic ones? Do we need to tip-toe around kids not eating their veggies, as was suggested yesterday, for fear our kids may develop some eating disorder?  Do they all need cell phones that helicopter parents message constantly while their kid should be learning in school?  No, we don't. We didn't then and we don't now.  The results speak for themselves.  The Aussies are banning social media.  Cell phone bans in schools are working. According to results out yesterday, students forced to do an hour of good old fashioned maths a day made a full year's progress in just 12 weeks.  Kids are fatter than they've ever been before, so the meal time passive parenting thing clearly isn't working.  The goods news, it's not too late to turn this around. But frankly, parents and teachers are the ones who need to grow up and show leadership here, not the kids.  And the best news of all is that most of this stuff is easier and cheaper. We've set expectations too high, boundaries too low, and our kids are paying the price. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 26th of November 2025, The Government's committed to abolishing all 11 regional councils, Otago Regional Council Chair Hilary Calvert says she thinks this is a good idea.  Students forced to do an hour of maths a day made a full year's progress in just 12 weeks, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie shares his thoughts.  It's the final OCR day of the year, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley tells Ryan what we can expect from the Reserve Bank.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the potential of a Zelensky/Trump meeting and the UK government's sugar tax.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rise in bulk buying may be contributing to New Zealand's food waste.   A report commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment reveals more than 1.2 million tonnes of food is wasted or thrown away here every year.  Nearly a third is by households, with processing and food production making up the rest.  Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager Sophie Wolland told Ryan Bridge buying in bulk isn't always the best idea.  She says if there's no plan in place for the food, it can likely go off and end up in the bin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A construction sector voice says mandatory home warranties are well overdue. The Government's announced plans to require warranties for new homes three storeys or less and all renos worth at least $100,000. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says it hopes to protect homeowners from cowboys. Certified Builders Association Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Ryan Bridge it will cost more, but only marginally. He says it will make up 0.4% of a $200,000 project. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Bay of Plenty trust says new investment will help more families address harm before authorities have to step in. The Social Investment Fund's putting $50 million into programmes for children with parents in prison, and those who’ve grown up in care. Among the recipients is Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Trust. Chief Executive Enid Ratahi-Pryor told Ryan Bridge their aim is to tackle family harm early, before official intervention's needed. She says you can never remove the need for state intervention at critical times, so it's still a tool that can be used - but their services are prevention focused. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 25th of November 2025, The Government's announced a new building rule designed to protect homeowners from cowboy builders. A study from Otago uni says Kiwis toss out 1.2 million tonnes of food a year, Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager, Sophie Wolland shares how we can improve food waste.  The Government's revealed the first seven groups to get funding from its $50-million social investment fund, Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services Trust CEO tells Ryan how the money will be spent.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on Cocaine, valued at around 170 million dollars has been seized off the coast of Western Australia and the search ramps up for missing 4 yr old Gus Lamont in South Australia Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This rates cap, how's it actually going to work.  I had Luxon on my Herald show yesterday, an announcement's coming in the next few weeks.  But ask any Mayor, not the ones who like disco toilets and golden miles, but the ones who already to the basic stuff and little else. They're cutting their cloth. Tim Macindoe in Hamilton. I spoke to the Tararua Mayor yesterday. They all say the same thing: we are doing the basics. We've cut the silly stuff. And we don't know how this is going to work without bankrupting local government.  RMA reforms will be a big part of this. Luxon's talking about amalgamation. If there are fewer consents needed or consents are streamlined, do we need so many councils with a back office bigger than Kim K's booty?  Probably not.  So less work, especially for regional councils, could lipo some cost out of the system. Then there's the back office more generally.  The Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore makes a good point about double up. We have 67 territorial authorities in New Zealand. All have their own finance departments, comms teams, legal - the full kit and caboodle.  Can they combine the back office and save some cash that way? He reckons they can, and to his credit, is already talking to the neighbours about doing just that.  But even with no frills and upkeep on the basics, residents are still steering down the barrel of double digit rates increases, or at least north of 7%, which, as we know, is more than inflation.  So a rates cap, like a move-on order for rowdy rough sleepers on Queen Street, might sound like a good idea.  But is it fixing a problem or simply moving it down the road for somebody else to clean up? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A banking expert is picking apart National's 'piecemeal' Kiwisaver election pledge, saying it doesn't go far enough.  The party's promising to lift default worker and employer KiwiSaver contributions to six percent by 2032 - matching Australia's 12 percent superannuation rate. Employer contributions would increase by half a percent - but not until 2029. Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Ryan Bridge that there's an issue if people think the rate's too high.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, National promises to lift the default kiwisaver rate to 12% by 2032 if elected again next year, Claire Matthews Associate Professor at Massey University Business School shares her thoughts.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  The trucking industry wants tougher rules for unsafe vehicles, Billy Clemens Head of Policy and Advocacy at Transporting NZ tells Ryan why changes need to be made.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on global security officials meet in Geneva, to discuss the America's plan to end the Ukraine war and Sir Keir Starmer urges anyone with information on the Epstein case to come forward after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor missed the deadline to appear in front of US Congress.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trucking industry wants NZTA to have the power to impound dangerous vehicles, after an Auckland operator was jailed for manslaughter. Ashik Ali kept his truck on the road despite it being banned, and its failed brakes caused it to roll away and fatally hit a roadworker last year. Transporting NZ Policy Head, Billy Clemens told Ryan Bridge the assessment for entering the industry needs to be more rigorous, with the current process limited to a theory test. He says they want people to demonstrate their experience and the necessary skills beforehand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unions charge like wounded bulls for their services.  And they claim they're in it for the workers.  They care about workers' pay and conditions so much, they're worked their way up the union ranks to help those at the bottom. But then once they get a bit of profile. They jump ship to the Labour party, their good mates.  Craif Rennie - flits between the CTU and Grant Robertson's office - has been selected to run in Wellington Bays.  Fleur Fitzsimons - who tried but failed to get elected for Labour. She's surely trying to weasel her way back on to a list.  Michael Wood - he wants back in.  You see, Unions are simply not the premiere league. They're the equivalent of the bench for Labour's caucus.  It's the place you go to keep your profile up while you wait for another turn at sucking from the public tit.  There's nothing particularly wrong with this.  But if you're a low-wage worker who believes these people are your champions and are in for you. For negotiating hard with your employers. For doing the mahi.  And then you realise, actually, they've just been using your plight to feather their nest at the beehive, wouldn't you be a bit pissed off?  Not all union members are Lefties. Sure, many of them are.  But most just want a fair deal and decent spokesperson.  Not a bunch of political wannabes doing dress ups waiting for their time in the national spotlight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks playing stocks have been refreshed for the final test of the year against Wales on Sunday morning.  Only captain and lock Scott Barrett and blindside flanker Simon Parker are retained in their positions from the loss to England with Will Jordan moving from fullback to right wing.  Ruben Love makes his second test start from fullback.  Former All Black Josh Kronfeld told Ryan Bridge Robertson is giving people opportunities to make a statement at the end of the tour.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lifetime Black Power member is warning of a larger threat on the anniversary of the gang patch ban.   Today marks one year since the law was changed to give Police increased powers to go after gangs, including banning gang insignia in public.   Since then, officers have seized 182 patches, more than 600 insignia items, and 178 firearms.  But Community Advocate Denis O'Reilly told Ryan Bridge international cartels are becoming increasingly involved in gang activity.   He says they will recruit young gang members with promises of wealth and riches.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 21 November. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes that those responsible for the Pike River mine disaster will finally be held accountable.  Police believe they have sufficient evidence to prosecute certain people for manslaughter.  This week marks 15 years since 29 men died in the West Coast mine tragedy.  Sonya Rockhouse, whose son died, told Ryan Bridge Police have done their job and now it's a waiting game for justice.  She says they've always had enough evidence but more has been gathered in extensive forensic investigations over the years.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you trust Winston Peters not go with Labour next year? No you can’t. He hasn’t ruled it out. Despite National scoring a higher party vote in 2017, he went with Jacinda. Labour has not ruled Winston out. Winston has not ruled Labour out. Winston has ruled out Chippy, so a leadership swap in the last seven weeks of the campaign, or even during negotiations, is possible.  Hipkins is a party man, and if the choice was opposition for his caucus or the Treasury benches, he’d fall on his sword. So it’s a live scenario.  If Labour and NZ First get enough to form a coalition together, wouldn’t he prefer that to another threesome on the right? He hates Chippy because of Covid and his ‘what is a woman’ malfunction in that press conference, but the party’s been working hard to shake the overly wokey/dopey vibes since then. Also, he hates Seymour.  And if there was a chance for him to extract big spending policies, some regional fund, manufacturing energy deals, and more gold card benefits, I reckon he’d go for it. The scenario becomes much less likely if the Greens and whatever might be left of TPM need to prop them up. He hates them much more than Seymour, and would look stupid going into government with a Green handshake and a hongi. The rule with Winston is pretty simple: all options are on the table and this time next year, as summer approaches and the weather warms, we will be doing stake outs at his beach house and his crowbar villa in Central Auckland. Waiting outside, microphones ready, guessing who the patron saint of Kiwi politics will anoint to lead the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ferry Holdings' Chairman says he's more confident in the new Cook Strait ferry plans than the ditched iRex project.  The Government's officially signed a fixed-price contract with a Chinese shipbuilder for two new rail-enabled ferries.  It's now securing teams to build the required infrastructure at Picton and Wellington ports.  Winston Peters claims the total cost will come in under two billion dollars and will be delivered on time in 2029.  Ferry Holdings Chair Chris Mackenzie told Ryan Bridge the iRex project would have required a lot more work to be done on the ports.  He says the new plans don't need much to be moved as it's re-using as much as possible from existing infrastructure.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students getting around a school phone ban could be chatting with family members.  An Education Review Office report shows three-quarters of secondary school teachers believe the ban has improved student behaviour.  But nearly half of students admit to using their phones in class, likely because family members were getting in touch.  Whangaparāoa College Principal Steve McCracken told Ryan Bridge most schools have other systems in place for families to contact students during the day.  He says the report shows parents want to connect with their kids, but they're setting them up to fail if they contravene the ban.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 20th of November 2025, New Cook Strait ferries are set to arrive in 2029, Ferry Holdings Limited Chair Chris Mackenzie tells Ryan how the government managed to save $2.3 billion dollars.  A ERO report shows the cellphone ban is working but half of high school students aren't following the rules, Whangapaeroa College Principal and B416 expert advisory panel member Steve McCracken shares his thoughts.  The Government's banned puberty blocker prescriptions for new patients, Sue Bagshaw, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Christchurch School of Medicine at the University of Otago Christchurch tells Ryan how big of a impact this will have.  Plus US Correspondent Toni Waterman has the latest on the Epstein files and Nicki Minaj publicly backing Trump's allegations that Christians face persecution in Nigeria.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the country's top youth health experts says puberty blockers have been safely used in New Zealand for 20 years.  No child or young person experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence will be able to start taking gonadotropin-releasing hormones from December 19. Health Minister Simeon Brown says Cabinet has agreed to new settings until the outcomes of a major clinical trial in the UK in 2031.   Otago University's Dame Sue Bagshaw told Ryan Bridge she doesn't like the way Government is politicising a possibly life-saving medicine.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've got a bunch of new economic numbers this morning.  The recovery is underway. Finally.  We've had false dawns before, so I'm not overcooking this, but things are moving in the right direction. Investor confidence is up for Q3. Most regions are getting a slice of the recovery action, according to Infometrics.  What's most interesting is investor confidence, led by Auckland, is up quite a bit and they're not worrying so much about the dramatic headlines from Trump, etc. They're shrugging them off.  And our attitudes to different types of investment are changing.  The proportion of us who see owning our own home as the best investment is now at its lowest level since 2015, and young people are loving stocks.  Which is no surprise - the S&P's up around 14% this year, house prices are falling or flat.  Which might help explain why the mood on capital gains seems to have shifted a bit.  But here's the thing with the capital gains: it will not lower house prices, it will not fix the structural deficit.  It will provide tax revenue for doctors visits, sure. But can those doctors visits be delivered, or just advertised in some brochure like Kiwibuild?  And to those who are enjoying success with stocks, congratulations.  Your gains aren't taxed, but property is the canary in the coal mine. It's a warning of more to come. Give a politician an inch and they'll take a mile.  Look at the fundamentals of it. This CGT won't fix the stuff you'd expect it to fix and still leaves the State short of revenue.  So they'll eventually come for something else, and that something will be whatever's popular. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 19th of November 2025, a new report from Business NZ projects a shortfall of at least 250,000 workers by 2045, Chief Executive of Business Canterbury Leeann Watson shares her thoughts.  Over half of our apprentice trainees in new zealand drop out before they complete their course, Te Pukenga CEO Gus Gilmore tells Andrew what needs to change.  It's been revealed the Government spent over $38 million on business start-up grants to beneficiaries, Small Business NZ founder Phil Wicks shares his thoughts.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Peter Anderson has the latest on British MPs warned by security service MI5 they’re at risk of being targeted by Chinese spies and technology from Formula 1 cars is being used in a pilot scheme to provide faster and more reliable wi-fi on British trains. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A small business advocate says a Government grant must do more than throw money at a problem.   The Taxpayers’ Union has revealed the business start up grant has dished out $38 million with little to show for it.   Documents retrieved through the Official Information Act show hundreds of the recipients struggled and returned to a benefit within two years.   Small Business New Zealand Founder Phil Wicks told Andrew Dickens the recipients are the furthest people away from the labour market.   He says they can still succeed but need more mentoring, structure, and clear expectations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A warning our major political parties need to display more bipartisan planning so we don't buckle to a dwindling population and economic growth.  Business NZ's report warns a labour shortage of at least a quarter of a million is expected before 2050, and there's also a one in four chance the population doesn't grow. Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens says major parties need to reach a certain level of bipartisan agreement on the country's big decisions  She says businesses want to see steady incremental progress not a pendulum shift which potentially puts us backwards. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns over the fact that more than half of trainees aren't completing their apprenticeships.  Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is seeking extra funding so new industry bodies can investigate low apprenticeship completion rates.  She says the government could help through policy settings and funding, but the nature of the problem was likely to vary between industries.  Te Pūkenga Chief Executive Gus Gilmore told Andrew Dickens things like training wage rates, low pay, and the economic downturn causing them to lose their job.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s controversy in the Ockham Book Awards as two books by notable authors are withdrawn from competition because their covers were created using AI. Stephanie Johnson’s collection of short stories 'Obligate Carnivore' and Elizabeth Smither’s collection of novellas 'Angel Train' are the two books cancelled. Their covers were created using AI and the book awards are on high alert for anything that takes the place of human activity. The decision to amend the criteria around AI was spurred by a desire to support creative and copyright interests of the country’s writers and illustrators. So I understand the concern from the creative industries about the rise of AI, but I wonder if they really understand how AI was used in these circumstances. Covers are created by graphic designers. Sometimes they may commission an artist to draw the cover, but more often they’ve been creating images using computer programmes like Photoshop and various Adobe programmes.  But in all cases a human is in charge, and there’s no difference here. Elizabeth Smither’s team had a specific image in mind combining a steam locomotive and an Angel inspired by Marc Chagall.  A human asked AI to do it. It popped it out and the human refined it. Is that any different to a graphic designer pulling it together in Adobe?  AI has spooked the creatives. AI bands have had hit albums. Now Paul McCartney is releasing a single that is silent in protest at AI stealing his sound. Morgan Freeman is railing against AI copy of his distinctive voice. But Elizabeth Smithers and Stephanie Johnson wrote their books. In Stephanie's case the short stories have been written over 20 years. But now her work has been cancelled because of a virtue signalling protest against progress.  AI is out of the genie’s bottle. It’s important that it’s influence is credited, but it still can’t do it’s own thing. It still needs a human to guide it and so it is like any other tool, including a pen and a piece of paper.  Meanwhile Thursday we hear the Nvidia result. The bellwether stock of AI. There are bears and bulls and people talking about the bursting of the AI tech bubble as being a thing.  I just want to warn that AI is still in it’s infancy and there’s a long way to go before it becomes a Terminator film. But what interesting times we live in See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The struggling car industry is looking forward to some much needed relief.   The Government's confirmed its slashing charges on importers who don't meet carbon targets by almost 80% and launching a full review.   It's expected to save about $264 million in cost to consumers and will keep imported cars cheaper.   Imported Vehicles Association Chief Executive Greig Epps told Andrew Dickens the target was difficult for many businesses to reach.   He says this isn't going backwards, it is being realistic about encouraging the use of clean cars.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The police union is confident the health sector can pick up the remainder of mental health callouts.   Now there's new guidance to determine if Police are needed when health workers request non-emergency assistance or when people go missing from health facilities.  It will free up roughly half-a-million policing hours every year.   Police Association President Steve Watt told Andrew Dickens the new approach has been introduced in phases.   He says it gives Health New Zealand the time to ensure it can fill in the gaps Police leave.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uber drivers are rejoicing over their employment status being finalised with a legal win in the Supreme Court.  Four drivers have won their battle against Uber to be treated as employees, rather than contractors.  The Supreme Court rejected Uber’s bid for the court to overturn a 2024 Court of Appeal ruling.  Wellington Uber driver —and city councillor— Nureddin Abdurahman told Andrew Dickens Uber's been exploiting the huge number of people looking for a job.  He says it doesn't matter how many people are looking for a job, they all deserve rights.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recall of coloured play-sand products - potentially contaminated with asbestos - is continuing to cause disruption on both sides of the Tasman. A recall notice was issued last week for EC Rainbow Sand 1.3 kilos and Creatistics Coloured Sand, 1 kilo. More than 20 schools and early learning centres are temporarily closed. Australia correspondent Lesley Yeomans told Andrew Dickens schools and centres across Australia are also impacted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 18th of November 2025, The Government’s having another go at the clean car standard, Imported Vehicle Association CEO Greig Epps shares his thoughts.  Police and Health New Zealand are pressing ahead with phase three of their mental-health response changes, Police Association President Steve Watt tells Andrew what will change for the Police. The court's recognised that Uber drivers are employees, Nureddin Abdurahman a Uber driver who took Uber to court shares his thoughts on the outcome.  Plus Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on dozens of schools closed across the ACT and stores recalling special coloured play sand and Concerns about a newly discovered Koala colony in outback New South Wales.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So the latest plan to fix central Wellington traffic has been released for consultation, and it’s a monster.  There’s a couple of tunnels. A new one at the Terrace end of the motorway and another new tunnel through Mount Victoria. Land and houses will be taken out of the town belt at Mount Victoria and parkland at the Terrace  There will be a major redesign of the Basin Reserve roundabout and a bridge near the airport.  And the price tag?  3 billion dollars. Ironically the same sort of cost for two ports and two ferries to cross Cook Strait, that was thought to be wildly expensive at the time.  So the immediate reaction is that this plan is wildly expensive. Which it is. Wildly expensive and totally predictable. The Rongotai Airport was opened in 1959 and from day one it was dependent on the Mount Vic tunnel, which opened in 1931.  It should have been expanded then. It’s Wellington’s Auckland Harbour Bridge moment - a piece of insufficient infrastructure that only got worse. You could argue the same thing about the Terrace tunnel that was built ending abruptly in tiny urban streets designed before the rise of the automobile.  Meanwhile some of Mount Vic’s funky houses are going to be destroyed, and that gets right up the inner-city residents noses - the ones who don’t have to drive far at all. So consultation is open now and I’m expecting it to be rancorous. But it’s the bed Wellington chose to lie in when building an inner city airport and not making the hard calls earlier.  And that also means strife for the good people of Khandallah who are complaining about the plane noise over their suburb after the flight paths changed in 2022. They’d rather the flights went over Newlands, who love the flight path change.  As soon as you put your airport at Rongotai this was bound to happen. So you can’t really complain about the bill you’ve inherited from your forebears who lacked foresight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand beef sector's set to save some dosh, with the removal of the additional 15-percent tariff on our beef. US President Donald Trump's reversed his tariffs on a wide range of US food imports, including New Zealand beef, offal and kiwifruit. These products represent around 25 per cent of our exports to the United States, worth more than two billion dollars annually. Beef & Lamb New Zealand Chair Kate Acland told Ryan Bridge the tariffs were costing our beef industry a lot. She says in 12 months the quotas were looking to cost us about 310-million dollars, so it's a significant amount.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.