Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 12th of June 2025, Food and Fibre exports are on track to break new records, Meat Industry Association Chief Executive Sirma Karapeeva, shares her thoughts on how red meat exports are going.  The US has criticised NZ for sanctions on Israel, international relations Professor Robert Patman tell Ryan Bridge how this makes us look.  We've got another report showing some Maori children are falling through the cracks, Voyce CEO Tracey Shipton shares her thoughts.  Plus Mitch McCann has the latest on deal between the US and China.  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.

Red meat's among food and fibre exports surging in value, with revenue forecast to surpass $60 billion for the first time. The latest forecasts projects export earnings of $59.9 billion for the year ending later this month.  It's now on track to reach $65.7 billion by 2029. Meat Industry Association Chief Executive Sirma Karapeeva told Ryan Bridge we're seeing strong global demand and healthy prices across key markets. She says there's demand from the US and EU, with a good recovery in exports to China. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve been reflecting this Fieldays week on how much the dial has shifted in farming and emissions. We had Chris Hipkins on the Herald Now programme Tuesday admit they essentially don’t currently have a policy in putting agriculture into the ETS.  It was a signature policy platform under Ardern. We had to do it, they told us. It was immoral not to.  Farmers had to pay a higher price, and who cares if it’s CO2 or methane, emissions are emissions.  Labour’s now open to ditching that altogether and softening its tone on farmers. This is happening for two reasons. 1. People are alive to the fact that without our strong agriculture export prices, our regions would feel a lot more our main centres right now: economically depressed and limping along. Actually, selling a bunch of stuff we already know how to do well is exactly what a small trading nation likes ours should be doing. 2. The Government has successfully changed the narrative on emissions, basically through repetition: our farmers are the most efficient in the world. The world demands meat and dairy. If we cut back and burn the farmers, bite the hand that feeds our regional economies, somebody else meets that global demand with, you guessed it, higher emitting meat and dairy products.  So for reasons of basic economics and political reality, the dial has been shifted in farming and emissions.  Labour’s a little late to the party, but at least acknowledging the landscape has well and truly changed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fieldays has opened at Hamilton's Mystery Creek, with 100 thousand visitors expected over the next four days.  1200 vendors will be plying their wares at the Southern Hemisphere's largest agribusiness event, displaying the latest farming innovations.  GFactor Edge co-founder Rhys Gardner is bringing his company’s VR driving simulators to the event – the technology allowing people to learn how to drive heavy machinery in a controlled environment.  He told Ryan Bridge they’re recreating real accidents and near misses and allowing people to experience the outcomes of their decisions.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown could soon be leading the world’s renewable energy future.  Rewiring Aotearoa is launching the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator project to speed up the transition to electric machines that run on renewable electricity.  It wants to make it easier for homes and businesses to go electric.  Chief Executive Mike Casey told Ryan Bridge one of the biggest barriers to going solar is the up-front cost.  But he says with some of New Zealand's highest energy prices, Queenstown is the best place to turn renewable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drug overdose deaths have almost doubled in less than a decade and at the same time, the number of people accessing specialist help is trending downward.   The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission found 188 people died from an overdose in 2023.  That's more than half the road toll, and more than twice the number of drowning deaths.  Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm told Ryan Bridge we lose three New Zealanders every week to accidental and preventable drug overdose.   She says at the same time there's been a decline in access to addiction services.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're in Auckland and waking up this morning feeling poorer, it's because you are. It's because we all are.   CVs down 9%, rates are up 6% at the start of the month – that's an extra 223 bucks a year. Now the CVs aren't the market value, obviously, but the market value of our houses has also dropped.   And so it's right that we feel poorer, we are. But spare a thought for Wellington – CVs down 24%, rates up 17%. No, thank you.   Everyone's asking why are we paying more when our houses are worthless? The answer is just because it's how councils collect money, and they have few options to do it any other way.   I saw a graph yesterday in defence of councils – this is a tax as a percentage of GDP,  over the last 130 years, since the 1800s. The blue line was central government. They tax us through income, y’know, spending via GST, a whole bunch of stuff was up around 30%, peaked at about 35% of GDP.   Greedy. Disgraceful. Poor. Old in orange. Your Councils basically flatlining for the last 70 years at 2% of GDP. This is why they want more options to make money, like charging rates on government buildings in their districts. Because yes, the government doesn't pay rates at present. Bit rude, isn't it? We have to.   It's why Wayne Brown wants other levers to pull, like bed taxes. But here's the problem: they have a good argument for more funding streams, but they keep blowing up their sympathy with dumb, expensive, useless stuff like cycleways, and raised pedestrian crossings, and road calming measures, and food scrap bins we have to pay for. The list goes on.   The problem councils have is that nobody wants to give more money to somebody who wastes it. For as long as that keeps happening, their sympathy tank is on empty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11 June. 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.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson has stepped down from his role.  Robinson has been chief executive of NZR since January 2020, and will leave NZR at the end of this year.  In a statement, Robinson said he will join his family in Australia when he has finished in the job.  Halo Sport’s Simon Porter told Ryan Bridge he’d agree with Robinson’s assessment that he left the organisation a better place than he found it.  He says it’s been a pretty tough six years with Covid, and they’ve made some substantial changes and split the organisation, but hopefully its set itself up to be a bit more nimble as it moves forward.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's becoming more vulnerable to corruption by organised crime.   An independent advisory panel's urged the Government to take immediate action.   It says police officers, immigration officials, and private sector employees have facilitated drug smuggling, leaked sensitive information, and undermined our border system.   Customs Minister Casey Costello told Ryan Bridge she agrees we can't rest on our laurels.  She says we are the only Five Eyes partner that doesn't have a national corruption strategy, and our legislation isn't fit for purpose.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 10th of June 2025, a new report has found our corruption-free nation is at odds with evidence, Ryan Bridge asks Customs Minister Casey Costello what difference the Government can make.  The Government's investing $13.5 million in tourism, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell shares her thoughts.  Plus NZ Rugby Boss Mark Robinson calls it quits, Simon Port Managing Director and Rugby Player agent for Halo Sport, tells Ryan Bridge what skills the new CEO needs to bring to NZ Rugby.  Ryan shares his thoughts on Greta Thunberg's aid boat being intercepted by the Israelis.  Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the Australian PM asked to intervene after an Aussie journalist was hit by a rubber bullet in LA riots. 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 Government's pumping more funding into tourism marketing, with a goal of generating an extra $300 million in spending.  Minister Louise Upston's announced a $13.5 million injection into Tourism New Zealand -- targeting Australia, the US, and China.  It's expected to bring an extra 72 thousand visitors over coming years.  Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told Ryan Bridge the spending goals easily achievable.  She says Chinese visitors spend an average of $6,000 here, which is why they're being targeted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Honestly… it’s time Greta got a grip. This is a stunt. She’s sailing on a yacht with a diesel motor, which they’ve been using because the sails haven’t been up. There’s been photos and video, Greta doing the Titanic at the bow, on her merciful mission to save the Middle East onboard the vessel complete with Aircon and TVs and Instagram. As for being kidnapped, this must be the first time a victim has broadcast their own hostage video. How does that work? It’s a tiny yacht. How much aid can you actually have on board? There’s no doubt Palestinians desperately need aid because of Israel’s inhumane blockade. Unfortunately, they’re not going to get any from this attention obsessed Swede.  This is the problem I think people have with protesters. Not the ones who protest and then do something useful like become scientists and invent a solution to global warming. Protesters who protest for the sake of it and change causes with the wind.  One day it’s the climate and oil is the devil and the house is burning down. Then the next it’s powering through the Med on a diesel laden yacht to rescue Gaza.  And it’s a bit like a drug.  John Minto is a case in point. Serial protester. Most recently seen promoting a bounty tipline for hunting out Israeli's holidaying in New Zealand.  You name a cause; he’ll get behind it. In Europe they’re defacing ancient artefacts, throwing soup on paintings and confetti on the Court at Wimbledon. While they’re doing all these ridiculous stunts, hoovering up social media followers along the way, they claim, as Greta did yesterday, that it’s not about them. It’s about the Palestinian people, not me, said Greta.  The lady doth protest too much, methinks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“It’s down, but it’s down not very much.” says UK Correspondent Gavin Grey in this morning’s immigration discussion with Ryan Bridge.  The UK Government is spending $4.4billion on hotel bills housing migrants. Although this is down from $4.6billion the previous year, Grey says it isn’t enough.  Money to fund this is coming from the overseas development fund, a system that Grey calls, “unsustainable.”   Arrests for immigrants working illegally in the UK have increased, but Grey says the hotel bill continues to get longer with no end in sight.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A packed weekend for Kiwi and international sport this weekend, and Andrew Alderson joined Ryan Bridge to talk about it. Today’s fill includes Coco Gauff’s victory at the French Open, the latest from the world of Golf and this weekend’s main event: The Blues vs. The Chiefs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rodney local board member and road safety campaigner Geoff Upson join Ryan Bridge to talk about the safety of young people on the road. Upson says that although road fatality rates are declining, there is more work to do when it comes to educating first-time drivers. He said that professional driver training alongside more time in the car with Mum and Dad could make all the difference tomake sure teenagers know how to conduct themselves on the road. Upson also said that education about the car itself is also lacking, with misunderstandings in tire grip capacity leading to more accidents in the rain. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 9 June. 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.

A new 'Parent Boost' visa will make it easier for some migrants' parents to visit the country. From September, it will grant parents of citizens multi-entry access for five years, with the opportunity for renewal once - meaning they could hold the visa for 10 years. Applicants will also need to meet specific health, income, and insurance requirements. Act Party Immigration Spokesperson Parmjeet Parmar told Ryan Bridge it's hard to know how many people will apply. She says it could be between two and ten thousand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She was a chilly weekend.  Even in Auckland it was only 5 degrees.  We had the heat pump cranking the entire weekend. I spoke to a friend in Marlborough who had the fire going all weekend. They had a proper frost there.  It's right about now you start thinking... how much is all this going to cost me? The answer $250 for May for a house of two persons, one dog.  Already we've spent $70 for June.  This is one of the few bills I pay in our household so it's one of the few I notice.  It's not going through the roof... and is tracking roughly the same as last year.  And disclaimer... our place is old and cold, poorly ventilated and you basically need either air con or heat all the time. There is good news on the energy front for 2025, not that it directly affects us as much, more the big industrial users.  Forsyth Barr released an energy note on Friday... they reckon we'll avoid another big energy crunch this winter. The next one is due 2026.  That means no risk of blackouts. The reason we've avoided this is because electricity producers did a deal with Methanex. And we've had rain - so the hydro lakes have been given a top up.  To avoid future blackouts, we'll need to cut industrial demand and burn more coal.  And that brings us to gas - a shortage of which caused last year's energy price crunch. Forsyth Barr reckons the government's push for gas is unlikely to solve out problems.  It takes two to three years to get a gas field up and running. First you have to find it. Right now, nobody's even looking. No fields are being explored.  By the time you get gas out of the government's $200-million budget buy-in, the energy shortages will likely have passed. It's one thing to let the producers go it alone, it's another to put our money on the line to develop these fields.  There's a genuine question about whether this is smart investment in our future or if taxpayer money is being wasted. A bit like the heat escaping from my old house. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is accusing Don Brash and Helen Clark of "relevance deprivation syndrome", after their criticism of his approach to China.  The former National and Labour leaders are warning the Government that it could be putting our largest trading relationship at risk by aligning too closely with the US.  Brash believes that it is unwise to shift priority from China to the US given the current tension between the two superpowers. Peters says he stands by the government's independent foreign policy, and he sees no value in indulging in tired arguments from former politicians.  LISTEN ABOVE     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK and Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney spoke to Ryan Bridge about German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to the White House.   The chancellor presented President Donald Trump with a gift: The birth certificate of President Trump’s German grandfather, which seemed to go down well with the President. Despite the positivity on the outside, McAviney said that the difference between the two nations’ approach to the war in Ukraine has led negotiations to continue behind closed doors.   McAviney also said that Germany is likely aiming to secure a deal with the US that will reduce the effects of Trump’s tariffs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rugby commentator Tony Johnson joined Ryan Bridge to discussthethree upcoming qualifying finalsgames this weekend. The first match taking place tonight sees the Crusaders take on the Reds. The odds seem to be stacked against the Reds, as an Australian team is still yet to win a Super Rugby playoff game against a Kiwi team on Kiwi soil. The Chiefs and the Blues are also due to face off this weekend. Johnson told Ryan Bridge that the Chiefs will be out for revenge after their crushing defeat in last year’s finals. The Hurricanes are taking a trip over the ditch to face the Brumbies. Johnson said that the Hurricanes’excellent form could win it for them – but it won’t be easy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Misleading vape labelling is a worry for youth vaping.  A study in the medical journal shows more than half of vape juices have incorrectly labelled how much nicotine they contain. Most of the mislabelled products had significantly less nicotine than advertised—some by over 50%. Vape Free Kids Co-Founder Charyl Robinson told Ryan Bridge there's no funded support for youth quitting vaping and families are paying the price.  She says it's hard enough on families trying to support their children, let alone with no confidence in how much nicotine is actually in the product they're using. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 6th of June 2025, there's pressure on the Prime Minister to separate New Zealand's foreign policy from America's Former National Party Leader Don Brash shares his open letter with Ryan. It's the Super Rugby quarter finals this weekend, rugby commentator Tony Johnson tells Ryan who he thinks the favourites will be.  There's been a new study in the Medical Journal which has found more than half of vape juices have been labelled with the wrong concentration of nicotine, Co-founder of Vape Free Kids Charyl Robinson shares her thoughts on how harmful this can be.  Plus, UK/ Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Friedrich Merz meeting with Trump in the Oval office.  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.

Well that was as chaotic as you'd expect.  I caught the first half of Parliament's debate on the haka-gate: Winston Peters went full attack dog, Willie Jackson fought back, Waititi brought a noose into the chamber, and Adrian Rurawhe, former Speaker and Labour MP, had the most sensible and respectable take of the debate.  I've had the pleasure of interviewing him a few times. He's a humble, quiet and observant sort of guy. He's quick to a smile and enjoys a good argument.   Not that you could hear it in the House yesterday. Loads of interjecting. Lots of noise.   Adrian gets respect because he shushed his own Labour colleagues while he was up on his feet.  He made two decent points.  1. The Privileges Committee is meant to be bipartisan. The fact this punishment was not, is a bad thing. Why? Because now it's open season, governments —of any persuasion— can weaponize its punishments against their political opponents. This is not a good thing. As he points out, this was the government punishing MPs, not the Parliament. Which it ought to be.  Herein lies the problem with Parliament these days - there is no agreed standard of behaviours that's universal to all MPs. Getting physically up in somebody's grill is considered okay by some. The House is meant to be about what comes out of your mouth, not how close another MP is to it.  2. Rurawhe scolded the Māori Party for not apologising for their bad behaviour. He spoke of his cousin Dame Tariana Turia. She never skipped a vote, worked hard for her people and spoke on every bill before the House. The question really is whether Te Pati Māori actually wants to be in Parliament or whether it wants a separate one. If it wants the latter, which its website says it does, and doesn't turn up half the time or gets suspended for breaking rules, you've got to ask yourself why they're there in the first place.  All in all, aside from Adrian's wise words, there's a few hours wasted the House won't get back.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fighting in Trump’s cabinet after Elon Musk lashed out at Trump’s “Big, beautiful bill”.   US Correspondent Mitchell McCann told Ryan Bridge that Elon Musk’s comments earlier in the week have gone unaddressed by the President so far.   Musk took to X and called the President’s new bill a “disgusting abomination.” Later adding that the bill would increase the budget deficit to $2.5trillion.   President Trump wanted the bill on his desk by the 4th of July, but the opposition from one of his closest allies could drastically slow down the process.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission is ramping up efforts to disrupt the supermarket monopoly.  It says supplier charges and promotional pricing are reinforcing the dominance of Foodstuffs and Woolworths.  It's proposing a simplified grocery code, reducing the range of payments that supermarkets can charge suppliers.  Grocery expert Ernie Newman told Ryan Bridge that supermarkets are receiving billions of dollars in discounts - which largely aren't being passed on to consumers.   He says there's more money floating around in the sector than the Commerce Commission had previously identified.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeowners will have to pay more for home insurance to help the Natural Hazards Commission.   Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says levies will almost certainly need to rise further, with Cabinet set to decide on the changes in the coming months.    Insurance consultant Dean Lester told Ryan Bridge that these changes could cost homeowners two to $300 more a year.   The government says they'll carry $2 billion worth of risk but have about $500 million in the kitty.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Government reforms aim to tidy up inconsistencies in Fish and Game New Zealand.  It will be shifted to a nationalised fee collection system to reduce double handling of fees.  Fish and Game councils will also be required to consider the interests of other stakeholders, like farmers and the aviation sector, when it comes to decision making.  Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager told Ryan Bridge he wants to ensure councils function efficiently. He says there should be a consistent approach across the country. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 5th June of 2025, The Grocery Commissioner has revealed changes to crack down on the grocery sector, Grocery Policy Expert Ernie Newman shares his thoughts.  Homeowners could be in for more insurance levies, Insurance Consultant Dean Lester tells Ryan Bridge why.  The Government's announced an overhaul of Fish and Game, Minister for Fishing and Hunting, James Meager tells Ryan Bridge what the changes will mean.  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 Commerce Commission reckons we need fewer items 'on sale' at the supermarket.  That would mean less yoghurt on special at $4.99, fewer $1.99 chocolate bars at the checkout, and just less price yo-yo-ing in general. This is counterintuitive. The job of Commerce Commission, through the Grocery Commissioner, is meant to score us cheaper prices and boost competition, right? So, what the hell is going on here? This morning, they announced they want to change the rules around what the supermarkets can charge suppliers. Foodstuffs and Woolworths purchase $15 billion of goods from suppliers each year and control 82% of the retail market.  When they do this, suppliers will discount prices by about $5 billion a year through rebates, discounts, and promotional payments. This ensures their stock is on sale. If they need to move a boat load of it, they can do on special and quickly, because we all love a bargain. The Supermarket tsar says if you’re a new, smaller supermarket chain opening up, you can’t compete with that cause you don’t have the buying power and economies of scale. Now this is where I think the tsar takes one of many leaps of faith. They reckon we consumers are overall worse off because of these specials and discounts.  The tsar says: "Consumers lose out because prices jump around more. This can mean the average price is more expensive and it’s harder for consumers to assess the value of products.” They don't offer any evidence this is actually happening, and that a change would make things cheaper. Leap of faith #2 is that this saving will be passed on to the consumer via the supermarket. Is there not a floor in this logic? Does essentially banning discounts actually make prices cheaper? If so, by how much? $5 billion? Remember the industry’s revenue is $25 billion a year.  If all of the discounts were handed down the chain of command to us shoppers, we’re expected to believe general prices would fall a whopping 20%? Remember when the Grocery Commission was set up under Labour, we were told the supermarkets were making excess profits of $365m a year.  There's a bunch of other changes, too.  Some of this stuff is just proposed. Suggestions. Voluntary.  Some stuff needs consultation. Then further review. Others need 12 months. Others form part of a new report aiming for 2026. By the time this is finished I will have not only lost the will to shop, but also to live.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine's struck a critical bridge connecting Russia and the Crimean Peninsula.  It's security service claims agents mined the supports of the bridge with more than one-thousand kilograms of explosives, severely damaging the foundations.  Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge the bridge is a hated symbol of Russian occupation for Ukraine.  He says it's also a vital piece of infrastructure for Russia.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's seen as the ideal place to host a major movie premiere.  That's due to a decade-old agreement between the producers of the Avatar franchise and the Government, given the amount of taxpayers' money that's been contributed.   In return, the producers agreed to roll out a red carpet in New Zealand for at least one of the three movies.  818 Publicity Managing Director Chris Henry told Ryan Bridge Wellington has a wonderful film culture.  He says the capital is also home to the films' director James Cameron, and a number of stars.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Building and Construction Minister's confident they're providing the right support while sector liquidation rates remain bleak.  Building Research Association data shows construction companies now make up about a third of all business liquidations – up 25% in 2022.   Minister Chris Penk told Ryan Bridge it's not a great statistic, but they're focusing on what they can control.   He says this includes turning around rules and regulations to make recovery easier.    Penk says the sector's in the midst of a deep boom and bust cycle.   He says times will get better, but they need to do everything in their power to avoid things being tougher for longer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although visitor spending is on the rise, some parts of New Zealand are still doing it tough. A Government survey's found international visitor spending increased by 10% and contributed more than $12 billion to the economy in the year ending March. That's 9.2% up on the previous year. It reflects an increase in international visitors, topping 3.3 million arrivals, up from almost 3.2 million. Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers told Ryan Bridge it's good news, but also highlights the uneven nature of the spend across New Zealand.  He says there should be more effort to collaborate and spread the love between different regions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism mojo.  Louise Upston fired off an enthusiastic press release last night.  "International visitor spend on the up” it proclaimed. New data, which we get from the International Visitor Survey, showed a 10% jump in spending on the previous year. Sounds impressive, right?  Sounds like we’re getting somewhere. Finally shaking off the Covid cobwebs.  But this is where we start to see the spin doctors earning their keep.  Let’s not forget we’ve been dealing with inflation outside the band over that year. Which means stuff costs more - restaurants and hotels included. So, are we actually getting more out of tourism than we were, and is the jumping up and down justified? Well, the measure of success ought to be pre-Covid, when everything was shut down, we battened down the hatches and kissed the world goodbye. By that measure, spending is still only 86% of what it was in 2019. Now, the very same Minister responsible for last night’s press release was the same Minister responsible for firing one off on March 4th this year celebrating a big boost in tourism spending - up to, you guessed it, 86% of pre-Covid. So, the long and the short of it is, nothing had changed in real terms between March’s PR exercise and June’s! The Aussies and most of our big competition for these international tourists reversed the trends and brought them back a long time ago. The number of tourists travelling around the world recovered to pre-pandemic levels last year. Instead of celebrating no real success month after month, we ought to be asking why we’re still such a long way off the hip, hit destination we were five years ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's refusing to play ball with the US, which is demanding it up its defence spend to 3.5% of GDP as soon as possible.   Australia's currently tracking to lift spending to 2.33% of GDP in the next eight years.   Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seems to be brushing off the demand.   Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge that Albanese has said what you should do in defence is decide what you need, your capability, and provide for it, and that’s what his Government is doing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plenty happened in the sporting world over the long weekend, and Andrew Alderson joined Ryan Bridge to delve into some of it. On today's agenda is the latest from Roland-Garros, the Warriors' win and Mitch Barnett's unfortunate ACL injury, and a social media spat coming out of IndyCar. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minimal progress in another round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.   The two countries have agreed, in Istanbul, to exchange sick and wounded prisoners of war, and those under 25.  Meanwhile, Ukraine's carried out drone strikes on several Russian air bases.   BBC's Olga Ivshina says even the loss of one plane is significant, as Russia can't replicate it quickly.   She told Ryan Bridge Russia has also launched attacks.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what's really starts to rub me the wrong way?  It's governments telling us to do more things.  This morning, we've got the government coming out with yet another hotline. Sounds fancy. Sounds efficient.  It's a hotline to report road cones. A road cone tipline.  Sorry, but if the problem is that there are too many road cones on the road, and they're unnecessary for the work being carried out —which half of them appear to be— then why do you need us to tell you that? Surely if we just had better, clearer rules and less bullshit, we wouldn't need a road cone tipline. A pothole tipline. A 105 theft tipline. A beneficiary tipline. Either you know what you're doing and you've got smart people and smart systems, or you don't.  And every time I hear of another tipline I realise, they have no idea.  Tiplines are the equivalent of a safety calming measure. Those weird speed bumps or narrowing roads, designed to make people feel better when driving around. All they really do is piss people off and reveal how rubbish your road designs are to begin with.  Just think about this:  There's a bunch of road cones in a dumb place on a busy road. WorkSafe and NZTA and Council people drive past this busy spot every day.  Barbara in her little Honda Civic, she drives past. She calls it in. Barry in his truck and trailer. He calls it in. Sally picks the kids up at 3pm from school every day.  They all ring the tipline. They all report the same thing. It will then be somebody's job to sort through the tips. Somebody else will triage the tips. That's two jobs. In three weeks, Barry, Sally, and Barb get a letter. Because the post only runs two days a week.  The letter says we're looking into the issue for you.  Meanwhile, 100 government or council people have walked or driven past the road cone Armageddon and nothing's changed.  Tiplines are plasters over grenades. The only time I want to ring a tipline is speak to the actual dump.  In its first 156 days in office, the National-led government has set up 37 reviews, inquiries or advisory panels – some of which are being led by former ministers, including Bill English, Steven Joyce, Murray McCully and Roger Sowry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 3rd of June 2025, The Government's introducing new changes to Worksafe and implementing a new roadcone hotline, Parallax CEO Dave Tilton shares his thoughts on how it will work.  Ukraine and Russia have been having peace talks in Turkey, BBC Senior Russia Correspondent Olga Ivshina shares the latest.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus, Donna Demaio has all the details on the Australian PM  brushing off a push from the US to spend more on defence. 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.

Significant changes at WorkSafe as it moves from an enforcement focus and launches the road cone hotline. The agency will now engage early to support risk management, starting with today's opening of a tipline for excessive road cone usage.  Parallaxx Traffic Control Training Chief Executive Dave Tilton told Ryan Bridge there are good elements to this announcement.  He agrees with the collaborative risk-based approach, connecting WorkSafe, councils, and NZTA.  But Tilton says there are incompatible components to the hotline itself.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just 60% of Air New Zealand's trans-Tasman flights took off within 15 minutes of their scheduled time last month.   A report by the Ministry of Transport shows airline performance for April.  78% of Jetstar's flights between Australia and New Zealand left on time, and 70% for Qantas.   Aviation commentator Peter Clark told Ryan Bridge Air New Zealand's has a large fleet, which means more planes needing attention.  He says aircrafts have to be turned around, serviced, and catered every flight.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doubts many parents will be prosecuted for repeat truancy under a new Government directive.  Associate Education Minister David Seymour's confirmed these parents could be fined up to $30 a day as part of a firmer approach on school attendance.   Any possible prosecution cases will be referred to the Ministry.  Darfield High School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge they have 28 students —or 3%— who could fall into the chronic non-attendance category.  He says the vast majority have parents who are struggling financially or have health issues, and the ministry would struggle to prosecute any of them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are welcoming a proposal to remove difficult rules from the Resource Management Act.  The Government's released three discussion documents proposing amending 12 current national directions and four new ones.  They include changes to freshwater management and regulation of farming practices.  Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chair Kate Acland told Ryan Bridge the Government's addressing issues they've been highlighting for a long time.  She says the rules are complex, impractical, and in some cases, impossible to meet.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British Police are still asking the public not to speculate as to why a 53-year-old businessman drove his car into a massive crowd of people in Liverpool. Seventy nine people - among those celebrating Liverpool Football Club's league title - were hurt; seven remain in hospital. Paul Doyle faces six charges related to grievous bodily harm, and one of dangerous driving. He'll first appear in court this weekend. Doyle is a former Royal Marine, believed to have served in the 90s. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, Friday the 30th of May Full Show Podcast 2025, the Ministry of Education's been ordered to prosecute parents who who don't regularly send their children to school, Darfield school Principal Andy England shares his thoughts.  Beef and Lamb NZ are praising the government's RMA announcement Chairperson Kate Acland explains it's benefits.  New data on plane arrivals shows Air New Zealand is falling behind, Aviation Commentator Peter Clark shares his thoughts.  Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney shares the latest on police naming the man charged in relation to a car crash during the Liverpool parade.  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 price of butter's shot up 65% over the past year - you might have noticed nana's cookie jar's a bit empty lately.  Bakers are buying in bulk from the Aussies, where it's cheaper. Online discussion blames our dairy farmers, the co-op that buys their milk, and the producers who sell it.  But, there are a couple of reason its cheaper there than here.  1) We export a hell of a lot more to the world than the Aussies do.  In 2023, they exported 9.4 tonnes. We exported 441 tonnes. They exported 2% of the quantity we did.  That means our price is more susceptible to the international market price. We export most of our butter, we pay the international price.  Australia on the other hand, eats a lot more of its own and exports less.  This is good and bad. It mean we pay the trade price, yes, but it also means when the price is high, as it has been lately, our largest company Fonterra does well. Our farmers do well. They spend money here and drive growth in our economy which we all benefit from.  Yesterday we learned that means an extra $15-billion being ploughed into this economy.  2) Supply issues in Europe have pushed that global price up. Our is a premium product which is in high demand overseas. It's grass fed, more sustainable, and just tastes better. The exchange rate has also encouraged large purchases from offshore buyers.  3) When you produce a lot of something, producers will lock themselves into big international contacts because they buy greater volumes than local retailers need.  The Aussies have this problem with their gas. Australian National University business and economics lecturer David Leaney explains that they signed some big money contracts to supply a enormous amount of gas at locked-in prices. He says even though they could sell it for more domestically, they're locked into those contracts.  4) We don't know the details of the Costco cheap butter that everyone's been raving about. Is it a loss leader? Is it a marketing ploy? Discount it to get people into your store to then simultaneously buy 48 rolls of toilet paper? So yes, Kiwi butter is expensive at home. But the fact it's expensive elsewhere is actually a good thing for our country as a whole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lack of consensus at the Reserve Bank on yesterday’s cut to the OCR reflects the global economic uncertainty.  The Monetary Policy Committee has dropped the cash rate 25-basis points to 3.25%, and now expects to reach a 2.9% low-point in December.  However, further cuts are uncertain, with the bank adopting a watch and wait approach.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge they still believe we’ll get another cut next month, but it’s uncertain how far the Bank will go.  He says it’s possible we will pause at some point.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grocery Action Group is unconvinced by a proposal to rapidly add competition to the grocery sector.  The New Zealand Initiative wants the Government to introduce a "fast track pathway" to allow new entrants to enter the market, rather than forcing any break-up of the existing supermarket companies.  It includes streamlining rezoning, consenting and investment clearance processes.  The group's Sue Chetwin told Ryan Bridge it's more of a nice to have.  She says to get more competitors, the government will need to force existing supermarkets to give up some of their stores.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.