Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

KiwiSaver.  I was thinking about this at the weekend. I get why the government is doing the old switcharoo. I get it. Means test the government sweet we, halve it for everyone else… save some money.  Then we workers… and our employers… will slowly put more into the scheme… So that when it all comes out in the wash, we’re at least no worse off than before budget day.  Except that we will be worse off, because it’s us and our employers paying for it. We pay more up front. Our employers pay more up front. That’s added cost. Businesses recover cost by putting up prices, which we end up paying, or by lowering costs, like wages… which is how most of us make a living, right? So the net effect is worse for us and better for the government. Now again, I get why they need to slash spending but the irony with tinkering with KiwiSaver is this. For your average kiwi working hard and saving and planning for retirement… that’s what we’re told to do…. These changes throw all your calculations out of whack. You plan on a long-term, predictable set of circumstances. When they’re changed without warning and at random, it punishes people who are trying to do the right thing.  We need more of a heads up on changes to KiwiSaver… and more importantly… NZ Super. It’s not a matter of if but when that also gets means-tested. Even if the when is post-Winston.  Nicola Willis says she’s been giving this some thought. The future of superannuation. I’d like to know, and other hard-working Kiwi-savers I’m sure would also like to know, sooner rather than later, what those thoughts are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC are looking to book their spot in the A-League Grand Final. The club has the second leg of their A-League semi-final clash against Melbourne Victory tomorrow night. It’s the home leg for AFC – with Go Media Mount Smart Stadium expected to be a sellout with 28-thousand fans. Football Commentator and Newstalk ZB's Weekend Sport host Jason Pine told Ryan Bridge with Auckland up 1-0, he absolutely backs the team to make the final.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's defending its claim the Government's Kiwisaver changes steal 66-thousand dollars from a young person's retirement savings. The Government's halving its yearly contributions, and bringing in a cap at incomes of 180-thousand. Default employer and employee contributions will also rise to four percent. The party's finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds told Ryan Bridge halving the Government's contribution will have a big impact. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning and guess what? Things are looking up. The future's looking pretty good. Not from budget announcements themselves, necessarily, but the Treasury forecasts. We'll hit just shy of 3% growth next year. It'll average 2.9% across the next four years. Unemployment gets back below 5%. Inflation is beaten at 2%. Wages grow faster than costs at 2.7%. These are the best forecasts we have, and they show that even if the global outlook gets worse, we'll still grow by a whisker shy of 3% next year. We've been talking about them all year but thank the Lord for our primary sector exports. They're in high demand. Prices are up. Payouts are up. Tourism is coming back back on, albeit slowly. Finally, after effectively two years of going backwards, and four years of feeling very poor, things look like they're finally turning a corner. The good old days are coming back. But the pain isn't over yet. The forecasts have us actually going backwards 0.8% this year. And you can feel that and see it some of the confidence, employment, card spending and PSI data we spoke about the other day. The services sector is still in contraction, unlike most of our trading partners. The government surplus is also a fly in the ointment. Despite average growth of almost 3% a year for the next four years, Nicola Willis won't, in any of them, return to books surplus and actually start paying down the debt. Debt's costing us more than Defence, Police, Corrections, Justice, and Customs combined. It peaks at 46% in 2028 and won't come down below 40% target in this forecast period. Why not? Net debt doubled under the last lot and your net borrowing is still increasing as a proportion of the economy, and the economy's going to grow. Nicola Willis says this would have required harsher cuts to health and education. If you were running a business, you'd gut the costs out because there's more fat to trim. But she's not running a business, she's running a country. Cut too deep and your risk being turfed out in 2026 and the next lot reversing all the cuts anyway. In a way, deep cuts are less sustainable, politically, than smaller, incremental ones. That's not to take away from the growth track. The question of reliability is a reasonable one to ask. Treasury's been wrong before. The elephant in the White House is, of course, Donald Trump. He's to economists what cyclones are to meteorologists, quite hard to predict with accuracy. Trying to nail down an accurate forecast is like trying to whack a pinata, blindfolded, and drunk. So all of this is to say that finally, on the whole, you'd have to feel a bit more hopeful about the future of this country today than you did yesterday.          See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwisaver changes in this year's budget are expected to have long term benefits, but it might be a tough road for some to get there. While the Government's halving its contribution,  its also gradually increasing the default rate from 3 to 4 percent. Analysis from the Retirement Commission says the vast majority of salary and wage earners will eventually have higher retirement savings. Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub told Ryan Bridge these long term benefits will come with short term pain. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 23 May. 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.

The primary sector's going gangbusters, with a billion-dollar monthly trade surplus for the first time in five years.  Stats NZ data reveals it sat on $1.4 billion in April, compared with a $12 million deficit for the same time last year.  The dairy sector's been the big winner.  Federated Farmers Dairy Chairperson Richard McIntyre told Ryan Bridge a lot of dairy farmers have smiles on their faces.  He says they're proud of their contribution to the economy, and the wider standard of living they help Kiwis generate.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's soon going to see if the Government will stay true to its proclaimed 'year of growth'.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hours away from unveiling her second budget and is promising no frills or excess.   It's been slowly teasing figures, with a vast majority of initiatives being funded through cost-savings and cuts.  Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge it'll need a sufficient response to where the country is at.  He says businesses will be looking for strong, clear evidence of the "going for growth" agenda.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Providing I make it to 65, and you don't count your blessings, but assuming for a second that I do, I don't expect I'll be receiving the full pension.  And you know what? I'd rather receive less, at a later age, than pay more taxes through my working life. In 2006, the number of Kiwis aged 65+ was 495,000. It's increasing by about 80 people a day and is likely to reach 1 million by 2028. By 2050? 1.5 million.  Compared to the OECD, we have the highest basic pension paid from general taxes. With fewer young people working to support it, Treasury has long forecast a cost blowout and the need for much higher taxes to afford this system.  Personally, I'd like to take a pass on that.  With about another 30 years on the clock before reaching this magical age, how much extra tax must I pay?  Which colour government will be in charge when the inevitable happens?  Why can't I instead invest my own money, and with the help of compounding returns, hopefully set myself up for my own retirement? Whatever measly amount I might get, I don't expect to get at 65. The UK, Australia, Denmark, US, Germany France and the Netherlands have all increased the age threshold. We will of course do the same at some point.  Like most Kiwis, I hope, and again, you don't count your blessings, will have invested wisely and saved adequately to feed and house myself.  If that changes, then a means tested system should always be a safety net.  But at some point, it'll have to move from Think Big, to think Smaller. NZ Super will have to go on a diet.  Crash dieting is never a sustainable way to trim the fat. Smaller, incremental changes over a long period of time afford best results.  The same is true of NZ Super. And if the choice is higher taxes for 20 or 30 years instead of me investing that money myself. I'd back myself over the State any day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has identified increased foreign investment as an important strategy to raise economic growth. Shane Jones told Ryan Bridge to pay attention through the course of the day. He says if we're not happy about using coal we have to think of other ways to boost the gas industry and interest in New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 22nd of May 2025, It's Budget day today, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges and Council of Trade Unions Economist Craig Renney tell Ryan Bridge what we can expect.  Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is making a case for Octopus farming, he tells Ryan why it could benefit us.  We had a trade surplus of 1.4 billion dollars in April... the first time we've topped the billion dollar mark in five years, Richard McIntyre Federated Farmers Dairy Chairperson shares what it means for exporters.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on South African President Ramaphosa is meeting President Trump.  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.

Z Energy is looking to top up the supermarket conversation.  Newsroom reports the gas station chain is expanding its grocery offering as part of a diversification push.  Chief Executive Lindis Jones says it will target customers looking for convenience between their large shops – for snacks or staples.  Monopoly Watch spokesperson Tex Edwards told Ryan Bridge it's still not going to solve competition between supermarkets, which is hurting the economy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Postponement of the Privileges Committee recommendations in Parliament gives National a chance to take the moral high ground.  The debate of the suspension recommendations for those who did a haka during the Treaty Principles Bill's vote last year was adjoined after 20 minutes.  The Leader of the House Chris Bishop moved the vote until June 5th, to leave this week free for the Budget.   Political commentator Brigitte Morten told Ryan Bridge National clearly showed they know how to use the rules of Parliament.  She says they've therefore been able to take the high ground and let the Te Pati Māori MPs be there for the Budget.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report from JLL says almost 255-thousand square metres of new retail space is needed over the next five years, to meet demand. It says Kiwi consumers still value in-store shopping, despite the rise of online shopping. Retail NZ's Ann-Marie Johnson says told Ryan Bridge this shows there's a positive future for retail following a tough period for the industry. She says we've been through cycles like this before - and it will eventually end. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 21st of May 2025, House leader Chris Bishop revealed a last-minute decision to delay the vote on Te Pati Maori's privileges committee punishment, Political commentator Brigitte Morten shares her thoughts. A new report from JLL we need nearly 250,000 square metres of new retail space in the next five years to keep up with demand, Retail NZ's Ann-Marie Johnson shares her thoughts. Z energy wants to roll out grocery offerings, Monopoly Watch Spokesperson Tex Edwards tells Ryan Bridge what this will mean for competition in the grocery sector.  Plus Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK suspending trade talks with Israel and summoning its ambassador. 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.

Politics is all about perception and the perception of his last time on the ninth floor was bad for three reasons.  Crime - they were too soft.  Spending - too much waste. And debt - too much with nothing to show for it. All of this fed into the cost-of-living crisis. Basically, Labour was too loose on the purse strings and the gangs, too harsh on businesses and middle New Zealand.  Yesterday, Hipkins stood up in the Parliament and argued for shorter sentences for some MPs after gun-gesture-gate.  Arguing for a reduced sentence from 21 days to 1 day was ill-advised.  No matter where you sit on the actual debate, politically for Chippy in the eyes of the middle voter, it was a bad move.  Arguing for a 95% discount on sentencing just plays into a narrative they ought to avoid like the plague.  That was strike three.  Strike two came earlier in the day on debt.  He refused to commit to the debt ceiling of 50% of GDP.  It's the sacred threshold Treasury warns we shouldn't cross.  It's the same threshold even Grant Robertson said we shouldn't cross.  The same threshold even ol' Barb from accounts said we shouldn't cross a day earlier.  So now National can run around till the election screaming "debt monster" till their blue in the face and won't be wrong until he commits otherwise.  Strike one came courtesy of the Greens last week.  The mad-hatter alternative budget... the plan so toxic it'd kill growth like roundup on your weeds.  Chippy first said he hadn't read it, which nobody believed. Then he said he'd read it and wouldn't rule anything out. So, he might allow some or all of the roundup to be sprayed on our economic prosperity.  Then he says some of the stuff was bad, some was okay, but not committing to anything.  Obviously, this is the high tide mark on a Green party negotiating position post-election and most of won't actually happen. In the same way the privileges committee thing is not that big of a deal to most voters.  But politics is about perception. And perception is reality. It's three own goals in a week. Three strikes for Chippy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view that AI could be used as a tool in school exams in the future.  NZQA investigated 876 alleged exam breaches last year, and almost 60 involved AI.  Principals believe the technology was used in some of the 200-odd authenticity breaches.  Canterbury University Associate Professor of Digital Education Kathryn MacCallum told Ryan Bridge AI use is seen as cheating, which isn't always true.  She says writing an essay can still be an assessment of a student's learning with AI, we just need to change the way we assess.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament's Speaker will hold all the power in today's vote on three Te Pati Māori MPs.  The Privileges Committee's proposing 21-day suspensions for the party's leaders, and a seven-day suspension for MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for their behaviour at last year's Treaty Principles Bill vote.   The public gallery will be closed for safety and security reasons.  Political Commentator Liam Hehir told Ryan Bridge the punishment is unprecedented but so is the offence.  He says the suspension needs to be looked at in the context that these were never before seen actions.  Hehir says it's an unusual situation, as the debate technically has no time limit.   He says Speaker Gerry Brownlee has the unique ability to regulate how long people speak, tell them if they're repeating themselves and close off debate.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government's set aside $65 million over four years to loosen the capitalisation rules for investors that could be putting them off.   Infrastructure NZ chief executive Nick Leggett says told Ryan Bridge this sends a signal to the world that New Zealand wants partners for building infrastructure. He says if people want a stronger economy and money to pay for schools and hospitals, infrastructure is vital to that. The Government's also allocating $10 million to help start-ups attract staff by deferring taxes on shares. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 20th of May 2025, the Government's announced it will allow foreign businesses to fund a bigger chunk of their investments in New Zealand through tax deductible debt, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett shares what this will mean for investment in infrastructure.  Educators are cracking down on the use of AI in school exams, Dr Kathryn MacCallum Associate Professor of Digital Education Futures at University of Canterbury shares her thoughts.  Parliament votes on the decision to suspend three Te Pati Maori MPs today, Columnist and Political commentator Liam Hehir tells Ryan Bridge what he thinks will happen from here.  Plus, Donna Demaio has the latest on a new species of octopus found off the West Australian coast. 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.

Government debt is the worst it’s been since the 1990s but today, two days out from a Budget designed to fix it, our Parliamentarians be debating a haka.  The public largely doesn’t care about this stuff. Pocketbook politics always trumps theatrics - except if you're Te Pati Māori. No matter how today’s debate over the Privileges Committee report goes, and it could go on for a long time, Te Pati Māori wins. A loss for them in our Westminster system, what we might think of as a sanction or punishment, is to them a badge of honour. Already their well-followed social accounts are beating the drum of discontent.  There are some who say that 21 days without pay is too harsh. People are comparing the haka and Debbie’s gun gesture to Brooke's C-bomb.  They miss an important point.  Both the c-bomb and the haka were pre-planned choreographed stunts. The difference between the two is Brooke asked the Clerk in advance of her stunt if she was allowed to use the word. The answer was yes. Te Pati Māori did not. Brooke’s stunt did not disrupt a vote being taken in the House. Te Pari Māori's did.  Voting is the essence of democracy, where the elected express the views of the electors. It’s Parliament’s Holy Communion.  And nobody’s yet said sorry. That doesn’t mean the punishment a slim majority of government members voted for is not overly harsh.  The Clerk reckons it is. Brownlee clearly reckons it is. The Opposition reckons it is. Does the punishment really fit the crime? Or have standards slipped so badly, the House such a hot mess, that a precedent and a message needs to be sent?  The public, largely, doesn’t care. The question today is how long will National let this debate drag on with amendments and filibustering before a compromised is reached? Winston and Seymour will be hardliners, of course. As will the Greens and TPM. But for the bigger parties the risk is if you play politics over policy for too long you look childish.  The only winners from today’s sideshow will be the minnows and, of course, the rest of us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC have beaten Melbourne Victory by one point. It means the team is one game away from making the grand final. Newstalk ZB’s Andrew Alderson talks to Ryan Bridge about the game, Super Rugby over the weekend and Ryan Fox’s dreams coming true. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

London and the EU will hold their first bilateral summit tomorrow since Brexit. It’s a big moment for the bilateral bitterness provoked by Brexit. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey says it’s ‘a really significant moment.’ LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government will officially announce its annual budget this Thursday. It comes as Wellington’s economy has been particularly hit hard over the past 12 months. The capital’s seen public service job cuts, people working from home and slow infrastructure. What does the city need from the budget? Business Central CEO Simon Arcus talks to Ryan Bridge ahead of the budget. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Monday 19th of May Full Show Podcast 2025, the Government's committing $164 million over four years for five new 24/7 urgent healthcare clinics, Health Minister Simeon Brown has the details.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekends sport.  It's budget week this week, Business Central CEO Simon Arcus tells Ryan Bridge what's on the business Wishlist.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the EU and UK hold their first bilateral summit since Brexit. 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.

Improvements to urgent care are set to roll out over the next four years.  The Government is increasing funding by 164 million dollars - 41-million dollars a year.  Health Minister Simeon Brown says it will take pressure off the rest of the health system, especially our overburdened EDs.  He's laid out the order that each region will get the boost. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's a question for your Monday morning.  If somebody came up to you on the street and asked for DOB, next of kin, phone number, personal address, your interests, sports and hobbies.... what would you say?  Bugger off. Why do you want all that? What will you do with it? Do you need it?  and yet, when some random business asks you this stuff while you're buying shampoo or a computer mouse on the internet, we happily give it away, hand it over, pay for our loot (using a credit card number and password, then promptly think nothing more of it.  The reason we do this is because we're asked to do it. And we often don't have much choice.  If you don't answer those pesky questions with the asterisk on them.... you can't get the thing that yo want. Even if you've paid.  Privacy Commissioner has a new survey out. Survey says F-off, basically.  Two-thirds say protecting their personal information now a major concern in their lives (yes, major. Presumably up there with death and a mortgage) 80% say they want more control over it. Honestly, why does my hairdresser need to know my date of birth when I'm booking an appointment?  Does it tell them how thin my hair might be at a certain age?  Do they need my address to ship my cut hair back to me after its swept off the floor?  Do they need my surname because it may denote frailty in my follicles passed down through generations?  No. It's because they can ask for it. So, they do.  They make money off, presumably.  Honestly, my online supermarket and electricity provider know more intimate details about me than some of the ex's.  We regularly reveal more personal details to Countdown than we would a first date! Companies here can basically ask you anything. You often have to answer. They must take reasonable steps to keep keeping it secret.  Then along comes the hackers. Then it's all out the window.  The EU has strict rules... Business must give you option to reject cookies. Informed consent. Only ask for stuff related to what you're buying or doing. AND you have the right to change or delete the info companies hold open you.  You could avoid the internet altogether but that train's sort of left the station. So, can I suggest a question for businesses? Could you please stop asking us so many damned irrelevant and annoying questions? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A large social services provider is welcoming the Government's new cross-sector social investment approach.  The Social Investment Fund is receiving $190 million in this years budget, aiming to invest in social services early to prevent future harm and save costs.  Social Service Providers Aotearoa CEO Belinda Himiona told Ryan Bridge it allows the work to be tracked across different government agencies.  She says it allows them to tackle the hard cases, not just one contract dealing with a particular issue like education.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC are heading across the ditch for the first leg of the A-League semifinal.  They’re facing off against the Melbourne Victory at Melbourne's AAMI Park on Saturday, before returning home to Mt Smart for the second leg.   CEO Nick Becker told Ryan Bridge they want to go in there tomorrow night and lay down their intentions.  He says the team won’t take anything for granted.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 16th of May 2025, Social investment is getting a boost, Belinda Himiona from Social Service Providers Aotearoa CEO shares her thoughts on $190 million going towards a new social investment fund.  Putin didn't turn up for peace talks with Ukraine, Kyiv based foreign policy and security analyst Jimmy Rushton tells Ryan Bridge what happens from here.  it's all go this weekend for Auckland FC ahead of the semi-final clash against Melbourne Victory on Saturday, Auckland FC Boss Nick Becker tells Ryan what we can expect.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the UK PM is in talks about sending failed asylum seekers abroad. 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.

Questions have been raised over what can actually be achieved today with Russia and Ukraine both backing away from sending their leaders to peace talks in Turkey. After the Kremlin confirmed it's sending low-level official Vladimir Medinsky, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decided to send his Defence Minister instead. Zelenskyy says Russia isn't serious about real talks after he'd challenged Vladimir Putin to be there in person.  Kyiv based foreign policy analyst Jimmy Rushton told Ryan Bridge essentially, Putin had challenged Zelenskyy first. The timing of the meeting remains unconfirmed.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buongiorno! Italia is going to host the 38th America's Cup in summer 2027.  The Auld Mug once again heads to European waters - the first time the Italians will play host. They've had the World Series but never the big one. It'll be Mt Vesuvius in the background, not Rangitoto. Pizza lining the bellies of fans, not fish and chips. Auckland has missed, which we already knew. Athens has missed out. Giorgia Meloni's excited. Luna Rossa, obviously pumped.  But the question for you this morning: do you wake up feeling jealous? Was there a pit of disappointment in your stomach? Do we lambaste our messily, stingy government for not prioritising a sailing race?  My feelings are, well it's nice they have somewhere to sail and good luck to them.  But I don't feel FOMO. We were on the hook for tens of millions of dollars - Wayne hasn't got his bed tax, yet.  Politically, it was the right call, too.  Imagine with this announcement coming a week out from Budget Day the outcry from the unions and Opposition. You're spending how much on men sailing round the harbour while cutting women's pay? Can you just imagine it? Plus, when we debated all this a few months back, we didn't know at that point Dalton was quietly walking away contract negotiations with Peter Burling.  So, we would have spent millions a race for a boat with an Aussie at the helm, not our beloved Burling.  And that's fine. We've had one before in Glen Ashby, but there's no doubt the preference was for Burling to continue. Grant Dalton told me that at the time.  But there's a bigger point here. When times are tough, when the kitty's running on low, you can't afford the nice to haves.  For Team New Zealand, that was Burling. For us, it was the competition itself.  And if you're worried Dalton has regrets about Auckland failing to get a look in, take a look at the press release for today's announcement.  He say's Italians, not us Kiwis, are quote "the most passionate and engaged America’s Cup audience in the world and the city is the best option for growing global audiences".  It's summer in Europe. If you're sailing mad, might be time to look at some flight options for a mid-winter getaway. Some difficult Captain's calls have been made, but for us, and for them, it sounds like they were necessary ones and the necessary choices are always the right ones. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US parole board will decide next month if infamous brothers serving life sentences can be freed, after their sentences have been reduced.   Erik and Lyle Menendez killed their parents in 1989.   An LA judge has now resentenced the pair to "50 years to life", with time served making them instantly eligible for parole.   US Correspondent Toni Waterman told Ryan Bridge the brothers have always maintained they killed their parents as they feared they would be killed after years of sexual abuse at the hands of their father.  She says that over the years, family members have come out and advocated for them.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stage is set in Turkey for a potentially historic meeting in a few hours between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's personally attending and has challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to do the same.  It has now been confirmed that Putin will not attend the meeting, but the Kremlin had previously refused to confirm either way.  BBC Senior Russia Reporter Olga Ivshina told Ryan Bridge that Putin follows his own logic – which is quite unpredictable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Signs of systemic failures when it comes to our children.   UNICEF's Innocenti research reveals New Zealand's recorded the highest child suicide rate of 36 countries, and ranks last for mental wellbeing.   It also finds we have one of the highest rates of child obesity and bullying.   UNICEF Aotearoa's Tania Sawicki Mead told Ryan Bridge that although some of the decrease in life satisfaction can be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, it wasn’t the only factor.  She says that the suicide rate didn’t shift significantly enough over the period pre- or post-Covid to make a dent in the statistics.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Speaker of the House is reminding MPs the rules of the House must be followed. The Privileges Committee have suggested three Te Pati Māori MPs be temporarily suspended from Parliament, ranging up to 21 days, for their role in a haka over the Treaty Principles Bill. Te Pati Māori says these suspensions are the longest in Parliament's history. Sir Lockwood Smith told Ryan Bridge members need to think before they ignore the rules. He says the three-week suspension and missing part of the budget debate will hopefully make people take notice. The recommendation will be put to the House next Tuesday and likely pass.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here’s a few c-words for your Thursday morning: communist, coalition, and crash. Crash, because that’s what’d happen to the economy if we lived in the Green utopia complete with the $88-billion tax train wreck.  Coalition, because that’s what you’d get if Labour shacks up with their neighbours on the far left. Hipkins yesterday first claimed not have read the manifesto. Whatever.  This is the manifesto of a party he could well be sitting round the cabinet table within a year from now.  He then refused to rule out anything in it. It won't rule out the hammer. And I won't rule out the sickle.  The Greens are by far Hipkins' biggest Achilles heel, and therefore Luxon’s greatest strength.  Remember the hit in the polls Labour took over "defend da police"? Here's the thing about us New Zealanders, your middle voters, we may not right now be affected by the inheritance taxes, wealth taxes, higher income taxes, the company tax hikes which would put them amongst highest in the developed world. But the problem for Hipkins and Co. is that we'd like to be.  Kiwi families would like to start a business and create a life for their families. An asset. An income. A future. They dream of working their way up the ladder to get that better salary to get that house they’ve been saving to own. They don’t think it’s fair for part of mum and dad’s life work and savings to be stolen by the state.  The election of John Key showed us families are ambitious.  They believe in themselves to do better.  They’re motivated and ready for this recession to be over so we can get on with it. I’ve never doubted that spirit in New Zealand. That spirit hasn't left for Australia, it was hidden under a rock for six years. And yes, there are social problems here too. But what we learnt from the fading days of Hipkins reign is that voters don’t trust if they give up their hard-earned money and assets, that the state has the ability or wherewithal to change any of this. To fix it. They’re like Temu versions of a Michael Joseph Savage. Many of the houses he built still stand, building never started on most of Chippy's. And that brings us to the final C word: communist, because what else do you call them?  The Greens are planning a roadshow after their pre-Budget announcement.  My only question for Chlöe, Mārama and Co. is: will you be travelling to these towns and cities by bicycle or will be flying on an aeroplane?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 15th of May 2025, Putin still hasn't confirmed he'll turn up to a meeting with Zelensky in Turkey, BBC Senior Russia Reporter Olga Ivshina has the latest.  The privileges committee has suspended the Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders and MP for Hauraki-Waikato Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for the haka in Parliament.  According to a Unicef report New Zealand has around three times the average rate for youth suicide - the worst out of 36th high-income countries, Unicef Director of Communications Tania Sawicki Mead shares her thoughts.  Plus US Correspondent from Feature Story News Toni Waterman has the latest on The possible release of the Menendez brothers and Trump announcing deals with Qatar.  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.

Cyber threats are estimated to have cost New Zealanders $1.6 billion last year.  New data from the National Cyber Security Centre has revealed half the country has been the target of online scam in the last six months.  Up to 830,000 experienced some financial loss.  Director of Mission Enablement Michael Jagusch says good cyber security practises can reduce harm.  He says it includes using two-factor authentication and having long, unique passwords on main accounts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's backtracked on requests for a ceasefire to come before talks with Russia.  He's set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey this week to discuss the Ukraine war.   This comes as Western allies in the 'Coalition of the Willing' have offered a US backed 30-day cease-fire proposal to Russia, alongside the threat of sanctions.   Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge it's still uncertain if the meeting will take place, but Zelenskyy is hopeful.  He says Zelenskyy hasn't won the introduction he'd hoped for, as he requested a ceasefire agreement first, and a meeting second.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meridian Energy's denying its purchase of Flick Electric is a takeover by New Zealand's big power companies.  The power gentailer is paying $70 million to Z Energy for Flick's 41,000 electricity customers and the brand.  It'll increase Meridian’s market share to 18%, maintaining its position as our fourth largest electricity retailer.  Meridian Energy Chief Customer Officer Lisa Hannifan told Ryan Bridge this isn't about market consolidation.  She says Flick wanted to leave the market to focus on transport and EVs, so they're pulling out of New Zealand and Australia.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 14th of April 2025, The government's looking at changes to the Kiwisaver scheme, Kiwisaver and Superfund expert Jonathan Eriksen shares his thoughts.   Half of New Zealanders were the target of online scam and fraud last year National Cyber Security Centre's Director of Mission Enablement Mike Jagusch tells Ryan Bridge what to look out for.  Meridian has bought Flicks, Chief Customer Officer Lisa Hannifin tells Ryan what this will mean for the energy sector.  Plus Uk Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on A man who has served 38 years in a UK prison for the murder of a woman having his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal after new DNA evidence emerged. 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.

New Zealand will pass an economic milestone in 2028, with the Government making it's first ever Super Fund withdrawal. The Finance Minister revealed yesterday they'll begin offset superannuation costs by withdrawing $32 million from the New Zealand Super Fund. From 2031, withdrawals are expected annually.  Superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen told Ryan Bridge it's exactly what the Superfund was set up to do. He says it's up to $80 billion currently and is generating returns of 10% per annum, with 1% of that being $80 million. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the Budget we got the same message we got from a barefoot, jandal wearing Chippy on day one of his post summer break. More debt. Borrow more and spend more.    Name an issue, pick a portfolio, any portfolio, where Labour has not criticised the government for cuts and promised to restore spending to pre-Willis levels.  The latest example is pay parity, but that is just the latest in a long and growing list of items on the wishlist.  In case they didn’t get the memo, Kiwis voted for cuts at the last election. If we’re doing our bit, the government ought to do its bit. That’s the politics of it. The economics have been up for debate. Net core crown debt has more than doubled on pre-Covid to $182 billion or 42.6% of GDP. Like our tourist arrivals, debt has unfortunately not returned to normal pre-Covid levels.  Some of this is inflation but much of it is not. There’s spending that went too far and got baked in. A couple of things to note. Yes, government debt is low compared to other OECD countries. But, the credit ratings agencies are telling us we must get back to surplus and start paying it down. If you risk a credit downgrade, then borrowing costs you more. We’re already spending more financing debt than we do on defence, Police, Corrections, Justice, and Customs combined.  And remember, we’re the shakey isles with huge exposure to trade. We need headroom to borrow big if shit hits the fan.  Ask any economist or the person who runs your household and they’ll tell you borrowing for everyday spending is a bad idea. We’ve been doing that year, after year, after year, and Willis is actually still doing more of it.  If that’s enough to convince you on debt, here’s the kicker. The real doozy.  Private debt. We have student loans and business debt and houses. We love houses. Loads of mortgages, and the problem is how much we owe and who we owe it to.  Household debt is 120% of GDP and higher than America, Spain, Germany, Ireland a bunch of other countries. What’s worse, much of it is owed to foreign banks. We don’t have enough savings to lend to ourselves.  This makes us more vulnerable as a country, keeps Reserve Bankers awake at night, explains why Nicola Willis’s knickers are always in a twist when it comes to getting the government’s debt levels down.  Willis could, and many argue, should go harder and faster as she’s still spending more than Grant Robertson.  But one thing you can be sure of, because it has come from Hipkins mouth repeatedly this week, is that spending and therefore borrowing would be higher right now had they be given a third term.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Police officer says it's beyond him why Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming would ever access porn on a work device.  McSkimming had been suspended on full-pay since December.   He was under a criminal investigation by police on unrelated different allegations, the nature of which can't be reported.   Our newsroom understands while investigating the original complaint, detectives allegedly discovered porn on one of his electronic work devices.  Former crisis negotiator Lance Burdett told Ryan Bridge it's shocking.  He says it's not the accessing of the pornography that's the problem; it's the fact it's on a police computer, which leaves it open to malware.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's Business Chamber CEO says we have nothing to lose by loosening transit visas for Chinese nationals.  Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's updated his Auckland Manifesto, laying out a Beehive to-do list.  It includes calling for the Government to reconsider loosening transit visas for Chinese Nationals, giving them more freedom for short stays in the country.  Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge it would be an easy sugar hit for the economy.  He says he can't think of single reason not to do it, as China's a lot more developed and wealthy than other South-East Asian countries.  Bridges is also backing the mayor’s renewed call for a tourist bed tax in the city.   Browns calling for the Government to reconsider an Auckland tourist bed tax, adding a small levy on short term accommodation.  Bridges told Bridge it'll help bring in funding so more major events can come to the city.  He says both central and local government are failing Auckland when it comes to major events.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If what’s they’re saying about a Flick Electric shutting up shop is true, and I’ve no reason to doubt it, then it should come as no surprise. This is a BusinessDesk report - it's owned by Z and so far, they're not saying anything. It’s one of the smaller retailers that help keep the bigger gentailers honest, but the cracks started showing ages ago. Winter 2021, they closed their books to new customers. The great wholesale price crunch hit them hard.  Last year, again, wholesale prices shot up above retail.  You can’t run a business like that, and we were warned then about what is happening now. Means little guys can’t hold on. The problem is hedging. They couldn’t afford the cost of hedging during the crunch for new customers.  That means less choice for us, and we know what that typically means for prices.  Unlike your Air New Zealand regional airfares debate this past week, there is a quick fix for this problem. At least a partial one.  The government announced to much fanfare in February that the big gentailers would no longer be allowed to offer sweetheart deals to their own lot, and transparency about those deals would be forced upon them. The generator part favouring its own tailer, but not other, smaller players. So, the odds are stacked against them and flick - out goes the lights.  So, we've known about this unfairness since at least 2021 for Flick, we've had belatedly an announcement something might change, but years later no change and another retailer bites the dust.  40,0000 customers off to, you guessed it, Meridian - one of the big gentailers. Losing Flick, if true, is another sign winter is coming, and I can’t see anybody in much of a hurry to do much about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's putting $100 million into primary and intermediate maths in this year's Budget. It will be used for maths checks in the first two years of school, to identify the students struggling with the subject.  About $40 million will go towards tutoring at intermediate level. Upper Hutt Principals' Association President Robyn Brown told Ryan Bridge there's many children with diverse needs in our schools. She says children are going to be accessing additional support for numeracy and literacy, when they need more support for their learning needs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 13th of May 2025, Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming resigns suddenly, Former Cop Lance Burdett shares his thoughts.  Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown believes Auckland's the ticket to getting our country out of recession, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges shares his thoughts.  The Government's announced $100 million of the 2025 budget will go to helping kids with maths over four years, Upper Hutt Principals Association President Robyn Brown tells Ryan Bridge whether or not it will work.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on hundreds of distressing claims of childcare abuse at one of Australia’s biggest childcare companies. 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 National Party has dropped their social media ban for under-16s and it will instead be lead by Education Minister Erica Stanford. The Prime Minister announced social media restrictions will become a part of the Government’s work programme. Stanford will work across government to explore options for legislation and bring them to cabinet for consideration. Social media parenting expert Malinda Maclean talks to Ryan Bridge about the plans. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.