Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

A seafood company says new fishing regulation proposals will hopefully reflect the leap in the industry's technology.   The Government's wanting public consultation on changes to the Fisheries Act.   It would allow catch limits to be more readily extended or reduced, and let boats with cameras installed, dump unwanted catch at sea.  Egmont Seafoods owner Keith Mawson told Francesca Rudkin parts of the system haven't changed for 40 years, but their technology's come a long way since then. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a Dominos and a Subway, but there will be no McDonald’s in Wānaka - at least at the currently proposed site. Yesterday, Commissioners declined to grant consent for a McDonalds restaurant, largely due to the location.  The proposed location was at the edge of town - where urban meets rural living. It is regarded as outside the urban growth boundary for Wānaka, at one of the town’s entrances, directly underneath magnificent Mt Iron.   A McDonalds was deemed to be at odds with rural living, the design of the building and surroundings not consistent with the landscape values of the site and its wider context. Commissioners considered reports and findings about the architecture, noise, traffic and future planning.   Queenstown Lakes District Council opened the proposal up for public submissions and of the 367 made, 340 opposed the development and 21 supported it.  While there were some who would have liked the opportunity for a Big Mac for dinner, many locals thought it would increase traffic, drink driving, litter, take business away from existing local businesses, stand out like a sore thumb, and have a visual and aesthetic impact on the town.   Their issue was – was this really a fitting gateway for a town all about healthy living and the environment, yoga and wellbeing, ditching disposable coffee cups, and slashing waste?  Or has the horse already bolted when it comes to Wānaka’s image and culture? The town’s population has increased from 10,000 to 18,000 in a decade, it's surrounded in subdivision development, and then there’s the Three Parks development not too far down the road from the proposed McDonalds site - which is home to a Mitre 10 Mega, Warehouse, and numerous other outlets.   Last night Queenstown District Deputy Mayor Quentin Smith told Andrew Dickens on Newstalk ZB’s Drive the proposed setting and McDonald's wasn't a good fit.   So did McDonalds just get it wrong – did they not read the room? Being tucked away in the Three Parks Development or the centre of town might have made it easier to gain consent. But would even that be acceptable for locals?   I say good on the folks of Wānaka – who doesn’t love a David and Goliath battle?   There are apparently over 41 thousand McDonalds in the world. There is one about an hour away from Wānaka. Does another small town need a golden arch? I personally love rolling into New Zealand towns, exploring what’s on offer, finding the best homemade pie (should out to Miles Better Pies in Te Anau), and having a chat with locals. It’s good to get away from the familiar.   Tourists don’t visit a stunning place like Wānaka because it has a McDonalds, so it comes down to the community. If the community feel it doesn’t reflect their values for whatever reasons —protecting the vista, their brand, local businesses or just plain old snobbery— then I say go for it. Fight the fight. Just like magnificent Kaikoura did. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Thursday 13th February 2025, The fishing industry is welcoming a proposed major shake up of the Fisheries Act.  Local media may soon be on a more level playing field with proposed changes suggesting global streamers could be required to invest in local kiwi content, NZ's Screen Producers guild President Irene Gardiner told Francesca Rudkin the industry has been lobbying for the change for some time.  McDonalds isn't coming to Wanaka after all, would it have ever been accepted? Francesca shares her thoughts.  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared at his first meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Wednesday to tell allies that the liberation of all Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory "is an unrealistic objective." US Correspondent Mitch Mccann shares the latest.  (Something from Contributors)  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of New Zealand Rugby's major sponsors has found itself offside with the national body.  NZR has confirmed they're launching legal action against petrochemical company INEOS for breaching a deal worth $8 million a year.  The petrochemical company hasn't paid its first 2025 instalment to have its logo on various All Blacks attire, making NZR believe they have exited their arrangement early.  INEOS claims they tried to negotiate a solution before the legal action came.  Newstalk ZB Rugby Journalist Elliott Smith told Francesca Rudkin that the company is blaming the decision on a commercial downturn in Europe.  He says they’re looking for a way to save costs, and that between their new America’s Cup team and recent acquisition of Manchester United, it’s likely they felt the NZR contract would be easiest to ditch.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group fighting youth homelessness says Kainga Ora's crackdown on rent debt will exacerbate housing insecurity.   The housing provider's announced it will terminate tenancies with people who skip rent and don't attempt to get back on track.   It says the new policy will also help it engage with tenants when rent debt is beginning to mount.   Manaaki Rangatahi Spokesperson Brooke Stanley told Francesca Rudkin they’re worries about the lack of alternatives to emergency housing that the Government is putting forward.  She says they’re also worried about the lack of strategy for addressing homelessness, as the previous plan ended in 2023 and there’s nothing in place to ensure that the work is continued.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian football player is walking away from jail time after being accused of racially harassing a Metropolitan police officer.   Sam Kerr was found not guilty by a British jury over an incident two years ago where she called an officer stupid and white.   UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Francesca Rudkin the charge could have lead to two years in prison.  He says the 31-year-old has always claimed she was antagonised by officers when she was taken to the police station following a dispute with a taxi driver.   The driver wanted clean up compensation from Kerr and her partner, for vomit and a broken window.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Whangārei Mayor believes more people will accept a decision around water fluoridation - if it comes from councils. New Zealand First's new Members Bill seeks to remove the Director General of Health's central authority on fluoridation - and mandate binding local referendums. It comes as Whangārei District Council's under fire - as the only council refusing to fluoridate under current mandates. Mayor Vince Cocurullo says told Francesca Rudkin Whangārei's never fluoridated and is probably due for a referendum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 12 February. 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.

Kainga Ora is taking a step in the right direction. They have announced a tougher approach to rental debt, but they’re doing it in a fair way which hopefully gives people who intend to pay their rent, but have hit a hurdle, a chance to get back on track.   The debt was kinda crazy. Between 2017 and 2023 the total debt owed to Kainga Ora by its tenants increased from $1million to $21 million.   Now, obviously this period included the Covid days and cost of living crisis, and it would be a little heartless for the government to kick people out of homes during a lockdown, or due to a job loss caused by an unprecedented event like a pandemic. But $21 million - it's a big number!  Kainga Ora has worked hard to reduce the debt. It’s now down from $21.6 million in January 2024 to $16.1 million this January.  It’s a good effort, but clearly things have got out of control, and we're never going to get on top of the numbers.   So the Board of Kainga Ora has decided to help some tenants with significant rent debt get on top of their debt faster. They will reduce the amount they owe down to 12 weeks’ worth of rent, and forgive the rest, if the tenant has been consistently paying rent and making reasonable payments to reduce what they owe.   This will wipe $8 million off the debt number. Which is a quick way to make the numbers look more appealing; but were they really going to recoup the money from the 2000 tenants owing more than 12 weeks? No. So, why not give people an incentive to pay.  This is a pragmatic decision, but it raises the question - what’s stopping tenants just clocking up the debt if they know it will be reduced back to 12 weeks?   Well, this is a one time offer, because from now on tenants won’t get to the point of owing more than 12 weeks’ rent.  Kainga Ora states they will be in touch much earlier if rent is missed, to have a chat and work out a payback plan.   If this doesn’t happen, if there is no intent to pay off debt, then eviction processes will begin – which could happen well before reaching the 12 week mark.   The clear message here is that the Sustaining Tenancies Framework is coming to an end. It is going to be easier to evict people, but they’ll be closely managed to prevent things getting to that point, if possible.  I think we’d all agree people deserve an opportunity to get back on track, and the last thing we want to see is an unnecessary increase in homelessness.    As Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said yesterday “While most Kāinga Ora tenants are great tenants who respect the properties, are good neighbours and pay their rent on time, some need a little more tautoko and encouragement to do the right thing.”   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to speak with Donald Trump as tariffs loom.  The US President has said he will announce a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the country, on top of already existing metal duties.  He implemented a similar policy in his first term, but later granted partners like Australia duty-free quotas.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Andrew Dickens the Albanese Government has been preparing for such a decision.  She says it’s been reported that attempts to secure exemptions have been developed behind the scenes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A greater push for foreign investment in national infrastructure is being warmly received by the sector.   The Government's unveiled plans for a two-day international summit next month where it's inviting 100 global investment leaders.   It plans to highlight investment opportunities, hint at policy changes, and market growing industries.   Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett says the Government's aware it can't fill the infrastructure deficit on its own.   He says foreign investment is a way of helping while making infrastructure perform better.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A banking expert believes New Zealand First's move to fine banks for withdrawing services on environmental or social grounds misunderstands the situation.  MP Andy Foster has introduced a bill to the members' ballot in a bid to ensure banks make withdrawal decisions on a purely commercial basis, with fines of up to half a million.   Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Andrew Dickens the move is not surprising but misses the point of why banks are making these choices.   She says the banks decisions are based on risk management, which under the introduced legislation would still be possible, meaning it won't make the difference the party's looking for.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economy has set the mood for the latest political polling.  Both the Taxpayers' Union Curia poll and the 1 News Verian poll show the left bloc has the numbers to form a government if an election was held today.  Both also have Chris Luxon losing support in the preferred Prime Minister stakes.  Political commentator Brigitte Morten told Andrew Dickens some of the Government's announcements on the economy won't be flowing through yet.  She says a lot of them are also around economic growth, rather than moves that are going to affect households. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It only took nearly twenty years to address, but high school rowing teams will no longer be able to have year 14 students in their crews. These were young people in their 6th year of secondary school.  They gave their crews an advantage because they’d had an extra year of training and development.  It's been a bugbear of many schools wanting a level playing field. Many of the year 14s were back at school finishing their academic work so they could take advantage of rowing scholarships, but the schools still included them in their rep crews. Critics of that decision said the problem was not just the young adults themselves but also the others at school who missed out on a place because of the year 14s. The first moves to police the practice involved age limits, but it still saw year 14 students with birthdays just after the cutoffs competing.  They still brought the advantage of an extra year of training. So now year 14s are gone. And that’s a good thing.  It’s stopped the attitude of schools who believed in win at any cost. It’s returned fairness in sport. And it showed those struggling with rules on trans gender athletes who have been through puberty that it’s possible to be fair if you’re clear minded and decisive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 11th February 2025, Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett tells Andrew Dickens wants he wants to see come out of the Government's two-day Foreign Investment summit.  Claire Matthews, Associate Professor at the Massey University Business school shares her thoughts on an New Zealand First members bill which intends to stop banks withdrawing services from customers for "woke" reasons.  And two recent polls give lean to the left block and spell trouble for the coalition, Political Commentator Brigette Morten gives her take. Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on how Donald Trump's new steel tariffs will impact Australia.  Kendrick Lamar's Superbowl half time show featured latest Grammy winning dis track "Not like us", his brutal takedown of rap rival Drake which earned one billion streams on Spotify.  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.

England played France in a good 'good old rugby' showdown over the weekend, beating the French side by just one point. Fans are bringing into question Warren Gatland's coaching abilities after a 14th straight defeat for Wales.  Newstalk ZB's Andrew Alderson joins the show for a rundown of the weekend's sport.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is replacing the current visa settings with two new categories that will see visa settings relaxed.  In a bid to encourage more foreign investment, the Government is introducing the balanced category and the growth category, the latter requiring a minimum a $5 million invested for a minimum of three years.  Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges explains the change to Andrew Dickens.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have begun to unplug from Russia's electricity grid and join the EU's network, more than three decades after leaving the Soviet Union.  The three nations will officially transition away from the grid that has connected them to Russia since the years after World War Two and integrate with the European supplied via Poland. UK Correspondent Gavin Gray talks to Andrew Dickens about the separation, a British couple that was found murdered in their French home, and the auctioned-off first edition Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is officially Super Bowl Sunday in the US! The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Louisiana's Superdome in New Orleans in what is to be a star studded night in sport.  Taking the stage in the half time show performance is rapper Kendrick Lamar.  Sirius XM Radio host Ben Harlum joins the show live from the Super Bowl.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’d like to applaud the outbreak of common sense exhibited by the new Minister of Transport, Chris Bishop. He has decided to revisit some of the blanket speed limits imposed by central Government in the wake of concerns by locals. Let me first say it is the new Government that has imposed blanket speed limits not the last. This new Government has determined that all speed limits should be either 50, 100 or occasionally 11km per hour over all roads. No matter the condition of the roads, their usage or their ability to cope with the higher speeds. They used the phrase blanket speed limits which was a great vote catcher but had little to do with the situation on the ground. The old Government left most speed limits in the hands of local authorities who maintain and operate local roads.   Their roads, their rules. The Labour Government issued a schedule of over 300 sections of road on the state highway network which are the only roads they control. This schedule was put in place over dangerous roads, badly built roads but mostly they were around rural schools who were concerned at motorists screaming past at pick up time at 100 km. Now Chris Bishop has indicated that he will listen to local concerns. Which is a good thing. Because until you use a road you don’t know what an appropriate limit is.   And there’s no way a central Government locked in Wellington has any idea of the local reality. Meanwhile on behalf of all classic car owners who own the most serviced and beautiful cars on the road can I also praise Chris for his common sense one more time. The changes to the warrant of fitness system for cars over 40 years old is a no brainer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Monday 10th February 2025, Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Bridges shares his thoughts on the Government relaxing Visa settings to encourage more foreign investment. We head to the US where Superbowl Sunday is underway, Ben Harlum a Radio host at Sirus XM paints a picture of the big day. We get an update on the weekend's sport - Black Caps batter Rachin Ravindra suffered a sickening blow to the head after he appeared to misjudge a catch during their One-Day International victory over Pakistan. And Tiaan Whelpton for setting the second fastest time by a New Zealand 100 metres runner. Andrew applauds the outbreak of common sense exhibited by the new Minister of Transport, Chris Bishop. More than three decades after leaving the Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have begun to unplug from Russia's electricity grid and join the EU's network, Gavin Gray shares the latest. Get the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US allies are broadly rejecting Donald Trump's plans for a US takeover of the Gaza strip.  The US President has again doubled down on the idea, posting on social media that Israel will turn over Gaza to the US when fighting has "concluded".  He's also reiterating his plan to resettle Palestinians in new housing elsewhere in the Middle East.  Correspondent Vincent McAviney says US allies in Europe and the Middle East aren't criticising Trump directly, but they aren't supporting the idea.  He says leaders have been restating their support for a two-state solution, with Palestinians being able to keep their land.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to double its funding of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust.  The trust was established to encourage protection of natural and cultural features on private land, without selling or donating it.  But its base government funding runs out in June and is warning it will have to scale back the new covenants it can support.  Vice-president Colin Hurst says the $4.3 million in funding hasn't increased in 10 years, but demand for it has.  He says it's increased from 4,000 to 5,200 covenants —around 28 percent— with no extra funding.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More details have been revealed about a potential deal between the Cook Islands and China.  It's being reported that Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will travel to Beijing today, where he's expected to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.  MFAT says it would have expected our Government to be consulted by the Pacific nation before such an arrangement is struck, under the free association model.  Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller told Andrew Dickens the Cook Islands PM has said it's economic focused.  He says it will not contain defence and security, and it's likely to be a comprehensive strategic partnership, something New Zealand signed with China back in 2014.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the country's most iconic multi-sport events returns today.  The first day of the South Islands' Coast to Coast kicks off from Kumara Beach, with athletes biking, kayaking, and running to Christchurch's New Brighton Beach.  Around 1,700 participants are competing in the 43rd edition of the event.  Race director Glen Currie told Andrew Dickens Klondyke Corner will be an unusually busy spot, full of spectators and competitors.  He says the odd tramper is normally the only one at the Arthurs Pass National Park campsite, but there will be seven thousand people there tonight.  Records could also be broken this year.  Currie says that Simone Maier is going for a sixth win in tomorrow’s Longest Day event, which would give her the most wins for any female ever.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last thing I did before the Waitangi day holiday was talk to Kieran McAnulty about the financial strife surrounding Kainga Ora, and it's bugged me ever since.  The Labour Housing Spokesperson denied the agency was in financial difficulty.  He told me that Housing New Zealand's asset base was so large there was no problem borrowing more money to keep its construction schedule on track.  And that bugged a lot of you too.  The typical response was typical socialist – just borrow more and more to fund your ideological programme.  But it doesn't really have anything to do with your political bent, it's basic fiscal management.  The world is full of people who have the assets to borrow whatever they like, but the devil in the detail is whether they have the capacity to pay it back.  Increasingly we don't.  Yes, our debt is internationally insignificant and still not at an extreme level.  We're not the UK or the United States who have debt ratios over 100% of GDP, and we're certainly not like Japan who has a debt of over 250% of GDP – a country that's stuck with stagflation and has been since the 1990s.  But we're still heavily indebted and our cashflow is poor.  And what Kieran and the Labour Party don't realise is that is the principal reason they no longer control the Treasury benches.  Yes, there were sideshows like the gender war, Māori relations, and benefit levels.  But at the core of Labour's electoral collapse was the feeling that they were not fiscally prudent and that recklessness with debt was not the right direction for the country.  It's a lesson for the current government, who, for all their posturing that they are the most prudent fiscal managers, are still running deficits, falling further into debt, and the timing of future surpluses is sliding ever further into the future.  Deficits mean borrowing, and New Zealanders are not happy voting for anyone who commit us to that track. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Friday 7th February 2025, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mike Brown is travelling to Beijing today where he is expected to sign a major partnership deal between the Cook Islands and China. Geoffrey Miller explains what it means for New Zealand.  Federated Farmers are calling on the Government to double the amount of funding landowners get to help protect special areas and species on private farming land.  Andrew shares his thoughts around Kainga Ora's new plan.  And UK and Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney shares the latest on the State of Emergency declared in the popular Greek island Santorini, after days of earthquakes.   Get the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens 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 announced a funding boost for Māori economic development projects on the eve of Waitangi Day.  Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says $7.1 million will go towards three projects in Northland and Taranaki.  He says a major infrastructure upgrade at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is going well, and some new facilities will be open in time for this year's celebrations.   Senior Political Reporter Sophie Trigger is on the ground and told Andrew Dickens it's set to be a busy day, with politicians arriving this morning.   She says last year there was a separate powhiri for Government and Opposition, but they'll all be arriving side-by-side today.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The opposition is criticising Kainga Ora's turnaround plan.  The Government's told the landlord to focus on its core service: social housing.  It's announced savings including ending sustainable housing certification requirements and shedding a quarter of its staff.  Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty told Andrew Dickens he's perplexed that the Housing Minister calls this a success.  He says the need for social housing continues to grow and the governments answer is to not build houses.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week it was the perennial should he or shouldn’t he go debate about the Prime Minister.  Personally, I’d always go to Waitangi if I were Prime Minister, even if it was just for one of the days of ceremonies.  The Air Force is weak but they’re perfectly capable of getting him to both Waitangi and Akaroa if he wanted to.  It’s said his non-attendance is a snub of Māori but there’s another way of looking at it.  He could be staying away because he doesn’t want to ruffle Māori feathers.  He has publicly said repeatedly that the Treaty Principles Bill is going nowhere so why go somewhere where he’ll get the heat for something he’s never intended to do?  David Seymour can go and is.  It’s David’s baby and he’s more than happy to stand to it. He’ll take the heat, and he’ll give it back  But our PM doesn’t want to go somewhere where he’ll be yelled at for something he won’t do.  So maybe this isn’t a snub of Māori but it is one of his right wing supporters. They are getting increasingly vocal that they’ve been sold a damp squib. That he’s no different to the other mob. A liberal. A globalist. A Māori apologist. And worst of all, a man without a plan.  His weekly media round is becoming increasingly fractious with all sides demanding he actually do something more than cutting all spending.  Questions about policy is being answered repeatedly with “we’re looking at that down the track”. Which is this year’s version of working groups and announcements of announcements.  Hopefully Christopher Luxon has a pleasant time at Akaroa Harbour because that’s the way he likes it.  A quiet deferential crowd who loves the PM just because he’s the PM. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 5 February. 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.

An economist says some groups of people will be hit harder by rising unemployment. The country's labour market data for the final quarter of 2024 will be released this morning.  Most experts predict the unemployment rate will rise from 4.6-percent to about 5-percent.  ASB senior economist Mark Smith told Andrew Dickens the Wellington region's likely to be heavily impacted He says it picks up in the younger age group, because what typically happens is the last ones into the labour market are the first ones out. Smith says some ethnic groups will also be effected, like Maori and Pacific Islanders. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ageing population is playing into an increase in urban Land Search and Rescue missions.  Over the past six months, the volunteer group's been called on 23% more year-on-year.  It's meant 22% more volunteer responders have been deployed.  Chief development and project officer, Johnny Franklin told Andrew Dickens that alongside alpine and bush rescues, urban rescues have been of particular concern.  He says urban rescues account for about 25% of operations and is expected to increase as the population gets older.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An environmental law professor says it wouldn't make sense to pull out of the Paris Agreement.   Speaking to The Country, ACT Leader David Seymour's floated the idea of New Zealand leaving the agreement, suggesting it appears half the world is leaving.  It follows US President Donald Trump pulling the United States from the climate deal.  Waikato University's Dr Nathan Cooper told Andrew Dickens that while the US is leaving, other big players are likely to stay.  He says climate change, which is what the Paris Agreement is there to respond to, is a global challenge.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mortgage broker is advising people to hedge their bets as uncertainty continues over upcoming Official Cash Rate announcements.   Centrix is hoping the Reserve Bank will make more cuts, as its latest Credit Indicator report shows almost half a million New Zealanders are behind on repayments, with consumer arrears levels up 1.3%.  Key Mortgages' Jeremy Andrews told Andrew Dickens people shouldn't necessarily hope rates will drop.   He suggests fixing loans midterm, adding he's never seen so many people with floating rates.   The next OCR announcement is due in a fortnight on February 19.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suddenly it’s tough to get a job.  Which is amazing, because just a few years ago we had jobs for everyone and then some.  Now we learn teenagers in search of their first job are struggling to land anything in the current employment market - some searching for as long as two years.  And you can see why.  In tough times you need experienced workers, and with so many experienced workers losing their jobs there is suddenly a cohort of older workers who are taking the jobs the youngsters used to get.  And you can’t blame the older guys. You need to ditch your humility and concentrate on cashflow to survive in 2025.  But the older generation is feeling the heat too.  Old workers are finding it harder and harder.  They may have the knowledge but bosses younger than them wonder about how many years they can give to the company, particularly when the super looms, the kids have left, and the mortgage is paid.  It’s said that we need to be a meritocracy again. Hire the best person for the job. Ditch the DEI.  You know the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – the stuff that's seen as a pretension.  So, if that’s an anathema then surely we should be hiring the experienced guys even if they can only give five years, and we should be hiring the kids who, with a bit of investment, will pay their way back for 25 years.  The real endangered class should be the middle management who seem to always be looking for reasons not to hire a person. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 4th of February 2025, our future involvement in the Paris Agreement's up in the air, with David Seymour hinting at ACT campaigning on leaving the accord after the 2026 Election.  Over the last six months, there's been a significant increase in search and rescue operations, compared to the year before. NZ Land Search and Rescue’s Johnny Franklin discussed the rising count.  New Centrix data shows reported financial hardship increased 19% in the past year, most of those cases were down to mortgage repayment issues.  Andrew shares his thoughts on youth struggling to get any work experience in the current job market.  Plus, Donna Demaio shares the latest on the 17 year old teenager who died in a shark attack.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country is desperate to go for growth. The question is: how? We got 3 points of view over the weekend - Friday it was the turn of Matthew Hooten. His piece was called New Zealand needs a strategic approach to building wealth like Singapore's Temasek. Temasek own and manage assets that are held directly by its government. They operate a major bank and insurance company, Singapore airlines, the country’s main port, and a load of other things. It's as if we’ve been investigating it for decades. Even Grant Robertson was interested but nothing’s ever happened. So it has cross party appeal, but why hasn’t it happened? Who knows. Ask the politicians - all talk no action.  On Sunday, it was the turn of Don Brash and Michael Reddell who in a shared piece said our problem is our low productivity. No kidding! Every politician says that and none have come up with an answer. Brash and Reddell's only proffered solution is to lower company tax rates to attract overseas and local investment. They claim we have the one of highest company tax rates in the world, which is balderdash. We sit at 28 per cent. Australia at 30, the US and the UK around 26. We're slightly above median and no disrespect to Don Brash, you had terms as a reserve bank governor and leader of a couple of political parties and plenty of opportunities to lift productivity and failed. then there was Sam Stubbs who said if we’re selling public assets lets sell them to new Zealanders like super funds so the wealth stays in New Zealand instead of being exported. To me that’s the key. Stop saying productivity and start saying wealth creation.   find out how to make or supply stuff that the world wants and then keep the profits and the workers in New Zealand, then we start generating wealth and then we recycle it to create more great businesses.. That's Denmark's trick. That's why they operate the second largest container ship operation in the world, to import capital rather than export it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on goods coming from Canada, Mexico and China, sparking fears of a trade war. China is facing 10% on imports, while Canada and Mexico will see 25%.  Canada has already hit back with retaliatory 25% tariffs for the US.  Geopolitical Analyst Geoffrey Miller talks to Andrew Dickens about what these decisions will mean for the US and if New Zealand has to be wary.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phase two of the Covid-19 inquiry begins today, creating space for the public to submit feedback around key decisions the New Zealand government made during the pandemic. Whether it is vaccine mandates, lockdowns, extended lockdowns, rat tests, and tracing, anyone can have their say.  How will this phase differ from the first initiative?  Matthew Hague is a lawyer who defended a client who didn't want the COVID jab, and talks to Ryan Bridge about what this new phase means.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happened over the weekend in sport? Newstalk ZB's Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss the India v England T20 match, Auckland FC's 'impressive' win, Lydia Ko's struggle and the NFL heading to Australia.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 3 February. 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.

There's confidence from the wool sector that Kainga Ora will learn the value of wool carpets.  The social housing agency's back-tracking on a previous ban after using synthetic carpets for more than a decade.  It will now allow wool carpet providers to tender for carpet and underlay contracts.  Campaign for Wool general manager Kara Biggs told Andrew Dickens there's an opportunity to show Kainga Ora how wool can compete on price and value now.  She says that wool is natural, flame resistant, warmer, and more absorbent, which means it's a better and healthier alternative for those in community housing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand remains in the dark about Donald Trump's tariff plan, as new data shows the US has overtaken Australia as our second largest destination for exported goods.  Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Andrew Dickens blanket tariffs wouldn't have the same impact as targeted tariffs.  She says it would mean the cost will be passed on to the US consumer rather than having to be absorbed by exporters, and we would still be competitive against other markets.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 31 January. 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.

Children's Minister Karen Chhour has reversed an Oranga Tamariki decision to pull funding from the Barnardos helpline. It comes after Oranga Tamariki providers were given little notice their funding would end last year, a process the Auditor General is looking into. The Minister has told Oranga Tamariki to pause it's review of funding and extend existing contracts with providers until the end of the year. Barnardos Chief Executive Matt Reid has welcomed the reversal. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So the word of the week was privatisation. It became a debate because David Seymour said we should do it now in his state of the nation speech on Monday. So obviously the media asked the Prime Minister want  he thinks of the junior coalition partner’s thoughts. And Christopher Luxon vacillated, he gave the cautious political answer trying not to upset anyone. It's something we might look at, but not without a mandate, so we might campaign on it in 2 years time. So it won’t happen for two years, or maybe more,  so don’t worry about. We’re cool. It was an answer so convoluted that obviously the media asked more questions. And then of course the people said bloody media, trying to stir up trouble with their leftist bias.  But it was the Prime Minister's fault for faffing about trying not to upset anyone or more specifically the centre left and nationalists who hate it. Well that didn't work. Why couldn’t he just say good idea, we agree, next time.  Because we all know he agrees with the idea, and we all know his supporters agree.  But he didn’t, because he’s like every other politician who’s values blow in whichever wind they think the electorate is blowing. Politicians who don't just say yes but nor do they say no. They say maybe which is even worse. They all do it, ask Chris Hipkins about capital gains tax. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council's sounding the alarm over a spike in rubbish-truck fires this month.  It says more and more risky batteries and battery-powered devices are being illegally dumped in bins.  In December alone, nearly 600 laptops and more than 300 12-volt batteries ended up in Auckland’s regional recycling facility.  Parul Sood, Auckland Council’s Deputy Director of Resilience and Infrastructure, told Andrew Dickens that the council website has a list of places you can take e-waste, and many retailers actually offer to take it back for free.  She says it’s a community responsibility to do the right thing, so people just need to spend a little more time thinking before automatically tossing something in the rubbish bin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Competition is being touted as a possible answer to banks' climate informed decisions.   NZ First Minister Shane Jones has spoken out against several banks' attempts to reduce lending and services to fossil fuel businesses - decisions he says are driven by "unelected climate apostles".   Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre told Andrew Dickens that if new legislation came forward, he would like businesses to have other options.   He says that if banks decide they're the moral police of the country, there needs to be enough competition so that those they decline can get lending elsewhere.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Thursday the 30th of January. The government is lowering speed limits across the country. Viastrada's Glenn Koorey says it makes sense in some places, but does go against the evidence that roads with lower speeds are safer. Shane Jones has fired off at banks for their attempts to reduce lending and services to fossil fuel business and is understood to have a members bill in the works. Auckland has seen nine rubbish truck fires in just the first months of the year. Are Aucklanders putting the right things in the bin? Get the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.