Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

I've got an amazing wonder drug to tell you about New Zealand, and it saved me in the last couple of weeks.  People are talking about it from top of the country to the bottom and it's not Ozempic.  No, I'm not taking Ozempic, though, I wouldn't mind trying it. I think a lot of people are curious.  David Seymour made this drug a priority. Yes, I'm talking about pseudoephedrine.  I felt sick, I took it, the symptoms disappeared.  I had a wedding recently and people said they wouldn't have come without it.  What must it be doing for our productivity as well?  Fewer sick days.  I spoke to a friend of mine who's a mum, she's got young kids, and you send your kid to daycare, they get all the bugs under the sun, they bring the germs home. The kids are gross and they pass it on to mum and dad.  Mum and dad go down like flies, they take time off work, et cetera, et cetera. And then bam, pop the miracle drug. Pseudo mums and pseudo dads.  So they are absolutely over the moon about this. It's the drug we forgot we needed, isn't it?  I said to my friend, what about the meth addicts? Because that's the argument, you know, the meth addicts will get it and then they'll cook it up and it could be stolen.  It's the precursor to p and she said, I don't care, they'll find it anyway. And I just need to get through my work week and get the kids to school.  So thank you David Seymour for Pseudoephedrine. And thank you to Big Pharma. It's really underrated Big Pharma, a lot of people give it a hard time.  It's like big oil, you know, just sometimes they do good things.  So cheers to whoever it is that makes it.  This opinion piece was originally published August 30, 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guilty verdicts have been reached in France's mass rape trial.   Dominique Pelicot's been jailed for 20 years after drugging and raping his wife Gisele and inviting dozens of strangers to do the same for over nearly a decade.   He was also found guilty of taking indecent images of his daughter and his two daughters-in-law.   Of the other 50 men on trial, 46 were found guilty of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault.  Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Andrew Dickens that there’s been some disappointment around the sentences for the other men, as they received sentences of between 5 and 8 years.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's teaming up with the private sector to get on top of text scams.  When people report scam texts as junk on some phones, text messages will soon go directly to the Department of Internal Affairs.  It can then share the info with telcos so they can be blocked.  Rush Digital founder and chief executive Danu Abeysuriya told Andrew Dickens we have to work together to solve this problem.  He sees it as a good approach because if you get a few reports of spam, thousands of further texts can be blocked.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stabilising the economy is not as simple as investing more.  Stats NZ figures out yesterday show GDP fell 1% in the three months to September.  They also revised the preceding quarter down to 1.1% contraction, with both figures putting us in deep recession.  ANZ Economist Henry Russell told Andrew Dickens the Government should be investing more, if it weren't dealing with its own deficits.  He says there is going to be another shock on the horizon and the country needs to be prepared to respond to that.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 20 December. 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 government has announced changes to free speech rules for universities, saying it's concerned that they are currently taking a risk based approach and need more diverse opinions. The new rules will set out expectations for universities on how to approach freedom of speech issues and each one will have to adopt a free speech statement. They will also be prohibited from taking positions on issues that don't relate to their core functions. Tertiary Education Union President Sandra Grey says there isn't a problem here that needs to be fixed. "It feels like we've got a heavy-handed approach from a government that apparently is anti-regulation but is now going to put in place the whole lot of requirements on a community that just doesn't need it." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is my last editorial for the year.  What a year it’s been, we started in January with Golriz shoplifting, we watched 10,000 jobs go from the public sector and the private sector follow suit as cash stopped bouncing around the economy. National blamed Labour for everything and Labour blamed National. We watched Scott Robertson fail to be the second coming but when the All Blacks were good they were very good. The Treaty Principles Bill debate came, saw and divided. The hikoi invaded parliament, but didn’t set up camp. The entire Newshub newsroom disappeared and others seem vulnerable so that’s less eyes on the game.   Construction crashed, power surged in price, mills closed and towns pondered what their citizens will do next. The snow fell late, a football team landed on the ground running, we found out state care was not caring. A war in Ukraine rolled on, a war in Gaza started, a country finally expelled it’s dictator, Iran bombed Israel and Israel bombed Iran and world war 3 seemed closer than ever. China eyed Taiwan, China eyed the pacific, the States eyed China and we were asked to choose sides more and more.  Then Donald Trump won America by saying we’ll keep it simple and keep America first, and tariffs are back.  We’ll never forget you 2024, but frankly we’re sick of the sight of you.  It’s time to go to your family, go to your favourite place, watch another sunrise, rest and recuperate because in 2025 we’ve got a big job fixing all this shit up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Americans could be in trouble this Christmas.  Amazon workers across a number of facilities in New York, Illinois, and Southern California are gearing up to strike later this week.  The strike would take place the week before and during Christmas and Hanukkah, the two biggest gift giving holidays in the US.  US Correspondent Toni Waterman told Andrew Dickens the workers are calling for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.   She says they’re currently at a bit of a stalemate, as Amazon is refusing to recognise the union representing the workers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infrastructure investment is being held up as being paramount to keeping New Zealand's economy on the right track.  Stats NZ will release GDP data for the third quarter just before 11am today.  The major banks are all predicting between a 0.2% and 0.4% contraction, meaning our third technical recession in two years.  Kiwibank Senior Economist Mary Jo Vergara told Andrew Dickens a lack of infrastructure investment has made the last few years particularly volatile.   She says in a time of recession, building roads, hospitals and schools will help the economy.  Vergara says cuts to the US Federal Reserve also impact our economy and exporters.  She says our small economy is heavily reliant on the performance of the global economy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Lake Alice survivor understands the frustration at the Government's torture redress.  Eligible people tortured at the psychiatric hospital in the 1970s can take an expedited payment of $150 thousand or apply for independently assessed redress.  Payments will be made between March and December next year.  But survivor Jim Goodwin told Andrew Dickens these people have spent their lives being fobbed off and may feel it's not good enough.  He says this is also being determined by government ministers and heads of government departments – the very people who have fobbed them off.  Goodwin says it seems to him that this won't be the full and final settlement, but rather the $150 thousand is just the start.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 19 December. 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.

Olympic medal-winning sports have been given a funding boost heading into the 2028 Los Angeles games. High Performance Sport New Zealand's announced it's investing $162.8 million for 36 national sporting organisations over the next four years. Rowing, Yachting, Athletics and Para Athletics, Cycling and Para Cycling, and Canoe Racing and Para Canoe are the Podium sports which will receive increased investment - sports that contributed to 16 of New Zealand’s 20 medals won at the Paris Olympics. Rowing NZ's Chief Executive Simon Wickham has welcomed the funding boost. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the fast track world, where parliamentarians have been given the right to approve projects they reckon are good for the country.  Last night Chris Bishop even referred to himself, Simeon Brown and Shane Jones as the troika - a Russian word referring to 3 parties being a ruling body, so even he knew the remarkable power he was giving himself.  That power has been watered down but the underlying concern remains.  We all know projects that have been disasters, or contained unintended consequences, or that favoured investors and not the community.  We’re also aware of so many projects run by cowboys that we have regretted. Suburbs built in flood zones, dams built in unstable land, and various in fill nightmares and runoffs from industry that have poisoned waterways and caused environmental disaster. And all of that was while more regulation was in place.  A senior city planner in Auckland is on record as saying there’s a handful of developers who get their consents in a month because their application is word perfect and compliant from the get go, most others go back and forth as they try to circumvent the rules. These days construction costs are worse than legal costs, so any corners they can cut they will.  I totally get that we need to progress and get stuff done and so I support the new act.  But I’d warn the politicians pushing it that bad decisions will affect your legacy and I also warn that politicians and public servants are not geniuses at picking the right horses, and that should be obvious a week after the solar zero debacle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 17th of December, the Treasury has released its half yearly update, and the readings are grim. Barbara Edmonds pushes back against the blame being laid at Labour’s feet.  A review has proposed a raft of changes to regulations in the early childhood sector, Early Childhood New Zealand CEO Kathy Wolfe joined to discuss the proposal.   And Andrew wants to know who’s paying $74 to park in Auckland’s CBD.  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.

Early childhood educators are welcoming the Government's proposed changes to the sector.  A review has made 15 recommendations to simplify and modernise regulation to help better provide safe, high-quality care and education.  Regulation Minister David Seymour says they represent a major shakeup, promoting innovation, quality, and growth.  But Early Childhood New Zealand chief executive Kathy Wolfe told Andrew Dickens they also need to mitigate all potential risks.  She says they need to work with Seymour to ensure these recommendations land in the right places and are fit for purpose.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grim readings from the Treasury's half year economic and fiscal update. The government's books will stay in the red until at least 2029, a year later than previously predicted. Although the government says it will aim to return to surplus a year earlier.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis is blaming the opposition for the bad result, saying in the past five years Labour added more than $100 billion to our debt. Labour's Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds has pushed back. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

News that Wilson Parking in Fort Street, Auckland, is the most expensive parking in New Zealand says a lot more than just a company creaming it.  If you turn up first thing at the park and you use the on site machine then a days parking will cost you $74. Now who pays $74 for a days park? If you park casually then it will cost you $22 an hour - more than the minimum wage.  I’m picking that if you park in this park then you’re not working in hospo, you’re earning enough to blow money like this, you don’t feel you have an alternative and you love your car and want to park near work.  So let’s break that down. The average wage in Auckland is $72,000 a year, after tax that’s $900 bucks a week in the hand. The median rent is $700 dollars, you need $100 a week for power, phone internet and gas, you need to eat. So where’s the money for that park? The only people paying that earn way more than $72 grand. On the alternative, most don’t have a car park. 50 per cent of workers in Auckland’s CBD take public transport into work. That’s because they don’t get a park from their employer and they don’t earn enough to face the parking charges. That’s not their choice, it’s an economic necessity, that’s why public transport is critical to our productivity. Remember that the next time you complain about a bus lane. And finally a love of the car distorts the debate, because there are plenty of parks that don’t cost that much. Like the city owned downtown car park, a car park which is half empty most days, which is why the council has sold the car park to developers to become a skyscraper and much more expensive parking. But park there and you may have to walk, so many don’t and pay a fortune on wasted productivity. There comes a time in every city where the ease and convenience of driving to town becomes only available to the better off and that kills a CBD, a CBD that has already been gutted by suburban malls and cinemas.  The fact that so many Aucklanders are prepared to pay so much to park a car in the CBD it makes me believe that the idea of congestion charges in an attempt to reduce traffic will fail, we’re just going to pay to stay stuck in the same traffic queues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A report gives an insight into how we're using pharmaceutical and psychedelic drugs.   The 2024 New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey of more than 10,000 people shows a quarter of recent psychedelics users took the drugs for their mental health and wellbeing.  Author Dr Robin van der Sanden says there's growing awareness among the general public about their potential benefits.  She says it's a global trend, fuelled by things like recent clinical trials of LSD for terminal cancer patients.  van der Sanden told Andrew Dickens that there is a concern about health and safety, namely mixing the substances with alcohol, or the risk of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expectations are low as Treasury allows a peek into its books later today.  Economist Cameron Bagrie says in the 2024 update, various scenarios were presented for this year.  He told Andrew Dickens it seems we're on track with the downside prediction.  Bagrie says it forecast net debt climbing to 45% of GDP and the operating balance remaining in deficit.  Treasury will unveil its half yearly economic and fiscal update at 1pm.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two of the Australians who fell gravely ill after drinking pina coladas at a Fiji resort have returned home.  Seven Australians staying at the high-end Warwick Resort have been hospitalised.  Tanya Sandhoe and her teen daughter Georgia landed in Sydney last night after getting medical clearance to fly.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Andrew Dickens it's a suspected mass alcohol poisoning.  She says investigations are continuing into what happened, with toxicology reports expected soon.  New Zealand's travel advice to Fiji's been updated, warning of a potential drink spiking and methanol poisoning.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 17th of December. The government is making moves to refocus local councils on core cervices and improve accountability for ratepayers. So what do local government leaders make of the plan? Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers is on the show. The half year economic and fiscal update is out this afternoon. What does it say about where we sit heading into the new year? Cameron Bagrie previews the update. A new drug use survey has found  one in four respondents is using pharmaceuticals for recreational use. Dr Robin Van Der Sanden from Massey University's Drug Research  team speaks to Andrew. 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.

A suite of reforms are on the way to hold local councils to account. The Local Government Act's being stripped of requirements to consider social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being as part of Cabinet's efforts to prioritise the basics.  It will also benchmark performance with a yearly report on financial and delivery outcomes.  Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says it will compare different councils rates, debt, spending, budgets and the state of their roads.  Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers says the move was well signalled. "The information is there they're just going to publish it in a different format".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is going to hold councils accountable for the basics like pipes and rubbish, but screw any mention of well being.  I don’t know about you, but the care of maintenance of pipes and sewage and trash is fundamental to my well being.  Minister Simeon Brown wants a report issued each year on the financial health of each council, their spending and their results. They also want to look at the changes in rates for each dwelling.  In other words they’re going to read the publicly listed council reports and produce their own because apparently many ratepayers don’t or can't be bothered. That's also the job the media used to do until they got so skint they don't have the staff to do it. I couldn’t help thinking the whole thing was a dramatic production and part of a culture war to paint local bodies as a villain for committing exactly the same crimes central government are guilty of. There’s criticism of council red tape in building consents and yet the irony is that it’s central government who writes the rules that the councils are enforcing.  There’s criticism of a lack of long term plans when central government tends to change it’s plans every 3 years in line with elections. Central government has palmed off some of the biggest and hardest part of civil maintenance to the councils. The water, the poo, the rubbish and then crippled councils by allowing them to only make revenue through property taxes and then when things go wrong treat local government like a whipping boy. The point of the government’s attack on councils is to make them more accountable to ratepayers, but possibly to distract voters from looking at them. Well thanks for that. Councils are accountable to ratepayers, it’s called the vote and ratepayers are notorious for not bothering to use it.  Anyway, bring it on, councils should not be afraid of being held to account because they must believe they’re making their towns better and also on the whole they’re doing a pretty good job on the smell of an oily rag.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five people have been killed in several shootings in northern France. BBC reports around 2pm local time, a man was shot outside his house in village Wormhout near Dunkirk. About 45 minutes later, two security guards were killed at a nearby port. Minutes later, two other men staying in the nearby migrant camp were also shot dead. Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens a 22-year-old man has handed himself in. “Police absolutely covering the area and looking at finding motives for this, but it does appear to be this young man had already expressed some pretty severe anti-migrant attitudes.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supplier costs increases to supermarkets have continued to rise. Infometrics-Foodstuffs New Zealand Grocery Supplier Cost Index shows a 2.1 percent increase in supplier costs to supermarkets in November, compared to the year prior. Some of the largest rises were for chocolate and cooking oils. Vegetables NZ Chair John Murphy told Andrew Dickens there's still some general inflationary pressure – but the trend is below overall inflation. “So you see the likes of diesel and things like that starting to creep in, which affects those freight costs.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Monday the 16th of December. The next five-year plan for family and sexual violence has been released by the government, and it includes a review of $1.3 billion in prevention spending. Women's Refuge Chief Executive Dr Ang Jury is on the show. Infometrics latest food supplier cost index has seen a 2.1 percent rise in the year ending November, is it in line with inflation, and what does it mean for your last minute pre-Christmas dash to the supermarket? Vegetables NZ Chair John Murphy speaks to Andrew. Auckland FC have drawn 2 all against Melbourne, and the Black Caps are holding a solid lead against England, can they make it all the way? Elliott Smith has your weekend sport wrap. 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.

A new Government action plan for preventing family and sexual violence pushes for deeper collaboration across government agencies.  It's the second action plan as part of a 25-year national strategy.  Focus areas include improvements to protect children and young people, strengthening the workforce, taking action on sexual violence, and expanding prevention.  Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour says the first plan was the beginning of the conversation, and tried to cover a wide area.  Reaction to the plan has been positive, Women's Refuge chief executive Dr Ang Jury says it's good to see a commitment to addressing harm - but we also need to focus on changing attitudes.  "That's where the prevention focus needs to be, so that we can actually look at bringing up a generation of kids who don't see any benefit in behaving in this way". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who thought the ferry debate was over for summer was very wrong.  The weekend papers were full of reckons and I reckon it’s because it’s a bigger piece of infrastructure than many realise. Sure a lot of tourists and locals travel on it, heading on adventures or heading home, but $30 billion dollars worth of freight between the North and South Island depends on it too. So the reckons were about who screwed it up more. Nicola Willis, Grant Robertson or KiwiRail itself.  Then there was debate over Winston’s hijacking of the job and whether this will play out well or badly for him.  The conversation about rail enabled or rail capable rumbled on and whether just letting Bluebridge have the whole job was a good idea, since their boats don't seem to break down or run aground. Steven Joyce commented on the nostalgic choice of Kaiwharawhara for the ferry port, a very earthquake prone reclamation. But if not there then where Steven? Relocating the port to a seismically more stable location could be even more expensive.  It was all politically tinged, and that to me is the big problem.  The best thing I saw was a comment by the political commentator Liam Hehir, who noted that when Grant Robertson first saw the plans KiwiRail had he told them to go back and try again.  Then he failed to put the expenditure into the pre election financial update. That means one of two things.  They were going to hide it, but $3 to $4 billion is really too big to hide.  Or, more likely, they hated the idea too.  In other words no one a year ago knew what to do and no one liked the idea on the table.  How refreshing might it have been if that was said openly a year ago.  Then we could have had a properly informed debate and made a grown up decision, instead we’ve had posturing and virtue signalling about who’s right or wrong, left or right, while a $$30 billion dollar trade route slowly falls apart. This whole thing is another example of how the best infrastructure decisions are made without politicians. Because they play games that mask the real issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An employment expert says the Government's new directive against public servants working from home makes sense.  The Public Service Commission has issued new guidance confirming all flexible work arrangements should be monitored and workers are not entitled to work from home.  It's sparked legal action from a major public sector union.  Employment expert Jennifer Mills told Andrew Dickens workers on flexible arrangements are likely not the main target of this move.  She says studies show there's no productivity issues with hybrid workers, but there is with people working solely from home.  Mills says hybrid models are still well within the current rules, but there does need to be express agreement and transparency to ensure it’s suitable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand is meeting its targets, but a doctors' union says that doesn't mean Kiwis are getting better care.  New figures show cancer treatment is getting faster and child immunisation rates are improving.  People are also spending less time, on average, in emergency departments.  Resident Doctors' Association National Secretary Deborah Powell told Andrew Dickens that despite what these figures show, our healthcare system's under real stress.  She says they don't have enough beds or staff to look after people in hospitals, and there's problems with radiology and the large volumes of patients they're being asked to see.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 13 December. 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.

Don’t you hate it when the kids fight.  The quiet war between David Seymour and Winston Peters has kicked up a little lately with both the boys playing games in court to win the hearts of the public.  That's the problem when you’re a minor party, you need to make noise to be noticed.  The big noise for a while has been David Seymour who has taken conversations by the throat with his Treaty Principles Act. Love it or hate it, you're all talking about it which is all a politician wants.  Last week I warned that Winston has been a good boy while he’s held the Deputy Prime Minister job but that’s coming to an end in a few months and he does a swapsie with David Seymour. That will free his hand and you’ll hear much more from him.  That's started, which explains why he’s taken over the railways. He wants to be seen as a saviour and solver.  Seymour and Peters have very differing views of the railways - Winston blames past privatisation's. David wants to privatise 49 per cent of it.  Winston also has a treaty principles strategy. He’s looking to cancel the legislation that already exists that proscribes how the treaty inveigles it’s way into legislation, it’s got a much better chance of success than Seymour's act and referendum but has flown under the radar since the election. That hacks him off.  You’ve got to remember that Winston is an old school conservative and closer to the old socialists that cared about the working class. David Seymour is part of a new conservatism that believes in capitalism, markets and winner takes all.  They’re not naturally compatible. So the next 18 months looks to be increasingly entertaining and that’s a good thing because a contest of ideas is a good thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACC Minister has announced a independent review into ACC because of concerns about its performance.  Matt Doocey says rehabilitation rates are down and weekly compensation costs and average costs per claim were up. “This review will have a particular focus on claims management. It will look at whether ACC has the right interventions and settings in place to support accident claimants to return to independence as quickly as possible". It comes as ACC announces levies will be on the rise from next year with those on the median wage of $70,000 set to pay $140 extra in 3 years time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The potential buyers of Whakapapa skifield are optimistic it'll be open for business come next ski season.   Cabinet's agreed to give a $5 million loan to Whakapapa Holdings to support its bid to buy the ski field, but only if it gets a concession from the Conservation Minister.  If granted, the sale's expected to be completed next April so it can open by July for the 2025 season.  Whakapapa Holdings Chief Executive Dave Mazey told Andrew Dickens they're not worried about the turnaround.   He says the receivers will be trading the company up until that settlement date and preparing it for winter.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An employment expert says there's a balance between free speech and unprofessionalism when dismissing staff for making inappropriate comments.  16 Immigration NZ staff have been disciplined for derogatory messages about visa applicants on Teams.  10 workers have been either dismissed or issued a formal warning already.  Max Whitehead told Andrew Dickens employers need to be careful of free speech.  He says people are entitled to say what they want to some extent, but an employer is likely to be reactive to comments.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a match on fingerprints found at the assassination scene of a major US health insurance boss in Manhattan.   New York prosecutors have charged 26-year-old Luigi Mangione with murdering Brian Thompson.   Police have told CNN that fingerprints found at the crime scene match Mangione's.  Correspondent Kate Fisher told Andrew Dickens that development followed his extradition hearing yesterday.   She says he refused extradition to New York and was then denied bail, so he'll remain in a Pennsylvania jail while the legal ramifications are sorted out.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Thursday the 12th of December. The government has a new plan for the Cook Strait ferries - but there was a noticeable lack of detail. Labour's Tangi Utikere reacts.  A new multi million dollar loan to purchase Mount Ruapehu's liquidated Whakapapa ski field. Dave Mazey is heading the new venture and joins the show to talk about his plans. Staff at Immigration New Zealand have been sacked or given formal warnings for sending inappropriate messages about migrants to each other - should we be more careful about what we send on work platforms? 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.

The long awaited ferry announcement from the government came yesterday, however there's still plenty unanswered questions. We'll get two new ferries, but the government hasn't said how much they will cost, or whether they will be rail-enabled. It comes more than a year after the Finance Minister cancelled the previous governments plan to purchase two new ships for $550 million. Labour's transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere says the announcement was underwhelming. "What we've learned is that kiwis will have to wait longer for the ferries when they do arrive, it was meant to be 2026 under the former government, now we'll have to wait until at least 2029". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well that was confusing. When Nicola Willis blew up Kiwirail’s plan for new ferries she promised a better plan, and yesterday we got that plan.  They're going to form a new company to buy some ferries. No news about which ferries and what format they’re in.  Nothing about what’s happening portside. There was also an invitation to private industry to come up with a better solution.  So no new ferries, no new ports, no ships ordered, and no idea that private industry already provides a service, that is Bluebridge.  It was an announcement of an announcement, which we already lampooned the last government with.  It was ideological. It was government spending and this government doesn’t like that so they cancelled it without thinking about the long term consequences.  It was not based on business practice, or financial logic.  It was not on brand and it’s harming reputationally.  Put this in business terms, they broke a contract for ships that was a good deal. Okay, maybe you thought they were too big, but it was a bloody good price for what they were - $550 million. But breaking the contract puts a flag above our head, not to mention the break fee. Now we have a company desperately in the market and the providers of new boats or second hand realise our weakened position. The government just needs a boat to save their face, and sellers will no longer sharpen their pencils. Meanwhile portside costs continue to escalate.  In a government that prides itself in business acumen and ability in mergers and acquisitions they have given themselves a weak hand going forward. I’ve already said this government knows the price of everything and the value of nothing, but now they’re crippled by analytical paralysis.  In other words, they don’t know what to do and so they do nothing. And when they do finally do something they’ll find they don’t have a strong position. Meanwhile the bills build up and you and I will have to pay for it with our taxes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Germany is tightening its laws to make it harder to help smuggle migrants to the UK.  Facilitating people-smuggling is not technically illegal in Germany if it’s to another country outside of the EU – which now includes the UK.  A plan has been made between the two countries that sees Germany tighten their laws and make it easier to prosecute those involved.  Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens that Germany had inadvertently become a central hub for the people-smuggling networks.  He’s uncertain what effect this will have, as when one tentacle is cut in these networks, another seems to grow.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's emissions plan's being described as sensible and practical.   Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has released the second Emissions Reduction Plan.  Key policies include more renewable energy projects and introducing both a network of 10,000 EV charging points and agricultural emissions pricing by 2030.  Victoria University Climate Change Adjunct Professor Adrian Macey told Andrew Dickens they've gone through with a sector-by-sector focus.   He says they're giving a message to business, forestry, and agriculture that they see them being prosperous as part of this journey.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Wednesday the 11th of December. Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced greyhound racing will be banned from 2026. The SPCA says it's the best Christmas present they could have been given. The government has released it's new Emissions Reduction Plan, could we reach net zero six years than the target? Dr Adrian Macey joins the show. 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.

Animal rights advocates say the government's announcement on greyhound racing is "the best christmas present ever."  Racing Minister Winston Peters announced the ban, with the legislation passed under urgency yesterday.  The racing dogs will not be allowed to be euthanised and will have to be rehomed.  The SPCA's Chief Scientific Officer welcomed the move. "We're absolutely thrilled that [Winston Peters] made this very challenging but right decision". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The job of being a politician is always harder than you expect. We learned today that Mark Mitchell will not be introducing legislation against boy racers this year even though he has said he would. In June when it as all going off in Levin he was promising laws to enable the cops to seize vehicles and keep them. A return to the good old days of Crusher Collins But it's never happened because it is quote "complex". If he's got some time on his hand could I suggest he look at hitting the problem of South Auckland's dirt bike hooligans. South Auckland’s dirt bike rabble is classic gang technique and needs to be stopped. The gangs have been giving out dirt bikes to the kids for quite some time now. Cheap, mobile and nippy they’re very handy for hit and run crime. They get young prospects into the bike culture which then carries on into the the adult gangs with their Harleys and Indians.  They distract the police while the more hardened gang criminals carry on with their business.  But these kid gangs are in a way even more intimidatory and dangerous than the gang proper.    As they swarm around South Auckland streets en masse. As they ride en masse up the motorway the wrong way and as they indulge in street crime rather then drugs they are more visible to the people on the street.  It’s time for a good crackdown and a good dose of crushing of these bikes and it’s time for a politician to start talking about the growing threat and doing something about it.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PPTA says letting each school set its own sex education standards has been a failed model.   Education Review Office research has found inconsistencies in how the subject is taught between schools.   PPTA President Chris Abercrombie says it will be hard to impress everyone as there are a variety of views.   He told Andrew Dickens a standardised national curriculum would be a good starting point.    Abercrombie says leaving it up to schools isn't really working for anyone at the moment, with three-quarters of school leavers saying they didn't learn enough.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Building and Construction Minister's confident changes to insulation rules will give builders and designers more flexibility.  Chris Penk's proposed changes to reduce building costs, including examining the whole building instead of individual components.  Penk told Andrew Dickens he believes there's currently too many regulations.  He says when you add up the extra costs, it does become significant.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 10th December. The government is looking to inject Kiwibank with $500 million in capital to "disrupt the status quo" and take on the big Australian owned banks. Massey University Banking Expert Claire Matthews joins the show. The Education Review Office says our relationship and sex ed in schools is not up to standard and is having an impact on our children. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie speaks to Andrew. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has made big changes to his proposed rollback of new insulation standards - is industry criticism behind the changes? 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.

The government is looking to inject Kiwibank with $500 million in capital to "disrupt the status quo" and take on the big Australian owned banks.  Kiwibank's parent company Kiwi Group Capital along with Treasury have been instructed to talk to potential investors, which could include Kiwisaver funds.  For now an initial public offering is off the table with the government has ruling out selling off it's shares in the bank. Massey University Banking Expert Claire Matthews isn't sure it will help the current situation. "The government is pushing this very much as its going to make a huge difference to competition and I'm struggling to see that it really will make that much of a difference" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend Sunday Star-Times published a think piece on why Christopher Luxon is not popular.  And he’s not. Monday's polls showed that Christopher Luxon and his National Party is not as popular as maybe they should be.  Interviewing university professors and their typewriters, the article came up with answers like no-one likes anyone who demands to be called Christopher and one professor even speculated on New Zealand’s attitude toward baldness. Apparently we don’t like them, which will be news to Monty Betham.  It came in response to the latest poll which showed Chris Hipkins and Labour keeping up with Christopher Luxon and National, despite Labour changing nothing. While the Sunday Star-Times plucked at straws, I’d like to say it’s the economy, stupid.  These are tough times and we always blame the sitting Government, no matter what they inherited. But I would like to say that Mr Luxon has not made it easy for himself. When he inherited our damaged economy the Reserve Bank was already acting on inflation through interest rate hikes.  The National led coalition then kept on with their cost of living crisis solution which was tax cuts and government spending crackdowns and lay offs. So the country had a two pronged attack with none of the solutions making life better in the short term.  In fact it’s made everything worse.  So all the people who are collateral damage believe the government are monsters.    All the people not affected who can see how the austerity overkill will be good for the economy and the country in the medium and long term, will be thinking Mr Luxon and his team are heroes.  The Government will be hoping that by the time the only poll that count comes around in 2026, more voters will view them as heroes and not monsters.  The last time we tried that was in the 90s as Don Brash raised interest rates at the Reserve Bank while Ruth Richardson gave us the Mother of all Budgets. She lasted less than 3 years after that and is not remembered fondly despite the good the austerity did. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebel forces in Syria say they have ended Bashar Al-Assad's rule as the government's troops withdraw from Damascus. The Assad family has a decades-long reign in Syria. Otago University Professor for Middle Eastern and Comparative Politics Leon Goldsmith joins Early Edition. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.