Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

It’s great to see the coalition government looking at every way possible in order to maximize the New Zealand economy.   Yesterday, a bunch of important government ministers stood near the arrival gates of Wellington Airport, to reinforce the news regarding the loosening of visa requirements for overseas visitors, who want to tour New Zealand while working remotely for their employer at home.   This is a copy and paste of what other countries have successfully implemented. Essentially, what are known as ’digital nomads’, will include visitors like IT specialists, as long as they are not receiving any income from New Zealand sources.   It would also extend to social media influencers — provided they were being paid by overseas companies.   These changes will apply to all visitor visas, including tourists and people visiting family.   Visitor visas can be extended for up to nine months, although the ministers warned that working in New Zealand for more than 90 days could require them to declare themselves as a New Zealand tax resident.   This may well indeed help in a range of ways to ensure that more and more overseas residents spend more time and money here – or indeed – eventually decide to make New Zealand home.   However; the ongoing influence of massive companies like Netflix may prove to be more of a success story for New Zealand than any policy invoked by any government.   Over the past weekend, parts of Dunedin were turned into an 1800s-style Californian town, with Hollywood heavyweights filming a new Netflix drama.   Academy Award nominee Florence Pugh is one of the actresses starring in a new adaptation of the 1952 novel, ‘East of Eden’, being filmed around New Zealand.   Auckland actress Jess Hong is just one of many New Zealand stars hitting the big time with Netflix, in a range of movies and Netflix series watched by millions globally.   Then there’s Luciane Buchanan in the current super smash series on Netflix, ‘The Night Agent’.   This is currently the number one show around the world for Netflix, with the ongoing potential to not only print money for Netflix and those that invest in the company – but also for New Zealand.   There’s a very long list of actors, doing amazing things on the big and small screens of the world, and this list is only fortified and embellished by the even longer list of producers, directors and other behind the scenes talent, who enhance the image, perception and geographical recognition of New Zealand, each and every time they land a gig.   You’ve seen what the Lord of the Rings movies and subsequent TV series has done for New Zealand. But we’ve changed how we want to be entertained since Sir Peter Jackson got stuck into the ring thing.   Government policy like we saw being announced yesterday is gold for the country, but ensuring we do everything possible to keep New Zealand high on the locations list for the abundance of movies and TV series yet to be made is crucial.   For the desperately needed growth of the economy, and the ongoing careers of all those who continue to tread the boards and feel the pull of the limelight.   Schmoosing the pay to view and movie company executives is of greater importance than the fiddling about of immigration policies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 50 properties have been damaged in Mangawhai following the tornado that ripped through the Northland town over the weekend.  Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.  MP for Northland Grant McCallum has been in Mangawhai witnessing the damage and joins the show to give an update on the situation.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe's busiest airport may be adding a new wing, as the Chancellor suggests the possibility of a third runway at Heathrow.  An announcement is expected next week for the London airport, as part of plans to boost the UK economy.  Clean up is underway across the UK and Ireland after storms left millions of people without power. Two people died in separate incidents when their cars were hit by falling trees. UK and Europe Correspondent Gail Downey joins the show to discuss these issues and the second storm heading their way.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Open finals saw the women's world number one beaten, and Italian Jannik Sinner take home the men's division prize.  Auckland FC have secured yet another win, this time against Western Sydney.  ZB sports editor Elliott Smith joins the show to discuss the major sports news over the weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Monday the 27th of January. Northland MP Grant McCallum has the latest on the Mangawhai tornado. The start of 80 hours of hearings on the Treaty Principles Bill starts today. Lady Tureiti Moxon shares her views ahead of giving an oral submission later today. The Australian open has wrapped up and Auckland FC win against Western Sydney. Elliott Smith has your weekend sport wrap. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oral hearings for the treaty principles bill get underway today, marking the start of 80 hours worth of hearings over the course of a month. Author of the bill and Act party leader David Seymour will be the first to give his submission later this morning. A total of 50 oral submissions will be heard on day one. Managing Director of Te Kōhao Health Lady Tureiti Moxon says she thinks the bill should be rejected and opposed by the select committee. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although the school holidays are still in full swing, that doesn’t mean that the country’s children are getting the food they need at home. New Zealand children are still going hungry at school and that means that they’re ending up years behind other children in key subjects. The data that shows this ongoing issue for us all and also ranks New Zealand poorly for food poverty. The health researchers behind the just-published analysis argue the government needs to double the number of children served by its newly revamped lunches in schools scheme. It’s no surprise that hungry students struggle to learn: food poverty has been cited as a big barrier in New Zealand’s scoring under the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment. A comparison between that and two other global datasets has allowed a team of researchers to look at the link in greater depth. After analysing food insecurity levels with subject-specific scores, the team revealed a stark trend. Any degree of food insecurity was associated with much lower academic performance - a pattern that held across all subjects, age groups, and surveys. Professor Boyd Swinburn from Auckland University is a co-author of the study I’m referring to, and he says he didn’t expect the effect size to be so large. In all, it equated to a learning gap equivalent to hungry students trailing two to four years behind in subjects like maths and reading by age 15 – even after adjusting for socio-economic indicators. Something else born from this study is that there’s also a gradient effect. The more severe the food insecurity, the greater the gap in scores compared to kids with no food insecurity. The problem doesn’t just reflect hungry children finding it harder to concentrate in class, but other factors including parents keeping their kids home rather than face stigma at school. It’s all very well blaming the state of the New Zealand curriculum, or the size of the classrooms confronting our teachers, but when you may well address some of the demonstrably poor outcomes shown in this study – by simply ensuring that our children are well fed and literally well catered for at school, what on earth are we waiting for?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s scepticism over the Government's major changes to the science sector.  Seven crown research institutes be merged into three public research organisations and another is also being created to focus on AI and advanced technology.  Callaghan Innovation will close, with 355 jobs impacted.  The moves follow a months-long review of the science sector led by Sir Peter Gluckman.  New Zealand Association of Scientists Co-President Lucy Stewart told Francesca Rudkin that the science sector has been desperately underfunded for 30 or 40 years, which is emphasised in the report.  She says the idea they’re going to have champagne science on a beer budget just by merging some organisations is not particularly realistic.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our largest hotspots backs efforts to bring in more visitors – on one condition.  Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis is hoping to attract more tourists, with potential visa changes on the cards.  It's as international visitor arrivals remain at 86% of pre-pandemic figures.  Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers told Francesca Rudkin visitor numbers in his patch rebounded hard and fast, post-Covid.  He says he'd welcome more, on the proviso that additional infrastructure to support the growth is accounted for.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 18-year-old killer of three UK girls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport last year is unlikely to ever be released from prison.   Axel Rudakubana's been sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in court.   He was convicted on 16 charges including murdering the girls and attempting to kill 10 others.   UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin he changed his plea to guilty earlier in the week.   He says Rudakubana acted out in court this morning, yelling that he was unwell, and had to be taken out for the disruption.   McAviney says it was felt he couldn't be brought back for the reading of the sentences.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 24 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.

If you didn’t pick up on Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nations speech yesterday, the Prime Minister is looking to grow the economy, because the country desperately needs economic growth.  I am being a little facetious. Actually, I thought the Prime Ministers' performance yesterday was good – both the speech and afterwards during the press conference.   Sure, he still stuck to his message like a self-help guru trying to manifest an outcome. But after taking a while to look comfortable or natural as a politician, yesterday he sounded more authentic, like he’s found his groove.  He’s confident in the direction he’s taking the country, and he’s not trying to appeal to everyone.   For a speech designed to set the tone for the year – he did a good job.  Last year we saw the coalition government repeal and reform everything from education to water, and health to grey hound racing. While there is still a way to go with some of these, this year the Prime Minister has made it clear it’s about dialing up the volume on creating competition, allowing more foreign investment, and pushing for government organisations to be more future focused.   The Prime Minister also suggested we need to grow up and shake off our culture of saying ‘no’ and start saying ‘yes’ – to things like expanding the Port of Tauranga and more concerts at Eden Park.   Luxon also used the speech to make some announcements - the creation of Invest NZ – an agency to attract foreign investment, major reforms to Crown Research Institutes, and the disestablishment of the Callaghan Innovation, which Judith Collins bluntly said at the post speech press conference “had had it’s day”   The new announcements are needed. National Party MPs have been sounding very well media trained recently - sticking to their messaging, avoiding answering questions with detail, you know the drill - and as a result they’ve been sounding a bit empty.   When there is a lot of talking but nothing is really been said it’s easy to lose interest. But what struck me yesterday was how well the Prime Minster was across questions thrown at him. Instead of reverting back to the big picture bland key messages he can often fall back on, he threw out details and examples.   There will be push-back to some of his ideas, such as mining and gene technology. Making money is one thing, but many New Zealanders will still want the government to balance their pragmatic approach with consideration and respect for affected communities, the environment, and the Treaty.   There is also a perhaps wishful sense from the Prime Minister that tax cuts, lower inflation and a falling OCR mean New Zealanders can move on from focusing on the cost of living. I doubt he’ll be let off the hook that easily, rises in rent, rates, insurances, and other costs are still impacting household budgets.   Making New Zealand a great place to live in years to come is important – love me some vision - but that doesn’t mean we should lose sight of today.   But hey, if the state of the nation speech is about getting out the message it’s all about economic growth so we can all have better lives – then got it, loud and clear. Job done.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During his state of the nation speech Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a new foreign investment agency with the aim of driving more overseas revenue to our shores and boost local economy and productivity. It's a model based on Ireland and Singapore and will see Invest New Zealand become part of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, which itself is set to become an autonomous crown entity. Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative Oliver Hartwich has been advocating for a model like this for more than a decade and says he took Luxon on a trip to Ireland to show how a model like theirs could work locally. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Internal migration is driving a boom in Canterbury housing construction.  The region's councils consented around 6,500 homes in the past year – a fifth of the country's new builds.  Construction Analyst Mike Blackburn told Francesca Rudkin that it largely down to comparative house price values.  He says people can buy a brand new home in Selwyn or other parts of Canterbury for substantially less than Auckland and Wellington equivalents.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political commentator says people shouldn't expect any big ticket policy announcements from the Prime Minister's State of the Nation address this afternoon.  Christopher Luxon is preparing to deliver the set-piece speech to business leaders at a lunch in Auckland today.  Former National ministerial advisor Brigitte Morten told Francesca Rudkin it's expected to be about economic growth, but says State of the Nation speeches typically don't have any key announcements.  She says people usually aren't paying attention to the detail of political speeches, especially at the start of the year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is once again facing legal action, this time over his immigration plans.  The US President is wanting to stop issuing citizenship documents for US-born children, whose mothers are in the country illegally and temporarily, and whose father isn't a US citizen or resident.  But more than 20 states have since sued Trump over the scheme.  US correspondent Mitch McCann told Francesca Rudkin they argue it's illegal under the 14th Amendment that guarantees birthright citizenship.  He says it's due to take effect in around four weeks but will probably be delayed as it's held up in court.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Thursday the 23rd of January. Inflation has settled at 2.2% for the year to December, matching the previous increase in the September quarter. Westpac's Satish Ranchhod speaks to Francesca about what it means.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will give his state of the nation speech today. Former National Ministerial Advisor Brigitte Morten joins the show. Construction in Christchurch is booming with one in five new builds being constructed in the South. So what's with the increase? Construction Analyst Mike Blackburn speaks to Francesca. Get the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annual inflation has remained at 2.2% for the year to December according to the latest update from Stats NZ. It's slightly above what the Reserve Bank had forecast but economists say it shouldn't impact the potential of a February OCR cut. Rent was the largest driver of the annual increase, rising 4.2% in the past year. Westpac Senior Economist Satish Ranchhod says inflation pressures should continue to ease over the coming year. "Importantly, measures of core inflation (which track the underlying trend in consumer prices) have continued to trend down towards the RBNZ’s target range," LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am so pleased to see NZ Herald Business Journalist Kate McNamara continue to write about the woes in the Ruapehu District.   Why? Because the Ruapehu region has been hit hard with indecision around the two ski fields, the sudden closure of the Chateau two years ago; followed by the loss of over 200 jobs when Winstone’s pulp and timber mills shut down late last year.  This region has taken a beating through no fault of their own!   Yesterday McNamara focused on the issues surrounding the majestic Chateau Tongariro Hotel, which has been sitting in a derelict state for two years. It's a sad sight at the base of Ruapehu. A desolate Chateau, the golf course overgrown, and empty buildings surrounding it. The area feels quietly paused in time, with no sense of if and when it may spring back to life.  Whakapapa Holdings Ltd, the company in the process of buying the Whakapapa Ski Field, is keen to discuss the future of the Chateau with government officials. They are interested in taking on the historic chateau, reviving it, providing employment, an increase in tourism, and offering some economic stability for the region.   The problem is – no one is really interested in talking to them.  As we learnt with the ski fields, this is a complicated region that requires sensitive conversations between government, the Department of Conservation, iwi and other stakeholders. It was a struggle to find a consensus over the ski fields – with some preferring the continuation of a not-for-profit organisation such as previous operators RAL, others’ preferring to hand things over to private operators.   Along the way, a lot of government money was put into keeping the ski fields afloat, until it got to the point where the fields were too expensive to fail, as was the prospect of closing them down, removing all structures from the mountain and returning it to its natural state.    Getting the Chateau up and running again will cost many millions of dollars – but on the right terms, such as a 30 year lease and a peppercorn rent, WHL would be willing to make the investment. They have also done research into the earthquake strengthening which needs to be done and believe it’s not as extensive as previously suggested.   Look, this might not be the deal which makes everyone happy, but frankly I don’t see anyone else queuing up to give it a go. Leaving the chateau empty and decaying for years, possibly decades - at the cost of around $150 - $200,000 a month for maintenance – when a possible solution sits on the table is simply depressing.   The government needs to deal with the lease termination agreement and payment to the previous operators, reopen expressions of interest, and have some conversations. Talking is almost always a good place to start, so please take the call.   Ruapehu is an incredible part of our country, and one that deserves to be thriving. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 70 people have been killed in a fire at a Turkish ski resort.  The 12 storey Grand Karla hotel in Bolo was engulfed in flames in the early hours of the morning and took 12 hours to be extinguished.  UK and Europe correspondent Gail Downey told Francesca Rudkin the scenes from Bolo have been harrowing.  She says footage circulating on Turkish social media shows people using bed sheets to hang from windows in an attempt to escape.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's sweeping changes to US policy are already garnering pushback.   Trump's immediately begun wielding his new presidential powers, signing off 26 orders and backtracking 78 of Joe Biden's after being sworn in His withdrawals from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement have prompted global concern. US Correspondent Nick Harper told Francesca Rudkin the new Department of Government Efficiency is already facing three lawsuits. He says the decision to end birthright citizenship is also being challenged, with claimants coming forward saying he has no authority to redefine American citizenship. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A principal says schools across the country are struggling to fill teaching roles.   More than 400 principal and teaching roles are currently being advertised in the Education Gazette.   In 2024 there were almost 1600 vacancies - a similar number to recent comparable years.   Lumsden's Northern Southland College Principal Pete Wilkinson told Francesca Rudkin that traditionally, it's always been difficult to attract teachers to rural areas.  But he says it's a nationwide problem now.  Wilkinson says it's exceptionally hard to attract people into teaching and they have vacancies going unfilled for months, if not years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 21st of January. Donald Trump has been ssworn in as President for his second term - the first non-consecutive second term since the 1800's. Election expert Sean Trende joins us from the U.S. Water New Zealand's Chief Executive reacts to a new report which has found our water infrastructure is leaking at a very high rate. Auckland Council is considering big changes to dog walking. What does it mean for you and professional dog walkers? Get the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stats NZ will release Consumer Price Index inflation numbers for quarter four on Wednesday, and economists are predicting it will be within the Reserve Banks's target range of 1 - 3% It comes off the back of December card spending numbers which saw retail spending increase by 2% NZ Institute for Economic Research Deputy Chief Executive Christina Leung says they're expecting a rise of 0.6% for the quarter, and put annual inflation at 2.2% She says today's numbers shouldn't change the chances of a rates cut in February, expected to be 0.5% LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a lot going on in the world this week.   This Friday The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences provides some lighthearted relief from the world's challenges by announcing the Oscar nominees for the 2025 Academy Awards.   The nominees were due to be announced on January 18th, then January 20th, before being delayed again, giving those impacted by the fires still raging in Southern California more time to vote.   But as filmmakers, actors and the masterful craftspeople responsible for making some of the best films of the year wait patiently to see whether they get the nomination nod from their peers, a prickly conversation is brewing about AI.   The latest controversy in film is around the use of AI in two potential nominees, The Brutalist and Emila Perez, which both won at the Golden Globes. These two Oscar front runners are dealing with a backlash after it was revealed they used voice-cloning to enhance actors’ performances.  In The Brutalist, Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones play Jewish Hungarians who survive the Nazi camps and escape to the US. The actors spent 2 months working with a dialect coach to perfect their accents, but the filmmakers wanted their Hungarian to sound perfect so added individual sounds and letters to both Brody and Jones’s Hungarian-language dialogue to perfect it.   This has caused quite an uproar and The Brutalist director Brady Corbet was forced to issue a statement to Hollywood trade publications saying “Adrien and Felicity’s performances are completely their own.” He went on to say, “The aim was to preserve the authenticity of Adrien and Felicity’s performances in another language, not to replace or alter them and done with the utmost respect for the craft.”  Their performances are extraordinary, the film stunning, ambitious and audacious – and if a tool was used to tweak their Hungarian along the way, well, Hungarians are probably grateful.   With Emila Perez, it has emerged AI cloning was used to enhance the singing voice of Emilia Pérez’s Karla Sofía Gascón, to increase the range of Gascón’s vocal register. Their singing was then blended with that of Camille, the French pop star who co-wrote the film’s score.  People are upset. Really? In the film Elvis, Austin Butler’s voice is mixed with Elvis’s. Marilyn Monroe didn’t hit her own high notes. Zac Efron had a ghost singer in High School Musical. Films have been tricking us for years. But suddenly, because it’s AI, everyone is up in arms about it.   And it’s not just correcting accents and singing voices where AI is used. Its already embedded in everything from production to writing to visual effects – just don’t expect anyone to shout it from the rooftops.   Some say it’s more of a PR problem than a tech problem, and that it’s just another tool like CGI to be used to make a better film.   Obviously, there are concerns about the prolific use of AI – no one wants to see whole sectors of the industry replaced, such as writers, graphic artists or background actors. It's often the lowest paid on the call sheet who suffer. So, it’s up to the industry to draw the line and work towards safeguards and regulation so the industry can find a way to use AI for good.   And love it or hate it, AI is going to be part of our lives - in ways we can already see and ways we can’t imagine. Just don’t let the controversy ruin a good film for you.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professional dog walkers say proposed Auckland Council changes will impact their services.   The council's looking at limiting the number of dogs people can walk at once to six, with only three of those able to be off a leash.   There are also changes proposed to keep dogs out of places with vulnerable wildlife at parks, and to provide some places that are completely dog free.   Cassie Jefferies from the Professional Dog Walkers' Association told Francesca Rudkin they take large packs of around 14 so it's affordable for people.   She says they take them to the beach or forest, and the cost of petrol is balanced out by taking the numbers they do.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are pleas for more investment in the country's water infrastructure.  Otago University research shows 21% of piped water is being lost – in comparison, the Netherlands loses 5% and Germany 6%.  They're also wasting around $122 million each year.  Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe told Francesca Rudkin different technologies like thermal imagery or acoustic devices need to be utilised.  She says there are leaks throughout the system, not just the ones that show in your house or on the street.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 21st of January. Donald Trump has been sworn in as President for his second term. Election expert Sean Trende joins us from the U.S. Water New Zealand's Chief Executive reacts to a new report which has found our water infrastructure is leaking at a very high rate compared to other countries. Auckland Council is considering big changes to dog walking. What does it mean for you and professional dog walkers?  Get the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, it’s a big day in the United States today - and in Panama, Greenland, Canada, Mexico, and the many countries who are going to feel the weight of President Trump’s return.   Today is a day of ceremony, tradition and balls; but most importantly a day of action as Trump begins to fire off the first of the many executive orders promised on the campaign trail.   What I find most interesting about this Presidential transition is how transactional it has been. The New York Times reports there are at least a dozen billionaires among Trump’s cabinet picks or in line for senior roles in his administration. Another publication worked out that the combined net worth of the wealthiest members of his administration could surpass $460 billion.   Many are his richest donors, such as Elon Musk, who we all know spent a large sum getting Trump elected. Some of the roles these billionaires are taking on will see them become responsible for sectors they’ve been involved with.   Off the back of this, President Biden warned in his farewell address of an oligarchy taking shape in American. With the top 1% of Americans owning around 35% of the wealth and capital in the country and the bottom 50% owning about 1.5%, you could say conditions are certainly ripe.  What’s notable is the unabashed transparency about it all.   Washington D.C. has always been about power, but now it’s just as much about money. If you have enough of it you can get a seat at the table.   Sure, large donors have always expected a quiet word, a game of golf, a visit to Mar-a-Lago. And Washington DC is filled with corporate lobbyists who petition the government and the public to sway them on certain issues. But in the past they’ve always preferred to do so with some discretion. Not now.  The other thing that’s so startling is that President Trump campaigned on doing what’s right for working class America – just one of many demographics Democrats have lost touch with. In exchange for their vote they now have some of the richest men influencing this presidency and protecting their self-interest.  I hate to say it - as some of the consequences of this presidency, such as tariffs and geo-political decisions, may impact New Zealand - but it is going to be fascinating to stand back and watch how this plays out.   Who will remain in President Trumps good graces? Who will see out the term? Who, like so many of the big tech executives, will curry favour, doing whatever it takes to keep their businesses alive and kicking.   It’s going to be a very interesting four years. And yeah, that’s probably an understatement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has been inaugurated President for the second time. It's the first time since 1893 a president has been sworn in for a second non-consecutive term, the last being Grover Cleveland. Trump has promised to to issue multiple executive orders on day one, with immigration and border protection a big focus. Real Clear Politics Senior Election Analyst Sean Trende says things have changed since his first term. "He won the most votes this time around, unlike 2016. And so I think there's just a general sense of legitimacy about this presidency that there wasn't in 2016." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following last minute strikes over Gaza and a three-hour long delay, an Israel-Hamas ceasefire has begun.  Israel is expecting to receive 33 hostages from Hamas over the coming weeks. The first three hostages have been returned to Israel, after spending around 15 months in captivity. Hamas says for every hostage released, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli jails. UK and Europe Correspondent Gail Downey joins the show to discuss the details.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis will pick up a new role with a new name in the Economic Growth Portfolio - formerly the Economic Development Portfolio occupied by Melissa Lee. Willis told Francesca Rudkin she is planning to identify the barriers for small businesses, industry leaders and entrepreneurs.  The change is among a variety of shakeups to cabinet - Doctor Shane Reti has lost the health portfolio, Simeon Brown has become the new minister for health and handed over his portfolio to Chris Bishop.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Foil's finished fourth in front of a home crowd in the Sail GP over the weekend.  Beat out by our rivals across the Tasman, Australia's Tom Slingsby said recovering after a technical scare was what helped them win the maiden final.  Sports reporter Elliott Smith joins early edition, giving a run down of the weekends sailing, the powerhouses taking on the Australian Open and Auckland FC is back in action.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stage is set for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.  In less than 24 hours he will be sworn in as the 47th United States President, however dangerously cold temperatures are threatening the ceremony's outdoor venue.  The former President isn't missing a beat with promises to conduct 100 executive orders on day one of his second term.  Marco Rubio's former chief of staff Matt Terrill joins Early Edition to discuss what can be expected this time around.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Monday the 20th of January. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reshuffled his cabinet with health and the economy the renewed focus. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis talks to Francesca about her expanded role. Matt Terrill joins the show live from the United States a day before Donald Trump's inauguration as president for the second time. It was a busy weekend of sport with Australia winning Sail GP in Auckland. Elliott Smith has your weekend sport wrap. Get the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has made a series of changes to his cabinet for the new year. Melissa Lee has been demoted from his ministerial team, taking her economic development and ethnic communities portfolios off her. Lee’s economic development portfolio had morphed into economic growth, which has been given to Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “[Willis'] focus will be on leading the Government’s growth agenda to unleash the potential of our businesses to grow, develop talent and attract investment,” Luxon said. Nicola Willis says signs of economic recovery are already starting to show. "Our plan is about more than simply getting through the recent economic downturn."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like many of us over the summer, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon used his downtime to reflect on the year that had been, and like many of us put together his in and out list for 2025. This is the way young people do New Year’s Resolutions these days. But what’s in and out took on a new rather crude spin yesterday afternoon when he announced a reshuffle of Ministerial roles for National MPs.  Melissa Lee lost all her portfolios. Matt Doocey is handing over ACC, Tourism and Hospitality, and Youth to various other MP’s to focus on his Mental Health and Associate Health roles. And Dr Shane Reti passes on the Health portfolio to Simeon Brown, instead picking up a new Universities roles, plus Science, Innovation and Technology.   The emphasis on health and economic growth is not a surprise, and while the Prime Minister continues to express confidence in Reti, and spoke of his achievements last year, it’s clear he’s decided his Minister’s skills are better used elsewhere.   However, the health goals remain. What the government wants to see is faster cancer treatment, shorter stays in ED’s, shorter wait times to see a GP, get a specialist appointment or get an elective treatment.   But Health is a beast of a portfolio, and obviously it become clear to the Prime Minister that the New Zealand public is not impressed with the speed of progress towards these targets. I appreciate Luxon’s loyalty – others questioned Reti’s performance last year - but loyalty doesn’t get the job done, and Luxon needs a political operator who can, in his words, deliver and execute.   Step on up the Delivery Man, Simeon Brown.   Prime Minister Luxon described Dr Reti as a top-quality human being and a team player when asked how he took the news. I couldn’t agree more. He’s a good guy – I've always found him to be thoughtful, dignified, his intentions genuine, and knowledgeable on the health system. But he wasn’t quite so good at communicating how things were moving forward – in simple, decisive, reassuring soundbites.   Yes, there were wins – such as the announcement of cancer drugs, another 17 billion being thrown at health over 3 years, and a suggestion of change in culture at Health NZ. But these can’t compete with headline grabbing issues the system is facing. Things like staff shortages, governance issues, funding deficits, and the proposal to scale back Dunedin Hospital's rebuild.   On top of that, too many front line and senior clinicians said Dr Reti was out of his depth.   I wonder if Dr Reti is quietly sighing with relief at being moved on from a portfolio often seen as a poisonous chalice. He might not have had the mongrel to get Health under control quickly enough for the National leader, but that’s not to say he won’t be effective in his new roles.   While the Prime Minister has previously said he sees no need for a reshuffle, this is a positive start to 2025 for Luxon.  Sure, if it aint broke don’t fix it, but if you think you can do better – then hell yeah, let’s go.   Hopefully we get a more efficient health system out of it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the group who are upset about the monopoly-duopoly that's happening in our grocery sector, you could save, at most per person, about $74 per year. That's if they were to have perfect competition in the sector, which obviously would be very hard to achieve.    Do you know what else costs you $80 a year?  A friend and I were chatting at the gym the other day and he showed me his rates bill, which he had kindly brought to the gym to encourage him to run faster.  There's an $80 targeted rate for the food compost bin. He said, what's that for? And I was like, it's the green bin that's on the street that no one uses. Then he was running faster than I've ever seen him run on the treadmill.  So apparently 60 to 65% of us don't use them. I know they have them in other parts of the country, in Auckland we've only got them just recently, so we're all getting a bit used to them. But $80 a year is what you have to pay.  And I got quite angry because if you're on a fixed income, $80 a year is a lot of money. If you're a pensioner and you cannot opt out of this service.   Who else can charge you for a service that you don't want or need?   What about a pensioner who does their own composting in the backyard? They can't opt out of it. They have to have this bin, and they have to pay $80 per year for the privilege.  It's like a barber giving a lady a beard trimmer and saying here, I'm going to charge you for that. I don't need it. Oh, well, you have to have it. Why? Just cause.  And you know what? They're all made of plastic, these bins, so how's that for the environment? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.