Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Some patients in need of hospital treatment aren't even making it to the waitlist.   A letter obtained by RNZ reveals some referrals from an orthopaedic clinic are being knocked back.  It says it lacks the resources to see all patients within the Ministry of Health waiting time targets.  Royal College of GPs Medical Director Dr Luke Bradford told Ryan Bridge the acceptance level fluctuates normally, but the threshold rises as more pressure's applied to the health system.   He says the health targets have people being seen within four months and being operated on quickly, and one way to manage that is by not taking patients onto lists in the first place.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Review Office is recommending NCEA Level 1 be reformed.   Its review found it's not a fair or reliable measure of knowledge and skills, and around a quarter of schools don't plan on offering it next year.   Last year, students were almost twice as likely to achieve an excellence on an internal assessment than an external.   Auckland's Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale told Ryan Bridge that within the existing framework, teachers can target standards they perceive to be easier.   He says with internal assessment they can also offer more time, meaning they may not enter students into all externals, causing further issues as they're not learning the whole curriculum.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't get me wrong, a new police station in central Auckland is good news, as were recent stats showing crime in the city is way down, but where are all the wackos and the nut jobs going to go next?  That's my question.  You know the ones I'm talking about – they strut around holding their pants up with one hand, a menacing look in their eye, shouting and ranting and raving and lunging at people.  They're pissing in the middle of the street during the day or fighting each other.  Once the city is secured, where do these people go next?  Parnell, Ponsonby, on a bus to Westfield New Market?  If the idea is to make a city feel safer for people, then more cops will help do that.  What they won't do is make these intimidating people disappear altogether like some Houdini act.  One of the biggest problems we have is a lack of community drug and alcohol rehab centers in this country, affordable or free ones.  And our corrections system doesn't correct people – last year it spent $400 million of our money on rehab programs. Guess how much they reduced reoffending by: less than 2% on most programs.  So, yes, we should celebrate the fact that we're getting more cop shops, gang patch bans, and supposedly harsher sentences for violence because the last lot went a bit soft on that.  But we shouldn't kid ourselves that it'll magically solve all of our problems or those of the whack jobs on Queen Street. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 26th of November, The Education Review Office says NCEA Level 1 is not a fair or reliable measure, and more schools are opting out of Level 1. Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale explains the reasons why they’re offering an alternative certificate.  GPs are warning patients in need of hospital care they sometimes aren't making it onto the waitlist, while Labour has accused the government of gaming health system numbers by cutting the number of people who can go on surgical waitlists. Luke Bradford from the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners joins the show.  Auckland is set to get a new 24/7 CBD police station; how could it help reduce inner city crime rates? Heart of the City's Viv Beck joins to discuss, and Ryan has some thoughts on what the new police station won't solve.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deadly Storm Bert is continuing to lash parts of the UK. Snow's fallen across Scotland and parts of northern and central England -- and heavy rain's hit southern England and Wales. UK correspondent Kay Oliver told Ryan Bridge three people have been killed. “We’ve got 70 flood warnings across south Wales.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Max Verstappen has hit the jackpot in Las Vegas with his fourth consecutive Formula 1 Driver’s Championship, but Liam Lawson left Sin City empty-handed after finishing 16th. The All Blacks beat Italy 29-11 in their final match of the year, but it was TJ Perenara’s haka that stole the headlines. And the Black Foils are off to a tremendous start in SailGP, winning the opening series in Dubai. Newstalk ZB Sport reader Andew Alderson joined Ryan Bridge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember the excitement, the pride at being first, the proclamations of cleaning up our world and making it better for tomorrow. I'm talking about the single plastic use bag ban of 2018. Remember that? A few salient points to note this morning, six years on from when it was announced. There's a report out this morning on plastics. The use of plastic is expected to triple globally by 2060 most of it in Africa and Asia. Plastic waste will also triple by 2060 half of it will end up in the landfill less than 1/5 of it will be recycled. So well done. Our Pak'nSave efforts, we're really doing well for the world. Who's profiting from this? That's the other thing I wonder, I don't know how much supermarkets make every time I forget my reusable plastic bags and I have to buy the paper ones. But the price of the paper one the other day that I paid was 40 cents. And I can remember when they first started selling them, it was like 10 or 20 cents. So there's been a bit of inflation going on since then. And now they've got Christmas trees printed on them, how much extra is that costing? I don't want a Christmas tree on my paper bag, thank you very much. I want the paper bag not to break just because I put some wet milk in it. So annoying. In Australia Coles and Woolworths apparently profit $71 million a year off their reusable bags. Now, I don't know what the number is here, but I would have thought we'd be asking ourselves a few questions. Do I want us going back to plastic bags? No, I don't necessarily want us going back to plastic bags. But could we please know - were our bags actually ending up in the ocean in the first place or was that other people's bags? Were you throwing your plastic bag in the ocean? When you went and checked to the beach with the bags from Countdown New Zealand? Hm. I don't know. And how much are the supermarkets making out of us for the bags that break before we get them to the boot of our cars? Just a couple of things I'd like to know. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vaping rates are dropping across younger school students, but it's on the rise among senior students. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation survey finds 12 percent of high school students reported vaping in the seven days before the survey was taken - compared to 26 percent in 2021. However, 26 percent of Year 13 students are weekly vapers - doubling over the last three years. Chief Executive Letitia Harding told Ryan Bridge the increase is probably down to regulation coming in pretty late for older students. “You’ve got this group that had very little regulations around taking up vaping and some are very, very high in nicotine doses as well, because back then, the nicotine contained in vapes had up to 53 milligrams of nicotine in them, so you’ve got this group that has probably become quite addicted to these nicotine vapes, and that’s carried on through.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gangs are taking advantage of relaxed regional airport security screenings. Stuff reports they're travelling between New Zealand's smaller centres to traffic drugs around the country, where there's little risk of having their bags scanned. Current security settings mean flights with fewer than 90 passengers are unlikely to go through security screening. Airports Association Chief Executive, Billie Moore told Ryan Bridge it's a regularly raised concern. “But it’s important for us to focus on the fact that the purpose of passenger and baggage screening is for aviation security, and so that means unlawful interference with aircraft.” She says the purpose of screenings are for aviation security -- to stop unlawful aircraft interference. “These issues are about other illegal activities, they’re a matter for the Police rather than aviation security.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morning! Early Edition podcast blurb and editorial from the show this morning below. On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 25th of November. Gangs are using regional airports will leaner security screening to traffic drugs around the country, so do we need to change our security settings? NZ Airports Association Chief Executive Billie Moore joins the show. Youth vaping rates have dropped according to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation - but what’s driving the reduction? Chief Executive Letitia Harding speaks to Ryan about the results. A big weekend for Kiwi sport - Liam Lawson races in Formula 1 in Las Vegas, the Black Foils win SailGP in Dubai and the All Blacks win against Italy. Andrew Alderson has your weekend sport wrap. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is bracing for a high stakes poker game, preparing for Donald Trump’s tariffs to be introduced.  The US Business Summit is taking place in Auckland, and Trump is set to be a significant talking point.  NZ Inc Managing Director Fran O’Sullivan told Ryan Bridge that there’s likely to be an element of negotiation when it comes to the implementation of tariffs.  She says that Trump’s selection for Commerce Secretary has suggested that there won’t be blanket tariffs, but the idea is to get manufacturing back into the US.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Councils are putting a range of ideas on the table to raise revenue, as they push back against the idea of a cap on rates rises.  Rates shot up by an average of 15% this year.  Local Government New Zealand is proposing a range of options from civil defence levies to accommodation levies.  Hauraki District Mayor Toby Adams told Ryan Bridge some of the options, like congestion charging, won't work for their district.  He says that's why a vast range of solutions is important.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 70% of cops want to be armed, and I say who the hell are we to get in their way?  The new Commissioner has come in, and he's been more gung ho on this idea of regular arming of our police force than any of his predecessors.  The fact is they're on the front line, aren't they?  Last year, there was a 9% increase in tactical operations interactions – that means basically the bad ones. That's up to more than 7000. The number of cops physically attacked doubled from 2022 to 2023.  It's dangerous.  We're not the ones going out on the streets, are we?  We're tucked up in bed with moral superiority saying, no, we don't like the idea of you guys being armed. I prefer you pull the gang member over, please. Take your chances.  It's a little bit sanctimonious from us, don't you think?  If they feel it would make their situation safer, then I trust them to make that call.  Of course, you'll always have mistakes, and chaos prior to the shooting clearly shouldn't have happened, and they say they're working further at training etcetera to make that all better.   But we can't sit here tucked up on our beds at night, all judgey, when we're not the ones out there in the dead of the night facing more violence, guns, and crime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine is claiming Russia's launched a missile with greater range into one of its cities.   It's claiming an intercontinental ballistic missile has been used, but CNN reports two western officials have said it was another type of ballistic missile.   Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge the US is disputing the claim and Russia's saying nothing. He says it comes with escalation this week, with missiles being provided by the US given permission to fire into Russia.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 22nd of November, the US Business Summit is on in Auckland today, and Donald Trump's second term as US president will be a big talking point with possible tariffs on the way. Fran O'Sullivan joins the show ahead of the summit.  How do we fund local government and reduce its reliance on ratepayers? Hauraki District Mayor Toby Adams speaks to Ryan about possible funding fixes.  And should police be armed? With a new Commissioner starting next week, Ryan argues for the move.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JD Vance is facing a tricky task on Capitol Hill.  The vice president-elect has arrived at the Capitol to shore up support for Trump’s controversial cabinet picks.  He’ll spend the week organising meetings between Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth and key Republican senators involved in their confirmation process.  US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge that Gaetz is with Vance today, and it’ll be a tall order to get him confirmed as people have already spoken out against him.   He says that it would be quite the defeat for Donald Trump if he was rejected.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police hope an increased focus on gang activity will pay dividends.   The gang patch ban has been in force since midnight.   Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham says in the lead up to the ban, there was an increase in reports of gang members wearing their patches prominently in public.  He says they get reports on criminal behaviour all the time, so this increase was that combined with a heightened awareness from the public.  Basham told Ryan Bridge the legislation will create opportunities to catch other crimes.   He says targeting small groups with high offending rates has a disproportionate effect on crime.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's little doubt there's unnecessary spend at the Transport Agency.  The Transport Minister's called NZTA's costs eye-watering and excessive, after revealing a near $800 million spend over the past three years.  That went to road cones, traffic management, state highway maintenance, and capital works.  Temporary Traffic Management Chair Dave Tilton told Ryan Bridge he believes it's a systemic issue around how much temporary traffic management is deployed.  He says it's a prescriptive system, which doesn't give room for site-specific considerations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Households and businesses are set to face higher electricity bills.  The Commerce Commission estimates the average household's monthly electricity bill will rise by around $10 from April.  The Commission's allowing Transpower and local lines companies to raise prices as they aim to upgrade and maintain the grid.  Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord told Ryan Bridge the impact will be more significant on industrial manufacturers.  He says those large businesses don't buy their electricity from retailers, so the percentage of their bill that comes from transmission is higher.  Harbord says many of those businesses are already struggling with costs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone hates gangs. Unless you're in them, you hate them because they intimidate, they cause misery, they beat their wives, they do all sorts of awful things.  But I just worry that the gang patch ban in and of itself is not really going to solve the underlying causes, is it?  And what I worry about is the waste that could go into this.  The waste of time, police energy and resources. Every time Betty sees a gang patch, she rings in 111, which is fine because I know it's intimidating. However, that is going to tie up some police time which could be better spent solving an actual crime.  The other problem here is the design of the insignia, the gang patch.  So at the moment, the police know the designs of each of the gangs' patches.  What they're apparently doing is going down through and making subtle changes, adding words like mana whenua, or changing this logo or that logo.  So, sure, you will take the patch, you will collect it as evidence, you will take it to court, and the lawyers will argue that it's different.  I mean where are we now with our legal bills and our legal aid bills? What have we actually achieved in doing that?  Have we reduced crime, or have we increased the cost of administering a fashion police policy?  That's my only concern. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 21st of November, gang patches are now banned in public. Are police ready to enforce the new law? Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham joins the show.  NZTA has spent Almost $800 million on temporary traffic management in the past 3 years, and that doesn't include local council spending. Dave Tilton from the Temporary Traffic Management Industry Steering Group speaks to Ryan.  Power prices are on the rise as the Commerce Commission allows Transpower and lines companies to increase how much they charge. John Harbord from the Major Electricity Users Group talks about what it means for the country's biggest power users.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democracy is a delicate and fragile thing, and yesterday's protest was a good example of it working.  People oppose something, they protest peacefully, respectfully, they present a petition, they go home.  The bill, by the way, that they don't like, well, it's not becoming law.  You don't have to look far this morning for examples of things going tits up in a big way, and quickly.  We've basically farewelled freedom in Hong Kong, 45 activists sentenced to long-term prison sentences overnight, kids in the West Bank being killed. You've got a tyrant in Putin lowering the bar for the use of nuclear weapons, plus you've got US made long range missiles firing on Russia. But here, we have a functioning democracy.  Now the hīkoi is over, Rawiri Waititi wants to go further. He wants a separate Māori parliament. He wants two systems. He references on his website the Irish, Welsh, and Scottish systems. The latter of which controls its own justice, education, tax systems. How would that work here? Who would fund such a parliament?  Who would fall under the Māori parliament, given 75% of Māori didn't vote for Rawiri's lot at the last election?  How would you build a nation within a nation, separated not by borders, but ethnicity?  Serious question.  You see, democracy works when we're all in it and we're all in it equally.  It's true that not every group will get the same outcomes from that system, but that's no reason to throw the system away entirely.  What it is, sure, is a call to better use that system to effect change through strong and pragmatic leadership, the likes of which Te Pāti Māori has been known for in the past.  Whether you'll get that leadership from Debbie and Waititi... well, we'll have to wait and see. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freight carriers agree upcoming State Highway 1 repairs are necessary.  The Desert Road in the Central North Island is shutting to traffic between Tūrangi and Waiouru from January 6 until the end of February.  NZTA says the detour will add half an hour and an extra 50km to people’s journey.  National Road Carriers Policy & Advocacy manager, James Smith, says the entire network has maintenance that needs to happen.  He says they've known about it since August, and the road will end up with a much better finish.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many European countries are accusing Russia of sabotage after the cutting of two communication cables under the Baltic Sea.   One of the cables links Finland and Germany, while the other connects Sweden to Lithuania.   It comes as Ukraine's fired its first set of US-made long range missiles into Russia.   While Russia shot down five of them, the shrapnel from a sixth caused a fire at a military facility in the Bryansk region.  Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge other moves inside Russia are increasing concern in Europe.   He says Russia has changed its rules around when it can use a nuclear weapon.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls for Parliament's Speaker to dish out harsher punishments for things like Te Pati Māori's haka in the House.   Speaker Gerry Brownlee's confirmed he's received complaints.   David Seymour and Shane Jones have both asked him to consider changes.   Former Speaker Sir Lockwood Smith told Ryan Bridge that in recent years, in consultation with the Speaker, iwi present at Treaty Settlements have been able to perform a haka or waiata.   He says there's no reason that can't happen, but it can't just be dumped on the House.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine has fired its first set of US-supplied long range missile at a target inside Russian territory, just a day after the US granted permission for their use.   Russia's defence ministry says five missiles were shot down and another was damaged, with its fragments causing a fire at a military facility in the Bryansk region.  Russia security expert Dmitry Gorenburg says he's not expecting a massive response from Russia.   He told Ryan Bridge they will play the waiting game.   Gorenburg says they're waiting for Donald Trump to take over from Joe Biden to get more concessions.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of November, there are calls in Parliament for harsher penalties for MPs following last week's viral haka. Former Speaker of the House Sir Lockwood Smith speaks to Ryan about the subject.  Ukraine has used US made weapons to strike inside Russian territory on the 1000th day of the war. Russian Security Expert Dmitry Gorenburg joins the show to discuss.  A new report has found concrete roads last longer than tar sealed ones and require less maintenance. James Smith from the National Road Carriers Union has the details.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's appointed a scam-busting minister to coordinate combatting con-artists.   Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly has been named as the minister in charge of coordinating anti-scam efforts.  New Zealand's latest State of Scams report shows more than $2.3 billion was lost this year, up from $2.1 billion last year.  He told Ryan Bridge that there’s six ministries that deal with scams, and a lot of good work is done both within the government and also within the industry, but it’s not coordinated as well as it could be.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flags are already waving and music playing at Parliament ahead of the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arriving there later today.   Hīkoi participants are gathering at Waitangi Park in Wellington City, from which they’ll move along the Golden Mile to Parliament, bringing widespread traffic disruption.  Alistair Boyce, who runs the Backbencher pub across from Parliament, told Ryan Bridge that Police checkpoints were already in place when he arrived for work at around 5:30am.  He says that the Hīkoi should be an economic boon for the city.  What Mayor Tory Whanau needs to do, Boyce says, is stop thinking about attending the protest and instead think about catering for the protest – keeping businesses functioning and the streets open.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New crime figures are a mixed bag for retailers.  Data released by the Police Minister shows a 61% drop in ram raids in the first nine months of the year, compared to the same period in 2023.  But thefts at retail premises are up 12%, and there's been no change in breaking and entering or acts intended to cause injury.  Dairy and Business Owner's Group Vice Chairperson, Ash Parmar told Ryan Bridge the ram-raid reductions are good news, as they brought a high human cost.  He says it was too easy for too long, but a lot of the youths responsible are being picked up by Police more often now.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what really grinds my gears when I go to the gym?  What I've noticed is, you know when you watch tennis, and you hear them grunt when they're playing? That is happening at the gym.  I don't know if it's just my gym. I don't know if this is also happening at your gym.  But can we please stop the grunting?  Is there a legitimate physiological reason for you to do that? I don't think there is, I've never felt the urge to grunt.  Are you dying? Why are you doing this?  It's off putting, it's inappropriate, and it's inconsiderate.  Have a thought for those people who are trying to work out around you and shut your mouth.  I mean, obviously breathe, that's quite important, but other than that, just shut up.  It's very off putting, very annoying.  It sounds like that barbell is getting more than a deadlift.  Sometimes I listen to it, and I think, oh my goodness, is there going to be a climax at some point?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 19th of November, it's a big day in the capital with the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arriving at Parliament. What does it mean for local businesses? Backbencher Pub Owner Alistair Boyce speaks to Ryan.  Andrew Bayly is now the minister in charge of curbing scams in New Zealand. $200 million was taken from Kiwis by scammers in the past year, so what is the Government doing to reduce the impact of scams?  New police crime numbers are out and are showing a clear reduction in violent crime, but what are our dairy owners seeing? Vice Chairperson from the Dairy and Business Owners Group Ash Parmar joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By the end of those 8 shortened two-minute rounds in the ring with Mike Tyson, I just felt bad for the 58 year old.  What on earth was he doing there in the first place.  Sure, he wants a chance to get back in the right and have a crack at 27-year-old YouTube kid.  But the real motivation must have surely been US $20-million.  That's the amount he was reportedly paid by Netflix.  Jake Paul reportedly got $40-million.  Gate ticket sales at AT&T Stadium brought in close to US $18-million and 70,000 fans.  And Netflix? Well they won the fight with 65-million viewers at peak.  It's part of a new strategy to host live sport events lure subscribers - including  those paying less but getting fed ads on the platform.  That ad-supported platform now accounts for 50% of its new sign ups. It's grown to 70-million new users in just two years.  These big tech Silicon Valley giant media companies like YouTube and Chinese Tiktok and every other app under the sun that didn't start here in New Zealand are going from strength to strength.  They're the ones who have our attention.  According to online sources, the top 3 streaming sources here are Netflix with 1 million, Disney + with 600k and Amazon with 500+.  And yet here we are in NZ and Australia trying to force them into news content deals with us, we're battling with taxpayers cash to reinvigorate flailing state media companies to compete with these guys in a doomed-to-fail battle.  We're like the 58-year-old Mike Tyson, who apparently nearly died before entering the ring.  They're their annoying 27-year-new-to-boxing but bringing in the eyeballs Jake Paul.  Are we going to beat that little twat in the ring? No.  Continuing to fight him could kill us off.  We've got to somehow partner with them, rearrange ourselves and get our content on their platforms where it'll actually be seen.  Or we can stay in ring getting beaten and bloodied then eventually KO'd.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand spent $85 million more on contractors and consultants in this financial year, compared to last.  The health agency is putting the increase down to a global shortage of health workers. Health Minister Shane Reti says contract hires are needed to fill full-time workforce gaps.  Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Sarah Dalton tells Ryan Bridge the 2023 Workforce Plan identified 1700 doctors missing from the system.  “This health system continues to rely too heavily on locums to run hospitals. It means staffing remains fragile, and it means it’s really expensive.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poland scrambled its air force due to the “massive” Russian attack on Ukraine.   UK & Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan Bridge strike missile and drone attacks from Russia into Ukraine overnight killed 10 people. The attack was the largest coordinated assault since early September, with 120 missiles and 90 drones launched.  European leaders have condemned the attacks. As Ukraine’s neighbour, Poland flew fighter jets in its own airspace with Russian drones flying just 20 kilometres from the border.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks suffered their third straight loss to France, as fatigue and officials took hold in the second half.  The first half started with momentum and confidence, but several baffling referee decisions and a tiring squad kept an unbeaten northern tour out of reach. The boys fell one point short at full time.  Meanwhile, the Black Caps played Sri Lanka in the ODI series.  ZB Sport’s Adam Cooper joins Ryan Bridge for the weekend’s rundown.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The APEC Summit has wrapped up in Peru.  Leaders from 21 economies bordering the Pacific met for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to discuss strategies of the region’s major economies.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon met with several world leaders for the first time at the summit.  New Zealand secured trade deals with Costa Rica, Switzerland and Iceland during the summit, removing tariffs on wood and wool products.  Otago University international relations expert Robert Patman tells Ryan Bridge eyes were on China’s role in the Pacific. Though opinions diverged, Luxon’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping went well – evidenced by Luxon’s invitation to China.  “China gave us a free trade agreement and it’s important to consolidate that relationship at a time when the new Trump administration seems poised to impose blanket tariffs on its trading partners," says Patman. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 18th of November. Health New Zealand has spent $85 million extra in the past financial year on contractors and consultants sue to workforce shortages. What do we need to do to attract more people to work in our healthcare sector? Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton speaks to Ryan.  APEC has wrapped up in Peru, and our relationship with China was a big talking point for the Prime Minister as he met with Chinas President. Robert Patman breaks down this years summit.  The All Blacks loose by one point against France and the Black Caps are taking on Sri Lanka. Adam Cooper has the latest sports news.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is exploring a potential game-changer for securing future energy supply.  Up to $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund has been ring-fenced for exploring supercritical geothermal technology.  The first $5 million will be used for work in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, to help understand if it's a possibility.  Geothermal wells are drilled to a maximum depth of 3.5 kilometres, but scientists believe by drilling deeper, more energy will be available.  GNS Science lead Dr Isabelle Chambeforte told Ryan Bridge that temperatures reach around 330 degrees maximum in the normal geothermal systems, but by drilling a few kilometres deeper, they’ll be able to access temperatures of around 450 degrees.   She says those temperatures offer a lot more energy per well.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paris authorities are taking no chances with this morning's French football international against Israel at Stade de France.  The game comes just days after violence between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine football fans in Amsterdam.  About 4,000 police and 1,600 private security guards will be on patrol, with an elite anti-terror unit providing security detail for the Israeli squad.  But correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge the stadium itself will be mostly empty, with the Israeli Government advising its citizens not to attend.  He says after that guidance, no more than a hundred visiting Israeli fans are expected to turn up, but some local Israelis may attend.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson told Ryan Bridge that David Seymour has to realise this was never going to a civil debate due to the emotions involved.  “The debate takes place against the backdrop of what I perceive to be hostile acts towards tangata whenua over the last year in terms of names and treaty principles… it’s a culmination of a number of things.”  He said he might not have gone into government with the bill on the table if he was still in office.  Finlayson said he was “appalled” by the behaviour in Parliament from all sides.  “You don’t act that way in Parliament”.  The former National MP also believes the party has moved away from its “conservative values”.  Finlayson said he has had Māori approach him in public confused about who to vote for now as National no longer represents their values.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns New Zealanders could be priced out of their own backyard.   The Government's seeking feedback on who should pay visitor fees at national parks and conservation areas.  The options include charging everyone the same, charge New Zealanders less than international visitors, or only charge overseas visitors.  Federated Mountain Clubs President Megan Dimozantos told Ryan Bridge they're open to foreign access charges.  She says they have the means to pay, and infrastructure has already been established there to service them, but they’re against domestic access charging.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These are the political winners and losers from a bombastic day in the House yesterday:  Labour: loser.  Willie Jackson did his best to take the headlines, didn't he?  But Te Pāti Māori's choreographed stage production well and truly stole his thunder and with it, they've probably stolen any hope of Labour regaining the Māori seats they lost at the last election.  Why would you vote for Te Pāti Māori-lite in Labour, when you can have the real deal?  It's highly unlikely Labour will need to lead the next government for a number of reasons, which we've canvassed on this program many times, so why wouldn't you protest vote Te Pāti Māori in 2026?  Despite Willie's protestations about the Nats supporting ACT's bill in the first reading, Casey Costello made a really interesting point in the debate about Labour's own track record on Treaty principles.  They did a deal with New Zealand First, the Treaty Principles Deletion Bill, back in 2005 on first reading and then later voted it down.  Does that sound familiar?  Yes, that's because it is. It's because the same thing is happening now on the right.  Te Pāti Māori, they are a winner.  They have shrewdly led this debate for their base from premeditated, dramatic Instagram ops in the House, to fronting the party adjacent led protest across the Harbour bridge, to encouraging voters to sign up to the Māori roll during Waititi’s speech against the bill yesterday.  They have outmanoeuvred and outgunned Labour on all fronts, and they won't care what Middle New Zealand's reaction is to the antics in the House.  Therefore, politically, it's a win.  Luxon: winner, of sorts. Flying the coop to Peru and avoiding all this chaos turned out to berpobably the best idea he's had in a little while.  Seymour: winner, for his base who support this bill the result speaks for itself. It passed, even if only the first reading.  The biggest loser: Parliament and decorum.  Barry Soper, on with Heather yesterday, said this was an unholy mess, the likes of which he had not seen in the House before. It's hard to argue with that.  The question now is whether the same antics will be used to disrupt the Justice Select Committee.  And if so what, if anything, will and can be done about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 15th of November, could DOC start charging you for access to conservation land? The Government is seeking feedback on the proposal - Megan Dimosantos from the Federated Mountain Clubs speaks to Ryan about what it could mean.  It was a chaotic day in the House yesterday as the controversial Treaty Principals Bill passed its first reading. Former treaty negotiations minister Chris Finlayson speaks to Ryan.  A new type of geothermal power generation could be on the way. GNS Lead Geothermal Scientist Dr Isabelle Chambefort explains how it works.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International tourism continues its slow recovery to pre-Covid levels.  Overseas visitor arrivals were at 3.23 million for the year to September, which is up on the same month last year, but well below 2019's almost 4 million.  ASB Senior economist Mark Smith told Ryan Bridge that part of our struggle is that the global economy still recovering from Covid.  He says the most important reason is that costs remain stubbornly high – New Zealand's a reasonably expensive destination, and airfares are still very high.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's taking a new approach to Public-Private Partnerships for infrastructure projects.   There will be a reduced risk for private partners and guidance for agencies on how to lower the cost and time burden in the bidding process.  Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett was Mayor of Porirua, when a Public-Private Partnership was established to build Transmission Gully.  He says it's good to see the Government embracing the model, alongside a method to compare PPPs for specific projects to other funding models.  Leggett says it should be about finding the best funding model for value, not just prescribing PPPs for every project.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

60,000 Cantabrians are set to descend on the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds for the Christchurch Show.  The three-day event kicks off today in place of the usual New Zealand Agricultural Show.  The previous board had called it off due to financial struggles before local company, Event Hire came to the rescue in June.  Director Phil Anderson told Ryan Bridge they're hopeful to turn a profit, although a show like this is costly.  He says this event in particular has been a strong learning curve, with heavy amounts of infrastructure required.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden has welcomed Donald Trump back to the White House in a meeting in the oval office.   It's a traditional courtesy that the outgoing president welcomes the incoming president, a courtesy Trump didn’t afford Biden in 2020 after his loss.   Today, the pair both spoke about a smooth transition of power.   US correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge there were a lot of smiles and handshakes.  He says it was a little unexpected, seeing as they usually seem to despise each other. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were two numbers out yesterday that prove that no one likes us.  Number one - 87%. We're still plateauing in the high 80s for tourism, that's on pre-Covid levels.  And number two - 55,000 for the year to September, that was our net migration loss of New Zealand citizens, which is a new record.  Not only are we that unsexy to foreigners —they won't come here and have a piece— but our own people are off flirting up a storm with the likes of Australia.  And they're not even flirting – it's not a weekend thing, they have left us. It's divorce.  Sure, we're getting more people in terms of overall migration, meaning an overall net positive number.  But next year, many economists predict for the first time in a long time, excluding Covid, we will hit net zero migration. We need migrants to support our economy here, and we need tourists to support our economy here as well.  So what's happened to us?  Did we stop brushing our hair and cleaning our teeth?  Do we look like some antipodean mole at the bottom of the world that you'd rather skip over?  The Aussies are rebounding much better than us on tourism, and they're taking all of our young workers.   And you look at all the places that are so overcrowded by tourists they're introducing limits – in Florence, just yesterday, they announced that they're banning key boxes to stop Airbnbs in the city.  Rome, Amsterdam, Athens, Phuket, just to name a few, they're all doing similar things.  Last year, we ranked 157th out of 180 countries on growth and things haven't improved much there since.  We are a very expensive place to come, and we are at the bottom of the world.  The heart of the matter though is we've lost a bit of our mojo.  Apart from cutting spending and focusing on the basics, which are important, what is this country's big plan to grow our economic future and fortunes? What industries are we targeting?  Until we can answer that big question we will still look a little bit ugly to the rest of the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 14th of November, tourism numbers appear stuck well below pre-Covid levels, and a record number of Kiwis are leaving the country. Could we see net migration reach zero next year? ASB's Mark Smith talks to Ryan.  A new public private partnership framework has been released by the Government - what are the industry hoping to see come out of it? Infrastructure NZ's Nick Leggett joins the show.  The Christchurch Agricultural Show starts today after being saved in a last-minute deal earlier in the year. Event Director Phil Anderson gives a preview of what to expect this year.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.