Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

You know how everyone complains the lights at supermarkets are too bright? People reckon they do it on purpose.... it's a trick to make you awake and alert, no matter the time of day, so you keep shopping and buy more stuff.  Well, the opposite is true of movie theatres, right.  You go there and they dim the lights because it makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. The screen is a sensory overload - that's what you're paying for the. The lighting enhances that. Well, can I just say that you shouldn't never go the movies early, before they've dimmed the lights.  I went to the movies the other day in the afternoon. My usual cinema was not showing anything at te time I wanted.  Off I go.. down to... wait for it... Queen Street.  $17 for parking. That's on me.  $40 for the ticket and coke... which went down smoothly after I choked on the price.  Anyway, the cinema's empty but the lights are on. Like flood lights. Like Supermarket lights.  There is precisely zero glamour about a Queen Street movie theatre in full glare.  It's like when they turn the lights on at a nightclub.  The seat was so worn in the backside and shoulders there was no tread left on the thing.  Then there were the stains...and I don't really want to go into those.  The carpet was all worn and tatty and under the seats - popcorn for Africa. It's like somebody vacuumed the bits you walk on and everything else they forgot.  Now. I'm not complaining about this. Believe it or, I just don't really complain about bad experiences at restaurants and stuff because I always think, if you don't like something, just don't go.  And I like going to the movies. Even though I knew it was a bit gross and tatty, I sat down and pretended I was at the Silky Otter.  All I'm saying to you this morning, dear listener, is you wouldn't shop in the dark, so don't visit the movies in the light. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Draught beer excise tax has been frozen in Australia and there are calls for the same to be done here.   The goal is to relieve some pressure on local pubs.  It rises in New Zealand automatically every year, while beer consumption has fallen to the lowest on record.   Founder and Director at Abandoned Brewery Tim Ward told Ryan Bridge he questions what the tax is trying to achieve.  He says it's meant to offset alcohol harm and discourage consumption, but it's a blunt instrument.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand homeowners are holding onto their properties for the longest period yet.  A report by Cotality NZ reveals the median hold period for profitable re-sales hit a record 10.1 years for the fourth quarter of last year.  Resale profits have also stabilised, with 88% of homes selling for more than their purchase price.  Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson told Ryan Bridge the housing market is pretty flat, so if you want to make some kind of gain you have to hold on for longer than in the past.  He says there’s a stark difference between those who hold on 10-20 years and have a higher chance of making a profit, versus those who sell after only three or four years, who have a higher chance of making a loss.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Signs of fatigue with another review of the country's Covid-19 response now in the works.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis new inquiry looks at the Reserve Bank's monetary policy decisions, including printing $55 billion.  Findings are to be released just weeks before Election Day.  Massey University business professor Claire Matthews says there's potentially some value in it, but the timing feels like an election ploy.  She told Ryan Bridge we're also now six years past the start of Covid. Matthews says the Reserve Bank has also already done a review and taken lessons from it, so how much more are we going to learn.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Signs of fatigue - with another review of the country's Covid-19 response now in the works.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis new inquiry looks at the Reserve Bank's monetary policy decisions - including printing 55 billion dollars.  Findings are to be released just weeks before Election Day.  Massey University business professor Claire Matthews says there's potentially some value in it - but the timing feels like an election ploy.  She told Ryan Bridge we're also now six years past the start of Covid. Matthews says the Reserve Bank has also already done a review and taken lessons from it - so how much more are we going to learn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The brutal death of that poor wee boy Malachi is a disgrace.  It's heartbreaking to think an adult could be so cruel to young child. Malachi was beaten, starved, thrown against walls... you name it. Basically torture.  Now we have these debates popping up about it. Should the Minister front for interviews? Karen Chhour, herself a product of the foster care system, was criticised yesterday for attending a pre-planned lunch event to eat some lamb on Parliament's lawn. She should have, according to the RNZ story, presumably been inside answering questions about why more wasn't being done about this boy's murder, which you might recall was back in 2021.  Kelvin Davis, you may also recall, came in for a hammering from the media when was Minister.  So, I think we should all be really clear, neither Karen nor Kelvin nor any politicians are responsible for the deaths of babies.  The fact there is no culprit for the death of Baby Ru in the Hutt is, you could say, the fault of the Police.  But ultimately, as with all these cases, fault ultimately lies with those who do the killing, and those who do the covering up. You know, the family who won't speak to Police. The partner who won't do in their other half.  They're the real culprits here.  Yes, there are things we can learn. Things we can do. Things we change.  We can change the name of the agency. We can add a red-flag system. We can appoint a Children's Commissioner.  But ultimately none of it does much good, does it?  We average around 10 or 11 kids killed by homicide ever year.  Ask OT, or CYFs before them, and they'll tell reports of abuse seem to be trending down, but they have a new thing called reports of concern which are going up.  We actually don't know if it's getting better or worse because of there's a data lag - I know, incredible. But you'd have to say, on the whole, the picture's not rosy, and no amount of stalking MPs around Parliament is going to fix it.  Any fix, surely, has to happen inside the home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 12th of Feburary 2025, The Government's launching an inquiry into how the Reserve Bank acted during the Covid pandemic, Claire Matthews, Associate Professor at Massey University Business School shares her thoughts.  Kiwi brewers are calling for the Government to freeze draught beer excise, Founder & Director at Abandoned Brewery, Tim Ward tells Ryan how this could help local brewers.  Property owners are holding on to their properties for the longest period on record, Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson shares his thoughts.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu on Iran and Police have released a man hours after they detained him in connection to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More turmoil could be waiting in the wings for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.   He won't be standing down in the wake of his press secretary and chief of staff resigning.   Starmer's former deputy leader, Angela Rayner, has set up a website as part of a potential leadership challenge.   UK correspondent Mike Pearse told Ryan Bridge an upcoming byelection could be another blow for Starmer.   He says the polls have Labour coming last which would be a massive challenge for Starmer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters' politicking around the India free trade agreement is nothing new.   There's been weeks of back and forth within the coalition about the contents of the deal, which still hasn't been publicly released.   Peters has spoken out about the deal prohibiting a specific cap on Indian student visas.  Queen City Law managing director Marcus Beveridge told Ryan Bridge Peters made similar criticisms about 20 years ago, but was shut down by Helen Clark.  He says Todd McClay and Christopher Luxon have been a bit more feeble and weak on this one, so Peters has more mileage.   Beveridge says we don't cap any foreign students, so the whole thing is a bit of a red herring.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Critical minerals are starting to be wielded as a geopolitical weapon.   The Trump administration's ramping up pressure on allies to strike a deal in order to shore up US supply.   Talks with New Zealand officials are said to have been picking up steam.   US Critical Materials Executive Director Harvey Kaye told Ryan Bridge the US is aware of China's dominance in this space, and won't accept it.  He says innovation in every area of human development from medicine to defence to AI, is dependent on having a ready supply of rare earth.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s no evidence retail crime has fallen, despite claims the Government’s Retail Crime Advisory Group delivered more change than ever before.   The Justice Minister has confirmed the group will be disbanded early, months ahead of schedule, after several members resigned.  Chair Sunny Kaushal says he doesn't think there is any other Ministerial advisory group that's delivered eight key reforms in two years.   But Retail NZ CEO and former group member Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge it's an election year, he's a politician and he wants votes.    She says people must focus on what's headline news and what's actual news, to see what's been put in place and has actually made a difference.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's getting flak, especially in Auckland, for their capital gains tax.  Rightly so.  But National's approach, as is usually the case with centre-right parties, is user-pays.  It's a way to get revenue without appearing to tax-grab your starving constituents.  Yesterday it was whacking a new tax on our power bills in order to make them cheaper - we hope.  Last week they scrapped the full driver licence test but then NZTA came out and said they may need increase fees for the first test and other bits to make up costs.  We'll pay tolls to get the roads we want. We're about to get hit with congestions charging. International tourists pay the tourists' tax. Domestic tourists pay to use DOC huts and, more recently, carparks at peak places. Wellington will probably soon get a targeted special rate for pumping their number twos into the Cook Strait.  Now, so long as this stuff is ring-fenced, I prefer things are charged this way because if you don't want to use a toll road, use a taxed one. User pays make more sense and is fairer to those who use, and more importantly, those who don't use a particular good or service. But at some point, your household budget is hit with so many fees and charges that you have to stop and ask how long it can continue.  It's death by a thousand cuts.  And then you ask, can't the government cut wasteful spending elsewhere to cover some of this stuff or give me some back in tax? In case you needed examples of that, this week, Shane Jones' half-billion slush funds would be a good place to start, I would've thought.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 11th of Feburary 2025, Todd McClay's confirmed the FTA with india will not allow the Government to cap the number of students coming in from India, Managing Director & Immigration Lawyer at Queen City Law, Marcus Beveridge shares his thoughts.  The Retail Crime advisory group is being disbanded in early May, Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young tells Ryan where it all went wrong.  US Critical Materials Executive Chairman Harvey Kaye tells Ryan what a Critical Minerals deal could look like between the US and New Zealand.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Mike Pearse has the latest on Keir Starmer refusing to resign and organisers at the Winter Olympics have been forced to apologise to some athletes after their medals broke. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A promise of certainty and hopes of cheaper power prices with a facility to import liquefied natural gas.  The Government’s confirmed it will build a liquefied natural gas import facility in Taranaki, with a contract expected by mid-year.  It says the project will save the country about $265 million annually – roughly $50 per household.  Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie told Ryan Bridge it’s a necessary dry year insurance policy, as the country faces a massive fuel shortage.  He says there will be a large upfront cost, but officials say the investment will effectively take the heat out of the electricity market and lower peak prices.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More consistency across the Tasman in the standards for goods and services could reduce administrative burdens and free up business capacity.  A new agreement aims to streamline operations, reduce costs, improve quality, and meet regulatory requirements in New Zealand and Australia. Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge we were out of kilter with the Aussies on about 24 standards, so businesses effectively had to hire someone just to handle the paperwork.  He says it's a main below-the-surface issue and barrier for businesses that can put them off doing the work.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Government's running into similar problems Jacinda's one did on energy - they're getting too much 'official' advice and reports.  The problem when you ask 'the experts' for advice on every thought that pops into your head, is that they tend to agree with it. And if they don't, you tend to ignore them. And what does that tell you about the need for the advice in the first place?  Latest case in point is the LNG terminal in Taranaki. A billion bucks. We'll be paying a levy on our power bills to fund it.  Big announcement at the Beehive theatrette yesterday.  The 'official advice' from MBIE and the rest was that this is the way to go. This will save us all, on average, apparently, $1 a week on electricity.  If we're lucky. Because remember, as with all advice, there are caveats. The caveats are "depends on this" and "depends on that". So, we've got an announcement and we hope for the best and this thing will be built, come hell or high water, bar a change of government, by 2027.  When the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine, we'll import LNG and keep the lights on. BUT.  Last year we had the Frontier Economics report. Same issue but different set of 'advisors'. They're an independent global consultancy crowd and what they said was quite different.  They told us it would basically be a dumb idea to build an import terminal because you've got a massive fixed cost spread over a relatively small amount of output, because you're only using this as a back-up.  You can't sell an LNG terminal once you're finished with it. These particular advisors made the point that it's quite a specific piece of kit and could well turn it one of this country's biggest white elephant investments.  Yet here we are less than a year later with a different set of advice and another vague plan.  There's no doubt this country needs a plan to deal with energy security, but depending on who you ask, this is either brilliant or batshit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 10th of Feburary 2025, The Government's given the all clear to build an LNG import facility to help with energy security, Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie shares his thoughts.  The Government's signed a new standards agreement with Australia, Infometrics CEO and Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a multi million dollar boost to help veterans transition to civilian life and an investigation into work conditions on a luxury cruise liner docked in Darwin. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 9 February. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's chief of staff has quit - claiming he's responsible for advising Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.  Morgan McSweeney's position had been in doubt - after emails revealed Mandelson’s relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson's facing a criminal investigation - into claims he'd passed sensitive information to Epstein.  UK correspondent Mike Pearse told Ryan Bridge the scandal has Starmer's popularity waning.  He says a new poll reveals Starmer has the support of fewer than one in five people in the UK - with some of his own MPs saying it's a matter of time before he pays the price. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was having a good old debate with a mate at the weekend about interest rates.  We're of the age where, mortgages are a thing.  In Auckland, quote a bog and annoying thing.  Paying them down is the aim of the game.  Now this mate of mine knows a bit more about this stuff than I do and watches the markets closely. He's worried about the middle of the year - potentially this recovery if that's what we can official call it yet - coming to a bit a standstill/abrupt halt.  We've spoken before about elections putting the kaibosh on growth. We've spoken about Bill English's comments about our recovery, unlike across the ditch, coming isn't spite of a rebound in house prices.  In Australia, everything's how. The weather. House prices. Inflation. Growth. Employment.  It's like they're on a different hemisphere to us.  There was a good podcast talking about some of this, Of Interest, with a Westpac economist.  The RBA'S rate is now 3.85%. Ours is 2.25%. It's been about 15 years since there's been such a big gap between the two.  We usually cycle together most of the time but we have drifted apart to the point where one's so far over the hill, we can't see each other anymore.  This is all by design, of course. We were way more aggressive. We engineered a recession to crash inflation.  They went a loft softer to take into account employment.  They have a duel mandate. The coalition got rid of ours.  The Aussies are now upping rates again because their inflation is taking off again. Ours has a mild case of fever but nothing like there's at early 4%.  The question anyone thinking about this stuff, with a mortgage is asking themselves, is this. Would you swallow a bit of inflation to have an economy that's actually firing?  In other words, in future, would you rather this was handled the Aussie way? Or the Kiwi way? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westport’s only air link could be cut within months.  Originair won’t guarantee its Westport-Wellington service beyond May after failing to secure Government and local funding.  NZ Airports Association CEO Billie Moore says Westport is one of the last remaining airports still co-owned by the taxpayer.  She told Ryan Bridge taxpayers already cover half the airport’s annual shortfall, just to keep essential services running.  Moore says the public contribution needs to be beneficial.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor says he's frustrated to see yet another example of the capital's water infrastructure failing.  Heavy rain flooded the city's wastewater treatment plant's lower floors, causing sewage to leak into Tarakena Bay, writing off equipment and forcing the plant to shut down.  Untreated wastewater is currently flowing into the southern coast, with Wellington Water saying it could take days to fix.  Wellington Eastern Ward Councillor Sam O'Brien told Ryan Bridge it's an ongoing issue, and this isn't an isolated thing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 5th of Feburary 2025, unemployment’s jumped to a 10-year high of 5.4%, EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald tells Ryan what the outlook is for the rest of the year.  Wellington's water is contaminated after an equipment failure flooded multiple floors of the moa point wastewater treatment plant, Eastern Ward Councillor Sam O'Brien tells Ryan what's being down to stop the contamination.  In less than 18 months in, Originair could be axing its Westport to Wellington route, NZ Airports CEO tells Ryan why the airline can't stay afloat.  Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Trump's "border tsar" saying he will reduce the number federal immigration and border patrol agents in Minneapolis and Bill Gates interview on Epstein allegations.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's economic recovery could be more of a crawl, or a climb, than a bounce.  The job market remains tough, with unemployment now at a ten-year high.  EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge it's going to take a while for improved conditions and Government policy changes to flow through to the job market.  ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith says while jobs are being created, we're still about 30-thousand jobs shy of where we were three years ago.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll probably see and hear a bit of argy-bargy up North today as the politicians get welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds. If you’ve never been up there, it’s easily one of the best ‘Kiwi’ weekends you’ll experience. The sunshine’s guaranteed. People are friendly. The grub’s good and there’s plenty of watering holes filled with political chats flowing long into the night. Protest is an important part of democracy, it lances society’s boils and keeps powerful people in check. But it must be peaceful. The minute you start throwing fists, pushing cops, and shoving people round, you lose the room. I’ve seen that happen at Waitangi several times. I’ve seen that happen at many protests about a whole bunch of different issues. I hope it doesn’t happen this year. There’s a group of twenty online who apparently say they’re ready to be arrested in the name of protest. What a shame that would be. If there’s one thing we’ve shown each other as a country over the last fortnight, with the storms, flooding, landslides, and then the clean-up, it’s that we are still a united and down-to-earth country.  The politicians might argue. The lobby groups hiss and roar. But at its heart, New Zealand is mostly made up of decent people who look out for each other. We saw marae house, feed, and water their neighbours. I saw farmers being fed by kuia on marae. We saw farmers helping clear Māori-owned land of debris.  We saw tradies and workers leap in to help tourists trapped under rubble. They might fight about race in Parliament but the reality on the ground, as you know and most of us know, is way more chill than they make out. Much more chill than we in the media make out, too, to be fair.  We’re basically a nation of hard-working people, of all different cultures and colours, who sometimes disagree but mostly get on with life and look after each other. Of course, there are exceptions but that’s exactly the point - they’re exceptions not the rule. And this Waitangi Day, especially given how badly some other democracies have gone to dogs, that’s something surely worth celebrating. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view more practical training for drivers will be essential, with the full licence test in the rear-view mirror.  After passing the restricted licence test, drivers under the age of 25 will have to wait out a mandatory 12-month period before they can apply for a full licence.   Those aged over 25 will have to wait six months.   Institute of Driver Educators President Mark Revill-Johnson told Ryan Bridge it's important to get training all the way to a full licence.  He says lots of people fail that test for things like speeding and failing to follow stop and give way signs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growers are counting the cost as drinking habits change.  Around 100 thousand tonnes of grapes —a fifth of the crop— were left on the vine last year after exports couldn’t keep up.   Soljans Estate vineyard manager Tai Nelson told Ryan Bridge they just haven't been able to sell their product.  He says demand generally has dropped.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economy appears to be turning a corner, and we'll learn today whether the unemployment rate will follow suit.  Stats NZ is providing its latest employment update at 10.45am.  Economists are divided on whether the unemployment rate will remain unchanged at the historically high 5.3%, or will dip slightly to 5.2%.  Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Ryan Bridge jobs have started to trickle through, but it’s just enough to stabilise the rate, rather than bring it down.   He says they’re expecting things to turn towards the middle of the year, improving over the course of the next year or so.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The British Prime Minster says Lord Mandelson has let the country down as he quits the House of Lords.  UK Police are now investigating allegations that Mandelson shared internal government information with convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.  The latest release of Epstein files also show pictures of Mandelson in his underwear with an unidentified woman.  UK correspondent Mike Pearse told Ryan Bridge the Government told him if he didn't resign, they would've introduced legal powers to sack him. He says it's turning out to be one of the biggest political scandals in the UK in recent years.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 4th of February 2025, the government's scrapping full drivers license tests, Mark Revill-Johnson, President of the New Zealand Institute of Driver Educators shares his thoughts.  The first job market statistics of the year come out today, Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon tells Ryan where he thinks the unemployment rate will sit. The wine industry’s nursing a bit of an oversupply hangover, Soljans Winery Vineyard Manager Tai Nelson tells Ryan how it's been impacting their winery. Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Mike Pearse has the latest on Peter Mandelson stepping down as a lord.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The inflation thief might be gone but it lurks in the corner and if you’re not careful, it happily leaps out and steals your wages. Last week we spoke about the fact their inflation’s running hot - almost 4%.  They’re now world leaders, with the highest rate in the developed world. More than the UK, US, Germany, Japan, Canada, Spain, and France. Not something Albo or anyone in Canberra should be proud of. So yesterday the Reserve Bank of Australia did what central banks do when things are getting too spicy - they hike rates.  They’ve just done a quarter of a percent. They’re likely to do another one next month. Labor has a very generous system that gets Aussies into houses. First home buyers can get in with 10%, there’s cash at the ready.  Housing costs are partly driving this inflation. No such thing as a free lunch. The subsidies are also helping to drive house prices, which in places like Sydney, Melbourne, and even Brisbane are completely out of reach and not even comparable to our big cities. Now the interest rate hikes these young new buyers are going to have swallow, as rates go up, will leave an estimated 1.3 million mortgage holders under stress. Roy Morgan says that’s 30% of mortgage holders.  Albo and Labor are overseeing near record highs of government spending - almost 30% of GDP. Now, the problem is that when the private sector runs up against competition from the public sector it can cause the whole thing to fizz and bubble up to the point of overheating.  And overheating needs cooling, and cooling causes pain.  So, the next time politicians on this side of the Tasman tell you more borrowing and spending will solve our problems, ask them how much, from where, for what exactly and whether the spend carries an inflation risk or not.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canterbury farmers are being urged to plan ahead amid concerns over winter feed supplies.  A series of significant hailstorms, combined with persistently wet conditions, has made it a tough season for arable farmers across the region.  Federated Farmers is encouraging early discussions between arable and dairy farmers, warning crop damage could reduce feed available for winter-grazed dairy cows.  Mid Canterbury President David Acland told Ryan Bridge it’s not panic stations just yet, it’s a push for people to check in and secure the feed they need.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nelson's Mayor has kicked off a conversation about whether alcohol licensing laws are too strict.  Nick Smith was unable to buy a bottle of wine at the Ready to Roll concert on Sunday, at Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson.   It was being sold by the cup – the rule in place thought to be an effort to stop intoxication.  New Zealand Winegrowers Chair Fabian Yukich told Ryan Bridge there should be a little common sense.   He says you can try to cut out every possibility of everything going wrong, but in the end that becomes impractical.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Principals are looking to see more detail on the Government's new standardised school reports. The nationally consistent assessments in reading, writing, and maths will roll out this year, with students from Years 0 to 10 ranked against one of five progress indicators twice a year. Reports are also planned to give advice to parents on how they can help out at home. Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken told Ryan Bridge some subjects have a lot more nuance for marking, especially in Years 9 and 10 He says there's a lot more in the English curriculum than just putting things into five categories. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 3rd of Feburary 2025, school report cards are getting a government makeover, Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken tells Ryan how big  if a difference this will make.  Nelson Mayor's taking a swipe at what he calls “over-zealous” alcohol licensing laws, New Zealand Winegrowers Chair Fabian Yukich shares his thoughts. Agribusiness had a cracker 2025 but farmers are being warned don’t pop the champagne just yet, mid Canterbury Federated Farmers President David Acland tells Ryan what farmers need to look out for.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a meeting which failed to re-unite the Australian government coalition which remains split ahead of parliament today and a new search for alleged fugitive cop killer Dezi Freeman has begun. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The same crowd who moan and complain when we don't have enough cash to upgrade schools or pay teachers and nurses more are the same lot who throw eggs at Crown cars and chant 'shame' at ribbon cuttings for mining operations.  The latest whinge is about Otago Council giving road access to some Aussie gold miners to mine gold in an area that was basically founded on doing just that.  You don't get wealthy sitting on your hands or waving banners.  That's not how you create communities people want to live in, in which teachers earn a decent wage, and nurses don't work 16-hour shifts.  A country that looks a bit more like, oh I don't know, Australia - you know, the place all our kids are moving too.  You can't have your cake and eat it too.  Critical minerals, another example. Why wouldn't we do a deal and pull it out of the ground?  Everyone else is doing it. By the way, a lot of this stuff goes into electric cars and electronic tech, like the cell phones and computers the Greens use, rather than into things like SUVs. So what's the problem now? Some facts before people get themselves too carried away, before you start to imagine giant open-cast pits stretching from coast to coast, blighting the landscape.  Current mines make up 4000 hectares of land. That's 0.015% of our total land mass.  And the Conservation estate? 0.5% If we are serious about creating a wealthy country where society functions, our elderly have warm homes, and our kids see a future, we need to start doing something about it.  Something other than waving banners and getting poorer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The families of the six victims caught in the Mount Maunganui landslide will begin heading home - with all bodies now recovered from the site. They'll have one last visit to the former campsite before it's handed back to the Tauranga City Council with clearing taking place when it's safe.  The council's meeting today to decide what type of investigation into the incident will be conducted.  Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge it's going to be tough for families.  He says they have to now leave the support and go back to their own home for funerals, so making sure they're supported is critical.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday the 2nd of February 2025, changes to ADHD prescriptions have officially kicked in, Gen Pro Chair Dr Angus Chambers shares his thoughts.  Police have officially ended all recovery operations at Mount Maunganui, Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell tells Ryan what happens from here.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Mike Pearse has the latest on the US Department of Justice releasing more than three million pages from the Epstein files and ICE protests at Olympics. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Those opposing our FTA with India have got be guilty of economic treason, don't they? We're a small trading nation with lots of food, and world markets who need our red meat and our milk.  The closer the country, the better. The higher-value-add, the better.  And the sugar on top is tariff-free access, so our competitive advantaged producing the world best dairy and sheep and beef, and Kiwifruit, can all me admired and loved by the word at a reasonable price.  When Helen Clark and Phil Goff signed the deal in Beijing back in 2007, two-way trade was $8. It's now $41-billion. It's now our largest trading partner. We are on the cusp of another bonanza just like with a country much bigger and meddle class about the crack on.  It's to come the third largest economy in the world. However, some kiwi politicians believe this is somehow a bad thing. That selling our best produces to other countries at cheaper prices, unencumbered another' tax regime, how is that not a good idea?  Why because we may have take an 1700 Indians on working visas coming here?  So what. They work hard, they hussle. They don't piss around fishing at the beach or sitting on the couch when they should be working.  Migrants do the jobs iwi's feel they're too posh to do in society. It's hard work. Honest work. And it needs to be done.  Why not let people who want to work, work. And you don't, you don't get anything.  Fish till your hearts content.  But this country should be filled with ambitious people who want to make the most of it. That's what FTAs do and I can't understand people don't it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view that increased employment will be the key to our economic bounce back.   Infometrics says there's worrying indicators which show economic momentum is fragile.  But more signs of improvement are expected by midyear, when labour market conditions should be turning.   Infometrics’ Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge that they are expecting the economy to pick up this year, they’re just a bit cautious.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

West Coast officials are working to make the insurance market more competitive so Westporters can continue to insure their homes.   AA Insurance has temporarily stopped offering policies to properties in the 7825 postcode due to flood-risk exposure.  Existing policyholders can renew as usual.  Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew told Ryan Bridge AA Insurance is the main insurer in the town, so have the largest market share.  He says they want to write to all insurance companies and the insurance council to try improve the market, given the investment they're making in flood banking.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Vision is welcoming the new bill around fighting modern slavery.  The new bill, co-sponsored by National and Labour, will require large businesses to make reports on modern slavery in their supply chains public.  Head of Advocacy and Justice Rebekah Armstrong says it will change how companies do business.  She says there are other pleasing aspects to the bill too.  Armstrong says that includes penalties to give the legislation teeth and the promise to create an anti-slavery commission.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 30th of January 2025, AA insurance has announced they will not be accepting any new insurance policies on homes in Westport because the flooding and weather events are too risky, West Coast Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew tells Ryan how this will impact the area.   National and Labour have teamed up to fast-track a modern slavery law, World Vision's head of advocacy and justice Rebekah Armstrong shares her thoughts.  Infometrics latest report says the economic turnaround might not turnout to be what was promised, Principal Economist Brad Olsen tells Ryan why. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer in China and the US build up to attack Iran today. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we've heard about another privacy breach.  We don't tell strangers on the street everything about ourselves but for some reason, when a business does it online, who we also don't know or trust, you just cannot shut us up.  Name and address? Sure. Phone number? Why not.  Signature? Fill ya boots.  Don't even get me started credit cards and debit cards.  I was talking to tech expert this week on the show. What he said has been playing on my mind for two reasons.  1. We've lost trust and faith in companies to manage our data now, I reckon. Trust is dead, and it's very hard to earn back. And nothing's sacred - we know that after the health hack. In Finland, a psychologist's notes were hacked so patients had all their secrets out there for ransom online.  2. The penalties for businesses leaving the backdoor open for scammers is very low - the maximum fine is apparently just $10,000. So if a business gets your data stolen and then doesn't tell you, the maximum fine is $10,000. The Privacy Commissioner can also get involved and award compensation of up to $350k, but that's for a serious breach which causes serious harm. Whatever that means.  But I reckon they should make the fine so massive, so enormous, so crippling, that businesses just stop asking for all your information. Let it all be anonymous. Assign people a number. You don't need all the information you collect, so just don't.   If the fines don't deter the behaviour and behaviour doesn't stop, trust will further erode and nobody will be handing over their data anyway.  The internet's just one big funnel collecting and spitting your privacy.  Now, I don't mean to just pick on the businesses here, of course the scammers are the real jerks, but they're too hard to chase down.  Although I note this morning that China executed 11 scammers from Myanmar, which even though I'm against it, may put people off doing it more than a fine? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US and Iran are trading threats, with the President warning a massive naval armada is moving towards the country.  Donald Trump says time's running out for Iran to make a deal to limit its nuclear programme.  The BBC reports satellite images show a steady and significant build-up of US military forces in the region since a brutal crackdown on demonstrations in Iran earlier this month.  US Correspondent Jagruiti Dave told Ryan Bridge Iran's mission to the United Nations has responded to Trump's latest warning.  She says they're ready for dialogue based on mutual respect, but if pushed it'll defend itself and respond like never before.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A struggle to secure GP visits could be playing a role in skyrocketing calls for ambulances.  National ambulance data shows there's been a 30% increase in 111 calls for ambulances over the past five years.   St John fielded more than 700 thousand calls for the first time last year and attended more than half a million incidents.   Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quinn told Ryan Bridge minimal access to healthcare in rural areas is playing a role.  He says St John is sometimes used as a "pseudo-GP" because it's the only access to health operating in the area.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 29th of January 2025, new numbers show Labour's "fees free" wasn't all that it was supposed to be, VUWSA Vice President Aidan Donoghue tells Ryan what it did for students.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts on a housing sentiment survey from Cotality.  Demand for ambulance's was the highest on record last year according to stats from St John, New Zealand Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quin tells Ryan why demand has increased.  Plus, US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on Donald Trump’s latest threat to Iran and layoffs at Amazon.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reading this story this morning about Fees Free, you've got to wonder how the policy got through the boffins in Wellington.  It has, by all accounts, failed to achieve it's objective.  Did we see floods of people charging into lecture halls and studying at university? No. Did we see loads of poorer students benefit? No. What did it cost us, again? $2.6 billion. $350 million last year alone.  That's one and half brand new Dunedin hospitals.  This is what it got us: No increase in participation. 230 students from poor schools were helped. That's 1.3%. A whopping 70% of the kids who had their university fees paid for (up to $12,000 each) were from above-average socio-economic schools. They were the wealthier kids.  Did they need it? No.  I've always backed the interest-free student loan idea. You can borrow, not stress about interest, and work hard to pay it down once you finish.  But clearly Fees Free was too much of a free lunch. Not enough discipline or focus.  Now the problem is Winston and National have kept this policy alive, they've just changed it to the final year of study. The idea is this will encourage students to finish their studies.  The problem? It's not doing that either. No evidence. So, you've got to ask, with such a high price tag, is the whole thing worth having at all? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cost barriers continue to keep disadvantaged students out of university. Of the 26 thousand students who went straight from Year 13 into study in 2024,  just 1.3%, or around 230 students, came from the most disadvantaged schools.  It's despite the fees free policy aiming to alleviate costs. Victoria University Students' Association Vice President Aidan Donoghue told Ryan Bridge study should be a full time job if we want that return on investment, with a well educated workforce.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India and the European Union have announced what's been named 'the mother of all trade deals'.   The landmark agreement will allow the free trade of goods across the 27 EU states and India, which make up nearly 25% of global trade across a market of two billion people.  It comes as both sides contend with economic pressure from Donald Trump's tariffs.   Europe correspondent Mike Pearse told Ryan Bridge just about everything from tea, to cars, to chemicals will see tariffs cut and trade made easier.  He says it's been dubbed the biggest and most historic trade deal ever, being talked about for more than 20 years.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.