Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

An ACT MP wants the Broadcasting Standards Authority to be abolished as the watchdog seeks more power.   The authority has been asking for law reform for about 15 years as media companies produce more online content.   A Parliamentary paper notes the watchdog operates off a definition of a broadcaster established 35 years ago.   ACT's Laura McClure told Ryan Bridge she agrees the world has changed a lot in the past three decades.   She says there are many methods of oversight and doesn't believe the BSA is relevant anymore.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington bookstore owner is expecting a 35% loss in revenue following the closure of their NZ Post counter - and says she’s “devastated” for affected customers, particularly the elderly. NZ Post has announced it will close 142 urban partner stores across the country after reviewing how customers use its urban retail services. No rural stores are currently affected. The decision has left many in the community outraged, saying it was already hard to access a post shop and many people who couldn’t go online would struggle. Marsden Books Karori owner and manager Briony Hogg said the shop’s estimated revenue would drop 35-40% once the post counter closes at the end of May. Speaking to Ryan Bridge on Newstalk ZB this morning, Hogg said there were only two post shops in the suburb of 18,000, with the other – a Mobil station – staying open. The postal counter itself had low margins but closing it would have a “pretty significant” effect on revenue, thanks to the loss of customers. “People would come in to do their posting and while they’re in there they’ll buy a card and they’ll buy a book and they’ll have a chat and we build a relationship,” she said. The store and others like it would now have to think of ways to pivot. Hogg said they had “no idea” why NZ Post chose the petrol station to stay open - “I imagine it was something to do with the bottom line which I understand is important” - but called it “a weird fit”. “Also, there are a lot of concerns around health and safety, elderly people crossing forecourts, you know, that sort of thing so that’s the thing that we’re really quite devastated about for our customers.” Marsden Books had gone “above and beyond” to provide social connection and community spirit, she said. “I’m just not sure they’re going to get that same level of service at a petrol station.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 28 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.

A view there's no harm in having Tauranga Council review the Mount Maunganui disaster alongside the Government inquiry. A Rāhui's now in place over parts of Pilot Bay and Mount Main Beach, and the cordoned area where recovery work's expected to run into weeks. Six people remain missing, presumed dead. Political Commentator Bryce Edwards told Ryan Bridge the council review can take a look at its own systems, while the Government inquiry can take a birds-eye view. He says it can look at what the Police did, what the fire service did, and if there's an issue of council resourcing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is going to sign this free trade deal with India. The massive boost we got and still enjoy from Phil Goff’s signing of the China FTA is still very much fresh in mind. Hipkins sounds pretty upbeat about it, with a few questions to be asked, but he says caucus will look at it and make a decision.  Of course, it’ll need support across the aisle because NZ First isn’t keen. The Europeans have just done a massive deal with Delhi overnight. Ursula von der Leyen is in India, getting the red carpet treatment from Modhi.  Combined they make up 25% of the world’s GDP and the market size? Two billion people. They’ve been negotiating for years and years, but finally have a deal, in part because of a Trump’s tariffs but also because India has managed to secure protections for dairy. They say Delhi "has prudently safeguarded sensitive sectors, including dairy…”. We generally treat trade as a bipartisan issue and there’s little reason to think this deal will be any different - barring any major red flags with the details, many of which we the public don’t know yet but that the Opposition’s being consulted on. But if that checks out, it’s probably going to be a rubber stamp.  After all, we’re like the world’s FTA cheerleaders. We basically go round international meetings with a clipboard trying to sign people up.  We now have 70% of our global trade covered by FTAs. It’s reasonable to only expect that will increase.  And perhaps easier once Trump leaves office, too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More flexible electricity use could save the country billions of dollars.   The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's new report finds about 18 hundred megawatts of demand could be shifted away from peak times.  Their analysis found $3 billion dollars could be saved without changing how people live and work.  Octopus Energy COO Margaret Cooney told Ryan Bridge it might mean that instead of putting your dishwasher on at 7pm, when there’s still a lot of demand on the grid, you put the timer on for 11pm.   She says it would help us avoid having to invest in really expensive infrastructure, save consumers money, and allow for more energy users and renewables to be integrated into the system faster.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While New Zealand's been stuck under grey skies for a lot of this summer, things are heating up across the ditch.  Temperatures are expected to reach the high 40s in the southern states of Victoria and South Australia.   Some Australia Day events were cancelled yesterday out of safety concerns.  Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge it's the worst heat wave in decades.   She says Dubbo has seen 46.1 degrees and 48 in an area called Noona, with some temperatures 21 degrees above average.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a belief the Government and experienced principals need to step up to secure the future of the profession.   A recent New Zealand Council for Educational Research survey found just 18% of teachers want to become principals, while 50% said they definitely wouldn't.  It's after Newstalk ZB revealed one in five principals quit within a year.  Principals' Federation President Jason Miles told Ryan Bridge as well as teaching experience, you also need finance, employment, crisis management, and relationship skills.   He says principalship is a challenging but rewarding role, and teachers are sometimes so busy they miss the opportunity.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 27th of January 2025, Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young has left the board of the retail crime Ministerial Advisory Group, she tells Ryan why.  A new report out this morning reckons shifting to more off-peak electricity use could wipe $3 billion bucks a year off our power bills, Octopus Energy Chief Operating Officer, Margaret Cooney shares her thoughts.  A new survey shows only 18% of teachers actually dream of becoming a school principal, Kaiapoi North School Principal Jason Miles tells Ryan why some teachers aren't so keen. Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a heatwave across South Eastern Australian states.  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.

Turmoil within the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime - with three of the five members resigning in recent weeks. It includes Michael Bell, Lindsay Rowles, and Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young.  Group Chair Sunny Kaushal's refused an interview but says it is well known himself and Young have different views on the group's recommendations.  Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge her resignation came after a series of challenges made the role untenable. She says it started when the Dairy Owners Association attacked her professionalism in the media and Sunny allegedly refused to do anything about one member attacking another. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you seen how much gold is worth lately? Yesterday it hit another new record - US$5000 an ounce. It’s up 60% on last year. If you watch this stuff closely you’ll know it’s not just happened overnight. It’s been building slowly but surely since Trump took office, and investors look for safe places to put their money. People have been worried about the AI bubble bursting, so they out their money into gold instead of stocks. The price skyrockets.  But the speed of late has been pretty remarkable. JP Morgan in December predicted the price would hit $5000 by Q4 2026.  It’s hit that price in Q1. Goldman Sachs reckons it’ll hit $5400 by year’s end, but at this rate, that might be underselling it too. Honestly, it makes you want to rip off your rings and earrings off and flog them, doesn’t it? One thing’s for sure, at these prices, gold diggers —the prospectors, not the sort Kanye sings about— will be lining up to get the stuff out of the ground quicker than you can say fast-track. Every time the price goes up, so too does the value of those projects. The quicker they can get up and running in places like Otago and Waihi, the better the return for their investors. There’s only around 200 thousand tonnes of gold that’s ever been mined. Mostly since 1950. It’s only enough to fill two or three Olympic swimming pools. Every gold bar in a vault. Every wedding ring. Every necklace. Melted down, doesn’t amount to much. They reckon there’s about 64,000 tonnes remaining underground that's accessible. That makes this a rare and precious metal which will surely become more precious as the world becomes more uncertain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An inquiry is underway to review the build up to Thursday's landslide at Mount Maunganui.  Tauranga MP Sam Uffindel told Newstalk ZB’s Ryan Bridge that the Tauranga City Council are continuing to work on the inquiry into what happened leading up to the deadly landslide. He said those coming forward saying they warned emergency services of the risk of a landslide earlier in the day would be taken into account in the council's inquiry. “They want to establish all of the facts and get them out there very publicly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 26th of January 2025, Hundreds of people gathered at a sunset vigil at Blake Park, to acknowledge those missing in last week's the Mount Maunganui landslide, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell tells Ryan what it was like.  Andrew Alderson has the latest of the weekend's sport.  Gloriavale's school will remain open for now following a judicial review, founder of Gloriavale Leavers' Trust, Liz Gregory shares her concerns.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Mike Pearse has the latest on talks between Ukraine and Russia a failure so far and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham's bid to return as an MP blocked.  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.

Yet another push for the Government to intervene and shut Gloriavale's school down for good. The school’s licence was due to expire on Friday, but the Ministry of Education agreed to keep it open after the School Board applied to the High Court for a judicial review. Gloriavale Leaver's Trust Founder Liz Gregory shares her concerns with Ryan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Question: Who wants a pay rise? Who deserves a pay rise? Simple question, easy answer.  Answer: Everybody and most kiwis. By and large we’re hard workers and deserve more. Teacher, nurses and doctors. By and large, yes. Yes. Yes.  At the weekend, more reports of doctor shortage - Whakatāne this time. Last week it was a teacher shortage.  Union came out and said what unions say. Throw some cash at it. Higher salaries. More staff. Problem solved.  The problem is not what to do but how to pay for it.  Remember our government is borrowing money from overseas lenders to pay for everyday items like teachers' salaries, fixing roads and paying welfare. Operational spending. We’re paying interest on that borrowing.  That interest bill is the highest it’s ever been in our nation’s history and even with National and ACT in government, who are meant to be the right ones, we will keep borrowing for this stuff and won’t start paying it back until at least 2030. Most know the uncomfortable truth about our situation. We’re no longer the wealthy, productive and plentiful country we used to be.  So rather than simply saying we need to be paid more. We deserve to be paid more. Which nobody disagrees with. We need to ask how. How do we make this a wealthy, prosperous country which can afford to do that? The Aussies pay 30% more but they mine the Bejesus out of the place. We sell tourism but moan when there are too many camper vans on the road. We turn our nose up and gold digging in Otago, a region founded on doing exactly that.  We put the boot into our farmers who are about the most productive on earth and who provide protein, nutrients and goodness to 40-million people globally. It’s easy to demand things, it’s not so easy to pay for them. That’s the real challenge not just for the government, but for every single one of us, in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ACC lawyer believes the crown entities new plan to improve costs completely misses what the Accident Compensation Act is about.  Its new plan's been released after a critical report that found its deficit would balloon to $26 billion by 2030.  It focuses on getting people back to work quicker and increasing the number of clients who have their own case manager as a single point of contact.   ACC lawyer and researcher Warren Forster told Andrew Dickens the act required all parties involved in an injury to get together to make a plan, which isn't happening.  He says ACC's plan has failed to address its statutory obligations that led to the cost blowout.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel costs are keeping inflation higher for longer than the Reserve Bank would probably like.  Stats NZ is providing its latest CPI update at 10.45.  Three months ago, the annual inflation rate was 3% - at the very top end of the Reserve Bank's target range.  Economists expect it now to be between 2.9 and 3.1%.  Economist Cameron Bagrie told Andrew Dickens inflation is looking to be a little bit sticky towards the top end of the target zone.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mt Maunganui's community is stepping up to help families and first responders a day after a landslide drove through a campground and hot pools.  The Herald understands from a source involved in rescue efforts that there could be up to nine people unaccounted for. Hundreds of emergency responders have been at the base of Mauao since from just after 9.30 yesterday morning. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale told Andrew Dickens volunteers and locals have been very generous during what is a tough time.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So yesterday the Otago Daily Times ran an article about the thoughts of Grant Kitto, a former Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) worker. Grant Kitto argues that showcasing the USAF F-22 Raptor at Warbirds Over Wānaka effectively legitimises US military power and the weapons systems that have been used in conflicts where civilians were killed.  The Raptor is made by Lockheed Martin and back in 2015 incident,  a US Air Force gun ship —also built by Lockheed Martin— attacked a Doctors Without Borders hospital, killing 42 people, including 14 staff members. He also worries the huge emissions from the planes. A local councillor echoed his concerns and said that the current global environment was not good for a display of US military power. And he said because this is kit in current use, it makes a difference compared to the older planes. What a load of tosh.   Firstly I guess the giveaway is the name of the event: Warbirds. This is a celebration of war machines, but more so the ingenuity of the people who built the amazing planes. And I wonder where all the dissent was back in the day when American F16s visited, the Australian F-111s. How about the Soviet-era MIGs, which at the time were the height of weapons of mass destruction? What about the Vulcan bombers that have killed thousands? Or even the mighty Spitfire? Do these guys also have a problem with shooting at the Olympics, or Archery? The javelin is based on spear work. I understand the concern but the thing I’d say is maybe it’s better to understand the weapon rather than ban it. And maybe it’s not the planes or the guns that do the killing, it’s the people controlling it. And the F22 Raptor is a mid bogglingly good piece of kit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2025, Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale has the latest on the rescue mission at the Mount Maunganui landslide.  The ACC has outlined its plan to get out of a $26 billion deficit by 2030, ACC lawyer and researcher Warren Forster shares his thoughts.  We're expecting the official inflation number for the year 2025 independent economist, cameron bagrie tells andrew what we can expect.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Davos and Prince Harry's court case against the Daily Mail.  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 long runway for an economic recovery is thought to be the main reason for a November election.   Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's set November 7th as election day – the latest election since 2008.   Early voting will open on October 26, with final results due in early November.  Political Commentator Liam Hehir told Andrew Dickens that the Government’s hoping that if they have as much time as possible, people will start to feel more confident regarding the economy.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump's delivered his two cents on the state of Europe, as tariff threats over the Greenland issue loom.   Trump's spoken at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, confirming he still wants to buy and control the Danish territory, but won't use force.   He's already threatened increasing tariffs on eight European countries if he doesn't get a deal.  University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil told Andrew Dickens the threat of a tariff war is extremely concerning, as it could do a lot of economic damage to the world.  She says everybody involved loses, which is why it’s not something we should be doing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 22nd of January 2025, Donald Trump's made a speech to the World Economic Forum saying he won't use excessive force to acquire Greenland, but he will push ahead with Tariffs, University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil explains the impact this will have on the US.  Confidence seems to be returning to the construction sector, with jobs ads for construction increasing 3.4% from November to December, Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming shares his thoughts. Christopher Luxon's announced the date of the election will be the 7th of November and he's ruled out National working with the Greens, Te Pāti Māori and Labour Political Commentator Liam Heir shares his thoughts.  Plus, US Correspondent has the latest on Donald Trump's speech in Davos and wild weather in the US.  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.

Builders across the country are starting to feel the benefits of the rise of employment opportunities.  SEEK NZ's latest Employment Report shows a drop of 0.3% on overall job ads. But demand for construction workers continues to add volume, with a rise of 3.4% nationally, up 43% year on year. Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Andrew Dickens jobs are coming from across the country.  He says employment agreements in January are up 20% on this time last year - which is positive at this quieter time of year.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am becoming even more impressed with Mark Carney as time goes on. I said that yesterday on the radio and got a text that Carney is just Trudeau but without Katy Perry - a snappy one liner fed to my texter by the President’s camp, and nowhere near the truth. Carney yesterday gave a speech to Davos that may go down in history as era defining. He said great powers can go alone. They have the size and the money and the military to do whatever they want. But that does not mean the middle powers don’t exist. He made a call for countries like Canada, Australia, South Korea, and others to build strategic autonomy and collaborate to stabilize the global system.  He argued that middle powers could no longer rely on great powers to maintain order - they appear hell bent on sewing disorder. Carney framed the moment as a pivot point: either middle powers coordinate to build a more resilient, cooperative system, or the world slides deeper into fragmentation. And then he said some words that completely freaked out the conspiracy class: he said the old era is gone and it’s time to build a new world order. But his new world order is not built on power and subjugation, it’s built on co-operation. He named the rupture, explained its causes, and argued that the future will be shaped not by superpowers alone, but by coalitions of capable mid-sized nations. He’s brilliant. Trump is not. Trump is a big bully. Carney may be the smart guy who always wins at the end of the movie. We’re not a middle power. We’re not even a small power anymore. The world order has changed and New Zealand’s virtue signalling no longer carries weight. It’s time to find our friends and maximise our relationships with them. The elephants are dancing. Us mice need to find a safe place so we don’t get crushed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opposition leaders in the UK are concerned following through with plans for a giant Chinese Embassy in London.  The UK Government's approved the mega embassy, located near Tower Bridge in the central city.  Opponents have been warning the embassy could be used as a spying base.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens there are fears the embassy will be used to eavesdrop on both data, and people.  He says the embassy's so big, and  there are lots of rooms that appear to have no use.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calls are growing for tougher gambling regulations to prevent relapse.  New AUT research shows one in four gamblers who recover from harmful gambling slip back and return to the habit at a risky level.  Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Bridgette Thornley told Andrew Dickins people need concrete plans in place to kick their addiction, and New Zealand needs to help.   She says they need to remove predatory online marketing and gambling advertising in front of young people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children will analyse if New Zealand met its obligations under international law.   The four year search for the group ended in a shootout last September, where Phillips severely injured a police officer before being shot dead.  An inquiry into their disappearance will begin hearing evidence today, looking at whether agencies should have done more or acted faster to protect the children.   Waikato University Senior Law Lecturer Anna-Marie Brennan told Andrew Dickens New Zealand has obligations to protect children under UN conventions.   She says children deprived of their family environment must be given special protection and assistance.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building's calling time on its construction arm after a difficult few years.  It's signed a sale deal with French multi-national Vinci Construction, subject to regulatory approval.  The final reckoning could sit on about $334 million, and it'll move its focus to manufacturing and distribution.  AUT Construction Professor John Tookey says it's a seismic shift, but Fletcher's been overstretched in recent years, so it's not a big surprise.  He told Andrew Dickens the question is going to be whether the removal will significantly impact the profitability and sales of the building products side of things.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It might be today that the Government announces the date of the election. Some have called for an early election. They argue that the job to fix us up needs more time. The Government could argue they’re the ones to do it.   They could ask for a mandate for another three years to finish the job, and the sooner we get on with it the better. I can see that, but I don’t agree with it. We’ve been through a tough two years. Government’s always get the blame for tough years.   So the Government is currently at a low ebb in their popularity, but as we’re starting to hear there are good signs in the economy.   Not just here, but everywhere - geopolitical events not withstanding. So why not wait until the green shoots actually turn into a proper crop? And with Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation speech being portrayed as a yawn fest with little new vision, there’s no silver bullet in the chamber that might excite the electorate. So why pull the trigger early? My pick is still nearly November. And that will mean every party will be looking at the economic indicators with extra trepidation. Labour hoping that economic dissatisfaction lasts while National hoping the economy turns the corner and blows favour on their campaign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 21st of January 2025, the Tom Phillips inquiry is underway today, Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato School of Law Dr Anna-Marie Brennan tells Andrew what we can expect from it.  A new study is hoping to highlight just how hard it is to kick a gambling habit, Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Brigette Thornley shares her thoughts.  Fletcher Building has sold its construction arm to a French multinational, John Tookey, Professor of Construction Management at AUT, tells Andrew what this means for the company.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on world leaders arriving in Davos for the World Economic Forum and the UK approving China's plans for a huge new embassy in central London.  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.

As prices for everyone's favourite sweet treat soar, chocolate makers are searching to find cheaper alternatives.  A Rabobank report reveals manufacturers are exploring ways to replace cocoa beans, including lab-grown options, as climate pressures disrupt supply and make global cocoa prices rise.  Raglan Chocolate Head Maker Mike Renfree told Andrew Dickens the commodity price of cocoa has been double what it was in 2023, but it's mostly impacting the large multi-nationals.   He says it was $2 a kilo in 2023, went up to $12 a kilo in 2024 and 2025, and it's now lower down at $5, but there's a lag in the system.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A superannuation expert suggests the Government looks across the ditch for ways to maintain the retirement age.   The Prime Minister took the opposite stance during his State of the Nation speech in Auckland yesterday afternoon.   Christopher Luxon says as life expectancy rises, the pension age of 65 is too low.   Jonathan Eriksen told Andrew Dickens Australia introduced compulsory superannuation in 1991 with 3% employer contribution.   He says it now has trillions of dollars, which it invests in infrastructure and tourism.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 20th of December 2025, Christopher Luxon says a lift in the retirement age inevitable, retirement and superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen shares his thoughts.  Confectionary giants are looking into lab-grown cocoa as prices continue to rise, Raglan Chocolate Head Chocolate Maker, Mike Renfree tells Andrew what difference it could make.  Teacher shortages are getting worse, as kids prepare to go back to the classroom, Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken tells Andrew why it's gotten so bad.  Plus, Australia correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a special sitting of parliament to pass new laws after Bondi terror attack and a young boy attacked by a shark in Sydney. 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.

Schools hit by staffing shortages are being forced to adapt as vacancies climb nationwide. Around 450 teaching and principal roles remain vacant - 12% more than this time last year. Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken told Andrew Dickens vacancies are taking longer to fill than in the past. He says schools are doing everything they can to manage with the staff and resources available. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Election Year is off and running with Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation address.  We should know the election date later this week.  What we do know is the theme of National’s campaign: “Fixing the basics and building the future”.  Not a shock. It’s a variation of the way they’ve positioned themselves for a while. The party that concentrates on the need to haves and not the nice to haves - Labour trashed the economy in six years with their spending, we’re the guys who’ll fix it up.  But the real question is what are they fixing and what are they building.  Treasury’s figures from the Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update delivered just before Christmas, show the Government has both cut capital expenditure since its election and lowered forecasts for new spending. Capex fell by $6 billion between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 fiscal years, and spending was $1.6 billion less in 2024/25 than was budgeted.  There’s not a lot of fixing of leaky hospitals and rickety courtrooms going on. And yet despite that, their spending has gone up. And that’s because the big ticket items like benefits and pensions have gone up, and so have costs in services like education and health. So there’s not a lot of invigorating news in the near future.   Our fundamentals will remain unchanged. The great hope is that private sector just gets on with it understanding the limits to our capacity. And so we get back to the unofficial slogan: "Vote for us, we’re not as bad as the other lot". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The business sector will want to know how the Government will support them - as the Prime Minister prepares for his State of the Nation speech.  Chris Luxon will give the address at the International Convention Centre in Auckland this afternoon - the first event to be held at the new centre.  Newstalk ZB understands he will try to draw attention away from turbulent affairs overseas - and to the Government's successes back home.  Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Andrew Dickens that he will question if economic relief is set to continue.  He wants to know what fresh Government ideas are coming through which will keep business confidence up.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe may be on the cusp of implementing a never-before-used law, to turn up the heat on the United States.  President Donald Trump's announced increasing tariffs on eight countries starting next month, unless a deal allowing him to buy Greenland is reached.  European leaders have condemned the decision, with France now set to urge the EU to enact its anti-coercion instrument,  if the tariffs go ahead. Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens that the international economic counter-measures will enhance their retaliation, within international law.  He says no one quite knows what it means as it's never been needed until now, adding things are getting very serious.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmac is seeking clinical advice on whether weight loss medication should be funded in New Zealand.  One in three people over the age of 15 are classified as obese and one in eight children aged between two and 14. Pharmac received two applications to fund Wegovy or semaglutide - a GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss. Auckland University Professor of Molecular Medicine Peter Shepherd told Andrew Dickens despite it being a short-term fix, it's like any other medicine.  He says it's the same as heart disease or blood pressure medication - as soon as you go off them, they lose their effect as well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday just before most of us came back to work Auckland Transport announced that public transport fares on the rise from February 1st.  They’re going up by 5.1% which is higher than inflation, but they claim transport costs have risen by up to 16%. Meanwhile parking costs in AT controlled buildings and areas are going up by 50 cents an hour.  For adult commuters, this means a 10 to 25 cents increase per bus or train trip, and 40 to 60 cents more per ferry journey. Now I understand prices go up but I’m not sure that AT realise the consequences. I use a ferry. In fact, I used one on Saturday to go to a Sail GP watching party.  That meant I spent $15 return. From February 1st it’ll be 16 bucks. That’s all very well if it was just me. But if I took A partner that’d be 32 bucks return. And that’s getting very close to a price point that says I can’t justify using public transport. If there three of us I might as well just get an Uber.  But that defeats the purpose of public transport which is to get cars off the road. I also wondered what the thinking was that meant the Southern line from town to Ed Sheeran was closed for maintenance. This was a chance to let people experience alternative transport options. Instead, people ended out in buses clogging up the motorway and some North Shore residents were still trying to get home at 2am and it reinforced the idea that not just trains are unreliable. AT get a load of bad press, but it’s not helped if they keep shooting themselves in the foot with their decision making. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday the 19th of January 2025, Christopher Luxon is set to deliver his State of the Nation speech this afternoon, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges tells Andrew what businesses want to come out of it.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Auckland University Molecular Medicine Professor, Peter Shepard shares his thoughts on if Pharmac should fund weight loss drugs.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the EU calling an emergency meeting on Greenland and the Trump administration naming former UK prime minister Sir Tony Blair as one of the members of the founding executive board of its "Board of Peace" for Gaza. 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.

Like it or not, next year's big dance in politics will ultimately be decided by the few, not the many. Most MMP elections have been. Minnows hold the keys to the kingdom.  Be it Winston with his best result ever or Te Pati Māori with an overhang - 2026 won’t be a 2020 landslide. The difference this time is how extreme some of the smaller parties, more to the point, some of their MPs, have become - think Takuta on Indians and Simon Court on Palestine. It’s not just rhetoric, but policy, too. A separate Māori parliament, re-nationalising power companies, you name it, they'll go there. The temptation for the behemoths, the broad churches, is to emulate what’s getting traction. To dip your toe in the pool of radical ideas. To be establishment without looking or sounding like it. Trump and the MAGA movement are the best example of this. In the UK, parties that have been around since Moses was a linebacker are being absolutely whipped in the polls by newer upstarts with one thing on their pledge cards: radical change. The Conservatives have been around almost 200 years. Reform UK? Six. The big issues differ - our cost-of-living malaise is their immigration.  So the temptation must be to embrace a bit of that radical spirit. Labour might yet do that, we just don’t know what they’re cooking up. My prediction? Establishment parties will do what established parties do. Stick to the script, copy/paste their policies, hug the centre like a koala a tree, and hope their buddies grab enough from the fraying edges to get them across the line. Their bet is that crises come and go but establishments don’t, even though the Brits and Americans show us they can and do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what's really starts to rub me the wrong way?  It's governments telling us to do more things.  This morning, we've got the government coming out with yet another hotline. Sounds fancy. Sounds efficient.  It's a hotline to report road cones. A road cone tipline.  Sorry, but if the problem is that there are too many road cones on the road, and they're unnecessary for the work being carried out —which half of them appear to be— then why do you need us to tell you that? Surely if we just had better, clearer rules and less bullshit, we wouldn't need a road cone tipline. A pothole tipline. A 105 theft tipline. A beneficiary tipline. Either you know what you're doing and you've got smart people and smart systems, or you don't.  And every time I hear of another tipline I realise, they have no idea.  Tiplines are the equivalent of a safety calming measure. Those weird speed bumps or narrowing roads, designed to make people feel better when driving around. All they really do is piss people off and reveal how rubbish your road designs are to begin with.  Just think about this:  There's a bunch of road cones in a dumb place on a busy road. WorkSafe and NZTA and Council people drive past this busy spot every day.  Barbara in her little Honda Civic, she drives past. She calls it in. Barry in his truck and trailer. He calls it in. Sally picks the kids up at 3pm from school every day.  They all ring the tipline. They all report the same thing. It will then be somebody's job to sort through the tips. Somebody else will triage the tips. That's two jobs. In three weeks, Barry, Sally, and Barb get a letter. Because the post only runs two days a week.  The letter says we're looking into the issue for you.  Meanwhile, 100 government or council people have walked or driven past the road cone Armageddon and nothing's changed.  Tiplines are plasters over grenades. The only time I want to ring a tipline is speak to the actual dump.  In its first 156 days in office, the National-led government has set up 37 reviews, inquiries or advisory panels – some of which are being led by former ministers, including Bill English, Steven Joyce, Murray McCully and Roger Sowry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I went out for lunch to a café the other day and our table was served by a couple of waiters who all seemed to have a similar vibe about them. They just. Did. Not. Seem. To. Care. No smiling. No banter. No small talk or polite conversation. Just this blank look on their faces. You sit there and think “did they hear me”? You ever so politely repeat yourself in case they didn’t.  But they did. They got it. There’s just no engagement. Face colder than a witch's tit. No refills of your water. No "would you like another coffee?" Like, hello!? Is anybody in there? Is anyone home? Why are you all moving so slowly? Shouldn’t you be rushing the joint taking orders and filling coffees?  When I was young it was drilled into us: when you’re waiting tables and taking orders. You work your way up from "dish pig" to front of house. You basically run round busy as a bee, trying to impress your boss, trying to win your guests over. Taking wagers of who might get a tip.  "Can I help you, sir? What more can I get you?" You’d help the elderly into their seats. You’d bend over backwards to make everyone happy.  And these guys are on at least $23 an hour.  And I know what you’re thinking, maybe I’m the a-hole. Maybe I’ve forgotten mum’s many sermons on good manners and etiquette. So I asked the people who I was out to lunch with - they all thought the same thing. I asked friends who are teachers, I asked parents with kids around that age. Guess what? They’ve all noticed the same thing happening. Hell, there’s even a TikTok trend called ‘the Gen Z stare', which describes what I saw at the café - the vacant look a Gen Zer gives in response to a question or statement. If it’s in TikTok then it must be a thing, right? So the question is why? Was it Covid? Was it everyone wearing masks? So much of how we communicate is through facial expressions, maybe they’ve missed out on years of social queues and norms? Is the smartphones? Is it both? Or, maybe, just maybe, they just don’t give a shit? Maybe we have on our hands a generation of young people who don’t really think they NEED to be bothering with mundane things like work.  Disclaimer: this is is obviously not an entire generation of young people. And some people are just shy. I get that. We've all had excellent experiences. But, y'know. Is this a thing you too have noticed? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teachers say they're struggling to deal with increasing violent incidents due to a lack of learning support.  New data shows 12,300 students have been disciplined for physical assault on teachers and students this year – a 49% jump from 2019.  PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Francesca Rudkin teachers have been given increasingly more restraint training to deal with these incidents, but the main problem is with students' unmet needs.  He says our children are coming to school with complex needs, a lot involving mental health issues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK is looking to tackle radicalisation and extreme misogyny early.   Millions of pounds will be invested into schools to train teachers to spot signs of misogyny among boys and course correct.   Funding will also go towards courses for radicalised young men.   It's to counter concerns about pornography and online misogynistic influencers.   UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin it's a key part of the government's legislative agenda.   He says two women die a week from domestic violence.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's thought the closure of Gloriavale school is more complicated than just finding a new school.    The Secretary for Education has cancelled the Christian sect school’s licence, forcing it closed from January.   It's been on notice for several weeks after failing another audit and being ruled physically and mentally unsafe for students.   Education researcher Liz Gordon told Francesca Rudkin says it's not as straightforward as moving the students elsewhere.   She wants the ministry to take a group of professional teachers into the community, to allow the kids to be taught there.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Friday the 19th of December 2025, The economy’s rebounded into 1.1% growth in the September quarter, ahead of forecasts Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts. Schools are dealing with more fights and assaults than ever before, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie tells Francesca why the problem has got worse.  Gloriavale's school will shut down from January next year, educational researcher and community activist Liz Gordon tells Francesca what will happen from here. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Zelensky urging European Union leaders to loan billions of euros in frozen Russian money to fund Ukraine and Teachers in England will be given training to spot and tackle misogyny in the classroom. 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.

An economist says the economy has some forward motion.  Stats NZ data shows a 1.1% GDP increase in the September quarter.  Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie says he expects to see 2 to 3 percent growth over the next 12 months is likely.  He told Francesca Rudkin there are other statistics trending in a positive direction.  Bagrie says that includes more hours worked and greater bank lending into the business sector.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Confirmation that the economy grew strongly in the third quarter of the year is welcome news before Christmas”, Finance Minister Nicola Willis stated in the first line of her press release yesterday.   ‘Welcome news’ may be a bit of an understatement, given the context of recent attempts to undermine Nicola Willis and the Government’s approach to righting the economy.  Willis also needed the good GDP news after a disappointing Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update on Tuesday, in which almost every economic and fiscal indicator moved ever so slightly in the wrong direction.   The GDP results showed the economy did better than expected in the September quarter, growing 1.1%. GDP per capita rose 0.9% for the quarter, if that's how you prefer to measure it. The increase in economic activity was broad based, with increases in 14 of the 16 industries that Stats NZ looks at. This is good news.   But the problem with GDP figures is they’re provisional and often revised. That’s what has happened with the previous June quarter – which did worse than previously thought, falling one percent. If you look at it from an annual point of view, from September to September, the economy contracted 0.5%.   These numbers provide an overview of what’s going on. They are a sign of a gentle uptick rather than a booming recovery. But they don’t give politicians a true sense of what is going on in New Zealanders day to day lives. As Liam Dann wrote recently, GDP doesn’t capture wealth distribution, it doesn’t tell us about the health of our nation, or the overall happiness of its people.   As the end of the year approaches, Luxon and Willis survive ‘25 to enjoy a summer BBQ and a bevy or two and get to return to their leadership roles in 2026. But hopefully they and their politician colleagues will spend some time over the summer listening to ordinary Kiwis to get a sense of how New Zealanders are feeling about the cost of living, job security, and the challenges facing those running a business.   Yesterday’s GDP figures give Willis breathing room. But the pressure is on next year. Willis is excellent at sticking to her core messaging of fiscal discipline without causing misery to voters. It’s a plan that holds some risk – there’s little room to deal with the consequences of potential natural disasters or global financial crisis in the near future.   The ‘steady as you go’ message will remain next year, and yet there’s a sense the hard yards haven’t started yet. If we’re going to meet the 2029 – 2030 surplus target, the ruler is likely going to have to come out again. Social services and public servants will most likely be the targets.  In the meantime, we can head into the New Year with some cautious optimism that the economy may have peaked a look around the corner. I like the expression one of my listeners suggested to me on Sunday – ‘brick by brick in 26’.   Maybe then we might have built something a more stable by 2027. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.