Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The 2026 Formula 1 season is kicking off in Melbourne today.  Homegrown racer Liam Lawson will be facing the Albert Park street circuit once again – the race that saw him fail to finish last year.  NZ Herald Sports Reporter Alex Powell told Ryan Bridge it’s been a tricky start to the year for everyone, with new cars and new regulations, so everyone’s waiting with bated breath to see how they’ll go.  He says today will be the first time we’ll see these cars and race situation on a track.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are claims a Parliamentary inquiry into online safety is rushing toward regulation without fully considering the consequences.  A Select Committee is backing a social media ban for under 16s and calling for an online regulator and tougher controls on harmful apps and algorithms.  ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar initiated the inquiry last year but says the recommendations don't have adequate analysis.  She told Ryan Bridge concerns about youth online are real, and we need to find real solutions for them.  Parmar says it's a complex issue and wasn't dealt with the seriousness that parents and young people deserve.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Other countries are using our medicinal cannabis products more than we are.   ACT leader David Seymour says he's looking at further improvements to speed up processing for exports of the plant, which he believes could one day rival the wine industry.   He is open to improving regulation domestically as well.  Cannabis Clinic CEO Waseem Alzaher told Ryan Bridge there's are a lot of companies growing the plant locally.  He says that product is being sent offshore, in forms people can't get in New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Prime Minister has an uphill battle to convince the public his response to the war in Iran is the right one. Sir Keir Starmer has announced four extra Typhoon jets are being sent to join the squadron in Qatar, while helicopters with anti-drone capabilities will shortly arrive in Cyprus and the HMS Dragon is being deployed to the Mediterranean. The move follows a strike from an Iranian-made drone at the UK’s Akrotiri air base in Cyprus. But Starmer is still being accused of having “completely misjudged” the need to put defences into Cyprus, UK Correspondent Grey told Ryan Bridge. The HMS Dragon wouldn’t arrive for around a week, while other European nations were very quickly filling the void by sending naval assets. “Frankly many people think Keir Starmer has been caught rather napping on this - plus the fact, rather embarrassingly for him, the first...government-chartered flight out of the Middle East for people who were stuck there had been delayed for some engineering problems.” The flight had now ta

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 6th of March 2025, a parliamentary committee’s final report in online youth harm recommends a social media ban for under 16 year olds, Dr Parmjeet Parmar who represents Act on the committee says she was hoping for a different outcome.  The Formula One 2026 season kicks off in Melbourne today, NZ Herald sports reporter Alex Powell joins Ryan from Melbourne. David Seymour thinks the medicinal Cannabis industry could be an untapped goldmine, with export levels similar to our wine industry, Cannabis Clinic CEO Waseem Alzaher shares his thoughts. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on Keir Starmer announcing the UK will send four fighter jets to Qatar to strengthen UK defensive operations and Spain pushing back against the White House’s claim that it agreed to cooperate militarily with Washington amid the conflict with Iran.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your pod

I don't mind paying the train tax in Auckland, even though I won't be using it.  Rates are going up 7.9% next year. Which let's be honest, is like Woolworths selling butter for $7.99.  It's 8%. Wayne Brown is the 8% man.  Mr Fix it is hitting us in the pocket, and it will hurt.  An extra $320 for your average ratepayer. The average goes from $4,055 to $4,375.  If we didn't have to subside the City Rail Link's operations, it'd be 0%.  Now, usually, something like this would get me a bit angry. I'd be tempted to go tag the side of a locomotive in the middle of the night with a cartoon of Wayno saying some like "Let's F Auckland". Just remove the ix from his campaign slogan. I don't generally use public transport because it's not convenient for me to do so. It's a timing and location issue, really.  But if we don't subsidise the users, then it won't get used. If it doesn't get used, then roads will stay clogged. If roads stay clogged, that's time and money down the drain. 

The Dave Rennie era is upon the All Blacks.  New Zealand Rugby announced his appointment as Head Coach yesterday, succeeding Scott Robertson in the role.  His assistants have yet to be determined, but it’s a focus of Rennie’s.   Sports Commentator Sam Ackerman told Ryan Bridge that there should be something resembling continuity, and Jason Ryan could be one to stay in the mix.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whanau Ora's Chair believes there's more focus on removing children from their families, rather than their safety further down the track.  A critical report from the Independent Children's Monitor argues that little progress has been made in living up to National Care Standards introduced six years ago.  It finds the percentage of young people suffering abuse or neglect in care has risen from 8% to 10% in the year to July last year.   Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait told Ryan Bridge once children are in care, the minimum standards are not adhered to.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 5th of March 2025, Dave Rennie has been named the new All Blacks head coach, sports commentator Sam Ackerman shares his thoughts.  Does the conflict in the Middle East risk knocking out our export gains? Trade Minister Todd McClay explains. The Independent Children’s Monitor says abuse in state care is rising Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait tells Ryan what needs to happen to make change.  Plus, US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on the Pentagon press briefing on Iran and the Senate set to vote on a war powers resolution.  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.

New Zealand’s export boom is accelerating. New international trade figures show exports climbed to $29.2 billion in the December quarter - up $2.2 billion on a year earlier. Two-way trade also jumped to just over $61 billion. Trade Minister Todd McClay told Ryan Bridge dairy is performing strongly, with meat exports up a remarkable 21%. He says growth has soared with countries we have free trade agreements with, like the EU, UK, and Australia. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know how they say cranes in the sky is a good sign of growth?  Well, not in Auckland. Not at Seascape. It’s meant to be this city, this country, tallest tower. 187 metres tall. Beautiful expansive views of the water. 52 stories. A statement building for a city on the move. But for two years we’ve had this… construction stopped, half finished, beams and nuts and bolts exposed. Then yesterday the Chinese outfit developing it folded completely. Gone-ski. So what happens to this half-cooked tower down by the wharf? It’s kind of hard to miss, you know. Imagine the Sky Tower with scaffolding on it for a year. Whatever happens needs to happen fast.  Auckland is getting its mojo back. We’ve been talking all over the city lately, the areas your tourists venture, it’s coming alive. The ICC, the CRL stations, the shops, Ponsonby, viaduct and waterfront; absolutely humming and heaving.  There’s a buzz in the air and it’s not just politicians talking it up. Go and see if for you

The Utilities Dispute service is welcoming changes to power rules.   The Electricity Authority's new rules, which kick in from October 30, will force power companies to simplify their bills and tell customers if they're on the best plan they provide.   It will also mean power companies could only send backdated bills once every six months.   Utilities Dispute Commissioner Neil Mallon told Ryan Bridge it won't just benefit customers.   He says it will lead to fewer complaints and make it easier to resolve complaints.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s concern youth offending boot camps don't cater to the issues impacting children the most.  Newstalk ZB understands the programme for young offenders is starting in Palmerston North on Monday, for 10 youths.   They'll spend more time in the residential facility than in the pilot, and this iteration will have more input from local iwi.  Kickback co-founder and youth worker Aaron Hendry told Ryan Bridge these are kids who are often struggling in poverty and homelessness themselves.  He says parents don't have the adequate support to help children get through tough issues.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, tourism total spend hit $46.6 billion in the year to March Tourism Minister Louise Upston shares her thoughts.  New changes to your power bill could mean money back in your pocket, Utilities Disputes Commissioner and CEO, Neil Mallon explains. Youth social workers are warning the Government bootcamps won’t fix youth crime, Aaron Hendry, youth development worker and Kickback co-founder tells Ryan why.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK government is considering whether to send a Royal Navy warship to the Mediterranean to increase security while helping British citizens currently stuck in the Middle East get home and Rachel Reeves has updated MPs on her economic plans.  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.

There’s confidence tourism spending will soar even more.  Stats NZ data shows tourism spending hit $46.6 billion in the year to March 2025, up 3.3%.  International visitors spent $18.1 billion – a 7% jump.  Tourism Minister Louise Upston told Ryan Bridge Chinese arrivals remain below pre-Covid levels but have surged recently, driven by last year’s policy changes.  She says one is allowing visitors with an Australian visa into New Zealand, which has had a significant impact.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If this is still going on in two or three weeks, lots of countries, including ours, will start to feel the pinch.  Brent Crude Futures topped out at $85 a barrel overnight, the highest price since 2024. JP Morgan says it could hit, worst-case, $120.  The Iraqis are now pulling back production because of the Hormuz logjam.  Refineries in Asia are, according to Bloomberg, thinking about cutting production by 20-30% for the same reason. You've got tankers backing up and unable to port.  All this stuff means delays.  Our economy is quite dependant on oil and gas. It's a common misconception that we aren't. Because we generate 80% of energy as renewables, or thereabouts, people often think that's the same as use. In fact, about 60% of our energy comes from fossil fuels.  Kelly Eckhold from Westpac told me yesterday it's likely petrol prices will go up for us. As of yesterday, he estimated 8 cents a litre at the pump within a week or two.  Oil prices are lower by comparison of lat

Stability is continuing to erode across the Middle East with another day of large-scale combat.   The White House advises its military attacks on Iran could last weeks.  The strikes have killed Iran's Supreme Leader and numerous officials and more than 1250 targets have already been struck.   Tehran's been retaliating, sending strikes over surrounding countries, with six US servicemen among the dead.  National Security Expert Matthew Schmidt told Ryan Bridge that when all is said and done, there are a few basic groups who may gain control in Iran.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The commander of naval vessel HMNZS Manawanui is facing a court martial —alongside two other officers— over its sinking off Samoa's coast in 2024.  Charges laid under the Armed Forces Discipline Act allege errors on the bridge meant the vessel grounded on a known navigational hazard.  Commander Yvonne Gray, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Gajzago, and a third unnamed officer are facing charges.  John Battersby, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, told Ryan Bridge that as a commander of a naval vessel, your one job is to keep it above water.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister’s being accused of playing politics over Iran.  Christopher Luxon says the Government will make a decision very shortly on whether to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity.  Former Foreign Minister Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge if Luxon wanted to take a stand, he should have done it already, as moving now would look opportunistic.  He's questioning why the Government's treating Iran differently than countries like Russia, and thinks we need consistency.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 3rd of March 2025, New Haven University Director of International Affairs and National Security Expert Matthew Schmidt shares the reaction from the US following the latest developments with Iran.  The captain of the Manawanui Commander Yvonne Gray, is among three navy officers being charged over its sinking in Samoa last year, Massey University Centre for Defence and Security Studies Senior Fellow John Battersby shares his thoughts.  The PM’S signalling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could soon be officially listed as a terrorist organisation here, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former Minister of Defence Phil Goff tells Ryan how New Zealand should react to the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on a state of emergency in central Australia following torrential rain and Aussie dairy farmers want law changes to stop labelling non-dairy products as "milk".