Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 16th of March 2025, we get the latest on the Iran War as it enters its third week. Donald Trump has requested allies help open the Strait of Hormuz - UK Correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan whether Europe is likely to help.  Ryan has some advice for the Labour Party - don't automatically agree with the unions.  And Andrew Alderson celebrates Liam Lawson's brilliant weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix. 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.

Last week ended with a bizarre situation where Labour effectively came out against a pay rise for teachers. They did this because that’s what the unions wanted. And what the unions want, the unions usually get. Union strategy 101 is getting everyone who’s not a member to become one. The tactic is peer pressure. If you can deprive non‑union members of a pay rise while dragging out pay negotiations, that’s leverage. Labour last week got rid of Willow‑Jean Prime, who scored an F in the portfolio. Ginny Anderson has been lumped with it at a time when National is seen, across a bunch of polls this term, to be either better or at least as good as Labour on education. Which is saying something. Like health, it’s usually the purview of the left. But something’s shifted, and Ginny probably needs to take a good, hard look at which battles she blindly follows her comrades into. Charter schools are another example. I was reading at the weekend about the breadth of subjects and students these schools cater to: seven Māori

Concerns the Middle East conflict will make rising grocery prices worse. The Infometrics-Foodstuffs New Zealand Grocery Supplier Cost Index finds suppliers charged 2.3 percent more on average in February, compared to a year earlier. Annual average produce department costs rose 2.9 percent, the fastest in two years. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge this doesn't capture rising fuel prices. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamilton's welcoming the Homegrown Music Festival back to the city where it all began.  Organisers announced last year the festival would leave Wellington after being held on the capital's waterfront for 18 years.  Homegrown Chief Executive Andrew Tuck says Hamilton's Claudelands Oval will offer two-and-a-half times as much space, with acts like SIX60 and LAB set to take the stage.  He says the lineup for this year’s festival is the strongest they’ve ever put together.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An electrification advocate says the rising price and falling supply of gas may not be a bad thing in the long-term.  PwC research —commissioned by Gas Industry Co— has found New Zealand's gas market will need to shrink sharply as domestic supply declines.   It warns this could mean business closures, job losses, and higher energy costs.  Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey told Ryan Bridge it's going to be a tough transition, but we need to move away from gas anyway.  He says gas is an expensive and inefficient technology, especially in homes, and the more people get off it, the better it will be for them in the long run.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is still a long way off from car-less days, AA fuel spokesman Terry Collins predicts.  Government ministers yesterday were receiving advice on emergency fuel measures that could be taken if fuel stocks got too low as a knock-on effect of Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.  But Collins told Ryan Bridge Early Edition the Petroleum Demand Restraint Act, which allows for carless days and other options like fuel rationing, is very old fashioned.  “In those days we didn't have things like working from home and all the types of IT that we do today that makes us maintain productivity in another way.”  New Zealand also has a fuel security plan which was updated last year. “We hope it never has to be implemented, but at least we've got a plan and we've got legislation that if it's needed, we can implement.”  There have been reports South Korea could ban exports of refined fuel products to ensure they had sufficient supply at home. That would have major impacts here as New Zeala

We're learning a few hard truths this week and the old saying rings true - you don't know what you've got 'til its gone. Parties on the left and the right all crying out for more oil. Turns out, it's actually still quite important. A decent supply of it at a stable price. And we're a long way off from that strait opening and running at full capacity again. Trump's talking victory. Winston told me this week the war will be over before people think. But there are sea mines and rocket launchers and drones hitting that strait. No shipping company, or insurer, is going near there for a while yet. The uprising we were told would happen hasn't happened. We've go the old boss' son in charge, and they've just killed his mum, dad and most of his family. He's not giving up anytime soon, is he? More important than oil is food. We've got the Wattie's plant closures. The frozen vegetables are grown here. Peas and beans. Like peaches before them, there'll be some cheaper imported alternative filling the shelv

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 13th of March 2025, the Government could consider car-less days to help with fuel security, AA Fuel Spokesperson, Terry Collins shares his thoughts.  Homegrown Festival is back, but this time in Hamilton, Homegrown Festival Founder Andrew Tuck shares his thoughts.  According to a new report the Maui gas field could run dry by 2027, Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey tells Ryan Bridge what impacts that could have on the energy sector.  Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Iran targeting the international financial district in Dubai with a drone and a British man has been charged under cyber-crime laws in Dubai after allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city. 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.

Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga is a contender to be named as one of Dave Rennie’s assistant coaches, possibly on defence.  The Moana Pasifika mentor would replace Tamati Ellison.  Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby, Elliott Smith told Ryan Bridge it’s not really a surprise.   He says he’s got a strong connection to Rennie, having played under him for Wellington and the NPC going back 25 years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's new education spokesperson says giving non-unionised educators pay increases will divide teachers further. Boards can now make individual employment offers to non-NZEI primary teachers after the union rejected three recent deals. Ginny Andersen told Ryan Bridge it undermines existing bargaining and teachers would get more under the collective if it kept being negotiated. She says this is a short-cut that gives them less money and not as good conditions.  Ginny Andersen took over the portfolio in Labour's shadow Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, replacing Willow-Jean Prime. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The impact of the Heinz Wattie's restructure won't be felt by growers straight away.  The company plans to shut three manufacturing facilitates in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and packing operations in Hastings.  It's because of a planned move away from selling frozen vegetables, Gregg's Coffee, and several dips, which means 350 jobs are on the line.  Process Vegetables New Zealand Chair David Hadfield told Ryan Bridge the current year's contracts have been locked in.  He says harvests are either finished, halfway through, or about to start, so it will only effect growers next season.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Labour's new education spokesperson Ginny Anderson shares her thoughts on non-union teachers offered a pay rise from the Public Service Commission.  Watties is looking to axe production of its frozen vegetables, Chair of Process Vegetables NZ David Hadfield explains how it will impact growers.  All Blacks legend Tana Umaga has reportedly been picked by Dave Rennie to be an assistant coach, Newstalk ZB Rugby Editor Elliot Smith tells Ryan how significant this appointment could be. Plus US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on US strikes on Iranian naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the International Energy Agency's decision to release 400 million barrels of stockpiled oil.  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.

I can't see what the problem is with teachers getting a pay rise. If that sounds weird, it's because it's the union complaining.  The union that's always saying teachers are undervalued and underpaid doesn't want the pay rise. They're actually going to take legal action to try and stop it happening.  It's upside down day today folks.  The primary teachers' union is dragging out their collective bargaining (9 months and counting). So in the meantime, old mate Sir Brian Roche is offering non-union teachers employed on individual agreements up to an extra 4.7% within 12 months. 2.5% from 20 March plus 2.1% percent next year. That's, according to the Government, an extra $50-$76 a week per teacher. A third of primary teachers —about 10 thousand— aren't part of the union.  Now the union doesn't like this because, they say, it's the Government trying to break their unity.  But the reality is, they're not united. A third of them don't pay subs to the union so therefore can go down

The Government's under pressure to act to ensure airlines can continue operating.  Air New Zealand's raised fares due to rising jet fuel costs, increasing domestic fares by $10, short-haul fares by $20, and long-haul fares by $90.  Air Chathams has also raised its standard fare by $20.  Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge the Government could be playing a role in helping the industry out.  He says they could focus on aviation and start working on things to support airlines should the conflict continue.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lawyer who represented opponents of vaccine mandates says the real test of the Covid inquiry is whether the country learns from its mistakes.  The second phase of the inquiry has found New Zealand's overall response was effective.  But it's found some mandates lasted too long, and the Government didn’t always communicate well with Kiwis.  Lawyer Matthew Hague told Ryan Bridge people don’t expect perfection if another pandemic hits, but decisions need careful reflection.  He says one of the report's recommendations is the introduction of legislation to better protect human rights, and he thinks that's a good idea.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11 March. 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.

Movement in housing affordability could spell good news for first home buyers.  Cotality NZ's Housing Affordability report for Quarter 4 2025 shows the national value-to-income ratio fell to 7.2.  This is the lowest level since a brief period in 2019 and before that 2016 The Property Investors Federation's Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge it is still higher than the long-term national average of 6.8.  He says the decrease is great for young people, but it would be better for it to come down even more.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You've got to feel a bit for the Air New Zealand boss.  If ever there was a poisoned chalice, he's drinking from it. He's glugging it back. Drowning in it. They've suspended their guidance after the gas price went nuts. Doubled on Iran. That's after announcing a loss of $60 million for the half year. And now they're hiking prices up to $90 on international fares and, reportedly, looking at cutting some routes.  On top of all that you've got David Seymour barking loudly about selling half of you off.  His problems are financial, but the implications are very political. As they always are for the boss of our national carrier.  It's up there with the PM and Rennie's job at NZR in terms of profile and criticism.  But when the going gets tough, you've got to front.  If an NZX update of the kind we saw yesterday was put out by the CEO of a company not half owned by voters, then you'd get away with no public interviews.  But that is not the case for Air NZ.  I spoke to Greg Fo

New research highlights a need to send more public health procedures to the private system.  Westpac's latest healthcare report shows New Zealand currently spends about 10% of GDP on healthcare, split between 7% on public care and just 3% on private.  It argues the private sector is nimbler, with extra capacity that can help cut wait times and improve outcomes.  Private Surgical Hospitals Association Chief Executive Chris Roberts told Ryan Bridge its hospitals are investing in new facilities and operating theatres.  He says they don't tend to have the staffing issues some public hospitals do, so are looking to provide a bigger service.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Enormous” swings in the price of oil are making it very difficult to gauge the severity of the shock to markets from the Iran war, ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner says. Oil hit $120 per barrel yesterday but dropped back below $100 after the G7 nations signalled they could release strategic oil reserves. Zollner told Ryan Bridge she agreed with Finance Minister Nicola Willis' assertion that the duration of the shock was just as important as its size. Market volatility would continue, with “headlines all over the place”, and that uncertainty could lead to people spending less money. But central banks would be keen not to do anything rash by rushing to raise interest rates, Zollner said. For New Zealand’s Reserve Bank, “as long as inflation expectations remain well anchored then they can tolerate a bit of noise in the near term, rather than feel they need to deliberately head the recovery off in order to make sure inflation's back at 2% quickly”. But if the shock was long and sustained “it will be more diffi