Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A rise in bulk buying may be contributing to New Zealand's food waste.   A report commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment reveals more than 1.2 million tonnes of food is wasted or thrown away here every year.  Nearly a third is by households, with processing and food production making up the rest.  Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager Sophie Wolland told Ryan Bridge buying in bulk isn't always the best idea.  She says if there's no plan in place for the food, it can likely go off and end up in the bin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A construction sector voice says mandatory home warranties are well overdue. The Government's announced plans to require warranties for new homes three storeys or less and all renos worth at least $100,000. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says it hopes to protect homeowners from cowboys. Certified Builders Association Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Ryan Bridge it will cost more, but only marginally. He says it will make up 0.4% of a $200,000 project. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Bay of Plenty trust says new investment will help more families address harm before authorities have to step in. The Social Investment Fund's putting $50 million into programmes for children with parents in prison, and those who’ve grown up in care. Among the recipients is Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Trust. Chief Executive Enid Ratahi-Pryor told Ryan Bridge their aim is to tackle family harm early, before official intervention's needed. She says you can never remove the need for state intervention at critical times, so it's still a tool that can be used - but their services are prevention focused. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 25th of November 2025, The Government's announced a new building rule designed to protect homeowners from cowboy builders. A study from Otago uni says Kiwis toss out 1.2 million tonnes of food a year, Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager, Sophie Wolland shares how we can improve food waste.  The Government's revealed the first seven groups to get funding from its $50-million social investment fund, Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services Trust CEO tells Ryan how the money will be spent.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on Cocaine, valued at around 170 million dollars has been seized off the coast of Western Australia and the search ramps up for missing 4 yr old Gus Lamont in South Australia 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.

This rates cap, how's it actually going to work.  I had Luxon on my Herald show yesterday, an announcement's coming in the next few weeks.  But ask any Mayor, not the ones who like disco toilets and golden miles, but the ones who already to the basic stuff and little else. They're cutting their cloth. Tim Macindoe in Hamilton. I spoke to the Tararua Mayor yesterday. They all say the same thing: we are doing the basics. We've cut the silly stuff. And we don't know how this is going to work without bankrupting local government.  RMA reforms will be a big part of this. Luxon's talking about amalgamation. If there are fewer consents needed or consents are streamlined, do we need so many councils with a back office bigger than Kim K's booty?  Probably not.  So less work, especially for regional councils, could lipo some cost out of the system. Then there's the back office more generally.  The Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore makes a good point about double up. We have 67 territorial author

A banking expert is picking apart National's 'piecemeal' Kiwisaver election pledge, saying it doesn't go far enough.  The party's promising to lift default worker and employer KiwiSaver contributions to six percent by 2032 - matching Australia's 12 percent superannuation rate. Employer contributions would increase by half a percent - but not until 2029. Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Ryan Bridge that there's an issue if people think the rate's too high.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, National promises to lift the default kiwisaver rate to 12% by 2032 if elected again next year, Claire Matthews Associate Professor at Massey University Business School shares her thoughts.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  The trucking industry wants tougher rules for unsafe vehicles, Billy Clemens Head of Policy and Advocacy at Transporting NZ tells Ryan why changes need to be made.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on global security officials meet in Geneva, to discuss the America's plan to end the Ukraine war and Sir Keir Starmer urges anyone with information on the Epstein case to come forward after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor missed the deadline to appear in front of US Congress.  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 in

The trucking industry wants NZTA to have the power to impound dangerous vehicles, after an Auckland operator was jailed for manslaughter. Ashik Ali kept his truck on the road despite it being banned, and its failed brakes caused it to roll away and fatally hit a roadworker last year. Transporting NZ Policy Head, Billy Clemens told Ryan Bridge the assessment for entering the industry needs to be more rigorous, with the current process limited to a theory test. He says they want people to demonstrate their experience and the necessary skills beforehand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unions charge like wounded bulls for their services.  And they claim they're in it for the workers.  They care about workers' pay and conditions so much, they're worked their way up the union ranks to help those at the bottom. But then once they get a bit of profile. They jump ship to the Labour party, their good mates.  Craif Rennie - flits between the CTU and Grant Robertson's office - has been selected to run in Wellington Bays.  Fleur Fitzsimons - who tried but failed to get elected for Labour. She's surely trying to weasel her way back on to a list.  Michael Wood - he wants back in.  You see, Unions are simply not the premiere league. They're the equivalent of the bench for Labour's caucus.  It's the place you go to keep your profile up while you wait for another turn at sucking from the public tit.  There's nothing particularly wrong with this.  But if you're a low-wage worker who believes these people are your champions and are in for you. For negotiating ha

The All Blacks playing stocks have been refreshed for the final test of the year against Wales on Sunday morning.  Only captain and lock Scott Barrett and blindside flanker Simon Parker are retained in their positions from the loss to England with Will Jordan moving from fullback to right wing.  Ruben Love makes his second test start from fullback.  Former All Black Josh Kronfeld told Ryan Bridge Robertson is giving people opportunities to make a statement at the end of the tour.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lifetime Black Power member is warning of a larger threat on the anniversary of the gang patch ban.   Today marks one year since the law was changed to give Police increased powers to go after gangs, including banning gang insignia in public.   Since then, officers have seized 182 patches, more than 600 insignia items, and 178 firearms.  But Community Advocate Denis O'Reilly told Ryan Bridge international cartels are becoming increasingly involved in gang activity.   He says they will recruit young gang members with promises of wealth and riches.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 21 November. 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.

Hopes that those responsible for the Pike River mine disaster will finally be held accountable.  Police believe they have sufficient evidence to prosecute certain people for manslaughter.  This week marks 15 years since 29 men died in the West Coast mine tragedy.  Sonya Rockhouse, whose son died, told Ryan Bridge Police have done their job and now it's a waiting game for justice.  She says they've always had enough evidence but more has been gathered in extensive forensic investigations over the years.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you trust Winston Peters not go with Labour next year? No you can’t. He hasn’t ruled it out. Despite National scoring a higher party vote in 2017, he went with Jacinda. Labour has not ruled Winston out. Winston has not ruled Labour out. Winston has ruled out Chippy, so a leadership swap in the last seven weeks of the campaign, or even during negotiations, is possible.  Hipkins is a party man, and if the choice was opposition for his caucus or the Treasury benches, he’d fall on his sword. So it’s a live scenario.  If Labour and NZ First get enough to form a coalition together, wouldn’t he prefer that to another threesome on the right? He hates Chippy because of Covid and his ‘what is a woman’ malfunction in that press conference, but the party’s been working hard to shake the overly wokey/dopey vibes since then. Also, he hates Seymour.  And if there was a chance for him to extract big spending policies, some regional fund, manufacturing energy deals, and more gold card benefits, I reckon he’

Ferry Holdings' Chairman says he's more confident in the new Cook Strait ferry plans than the ditched iRex project.  The Government's officially signed a fixed-price contract with a Chinese shipbuilder for two new rail-enabled ferries.  It's now securing teams to build the required infrastructure at Picton and Wellington ports.  Winston Peters claims the total cost will come in under two billion dollars and will be delivered on time in 2029.  Ferry Holdings Chair Chris Mackenzie told Ryan Bridge the iRex project would have required a lot more work to be done on the ports.  He says the new plans don't need much to be moved as it's re-using as much as possible from existing infrastructure.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students getting around a school phone ban could be chatting with family members.  An Education Review Office report shows three-quarters of secondary school teachers believe the ban has improved student behaviour.  But nearly half of students admit to using their phones in class, likely because family members were getting in touch.  Whangaparāoa College Principal Steve McCracken told Ryan Bridge most schools have other systems in place for families to contact students during the day.  He says the report shows parents want to connect with their kids, but they're setting them up to fail if they contravene the ban.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 20th of November 2025, New Cook Strait ferries are set to arrive in 2029, Ferry Holdings Limited Chair Chris Mackenzie tells Ryan how the government managed to save $2.3 billion dollars.  A ERO report shows the cellphone ban is working but half of high school students aren't following the rules, Whangapaeroa College Principal and B416 expert advisory panel member Steve McCracken shares his thoughts.  The Government's banned puberty blocker prescriptions for new patients, Sue Bagshaw, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Christchurch School of Medicine at the University of Otago Christchurch tells Ryan how big of a impact this will have.  Plus US Correspondent Toni Waterman has the latest on the Epstein files and Nicki Minaj publicly backing Trump's allegations that Christians face persecution in Nigeria.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.     &nbs

One of the country's top youth health experts says puberty blockers have been safely used in New Zealand for 20 years.  No child or young person experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence will be able to start taking gonadotropin-releasing hormones from December 19. Health Minister Simeon Brown says Cabinet has agreed to new settings until the outcomes of a major clinical trial in the UK in 2031.   Otago University's Dame Sue Bagshaw told Ryan Bridge she doesn't like the way Government is politicising a possibly life-saving medicine.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've got a bunch of new economic numbers this morning.  The recovery is underway. Finally.  We've had false dawns before, so I'm not overcooking this, but things are moving in the right direction. Investor confidence is up for Q3. Most regions are getting a slice of the recovery action, according to Infometrics.  What's most interesting is investor confidence, led by Auckland, is up quite a bit and they're not worrying so much about the dramatic headlines from Trump, etc. They're shrugging them off.  And our attitudes to different types of investment are changing.  The proportion of us who see owning our own home as the best investment is now at its lowest level since 2015, and young people are loving stocks.  Which is no surprise - the S&P's up around 14% this year, house prices are falling or flat.  Which might help explain why the mood on capital gains seems to have shifted a bit.  But here's the thing with the capital gains: it will not lower house prices, it w

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 19th of November 2025, a new report from Business NZ projects a shortfall of at least 250,000 workers by 2045, Chief Executive of Business Canterbury Leeann Watson shares her thoughts.  Over half of our apprentice trainees in new zealand drop out before they complete their course, Te Pukenga CEO Gus Gilmore tells Andrew what needs to change.  It's been revealed the Government spent over $38 million on business start-up grants to beneficiaries, Small Business NZ founder Phil Wicks shares his thoughts.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Peter Anderson has the latest on British MPs warned by security service MI5 they’re at risk of being targeted by Chinese spies and technology from Formula 1 cars is being used in a pilot scheme to provide faster and more reliable wi-fi on British trains. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LIST