Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Farmers are pushing ACT and New Zealand First for less politicking and more action.   The two parties have expressed interest in withdrawing from the global Paris Agreement unless more realistic emissions targets are produced to fight climate change.   But Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says they're in government and could be resolving the problems creating uncertainty for farmers now.   He told Andrew Dickens the Paris Agreement in itself isn't necessarily the problem.   Langford says we need to dig deeper and look at what's setting Paris back, because it's actually what we're setting on ourselves as a government.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday 3rd of September 2025, Should we pull out of the Paris Climate Accord? Federated Farmers National President Wayne Langford makes his case.  A international visitor survey shows there was a 5% increase in visitors over the last year, Hospitality NZ Head of Advocacy Sam Mackinnon shares his thoughts. The Government’s rejected tougher entry rules for universities, Grant Edwards Vice Chancellor Lincoln University tells Andrew whether or not we need tougher restrictions.  Plus UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK government long-term borrowing costs reaching their highest level since 1998. 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.

Pulling out of the Paris Climate agreement has got the backing of ACT and New Zealand First, who say we're overdoing it. And my first reaction is yes. The thing isn't working. It's never worked.  It has always felt like something the world does to make itself feel like it's doing something, even though it's doing nothing When you combine it with the Emissions Trading Scheme —which is a giant Ponzi scheme made to make Coldplay feel better about touring the world in jet planes, meanwhile filling our pastures with trees— then the whole thing seems useless, so why be involved? And we're so little. New Zealand's biggest contribution to CO2 numbers is our farming, which is fairly benign polluter, because the world needs food.   The world doesn't need more cheap jeans and plastic crap, but the people who make that stuff are merrily pumping rubbish into our atmosphere. So why should we be punishing the cornerstone of our economy when in the scheme of things, it contributes so little while the real poll

Overseas visitors are back and here to spend, with tourism hotspots like Queenstown reaping the benefits. The latest International Visitor Survey results show a 5% increase in international tourists over the past year. Spending has increased by more than 4%, but still remains at 86% of pre-pandemic levels.  Hospitality New Zealand spokesperson Sam Mackinnon told Andrew Dickens he's hoping the spending will soon become more regionally dispersed. He says councils across the country are working on their destination management plans, so they can get a slice of the tourism pie. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push to slim down New Zealand’s unusually large number of ministerial portfolios is being met with caution.  A report by the New Zealand Initiative's found comparable countries have a third of our 81 portfolios and is calling for a cull.  PSA's national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says they don't object to a discussion around this.  But she told Andrew Dickens it's taking place in a political context, driven by the ACT Party.  Fitzsimons says David Seymour's been vocal about dismissing more public servants and moving to a model of privatisation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A drive to attract foreign investors could deliver more than just financial gain.  The Government’s tweaking visa rules, letting Active Investor Plus holders buy or build one New Zealand home worth at least $5 million.  This is on top of the minimum $5 million investment pledge needed to get the visa.  Former Labour Cabinet minister Stuart Nash told Andrew Dickens these investors will bring experience, contacts, and networks with them.    He says they'll bring in a whole mix of different skills and competencies - which will create a lot of value  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More people are getting mortgages approved as they prepare for the Official Cash Rate to fall further. Latest Centrix figures show mortgage enquiries are up 16% for the month of July and new mortgage lending rose almost 25%. Key Mortgages broker Jeremy Andrews told Andrew Dickens many people are getting approved and just holding off. He says there's been more activity lately - with one client of his going to auction, and nine people registered to bid. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s new plan for water services is called Local Water Done Well. It’s all about keeping control in the hands of local councils and communities, rather than shifting everything to big centralised bodies.  Which was what Three Waters did. Eventually Labour caved and the policy got renamed 10 Waters because there would be 10 regionalised bodies, but even that was not popular. And of course there was the troublesome identity politics around Māori co-governance that freaked a lot of people out. So now, Councils have to submit Water Services Delivery Plans showing how they’ll manage drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater safely, sustainably, and affordably.  There’s still strong oversight from regulators, but the focus is on local decision-making, community accountability, and better outcomes for everyone.  So Councils must submit their Water Services Delivery Plans (WSDPs) to the Secretary for Local Government and the deadline is the third of September. These plans outline how

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 2nd of September 2025, the government's made moves of the foreign buyers ban, former Labour minister Stuart Nash shares his thoughts.  Interest rates are softening but the property market’s still in limbo, Jeremy Andrews from Key Mortgages provides analysis on the latest Centrix Credit data. The NZ Initiative has done a report which found we have about three times as many ministries as countries we like to compare ourselves to, PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons shares her thoughts. Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on Anthony Albanese speaking on the Nauru deportation plan.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey reveals most violent crimes have been dropping in the past two years. It finds the number of sexual assault victims steadily increased over this time. More beat officers are being deployed in Auckland to act as a deterrent to crime. Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money told Andrew Dickens that these numbers are highly volatile. She says there's lots of high pressure times, like Christmas which can see an uptick of crime in the community. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 1 September. 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.

Concern tertiary students are having to choose extra work over studying - to keep up with increased living costs. More than 34-million-dollars in hardship funds has been given out by institutions since 2020. Victoria University's Student Association spokesperson, Aidan Donoghue, says things haven't improved much since Covid. He told Andrew Dickens they received 940 applications for their Winter Energy Grant this year, compared to 265 two years ago. Donoghue says every application is limited to one address - so that's 940 households.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Quigley marched off into the sunset at 5.49pm on Friday. Late enough for the news to miss the TV 6pm bulletin.  It’s an old PR trick. Leaving the shock value to dissipate over the weekend before the start of play on Monday.  It was evidence to me that successive governments and the Reserve Bank have failed to respect each other or realise that even though they are independent their actions combine and affect all of New Zealand  In the Covid years the Reserve bank reacted and made money essentially free.  But the Labour government wanted to be seen to be doing something, so they started overspending and throwing borrowed money away.  The result was a superheated economy that crashed spectacularly and spectacularly quickly  So, then the Reserve Bank made money expensive again to attack the overheating.  But the new Government, this time National, again wanted to be seen to be doing something so they cancelled government expenditure throwing us into a deeper economic funk

The Black Ferns’ opening Rugby World Cup win has come at a cost.   They crushed Spain at the start of the week, claiming victory 45-8, but lost loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker to injury.  However Back and Skills coach Riki Flutey told Ryan Bridge they’re confident Olsen-Baker, along with outside backs Ayesha Leti-I’iga and Amy du Plessis will play in next week’s clash against Ireland.   But before that is a clash against Japan, and the Ferns aren’t taking the team lightly.  Flutey told Bridge there’s threats throughout the Japanese team, but they’re confident in the team’s ability to defeat them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine has suffered its worst night of strikes in months.  Nineteen people have been killed, including four children, and dozens are injured following a bombardment of missiles and drones in the capital of Kyiv.   It marks Russia's deadliest onslaught on Kyiv since July.   UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge the strikes hit residential areas and the offices of those representing the EU and UK.   He says Britain is taking it as an attack on their presence there, and Ukraine's President Zelensky says this is evidence that Putin's not serious about negotiating a peace settlement.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese investment in New Zealand is growing, but slowly.  The New Zealand China Council’s annual report shows China ranks 12th as a source of foreign investment in New Zealand, providing less than 1% of total inflows.  Investment grew 9% a year between 2014 and 2024, but has flat lined since 2019.  NZIER Principal Economist Chris Nixon told Ryan Bridge the problem is that investment is a long-term game, so other countries have a greater advantage.   He says we've been trading with China for the last 20 years so it will take time for the relationship to build.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It could soon be easier to go to the pub for a big overseas sports match amid tough times in hospitality. The Government's proposing to loosen certain regulations and allow for businesses to respond to objections for them having a license. Ministers will be able to grant one-off special trading hours for businesses that stream major events.  Auckland's Kingslander Bar owner Steve Gillett told Ryan Bridge it's a time of need for the industry. He says this would be an opportunity to increase revenue streams and up total sales. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 29th of August 2025, changes to alcohol regulation laws means ministers can grant one-off special trading hours for businesses that stream major events, Kingslander bar owner Steve Gillett tells Ryan how big of a difference it will make.  Black Ferns backs and skills coach Riki Flutey catches up with Ryan on the Rugby World Cup ahead of the Black Ferns game against Japan.  China ranks 12th in direct foreign investment to New Zealand, NZIER Principal Economist Chris Nixon shares his analysis. Plus, UK/ Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Ukraine suffering the worst night of strikes in months with at least 19 killed. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reading the Air New Zealand results was a bit disappointing - even more so was the commentary after.  Profit's down, demand is down, costs are on the march, capacity still buggered by engine problems.  Here's the real punch in the guts for our national carrier: they won't be back to full capacity for the best of two more years. Foran confirmed it last night.  There's something about a national carrier that should make you feel a bit proud.  When you've been overseas and travelled the world, not seen a Kiwi in ages, jumping onboard that last leg home, hearing the accent - the comfort of Kiwi service.  Foran's had a rough time in the job. Border closures and lockdowns, is there anything worse for the new boss of a global airline?  The Rolls Royce and other engine issues - again, not really his fault.  You can plan around that stuff but even those plans have had to change. The engine makers' timelines for a fit-it job have been pushed out. And then there's the prices - we all l

A Minneapolis Catholic school's been left devastated after a gunman killed two children and injured 17 other people.  He was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, and shot through the church windows before turning a gun on himself. Annunciation Catholic School was marking their first week of school with morning mass and had highlighted their theme for the year as 'hope'.  US Correspondent Toni Waterman told Ryan Bridge the shooter doesn’t have an extensive criminal history, despite showing up fully armed.  It’s unknown what the motive was at this stage.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.