Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A blow for Kiwi business confidence, which has slumped to its lowest level since the post-2020 Covid lockdown lows.  The Westpac-McDermott Miller index shows despite the weaker overall result, confidence has only fallen in four of 11 regions.  That includes the biggest job market -- Auckland -- which dominated the national average.  CV.co.nz Managing Director, Tom O'Neil told Andrew Dickens he reckons it's partially due to looming American tariffs.  He believes there's been a massive hangover encapsulating all the difficulties New Zealand's faced since 2020. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, Auckland looks like it’s doing it again: dilly dallying in decision making about big stuff.   A council advisory group has informed us that neither the fancy waterfront stadium nor an upgrade of Eden Park is considered feasible.   The full council still must vote on it on Thursday, so we’ll see if anyone has some balls.    Now by "not feasible" they mean not viable without public funding. We don’t seem to have a charitable billionaire in our midst so the dough would have to come from the public purse.   This is a question every major city wrestles with, but other cities seem to be braver.   This week Brisbane has casually announced a new stadium to host the Olympics, calming putting nearly four billion dollars on the line.  We’re a growing nation. We need a venue for the events that come in 2025. Whether it’s big sport or big concerts. We’ve seen how much fun Eden Park has been this week, three different sports in one week.   It would be great to have a venue that’s

Great news for football fans – the All Whites are heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  Their 3-0 win over the New Caledonia side was enough to book their trip next year to the US, Canada, and Mexico.  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine told Andrew Dickens that quite a few people probably expected the game to be fairly straight forward, but it didn’t take long for those illusions to be dispelled.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are keeping an eye on how some aspects of Resource Management Act reforms will work in practice.  The Government's new framework for planning includes new acts around development of land and on protection of the natural environment.  It also includes greater property rights – including allowing landowners to seek compensation against unjustified restrictions on their land.  But Federated Farmers RMA spokesperson Mark Hooper told Andrew Dickens it's important local voices take precedence.  However, he says there's a good line being developed regarding proposing each individual district have its own plan.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sizable boost to defence spending's expected in Australia's budget.  Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down his fourth federal budget for Labor tonight.  The Defence Minister says it will include bringing forward a billion dollar spend on defence.  It comes as New Zealand ministers hint at more spending in defence here too.  Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Andrew Dickens it's a significant spend.  She says it will be the biggest defence spend since World War II, and will boost the country's military capability.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Save the Children says Oranga Tamariki needs to step up communication in the name of trust, so they can do their job.   A newly released review has highlighted nine representative privacy breaches, with at least one leading to a mother being abused after her address was shared to her child's father.   Save the Children Advocacy Director Jacqui Southey told Andrew Dickens if the public don't trust the agency, they'll struggle to receive the reports they need to work effectively.    Southey says it cannot be underestimated how critical it is for them to step up and communicate how they're rectifying this and making the changes people want to see. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Tuesday 25th of March 2025, The Government's finally scrapping the Resource Management Act, Federated Farmers RMA Reform Spokesperson Mark Hooper tells Andrew Dickens what he thinks of the new plan.   The All Whites won 3-0 to New Caledonia, Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine was on the sidelines at the game.   Oranga Tamariki has still not fixed systems that led to privacy breaches Save the Children Child Rights Advocacy and Research Director, Jacqui Southey shares her concerns.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio keeps us up to date with the finishing touches on Australia's Federal Budget.  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.

It’s no secret to anyone that we do not have enough doctors in New Zealand. Recent policy moves to attract more qualified overseas doctors have been eagerly received. As have directives to increase the number of doctors we train locally - the Government's decision to fund another 50 medical school places from next year, increasing the cap to 639 first-year students. But what is the point of training more doctors if we don’t have jobs for them? Medical Council data showed 30 percent of medical graduates left the country within 10 years. They leave because Health NZ do not fund enough jobs. The jobs they do fund are low paid and future prospects are limited, except for a talented few. They get paid better overseas and they can pay off their student loan faster. And it starts from day one. Each year Health NZ fails to fund internships for 25 to 30 graduates, forcing them to look overseas.  Sure, some were overseas students but after spending 7 years here they’d quite like to stay if prospects are good. Now

Newstalk ZB Sports Reporter Andrew Alderson joined Andrew Dickens to wrap this weekend’s sporting events.   They discussed the Chinese Grand Prix and Liam Lawson’s unfortunate run, and the life and legacy of Alex “Grizz” Wyllie.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tax expert says changes to the tax system must not stand in the way of economic growth.  A UN committee is calling on countries to ensure tax policies are being applied proportionally to the wealthier individuals.  It says regressive and ineffective policies can disproportionately affect already disadvantaged groups.  But PWC partner Sandy Lau told Andrew Dickens while fairness is important, it's a complex issue.  She says company tax rates needs to be competitive to attract foreign investment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public servants appear unconcerned by the Government's recent request to help identify further cost cuts.  Thousands of public servants across all agencies have been asked in a census to identify taxpayer value in their work, and any changes needed.   PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons told Andrew Dickens the survey was expected as it comes around every five years.   She says they don't think it's going to lead to any more harsh cuts, because there is nothing left to trim.   Fitzsimons says there is room for efficiencies, and she hopes the Government listens to workers ideas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 24th of March 2025, The Public service has been asked by the Government to find areas for cost cutting, PSA  Assistant Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons shares the reaction of Public Servants.  A United Nations Committee has questioned the fairness of world tax systems and GST, PWC Partner Sandy Lau shares the issues around fairness in our tax system.  Andrew Alderson shares with Andrew Dickens the latest on sport that happened over the weekend.  UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey tells Andrew the latest on Pope Francis being discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital. 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.

Positive steps for Pope Francis, following his five-week battle with double pneumonia.  The 88-year-old's been discharged from hospital back to his Vatican residence -- thanking onlookers from his balcony.  UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens further details of The Pope's hospital condition have emerged upon his release.  He says it's been confirmed Pope Francis suffered two significant medical episodes, where his life was in danger.  Pope Francis will now take a two-month break from duties, under strict doctor's orders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While I was away tramping all over the top of the Coromandel Peninsula, we had some good and bad news.  GDP came out better than we expected with a rise of 0.7% in the fourth quarter, which should signal the start of green shoots and recovery and confidence.   But at the same time, the consumer confidence figure came out and it was the worst we’ve seen since the 90s.   And then Paul Bloxham, the Australian economist who invented the rock star economy name, came out and said our recession has been the worst in the OECD.   So why aren’t we confident? And why was our recession so hard? Here’s my take: the Reserve Bank and the Government need to start working together.   During the pandemic the bank slashed interest rates while the Government turbo charged spending, leading to a hangover that needed medicine.   The previous Government was rightly blamed for the mess it was responsible for but we had been double hit by the bank and the Government. All levers pulled.   The new Gov

While I was away tramping all over the top of the Coromandel Peninsula we had some good and bad news.  GDP Came out better than we expected with a rise of 0.7 per cent in the fourth quarter.   Which should signal the start of green shoots and recovery and confidence.   But at the same time the consumer confidence figure came out and it was the worst we’ve seen since the 90s.   And then Paul Bloxham the Australian economist who invented the rock star economy name came out and said our recession has been the worst in the OECD.   So why aren’t we confident? And why was our recession so hard.   Here’s my take. The Reserve Bank and the Government need to start working together.   During the pandemic the bank slashed interest rates while the Government turbo charged spending leading to a hangover that needed medicine.   The previous Government was rightly blamed for the mess it was responsible for but we had been double hit by the bank and the Government. All levers pulled. &

Fonterra farmers are in line for a large payout on interim results.  The co-op’s lifting its dividend to 22 cents a share, from 15 in the previous comparable period.  It's reporting its first-half profit increased 8% to $729 million.  Federated Farmers’ Richard McIntyre told Francesca Rudkin that for the first time in quite a while, he’s hearing farmers starting to talk about what they could or should invest in for their farms.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's out of recession, but many Kiwis could take a while to feel better off.  Our economy grew by 0.7% in the December quarter – surpassing all economists' expectations.  But unemployment's expected to keep rising this year, and many households are still doing it tough.  Council of Trade Unions Economist Craig Renney told Francesca Rudkin that confidence in the New Zealand economy is still lacking.  He says that many people will need to feel the difference in their wallets in order to believe the economy is recovering.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Napier community feels underwhelmed despite retaining its overnight urgent care.  The Government’s back tracking on a leaked proposal to cut the service due to low demand, which sparked community backlash.  It will remain nurse-led, but with no doctors on-site.  Patient Voice Aotearoa Chair Malcolm Mulholland told Francesca Rudkin the community deserves a robust urgent care service, including a GP.  He says they do feel like they've been let down by the government.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did the news yesterday that the economy had grown more than expected, by a whopping 0.7%, put you in a good mood for the week?    Maybe the news that Fonterra has reported an 8% lift in first-half net profit to $729 million put a spring in your step.  Or the opportunity to grab a bargain in the Afterpay Sales this weekend is putting a smile on your face.  Or maybe none of these things had an impact on your happiness.    According to the World Happiness Report, published yesterday by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, happiness isn’t just about wealth or growth – it’s about trust, connection and knowing people have your back.   It's not a huge surprise; Finland is the happiest country in 2025, for the 8th year in the row.    Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden came in at 2nd, 3rd and 4th, and Costa Rica and Mexico both ranked in the top 10 for the first time. New Zealand came in at 12th, between Australia and Switzerland.    I tend to roll

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