Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

It's positive news for hubs like Auckland and Wellington where housing affordability gains have been most visible.  Cotality NZ’s new report finds the national value-to-income ratio reached its lowest point since mid-2019 in the June quarter, at 7.5%.   One Roof Editor Owen Vaughan told Ryan Bridge buyers should target housing pockets like Auckland's Otara, where's there a lot of value.  He says prices have come down around 20% since Covid, and houses can go for around 600 thousand dollars.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour Party is accusing the Government of dillydallying on changes to the grocery market.   Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis announced plans to speed up the supermarket consent process.   Labour Party Commerce spokesperson Arena Williams says Labour is working on a suite of changes, but she didn't reveal what they are.   She told Ryan Bridge the consenting changes could be used by the existing players.   Williams says it could create less competition and drive more profits to the duopoly.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 28th of August 2025, the government's fast tracking new supermarkets to boost competition in the sector, Labour's Arena Williams shares her thoughts.  Figures from Cotality show house price/income ratio his back to pre-covid levels, Oneroof Editor Owen Vaughan tells Ryan why that is. The gender pay gap is at the lowest it's ever been, Mind the Gap co-founder Dellwyn Stuart shares her thoughts.  Plus US Correspondent Toni Waterman has the latest on a school shooting in Minneapolis.  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.

All good so far from Nicola Willis on supermarkets.  She's got to the nub of the problem, which is basically red tape. Governments of all stripes, including her, have been quick to point the finger at private enterprise for high prices. And there's truth in that, but most haven't looked in the mirror like Willis did yesterday and admit it's them that also has a problem. We all do, really.  Everybody moans about prices but then moans about construction of anything new - not in my backyard.  Consultation up the wazoo, committees, petitions, Duncan Webb on a soapbox - that's democracy. Like Churchill said, the lesser of two evils.  It's taken them two years to get here, but they could have just listened to our interview with the former Managing Director of Costco back in March - he told us all this then. The other big problems were real estate prices and shipping - getting goods here on their timeframes.  I predicted this (humble brag) all last week. They'll tinker round with fast-track

Belief an improving gender pay gap is due to a weaker labour market. Stats NZ's revealed the difference in pay between women and men fell to 5.2% in the June quarter - its lowest point to date A year ago, it was 8.2%. Mind the Gap co-founder Dellwyn Stuart told Ryan Bridge the number will likely go back up as the economy improves and more part-time jobs become available again for women. She says they're still carrying majority of the parenting load and tend to opt for part-time roles more, which are often the ones cut first. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a belief new tax rules will attract top tech talent to the country.  The Government's changing the rules so migrants will only pay tax on income they actually receive.   Currently new arrivals are taxed on estimated overseas income, even if that ends up being wrong.   Business NZ immigration specialist Rachel Simpson told Ryan Bridge this law would ensure people coming here for a short period wouldn't get double taxed.  She says it would make rules around people working as social media influencers clear.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More foreign investors could soon flock in to work hard on Kiwi businesses.   The Government's new Business Investor Visa will give foreign businesspeople who invest at least $2 million into an existing Kiwi business a fast-track to residency.  If a business is worth $2 million, the applicant would have to buy it, and if it's worth more, they'd have to invest at least a quarter of its total value.  Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge this definitely justifies a fast-track to residency.  He says the person who buys will have to work on the business for a period of time.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 27th of August 2025, the government's introducing a new investor Visa, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges shares his thoughts.  A new Westpac report into economic conditions across the Tasman shows our growth rate may outpace Australia's in the coming years. Migrants will no longer be taxed on estimated overseas income, only on what they actually earn, Business NZ Immigration specialist Rachel Simpson shares her thoughts. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on Nigel Farage’s new political party, Reform UK, saying it would be prepared to deport 600,000 migrants over five years if it won power at the next election. 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 a very good reason National’s talking about a revamping the major events fund - or as the PM said on Monday, stuffing the pipeline with more events.  It’s the same reason you’re seeing them announce just half an hour ago they’re creating a new business investor visa - foreigners will get a fast-track to residency for chucking $2m into a Kiwi business.  It’s the same reason they’ll announce in a few weeks that some wealthy investors will be able to buy expensive houses here. From November, they're trialling visa-free holidays for the Chinese coming here via Australia. Expect to see more where this came from. The reason is to boost growth, but specifically, they hope, in our largest city. It’s all about Auckland. It’s the giant missing piece of the puzzle. Their runway for sorting the economy by election time hinges on them throwing the kitchen sink at the Jaffas. It’s 40% of our GDP but a sort of economic malaise has set in. Not everywhere and not in every industry, but the two speed rec

New Zealand could see faster economic growth than Australia, but fewer jobs. In New Zealand, Westpac's now forecasting an economic growth rate will hit 2.4% this year, and 3.1% next year. In Australia, it's forecasting a growth rate of 2% this year, and 2.2% next year. Senior Economist Satish Ranchhod told Ryan Bridge we've been seeing more OCR cuts, but it hasn't flowed through to the job market. He says New Zealand's seeing high unemployment and low wage growth, and Australia hasn't seen a similar spike in unemployment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A reassurance that banking won't be much riskier even if capital rules are changed.   The Reserve Bank's put out two proposals to loosen capital requirements after the government called for it.   One of them is reducing minimum capital requirement for deposit takers from $30 million to $5 million.   Founder of KiwiSaver provider Simplicity, Sam Stubbs told Ryan Bridge there are other rules, so it won't make it much more hazardous.   He says the Reserve Bank will still keep a close eye on any group calling themselves a bank.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Self-employed people are opting out of KiwiSaver, putting their retirements at risk.  A new report from the Retirement Commission and accounting firm Hnry's reveals only 44% of self-employed people actively contribute compared to 78% of employees.   It shows 41% of self-employed workers don't get any government contribution.   Hnry CEO James Fuller told Ryan Bridge when the Government halved KiwiSaver contributions in this year's Budget, many decided to put their money elsewhere.  He says self-employed people have started putting their money into high-risk, short-term investments, meaning they won't have enough retirement savings.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 26th of August 2025, The Reserve Bank’s giving capital rules a second look, Simplicity Founder Sam Stubbs shares his thoughts.  The Retirement Commission is warning that self-employed people are investing at less than half the amount into their retirement than that of employees. University of Auckland sociology of education professor Elizabeth Rata tells Ryan whether an A-grade today at university worth the same as an A-grade 20 years ago.  Plus Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on Erin Patterson returning to court.  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.

There's a view that NCEA has impacted how Universities grade their students. A report by the New Zealand Initiative has found the proportion of A grades has increased from 22% to 35% since 2006. It shows a dramatic rise during Covid - and can't be explained by academic improvement. Auckland University Sociologist of Education, Elizabeth Rata told Ryan Bridge students now expect to get high marks. She says it's what they've encountered at high school, where a high mark is guaranteed from certain subjects. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the rate it’s going, this by-election could cost Labour the real election. Peeni Henare’s popping out policies toxic to the general electorate but popular with the 10,000 odd voters he’ll need to win Tamaki Makarau.  First it was bringing back the gang patches, which left middle New Zealand scratching their heads. We’ve been there, done that with the gangs. We’re over it. We want them sorted out.  When people started getting bullet holes through the front window on a Saturday night, kids cowering in the hallway, we all decided enough was enough. Labour lost the war on crime and with it, the mandate to govern. You might think it’s an issue they’d steer clear of, but not Peeni - Labour’s electoral kryptonite.  Last night he was back at it. I was watching the Tamaki Makarau by-election debate with Oriini and Peeni, which was a good watch. Good debate.  Peeni was asked about cost of living. He said when Labour was last in power, they were in talks with iwi to build a third supermarket chain

A clear message has been sent around driving under the influence after the jailing of a 20-year-old, who killed one of his friends in a crash.  Alexander Lucas Kerr has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after his friend died, and the other was severely injured.  Kerr had cannabis in his system when he crashed his car in a semi-rural part of Havelock North on January 2.  Criminal lawyer Steve Cullen told Ryan Bridge this is a stark warning of what can happen.  He says the starting point's four to five years imprisonment for cases like this, so it's inevitable for someone to find themselves behind bars.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 25th of August 2025, Police Minister Mark Mitchell joins Ryan to talk about the issues with Police recruits.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen shares his thoughts about where to draw the line on drug driving.  Plus UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK government planning an overhaul of the asylum appeals system. 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.

The Police Minister says our Police force is 'world-class' after concerns were revealed about officers' preparedness. A survey of training officers released to the Herald found 55 percent feel new cops were barely or not at all well equipped with knowledge of arrest and charge procedures.  Mark Mitchell says told Ryan Bridge this is about probationary constables, who receive two years of supervision on the job. He says policing is a unique job, and it's unrealistic to expect rookies to come out being experienced officers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How many more children and pets will we tolerate being maimed and punctured to death on suburban streets before this actually gets taken seriously I’ve personally had three people in my life who who’ve been out for a walk with their wee pups, on a leash, registered for $200, poop bags in hand to do the right thing.  Only to be attacked by some absolutely viscous mongrel. And I mean absolutely ripped to pieces. Puncture wounds. Owners taken down to the ground. Blood everywhere. Shock. Hospital visits the humans, expensive vets for their animals. If they are lucky to survive, the road to recovery is long and poor old pup never shakes the anxiety. Nor does the owner. Kids faces look like they’ve been through the butchers. It’s gruesome. In Auckland alone. Last year. 3000 attacks. 15,000 roaming dogs reported.  This is a crisis and council say they’re cracking down but it’s not working and too slow.  The frustrating part is paying $200 to register your dog every year and then councils running scare

The All Blacks are demanding a discipline improvement as they count down to the rematch against Argentina in Buenos Aires.  After having the better of the penalty count nine to four in the first half of the opening win, the tally was 12 penalties a piece at fulltime.  The All Blacks also copped two second half yellow cards, one of which went to centre Billy Proctor and he says the need to tidy their discipline up.  Sports Commentator Sam Ackerman told Ryan Bridge the team will definitely be wanting to play more consistently in this game, as the Argentinian side can not be taken lightly.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.