Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

They haven't said it explicitly yet, but one day soon, our KiwiSaver contributions will rise to 12% and Kiwibank will be partially sold to foreign buyers.  On the bank, Nicola Willis is flying a kite and talking about a potentially partial float of the stock exchange for the wee Kiwi battler. It needs capital to grow and take on the big banks. They're getting access to an extra half a billion through changes already announced. But they could yet get more, should National campaign on a partial float.  It's sounding more and more like they will.  And the question is whether most voters will care? I think not. Asset sales are not the great electoral disaster they were once portrayed as - just ask John Key who whipped Phil Goff's butt in 2011 on a platform of partially privatising assets.  On KiwiSaver... the Government's already upped the amount we pay, and our bosses pay on our behalf, towards retirement.  Our default contribution is going up to 4% over three years. Add your employ

Israel's rejected the UK's moves to recognise Palestine as a state at a UN meeting in September.  The UK and France will both do so, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire.  New Zealand isn't among the 139 countries that recognise a Palestinian state, but last year Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated it's a question of when, not if.  UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge Israel's rejected the move, stating it harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.  He says this comes amid huge pressure in Gaza, with 60 thousand now killed during Israeli action there.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The short-term future of the ANZ Premiership is confirmed.  Netball New Zealand has signed an exclusive broadcast deal with TVNZ for next year, with the competition to remain in its current two-round format.  Governing body boss Jennie Wyllie's refused to confirm whether players will take a pay cut, but admits they'll likely use cash reserves to make ends meet.  Netball Players Association Executive Manager Steph Bond told Ryan Bridge that a free to air platform will increase the eyes on the sport.  Especially, she says, for a sport like netball where most people are playing at a community level.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Those with mortgages are bank-hopping at record rates, but not necessarily to get lower interest rates.  More than 3,500 holders switched nearly two and a half billion dollars of debt between loan providers last month.  It's the highest since records began in 2017.  Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says it reflects a mix of factors including short term loans, minimal or no break fees, and cash-back incentives.  He told Ryan Bridge it’s reasonably common to get 0.7-0.8% of the loan value as a cashback, up to certain caps, so it would make sense for people who are potentially under cashflow stress.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Wednesday the 30th of July, 36 thousand nurses go on strike today, former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell tells Ryan what he thinks needs to be done to reach an agreement with Health NZ. The ANZ premiership will soon be free to air on TVNZ, NZ netball players association Executive Manager Steph Bond shares her thoughts.  Cotality has done a report finding record numbers of us are refinancing our mortgages with a new bank, Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davison explains what it means.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK PM Sir Keir Starmer saying the UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a UN meeting in September unless Israel meets certain conditions. 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.

Belief a breakdown of trust between nurses and leadership is fuelling protests today.  Tens of thousands of nurses are striking for 24 hours over chronic workforce shortages, withdrawing labour from all Health New Zealand services from 9am.  Thousands of procedures and appointments have been postponed.  Former Health New Zealand Chair, Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge people don't trust general assurances anymore and want to see working safe conditions that are capable of being met.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke van Velden's anti-health and safety crusade's taken a rather bizarre twist - it's the plot twist nobody saw coming.  She's consulting the public on safe activities kids are allowed to do on farms, like watering plants and collecting chicken eggs.  It's a bit of an odd strategy, but the strategy seems to be that there's a potential problem with the law.  Anyone under 15 is technically not allowed to do work on a working farm. You could get fined $50,000.  But nobody's been done for letting little Johnny pick up eggs.  So, it's a potential problem, but not an actual problem.  The Minister's strategy, surely, is to point out how ridiculous the law is in the first place.  But her response sounds a bit off for a Minister who says we need to get away from over regulation and consultation and nonsense and just let Kiwis get on with their lives.  She is quoted as saying:  “We’ll be consulting with farmers and the agriculture sector on the safety thresholds for light

Throwing in a CV and cover letter in response to a job ad may not cut it anymore, as young people face high unemployment rates.  Stats NZ data shows jobs filled by 15 to 19-year-olds dropped 10% in the last year – representing over 12 thousand roles.  The overall drop nationally is 1.2%.  Youth Inspire Chief Executive Zainab Ali told Ryan Bridge the tactical approach to training youth has been forced to change.  She says in the past six months she's relied on relationships with business partners for job opportunities.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia has yet to respond to the latest ultimatum from US President Donald Trump.   Trump says Vladimir Putin has between 10 and 12 days to make progress on ending the war with Ukraine to avoid sanctions.   That's shrunk from the 50 days he gave the Russian leader two weeks ago.   US correspondent Toni Waterman says there's been no official response from the Kremlin.   She told Ryan Bridge former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has warned sanctioning Russia would be disastrous.   Waterman says the leader has claimed it would start war between the US and Russia.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health and Safety experts say the Government need to consider people's lives as they set to change scaffolding regulations.  Government officials are consulting with the construction sector on whether to relax certain rules on work site scaffolding, making them only compulsory in some situations. Construction Health and Safety Chief Executive, Chris Alderson told Ryan Bridge falling from height is the number reason people are killed at work globally, but not in New Zealand.  He says we've been doing something differently that has saved people's lives, so the Government needs to be careful.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've got an appointment at the hospital this week, you might want to check it's still going ahead.  Nurses are going on strike tomorrow from 9am for 24 hours. 4,300 surgeries and specialist appointments will be affected.  It's a complete withdrawal of labour. It's 36,000 nurses. It'll affect every place where Health NZ provides health or hospital care, and it's the middle of winter.  The nurses union's been bargaining. It's the usual stuff - pay and staffing levels.  Also as usual, they say if it's life or death, you will be seen to.  They had a bargaining meeting yesterday with Health NZ, which didn't go well. They've been bargaining since last September and haven't found common ground yet.  The nurses say they are too short staffed and departing nurses are not being replaced. And without more pay, nurses will keep being tempted across the Tasman.  So, what were they being offered?  Health NZ says a new graduate nurse on $75,773 would gain a total pay in

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 29th of July 2025, Donald Trump's set a deadline of 10 or 12 days for Putin to make a deal with Ukraine, US Correspondent Toni Waterman has the latest.  Health and Safety experts say the Government need to consider people's lives as they set to change scaffolding regulations.  It's becoming increasingly difficult for young people to get into employment, Youth Employment expert Zainab Ali explains. Plus Australia correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the UN Chief urging Australia to aim higher as it debates climate goals.  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.

Jordan and the UAE have begun airdrops into Gaza to deliver aid.  This comes after the Israeli military announced it’ll open humanitarian corridors into the strip and a tactical pause in three specific combat areas.  Geopolitical Analyst Geoffery Miller told Ryan Bridge that 25 tons of aid was delivered to Gaza overnight, but that it’s up to Israeli forces to cooperate and allow the aid to travel into Gaza.  He said that ‘they only really will help if Israel allows more aid to come into Gaza.’ and trucks carrying supplies for Gaza have been held up at the border.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corrections staff are struggling to accommodate at-risk inmates as prison violence and aggression grows.  Staff accepted 12-thousand requests from inmates to be separated from the general prison population in the 2023 financial year.  Many do so because they feel unsafe or vulnerable, as more prisoners become gang-affiliated.   Corrections Association President Floyd du Plessis told Ryan Bridge it's putting greater pressure on staff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Bishop says we're sick of over-the-top cone use and expensive traffic management plans.  And he'd be right. They are so annoying and often, to the untrained eye at least, completely pointless.  They take a $100 job and make it a $1000 job.  So why is this till happening? Why are there still cones everywhere, when the government says NZTA's code of practice for traffic management rick assessment - is no longer being used? Obsolete?   Well, the problem is many councils are apparently still using this code of practice as their north star.  As a response, the government's now threatening local council funding.  They have to threaten funding to get these council to change their ways. What this shows us is just how far and deep the overly cautious, safety-at-any-cost mentality has set in.  And also, it shows you how scared they are of worksafe coming in a going them if somebody gets hurt or injured. You have to make sure people are safe, especially when working with dangers.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 28th of July 2025, approved requests for segregation in prisons has hit more than 12-thousand, Corrections Association President Floyd Du Plessis shares his thoughts.  Israel is allowing in more aid to Gaza, Geopolitical Analyst Geoffrey Miller explains how much fo a difference it will make.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus, UK Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey on Trump meeting with EU Chief to strike a trade deal. 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.

Belief politicians should have skin in the public health system game.   Health workers have signed an open letter asking MPs to voluntarily waive private healthcare for themselves and their families while in office.  It says healthcare becomes personal when politicians rely on the same EDs, waitlists, and services as everyone else.  Former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell told Andrew Dickens MPs won’t give up their healthcare any more than they’d turn down their next pay rise, but it does highlight a point.  He says that it highlights the fact that if you don’t deal with the problem, you’re probably not going to effectively deal with the problem.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Communities are voicing concerns over high strength beers being a 'court case in a can'.  The products are being sold as singles in supermarkets and liquor stores and are stronger than RTDs, ranging from 7% to 16%.  Communities Against Alcohol Harm have been raising the issue of the beers at a number of public hearings in Auckland.  Secretary Grant Hewison says the beers present a much bigger issue compared to some other products.  He says they're designed to be consumed quickly, are in 500 millilitre single cans, are cheap and are easy for someone vulnerable to stow in a pocket or bag.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Friday 25th of July 2025, The Government's scrapped same day enrolments for general elections, Labour Justice Spokesperson Duncan Webb shares his concerns.  Should MPs have to use the public health system? Former Health NZ chair Rob Campbell shares his thoughts. Single bottles of beer are being sold with the alcohol contents of up to 16%, Grant Hewison from communities against alcohol harm tells Andrew Dickens about the dangers of having such high contents in small cans.  Plus, a Department of Justice official will meet with Ghislaine Maxwell to find out any new information about Jeffrey Epstein case, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest.  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.

Fears changes to the way we vote will impact our democracy.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is planning to stop election-day enrolment, ban prisoner voting, and ban free food and entertainment offered near booths. Goldsmith says the changes will stop the vote count hold ups once poll booths close.  But Labour's justice spokesperson, Duncan Webb told Andrew Dickens says there's many reasons people forget to change enrolment details.  Webb says every single vote counts and they'd rather have a system where everyone gets a crack. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.