Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Defence Force is keeping details of its cost cuts secret.  But Newstalk ZB can reveal NZDF admitted, in internal communications, that it would have to scale back or cut programmes that impact how people view the force, and New Zealand's reputation.  The defence force also noted the sinking of the Manawanui added to its financial struggles.  Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Ricketts told Ryan Bridge that since there’s going to be a $12 billion investment over the next four years, they’re unable to cut what is normally one of the first things to go: personnel.  He says that NZDF is going to need civilian workers to do the introduction of service, to do the staff work, to do the business cases and the papers for cabinet that comes with that money.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 2nd of July 2025, the government introduces tougher penalties for crime, Woolworths director of retail Jason Stockill shares his thoughts.  Quite a few of New Zealand's libraries either already have or are open to stocking books written by AI authors, Laura Marshall from the library and information association tells Ryan Bridge what this means. We’ve got fresh warnings this morning of reputational damage to our defence force if planned cost-cutting goes ahead, Hayden Ricketts retired Lieutenant Colonel from Mission Homefront, tells Ryan Bridge where the issue lies.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on a new twist in the story of Britain’s most prolific child killer in modern history. 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.

Woolworths says it takes a community effort to curb retail crime.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has unveiled the plan for Police to issue infringement fines for people stealing - similar to speeding tickets.  It is based on suggestions from the Retail Crime Ministerial Advisory Group.  Woolworths Retail and Franchise Director Jason Stockill told Ryan Bridge the announcement is an example of collaboration across the sector.  He's hoping for more initiatives which will help deter shoplifting.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know immediately when something makes good political sense.  You can usually tell, not by listening to the Minister announce it, but by listening to the Opposition oppose it.  Crime is topic du jour as the Government's rolling maul of thundercloud announcements continue.  It's one of the party's strongest, biggest levers to pull - it's one of the few election issues on which the Nats outpoll Labour. So it's no wonder they've pulled out all the stops this after a few weeks of shaky polling and being on the defence.  The problem for Labour with crime is simple: nobody trusts them.  The facts are as follows: crime went nuts. Labour's policy was reduce the prison population.  Which is what makes this such a hard week for Labour, not the Greens and TPM who sing a different song on law and order, but for Hipkins.  How do you credibly stand up and argue against longer sentences for thugs who bash first responders? How do you oppose getting tough on coward punches? How do y

Businesses still seem to be doing it tough.  The latest Centrix data for June shows the number of people behind on payments is down on last year, for the fifth consecutive month in a row.  At the same time, company liquidations have risen 27% year-on-year.  BWA Insolvency’s Bryan Williams told Ryan Bridge he expects it to start falling again later this year.  He says people will have a more enlightened view of their future and will likely have greater discretionary funding to spend as we head towards Christmas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business NZ's Advocacy Director says Invest New Zealand is looking to hire people with an array of international connections.  The government organisation's been given $85 million over four years to work with global investors to create jobs, boost innovation, and lift productivity.  Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge potential employees should be well-connected around the world.  She says they should be looking at where the opportunities and gaps are, and where we actually need investment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's introduction of new sentences for coward punches is being described as merely cosmetic.  It's announced specific offences for striking a distracted victim - which could carry a sentence of life imprisonment, if fatal.  But Law Association Vice President Julie-Anne Kincade told Ryan Bridge she understands people have been looking for reform in this area.  She doesn't think it will make a huge impact, as the changes will add one year to the maximum penalty of offences which already exist. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 1st of July 2025, the Government's announced coward punches will now be a specific offence, Vice President of the Law Associaiton Julie-Anne Kincade KC tells Ryan Bridge the difference it will make.   Bryan Williams, Principal at BWA Insolvency, shares his thoughts on new data from Centrix around business liquidations.  From today we officially have a new regulatory body for overseas investment, Catherine Beard, Business NZ Advocacy Director tells Ryan what she wants to see come from it.  Plus Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a jury beginning deliberations in the mushroom murder trial.  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 robots are coming, and they reckon they'll be better than us humans at doing difficult, complex stuff - like being a doctor.  Microsoft announced overnight "an artificial intelligence system that performs better than human doctors at complex health diagnoses".  That's according to the Guardian, who say the company's AI unit is creating a “path to medical super-intelligence”. So, Microsoft reckons their robot system “solved” more than eight of ten case studies. The question you then start asking yourself is: do you trust AI to make important health decisions like that? Even though doctors don't always get it right, the thought of a computer deciding my fate is just weird.  But if it's shown to work reliably, and it's accurate, I suppose why not?  China meanwhile is into the robots, big time.  A company there wants a humanoid robot cleaning our dishes and washing our clothes in a matter of years. They want one robot for every home.  This, I can get onboard with.  But you'v

From tomorrow, all rental properties in New Zealand will have to meet the healthy home standards.  The Healthy Homes Act brought in stricter rules around heating, insulation, ventilation and draft stopping.   Despite the long notice period and extensions, Advocacy manager at the Property Investors Federation Matt Ball says some homes are still not up to standard.   In a recent sample of 1000 homes, only 23% were found to be fully compliant.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 30 June. 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.

Shoplifting and trespassing laws are expected to get a revamp this week.  Newstalk ZB understands policy changes relating to Retail Crime Ministerial Advisory Group recommendations are imminent. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith's previously labelled current trespassing laws as not fit for purpose.  Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge the changes should deal with recidivist offending.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government's so-called crackdown on crime is more than just tough talk but that doesn't mean it'll make much difference to crime.  That's not for want of trying. It's because the Courts are a law unto themselves.  They apply sentencing discounts like they're Briscoes Sales - 90% off for remorse. 10% of for your family report. You're free to leave the dock with time served on that murder charge! We look forward to welcoming you back to Court again soon!  We all know the story - Covid lockdowns happened, communities fell apart, lives were thrown off kilter, crime spreads. Police HQ, the Courts and the government went softer on crime. Wraparound services trumped a good ol' whack around the back of the ears.  The authorities lost control of the streets. We lost faith in the authorities. And now here we are, having elected a government to do something about.  Couple of their new laws come into force yesterday - including caps on sentencing and new aggravating factors.  These are r

There'll be a by-election in Auckland in the coming weeks, following the death of Te Pati Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp early yesterday.  She was 50 and had been battling kidney disease.  Kemp's body has arrived at Hoani Waititi Marae this morning, where she will lie in state for mourners to visit, before her tangi on Tuesday.  Newstalk ZB’s Jason Walls told Ryan Bridge it’s almost certain Labour’s Peeni Henare will run for the seat, and would be likely to win.  He says Te Pati Maori would need to find a new candidate and would be hard pressed to find someone with better name recognition than Henare – unless John Tamihere himself ran.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Access is opening up for Kiwis to a weight loss drug described as a game changer.   Wegovy, made by pharma-co Novo Nordisk, will arrive in pharmacies next week.   It's not funded by Pharmac, so users will have to pay and get a prescription for the weekly injectable.  Calocurb CEO Sarah Kennedy told Ryan Bridge that people need to be aware of both the cost of the drug and the side effect.   She says that over 70% of people using Wegovy will have gastrointestinal problems that range from nausea to diarrhoea, and over 70% of people regain the weight within a year.  Kennedy says lifestyle changes need to be made as well as taking the drug.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's City Rail Link is expecting 19 thousand peak passengers after opening day, a sharp drop compared to earlier forecasts.   In 2022, it was reported 27 thousand passengers an hour would be using the rail link at peak times when it opens next year.  Auckland Transport says it's increasing the train fleet by about 30% to make 19 thousand passengers possible.  Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck told Ryan Bridge the drop in numbers is a major problem.  She says people need to be able to travel through Auckland easily, without cars or taxis.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 27th of June 2025, Ozempic style weightloss drug, Wegovy is coming to New Zealand, Sarah Kennedy CEO of Calocurb tells Ryan Bridge about the benefits it'll bring.  The number of commuters using Auckland's new city rail link could be much lower than first thought Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck shares her thoughts.  Tributes flow following the death of Te Pati Maori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp, Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls has the latest.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin grey gets you across Palestinian supporters furious at EU inaction against Israel for alleged human rights breaches in Gaza.  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.

If you've got a health problem, if you've got a mental problem, if you can't sleep, if you're fat, enormous, obese, don't worry.  All your problems can be solved with a pill, an injection. a prescription - or even no prescription.  That's the clear message we've been getting from regulators.  From Tuesday, the Hollywood weight-loss drug Weygovey, like Ozempic, will be available here, not for diabetes, but to shift weight.  People aren't being told to not get fat, they're being told once they get too big, a drug will make them small again.  Melatonin will now be available over-the-counter for those who can't sleep. Forget counting sheep, or wearing yourself out with exercise, pop a pill and go to sleep.  You can now get an ADHD diagnosis from your GP or nurse practitioner - usually, you'd need to see a psychiatrist.  We're prescribing ten times the amount of meds than we were 15-odd years ago.  We spoke to a guy this week on the show with ADHD who said the law chang

Moana Pasifika's future looks uncertain despite their fourth and most successful Super Rugby campaign.  The Herald reports concerns centre around the charity Pasifika Medical Association Group which bought the franchise last year and a reduction in their Whanau Ora contracts.  Those have previously been used to bolster Moana Pasifika's finances, a strategy reported as quietly contentious among Polynesian health service providers.  Earlier this month, 15 players were released from this year’s squad.  Newstalk ZB’s Jason Pine told Ryan Bridge that sponsorships are never easy to come by.  He says there’s a lot of revenue streams, but none of them are increasing, so it’s got to be furrowing the brows of those at Moana Pasifika HQ.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some in the Auckland real estate sector are giving the Government's move to require taller apartments near key rail stations the tick of approval.   The Resource Management Bill will be amended to force Auckland Council to allow apartments at least 10 or 15 storeys tall around City Rail Link stops.  LJ Hooker Head of Network Campbell Dunoon hopes locals get behind what he believes is a good idea.   He says everyone's been looking forward to the City Rail Link, and more accommodation around those hubs makes sense.   But Dunoon says green spaces and carparks will need consideration.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.