Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Skifields in Queenstown have got the chair lifts turning ahead of opening day tomorrow.  NZ Ski Chief Executive Paul Anderson says the Remarkables and Coronet Peak have had eight solid days of snow making, mixed in with natural snowfall.  He says there's more than a metre of snow on the main trails and both skifields should have their main chairlifts running, providing a chance at top to bottom skiing across the mountain.  Mount Hutt attempted to open this morning but rainfall caused the snowpack to become unstable, pushing launch day to tomorrow.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Clark says the future of the AUKUS security pact remains very uncertain.  The Pentagon's reviewing the agreement between Australia, the UK, and the US to ensure it meets Donald Trump's America First agenda.  It's still unclear what that might mean for New Zealand's potential involvement.  But Clark —the former Prime Minister and UNDP Head— told Ryan Bridge there's a chance Trump could scrap the pact altogether.  She says the leaders of all three countries have changed since the agreement was signed, and the US has become increasingly unpredictable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Corrections Minister believes our prisons will be ready for an increase in demand.  The Ministry of Justice expects the prison population will increase 36% by 2035, to more than 14,000 people. It's prompted concerns for the country's ability to cope with demand.  Mark Mitchell says the Waikeria prison expansion will help provide enough beds.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 13th of June 2025, a report from the Ministry of Justice is predicting our prison population to grow by 36% over the next 10 years, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell shares his thoughts. The Ski season kicks off this weekend, NZ Ski Chief Executive Paul Anderson tells Ryan Bridge what people can look forward to. The US is "reviewing" it's AUKUS security pac, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark shares what this means for New Zealand's position.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the Air India plane crash which killed more than 200 people.  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 fair to say Christopher Luxon’s had a rough run at the top. The transition from CEO to PM hasn’t been all that smooth. His approval ratings have been way out of whack with those of any predecessor at the same time in their reigns. We hardly saw a honeymoon. One of the problems has been communication. You ask people and they tell you: it’s hard to connect with him. We don’t really get what he’s about.  His loudmouth coalition partners have largely filled the personality void to his detriment. As a business executive, you’ve got to optimistic. You’ve got to project positivity, and that positive, upbeat style has jarred with the reality of our economy.  The more he said things are improving and this economy is turning a corner, the more out of touch he has sounded.  Jacinda Ardern encountered this problem when she refused to call the cost of living crisis a crisis. You lose the room. It's like a bit like trying to entertain a crowd of Metallica fans with a choir - a bit of a bum note.&nb

An Independent Children's Monitor report finds almost half the reports of concern relate to young Māori.  They make up two-thirds of those in care - and more than three-quarters in youth justice custody.  Voyce Whakarongo Mai Chief Executive Tracie Shipton told Ryan Bridge that change is possible.  She says it's a stark reminder if we get in early with wrap around services for whanau and young people, we can make a difference.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has criticized New Zealand for banning two Israeli Ministers.  Winston Peters has decided to jump on the bandwagon with allies such as Australia and Canada by banning Israel’s finance minister and national security minister from entering the country.   But the US has denounced these sanctions and said that New Zealand should focus on Hamas instead.  International relations professor Robert Patman talks to Ryan Bridges about the situation and what can be expected from both sides going forward.  LISTEN ABOVE      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Correspondent Mitch McCann talks about Trump’s new “deal” with China after China threatens to cut off the US’ supply of rare minerals.  China issued these threats in response to the treatment of Chinese students studying in the USA. China also wants the USA to continue exporting semiconductors to China.  President Trump has said that these terms will be met, although current details are unclear.   Although communication between the two nations is positive, the discussion isn’t over yet as McCann says, “it’s a bit of a framework to continue working on a deal.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 12th of June 2025, Food and Fibre exports are on track to break new records, Meat Industry Association Chief Executive Sirma Karapeeva, shares her thoughts on how red meat exports are going.  The US has criticised NZ for sanctions on Israel, international relations Professor Robert Patman tell Ryan Bridge how this makes us look.  We've got another report showing some Maori children are falling through the cracks, Voyce CEO Tracey Shipton shares her thoughts.  Plus Mitch McCann has the latest on deal between the US and China.  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.

Red meat's among food and fibre exports surging in value, with revenue forecast to surpass $60 billion for the first time. The latest forecasts projects export earnings of $59.9 billion for the year ending later this month.  It's now on track to reach $65.7 billion by 2029. Meat Industry Association Chief Executive Sirma Karapeeva told Ryan Bridge we're seeing strong global demand and healthy prices across key markets. She says there's demand from the US and EU, with a good recovery in exports to China. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve been reflecting this Fieldays week on how much the dial has shifted in farming and emissions. We had Chris Hipkins on the Herald Now programme Tuesday admit they essentially don’t currently have a policy in putting agriculture into the ETS.  It was a signature policy platform under Ardern. We had to do it, they told us. It was immoral not to.  Farmers had to pay a higher price, and who cares if it’s CO2 or methane, emissions are emissions.  Labour’s now open to ditching that altogether and softening its tone on farmers. This is happening for two reasons. 1. People are alive to the fact that without our strong agriculture export prices, our regions would feel a lot more our main centres right now: economically depressed and limping along. Actually, selling a bunch of stuff we already know how to do well is exactly what a small trading nation likes ours should be doing. 2. The Government has successfully changed the narrative on emissions, basically through repetition: our farmers are t

Fieldays has opened at Hamilton's Mystery Creek, with 100 thousand visitors expected over the next four days.  1200 vendors will be plying their wares at the Southern Hemisphere's largest agribusiness event, displaying the latest farming innovations.  GFactor Edge co-founder Rhys Gardner is bringing his company’s VR driving simulators to the event – the technology allowing people to learn how to drive heavy machinery in a controlled environment.  He told Ryan Bridge they’re recreating real accidents and near misses and allowing people to experience the outcomes of their decisions.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown could soon be leading the world’s renewable energy future.  Rewiring Aotearoa is launching the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator project to speed up the transition to electric machines that run on renewable electricity.  It wants to make it easier for homes and businesses to go electric.  Chief Executive Mike Casey told Ryan Bridge one of the biggest barriers to going solar is the up-front cost.  But he says with some of New Zealand's highest energy prices, Queenstown is the best place to turn renewable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drug overdose deaths have almost doubled in less than a decade and at the same time, the number of people accessing specialist help is trending downward.   The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission found 188 people died from an overdose in 2023.  That's more than half the road toll, and more than twice the number of drowning deaths.  Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm told Ryan Bridge we lose three New Zealanders every week to accidental and preventable drug overdose.   She says at the same time there's been a decline in access to addiction services.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're in Auckland and waking up this morning feeling poorer, it's because you are. It's because we all are.   CVs down 9%, rates are up 6% at the start of the month – that's an extra 223 bucks a year. Now the CVs aren't the market value, obviously, but the market value of our houses has also dropped.   And so it's right that we feel poorer, we are. But spare a thought for Wellington – CVs down 24%, rates up 17%. No, thank you.   Everyone's asking why are we paying more when our houses are worthless? The answer is just because it's how councils collect money, and they have few options to do it any other way.   I saw a graph yesterday in defence of councils – this is a tax as a percentage of GDP,  over the last 130 years, since the 1800s. The blue line was central government. They tax us through income, y’know, spending via GST, a whole bunch of stuff was up around 30%, peaked at about 35% of GDP.   Greedy. Disgraceful. Poor. Old in orange. Your Councils basically flatlining fo

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11 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.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson has stepped down from his role.  Robinson has been chief executive of NZR since January 2020, and will leave NZR at the end of this year.  In a statement, Robinson said he will join his family in Australia when he has finished in the job.  Halo Sport’s Simon Porter told Ryan Bridge he’d agree with Robinson’s assessment that he left the organisation a better place than he found it.  He says it’s been a pretty tough six years with Covid, and they’ve made some substantial changes and split the organisation, but hopefully its set itself up to be a bit more nimble as it moves forward.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's becoming more vulnerable to corruption by organised crime.   An independent advisory panel's urged the Government to take immediate action.   It says police officers, immigration officials, and private sector employees have facilitated drug smuggling, leaked sensitive information, and undermined our border system.   Customs Minister Casey Costello told Ryan Bridge she agrees we can't rest on our laurels.  She says we are the only Five Eyes partner that doesn't have a national corruption strategy, and our legislation isn't fit for purpose.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 10th of June 2025, a new report has found our corruption-free nation is at odds with evidence, Ryan Bridge asks Customs Minister Casey Costello what difference the Government can make.  The Government's investing $13.5 million in tourism, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell shares her thoughts.  Plus NZ Rugby Boss Mark Robinson calls it quits, Simon Port Managing Director and Rugby Player agent for Halo Sport, tells Ryan Bridge what skills the new CEO needs to bring to NZ Rugby.  Ryan shares his thoughts on Greta Thunberg's aid boat being intercepted by the Israelis.  Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the Australian PM asked to intervene after an Aussie journalist was hit by a rubber bullet in LA riots. 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 informatio

The Government's pumping more funding into tourism marketing, with a goal of generating an extra $300 million in spending.  Minister Louise Upston's announced a $13.5 million injection into Tourism New Zealand -- targeting Australia, the US, and China.  It's expected to bring an extra 72 thousand visitors over coming years.  Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told Ryan Bridge the spending goals easily achievable.  She says Chinese visitors spend an average of $6,000 here, which is why they're being targeted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.