Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Dairy farmers are celebrating as the sector delivers a record year.  Data from Dairy NZ's annual state of the dairy nation report shows farmers produced an unprecedented 21 billion litres of milk in the 2024/2025 season.  It's also brought the highest ever export earnings worth $27.1 billion.  Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean told Ryan Bridge a lot of it comes down to herd testing to ensure Kiwi cows have the best genetics.  He says as performance and profitability continue to increase, the Government gets more tax revenue.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a big puffy cloud of smoke hanging over the vaping versus cigarettes debate this week.  It's all kicked off because the Government's handing out free vapes to smokers to stop them getting what we know could be a death sentence.  They've done a deal to buy a bunch of them for $500,000. Between last January and July, 3000 smokers were given vaping kits and nearly half of them stopped smoking. Which, ordinarily, you would think would be a good news story.  Not so for Kelly Burrowes, Auckland University Vaping Researcher. She said on Newstalk ZB that it wasn't.  So I spoke yesterday to Robert Beaglehole. Yes, the Robert Beaglehole. Former boss of the World Health Organisation. Public health expert.  He says some of the searches are from laboratory-based scientist with no epidemiological or public health experience and doesn't have the big picture in mind. He says one of the other antagonists to this approach clearly doesn't comprehend the evidence, because it's a my

Liquor licensing mayhem for Christchurch bar owners as the opening of the new stadium nears.   Super Rugby's Super Round games will be played at One NZ Stadium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Anzac weekend.   But alcohol laws mean bars must close at midnight on Friday and can't serve alcohol without a meal before 1pm on Saturday.   Hospitality NZ's Canterbury President Jeremy Stevens told Ryan Bridge they've been hoping to get an exemption.  But he says despite the council and Mayor Phil Mauger being on board, current legislation won't allow it  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former chair of Health New Zealand says a fix to issues within health data systems has likely been put off, after a possible hack of MediMap.  The platform's widely used across the country, especially in aged care, disability, hospice, and community health.  Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge there's a lot of issues within data systems that need fixing.  He says it's expensive, can be complex and isn't headline grabbing, so it's the sort of thing people put off.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 25th of Feburary 2025, nurses at aged care facilities are going back to paper-based prescriptions after Medimaps data breach, Former Health NZ Chair shares his concerns.  Christchurch bar owners say Anzac Day liquor laws will ‘shut the city down’ on the new stadium’s opening night, Jeremy Stevens Hospitality NZ Canterbury Branch President tells Ryan how much it'll impact bars.  Pharmac's looking at funding two new Melanoma drugs, medical oncologist and Melanoma specialist Dr Gareth Rivalland tells Ryan how big of a difference the drugs would make.  UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on trade minister Chris Bryant calling Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a "rude, arrogant and entitled man" and a baby boy has become the first child in the UK to be born using a womb transplanted from a dead donor. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.     &

New treatment options for melanoma are being described as the global gold standard.   Pharmac's proposing to increase access to nivolumab and ipilimumab for treating stage 3b and 4 melanoma, from May.   Pre-surgery use of the immunotherapy drugs can lower the chance of cancer returning.  Medical oncologist Dr Gareth Rivalland told Ryan Bridge it's state of the art treatment.   He says it's the best combination and will kill off the cancer in 60% of people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Government has made fast-track a buzzword. After yet another massive hack of private information on Sunday, it needs to put that buzzword into action and sharpen up our privacy laws. Like, yesterday.  Especially if we're talking about your health information getting stolen and potentially posted online by hackers for a ransom.  The hackers it seems, are pretty much a mystery and never get caught. That ship seems to have sailed, and we can, at least for now, put that in the too hard basket.  But the folks we can fine, which we currently don't, are the businesses asking for our information and not doing enough to protect it in the first place.  If there was ever a need for better regulation and harsher penalties, it's with cases like this - what should be your private data.  In New Zealand, Consumer says there is no express penalty or fine for a breach.  The Privacy Commissioner has the power to issue a fine of $10k. Yes, just $10k. And that's only if a company doesn't report

Former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  Mandelson was fired and has been under investigation over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.  It comes as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has written to his UK counterpart Keir Starmer, calling for the former Prince Andrew to be removed from the royal line of succession.  Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge the line of succession is a very complex legal framework.  She says the charges require all Commonwealth countries to pass new laws, but Albanese says they're grave allegations and Australia takes them very seriously.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long term benefits could justify the Crown pouring more money into Genesis Energy.   The company's revealed a $400 million capital raise to up its investment in renewables.  Now the Crown's purchasing $200 million worth of new shares to maintain its 51% shareholding.   Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord told Ryan Bridge Genesis is focused on storing electricity for dry years.  He says that backup supply is the most important electricity for the system.   But Harbord says the investment doesn't do much in the short term for affordability issues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airways New Zealand is pushing for the Civil Aviation Authority to lower the age New Zealanders can get an air traffic control licence amid worries our talent's being poached overseas.  The air traffic control provider's sounded the alarm during an address before a Parliamentary Select Committee.   CEO James Young says there's a global shortage of controllers, and in other areas like controller training.   Aviation Industry Association CEO Simon Wallace told Ryan Bridge a licence can currently only be obtained at 21 or older.  He says this is something Airways has brought up, and the regulator should be looking at this.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, the Government’s forking out $200 million to keep its majority stake in Genesis Energy, Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord tells Ryan if this is a good investment.  Warnings that staffing shortages could spell big problems for our airline industry, Aviation Industry Association CEO Simon Wallace shares his concerns. Auckland councillor Alf Filipaina tells Ryan why he wants Police stationed at the City Rail Link long-term.  Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on Anthony Albanese writing to Sir Keir Starmer supporting laws to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession and a monsoon low is heading across three Australian states, bringing torrential downpours and flash flooding.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati

Police say they can't keep an ongoing presence at Auckland's new City Rail Link long term.  The country's largest transport project is scheduled to open to passengers sometime in the second half of the year.  But a Police official told an Auckland Council Safety Committee this month they're preparing to ramp up operations in quarter three.  Auckland Councillor Alf Filipaina tells Ryan Bridge conversations need to be had.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are known around the world for their kindness.  We open doors, we say please and thank you, we help out our neighbour. We leap in to help when help is needed.  It’s one of the traits we’re most proud of. But one thing we hate more than anything else is when that kindness is taken for granted - then it’s no more Mr Nice Guy. We say this with kids stealing from dairies and ram-raiding poor old hard-working dairy owners. The minute they started destroying livelihoods and beating people with screw drivers and hammers, sympathy evaporated. Sure, some of these kids may have had hard upbringings, but there are plenty of kids with tough upbringings who choose not to drive a Nissan Gidda through a four-square window at 3am. So, we voted for boot camps. We reversed our ‘no chase’ police pursuit policy. We cracked down. Kindness has its limits.  A long time ago, for those who frequent the city, we crossed the same line with beggars and rough sleepers. We care about them. We donate our time and money

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday the 23rd of Feburary 2025, The Government’s moving to give Police new powers to move on beggars and rough sleepers, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Andrew about the difference this will make for town centres. Donald Trump's announced a new 15% global baseline tariff with a new law, after the US supreme court ruled his existing tariffs illegal, Federal Tax Economist at Tax Foundation Alex Durante shares his thoughts.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus, UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on new Epstein files say London police officers were instructed to provide security for a dinner party at Jeffrey Epstein's New York home and Spanish police have arrest a 20-year-old man suspected of hacking a hotel booking website and reserving luxury rooms priced at up to €1,000 per night for just one euro cent.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you

The Government is proposing a law which would allow Police to order someone rough sleeping or begging, to leave a public space for up to 24 hours.  They could be fined up to two thousand dollars or three months in jail if they don't. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith joins Andrew Dickens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If I was asked whether I’d back Defence Force professionals over politicians on Defence protocols and training, I’d back the professionals every time.  ACT and New Zealand First, Winston and David, have asked questions of the Defence Minister Judith Collins on the amount of Māori culture, lore and language which is part of the Defence Force’s preparation for combat.  This is not a new complaint.  Questions about Karakia and haka come up from time to time.  Some see this a against the old God, King and country ideal.  But the Defence force has always used Māori tikanga to build cohesiveness.  They use haka to bring the forces together.  It’s a war dance after all.  They use Karakia, Powhiri and other tikanga Māori a lot because a lot of Māori serve in the defence forces. Proportionately more than other segment of the population.  It’s part of their organizational identity because the culture is unique to New Zealand and therefore beneficial in bonding the team. &nbs

A shocking morning for the UK, with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being held in custody.  Police have been investigating allegations the former Prince shared confidential information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.   The BBC understands Police gave advance warning of his arrest to the Home Office – the UK government's internal affairs department.  It says his brother King Charles wasn't told of the arrest in advance, but he's released a statement saying the law must take its course.  UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge this marks a huge day.  He says you have to go back about 350 years since a member of the Royal Family was captured in any way.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spotlight's on the Royal Family following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.  This follows allegations the former Prince shared sensitive information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.   The family of late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who also accused Mountbatten-Windsor of misconduct, told the BBC they celebrated after hearing of his arrest.  Mountbatten Windsor's brother King Charles says the law must take its course.   Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Ryan Bridge with everything in the public eye, it'll be hard to keep calm and carry on.  He says it seems Mountbatten-Windsor's in for a very tough ride, but so is the Royal Family.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's optimism newly introduced visa-free travel for Chinese and Pacific tourists will prove successful long-term.  The trial allows visitors to enter New Zealand for up to three months on a valid Australian visa.  The Government says arrivals have almost tripled since December, reaching 36,800 visits.  Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Ryan Bridge the scheme will be reviewed around the 12-month mark to assess its success and any risks.  She says there's little to no risk, as we're essentially piggybacking off Australia's robust system.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland City Counsellor says the Government's plans for the CBD won't be clear for a while.  It's reducing the proposed homes allowed in the Supercity from 2 million to 1.6 million.  The revision to new density rules will focus more on builds in the central city and around key transit hubs, than in suburban areas.  Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker told Ryan Bridge he doesn't think it'll please everybody and isn't the silver bullet some people have been asking for.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.