Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

BNZ is picking our house prices to rise after the new year.  They forecast an increase of 7% over 2025, following a flat 2024.  Brad Olsen, Infometrics Chief Economist, told Ryan Bridge that while 7% is a little bit higher than what most expect at the moment, everything is quite uncertain.   He said that we’ve got a little bit to get through in 2024 before we get too close to understanding 2025.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s another option that could help us fill the gaps in the energy crisis: solid biofuel.  It makes use of forestry slash, burning it to generate heat and electricity as a cheaper alternative to gas.   New Zealand exports around 20 million tonnes of wood per year, and we would only need to divert around 30% of those export logs to decarbonise every industrial gas and coal boiler in the country, Solid Bioenergy Group CEO Rob Mallinson says.  Mallinson told Ryan Bridge that it’s renewable, half the cost of LNG, and we need it to be part of the solution for the current energy crisis.   He said he’s not saying it's the silver bullet, but it’s a huge potential part of the solution, especially for the North Island.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s pressure from the Police union to speed up the process to seize gang assets.   In a major win for authorities, the High Court released a decision yesterday ruling the Head Hunters must forfeit $15 million in assets, including its Mount Wellington gang pad.   It follows a decade of investigation and court processes.   Police Association President Chris Cahill told Ryan Bridge it shouldn't take that long.  He hopes the milestone decision will mean a new standard in the gang crackdown.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Awful for the family to see – this is the people who were filming that tragic fatal accident on the southern motorway.  The news media will cover it, they will film it go out to a story. They will film if the bodies in the accident, they will film the accident aftermath, but they would not show it to the audience.  Here we have social media, everyone's got a camera, it's the new word of mouth. You film what you see, and you post it online. It's the Wild West.  The cops are upset with this.  "I thought that was disgusting. It really was. I mean, I saw some of the footage, it was filmed before emergency services arrived. There were close ups of people deceased in the van and injured lying on the road."  Yeah, close ups are people who are injured, lying on the road, not a nice thing to see or to experience.  But so long as you're not driving and filming, isn't it actually potentially useful evidence? Couldn't it help with an investigation if police are able to review some of this footage of a crash or the immedi

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 28th of August, a win for police in the gang crackdown. A court has ruled they can take assets and property from the Head Hunters worth almost $15 million. Police Association President Chris Cahill speaks to Ryan about what the decision means.  Could solid biofuels be an alternative to gas and help out our struggling energy supplies? Rob Mallinson from the Solid Biofuels Interest Group joins the show to give his thoughts.  BNZ are predicting a 7% rise in house prices over 2025. Could it cut first time house buyers out of the market? Infometrics Chief Executive Brad Olsen chats to Ryan.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Workers in Australia can now legally refuse unreasonable contact from their employers outside of work hours.   A legislated right to disconnect has come into effect and is expected to majorly reduce the number of unpaid work hours.  The law change offers some flexibility around the employee's role and responsibilities, the nature of the contact, and how disruptive it is.   Australian correspondent Lesley Yeomans told Ryan Bridge the laws apply to businesses with more than 15 employees.   She says it means people don't feel like they need to be on call 24 seven.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The energy sector is questioning how long new reform will really last.   Cabinet has agreed to cut regulation stopping New Zealand bringing in foreign Liquefied Natural Gas in efforts to boost energy supply and ease power bills.  Energy Resources Aotearoa is urging Labour to support the changes.   Chief Executive John Carnegie told Ryan Bridge the change must outlast the current political cycle.   He says businesses want certainty their investments won't be for nothing when a new Government comes into power.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An energy expert is confident New Zealand can do without oil and gas exploration.   Cabinet has agreed to cut regulation stopping New Zealand bringing in foreign Liquefied Natural Gas in efforts to boost energy supply and ease power bills.  Labour Leader Chris Hipkins is refusing to support the move, despite urges from the Prime Minister.   Massey University Sustainable Energy Expert Professor Emeritus Ralph Sims told Ryan Bridge there are no guarantees natural gas could even be found.   He says it's a chance to develop renewable energy generation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A ruling against Uber is likely to benefit all drivers.  The Court of Appeal has ruled that four Uber workers were employees not contractors.   It means they will have access to certain entitlements like minimum wage and sick days.   Uber's appealing the decision, claiming it will create greater confusion for those on contract work.   Employment lawyer Alastair Espie told Ryan Bridge it will have ramifications for other drivers.  He says the majority of drivers will have the same argument - that they're an employee.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of decent hard working Kiwi provincial Union jobs are hanging in the balance today.  Electricity spot prices peaking at $1000 per megawatt hour in the last couple of weeks. Power companies, they are basically cancelling deals for Kiwis to heat their homes this winter, and businesses are literally shuttering operations, rationing power, producing less.  Think of the ports that will be affected by that in provincial New Zealand, think of the competitive advantage that we are losing.  What's the problem? Not enough sun, not enough rain, not enough wind for our renewable energy sources, plus we have a gas shortage.  This problem will continue, in part, because Labour cancelled oil and gas exploration into the future.  Now the rubber has hit the road. The oil and gas investment and exploration has gone through the floor, investment confidence has gone through the floor.  Where are our leaders in this crisis? Well, Jacinda's in Chicago doing Kamala mania, probably still dining out on the nuclear free momen

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 27th of August, big changes for our energy sector - a new LNG terminal will be built for importing gas and extended resource consent periods will be introduced for renewable electricity. Ryan speaks to Massey University professor Ralph Sims and John Carnegie from Energy Resources Aotearoa to get their thoughts.  A win for Kiwi Uber drivers as the Employment Court has ruled that four drivers are employees, not contractors. Employment Lawyer Alistair Espie breaks down what it means for contractors.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fast track approvals bill, it's been in the news in the last couple of days. Fast track - I was thinking fast food, like drive through, how quickly we can get infrastructure done in this country. Something we haven't been able to do very well for a very long time. Like you would drive into the McDonald's or whatever it is to get your speedy infrastructure done. What would you like, sir? I'll have a housing development, I'll have a bridge or perhaps I'll have a mine on the west coast. Drive straight to 3 pay there, Uncle Shane, there's cousin Simeon ready to take your card and then, oh, lo and behold, Chris Bishop gives you a free Sunday, he's on the milkshake machine. Great. Everybody's happy. Bam, bam, bam and you're straight through. But no, not anymore. Now they are going to revise it and they're going to take away some of those quick decisions making power. So the decisions will now be made by, you guessed it, a panel of experts, not ministers. There's a new process that involves environmental experts

The mining industry wants the latest changes made to the Fast Track Bill, to be its last.   Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announced Cabinet will recommend changes to the proposed law, to the Environment Select Committee.  It includes changing who has the final say -  from ministers to an independent panel.  Minerals industry association Straterra calls it a watering-down of the scheme.   Chief Executive, Josie Vidal told Ryan Bridge she doesn't understand why ministers can't make the decisions, which they are elected for.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire - signalling an escalation in hostilities. Israel says it pre-emptively destroyed thousands of rocket launchers across Southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah says it fired 320 rockets and drones at Israel - in the first phase of a retaliatory attack for the killing of its leaders. Otago University Middle East expert Leon Goldsmith told Ryan Bridge Hezbollah had wanted to wait until a ceasefire was reached in Gaza before acting. He says the group had been under a lot of pressure to do something over the assassinations. He says they called the operation Arbaeen which is Arabic for 40 days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 26th of August. Changes have been made to the fast track approvals bill - what does it mean for our mining sector. Straterra's Josie Vidal speaks to Ryan. Israel and Hezbollah have traded strikes in the Middle East. Otago University Expert Dr Leon Goldsmith joins the show. Team NZ have won the America's Cup Prelimenary Regatta. Andrew Alderson has your weekend sport wrap. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rugby world is reeling from Leon MacDonald’s abrupt departure from his role as assistant coach of the All Blacks.   NZ Rugby announced the news yesterday, Scott Robertson telling the media that their coaching techniques didn’t quite click.  Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told Ryan Bridge that there’s a couple of schools of thought surrounding the departure.  One is that the issues that saw MacDonald leaving his role as assistant to Robertson in 2017 arose again, this time proving irreconcilable.   Another thought is that there may be too many voices on the coaching panel, which NZR denies.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s relief over imminent changes to resource management rules on private farmland.   The Government has announced a second amendment to the Resource Management Act, which will set new national directions for areas such as infrastructure, energy, and farming.  Federated Farmers resource management spokesperson Mark Hooper told Ryan Bridge this change is less significant than the first but gives more freedom to the primary sector.   He says the fact the government is addressing specific concerns within the highly productive land national policy statement is good to see.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate's under house arrest following damming new allegations.  Tate and his brother are being investigated by Romanian authorities for allegations including sex with a minor and trafficking underage persons.   One of the 35 alleged victims is as young as 15 years old.  UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge the brothers have called the claims as "made up" and "pathetic".  He says despite their claims of innocence, they'll have to remain under house arrest in their compound near Bucharest for 30 days.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A curve ball has been thrown for Kamala Harris as she's about to accept her presidential nomination.  US media is reporting the independent, and former Democrat, Robert F Kennedy Junior is planning to pull out of the race and endorse Republication nominee Donald Trump.   It coincides with the final day of the Democratic National Convention, where Harris is expected to accept the nomination.   FSN Correspondent Simon Marks told Ryan Bridge it'll be a big help to Donald Trump with so many eyes are on the Democratic campaign.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resource and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones has given quite a fiery speech in the House taking aim at the Greens over Labour's oil and gas ban, calling out their opposition to using Kiwi coal.  "We can power up New Zealand by using our domestic coal resources. But that party would rather see New Zealanders thrown on the unemployment scrap heap as we've witnessed this week. They would rather see people cold, they would rather see people in their retirement years too afraid to put the jug on or the sleeping blanket just so they can cover themselves in an ideological blanket of piety and self-righteousness."  That was not scripted, that was just Shane Jones going hell for leather in the House. A very enjoyable speech, he's easy to listen to, isn't he?  He makes a point, doesn't he, about the workers who are being affected by all of the closures that are happening around the country at the moment.  I flicked off an email to Methanex yesterday because they've shuttered operations at their plant until Octobe