Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday the 23rd of August, All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has left the team a week before they head to South Africa - what does it mean for the team? Ruby commentator Tony Johnson talks to Ryan.  It's the final day of the Democratic National Convention where Kamala Harris will formerly accept the Democratic nomination for President. We're live to Chicago for the latest.  More changes for the Resources Management Act, but will it make thing easier for our farmers? Mark Hooper from Federated Farmers joins the show to give his thoughts.  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.

Anticipation is building over Government announcements at the second day of the Local Government New Zealand conference in Wellington today.   It comes after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon ruffled feathers yesterday with an address telling councils to cut back on wasteful spending.  Local Government Minister Simeon Brown is expected to speak to the delegates today.  But Local Government Business Forum Chair Matt Cowley told Ryan Bridge the Government won't be offering a handout.  He says it wants the big infrastructure issues addressed but ratepayers will have to chip in.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transpower will today decide whether it'll take the next big step in combatting the current power shortage.   Spiking electricity prices have forced Winstone's central North Island pulp and sawmills to propose closing, with more than 200 jobs on the line.  Transpower will make a decision on if generators can take more water from the hydro lakes - creating more power.   Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord told Ryan Bridge he'd be surprised if they don't tap into them.   He says we have this water set aside for emergencies, and there's no doubt the crisis we're in is anything but a critical issue for our communities.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns over the impact of Covid-19 on children's spoken language skills.  The Education Review Office research shows more than two-thirds of parents report their child had language difficulties before they started school last year.  It found a similar number of teachers blame the lockdown period for its impact.  New Shoots Children's Centre director Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it's the result of multiple factors in the last few years.  She says children were more isolated, with parents trying to work from home, so teacher and peer interaction reduced.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The reactions overnight to Luxon's broadside to the mayors and the local councils in Wellington yesterday should be telling him that he's pretty much on the right track.  He got stuck in overspending on dumb stuff, his words, like convention centres, at the expense of basic stuff like leaky pipes.  "I think the building that we're in today is a classic example, with pipes bursting and quite literally this morning pipes bursting on the streets not far from here. And it looks very nice and it's great and it's very nice for us politicians to have a wonderful space to make some great speeches in. But can anyone seriously say that was the right financial decision?"  It was a spin doctor’s wet dream yesterday. The contrast between all of the mayors and the councillors sitting in $180 million gold plated convention centre while you know, ordinary Joe and Jane, like you and me are trudging through lakes to reach the bus stop. It was pretty good from a PR perspective.  Not good for the Tory Whanaus of the world, the W

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22nd August 2024, Local Council leaders have been told by the Prime Minister to reign in their own spending before asking central government for more money. Local Business Forum Chair Matt Cowley speaks to Ryan about what local economies need.  The Education Review Office has found Kiwi kids are not starting school with the language skills needed, saying Covid has had an impact on development. New Shoots Children's Centre Director Kelly Seaburg joins the show to give her thoughts.  Transpower will decide today whether to allow power generation companies to use contingent lake levels to boost our power generation. Major Electricity Users Group Chair John Harbord talks to Ryan about the impact the power crisis is having on large industry.  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.

Rescuers are still racing to find survivors from the sunken superyacht near Sicily.  The yacht's Kiwi captain James Catfield has survived, along with Christchurch lawyer Ayla Ronald and her partner.  But correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge others are still believed to be trapped in the boat's hull.  Among them are Ronald's colleague Christopher Morvillo and his wife, jewellery designer Neda Morvillo, banker Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, and British tech tycoon Mike Lynch.  The body of the on-board chef has been formally identified, and British investigators have now arrived on the scene.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There could be a battle brewing between Green Party MPs and grass root party members.   Independent MP Darleen Tana has written a letter to the Greens which says they will vote with the party, which will mean proportionality stays the same.   The Green Party leadership will take the proposition to use the Waka Jumping legislation to the wider party membership on September 1st.   Political commentator Brigitte Morten says told Ryan Bridge they'll be hoping members agree.   She says if they vote against the plan, the leaders face being out of step with the wider party membership.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief the Government could make part of Kiwibank public-owned.   The Commerce Commission's market study shows there's little competition between the big four banks, and they take high profits by international standards.   It recommends giving Kiwibank access to more capital to better compete and become a disruptor.  Massey University's banking expert David Tripe told Ryan Bridge that money could come from the New Zealand public.   He says it would take some time to absorb a large amount of capital, so it's better done as a relatively slow process.  Tripe says trying to grow a bank rapidly is usually a recipe for disaster.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour, you might have seen him on the news last night or in the Herald yesterday, basically calling Christopher Luxon and the government undemocratic for refusing to support this Treaty Principles Bill passed the first reading when it gets to select committee.  This is what he said on the news last night.  "Well, I think it is disrespectful and anti-democratic to tell people that no matter what they think, you're not open to changing your mind."  Is this the issue you want to die in a ditch over?  Let's face it, the Treaty Principles Bill is dead in the water anyway.  A couple of reasons for that. Number one and most importantly, your coalition partners have said, nah, we don't want to support it past the first reading.  Even if they agreed to it, the debate and the media attention would surely from a political perspective, purely political perspective would drown out the next two years of potentially good headlines about economic growth and all the other stuff the government's trying to do.  And even

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21st August 2024. How can Kiwibank become a better competitor for the big Aussie Banks? Banking expert David Tripe takes us through the options.  AA has found our learner driver licensing system is much more relaxed than Australia's - what improvements can we make to keep young drivers safer? Road safety campaigner Clive Matthew-Wilson speaks to Ryan.  Darleen Tana has formerly said they won't leave their seat in Parliament - what is the next move for the Greens? Political commentator Brigitte Morten joins the show to give her thoughts.  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.

A coordinated response between the Police and Auckland Council is being credited for a steep drop in retail crime in the CBD.   The number of thefts and burglaries has fallen 50% since January last year.   Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck says while some haven't seen it yet, there's been a noticeable decrease.   She told Ryan Bridge the next step is tackling anti-social behaviour.   Beck says there needs to be more mental health and health resources thrown at the problem.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch Hato Hone St John ambulance workers are kicking off a day of nationwide rallies following pay negotiation breakdowns.  More than two and a half thousand officers are taking part in staggered four-hour withdrawals of labour until 4am tomorrow.  Christchurch staff will march from 8am.  Ambulance Association Division Chairman Mark Quin told Ryan Bridge that St John will be operating at 70% capacity today.  He says some areas aren't even noticing the staff withdrawals as they become accustomed to operating with so few staff.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Joe Biden's expected to dominate the first day of the Democratic National Convention.   It starts in Chicago today and is where Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz will accept their presidential and vice presidential nominations.  Biden's expected to give an address and make a symbolic handover to Harris.  FSN Correspondent Simon Marks told Ryan Bridge they're getting the uncomfortable bits out of the way on the first day.   He says President Biden will be the main speaker, alongside First Lady Jill Biden and former First Lady, Hillary Clinton.  Harris will be looking to ride her wave of momentum into the convention.  She currently has a six-point lead over Donald Trump in the latest Fox News poll, Marks saying that Harris will be wanting the convention to go flawlessly over the next few days.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered what the funniest joke in the world is?  Well, I can tell you because the Edinburgh Fringe Festival has declared the funniest joke.  It's a ship gag, a gag about a ship, as in like a vessel that goes in the ocean. To be honest, it's not that funny and maybe I'm just getting older and mingy about life.  I don't know, maybe I don't find things as funny anymore.  Have you tried to find a funny movie lately? Have you managed to find one?  No, because they don't make them anymore and they certainly don't make jokes that are actually funny at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  And I should preface this by saying that, look, I'm not funny. So, you know, it is a hard thing to do. I get it.  But I just wonder whether we're not being a little too safe with our comedy. Something Jerry Seinfeld spoke about when he was in New Zealand recently, people can't push the boundaries anymore.  Let me just read you a few in the top 10 funniest jokes at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  And actually, you can try and guess

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 20th August 2024, it's day one of the Democratic National Convention. We cross live to Chicago to get an insight into what’s going down.  Crime numbers are down in our biggest city, but are businesses on the ground actually seeing any difference? Heart of the City's Viv Beck speaks to Ryan.  St John ambulance workers are on their first day of a withdrawal of labour strike - what does it mean for people needing emergency assistance? Mark Quin from the New Zealand Ambulance Association joins the show to explain.  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.

ASB's quarterly report reveals economic pressure and inflation showing signs of easing. We're seeing early signs of a turnaround for the economy... ASB's quarterly forecast shows signs inflation will fall below 3% over the second half of this year and remain well contained beyond 2024. They're also expecting GDP to remain flat-to-down over the rest of the year. ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge even though mortgage rates have started to come down, for some, it'll take time until they see a change in their pay packet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outrage at the weekend over the Human Rights Commission.  The Chief Human Rights Commissioner has been announced as Dr Steven Rainbow and he was once accused of being transphobic or anti trans.  And it's one of those terms that can quickly change the tone or the perception of an article that you're reading.  I remember this from the university college campus protests over in the States.  You would read the CNN copy on the story and it would say they were pro Palestinian protesters, then you would read the Fox News version and it would say they're anti-Israel.  Who decides what you are? If you're pro one thing, does it automatically make you anti the other?  Women's rights campaigners, and this was the point that I think was being made about Dr Steven Rainbow, the women's rights campaigners, do they hate or are they anti trans people, or are they just pro women's rights as they would claim that they are?  And equally just because you want a ceasefire in Gaza, it doesn't mean you're anti Semitic, does it?  Ther

Details of the government's $1.3 billion dollar road policing investment programme have been revealed. It includes new targets for roadside breath and drug tests. Police are expected to carry out 3.3 million breath tests per year. 65% of those have to be done in high risk areas or during high risk times. $72 million of the funding will be put aside as a performance incentive. Police won't receive the money unless they meet the targets. Police Association President Chris Cahill told Ryan Bridge police currently have a target of around 3 million, which they've only hit twice in the last 10 years.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 19th August 2024. New cash for police, but they have to meet targets for roadside breath and alcohol tests - are the targets achievable? Police Association President Chris Cahill joins Ryan.  ASB say economic relief is on the way. Chief Economist Nick Tufley has the latest from their quarterly report.  The All Blacks have recovered from their loss against Argentina a week ago and the America's cup starts in Barcelona this week. Adam Cooper 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.