Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Will the All Blacks redeem themselves after last week’s loss?  This Saturday they’ll be facing Argentina in a rematch at Eden Park, a week on from losing to 30-38 in Wellington.  Scott Robertson has made some major changes to the Kiwi side, including the return of former captain Sam Cane.  Newstalk ZB Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Ryan Bridge the All Blacks need to bounce back, which they traditionally do when they lose to Argentina.   He said that it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to happen tomorrow night, but you would hope there’s some form of response from the All Blacks after last week.  Smith said that last week seems to be a bit of a reality check for Robertson.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

501s will be the hot button topic in Christopher Luxon's meeting in Canberra today with the Australian Prime Minister.  Anthony Albanese's government has pulled a recent u-turn on the common-sense approach he'd agreed to with former Prime Minister Jacinda Arden in 2022.   Australia is no longer considering a person's ties to the country before deporting them, making the safety of Australians the top priority.  Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller told Ryan Bridge Luxon's comments in Sydney yesterday hinted he wasn't expecting to make much headway.   He says Luxon had said they would agree to disagree on the issue - but he'd continue to voice New Zealand's displeasure.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim Dotcom could have his fate sealed by early next year.   The tech mogul may soon find himself on trial in the US after Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed he'd signed his extradition.   Former Auckland University Professor of Law Bill Hodge told Ryan Bridge Dotcom's penultimate step is a judicial review, but he can't precisely predict how long this would take.   He says if it's a typical judicial review, it could ideally be done within six months, and wonders if the court will expedite it.  Hodge says his Kiwi family may be his strongest defence.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a reason politicians can't agree on much of anything.  Luxon is in Australia at the moment, he's on an infrastructure whistle stop tour.  The question - why are we so bad, and the Aussies seemingly so much better at it?  There are many reasons like public, private partnerships and user pays. In New South Wales, they've used asset sales to fund this stuff, but it's also crucially bipartisan agreement on what to build.  Luxon says that the Nats and Labour need consensus on what projects will get cash.  "The challenge in New Zealand is you get a change in political cycle or economic cycle, and you get on off, on off, on off and nothing's happening."  So the construction industry, they need to know the pipeline of work that's in front of them or it's not going to be viable. You know, the roads of national significance they were on and then they're off, and they're on and then they're off.  And another example was Energy Resources Aotearoa on this show calling for bipartisan Agreement on Oil and gas explor

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday the 16th of August, Kim Dotcom's extradition order has been signed by the Justice Minister, can he fight it? Former law professor Bill Hodge joins the show to give his thoughts.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is meeting with his Australian counterpart today. Geoffrey Miller talks to Ryan about what could be on the agenda.  Is it redemption time for the All Blacks? They face Argentina in Auckland on Saturday, a week on from their shock loss in Wellington. Newstalk ZB Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith speaks to Ryan ahead of the game.  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 Kamala swing continues. New polling out today shows Harris is leading slightly or tied in six of the seven swing states. Back in May, Former President Donald Trump was leading in almost all swing states. US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge it illustrates just how much this race has changed.  He says Trump is trying to take back the narrative.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a chance your home-reno could keep you from selling your house.  A couple in the UK was recently unable to sell their home after installing spray foam insulation.  The way the foam is installed and how much ventilation it has could cause damage to roofing timber, particularly in colder climates, and New Zealand installers have to produce a statement saying the work complies with the building code.  Healthy Homes Cooperation Director Damian McGill told Ryan Bridge that there’s nothing wrong with spray foam per se, and it can be a great product when used correctly.  But he said that when you add retrofit insultation, you have to improve the ventilation as well, otherwise there’s a risk moisture could build up in the cavities.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions remain over how blocks of methamphetamine in lolly wrappers made their way to the Auckland City Mission.   The mission distributed the Rinda pineapple lollies in food parcels over several weeks.   The hand-outs could affect up to 400 people, and at least three people, including a child and teenager, have received medical treatment.   Drug Detection Agency chief executive Glenn Dobson told Ryan Bridge a lot of techniques are used to smuggle methamphetamine.   He says it's often suspended in liquids or pill form - disguised as lollies isn't unknown but isn't overly common.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis won't be drawn on the Reserve Bank's sudden change of tune on the Official Cash Rate.  It's lowered the rate to 5.25% due to further signs of falling inflation.  Economist Brad Olsen says the central bank needs to take accountability for radically changing its forecast without a radical change in circumstances.  Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge it isn't appropriate for her to get involved in the debate.  She says the economy has slowed down and seeing interest rates come down is logical, but this is ultimately an independent decision for the Reserve Bank.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You've got to ask yourself who's running the show. There's been another example of bureaucracy seemingly undermining the government on its cost cutting plan which, remember, from outset they said wouldn't impact the front line.  A Health New Zealand manager has done a PowerPoint to 90 staff about upcoming changes, and they indicated that jobs could be cut including 470 doctors and 1400 nurses.  Who on earth thought that was okay?  Did they do it on purpose? Is it a middle finger to the government and to the Commissioner Lester Levy?  The truth is we don't really know at this point, Levy asks is this reluctance, is this resistance, or is this sabotage?  Fair question. He's promising consequences. It's totally unacceptable, but it's not an isolated incident.  Oranga Tamariki is another agency cutting funding left, right, and centre to services.  The stories get in the press and then there's a back down.  And we've had public service leaking against the government, loads of examples. At least six major leaks tha

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday the 15th of August, the Reserve Bank has cut New Zealand's Official Cash Rate. Ryan gets the thoughts of Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  Spray foam insulation - could it installing it incorrectly prevent you from selling your house?  Meth has been found in lollies given out by the Auckland City Mission - Glenn Dobson from the Drug Detection Agency talks to Ryan about where it could have come from.  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 thirteen-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to threatening unlawful violence during a protest in the UK.  The event took place during a week of unrest over asylum seekers and illegal migrants, and follows two twelve-year-old boys pleading guilty to other offences in a similar riot.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge the girl was among a crowd gathered outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers, and was seen punching and kicking at the entrance of the hotel.  He said that a police officer was injured when disorder broke out at the demonstration, and there was roughly 200 protestors there.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s an important call today for the Reserve Bank as they decide whether to drop the Official Cash Rate.   Bank economists are divided, Westpac, ANZ and Kiwibank anticipate the Reserve Bank to hold the OCR at 5.5%.   BNZ is expecting it to go down, as is ASB, who predicts it'll fall by 25-basis points to 5.25% , which would be the first drop since 2020.  John Carran, Jarden Economist and Investment Strategist, told Ryan Bridge he’s erring on the side of hold.  He said that although they may hold today, they will signal that interest rate cuts are coming much sooner than they previously indicated.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scientists believe there are great applications for taking gene-editing research outside - under new regulations.  The Government's planning to introduce legislation this year to let researchers develop and commercialise gene tech products outside laboratories.   Genetics expert Michael Bunce at Australia's Curtin University says under current laws, useful research for New Zealand has been hampered by red tape.  He told Ryan Bridge the solution to problems like wilding pine trees is a good example.  Bunce says making pine trees sterile keeps them in one place and stops the spread around New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's tourism recovery has seemingly hit a snag.  Overseas visitor arrivals reached 3.2 million in the year to June.  That's up 27% from 2023, but still down 17% on pre-pandemic peaks.  It comes as visa charges rise and hikes to the International Visitor Levy debated.  Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director, Cath O'Brien told Ryan Bridge while other countries continue to recover, New Zealand appears to be stalling.  She says the coming summer's airline schedule expects just 2% growth.  O’Brien says it will bring fewer tourists, and it's counterproductive to steeply increase visa costs at the same time.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying a house is hard, but still worth it.  There's new CoreLogic data out this morning, it's a housing affordability report looking at median property values versus median income for households.  Let's put all the detail aside for a second and cut to the chase. Basically, the good news for you, houses are worth 7.9% household income – they were worth 10 times.  So that is good news.  Also good news: the time it takes to save for a deposit is now 10 years. It's better than the 13 years that it took in 2021.  So that's the good news.  The bad news from the start of this morning: mortgage payments, 54% of your median household income, that is 10% above the average.  So there's good news and there's bad news.  It's hard but not impossible for most people, and still very much worth it.  Long term values go up, there's the stability of owning your own place and there's great stories, like this Auckland 20-year-old Lewis Pollock who was in the news the other day. He left school early, worked in retail, became a ma

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 14th of August, it's OCR day - will the Reserve Bank cut our official cash rate? Jarden's John Carran joins the show to discuss.  NZ's 30-year gene editing ban is set to be lifted, taking GE out of just the lab. Michael Bunce speaks to Ryan about what it means for new products, productivity, and our economy.  Tourism numbers are out for the June quarter and they’re still down from pre-pandemic times. Airline and tourism groups aren't happy about changes to visitor visa fees.  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 Australian Government is facing calls to go further with proposed restrictions on gambling ads.  It's looking to ban ads during sports broadcasts, during children's programming, and online.  But a 60-strong alliance —including former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, and prominent figures from across the political spectrum— are calling for a complete ban.  Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge minor parties are also backing the ball, particularly the Greens.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AA says the devil will be in the details when it comes to “time of use” charging.   Transport Minister Simeon Brown says he'll introduce legislation by the end of the year which will see drivers taxed to use some sections of road at certain times.   AA Policy Director Martin Glynn says while there are benefits, there are also kinks to be worked out.   He says certain tweaks to the charge will likely be needed.   Martin Glynn says people going to work or school at set times with no access to public transport need to be catered for.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's being accused of failing to learn from past mistakes with its new benefit sanctions scheme.  It's announced new rules requiring beneficiaries to reapply more often.  People who fail to follow the rules could see half their benefit put on a payment card can that only be spent on essentials.  Youth justice consultant Shirley Johnson told Ryan Bridge we've had measures like this before and claims they didn't work.   She says it feels foolish to go back and re-do what didn't work before, when other measures are already working and are very effective.  Johnson said that while accountability's important, many young people are grappling with a challenging job market.   She told Bridge that unemployment's going up, and it's currently twice as high for young people.  Johnson says many young people are doing it tough and punishing them won't help.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.