Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Time will tell if Vladimir Putin will postpone a meeting with Donald Trump, as he has done in the past.   The Kremlin says the US President and his Russian counterpart have agreed to meet in the "coming days".   The Trump administration has indicated, for the pair to meet, Putin must meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.   BBC Russia Correspondent Olga Ivshina told Ryan Bridge Putin's made progress towards his goals while pretending he's open for peace talks.   She says he's pushed Ukrainian forces out of Russia's Kursk region, while capturing some villages.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US company is building the world's largest aircraft without having ever built a plane before.   The WindRunner is being constructed to transport large wind turbines and will be operating by the end of this decade. It's eight times as big as the largest military aircraft, with a cockpit as tall as a five storey building.  Radia CEO Mark Lundstrom told Ryan Bridge it's capable of moving gigantic things to hard to reach places, including for humanitarian missions and defence applications  He says the goal is to move a more than 100metre long turbine blade and land it on a piece of dirt within confines of a wind farm, which would reduce cost of wind energy by a third.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 8th of August 2025, the Ardern government was warned that the spending spree during Covid would have dire consequences, Finance Minister Nicola Willis explains the impact it's had. There's been confirmation from the Kremlin overnight that a meeting between Trump and Putin will take place as early as next week, BBC Russia correspondent Olga Ivshina tells Ryan whether it will impact the deadline for sanctions.  A US company’s building the world’s largest airplane to transport massive wind turbines, the company's CEO Mark Lundstrom tells Ryan about the project.  Plus UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Israel's security cabinet meeting and the UK beginning operating its 'one in one out' scheme with France.  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.

The Government says it won't make the same mistakes as the last if hit with an event similar to the Covid-19 pandemic.  A Treasury report has calculated the total cost of the pandemic at $66 billion.  It puts New Zealand among the highest spenders as a proportion of GDP on the Covid response in advanced economies. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge nearly half of the spending was on unnecessary initiatives.  She says it didn't make a difference to the economy, and racked up huge amounts of debt.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The $66-billion question hanging over Labour's head has been answered. This new Treasury report tells us what we all already knew about Labour's Covid response.  They went too far. Spent like a drunken sailor. Made it rain dollar bills.  When Treasury advised them to pull back, they didn't they kept going.  Covid was the most expensive economic to this country. The government spent $66-billion - which is 20% of our GDP. Of that, just 18% was spent on specific pandemic healthcare costs.   Then they just kept spending.  Forget the Nigerian prince, this is the biggest scam to hit kiwi shores.  They also spent the Covid fund on things like school lunches and art therapy programmes.  The report tip toes around it but the clear inference of this report is Labour went too far pulling the fiscal leaver. The Reserve Bank should be using monetary policy to bulk of the heaving lifting in future events.  At the same time this report landed on Labour's lap like a tonne of bricks, Ch

Higher unemployment could continue to be a handbrake on the country's economic recovery.  More Kiwis are out of work, with unemployment now at a five-year high.  And Kiwis that are working are earning less, with wages not keeping up with inflation over the past 12 months.  Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge that's having ripple effects.  She says if consumers are earning less, they spend less, and if they're anxious about their job security, they tend to reduce their discretionary spending.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view higher than average grocery prices show something's clearly wrong with our grocery sector.  The Commerce Commission's revealed our prices are the fifth-highest in the developed world.   It highlights the market doesn't support new players and major supermarkets continue to wield power over smaller stores.  Grocery policy expert Ernie Newman told Ryan Bridge there's no good reason for us to pay so much.  He says for a country that's an extremely efficient food producer, we should be paying way below the OECD average – which we used to.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The road freight industry is backing the Government's wish to have all vehicles paying electronic Road User Charges.  It wants to do it by 2027.  National Road Carriers Association Chief Executive Justin Tighe-Umbers says the current system means some pay less because they can afford more efficient cars.  He told Ryan Bridge the current system isn't collecting enough revenue.  Tighe-Umbers says we're missing out on billions for new roads and maintenance.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Thursday 7th of August, fuel taxes are out and road user charges are in for everyone, National Road Carriers Association CEO Justin Tighe-umbers tells Ryan how much of an impact it will make.  According to a Commerce Commission report, the big two supermarket chains still dominate with 82% market share.  Unemployment’s at its highest level since 2020, with retail hit hard, Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young tells Ryan how bad the job market is looking.  Plus US Correspondent Katie Fisher has the latest on US Envoy Steve Witkoff meeting with Putin in Moscow.  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.

Is there anything more thrilling than watching two countries battle hammer and tong to achieve something we all dreamed impossible, until it happens? Like going to he moon in the 60s (provided, of course, you think they actually went there).  It's like the science Olympics crossed with geopolitical Hunger Games. This time it's a bit like last time, but with the US on one team and China/Russia working together on the other.  They want to install nuclear reactors on the surface of the moon, 400km away. The US wants it done by 2030. China and Russia are aiming for early 2030s.  The scientists are hoping everybody'll come together and co-operate up there like we do with the ISS.  But, the politicians have other plans. This is about nationalism, defence and territory.  Everyone wants to be the first because there are currently no laws or treaties for colonising the moon. It's basically first come, first served.  And they reckon whoever builds the first reactor for electricity can

Figures, due out this morning, are expected to show unemployment's hit a nine-year high.  Stats NZ is releasing its latest unemployment update at 10.45am.  Economists expect the rate to have reached 5.3% in the June quarter, up from 5.1% for the March quarter.  Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Ryan Bridge they expect the peak unemployment rate to be around 5.3% or slightly higher.  He says that the labour market tends to be one of the more lagging parts of the economic cycle.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lawyer says people shouldn't fear Māori being given customary marine titles.   The Government will tighten criteria so that groups will have to prove continuous and uninterrupted occupation since 1840.   Te Mata Law barrister Harry Clatworthy says there are about 200 outstanding claims, and he expects around 50 to be particularly affected.   He told Ryan Bridge concerns that Māori will close down beaches are a misunderstanding of what the titles actually grant.   Clatworthy says they do grant the right to turn down private resource consents, but don't affect most other activities.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 6th of August 2025, unemployment is expected to hit a nine year high, Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon provides some analysis.  The government is forging ahead with plans to change the law governing New Zealand's foreshore and seabed, despite a Supreme Court ruling last year that appeared to undercut the rationale for the change. Should Artificial intelligence be used to mark your kids school work? Learning, development and AI specialist Danny Bedingfield shares his thoughts.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the ‘one in one out’ migrant deal between the UK and France beginning tomorrow.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A learning development specialist fears artificial intelligence won't have cultural considerations when marking student work.  Education Minister Erica Stanford says AI is already partly in use for marking - and expects it could do almost all assessments by 2028.  It comes as the Government plans to scrap NCEA for an entirely new qualification.  Cyclone Computer Company's Danny Bedingfield told Ryan Bridge current AI models aren't trained on the uniqueness of New Zealand.  He says newer, more specific models, would have to be developed LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future's here. AI is taking over.  A team of robots kept alive in some giant warehouse with tonnes of electricity are right now whirring away, beavering away on the world's problems.  AI will soon be marking our students' exams. The Swedish Prime Minister overnight admitted he uses AI for a second opinion on running the country.  AI architects are in high demand - they're being snapped up like hotcakes.  Meta recently offered AI researcher Matt Deitke $250 million over four years - AI engineers are apparently paid upwards of $2.5 million a year.  The big tech companies are investing billions. The efficiencies are real. AI is changing the world, one data centre at a time.  So the question is: what do we do about it?  Some of the teachers are upset because they don't trust AI to mark exams. But really, we shouldn't trust the teachers. According to the Minister of Education, AI is at least as good as if not better than teachers at getting it right.  There's some s

Advocates for renewable energy say a new coal deal may be necessary but should be the last of its kind.   The big four power companies are investing in a strategic energy reserve which will add 600-thousand tonnes of coal to current stocks.   Rewiring Aotearoa Chief Executive Mike Casey says this will be needed because we haven't reduced our reliance on fossil fuels.   He told Ryan Bridge we need to accelerate the move towards sources like solar and geothermal.   Casey says all renewable options should be on the table and there should be a focus on keeping power bills low.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push to ensure funding for Kiwi made TV shows is a hand up, not a handout.   NZ On Air has announced its non-fiction funding, which includes more than $1.3 million for Celebrity Treasure Island.  It's returning for its seventh season.   Creator Dame Julie Christie told Ryan Bridge we can't only have Australian and British shows, we need New Zealand to become a TV hub.   She says we have to look at improving things within our own industry to get back to creating the shows we used to create.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of the country's largest school says the stress of exams readies students for the future.  The Government is proposing to scrap NCEA for a literacy and numeracy test in Year 11 and certificates in Year 12 and 13.  Consultation on the ideas are open to the public until mid-next month.  Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale told Ryan Bridge it is important for students to be under some level of pressure.  He says strong academic achievements means a person will have less stress and anxiety in adulthood.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We need to be a bit practical about this business of importing coal.  Yesterday Genesis, Mercury, Meridian, and Contact announced they're going to stockpile up to 600,000 tonnes of coal to keep the lights on at Huntly power station.  The deal needs Commerce Commission's approval so it doesn't look like they're colluding on price, but the idea struck a deal, which still needs Commerce Commission approval, to keep the lights on at Huntly.  The coal gives them a back up for times when we're low on electricity, when the lake levels are low, and the wind isn't blowing.  Huntly is the largest electricity generation site in the country. It needs fuel to run on.  Eventually, they'd like it to be all biomass and green, friendly fuels. But in the meantime, they need something reliable to keep things chugging along so as we avoid another energy crunch like last year when spot prices went berserk because we realised how little gas have in this country.  And queue the predicable outcries of d

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Tuesday 5th of August, the government's announced an overhaul of NCEA, Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale shares his thoughts.  Four big gentailers are importing 600,000 tonnes of coal and storing it at Huntly, Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey shares his thoughts.  NZ on air's dropping nearly $3 million in taxpayer cash on new seasons of reality TV, Dame Julie Christie, the creator of Celebrity Treasure Island tells Ryan Bridge why it's important to keep reality TV alive.  Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a Chinese national accused of spying in Canberra. 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.