Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The Government will remove the 2018 ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki.   The decision's being labelled a 'backwards step' by environmentalist groups.   Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive, John Carnegie, told Mike Hosking “In New Zealand, the ironic thing is coal has been a balancing energy fuel.”   Carnegie said “There’s plenty of gas here, it’s just a matter of getting m...

British TV presenter Michael Mosley has been found dead on the Greek Island of Symi after disappearing while on holiday last week.   The 67-year-old healthy living advocate, had been a prominent face on TV in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.   His body was found as teams were searching the coastline with cameras, and searchers were approaching a cave.   UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey to...

The Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals are kicking off this weekend.   The Hurricanes are still sitting at the top of the table, just ahead of the Blues on a points differential.   The Chiefs are starting the action, facing off against the Reds tonight at 7pm.   Sports Commentator Tony Johnson told Mike Hosking that the season is heading towards a pretty good climax.   He said that they’ve seen som...

It's a much-needed record funding boost in pothole prevention.   The Transport Agency's confirmed it'll put just over $2 billion into prevention on state highways, and nearly $2 billion for local roads.   It'll cover resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance, with more than 62,000 holes recorded last year.   Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett told Mike Hosking that t...

A concerning healthcare trend finds more Kiwis unable to access specialist care, leaving GPs to manage cases without extra resources.   Otago University has found between 2018 and 2022, the risk of being declined referred specialist services increased significantly, by 5.2%.   General Practice New Zealand chair Bryan Betty told Mike Hosking that the threshold seems to be changing.   He says the ba...

Third time’s a charm for Boeing as its first manned ship takes off to space.   Previous launch attempts had been called off due to system and machinery failures.   Two veteran NASA astronauts are riding aboard the Starliner capsule, on a journey to the International Space Station.   US correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that it's a much-needed win for Boeing.   She says the manufactu...

The Early Childhood Sector is welcoming the Ministry of Regulation review.   Regulation Minister David Seymour's saying affordability, access, and regulation will be tackled in the review.   In six months, a report will be sent back with recommendations for Cabinet on rules that could be removed or changed.   Early Childhood New Zealand Chief Executive Kathy Wolfe told Mike Hosking that the amount...

The allegations against Te Pāti Māori need to be handled with sensitivity.   It's been alleged information collected at Auckland's Manurewa Marae was used to help the party's election campaign, something Te Pāti Māori denies.   Stats NZ has appointed an investigator, Police have received a complaint, and the Privacy Commissioner's considering what to do next.   Political commentator Peter Dunne to...

There's hopes the holiday law changes will benefit Kiwi businesses.   The Government's drafting legislation and will put it out for consultation in September.   It includes proposing moving annual leave from an entitlement system to an accrual system and linking sick leave to hours worked.   Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking that the system hasn't kept up with modern day work...

The Christchurch Council is being urged to back the bid for a South Island NRL team.   It’s said the team could bring in $50 million in revenue for the city each year.   The call’s come from South Island NRL Bid ltd, led by Canterbury Rugby League Chairman Tony Kidd, and is a rival bid to David Moffett’s South Island Kea.   Adam Blair, former Warriors player and commentator, told Mike Hosking that...

UK police are still unable to find the parents they say abandoned three babies across East London across seven years.   DNA testing shows newborn Baby Elsa —found in a park earlier this year— is the sibling of two others found similarly in 2017 and 2019.   UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that a judge has made allowances because of the case's public interest.   He says the public can...

More people are getting mental health support in primary care, but not as many are accessing specialist services.   A Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report shows more people are receiving community-based care.   But access to specialist services dropped from 3.8% of people in 2018 and 19 to 3.4% in 2022 and 23.  Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Shaun Robinson told Mike Hosking that...

The T20 World Cup is coming up soon, and New Zealand has been put out in the back paddock with no games in the United States.   The Super Rugby quarterfinals have been set after a tense weekend of matches. The Blues are on top of the board, and the final looks to be between them, the Hurricanes, or the Chiefs.   Andrew Alderson wrapped the long weekend of sports.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.co...

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says there’s been a drop in respect for police over the past six to seven years and they have become “punching bags” - and he wants to fix it.   Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking about a  large boy racer event in Levin  on the weekend - in which two police officers were hurt - Mitchell said  police had been overwhelmed  by the number of people at the meet.   More...

The Prime Minister will be doing what he can to steer clear of Fiji's domestic political issues while there.   Christopher Luxon's visiting Fiji and Niue this week, his first visit to the region as PM.   The Fiji trip will have a significant trade and economic focus and includes a meeting with the country's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.   Otago University international relations professor Robert...

The Finance Minister is defending the time it's going to take to get the Government's books back in the black.   Nicola Willis says a surplus is expected in 2027-28.   Labour's Finance Spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, told Mike Hosking that Willis isn't delivering the direction she promised.   She said that they’re borrowing way more than Labour would’ve at the end of the forecast period, and runnin...

The Cancer Society says some patients won't have a year to wait for National to make good on their promise.   Over the next four years the government is spending $6.5 billion to boost hospital and primary care.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's disappointed it couldn't include funding for 13 new cancer drugs, despite promising it pre-election.   Cancer Society Chief Executive Rachel Hart...

A civil war has been sparked after a vote at NZ Rugby’s headquarters saw Proposal Two passed.   It passed with a majority, 69 votes for and 21 against.   New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association CEO Rob Nichols claims the game could now be in an even worse position than before.   He said that Proposal One, which adopted more of the recommendations from the Pilkington report, was a great opportunity...

Today sees a crucial vote take place for New Zealand Rugby.   A Special General Meeting is taking place, in which the union will vote on the new governance structure.   The proposed changes follow the review last year that found the current model not fit for purpose.   ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that he doesn’t think they’ll reach the two-thirds needed to pass either mo...

There are concerns that another rise in power bills could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.   The Commerce Commission is proposing increased revenue limits for Transpower and 16 local lines companies to help cover rising demands of the national grid.   Electric bills would increase by an average $15 a month from April and $5 a month over the following four years to cover maintenance.   Co...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will unveil the final shape of the tax cuts promised to New Zealanders in the Budget today as well as how the Government will pay for them.   The contents of the Budget will be revealed by Willis in Parliament at 2pm.   Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker says there won't be any major tax shocks in today's Budget.   She told Mike Hosking Walker she’s expecting to see s...

Donald Trump's hush money trial is nearing its end, with jurors retiring to deliberate.   The former US president is facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records relating to a hush money payment to an adult film star before the 2016 election.   US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's a win-win situation for Trump.   He told Mike Hosking that if he's found not guilty, the jurors will b...

Interest rate sentiment might have turned, but people are uncertain about the future of house prices and whether it's a good time to buy.   A new ASB survey's found more people expect interest rates to fall rather than lift in the coming year.   Senior Economist Kim Mundy says uncertainty is still high, and the economic outlook isn't very strong.   She says consumers are still going to be cautious...

Pope Francis has apologised after he was quoted using a derogatory term about gay men.   It's alleged the Pope made the remark during a closed-door meeting with bishops in Rome last week.   They were reportedly discussing whether gay men should be admitted to Catholic seminaries, where priests are trained.   Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that the Pope apparently said gay men sh...

David Seymour is urging students to stay in school tomorrow and not join protests across the country.   Toitu Te Tiriti is urging Māori to strike countrywide across the New Zealand on Budget Day as a demonstration against a Government assault on Tangata Whenua and Te Tiriti.   Multiple hikoi are planned, including rolling road blockages in Auckland and a rally outside the Beehive.   Associate Educ...