Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Air New Zealand's reliability has fallen, and it's trailing Jetstar in figures for last month as it grapples with engine problems.   Only 77% of its domestic flights arrived within 15 minutes of scheduled times last month, down from 88% in January.   Jetstar reported no domestic cancellations last month and almost 79% of flights were on time.   Aviation Commentator Irene King told Mike Hosking tha...

A Wellington City Councillor says the fight isn't over to remove the heritage listing from derelict buildings.   RMA Minister Chris Bishop has signed off on the council's housing recommendations, unlocking the potential for up-zoning across the city.   But an amendment to de-list 10 buildings to allow for demolition wasn't approved due to legal constraints.   Councillor Ben McNulty told Mike Hoski...

A public health academic says David Seymour's claims he can reduce funding for the school lunch programme while delivering the same results is a big call to make.   The Associate Health Minister's unveiled a slimmed down version of the programme he says will save $107 million a year.   He says they'll reduce costs by bulk buying and serving simple items.   But Health Coalition Aotearoa Co-Chair Bo...

Israeli tanks have now entered Rafah, taking control of the border.   Yesterday saw Hamas agree to a ceasefire proposal, but Israel believes the terms do not go far enough and as such, are continuing their mission.   Despite this, a delegation is being sent to negotiate, trying to reach an agreement.   Former Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum told Mike Hosking the ceasefire discussion...

There are lessons to be learned from the Auditor-General's review of last year's election.   The report's found the final check of the official election results was done within a few hours on the day it was announced.   The rushed assessment failed to identify multiple errors.   It also recommends improvements to controls, quality assurance, recruitment, training, and risk management   Political c...

More coal's being burned to keep up with energy demand.   The Gas Industry Company has revealed there was a 12.5% reduction in gas production last year.   It's also found nearly 30% less gas was produced in the first three months of this year than projected.   Energy Minister Simeon Brown says it's because the last Government's disincentivised gas production.   He told Mike Hosking that the low pr...

An Australian pilot operating in international waters was forced to take evasive action.   A Chinese military jet detonated flares close to the Navy helicopter as it flew above the Yellow Sea near South Korea.   The Defence Department has described the actions of the Chinese Air Force plane as “unsafe and unprofessional”.   Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that there were th...

The OECD is pointing to an economic hangover in our economy in its biennial report.   It's advising the Government to gradually get the books back into surplus, with economic growth still sluggish and productivity waning.   The OECD also supports cutting government spending but warns of unintended consequences from doing so.   Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Mike Hosking that there was o...

The Government's throwing $1.9 billion at Corrections with a pledge to restore law and order.   It will add more than 800 extra beds at Waikeria Prison and recruit 685 more frontline Corrections staff.   Criminal defence lawyer John Munro says more beds will result in more people in prison.   He told Mike Hosking that we need to be careful we don't end up following in the footsteps of the United S...

The Government has made its first move in its Local Water Done Well reforms – the replacement for Three Waters.   A deal has been brokered with Auckland Council which will allow Watercare to borrow 1.9 billion over the next ten years for long-term infrastructure. The deal will stop the proposed 25.8 percent water rates increase this year, bringing it down to 7.2 percent.   Water NZ CEO Gillian Bly...

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing down his critics after another set of poor election results.   Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Mike Hosking the infighting has begun within Sunak’s party following local council, Mayoral and Police Commissioner elections as well as on by-election all delivering huge losses for conservatives.   And, security is being tightened in Sweden ahead of the Eur...

The Warriors have suffered their third defeat in a row, falling 14-8 to the Newcastle Knights.   The men’s and women’s New Zealand sevens-teams have completed back-to-back victories to finish the world series regular season. The series-leading women defeated Australia 31-21 to win the Singapore leg, while the men pipped Ireland 17-14 to move into third in the standings. Both sides advance to a fin...

Auckland Council is launching a new campaign to drive down dog attacks.   Research reveals around 2700 related injuries each year, with just under 300 of those to babies and children under 14 years old.   The campaign will include radio advertising, street posters and community papers promoting ways people can keep themselves safe around dogs.   Auckland Council’s Animal Management Manager Elly Wa...

UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney brings us the latest on the UK local elections and from London’s fatal sword attack.   McAviney told Mike Hosking “If things are really bad for the Prime Minister, it could see a mutiny on his back benches.”   McAviney said Rishi Sunak is expected to lose around half of their councillors in England and Wales.   McAviney says the only thing that might stop his part...

Is it time to review the attitudes of MPs inside parliament?   Political commentator Brigette Morten told Mike Hosking that in a week with MP pay rises and James Shaw’s exit - it has become all about her outburst.   “It looks like there’s been a pattern of behaviour,” Morten said.   House Speaker Gerry Brownlee said there’s a justice process, during which Genter can make representations to the Spe...

Are kiwis uninterested in New Zealand Fashion?   New Zealand Fashion Week has been cancelled this August and has decided to shift into a two-yearly schedule.   Owner Feroz Ali says there weren't enough designers to commit to the weeklong event because they're focused on the survival of their businesses.   Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Mike Hosking that it's not that people don't wan...

There's hopes a new policy around education won't be a one-size-fits-all approach.   The Government's committing $67 million in the upcoming Budget for teacher training and resources on what's called structured literacy.   It aims to go 'back to basics', teaching kids how to read with sounds and phonics.   Auckland Primary Principals' Association President Kyle Brewerton told Mike Hosking that thi...

Economic pain is being felt in the latest employment numbers.   The unemployment rate is 4.3%, an increase of 0.3 percentage points from the December quarter.   ANZ economist Henry Russell told Mike Hosking that we've come out of a period of intense labour shortages, with migration doing the heavy lifting.   He says skill shortages remain and that's why we continue to import people into New Zealan...

Patience has run out for the authorities cracking down on student protests across the United States.   Pro-Palestinian protests at multiple colleges have broken out into violence and property destruction.   US correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that police were called to clear out students in New York’s Columbia University.   He says up to 300 people were arrested as a result.   This mor...

The Government's continuing discussions around potential future cooperation with AUKUS but it's still a long way off.   Foreign Minister Winston Peters outlined New Zealand's position to the Institute of International Affairs at Parliament last night.   He says we should be considering exploring Pillar 2 —the technology leg— but we'd first need to be invited to join.   Former Defence Minister Wayn...

It's been found the blame lies at NZQA’s feet for a number of digital exam assessment glitches.   An independent review found last year's issues —which included trouble saving exam work and lagging— was down to a number of safeguards failing.   Avonside Girls' High School Principal Catherine Law told Mike Hosking that it wasn't catastrophic from their perspective, but some students would've felt t...

Unemployment is continuing to rise.   New figures from Stats NZ show the unemployment rate was 4.3% in the March quarter, up 0.3 percentage points from 4% in the December quarter.   The unemployment rate has been steadily rising since reaching a record low of 3.2% in the December 2021 quarter.   Business NZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard told Mike Hosking that the biggest problems businesses...

Questions are arising around the Police response to a fatal sword attack in London.   A 36-year-old man has been arrested after a 14-year-old boy was killed in the incident near the suburb of Hainault.   Four other people were injured including two officers.   UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that the Police's response time will likely be looked at.   He says it took officers 22 minut...

It’s unfortunate but hardly surprising.   Around 10km of highway through Northland's Brynderwyn Hills has been closed since February for repair work.   It had been due to reopen in a couple of weeks, but a slip has put paid to that.   Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo told Mike Hosking that delays had to be expected.   He says around 40-thousand cubic metres of soil will now have to be moved, and it...

It's looking like an MP pay rise is going ahead this time around.   The Remuneration Authority's set to increase salaries 2.8% backdated to October, followed by further increases out to 2026.   Ministers inside Cabinet will take home just over $304k a year and those outside Cabinet, nearly $257k.   Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking there hasn't been a pay rise since 2017 -...