Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Experts are forecasting more financial pressure for households, continuing into late next year.   The Infometrics data expects the annual GDP to dip into the negatives mid 2024, meaning slower growth than had previously been expected.   Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan told Mike Hosking that with higher interest rates more properties are on the market with no buyers out.   He says house...

Seven jurors have officially been selected for Donald Trump’s ‘hush money’ trial, leaving eleven more still to come.   Despite the trouble they’re facing, US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that it is moving faster than people expected.   He said it could have taken up to 22 weeks to select all 18 jurors, and they already have seven.   The issue is finding people who don’t have bias f...

A Christchurch entrepreneur is attempting to break into the dating app market.   ‘Amor’ is trying to bring something fresh, only giving four matches a week and refusing to show profile photos for the first 2024 hours.   Creator Emily Heazlewood told Mike Hosking that although the market is quite saturated, a lot of them are hook up culture apps.   She said that they’ve gone down the compatibility...

As inflation cools down, homeowners are starting to hold out for cuts to the OCR.   The CoreLogic April Housing report shows 56% of new loans taken out in February were on one-year fixed terms compared to 36% in December.   Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says that's a pretty strong indication people don't want to lock in for too long in case rates fall.   He says the report also contains...

There are concerns the Government's new health guidance for children could impact employer attitudes towards parents.   The guidelines say kids with a mild cough, headache, or runny nose should go to school, provided they don't have Covid-19 or other symptoms like a fever or vomiting.   This move is in an effort to improve school attendance numbers.   But NZEI President Mark Potter told Mike Hoski...

Security guards have no more power than a regular citizen when it comes to a threat of danger.   They're expected to be more visible in malls around Australia and New Zealand following the stabbing at Bondi Junction in Sydney on Saturday afternoon.   Forty-year-old Queensland man Joel Cauchi stabbed six people to death, including a security guard.   Security Association CEO Gary Morrison says they...

Banks are picking inflation to continue falling.   ASB is expecting today's figures to show annual inflation falling to 4.1%, the lowest since June 2021.   ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Mike Hosking that things like rates, rents, and insurance are going the wrong way.   But, he says, it's still likely to drop because we aren't spending as much on durables, so some of those behavioural impa...

Questions are now being raised after a fire has ravaged one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings.   Its iconic spire collapsed during the fire, as emergency services and passerbys rushed to save priceless works of art inside and other valuables.   The 17th century old Stock Exchange building was currently undergoing renovations.   Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking the building was cove...

Questions are being raised over how the salvaged Newshub 6pm bulletin will be pulled off in its new format.   Stuff has signed on to produce and provide a daily bulletin on TV3 from July 6, following Newshub's closure.   The Spinoff founder and media commentator Duncan Greive told Mike Hosking that the level of scrutiny and quality of performance required to produce 6pm TV news will be challenging...

There’s hope more landlords will give people with pets a chance in the wake of government changes.   Pet bonds are being introduced: tenants will be liable for all pet damage beyond fair wear and tear and landlords will only be able to withhold consent on reasonable grounds.   Pet Refuge Founder Julie Chapman hopes this means people leaving family violence situations will be able to find places fo...

The father of the man who killed six people and injured 12 others in a stabbing at Bondi Junction in Sydney says his son was a tormented soul.   Eight people remain in hospital after 40-year-old Queensland man Joel Cauchi went on a rampage through the mall on Saturday.   Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that his father, Andrew Cauchi, said he did everything to help his son wh...

The Government is being advised to invest in immigration data gathering as record levels of arrivals and departures continue.   In February more than 253,000 migrants arrived and about 122,000 left, putting net migration at almost 131,000.   Business NZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope told Mike Hosking that where they come from isn't a problem as long as skills meet labour market needs.   He says this i...

Donald Trump's 'hush money' trial has begun, and it’s the first time a US president has faced a criminal trial.   He's charged with falsifying business records, accused of trying to cover up a $130-thousand hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.   Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied the affair.   LA's KNX news presenter Charles Feldman told Mike Hosking that...

Iran has launched more than 200 drone missiles on Israel.   Neighbouring nations are calling for restraint, while Jordan, the US and UK military are intercepting attacks.   International Relations and Strategic Analyst Paul Buchanan says the strikes are a direct violation of an agreement between the nations.   Buchanan tells Mike Hosking hard liners want Israel to retaliate but the United States h...

Five victims have now been identified as among those killed in a stabbing spree at a Sydney shopping centre, which left six dead.   Australia correspondent Donna Demaio tells Mike Hosking 11 people remain in hospital. Many stories are emerging of near misses with the attacker, and of people who tried to protect others. Sydney lifeguard Andy Reid raced to give CPR to some victims.   The attacker’s...

New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox has slumped out of contention at the US Masters, currently tied for 20 th position.   Meanwhile, the Warriors made a lucky comeback in a dramatic golden-point draw against Manly. The Sea Eagles lead 22-20 with three seconds left on the clock, when a post-siren penalty denied Manly the victory.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Minister of Trade Todd McClay visits China hoping to promote New Zealand business and exports.   Executive Director of the NZ China Council Alistair Crozier tells Mike Hosking the two countries are very adept at having difficult discussions in the open. NZ exports to China are double what is exported to the US or Australia, and prospects are bright for continued growth.   LISTEN ABOVE  ...

New Zealand is committing to working more closely with the United States.   The countries have agreed to work more closely with each other and common allies like Australia, in areas like defence and intelligence.   New Zealand's joining the US in financially supporting two initiatives in the Pacific to the tune of $16.4 million.   Massey University defence expert John Battersby told Mike Hosking t...

The Minister for Space has been working on our space image over in the US.   Judith Collins spoke yesterday morning at the Space Symposium as New Zealand’s first Space Minister, putting us on the global stage.   She told Mike Hosking that Rocket Lab has done an incredible job at putting New Zealand on the American space map with the work Peter Beck has done with NASA.   In 2019 a survey was done o...

There’s concerns the Government's tenancy changes won't affect rent prices.   A Bill being introduced to Parliament will bring back 90-day no-cause terminations for periodic tenancies.   Labour removed them last term.   Housing Minister Chris Bishop believes it'll push down rents.   Aspire Property Management managing director Mike Atkinson told Mike Hosking that the Government skipped the removal...

The US state of Arizona is close to joining Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas in imposing a strict abortion ban.   Arizona's conservative Supreme Court has decided an abortion law —first introduced 160 years ago— is now enforceable.   US correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that abortions are currently legal until 15 weeks of pregnancy.   But he says this 1864 law —created before Arizona was e...

Ikea seems to be looking "big picture" as it enters the New Zealand market.   The Swedish furniture giant is looking for a "people and culture manager", ahead of its opening at Auckland's Sylvia Park in late 2025.   The successful manager will first be tasked with recruiting 400 people.   First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson told Mike Hosking that like other big retailers coming he...

Health advocates say enforcement officers are needed to clamp down on the illegal vape trade.   Reports suggest that the sale of vaping products that don't meet regulation is widespread.   Asthma Foundation Chief Executive Letitia Harding told Mike Hosking that retailers selling illegal vaping products need more than a slap on the wrist.   She says penalties like fines could help stamp out the dod...

The mainstream media industry is shrinking, and television is leading the way out.   Newshub has confirmed its closing on July 5th, while TVNZ is cutting four of major programmes.   Media and Communications Minister Melissa Lee says the global market is facing the same difficulties.  She's written a cabinet paper on the media sector but hasn't disclosed any details.   Former TVNZ news boss and TV3...

European football fans may be seeing increased security at this week’s Champions League games.   A pro-IS media channel has published several images calling for attacks at the stadiums hosting the quarterfinals.   UEFA said it was aware of the threats, but the London, Madrid, and Paris games would go ahead as planned, and Ministers in Spain and France have confirmed enhanced security measures.   U...