Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The Official Cash Rate is likely to remain unchanged for at least the next few months.   Most economists expect the Reserve bank to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.5% when it comes up for review at 2pm.   It's remained unchanged since May last year.   Jarden Investment Strategist John Carran says it's 50-50 whether the Reserve Bank cuts the OCR in August or November.   The primary focus...

Rideshare company Ola is hitting the brakes in New Zealand.   The Uber rival told Auckland customers they won't be able to book future rides from Friday but can still access their app until it shuts down next month.   But First Union is worried the loss will give Ola's main rival Uber more control of the gig economy.   Strategic project coordinator Anita Rosentreter told Mike Hosking that Ola play...

Winston Peters has pulled no punches over the need for a two-state solution in Gaza.   The Foreign Affairs Minister has reiterated his calls for an immediate ceasefire at the UN General Assembly in New York.   He says the two-state solution is the only blueprint for peace, but Israel's seizing of Palestinian territory imperils that.   Otago University international relations professor Robert Patma...

A looming financial issue is being highlighted as the country works towards its next emissions budget. The Climate Commission is recommending greenhouse gas is limited by 134-million tonnes between 2036 and 2040.   But Victoria University Adjunct Professor Adrian Macey told Mike Hosking that there's still a massive issue if we are going to meet our Paris pledge.   He says a government between now...

An education expert says the Government's plan to improve students' learning has been successful overseas.   Christopher Luxon's unveiled nine Government targets for delivery by 2030.   They include increasing student attendance and getting more students to the expected curriculum level.   New Zealand Initiative Education Research Fellow Michael Johnstone told Mike Hosking that getting them to tur...

The Government has brought in immediate changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa.   There will now be an English language requirement for low skilled jobs, while fast-tracking will be removed for construction and the franchisee category will be disestablished.   Owner and Principal Consultant at Into NZ Katy Armstrong tells Mike Hosking the Government was left with no choice but to make the ch...

A new law in Scotland, designed to prevent hate crimes is being targeted by Neo-Nazi and far-right agitators. The groups are making vexatious complaints en masse in an attempt to overwhelm police systems.   UK & Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Mike Hosking the definition of a hate crime is wide ranging, and an inundated system makes policing the reports difficult for authorities.   Meanw...

The Warriors showed their potential over the weekend, beating the Rabbitohs in an impressive 34-4 win. Andrew Alderson updates Mike Hosking on how the team looked.   Meanwhile, the Sevens held at Hong Kong stadium for the last time.   And, a man known as the ‘hardest geezer’ has run the length of Africa. Russ Cook covered 16,300km as the first person to run from the south to the northern tip of th...

AN OIA has revealed police abandoned almost 60 percent of cases reported to them last year.   Of 962,521 emergency calls, 572,037 were abandoned. In 2023, reports were up 50 percent from 2019 and of cases reported, 179,957 were closed without any investigation at all.   Police Association President Chris Cahill tells Mike Hosking that online reporting has driven up numbers. The Auror retail crime...

The deaths of UK aid workers from an Israeli air strike has reignited debate in the UK over the level of support, military aid, and weapons they’re providing Israel.   Over 600 legal experts, including three former Supreme Court Justices, have come forward in an open letter calling on the Government to end the sale of weapons to Israel.   They say that the UK are risking breaching international la...

There’s been a breakthrough in the rules governing whether people who've been scammed are eligible for compensation.   The banking sector has launched a review around victim reimbursement.   This comes after consumer protection criticism and the threat of regulatory intervention from the government.   Consumer NZ boss Jon Duffy told Mike Hosking that although there's a level of personal responsibi...

A Northland mayor is hailing the new law that requires Māori wards to be put to referendum as a win for democracy.   The coalition Government is introducing a bill allowing communities to petition for binding polls on Māori ward decisions.   It reverses legislation from the previous Government that ensured councils would not have wards overturned through public referendum.   Kaipara mayor Craig Je...

ASB Bank is sending the message their predicted infrastructure bill isn't an impossible figure.   The bank's new research suggests a trillion dollars will be needed over 30 years.   ASB's Senior Economist Mark Smith says it's a huge number and we need to tap into as many funding sources as possible.   He says there needs to be greater alignment between providers and funders, the infrastructure has...

Bosses are finding Gen Z to be something of a nightmare.   They’ve found that they have poor work ethic, miss meetings, and even ditch the company on their first day of work.   In contrast, Gen Z workers say their employers don’t understand them.   Angela Lim, Clearhead CEO, told Mike Hosking that there’s been a distinct cultural shift, boundaries blurring between personal and work lives.   Anothe...

Students are learning more about our history but less about our place in the world.   An Education Review Office report finds schools have been working hard to implement the new Aotearoa Histories Curriculum.   It's being taught in three quarters of all schools up to and including Year 10, but to varying degrees.   Education Evaluation Centre Head Ruth Shinoda says it takes up a lot of teachers' t...

New Zealand's electric vehicle sales have taken another plunge. In March, just over 9% of new passenger cars were EVs, falling from about 27% for all of 2023. Drive Electric Chair Kirstin Corson told Mike Hosking she hasn't written it off, but the market has certainly stalled after losing the clean car discount. She says it's disappointing to see new light diesel vehicles outselling EVs 10 to one,...

A disability charity's launching an urgent appeal that it faces closure after more than 20 years. StarJam provides music and dance workshops for young people with disabilities, designed to foster inclusion and wellbeing. It's trying to raise $100,000 to keep the doors open to its 800 members. CEO Gilli Sinclair told Mike Hosking that they've been hit by the escalating cost of living and reduced fu...

Finland's gun policy is under scrutiny after a school shooting north of Helsinki. A 12-year-old boy has been detained after the shooting that left one dead and two others, all aged 12, seriously wounded. Finland's education minister says that once the government has a complete picture, they're considering if further measures are needed to protect schools. Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike...

The ripple effect of Covid era policy choices are being highlighted as the country's meat industry takes a hit. Silver Fern Farms is reporting a $24 million plus loss for the 2023 financial year compared to it's $189 million profit the previous year. Meat Industry Association Head of Strategy Jason Krupp told Mike Hosking that it's very much an industry issue. He says we're seeing the effects of p...

The attack at Wairarapa Hospital is being seen as an example of the increasing violence being seen around the country's Emergency Departments. A visitor was struck with a machete on Saturday night, suffering a fractured skull. An incident team's reviewing what happened as a 62-year-old faces charges. Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Mike Hosking that...

Why use one plane when two will do?   The Australian Energy Minister has defended the use of two separate Royal Australian Airforce jets to fly himself and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to a clean energy announcement in NSW.   The announcement involved detailing a $1 billion programme to support solar panels, Albanese calling it one of the most significant announcements made during his term.   A...

The UK is taking harsher measures to hold social media giants to account.   Media regulator ‘OFCOM’, the Office of Communications, plans to issue orders to social media firms that will unlock a child’s account if it’s suspected it played a role in their death or suicide.   Failure to comply could see the company fined up to 10% of its global revenue.   Social Media Commentator Vaughn Davis told Mi...

There’s a view that the Government's latest action plan is much more ambitious than the 100 Day Plan.   The Government's laid out its check list, to be completed before June 30 th .   The plan features promises like restoring three strikes, creating an attendance plan, and implementing tax relief.   Political Commentator Brigitte Morten told Mike Hosking that they will have to dig deeper to achiev...

There are fears nothing has been done to prevent another Loafers Lodge tragedy.   An investigation into boarding house facilities was initiated after last year's fire killed five people.   It's found only half the 37 buildings inspected had adequate smoke detectors.   Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge told Mike Hosking that more needs to be done.   He says they're just waiting for this to h...

National's promise to keep tax cuts is being criticised.   Finance Minister Nicola Willis has delivered the Budget Policy Statement and reaffirmed the party's commitment to tax relief.   Willis says she's been humbled by how much recent forecasts have deteriorated.   Labour Party Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds told Mike Hosking that instead of focusing on the previous Government, Willis shou...