Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti wants to return more decision making to the regions.   The previous government scrapped district health boards, forming the central bodies of Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority.   General Practice New Zealand chair Dr Bryan Betty told Roman Travers that in a lot of areas there's a breakdown between Wellington and what's needed in the region...

The Australian Prime Minister looks to be breaking his election promises when it comes to tax cuts.   Amidst a cost-of-living crisis, Anthony Albanese looks set to adjust the Stage 3 tax legislation, scrapping the planned tax cuts for those earning over $180,000 a year to make room for an adjustment to the tax-free bracket.   Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Roman Travers that the potent...

It’s fair to say that we all love nothing better than to complain about what gets up our collective noses right?    Whether it’s the weather, a perennial go to over a cuppa with friends or the cost of living; we’ve all got something to say – and we love letting others know how we feel.    But there’s a big difference between whingeing to your mates and taking that step forward towards action that’...

How this year's US presidential election is shaping up may come as a surprise.   Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has dropped out of the race for Republican nominee and endorsed Donald Trump, despite the ex-president giving him the nickname 'Ron De-Sanctimonious.'   South Carolina's Nikki Haley remains in the running ahead of tonight's New Hampshire primary.   1News correspondent Logan Church said th...

The Commerce Commission's launched investigations into the two big supermarket chains' pricing and promotional practices.   It's looking into whether the practices of Woolworths, Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island, comply with the Fair Trading Act.   It comes following a Consumer NZ complaint to the commission, after it asked shoppers for examples of unclear or misleading prices....

There’s fears the Treaty Principles Bill could be a missed opportunity.   ACT is seeking to introduce legislation to redefine the Treaty principles by the end of May.   Political commentator Grant Duncan says National said it would support it to select committee, but that's where the party's support stops.   Duncan told Roman Travers that with proper long-term consultation, such a bill could be be...

President Biden is backing a Colorado Supreme Court ruling, which sees Donald Trump struck off the state's ballot papers. Colorado's highest court voted the former president, ineligible in the upcoming primary elections, for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection almost two years ago. Newstalk ZB US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Dower that it's uncommon for Biden to even men...

As rebuilding efforts continue in Gisborne, the Mayor is welcoming visitors for summer. The city was hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle with homes and infrastructure destroyed. But Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz told Tim Dower that it is encouraging people to experience the white sand beaches and vineyards in the region. She says it's been tough, but they have so much to offer.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst...

Politics is heating up in Washington DC in the lead up to next year's presidential election, with Republicans voting to investigate impeaching President Biden.   But so far, no evidence has been produced by the 121 House of Representative Republicans, with some now questioning the merits of the investigation.   TVNZ US Correspondent Logan Church told Tim Dower that it seems like more of a stunt th...

Remember those protests at Parliament last year, and the incredible scenes at the end?   Once it was over and the fires were out, and the rocks and broken glass were cleared from the street, police received just over 1900 complaints.   1900. The largest number of complaints ever about a single policing operation. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? 1900 complaints... until you dig just a little deeper.  ...

An economist says signs on inflation are finally looking more positive.   GDP fell 0.3% in the September quarter, a much worse result than most economists predicted.   The June quarter figures were also revised down from 0.9% to 0.5% growth.   Former Reserve Bank economist Michael Reddell told Tim Dower that the Finance Minister is right in saying New Zealand needs urgent economic repair, and she'...

Auckland continues to prove that it's the sporting capital of the country.   The city played a major role in this year's FIFA Women's World Cup - hosting nine matches.   As a result, more than $87 million in GDP was injected into the region's economy, and over 175,000 guest nights were recorded in the city.   Tataki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill told Tim Dower that Auckland's hotels...

I think the new Government's actually done at least one thing right this week.   Backing out of the Interislander funding deal was a no-brainer really, if you have any doubt about that, have a look at the piece on the Herald site under the title ‘How to blow $15b.’   That digs into the Auditor-General's report on some of the previous government's insane spending.   Back when Grant was splashing mo...

New Zealand's GDP is predicted to see a minor pre-Christmas bump.   Stats NZ will release the September quarter figures later this morning.   Gross Domestic Product rose 0.9% in the June quarter.   ASB Chief Economist, Nick Tuffley, told Tim Dower that he's forecasting a 0.2% increase, as recent indicators point to flat growth.   He says while the economy's expanding, it still feels like a recessi...

The economic climate has many small businesses making tough decisions to stay afloat.   Strong inflationary pressures and a drop in consumer demand has meant costs are sky high for many businesses.   Requests for redundancy and restructuring support has surged by 50% this year and liquidations are up 500%.   Small Business Voice CEO Max Whitehead told Tim Dower this just proves how hard it is for...

It's back to the drawing board for KiwiRail on the future of the Interislander as the government axes new upgrades. Contracts were signed to buy two new mega-ferries and upgrade portside infrastructure, but Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the cost has got too high. However, Jon Reeves of the Public Transport Users Association told Tim Dower that backtracking on contracts does reputational dama...

Look, thanks so much for taking part in this, just a little experiment on people's reaction to, response, and experience with this portal passport arrangement: RealMe. That kind of, well, it's been around for a little while, it's had a bit of a refresh, and now they're trying to push it and promote it. Here's, here's another one. Gary says ‘I've used RealMe for some years now at on a very regular...

The Climate Change Commission's released advice to the government to meet emissions reductions goals by 2030.   It makes 27 recommendations including building more renewable electricity, swapping from fossil fuels, and preparing for the rapid rollout of low emissions technologies and practices on farms.   Also included is directly resourcing iwi and Māori efforts to reduce climate pollution.   Cli...

The Transport Minister's hit the brakes on blanket speed limit reductions.   Simeon Brown's removed requirements for Road Controlling Authorities to implement speed management plans.   Work will begin to account for economic impacts, community views, and safety when setting speed limits.   Transporting NZ Interim Chief Executive, Dom Kalasih, told Tim Dower that some limits are simply too low, los...

How long can the rental market meet demand for migrants?   Stats NZ data shows 245,600 migrants arrived here in the year to October; a new record.   Net migration is nearly 129,000.   Compared to Australia, we've taken in 30% more people when adjusted for inflation.   Aspire Property Management Managing Director, Mike Atkinson, told Tim Dower that it's an enormous amount of people, putting a strai...

Bit of an about-turn on immigration from the Prime Minister.   Christopher Luxon now says the current numbers are unsustainable, and the Government expects it to slow down.   And you'd hope so! Nearly 119,000 have poured in over the past year, that's the net gain.   At the same time, we saw a record net loss of New Zealand citizens: 44,000 went.   So, overall, the number of people new to the count...

Gas demand could outstrip supply by 2025, causing an energy shortfall.   The Gas Industry Company's latest research shows renewable supply options are on the horizon but will still take time and investment to develop.   Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive, John Carnegie, told Tim Dower that the predictions are sad, but not unsurprising.   He says the previous Government's policies for the se...

The previous Government's plans to introduce new maths and literacy tests as an NCEA requirement from 2026 have been delayed.   Trial runs of those tests have had failure rates of more than 40%.   New Zealand Initiative research fellow Michael Johnston told Tim Dower that he understands kids will still be able to do the tests, but can also meet requirements through NCEA achievement standards, like...

All employers will soon be able to use 90 Day Work Trials, which the previous Labour government restricted to small businesses.   The new Government is passing a bill to do so under urgency by Christmas.   The Employers and Manufacturers Association's Alan McDonald told Tim Dower that it'll mainly be used by smaller employers.   He says it might encourage them to take a chance on someone returning...

Migrating to Australia is set to get more difficult.   The Australian Government is looking to halve overseas migration to 250,000 by 2025 after a record number of people arrived in the last financial year.   Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Tim Dower that a number of the changes will impact international students and workers.   She says there will be more difficult English tests and visa...