Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

There are suggestions that we need to redefine what constitutes a one-in-75 years flood.   A new housing development on land which flooded during Auckland's record-breaking January downpours is drawing criticism.   AUT construction expert John Tookey told Tim Dower that there's legislative requirements that you have to be able to deal with degrees of flooding.   He says if you're in a zone such as...

Fresh concerns today about alcohol advertising near schools.   Today's Medical Journal reports on a survey around more than 50 Auckland schools, which found each of them had at least one alcohol ad within 500 metres.   And it's pointing out there was alcohol advertising close to 63% of low-decile schools.   Instinctively, that doesn't sound so good but can we just back up the bus here for a second...

Tomorrow morning brings with it what is set to be an intense match.   The semifinals between the All Blacks and Argentina kicks off at 8am.   Former All Black and Sky Sports Presenter, Jeff Wilson, told Tim Dower that this tournament was never going to be won in round one.   He said once you get to this point of the tournament, the draw doesn’t matter as the teams have nothing to lose.   LISTEN AB...

The UK Prime Minister has publicly pledged his support for Israel, in Israel.   Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rishi Sunak says he stands by Israel's right to defend itself in line with international law.   He says he also welcomes Netanyahu's decision to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, and the UK will increase its aid to the region.   UK Correspondent Vincent...

Dire scenes in the Middle East.   At least 500 people have been killed in an airstrike of a Gaza Hospital.   Hamas says it was caused by an Israeli strike, while Israel claims a rocket from a militant Palestinian group falling short is responsible.   Jacqui Southey, Research Director at Save the Children, told Kate Hawkesby that the humanitarian situation is becoming dire.   She said that food, wa...

I want to thank Auckland airport shareholders for being vocal on the state of Auckland airport.   They got grumpy and got into it with the airport at the annual meeting this week. And it's not before time. Issues with delays, queues, bags, lack of service, lack of staff, have been going on far too long and too many travellers have already suffered needlessly.   The worst time I think was when the...

Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin may be re-charged over the shooting of his colleague on the movie set Rust.   Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed during rehearsal in 2021, after the gun Baldwin was handling went off.   US correspondent Mitch McCann told Kate Hawkesby that special prosecutors dropped the involuntary manslaughter charges five months ago, because the gun might have been modified...

AA’s view is that the employment market has tipped back in favour of employers.   Seek data shows the number of job ads fell 2% in September.   Frog Recruitment Managing Director Shannon Barlow says workers are better off than pre-covid, with wage increases coming through and more flexible working conditions.   She told Kate Hawkesby that now with fewer jobs around, employees may be less choosy.  ...

A social media expert says imposing a fee on users to verify their accounts is a smart move.   In a bid to combat bots and scammers, X —formally Twitter— is creating a $1 annual fee for new, unverified users, starting with New Zealand and the Philippines.   Social media commentator Vaughn Davis told Kate Hawkesby that it means credit card companies will have to verify who's real and who's not.   H...

Two things that have come to light out of the weekend that I think shed a real insight into how shallow we are as a country.   And don't worry I include myself in this, I’m as shallow as the best of them, and in fact I was front row for both of these sideshows.   One, whose Toni?   And two, Luxon’s wife’s arms.   I mean when Chippy said he wanted to thank a new special person in his life and then...

US President Joe Biden will head to Israel tomorrow, hoping to prevent a regional war.   Otago University international relations expert Robert Patman told Kate Hawkesby that Biden is taking a calculated risk should the conflict escalate.   He says the purpose of Biden's visit is to express solidarity with Israel and open up a humanitarian corridor.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Security has been ramped up in parts of Europe after a suspected terror attack in Belgium. Two Swedish football fans were shot dead near the stadium hosting a Euro 2024 qualifying match. The Tunisian man who claimed responsibility has been killed by authorities in a Brussels Cafe. He'd identified himself as a member of the Islamic State. Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Kate Hawkesby that thos...

A small business advocate says companies are still feeling the pinch despite lowering inflation.   The inflation rate in the year to September was 5.6%, lower than the 6% in the year to June.   Small Business Voice NZ Chief Executive Max Whitehead says while he's optimistic for the future, that lower rate isn't being reflected in many's experience.   He told Kate Hawkesby that there isn't the conf...

There are hopes that the new speed cameras being installed in Auckland will change driver behaviour. T hey measure the average speed a vehicle travels between two cameras and will only ticket drivers if the average speed between them is over the limit.   Research shows they can reduce road injuries or fatalities by more than 50%.   Driving safety instructor Tony Williams told Kate Hawkesby that th...

‘Jacinda was prepared to sell her grandmother”.. read the headline yesterday.   A statement made by Ron Mark when interviewed about how coalition negotiations have gone in the past with NZ First. Unfortunately, he went on to say in the article that not only was she ready to sell her grandmother, but she did.   Ouch.   What an indictment on an already unpopular leader. But it should serve as a warn...

Labour MPs are set to realise the magnitude of their election loss today.   The party is set to farewell a large number of outgoing MPs at their first caucus meeting this morning. Former Labour MP and Political Commentator, Peter Dunne, recalled what it was like in 1990 when the party had a big election loss.   He says the big shock was when the new caucus met and they realised how few of them wer...

Inflation is likely to be back on the rise as motorists continue to pay more at the pump.   Stats NZ will release its latest inflation figures at 10.45am.   Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan expects inflation in the year to September to reach 6.2%, up from 6% in the year to June.   He told Kate Hawkesby that global events and the removal of the fuel subsidy are pushing up fuel prices, bu...

A whirlwind trip to Israel could be on the cards for US President Joe Biden.   The death toll in Israel has surpassed 1,400, while Gaza has reported more than 2,700 hundred casualties.   The planned trip comes after Biden said in an interview that an Israeli occupation of Gaza would be a huge mistake.   Washington Post reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb told Kate Hawkesby that it's the first time he's draw...

The number of people who expect house prices to continue to fall is dropping.   The ASB Housing Confidence Survey shows 8% believe that, down from 34% last quarter.   More people think now's a good time to buy but there's still a split.   Aucklanders are the most confident house prices will increase.   ASB economist Nathaniel Keall says it suggests the market's at a turning point.   He says people...

Gazans are being urged to evacuate south as Israel prepares for ground operations.   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "demolish Hamas" after their deadly rampage through Israeli border towns.   Israel has unleashed a ferocious bombing campaign on Gaza in retaliation for the attacks that killed some 1300 Israelis, mostly civilians.   Gaza authorities say more than two thousand...

Well what a weekend.   From the nail biter of a fantastic AB’s game, which, for the record, I was never in any doubt of. For those of you who were still listening to our election night coverage at midnight Saturday night you would have heard me say I picked the AB’s to win – so you know, never in any doubt from me, just saying. Just so happy for Fozzie to be honest. I feel like he deserved that.  ...

The National Party says it's keeping the special votes in mind as it starts working out how it will form government.   Deputy Leader Nicola Willis says they won't be doing any negotiating via the media because they want to respect the privacy of prospective coalition partners.   She told Kate Hawkesby that work is going on.   Willis says they're progressing relationships with parties they want arr...

The All Blacks have made it to the quarter-finals, facing Ireland on Sunday morning.   The team for the match has officially been named, and Mark Telea is out for disciplinary reasons.   Irish Rugby Commentator, Michael Corcoran, told Kate Hawkesby that it’s finals footy from here on in.   He feels that whoever wins this match will go all the way to the finals.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/...

A number of airlines have suspended their services out of Israel, leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded.   As a result, the UK arranging special flights to get British nationals out of the country.   Europe Correspondent, Vincent McAviney, told Kate Hawkesby that they are commercial flights, and as a result people will have to pay for them.   But, he said, this will allow them to flee t...

A catch 22 for a West Coast town facing a daunting prospect of eventually being washed away. The Waiho River has been changing its course and rising due to sediment build up.   If nothing's done, it's feared the township of Franz Josef could be gone in 20 years.   The West Coast Regional Council put forward a 10-year plan to sacrifice the southern stopbanks protecting farmland and properties.   Ch...