Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Well this is the last time I talk to you before Saturday... although we’ll all be here Saturday night. Mike, me, Heather, and Barry, if you want to tune into ZB’s election coverage or watch it live streamed on the ZB or Herald websites, we’ll be here. Depending on how it goes if you look closely on the livestream you may see me tearing my hair out.   Honestly, I’ll be glad to see the back of it. I...

Chris Hipkins and Chris Luxon went head-to-head last night in their final debate before polling day tomorrow. Political Editor, Jason Walls, told Kate Hawkesby that he agrees with commentators who described the tone as 'cranky'. He says it was clear Hipkins' tactic was to try get under Luxon's skin which worked for the most part. Walls says he found Hipkins to be quite aggressive during the debate...

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on his way to Israel.   Once there, he'll meet with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.   Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz have formed an emergency government and war cabinet.   US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Kate Hawkesby that they will only deal with bills and government decisions regarding the conflict.   He said that it’s Israel’s...

A tale of two polls - but there's just one answer.   Newshub-Reid Research and 1News-Verian have released their last opinion surveys before election night on Saturday.   Both suggest the only viable coalition is National, paired with New Zealand First and ACT - but the margins are narrowing.   Political Commentator Brigette Morton told Kate Hawkesby that the election is shaping up to be about gett...

Incoming migrants are giving the New Zealand workforce a boost.   Stats NZ has revealed the year to August saw record high net-migration, with 110,000 more people moving to New Zealand than leaving.   Westpac Senior Economist, Satish Ranchhod, told Kate Hawkesby that part of the reason job ads have come down is because businesses are able to find staff more easily.   He said that without migrants,...

Two Ws are potentially going to ruin our weekend: Winston and Wayne.   Winston could kill all the fun Saturday night by holding the whole country to ransom and not forming a government. Wayne Barnes could ruin Sunday morning with his calls against the AB’s... we are potentially in for a rocky weekend of woe and misery leaving us all with a collective hangover Monday. The country could sink into a...

New research shows rural kids are less likely to gain University Entrance than urban counterparts.   An Auckland University study's found rural students had a 15% lower university entrance rate, creating barriers for them to get into courses like medicine.   Area Schools Association President Louisa Barham told Kate Hawkesby that it doesn't surprise her or concern her.   She said that there’s a di...

I’m just not sure how —in this day and age— we’re still doing hazing rituals at Uni initiations.   I know it’s huge in America, but like all the US’s bad habits, why’s it come here? It seems particularly prevalent in Otago. So far this week we’ve heard of horrific initiations, one involving biting the legs off a live duck, I mean I can’t even believe we’re saying that in a sentence it’s so barbari...

The death toll in the Middle East conflict continues to rise.   A thousand Israeli people have died since Hamas' surprise attack, while retaliatory attacks in Gaza have killed more than 800.   Up to 150 Israelis are believed to be held hostage currently, with Hamas saying it won't negotiate over them 'until the end of the battle'.   US President Joe Biden will address the American people shortly a...

The conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on.   Israel's death toll has surpassed 1000 people since Hamas' attack, while more than 800 are dead in Gaza following retaliatory strikes.   Up to 150 Israelis are being held hostage currently.   Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni told Kate Hawkesby that they're waiting on the next steps and will provide humanitarian support when the opportunity ari...

I think what stood out for me yesterday when Chris Hipkins was in the studio with Mike for a couple of hours, was how relaxed Hipkins was.   As the two hours slipped by, he seemed to get more relaxed, leaning back in his chair more and more, taking it easy. I wondered if the Coke Zero hadn’t kicked in, or maybe he was just tired, or maybe he’s just given up.   I mean don’t get me wrong, I thought...

It's thought that up to 1,300 have died in the conflict between Israel and Hamas so far.   Around 800 Israeli people have been killed since the Palestinian militant group launched its attack, and almost 500 have died in Gaza after Israel retaliated.   It's thought up to 100 Israeli citizens have been taken hostage.   Israel is cutting off all electricity, food, and fuel to the Gaza Strip.   Victor...

Pleas from Massey University's science faculty seem to have fallen on deaf ears.   The university is forecasting a loss of more than $50 million, well up from last year's deficit of around $8.8 million.   It plans to slash around 100 science jobs and stop teaching engineering at Albany.   Tertiary Education Union organiser Ben Schmidt told Kate Hawkesby that Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas seems determ...

One of the many things that are hopefully on the new government’s radar come October 15 is the state of our cities.   I mean yes our communities and our suburbs are in dire straits too getting ravaged by crime and unruly gangs in many places, but our CBDs are a mess - they’re unsavoury places.   They don’t feel safe anymore. I get people messaging me every day about the CBD, particularly Auckland,...

Calls have come for New Zealand to use its voice as a war breaks out in the Middle East.   Dozens are believed to have been captured by Palestinian militant group Hamas which has launched an attack on Gaza.   The Government says more than 600 Israelis have been killed in attacks from Gaza.   It's believed that as many as 100 soldiers and civilians were kidnapped when Palestinian fighters crossed t...

National's Deputy Leader Nicola Willis is defending the party warning of a second election. The party has ramped up efforts to keep New Zealand First out of the mix - warning there's a growing possibility National wouldn't be able to get a deal done. Willis told Kate Hawkesby there's always a risk they won't get enough support. She says a lot of people already believe there's going to be a change...

As we reflect on the —let’s be frank— end of this government’s tenure, I can’t help thinking about all the stuff they dropped the ball on, that I wonder if they regret.   Mental health, the $1.9 billion none of us know where it is. Light rail. Child poverty. Kiwibuild, a tangible disaster. Not taking the country with them when they had a majority, an unheard of opportunity to take us with them, an...

Pay equity for care and support workers has been halted.   Te Whatu Ora's called for a review as the claim process nears the end, much to the disappointment of unions and employers.   Aged Care Association Chief Executive, Katherine Rich told Kate Hawkesby that she believes the health agency halted the process as the cost was more than anticipated.   She says they're calling foul as it impacts the...

Queenstown's mayor is raising concerns over the country's water supply crackdown.   Water regulator Taumata Arowai has sent a letter to 27 councils lacking in a sufficient protozoa barrier, informing them they have till mid next year to get a plan in place.   Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers told Kate Hawkesby that when it comes to enforcement, the regulator has teeth, with fines and jail time both be...

A bumper summer is expected ahead of the cruise ship season.   A total of 54 ships will make 1,000 visits to New Zealand shores this season, expecting to bring around 350,000 passengers.   Kaikōura and Bluff both have forward bookings, and Lyttelton is back on the calendar following upgrades.   But Tourism Holding Limited CEO Grant Webster warns that infrastructure issues will eventually come into...

I’m rallying the troops at the moment to early vote.   By troops I mean family members, but also anyone who’ll listen. So far I think just my husband, my sister and I have early voted. Others are waiting til the last minute. I’m not sure what might happen last minute that could change your mind, short of a scandal of some kind I guess. But you either like the direction the country is going and wan...

Marlborough residents could be in for an expensive few years, with millions more needed for road repairs than first thought.   Fixing the flood damaged transport system is expected to cost $74 million more, totalling $234 million.   Marlborough District Council Chief Executive Mark Wheeler told Kate Hawkesby that their cost estimates were cautious but reflect the current reality.   He says constru...

The Reserve Bank is tipped to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.5% when it comes up for review this afternoon.   Westpac's Kelly Eckhold told Kate Hawkesby that a change is unlikely so close to an election.   However, she said, the markets are looking at a 50-60% rate increase in November, earlier than the Reserve Bank had previously indicated.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener...

A year of wet weather has taken its toll on some in the veggie industry.   New data from NIWA shows that in September, areas like Otago, Southland, Canterbury, Wairarapa, and Auckland received well above normal rainfall.   But last month was also the warmest September on record.   Leaderbrand Chief Executive, Richard Burke told Kate Hawkesby that recent rainfall has been difficult.   He says it's...

I come to you today with – fingers crossed – great news.   I say fingers crossed because let’s hope it lasts, I don’t want to be accused of speaking too soon, but I’m hearing reports that Auckland airport is on the improve. For starters, it’s opened an express lane. Very heartened by the headline yesterday which read, “Auckland Airport trials screening Express Lane to cut down unacceptable wait ti...