Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

How many times in recent decades have you heard the call for a better and fairer tax system?   How many times have we heard governments saying that the tax system needs to be looked at?   Well, I've got some good news for those at the upper end of income earning who may have been wondering when the tax axe was about to fall, forcing them to haemorrhage more.  It turns out, our tax system is pretty...

The Government has announced new pricing for Kiwis getting their drivers licenses. They will be reducing the cost of resitting tests, reportedly saving new drivers $5.5 million a year. But if you're unlucky enough to pass on your first try, you'll end up paying more. Ōtorohanga   mayor Max Baxter has been an advocate for lower fees and joined Roman Travers to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.c...

The Global Dairy Trade price index has recorded its first increase in two months. This morning's auction showed a 3.2 per cent climb since the last trading event earlier this month, this is the first gain after four consecutive falls. Amy Castleton, dairy analyst at NZX joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the key benefits of any vehicle that's well branded with company logos, is that when you see appalling acts of stupidity unfolding around you on our roads, created as a by result the selfish acts of drivers in these vehicles, you know exactly who to call.   Yesterday I had to drive from central Auckland to one of the southern suburbs and back again. I was surprised at some of the deplorable...

National says the move by Labour to tackle class sizes is an attempt to appease unions. The announcement aimed at Years 4 to 8 students, reduces the ratio from one teacher to 29 students, down to 28. It'll be initiated from 2025 and means recruiting 320 more teachers. National Education Spokesperson Erica Stanford told Roman Travers it's less a policy announcement and more a sweetener. She says th...

Concerns as job burnout continues to affect our doctors. Massey University data analysis shows the risk for medical doctors is 22.7 percent, compared to 12.2 percent for other workforces. Burnt out doctors are nearly five times more likely to seriously consider quitting the profession, over their non-burnt-out colleagues. Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton...

New Zealand’s looming recession is tipped to be twice as deep as previously thought, with Kiwis being warned to prepare for a tough rest of the year. The bleaker forecast, from economists at ASB, comes as food prices rise at their fastest annual rate in more than 30 years and many struggle to afford the basics. ASB is predicting a 2 per cent contraction to gross domestic product (GDP) by early 202...

The Government is being slammed after some frontline police were told to consider the necessity of arrests, due to Rimutaka Prison nearing capacity. An email to Wellington staff revealed our largest prison is nearing maximum occupancy, and warns repeat breach of bail and warrant offenders may be remanded in custody for longer than usual. It says officers should consider that before making an arres...

If you live long enough, I guess you’ll get to see everything either change or completely die out. On Friday the news that Wellington’s grand old lady of the fourth estate is to have a makeover was a bit confronting and sad for me and those who’ve grown old with the name of The Dominion Post.   The Dominion Post is dropping the word ‘dominion’ from its name - and its parent company is signalling f...

I measure the quality of the summer season by how many swims I have, this summer I managed just one swim. Not my proudest tally, I can assure you.  But that sad tally was only diminished by my inability to make time. Being able to find clean water to swim in will increasingly prove to be the main barrier. The environment, Minister David Parker says, some of the statistics I’m about to mention are...

Victoria University of Wellington has announced their nominations to be considered for Earthshot prizes. Earthshot is offering five prizes of £1,000,000 each for projects that drive change and inspire collective action. Andrew Wilks, Director of Sustainability at Victoria University, joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A children's charity is pleading for sponsors to more than 1,600 Kiwi kids facing poverty. Variety says the kids don't have enough bedding, warm clothes, food and school supplies. CEO Susan Glasgow says it costs the same as eight lattes over a month to make a huge difference and Susan Glasgow joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Water New Zealand is breathing a sigh of relief and says it now has certainty because of the Three Waters shake up. Instead of four mega-entities for water, the Government has opted for 10 regional groups. It's set to be in place by 2026. Water NZ Chief Executive Gillian Blythe says while the plan's not perfect, it means staff will be able to plan implementation better. She told Roman Travers it's...

It can be incredibly difficult not to fall in line with the narrative of doom and gloom, instead of celebrating the good things that come and go so quickly in life for those who work so hard to get there.  New Zealand’s very own Finn Fisher-Black scored his first professional win yesterday after the UAE Team Emirates rider triumphed in the opening stage of cycling’s Tour of Sicily.   If you haven’...

The country's councils are standing by to hear the Government's latest plan for Three Waters reforms. Newstalk ZB understands the plan will be revealed later this morning. Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan told Roman Travers councils are divided on the way forward. He says some councils want to keep control of the infrastructure, but other councils are very worried about rising costs. LISTEN ABOVE S...

Last week's OCR hike is starting to have some impact with ANZ, the country's largest bank, raising fixed and floating interest rates across the board. Chief Executive Antonia Watson told Roman Travers the one-year lending rate is going up by 20-basis-points. She says the bank is still passing on only a small amount of the OCR increases. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

A councillor is looking to reassure those who suffered during Auckland's January flooding. A report into the flood response has made 17 recommendations including developing an IT system for better communication and creating stronger community relationships. Manukau Ward Councillor Alf Filipaina says those who lost their homes or loved ones will still be devastated. He told Roman Travers the counci...

With the ongoing cost of living crisis confronting us all, there’s greater pressure than ever on parents to help their children get to where they need to be. Confronted by rising mortgage and rent prices, along with those grocery items being pushed onto the luxury side of the shopping list; it’s no wonder that we’re now seeing more tertiary students feeling the financial pinch. Universities and st...

The Interislander's Kaitaki ferry is back in business today. It lost power and declared mayday in January while sailing across the Cook Strait, then a problem with its gearbox kept it off the water for longer. However, questions remain as to how reassured will passengers be. Todd Valster, acting General Secretary for the Rail and Maritime Transport Union, joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVE   See o...

There has been disappointment New Zealand isn't looking to move away from mandated Covid-19 isolation. The Government is not changing the seven-day isolation requirement for cases for at least two months. It's also asked for more work on whether testing to return to work for mild or asymptomatic cases,  would be safe. First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Roman Travers this wil...

I hope you had a fabulous long Easter weekend and that you got to enjoy some of the many aspects that make New Zealand a world class tourist attraction. But is New Zealand really ready to open up to the world post all of the pandemic palaver and are our facilities as good as we think they are? There’s one particular camping ground that you would never put on your bucket list of places to visit, an...

Helius Therapeutics is now certified to dry and finish medicinal cannabis flowers. Now the only fully certified company in the country, patients can rely on locally sourced dried flower products. Helius chief executive, Carmen Doran joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AA says more investment in our roads is essential. Newstalk ZB can reveal Waka Kotahi fixed 54,000 potholes on the state highway network during 2022.  AA Road Safety Spokesperson Dylan Thompson says potholes are the number one issue raised in surveys of drivers. He told Roman Travers simply filling them in,  is not enough. Thompson says we need preventative maintenance to stop potholes getting...

Another half-percent on the OCR, which was harsher than most pundits had predicted and takes the cash rate to 5.25 percent. 11 hikes in a row now, yet inflation is still painfully high. The RBNZ says employment is also still beyond what's sustainable and it says recent weather events have pushed some prices even higher. The fact the economic pundits were caught off guard is more than a bit of a wo...

A claim has come that the Official Cash Rate increase will continue to hit pockets and stretch incomes The Reserve Bank has shocked many by hiking the OCR 50 basis points to 5.25 percent. Council of Trade Unions economist Craig Renney would like to see increases paused, so people can get used to it. He told Tim Dower lots of people are facing multiple economic strains at once. Renney says many are...