Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

A reminder for Aucklanders to cast their vote, as the race for the mayoralty closes in. A Ratepayers' Alliance-Curia poll shows centre-right candidate Wayne Brown in the lead at 28 percent - up eight points. Efeso Collins, who has the support of Labour and the Greens, is up four points but falling slightly behind at 26 percent. Viv Beck withdrew from the race during the polling period, but still h...

A very special robot will begin operating this week to help cure brain cancer. Wellington teenager Jemima Gazley raised money for the 'Jem-Bot' as she was dying from an aggressive brain tumour late last year. It will eliminate human error and speed up the work of testing drugs on tumours by 400 times. Jemima's dad Oliver Gazley joined Early Edition. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

A property expert says banks are aiding and abetting housing speculation and thereby contributing to the housing crisis. Auckland University's Dr Michael Rehm says when it comes to speculation, banks take a more relaxed view towards lending to residential property investors than commercial buyers. And he says the banks are benefiting from that. Rehm says compared to countries like the United State...

Over in Australia, Queensland authorities will be reviewing DNA samples linked to major crimes.  This is over concerns over miscarriage of justice.  According to Australian correspondent, Donna Demaio, thousands of cases may need to be re-investigated. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson is concerned about the safety of MP's, leading up to the next election year, He's been facing unruly crowds and needed extra security at recent events. Here to share his insight on the matter and voice whether or not Grant Robertson should be concerned is former Labour Chief of Staff, Mike Munroe. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

The United Nations General Assembly begins today. It's the first one in two years, since the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is set to appear, and has touched down in New York after flying in on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's private jet. Our Newstalk ZB political editor, Jason Walls, joins us ahead of the event now. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Gut health is crucial to take care of. It's one of the most important things you can do to look after yourself. Pendulum is a well-regarded biotech company in the states that's now launching here in NZ. Their scientists have created probiotics that pumps akkermansia, an important gut bacteria. Joining us now is CSO and co-founder of Pendulum John Eid. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

‘Let them eat cake’. That’s possibly what Jacinda and Clark said to each other before each of them jumped on board their private planes out of London. Jacinda on board one as guest of Justin Trudeau en route to New York, Clark on another as guest of Albanese en route to Australia. Having both flown up first class on Qantas, clearly getting back home for Clark and Jacinda needed to be something a s...

I’m not sure what was more interesting yesterday – the revelation that the Sam Uffindell allegations amounted to nothing and didn’t stack up, or the pasting Luxon got by the press gallery afterwards. The press gallery by the end of it had delivered what should serve as a warning to Luxon as to how election year might go for him. The press pack were not really having a bar of Luxon, or the report,...

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has attended many royal events, including performing at Charles and Diana's wedding. But she told Kate Hawkesby being at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “I can’t imagine where we’ll see that again in such a huge volume. The love, everything about it, I think, was monumental.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is no evidence Modern learning classrooms are effective. That is according to research by think tank The New Zealand Initiative that has found the Education Ministry's classroom experiment has not been based on evidence. The ministry has been unable to provide data on the number of learning environments, their cost and effectiveness. Senior Fellow Dr Michael Johnston told Kate Hawkesby the M...

National's decision on Sam Uffindell could provide a window into their future policy. The Tauranga MP's been reinstated to the party's caucus after an independent investigation found bullying claims didn't extend beyond high school. Political commentator, Grant Duncan, told Kate Hawkesby National has shown they do believe in rehabilitation and giving a person a second chance. He told Kate Hawkesby...

The Queen's funeral is now only hours away. It will all take place tonight New Zealand time, with attendees heading into Westminster Abbey around 7pm before the funeral officially begins at 10pm. Joining us now is royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK’s biggest ever security operation is underway for The Queen's funeral. With the funeral set to happen in a few hours (10 pm NZT), UK correspondent Gavin Grey is here to update us. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In sports news, New Zealand has secured medals at the world equestrian event championship for the first time in 12 years.  Our ZB sports reader, Andrew Alderson, joins us today to update us. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So the Government has taken steps to try and protect productive land from urban development. The national policy statement will mean local councils will need to identify productive land and block it off from housing developments. This is aimed to protect land that grows vegetables, fruit and other produce. Joining us now is Dr Trish Fraser who leads Climate Change Systems at Plant and Food Researc...

As if our justice system wasn’t soft enough already, I see they’re now handing out further reductions in sentences if you had a tough childhood.  ‘Mongrel Mob members in lucrative drug ring get reduced prison time for horrific childhoods" read a headline yesterday. The story went on to say that, “Two Mongrel Mob members sitting near the top of a sophisticated drug ring were jailed after admitting...

I've got family coming down from Europe at Christmas, and bringing people who've not seen New Zealand before. We were talking on the phone the other day and the subject of spending a few days at Rotorua came up. It pains me to say it, but I wasn't able in good conscience to recommend Rotorua. I explained about the emergency housing, but only in broad brush terms. I didn't go into big detail about...

The All Blacks have managed to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 20th straight year. But it was a close one 39-37, and it's fair to say it was a controversial finish, with Wallabies getting infringed for taking too long to kick the last penalty. ZB's rugby commentator Elliott Smith joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's under fire for spending millions on consultants for its Three Waters reform. Newstalk ZB can reveal more than $16 million has been paid to contractors in the past Financial Year. Deputy Political Editor Jason Walls says the Government's confirmed even more will be spent in the coming year. Spending's included $100,000 dollars for a virtual showcase of Aussie initiatives, and almos...

A new online tool will allow tourists to avoid staying at mixed-use motels in Rotorua. Tourism outfit Rotorua NZ is identifying emergency housing motels after visitors finding themselves in unsavoury accommodation. Rotorua District councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online shoppers are being misled through online sales. The Commerce Commission has issued a formal warning to online retailer, Occasion Box, for making false and unsubstantiated claims on its website last year. It comes after The Warehouse Group's 1-Day, has been fined $840,000 for misleading how long its daily deals would run for, and the quantity available.  Fair Trading General Manager Vanessa...

I think if anything symbolized how stressful and exhausting this week has been for the new monarch, it was ‘Pengate’. We saw a very tense, irritated King Charles, flustered that his pen was leaking, and with it all captured on microphone, we got to hear just how annoyed he was. Some media labelled it ‘rude’ others  referred to him as ‘losing his Royal cool’. This new incident off the back of a pre...

Our largest education union says the Government's attempt to fix workforce shortages has missed the mark. Labour has announced up to one thousand new teachers will be recruited, mostly from overseas and more scholarships will be funded for people wanting to become teachers mid-career. NZEI President Liam Rutherford told Kate Hawkesby things have changed since 30 years ago when funding systems were...

The queue of people lining up to see the Queen lying in state is now more than four kilometres long. Her Majesty's coffin has been transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on a gun carriage, with the new King and other Royals following behind. The procession itself was silent, except for the firing of guns at Hyde Park and the chiming of Big Ben. But Newstalk ZB's Anna Burns Francis...