Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

So do we have a big backflip from the PM coming? The Heralds Political Editor Claire Trevett reminded us all yesterday of Ardern’s words regarding a wealth tax during the 2020 election campaign, remember that? It seems not even the PM recalled what she'd said, given she’s now saying something different.   So back in 2020, as Claire reminds us, Ardern not only ruled out a wealth tax - but said she...

The Warriors were able to bounce back from last week's trouncing to the Melbourne Storm this weekend. This time against the Canberra Raiders, Shaun Johnson once again kicked another golden-point as they came back to win 21-20. Australian sides were successful in this weekend's Super Rugby. Although the Blues, Highlanders and Chiefs were able to get wins over the Force, Fijian Drua and Reds respect...

So term goes back today for schools, and as we enter the winter months many seem nervous about colds and flu viruses and winter bugs. But I was hoping that sense would prevail at this point and most would realise that we are a highly vaccinated country, past the peak of the pandemic, and that life returning to normal is actually really important for everyone’s wellbeing and mental health.  So it w...

Major players from the Biden Administration are joining the Prime Minister and other business leaders for the US Business Summit in Auckland today. It's organised by the Auckland Business Chamber and business intelligence firm NZINC. The summit comes as the US is doubling down on efforts to enhance its alliances and partnerships as it sets out its plan to compete with China. NZUS Council Executive...

Britain's Parliamentary Speaker has ordered a major review of the work culture of the House of Commons after a series of scandals in the past month. Conservative MP Neil Parish has resigned after viewing porn in the Commons Chamber. UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Kate Hawkesby MPs have also been accused of physical assaults and bullying. “I think plenty of people think enough is enough.” LISTEN...

New Zealand is moving into the next stage of our border reopening plan. Vaccinated tourists from around 60 visa waiver countries can now come here, as long as they do Covid pre-departure and arrival tests. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran told Kate Hawkesby passengers from all over the globe are expected to touch down in the country today. “We’ve got flights coming in from the United Sta...

In the last couple of years, DoC figures show three out of four kiwis visited outdoor conversation areas like campgrounds and our great walks. It's not all good news though, we're still not as good as protecting the sites as we should be. DoCc's figures show 2 out of 5 visitors to protected areas in the last 2 years noticed damage from others. Tim Bamford, DoC's Heritage and Visitors Director join...

Families may not be the only ones to blame for a rise in youth crime. There's been a string of retail robberies. with the latest involving four children aged between seven and 12, who were found by police holding stolen toys in a Hamilton mall early yesterday morning. The 11-year-old fell eight metres as they tried to run off, hurting their arm. Glen Innes Family Centre manager, Chris Makoare told...

Rotorua councillors have been left shocked after one of their own suddenly quit in a fiery exchange with mayor Steve Chadwick. Peter Bentley resigned, effective immediately, in a public council meeting during a discussion about the council's controversial Māori wards bill, which was put on pause just hours later. Other councillors have criticised the mayor's handling of the meeting. Chadwick says...

The global pandemic has made many people who are able to look elsewhere for the promised land; some cornucopia; a veritable Garden of Eden with grass that is a whole lot greener than here - commit to plans to export themselves. The problem that's possibly going to confront them is the stark reality that the grass is possibly not that green, in fact, in some parts of the world there will be no gras...

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday the coronavirus is under better control in the United States. but the pandemic isn't over — and the challenge is how to keep improving the situation. "We are in a different moment of the pandemic," said Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, in an interview with The Associated Press. After a brutal winter surge, "we've now decelerated and transitioned i...

Young people are being encouraged to take baby steps when socialising again. The Graeme Dingle Foundation has found 14 to 24 year-olds doing its programmes are disengaging from their peers, education and society. Victoria University clinical psychologist Dougal Sutherland told Kate Hawkesby many people are used to interacting over Zoom, so jumping in at the deep end socially, can make them want to...

The Government is trying to get more older workers to stay in the workforce and not retire. They say they have an employment action plan to try and achieve this. It comes as one third of our workforce are considered older workers. CEO of Age Concern Karen Billings-Jensen joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes the Government will take some responsibility and acknowledge the issues within MIQ. A High Court decision found the lottery system to get a spot was unfair,  and the criteria for emergency vouchers, too narrow. Journalist Charlotte Bellis made headlines when she initially couldn't get home from Afghanistan while pregnant. She told Kate Hawkesby to hear the Government say it will do better, a...

I know many of you will have gone away for Easter holidays or school holidays, or perhaps be planning to go away soon given we are now finally free and able to travel. But I’m shocked at how expensive it is – and how under staffed many areas still are. My sister took her kids to the Gold Coast – paid way too much money in my opinion for flights to Brisbane – more than 8 grand for 4 people, and she...

The National Party thinks Labour just wants to tax people more. Revenue Minister David Parker is introducing a new bill focussing on principles of fairness in our tax system. He says the data on tax paid by New Zealand's wealthiest is close to useless, with a lot on low or middle incomes and very little on the wealthy. National Party finance spokesperson and deputy leader, Nicola Willis, told Kate...

Questions around why a creature from the deep has washed up in Otago. The 3.6 metre oarfish was found on Aramoana Beach on Monday afternoon. The species was last spotted around Dunedin in 2015. Otago University marine biologist Bridie Allan told Kate Hawkesby the fish caught the attention of everyone on the beach. She considers herself  lucky to have seen it in the flesh. The oarfish died after fa...

Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter has been met with cheers - and jeers. The billionaire added the social media giant to his empire in a deal worth $66 billion. While some have welcomed the move, others are worried that misinformation and hate speech will be allowed to thrive. Former White House Senior Cybersecurity Director Samir Jain says some people have already started leaving the site. He told K...

I see gangs are now ruffling the feathers of Wellingtonians. It was only a matter of time. Ask anyone in Auckland, the Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Northland.. gangs are a scourge at the moment so no surprises they’ve started to upset those in the capital. One Wellington Councillor was reported calling it “unacceptable” and “scary.” Well yes it is. And it’s something we’ve been banging...

It was just last week that urgent calls were made for an inquiry into the safety of port workers. Another port worker has been killed, this time at Lyttelton. The man was believed to be crushed by coal, and is our second port death in less than a week. Merchant Service Guild vice president Iain MacLeod joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want to get close to the Melbourne Storm, everything has to go right. At AAMI Park on Monday night, just about everything went wrong for the Warriors – after a promising first half – as they fell to a record defeat in the Anzac clash, eventually losing 70-10. They conceded a staggering thirteen tries, in what ended up as the biggest loss and worst humiliation in the club's history. The Warr...

Emmanuel Macron is promising to reunite France. He's made history by becoming the first president in 20 years to win a second term. Paris correspondent for the Guardian, Angelique Chrisafis says far right opponent Marine Le Pen took more than 13 million votes, but around the same number refused to vote. She told Kate Hawkesby Macron's promising a new way of working. Chrisafis says one of his prior...

I want to pay tribute to our beloved colleague Bruce Russell .. who died Sunday night – at work.. ironically, I can’t think of a time he wasn’t at work. I don’t think anyone worked longer hours than Bruce. He seemed omnipresent here.  From news reading, to overnights, to his show ’In My Day’.. he was part of the fabric of this place. But he was very beloved not just because he was part of the furn...

The Queen has marked another milestone in what has been a tumultuous year for the royal family. After 70 years on the throne, the Queen is quietly celebrating her 96th birthday with a private gathering at her country retreat, Sandringham, in Norfolk. Royal Correspondent Phil Dampier joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Companies are being warned they could go out of business, if they don't lift prices. Annual inflation's hit 6.9 percent  - a 30-year high. Auckland Business Chamber CEO, Michael Barnett, says businesses are paying more for shipping, fuel, and transport and have higher staff costs. He told Roman Travers consumers will have less money in their pockets, so businesses need to ensure their products hav...