Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

More government money for childcare is being pushed as a way to help New Zealand services which are struggling financially.  The New South Wales Government will be giving families a $500 voucher for each primary school child, to be spent on before and after school care.  It aims to ease the burden of childcare and give people more options as they return to work.   Out of School Care Network manage...

I really wanted to start this year with some positives and talk about what an improved and developed plan we had with Covid given all our experience now, and all we’ve seen unfold from overseas.  But sadly, that’s not the case.  This whole thing has a Groundhog Day vibe about it.  I mean, how come we’re still, as we go into our third year of this pandemic, still being reactive and responding on th...

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised after an inquiry found that Downing St parties while Britain was in lockdown represented a "serious failure" to observe the standards expected of government or to heed the sacrifices made by millions of people during the pandemic.  But Johnson brushed off calls to quit over the "Partygate" scandal, promising to reform the way his office is run an...

Employees across the country say their workplaces are trying to ban them from inter-regional travel, due to the Red traffic light setting.  Of course, people can currently travel anywhere within New Zealand for any reason.  Brett O'Riley, from the Employers and Manufacturers Association joined Kate Hawkesby.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric vehicles appear to be something that's staying.  But this has some of our local mechanics and garages nervous as servicing an EV is a whole different kettle of fish.  So UCOL, based in Manawatu, is launching a new course to train mechanics to deal with EVs.  Senior lecturer Lance Funnell joined Kate Hawkesby.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure is mounting on the Government to alleviate stress in the entertainment industry, under the red traffic light settings.   The country's biggest one-day music festival - Electric Avenue - is off due to Covid-19.   Canterbury Employers' Chamber chief Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby they're advocating for subsidies to get the industry up and running.   She says the Arts and Culture Event Sup...

New Zealand is highly regarded for so many things but good infrastructure would not be one of them. We’ve been starved of world-class public transport for too long and for too long now we have dragged the chain when it comes to keeping up with some of our closest neighbours. Other OECD countries including Turkey, have surged ahead of us while we’ve sat about celebrating Hobbits and All Blacks. Why...

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have expressed their "concerns" to Spotify over Covid-19 misinformation on the platform, joining a growing group of personalities putting pressure on the streaming service amid a dispute about Joe Rogan's controversial podcast. The pair first raised the issue last April and have continued to urge Spotify to root out misinformation, a spokesperson for their foundation...

He's done it. Rafael Nadal has cemented a legacy as the greatest male tennis player of all time after he won his second Australian Open crown in an unforgettable marathon final against Daniil Medvedev. As the clock went past 3am (NZT) on Monday morning and the match ticked over the five hour mark, an exhausted Nadal served out his fairy tale comeback win 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5 — sending Rod Laver Are...

David Seymour can't believe the Taliban is being more helpful to a pregnant Kiwi journalist than her own Government. Charlotte Bellis has sought asylum in Afghanistan after a failed emergency MIQ bid had her turn to the Taliban for help. Act Party leader David Seymour told Roman Travers you just can't make this up. “New Zealanders are now being given asylum from the Taliban because our own governm...

Anxiety about Omicron as schools prepare to welcome back students for the start of Term One. Most students are returning this week under the Red Traffic Light setting. Teachers and students in years four and up will need to wear masks indoors, and teachers must be vaccinated. President of primary teachers' union NZEI Liam Rutherford told Roman Travers while school closures will be rare, it's uncle...

You know how easy it is to spend other people‘s money right? Children and politicians are experts at it.  Most of us were confronted with yesterday's news regarding the rate of inflation and the impending impact we can expect to see on just about everything we purchase.  My grandfather told my mother - who also told all of her seven children that if you don’t have the money in your pocket - you ca...

Police are concerned how distracted drivers are, as Auckland, Nelson and Marlborough all head into long weekends.   One Queenstown police officer sitting in a visible marked car issued 23 infringements for drivers using their phone in just eight hours.   Caroline Perry, from the road safety charity 'Brake' joined Roman Travers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ash Barty was the crowd favourite at Melbourne Park long before she ended a 42-year drought by reaching the Australian Open final.  Danielle Collins said it'll be "spectacular" to take on the women's No. 1-ranked player in the final of her home Grand Slam event on Saturday.  The 28-year-old American got a little taste of what to expect in her first Grand Slam final as she left the court on Thursda...

National has risen in the 1News Kantar poll, but the right bloc still doesn't have the numbers to govern.   National leader Chris Luxon polled 17 percent for preferred Prime Minister, up 13 while support for the party is at 32 percent - up four points.   Jacinda Ardern has dropped four percent to 35, while her party has dropped one to 40 percent.   Act's David Seymour is also down, now at six perc...

The United States has given Moscow its written response aimed at deterring a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday.  Blinken said the US response to Russia "sets out a serious diplomatic path forward should Russia choose it," telling reporters Wednesday that he expects to have a follow-up discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the com...

Today we’ll get to hear more about the Consumer Price Index and inflation from those who have those specific crystal balls. Regardless of the words you’ll hear from them; for you and I, it may simply be a message of forecasted and forewarned, impending doom.  What will this mean to those of us with significant debt? Only you and your bank will be privy to the increased outgoings to their overseas...

Seniors are being told it's a time to connect, rather than isolate.  Some experts think the elderly should hunker down, and put themselves into a lockdown because of how previous outbreaks have affected the elderly and rest homes.  Age Concern CEO, Stephanie Clare, Roman Travers, older people should get boosted and wear a mask when they leave the house.  She says the Government's not asking people...

National wants the Government to take its own stand against Russia.   There are still an estimated 100,000 Russian troops massed near the Ukraine border, but Russia is denying it's planning an assault.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is recommending any New Zealander in Ukraine, whose presence isn't essential, should consider leaving.  National Foreign Affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownle...

Officials continue to be accused of hoarding rapid antigen tests.  A number of businesses say their orders have been seconded by the Ministry of Health.  But the Ministry rejects those claims, and says it's only "consolidating" orders heading into the country.  Employers and Manufacturers Association Chief Executive Brett O'Riley says Roman Travers it's not fair.  “Because they’ve taken up a lot o...

And so, the Far North remains the under performer when it comes to getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Does anyone really have any firm grasp on why the uptake is so poor? Does anyone really want to see more funding poured into an area of the country that has access to all the forms of communication that we all enjoy – or tolerate – around the rest of the country?  Te Tai Tokerau is not...

A mask manufacturer thinks new rules around face coverings should go even further.  The Government's tightening rules around mask wearing.  From tomorrow week, they'll be required in all food and drink venues, close-proximity businesses, events and gatherings.   And face coverings must be an actual mask as opposed to scarves, bandannas or T-shirts pulled up over the face.  Any workers covered by a...

In the couple of days since New Zealand went to red, it has been a logistical nightmare for event organisers.  Numerous events have been cancelled around the country, due to size restrictions or it just being logistically too difficult.  But some events will be going ahead despite the extra challenges.  Sue Wilson is the Event Manager of the East Coast Farming Expo and she joined Roman Travers.  L...

Ex-truckies are being asked to come out of retirement or do part-time work in the event of permanent drivers catching Omicron.  There have been shortages of food in Australia, because truckies have fallen ill and haven't been able to transport goods around the country.  Transporting New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett says Roman Travers driving a large truck takes a lot of skill so it takes y...

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has been forced to apologise live on air after saying people “aren’t dying” from Covid-19, despite record breaking death statistics. For much of the pandemic, Australia has been the envy of the rest of the world for how it kept Covid-19 at bay and fatalities low. But, while NSW and Victoria are likely over the peak of their Omicron wave, both the Unit...