Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Builders across the country are starting to feel the benefits of the rise of employment opportunities.  SEEK NZ's latest Employment Report shows a drop of 0.3% on overall job ads. But demand for construction workers continues to add volume, with a rise of 3.4% nationally, up 43% year on year. Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Andrew Dickens jobs are coming from across th...

I am becoming even more impressed with Mark Carney as time goes on. I said that yesterday on the radio and got a text that Carney is just Trudeau but without Katy Perry - a snappy one liner fed to my texter by the President’s camp, and nowhere near the truth. Carney yesterday gave a speech to Davos that may go down in history as era defining. He said great powers can go alone. They have the s...

Opposition leaders in the UK are concerned following through with plans for a giant Chinese Embassy in London.  The UK Government's approved the mega embassy, located near Tower Bridge in the central city.  Opponents have been warning the embassy could be used as a spying base.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens there are fears the embassy will be used to eavesdrop on...

Calls are growing for tougher gambling regulations to prevent relapse.  New AUT research shows one in four gamblers who recover from harmful gambling slip back and return to the habit at a risky level.  Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Bridgette Thornley told Andrew Dickins people need concrete plans in place to kick their addiction, and New Zealand needs to help.   She...

An inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children will analyse if New Zealand met its obligations under international law.   The four year search for the group ended in a shootout last September, where Phillips severely injured a police officer before being shot dead.  An inquiry into their disappearance will begin hearing evidence today, looking at whether agencies shou...

Fletcher Building's calling time on its construction arm after a difficult few years.  It's signed a sale deal with French multi-national Vinci Construction, subject to regulatory approval.  The final reckoning could sit on about $334 million, and it'll move its focus to manufacturing and distribution.  AUT Construction Professor John Tookey says it's a seismic shift, but Fletcher's...

It might be today that the Government announces the date of the election. Some have called for an early election. They argue that the job to fix us up needs more time. The Government could argue they’re the ones to do it.   They could ask for a mandate for another three years to finish the job, and the sooner we get on with it the better. I can see that, but I don’t agree with it. We’ve...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 21st of January 2025, the Tom Phillips inquiry is underway today, Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato School of Law Dr Anna-Marie Brennan tells Andrew what we can expect from it.  A new study is hoping to highlight just how hard it is to kick a gambling habit, Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Briget...

As prices for everyone's favourite sweet treat soar, chocolate makers are searching to find cheaper alternatives.  A Rabobank report reveals manufacturers are exploring ways to replace cocoa beans, including lab-grown options, as climate pressures disrupt supply and make global cocoa prices rise.  Raglan Chocolate Head Maker Mike Renfree told Andrew Dickens the commodity price of cocoa h...

A superannuation expert suggests the Government looks across the ditch for ways to maintain the retirement age.   The Prime Minister took the opposite stance during his State of the Nation speech in Auckland yesterday afternoon.   Christopher Luxon says as life expectancy rises, the pension age of 65 is too low.   Jonathan Eriksen told Andrew Dickens Australia introduced compulsory...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 20th of December 2025, Christopher Luxon says a lift in the retirement age inevitable, retirement and superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen shares his thoughts.  Confectionary giants are looking into lab-grown cocoa as prices continue to rise, Raglan Chocolate Head Chocolate Maker, Mike Renfree tells Andrew what differenc...

Schools hit by staffing shortages are being forced to adapt as vacancies climb nationwide. Around 450 teaching and principal roles remain vacant - 12% more than this time last year. Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken told Andrew Dickens vacancies are taking longer to fill than in the past. He says schools are doing everything they can to manage with the staff and resources availabl...

Election Year is off and running with Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation address.  We should know the election date later this week.  What we do know is the theme of National’s campaign: “Fixing the basics and building the future”.  Not a shock. It’s a variation of the way they’ve positioned themselves for a while. The party that concentrates on the need to haves and not the ni...

The business sector will want to know how the Government will support them - as the Prime Minister prepares for his State of the Nation speech.  Chris Luxon will give the address at the International Convention Centre in Auckland this afternoon - the first event to be held at the new centre.  Newstalk ZB understands he will try to draw attention away from turbulent affairs overseas - and...

Europe may be on the cusp of implementing a never-before-used law, to turn up the heat on the United States.  President Donald Trump's announced increasing tariffs on eight countries starting next month, unless a deal allowing him to buy Greenland is reached.  European leaders have condemned the decision, with France now set to urge the EU to enact its anti-coercion instrument,  if...

Pharmac is seeking clinical advice on whether weight loss medication should be funded in New Zealand.  One in three people over the age of 15 are classified as obese and one in eight children aged between two and 14. Pharmac received two applications to fund Wegovy or semaglutide - a GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss. Auckland University Professor of Molecular Medicine Peter Shepherd tol...

On Friday just before most of us came back to work Auckland Transport announced that public transport fares on the rise from February 1st.  They’re going up by 5.1% which is higher than inflation, but they claim transport costs have risen by up to 16%. Meanwhile parking costs in AT controlled buildings and areas are going up by 50 cents an hour.  For adult commuters, this means a 10 to 2...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday the 19th of January 2025, Christopher Luxon is set to deliver his State of the Nation speech this afternoon, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges tells Andrew what businesses want to come out of it.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Auckland University Molecular Medicine Professor, Peter Shepa...

Like it or not, next year's big dance in politics will ultimately be decided by the few, not the many. Most MMP elections have been. Minnows hold the keys to the kingdom.  Be it Winston with his best result ever or Te Pati Māori with an overhang - 2026 won’t be a 2020 landslide. The difference this time is how extreme some of the smaller parties, more to the point, some of their MPs, hav...

Do you know what's really starts to rub me the wrong way?  It's governments telling us to do more things.  This morning, we've got the government coming out with yet another hotline. Sounds fancy. Sounds efficient.  It's a hotline to report road cones. A road cone tipline.  Sorry, but if the problem is that there are too many road cones on the road, and they're unnecessary...

I went out for lunch to a café the other day and our table was served by a couple of waiters who all seemed to have a similar vibe about them. They just. Did. Not. Seem. To. Care. No smiling. No banter. No small talk or polite conversation. Just this blank look on their faces. You sit there and think “did they hear me”? You ever so politely repeat yourself in case they didn’t.  But they...

Teachers say they're struggling to deal with increasing violent incidents due to a lack of learning support.  New data shows 12,300 students have been disciplined for physical assault on teachers and students this year – a 49% jump from 2019.  PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Francesca Rudkin teachers have been given increasingly more restraint training to deal with these incidents,...

The UK is looking to tackle radicalisation and extreme misogyny early.   Millions of pounds will be invested into schools to train teachers to spot signs of misogyny among boys and course correct.   Funding will also go towards courses for radicalised young men.   It's to counter concerns about pornography and online misogynistic influencers.   UK correspondent Vincent McAviney...

It's thought the closure of Gloriavale school is more complicated than just finding a new school.    The Secretary for Education has cancelled the Christian sect school’s licence, forcing it closed from January.   It's been on notice for several weeks after failing another audit and being ruled physically and mentally unsafe for students.   Education researcher Liz Gordon told...

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Friday the 19th of December 2025, The economy’s rebounded into 1.1% growth in the September quarter, ahead of forecasts Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts. Schools are dealing with more fights and assaults than ever before, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie tells Francesca why the problem has got worse.  Gloriav...