Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

It’s world No 1 v No 2, a repeat of the World Cup final, two of the great sporting rivals squaring off once again. It might just be the biggest test for the All Blacks this year.  Scott Robertson’s side look to continue a proud record at Eden Park stretching back to 1994, while also needing to bounce back from a defeat to Argentina.  The All Blacks have remained undefeated at the Fortres...

Truck drivers are feeling increased pressure to deliver on time – even breaking the law to do so.  The Workers First Union believes the timeframes set up for drivers to complete jobs within allocated driving hours is unachievable.  The union signed up to support the Safe Rates international labour campaign, which makes employers and customers responsible for the financial pressures put o...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2025, criminals with New Zealand residency could now face deportation for up to 20 years after arriving, immigration lawyer Simon Laurent shares his thoughts.  The All Blacks will be taking on the Springboks at Eden Park this Saturday, Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner tells Andrew what they're doing to prepare for the big match.  Truck...

What could be a reactive move - as Immigration Minister Erica Stanford sends a clear message to immigrants, to obey the law. Criminals with New Zealand residency could now face deportation if they've been here for less than 20 years. That's double the current limit of under 10 years.  Immigration lawyer Simon Laurent told Andrew Dickens this is a response to an overall mood that's surfacing,...

Now seeing as I am a 60 year old white guy, some will consider my comments inherently racist, but I am allowed my opinion just as you are allowed yours.  Opinions are like bums - we all have one, so why fight it? Firstly, the coming out of the Māori Queen.  One thing is for sure, Māori do this customary and ceremonial stuff well. The attendees are seeing history, a young Queen about to t...

A separate argument against major tech firms paying more tax.  A report from tax expert Nick Miller says companies like Google are able to skirt their dues by taking payments from New Zealand subsidiaries, listed as service fees.  He says they could be seen as royalties, which come under a withholding tax.   However, another independent expert in the field, Geof Nightingale, told An...

Optimism in the education sector as the number of people studying to be a teacher rises.  There's been about 3,500 new domestic enrolments to initial teacher training this year – up 30% on the same time last year.  Primary education's grown by 31%, while enrolments in secondary are up 28%, and 24% for ECE.  PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Andrew Dickens that doesn't reflect th...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 4th of September 2025, a report from the Chief Justice says trials are becoming longer, more complex and it's clogging up the system, former high court judge and former Chair of the NZ parole board, Sir Ron Young shares his thoughts. Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale gives his take on how big tech pay their fair share to our...

Complex cases appear to be clogging up our justice system, with manslaughter and murder offences making up more than 70% of all High Court trials. Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann says the system is struggling to keep pace, in her latest Annual Report. Her report reveals a mix of delays, burnout, safety issues, and under-funding. Former High Court Judge and Parole Board Chair Sir Ron Young told...

The game of rugby this weekend is starting to take on a life of it’s own.  Some have called it the biggest game of rugby since the last World Cup Final featuring the same two teams - and this is even though the Lions have just toured Australia in a record-breaking financial success.  But it is going to be a cracker. It’s been fortified by Eden Park’s record as a fortress - 30 years and 5...

The Government's tertiary refresh has sparked conversation around whether the country's dumbing down the sector.  Universities Minister Shane Reti's announced a package of initiatives, including a new education strategy and updated governance rules.  He decided against making university entrance harder.  Universities NZ chair Grant Edwards told Andrew Dickens there's no need for mor...

Farmers are pushing ACT and New Zealand First for less politicking and more action.   The two parties have expressed interest in withdrawing from the global Paris Agreement unless more realistic emissions targets are produced to fight climate change.   But Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says they're in government and could be resolving the problems creating uncertainty for fa...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday 3rd of September 2025, Should we pull out of the Paris Climate Accord? Federated Farmers National President Wayne Langford makes his case.  A international visitor survey shows there was a 5% increase in visitors over the last year, Hospitality NZ Head of Advocacy Sam Mackinnon shares his thoughts. The Government’s rejected...

Pulling out of the Paris Climate agreement has got the backing of ACT and New Zealand First, who say we're overdoing it. And my first reaction is yes. The thing isn't working. It's never worked.  It has always felt like something the world does to make itself feel like it's doing something, even though it's doing nothing When you combine it with the Emissions Trading Scheme — which is a...

Overseas visitors are back and here to spend, with tourism hotspots like Queenstown reaping the benefits. The latest International Visitor Survey results show a 5% increase in international tourists over the past year. Spending has increased by more than 4%, but still remains at 86% of pre-pandemic levels.  Hospitality New Zealand spokesperson Sam Mackinnon told Andrew Dickens he's hoping the...

A push to slim down New Zealand’s unusually large number of ministerial portfolios is being met with caution.  A report by the New Zealand Initiative's found comparable countries have a third of our 81 portfolios and is calling for a cull.  PSA's national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says they don't object to a discussion around this.  But she told Andrew Dickens it's taking place in...

A drive to attract foreign investors could deliver more than just financial gain.  The Government’s tweaking visa rules, letting Active Investor Plus holders buy or build one New Zealand home worth at least $5 million.  This is on top of the minimum $5 million investment pledge needed to get the visa.  Former Labour Cabinet minister Stuart Nash told Andrew Dickens these investors wi...

More people are getting mortgages approved as they prepare for the Official Cash Rate to fall further. Latest Centrix figures show mortgage enquiries are up 16% for the month of July and new mortgage lending rose almost 25%. Key Mortgages broker Jeremy Andrews told Andrew Dickens many people are getting approved and just holding off. He says there's been more activity lately - with one client of h...

The Government’s new plan for water services is called Local Water Done Well. It’s all about keeping control in the hands of local councils and communities, rather than shifting everything to big centralised bodies.  Which was what Three Waters did. Eventually Labour caved and the policy got renamed 10 Waters because there would be 10 regionalised bodies, but even that was not popular. A...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 2nd of September 2025, the government's made moves of the foreign buyers ban, former Labour minister Stuart Nash shares his thoughts.  Interest rates are softening but the property market’s still in limbo, Jeremy Andrews from Key Mortgages provides analysis on the latest Centrix Credit data. The NZ Initiative has done a report...

The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey reveals most violent crimes have been dropping in the past two years. It finds the number of sexual assault victims steadily increased over this time. More beat officers are being deployed in Auckland to act as a deterrent to crime. Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money told Andrew Dickens that these numbers are highly volatile. She says there's lots of hig...

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Concern tertiary students are having to choose extra work over studying - to keep up with increased living costs. More than 34-million-dollars in hardship funds has been given out by institutions since 2020. Victoria University's Student Association spokesperson, Aidan Donoghue, says things haven't improved much since Covid. He told Andrew Dickens they received 940 applications for their Winter En...

Neil Quigley marched off into the sunset at 5.49pm on Friday. Late enough for the news to miss the TV 6pm bulletin.  It’s an old PR trick. Leaving the shock value to dissipate over the weekend before the start of play on Monday.  It was evidence to me that successive governments and the Reserve Bank have failed to respect each other or realise that even though they are independent their...

The Black Ferns’ opening Rugby World Cup win has come at a cost.   They crushed Spain at the start of the week, claiming victory 45-8, but lost loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker to injury.  However Back and Skills coach Riki Flutey told Ryan Bridge they’re confident Olsen-Baker, along with outside backs Ayesha Leti-I’iga and Amy du Plessis will play in next week’s clash against Ireland. &n...