Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

New Zealand faces significant obstacles to take down organised crime groups.  A ministerial advisory group's first report reveals a sobering reality the country is losing the fight, and claims bold changes are needed.  It says a significant spike in methamphetamine use last year was dire.  Associate Police Minister Casey Costello told Andrew Dickens a series of reports will provide...

Prince Harry has returned to the UK to challenge a court decision over his security arrangements in his home country.  The Duke of Sussex has appeared at the High Court in London, appealing last year's ruling the Home Office fairly gave him different levels of taxpayer-funded protection.   The 40-year-old's legal team has questioned the way the decision, taken in early-2020 after Harry a...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appears to have got the better of opposition leader Peter Dutton in their first election debate.   Sky News declared the incumbent Albanese as the winner after asking 100 undecided voters their thoughts.   Australian Correspondent Lesley Yeomans told Andrew Dickens two key issues emerged last night.   She says the cost of living and energy...

Economists are seemingly aligned on where they think today's Official Cash Rate figure will land.  The Reserve Bank's expected to cut the OCR by 25 basis points, down from 3.75 percent.  It's the first rate decision since Governor Adrian Orr's resignation.   Jarden Economist and Investment Strategist, John Carran told Andrew Dickens there's been a lot of uncertainty in markets from...

Oranga Tamariki is getting rid of its target to place 58% of the kids in its care with wider Whanau.   And it's also ditching a target for investment with Māori organisations - 23% of funding was targeted for those organisations.  The Minister for Children Karen Chhour says this is part of OT's 'Safety First' approach. She says the targets were outdated and went against the ‘need no...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Wednesday 9th of April 2025, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello joins Andrew Dickens to talk on a report which found a substantial increase in organised crime over the past 5 years. Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans shares the reaction from the Australian public on the first debate between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his ele...

A retired lieutenant can't see how a boost in defence funding will fill missing skills and trades.  New Zealand's injecting $12 billion into defence over four years – $9 billion of which is new spending.   It includes enhancing our strike capabilities, replacing the Boeing 757 fleet, and upgrading our javelin anti-tank missiles.  Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Ricketts told Andre...

A former police officer is backing the force's approach to dealing with mental health cases.   Police are in the middle of four stage process to pull back from attending mental health call outs.   The Mental Health Foundation has created a petition calling on them to reverse course.  It says first phase, which started in November, has already caused damage in the sector.  Forme...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Tuesday 8th April 2025, The Government's announced a massive 12 billion dollar investment in defence over the next four years Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Ricketts tells Andrew Dickens how it will make a difference.  Former Politicians and health advocates are rallying against New Zealand's lobbying regulations, calling for more transparency, B...

A desire to level the playing field, when it comes to lobbying.  Health Coalition Aotearoa's pushing for stronger regulations alongside the Helen Clark Foundation and Transparency International.  They want a public register of lobbyist meetings, a cooling-off period to prevent ex-ministers immediately becoming lobbyists, and a lower limit forcing someone to disclose political donations.&...

The news that New Zealand is going to spend 12 billion dollars on defence is not news to welcome, and yet it is welcome news.  In an unsettled world, defence is essential. And the equation for a credible defence is spending 2 percent of GDP.  So now within 8 years we’ll get to that target - it’s a doubling.   The question is why we are only just doing this now. If we’d spent that fo...

Liam Lawson was beaten by his Red Bull replacement Yuki Tsunoda on the opening lap of the Japanese Grand Prix.  He finished 17th, while Tsunoda finished 12th.  His former Red Bull team-mate, Max Verstappen, won from pole position.   Sports Contributor Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss the race, Auckland FC continuing their unbeaten run, Women's 7s title win, and the Blues fi...

Fallout from US President Donald Trump's tariffs announced over the weekend has continued to be felt around the world.  The stock market's S&P fell 10.5%, but New Zealand only fell 0.5%.  Experts are warning tariffs could push prices up for consumers, and protesters have taken to the streets in their thousands as a result.  Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith ta...

The Government wants to change the laws surrounding free speech in New Zealand.  As part of the Quarter two action plan, legislation will be introduced to require freedom of expression in our university's.  What impact will the new law have on students and learning?  Former Victoria University Dean & NZ Initiative Research Fellow Michael Johnston talks to Andrew Dickens about th...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 7th April 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith shares the latest on reaction out of the US following Donald Trump's tariffs. The Government wants to shake up free speech laws in universities, Former Victoria University Dean and NZ Initiative research fellow Dr Michael Johnston tells Andrew Dickens what this means. Andrew Alde...

A noticeably frail Pope Francis has made a surprise appearance at Vatican City.  The 88-year-old was in a wheelchair and wearing a nasal cannula for oxygen, when greeting onlookers in St Peter's Square.  It's his first official public appearance since he was released from hospital, after a life-threatening bout of double pneumonia.  International Correspondent, Gavin Grey says told...

So it looks like the Treaty Principles Act is toast as Christopher Luxon assured us it would be.   Much was made over the weekend that 90 per cent of the submissions were against it.   But that means nothing if all the opposing submissions were just photocopies of one.  Māori are organised. Anyone who’s seen their multiple Hikoi's and the awesome organisation of the Kings Tangi shou...

New Zealand exporters are in the firing line, as tariffs of at least 10% are now being imposed on almost all goods.  The US surpassed Australia as our second largest export destination for beef last year due to a sharp rise in meat exports.  There’s billions of dollars' worth of trade in the sector, as the United States is unable to meet their consumption demand with their domestic produ...

The dispute surrounding a charity co-founded by Prince Harry will be investigated.  The Sentebale charity's caught the eye of the Charity Commission after a public war of words saw its head make claims of bullying and harassment within the organisation.  UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Andrew Dickens the Duke of Sussex is hoping the commission will be able to unveil the truth.&nbs...

A health group says the Government's health targets don't tell the full story of the system.  Three of the five Government's targets are on track, but two are worse than the previous quarter.  Wait lists for elective treatments and a first specialist assessment have worsened, but child vaccination rates have improved, alongside cancer treatment times and ED stay lengths.  Patient Vo...

Formula one hits Japan this weekend, with Liam Lawson to race for the first time since dropping to the Racing Bulls.  Lawson's replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, will be racing for oracle this Sunday.  Sport's Journalist Eric Thompson says Yuki and Lawson have been friends since junior days.  He says some strain in their friendship is to be expected.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/li...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Friday 4th April 2025, NZ is finally in the firing line for Donald Trump's tariffs, Sirma Karapeeva Chief Executive of the Meat Industry Association explains how it will impact our exporters.   Formula One hits Japan this weekend, with Liam Lawson to race for the first time since dropping to the racing bulls, Sports Journalist Eric Crompton shares h...

The age of globalisation is dead. Trump has withdrawn America. Now we’re in an age of blocs - nations that agree to trade with each other, nations that have commonality.   So, who are our friends and who are our friends that we get on with?   China is our biggest trade friend, but is China our friend? No, they’re not.   So we are into a period of delicate negotiations and...

A rising concern about shoddy builders has prompted the Government to roll out industry reforms.   The Building and Construction Minister says relatively few examples of high-profile poor workmanship is tarring the image of tradies.   Chris Penk has announced there'll be more transparency about suspended builders, stronger discipline, and an improved complains process.  AUT Construc...

The Government's highlighted an Achilles' heel with a $664 million mental health programme that's missing targets.  Labour's 2019 'Wellbeing' Budget saw the Access and Choice Programme receive its funding over five years.  It's aiming to support 325 thousand people per year, but during 2023-24 saw just over 207 thousand.   Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey told Andrew Dickens utili...