Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Uncertainty is the word of the day in the US as Donald Trump gears up for his so called "Liberation Day".   The President will reveal his latest round of tariffs at 9am New Zealand time.   It's expected to throw away decades of norms around global trade and hit people in their back pockets.   University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil told Andrew Dickens there's particular...

Tesla may benefit when founder Elon Musk leaves his government role.   There are reports the billionaire will leave his role at the Department of Government Efficiency to take a much smaller role in the administration.   It comes as auto maker reports a 13 percent drop in vehicle sales in the first three months of the year.   US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Andrew Dickens rumours...

The comedian Jimmy Carr is coming back to New Zealand for a nationwide tour the culminates at Auckland's Spark Arena. These are big halls, and he can fill them because he’s that good.   It’s called 'Jimmy Carr Laughs Funny' and he does. It’s so true, it’s funny.   And that’s Jimmy’s thing.   It’s easy to lump comedians like Jimmy, and Ricky Gervais and America’s Bill Maher into a co...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Thursday 3rd April 2025, Minister for mental health Matt Doocey joins Andrew Dickens to talk on major report into mental health.  A slew of new government changes will hold cowboy builders more responsible for poor quality work, AUT Professor in construction John Tookey, tells Andrew Dickens how it will make a difference. All eyes are on America as...

New Zealand Rugby and former kit sponsor Ineos have resolved their financial differences.  A settlement has been reached after NZR lodged an injunction at the High Court in Wellington, with the figure reportedly in excess of $21 million.  Ineos get to terminate the deal after three years, rather than the full six.  Marketing Expert Mike Hutcheson told Andrew Dickens NZ Rugby will li...

An Auckland Central business group says the Government has missed a golden opportunity for growth by not funding the America's Cup.   Central Government refused to give any funding to the 2027 edition of the race.   Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck says the bars, restaurants, tourist spots and hotels would have benefited immensely.   She told Andrew Dickens the event is ri...

The Government's latest health and safety regulatory reforms are being viewed as a win for hunters.  A new change makes clear landowners won’t be responsible, if people are injured on their site, while doing recreational activities.  Fault will lie with the organisations running them.  Deerstalkers Association Chief Executive, Gwyn Thurlow told Andrew Dickens it's a return to person...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Wednesday 2nd April 2025, Auckland businesses are disappointed the city will not host the 38th America's Cup, Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck shares her thoughts.   The Government's reassuring landowners that they won't be legally responsible for recreational activities they permit on their land, New Zealand Deerstalkers Association CEO, Gwyn Thurlow...

The draft year 7-13 English curriculum proposes compulsory Shakespeare for senior secondary school students.  That’s provoked a furious debate about the relevance of Shakespeare in this day and age - Shakespeare is important, but is it essential? Even when I was at secondary school 45 years ago, Shakespeare was not popular.  One year we were studying Hamlet. So, the school organised an a...

Australian officials are closely monitoring a Chinese vessel that's passing through its waters, after completing a joint mission with Kiwi scientists off the coast of Fiordland.  The high-tech Chinese research ship is carrying a deep-sea submersible that's capable of exploring extreme depths.  It's following the route of Australia's deep-sea submarine cable, off the southern coast, weeks...

As the future of the Cook Strait ferries becomes clearer, some are lamenting how long it's taken.   Two new road and rail-enabled ferries and port-side infrastructure will be ready by late 2029.   Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Todd Valster says while the cost isn't public yet, he's happy they will be rail-enabled.   He told Andrew Dickens the delays haven't giv...

Some are struggling to see the point of the Government's face-lift to workplace health and safety obligations.  Minister-in-Charge, Brooke van Velden confirms small businesses will only need to manage risks relating to death or serious injury – to reduce compliance costs.   Institute of Safety Management Chair Mike Cosman told Andrew Dickens multiple things the Government's painted as an...

The Commerce Commission and Auckland Airport's latest interactions are being seen as a sign regulation is working.  Auckland Airport isn't lifting its airline charges for the next two years as much as intended, after the commission's report showed their targeted returns were too high.   The report also found the airport's multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment plan is appropriate...

Winston’s great rail solution is now revealed: it’s just like KiwiRail’s iReX but cheaper.   The boats are still big and they’re rail enabled but the portside infrastructure is more reasonable.   And that’s always been the thing. The original boats were a good deal, but the kicker came portside.   KiwiRail was under the belief that the project had to be future proofed.   This w...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Tuesday 1st April 2025, Todd Valster General Secretary of the Rail and Maritime Union shares his thoughts on the Government's plan for the new Cook Strait ferries.   The Commerce Commission says Auckland Airport's been over-charging airlines by $190 million since 2023, NZ Airports Chief Executive Billie Moore shares his thoughts.   The Governme...

Moana Pasifika completed the biggest win in the Super Rugby season so far, beating the Crusaders 45-29. It’s the first time the team have beat the Crusaders. Sports Contributor Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss the win, Ryan Fox at the Houston Open, and the Warriors win. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry has been accused of "harassment and bullying at scale" by a former chair of a charity set up by the Prince.  The allegations come as the individual and several others quit the organisation last week.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey joins the show to discuss the accusation, and how H&M is using AI to create twins.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

Health NZ will cut $204 million of contractor and consultant spending, making up for more than half of the Government's target of $400m.  The public health agency has been using contractors to fill vacant roles.  Why is Health NZ not employing full time staff?  Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell joins Early Edition.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 31st of March 2025, nearly half of the Government's contractor and consultancy spending cuts are set to come from Health NZ, Former Health Nz Chair Rob Campbell shares his thoughts.  The Government's looking at bringing a third player in the grocery sector to break up the duopoly, Grocery Policy Expert Ernie Newman  tells Andrew Dickens...

A grocery sector expert says he's pleasantly surprised by Nicola Willis's plans for the sector. The Economic Growth Minister has confirmed she's seeking advice on potentially breaking up the supermarket duopoly. That could include separating the retail and wholesale arms of Foodstuffs and Woolworths. Ernie Newman says told Andrew Dickens he was sceptical before the announcement but is impressed by...

Spent all weekend waiting for more details about the death by dog in the Bay of Plenty.   This story upset me greatly. We heard about the victim.  A cheeky cheery 4-year-old kid. His family say he had a little mischief in his smile, a little wid in his heart and a heart full of cuteness.   We heard a statement from the Marae that something had happened suggesting this was in Maori c...

Liam Lawson has officially been demoted from the Red Bull Formula One team.   He lasted two Grands Prix before management decided to replace him with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda for his home event next weekend at Suzuka.   The switch confirms widespread speculation of a new partner for defending champion Max Verstappen.  F1 Journalist Thomas Maher told Andrew Dickens that this is a...

Eden Park has triumphed in its battle to be Auckland's Council's preferred stadium over building a new facility near the city's waterfront.  The council has voted to endorse in principle the first stage of upgrading the Park – 17 in favour and two against, with one abstention.  But it's making it clear it won't pay for it.  Councillor Shane Henderson told Andrew Dickens that while b...

The UK and France have agreed to lead a "reassurance force" in Ukraine.  British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says Europe is mobilising on a scale "not seen for decades" to be ready for peace, following a leaders summit in Paris.  They've agreed not to lift Russian sanctions as Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for stronger US support.  But Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney...

A former associate finance minister believes public sector job cuts are needed to grow the economy.  Latest Public Service Commission data shows the core workforce reduced by four percent in the year to December 2024.   The Tertiary Education Commission, Archives New Zealand, and Department of Corrections yesterday earmarked further cuts.  But former Minister Sir Lockwood Smith told...