Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 17th of March 2025, the number of people on the Jobseeker Benefit is rising, employment relations specialist Max Whitehead explains how we can change that. There's calls for a national reporting system for bullying in schools. UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest on the hundreds injured in a nightclub fire in North Macedonia. Andre...

It's thought more work is needed, before a national school bullying database could work. New Zealand holds the highest level of bullying in the OECD, according to a 2024 report. Schools are required to develop prevention and response approaches - but there's no regular data reported to the Ministry of Education. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Andrew Dickens he isn't opposed to a database He...

Last week as the world puzzled over war and peace and the end of globalisation and rules based free trade, New Zealand was watching the slow-motion train wreck of a free lunch programme.   David Seymour, a long-term opponent of the idea, was put in charge of it by the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Which may have been a genius political move but may rebound in his face.   The Act Lead...

Liam Lawson will get his first taste of Formula One as a fulltime Red Bull driver when practice begins this afternoon for the season-opening Melbourne Grand Prix.  His only previous experience at the circuit came via a lap in a V8 Supercar last year.  Motorsport Commentator James Allen told Andrew Dickens that there’s no question Lawson’s got talent.   He says he wouldn’t judge him...

Push back on the Act Party's attempts to get Auckland University to scrap its compulsory ‘Waipapa Taumata Rau’ course.  The near $6 thousand paper covers the Treaty of Waitangi and traditional Māori tikanga for first year students.  Act says international learners shouldn't be forced into a course irrelevant to their studies and future careers.  University Students Association Presi...

Donald Trump is threatening to slap 200% tariffs on European alcohol.  The EU is planning to impose tariffs on American bourbon next month, in retaliation to steel and aluminium levies.  A spokesperson for the bloc says they're preparing to discuss the situation with the US.  Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney told Andrew Dickens spirits, wine, and champagne would all be affected...

The jury's still out on how much foreign capital the Government's Infrastructure Investment Summit will pull in.   More than 100 offshore entities are attending the two-day event in Auckland.   There's already talk of public-private partnerships for prisons and roads, after day one.   Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls, who's there, told Andrew Dickens multiple investors have...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Friday 14th of March 2025, Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls tells Andrew Dickens what came out of the Government's Investment Summit. The Formula one Grand Prix kicks off in Melbourne this weekend where Kiwi race car driver, Liam Lawson will be racing for RedBull, Motorsport Commentator James Allen tells Andrew how he expects it to go. The Act Pa...

So, Barbara Edmonds is in front of the investment conference today, representing the Labour Party who may or may not be in charge of the Treasury benches in the future.  The conference will be waiting to see if Labour is on the infrastructure bus. If they will support the projects the National-led government are into, and if they’re on board with foreign investment in our infrastructure...

There are hopes proposed changes to the Foreign Investment Fund will boost our own productivity.  The changes will allow new migrants to be taxed on a realisation basis for interests not easily disposable and acquired before coming to New Zealand.  Revenue Minister Simon Watts says the legislation for this will likely be introduced in August.  Phase One Ventures chief executive Mahe...

Public trust and confidence in New Zealand Police is recovering.  The latest Crime and Victims Survey shows its risen to 69% – a 2% rise in the year to October 2024.  More than 80% of Kiwis believe officers conduct themselves professionally.  Former Police Negotiator Lance Burdett told Andrew Dickens it's good news, and follows changes to the organisation's leadership.  He says...

Expectations we'll have a strong showing of investment opportunities for our venture-hungry guests.   More than 100 offshore firms are making an appearance at the Government's Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland over the next two days.    Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Andrew Dickens expects to see the opening up of public-private partnerships...

It was a big deal for Rod Duke to go public with his concerns about his country yesterday.   The Managing Director of Briscoe’s was announcing his company’s full year result.   His company did well. Holding on to it’s revenue in a difficult year.   Rod and his team have been praised for their performance over a number of years. They’re smart operators who can wring blood out of a st...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Thursday 13th of March 2025, the Government's big investment summit kicks off today in Auckland, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges tells Andrew Dickens what to expect.  The latest survey from the Police shows 31% of people still don't trust the cops, Former Police Negotiator Lance Burdett shares his thoughts.  The Government's proposi...

Changes to Qantas’ loyalty scheme are taking off today.  They’re raiding the competition, with other airlines’ frequent flyers of gold status or higher able to get Qantas Gold by earning just 100 credits – a discount of 600 credits.  Air New Zealand also updated its Airpoints system in 2024, increasing flexibility for its flyers.   Aviation Commentator Irene King told Andrew Dickens...

Some changes to the Government's procurement rule book are being welcomed.  Currently, there are 71 rules a business must follow to be awarded a government contract, but the Finance Minister is bringing that down to 47.   It's also introducing a new economic benefit test which will consider the wider benefit to New Zealand when awarding contracts to Kiwi firms.  Wellington Chamber o...

An arrest has been made in the case of the fiery North Sea collision, which saw two large ships —one at anchor— erupt in balls of flame.  English Police have announced the arrest of a 59-year-old man, understood to be the captain of the cargo ship, and charged him with suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens the charge is due to the fa...

Changes to Qantas' loyalty scheme start today, Aviation Commentator Irene King explains what it means for competition in the sector.   Major school lunch provider Libelle has been placed into liquidation creating uncertainty for the school lunches programme, Kaitao Intermediate Principal tells Andrew Dickens the programmes had issues from the beginning.  UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Gre...

Another push for the Government to cut its losses with its revamped school lunches.  The Libelle Group - which is contracted to deliver about 125-thousand meals each day - is in liquidation.   The responsibility will now fall solely on Compass Group -- but Minister in Charge David Seymour says that won't impact lunch deliveries.  Rotorua's Kaitao Intermediate School Principal, Phil...

As with all things lately we’re looking for any little clue that the old normal is coming back. But I don’t think it is.   ASB lowered its house price inflation forecast for this year.   Its Chief Economist Nick Tuffley reckons the pick up in sales has been sluggish and there is a lot of stock on the market.   They believe prices will fall through the first half of this year, theref...

New Zealand is looking to build stronger ties with India.  The Prime Minister is heading to New Delhi and Mumbai on Saturday with a contingent of ministers and business leaders.  Prioritising a deal with the fast-growing economic giant was a coalition condition with NZ First.  India New Zealand Business Council Chair Bharat Chawla told Andrew Dickens he has confidence in this trip.&...

It's thought the Prime Minister's communication style doesn't sit well with Kiwis.  The latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll shows Chris Hipkins has leap-frogged Chris Luxon as preferred PM.  Labour's also ahead on 34.1%, with National trailing on 33.6%.  National's support has risen, but support for coalition partners Act and New Zealand First have both dropped.  Auckland Univer...

We’re awash with polls.   The Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll and research from Horizon.   It all says we’re not happy with the country right now. Therefore, we’re not happy with the Government.    And no kidding - things have not been good for a while now.   No matter who was in power a correction was needed.   We swamped the nation with cash at the start of the pandemic...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Tuesday 11th of March 2025, The Prime Minister's announced he's taking a large delegation to India, India NZ Business Council Chair Bharat Chawla tells Andrew Dickens what to expect.   Canada's new Prime Minister has vowed to win the trade war with the United States, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith shares what the reaction has b...

The United States' reaction to Canada's next Prime Minister's being described as fairly muted. Mark Carney's taking over from Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party.   It comes as tensions with the US are fragmenting - with President Donald Trump igniting a trade war and suggesting Canada could be absorbed into the US.  The Guardian's Washington Bureau Chief David Smith told Andre...