Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

It was a massive blow for the Black Caps, narrowly missing the Champions Trophy.  India claimed the win by four wickets, chasing 252 to beat New Zealand.  Andrew Alderson joined Andrew Dickens to dig into the clash and wrap the weekend’s sporting events.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's being described as "ancient" infrastructure legislation is in for a shake-up.  The Government's pitching changes to the Public Works Act to speed up acquiring land for major projects, including premium payments to private landowners.  The Environment Court will no longer hear objections, but instead relevant authorities like the Minister for Land Information.  Infrastructure...

A renewed push for an Auckland bed tax, after a strong summer for its hotels.  They experienced a five-million-dollar boost, largely due to SailGP and country musician Luke Combs' Eden Park concerts in January.  CBRE Hotels and Leisure says an extra eight-thousand hotel rooms were booked over the four days.  Heart of the City Chief Executive, Viv Beck told Andrew Dickens she support...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Monday 10th of March 2025, the Government's proposing changes to the Public Works Act to speed up how it acquires land, Infrastructure NZ Policy Director Michelle McCormick explains the difference it will make to our infrastructure pipeline.    Heart of the City is calling for more big events in Auckland, CEO Viv Beck tells Andrew Dickens about...

We ended last week with some hopeful noises from the health sector.   Minister Simeon Brown was praised by academics and commentators for his increased funding for nurse practitioners, advanced training for nurses and increased training for doctors who come from overseas.   He also announced an increase in the numbers of doctors we train here.   Then, on Friday he announced the heal...

There's a belief Air New Zealand should turn its focus back on serving domestic customers as it looks for a new CEO.  Greg Foran has resigned after five years in the job, but he's staying on in the role until October.  He says the airline was set up well to continue its growth and innovation.  Aviation Commentator Irene King told Andrew Dickens they’ve got to be really focused on th...

Phil Goff has paid the price for stepping out of his lane and commenting on US President Donald Trump.  The comments questioning Trump's understanding of war history yesterday has cost the High Commissioner to the UK his job.  Otago University's international relations expert James Headley told Andrew Dickens in other circumstances, a diplomat wouldn't be fired after making such comments...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Friday 7th of March 2025, Air New Zealand Boss Greg Foran is calling it quits, Aviation Commentator Irene King tells Andrew Dickens what's expected to happen to the airline from here.   Australia's bracing for tropical Cyclone Alfred to hit, Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio shares the latest.   Winston Peters has sacked The High Commission...

Australians are bracing for Cyclone Alfred, as its first effects are felt.  The slow-moving storm is expected to reach the coast of Southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales tonight or early tomorrow morning.  Queensland's energy supplier is reporting more than 20-thousand customers are without power, of which more than 17 thousand were on the Gold Coast.  Australian Cor...

What’s with all these sackings and surprise resignations this week...  Phil Goff yesterday, Adrian Orr the day before.     Richard Prebble did a runner from the gravy train of the Waitangi Tribunal   Greg Foran Calls it a day at Air New Zealand after 5 years...  One of these guys had change forced on them, the other three just packed up and left with varying degrees of not...

There's delight at the Government's moves to improve access to primary care.  It's announced the annual training places for nurse practitioners in primary care will double next year from 60 to 120.  Health Minister Simeon Brown also announced the Government will support advanced education for up to 120 registered primary care nurses.  Auckland University professor Warwick Bagg told...

An independent economist says there'll be lasting questions about Adrian Orr's legacy as Reserve Bank Governor.  His shock exit, announced yesterday, is halfway through his second five-year tenure.  It also comes as the Reserve Bank is in the process of agreeing its funding increase for the next five years.   Cameron Bagrie told Andrew Dickens everyone will have their own thoughts o...

Canada could be seeing some potential relief from US tariffs.  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slammed the 25% import levies as a "very dumb thing to do", as Ottawa announced it will impose tariffs of its own.  Trudeau is reportedly set for showdown talks with Donald Trump later today about the issue.  But US correspondent Mitch McCann told Andrew Dickens Trump's commerce secretary ha...

So, Adrian Orr is gone in a month. And he’ll probably breathe a sigh of relief.  He’s been at the centre of public scrutiny ever since he got the job as NZ Super Fund CEO back in 2007.  During his tenure as Reserve Bank Governor, he was damned no matter what he did because with every move there were victims who felt punished in the pocketbook.   So, everyone has an opinion of Adrian...

A return to growth in New Zealand's housing market.  Corelogic's Home Value Index saw property values rise by 0.3 percent in February -- the strongest increase in more than a year.  That follows a cumulative negative 4.1 percent decline from March to September last year.  Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson says [told Andrew Dickens] he thinks the housing market's returned to...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Thursday 6th of March 2025, Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr has resigned out of the blue - Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie tells Andrew Dickens who he thinks will be next in line for the top job.     We might have some signs of life in the property market, CoreLogic Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson shares the latest numbers i...

There are fresh developments in the Government's Cook Strait ferry headache.  Hyundai is back in the running to land a deal after the coalition canned its original contract in 2023, blaming ballooning costs.  Documents show the Government's set aside $300 million to cover that broken deal, which must be paid regardless of whether a new deal is struck.  Rail and Maritime Transport Un...

Ukraine's President is ready to sign the US deal for a ceasefire only hours after America's decision to pause military aid to the war torn nation.  Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his fiery meeting with Donald Trump at the White House was "regrettable".  He's ready to work with Trump to sign a minerals deal and reach a peace deal.  Former chief of staff to Marco Rubio —who is now the US Se...

Truck drivers say it will take more than just congestion charges to address Auckland's traffic woes.   Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is hoping for practical solutions to traffic after a report found congestion will cost the city 2.6 billion dollars a year by next year.   The National Road Carriers Association says it supports congestion charges, as long as they're fair.  But Chief Exec...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast Wednesday 5th of March 2025, Donald Trump has paused all military aid into Ukraine, Marco Rubio's Former Chief of Staff tells Andrew Dickens what he thinks will happen next.   New documents reveal $300 million was set aside by the Government to cover it's broken ferry build contract with Hyundai.  Could congestion charges come in sooner than ex...

You could hear the disappointment oozing out of the Maritime Union Spokesperson yesterday as we found out the break fee for the Interislander ferries would be around 300 million.    The ferries only cost 551 million at 60 per cent of the cost of the ferries.   All up 1 billion dollars has been spent on nothing at all.   It’s making Labour’s light rail fiasco look trivial. ...

Questions over the future of Wellington Water's chairman, with calls for him to go after troubling findings within the organisation.  A scathing review has found poor procurement processes, potential for fraud, and a serious lack of value for money.  Board chair Nick Leggett says if the region's mayors ask him to go, he will, but thinks he's taken good action on the issues.  Porirua...

Queensland's bracing for Cyclone Alfred to hit later this week.  It's been upgraded to category two overnight, and is brewing off the Australian coast, where it's already causing heavy surf and high tides.   Correspondent Donna Demaio told Andrew Dickens it's expected to hit on Thursday or Friday.   She says there's a possibility of destructive winds and life-threatening flash flood...

The Government's sinking just under $12 million into salmon farming.  The five-year aquaculture investment will increase production and drive-up exports.  It's estimating the extra support will create an additional $500 million of exports by 2035.  Aquaculture New Zealand Chief Executive Gary Hooper told Andrew Dickens that's a conservative figure.  He says when everything is u...

Concerns general practices will take too many patients to secure performance-based Government funding.   The Health Minister's set aside 285 million-dollars to help uplift general practices as part of a larger boost to healthcare.   The General Practice Owners Association welcomes the initiatives - but is cautious about the impacts.   Chair Angus Chambers told Andrew Dickens practic...