Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

How did we manage to bring so many people into the country and fail to have enough doctors when they get here? This is the question we’ve all asked every surge of immigration we’ve ever had.   And there’s been many. I’m one. I came out in 1965 with my English father and Kiwi mum.   And there’s been many more waves.   Every time we’ve opened the door there seems to have been an attit...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 4th of March 2025, The new Health Minister's begun making moves to try save our deteriorating healthcare system, Genpro Chair Dr Angus Chambers tells Andrew Dickens how big of a difference it will make.   Councils in Wellington are furious with a new scathing report into Wellington Water, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker shares a plan for how t...

Pope Francis has been unable to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer in person for the third week in the row.  The Vatican published the Pope's written comments instead, saying he had written the text from his hospital room in a Rome "in the past few days." UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks the Andrew Dickens about the Pope's current health, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's mee...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his intention in the Oval Office was for the US to "stand more firmly on our side."  During the meeting Trump told Zelenskyy to make a deal with Russia or the US would be out.  Former US Defence Department official Jeffrey Price joins the show to discuss the meeting that continues to be felt around the world. LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnyst...

The Warriors have faced a crushing defeat in Las Vegas as the 2025 NRL season opener.  The Black Caps also crumbled to India by 44 runs.  Dame Lydia Ko, on the other hand, has won the LPGA Women's World Championship.  Newstalk ZB's Elliott Smith joins the show to debrief our sporting events over the weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

Andrew Dickens: Trump's meeting with Zelensky was schoolyard bullying Well who didn’t see the Trump Zelensky meltdown coming? The whole thing has been a show for the crowds and not a real play for peace. Before the summit Zelensky made it very clear that he wanted a ceasefire but with security guarantees.   Reportedly America told Zelensky not to mention the security guarantees at the pr...

The Government is trying to hit the mark on work-life balance as it announces a new Police training site in Auckland.   The Police Commissioner says he hopes to open the new base by the end of June to help the force reach its goal of 500 new officers.   However, Richard Chambers says they are yet to confirm its location.    Associate Police Minister Casey Costello told Andrew D...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Monday 3rd of February 2025, Auckland's getting a new police training facility, Associate Minister for Police Casey Costello tells Andrew Dickens how it will help with reaching the Government's goal of increasing the number of frontline police by 500.  Former US Defence Department Official Jeffrey Price analyses the weekend's spectacle between U...

Well, who didn’t see the Trump Zelensky meltdown coming?   The whole thing was a show for the crowds and not a real play for peace.   Before the summit Zelensky made it very clear that he wanted a ceasefire but with security guarantees.     Reportedly America told Zelensky not to mention the security guarantees at the press conference. But that’s the heart of his position. &nbs...

The Warriors have gone to Las Vegas with a purpose.  The team is in Sin City for their season opener, clashing with the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.  CEO Cameron George told Andrew Dickens the team has prepared really well.  American sports fans seem to be enthusiastic as well, as George says that 15,000 of the 48,000 tickets sold have been purchased by Americans.   “It’s a gr...

Hope from farmers and growers as the Government commits to speeding approvals for animal and plant health products. It's accepted all 16 Ministry of Regulation recommendations for cutting red tape in agriculture and horticulture.   Its review last year looked into processes for new veterinary medicines and agrichemicals.  Animal and Plant Health NZ CEO, Liz Shackleton, says this is a sig...

Changing the rules of the electricity sector is one thing, getting the sector to follow the rules could be another.  The Electricity Authority is proposing requiring the four main electricity generators to sell power to independent companies at the same price they sell power to themselves.  The independents would also get the same access to hedge contracts, protecting them from price flu...

Speculation over how much the United States intervened in the Romanian justice system, to help the Tate brothers reach American soil.   A private jet believed to be carrying Andrew and Tristan Tate has landed in Florida, in the midst of Romanian investigations into their trafficking, and rape charges.   European Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Andrew Dickens it appears Richard Grenel...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Friday 28th of February 2025, The energy competition task force is making moves to bring down power bills.   The Government is committing to speeding up approvals for animal and plant health products, Liz Shackleton Chief Executive of Plant and Animal Health NZ tells Andrew Dickens what she'd like to see come out of it.   Warriors CEO Camer...

Now I'm a bit of a policy wonk. I don't care which party it is. If they come up with a policy, I like to break it down and see if it makes sense. Now I know politicians are addicted to announcements, attention and media coverage. Which means they sometimes say the first thing in their heads that sound like they’ll get votes. No matter if it’s deliverable or not. Labour had a bad case of it. Phil T...

A return to form for international tourist spending.  Data shows it was up 60% to nearly $17 billion in the year to March 2024, just under pre-pandemic levels.  Total industry expenditure crossed $44 billion – a near 15% rise on the year prior.  Tourism Holdings Chief Executive Grant Webster told Andrew Dickens it was bound to happen.  He says it's in people's DNA globally to w...

Our Government has raised concerns about China's warships in the Tasman Sea at the highest level, as our Defence Force continues to monitor the ships' movements.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters has discussed the issue with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a meeting in Beijing.  Former Defence Minister Andrew Little says it will have been a frank conversation.  The Chinese Nav...

Safety concerns are top of a mind for one retail representative, at news the Government is proposing to loosen citizen arrest laws.   The measure is being pitched as a remedy for retail crime, by allowing workers and the public to detain suspected thieves with "reasonable force".  But Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Andrew Dickens it's dangerous, especially when many retaile...

The power of citizen’s arrest was all the talk yesterday.   And I think we all agree that poor old dairy owners and small retailers who watch ratbags nicking their stuff need the ability to be able to detain the thieves.   But the announcement comes without many details.   Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says the changes will expand a person’s ability to detain someone committing a...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Thursday 27th of February 2025, Retailers don't seem to be onboard with the Government's proposed changes to citizens arrests, Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young tells Andrew Dickens why.   International tourism expenditure has returned to pre-Covid levels.   Former Defence Minister Andrew Little analyses Foreign Minister Winston Peter...

The UK's confirmed the biggest boost in defence spending since the Cold War.  It comes as our Government is committing to a "very significant" increase in defence spending.  British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says the world has entered a "dangerous new era", where defence and national security must come first.  UK Correspondent Wesley Smith told Andrew Dickens the funding is co...

A growing infrastructure pipeline is being welcomed, but more work is needed.   The latest update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission shows the value of projects in the pipeline increased $60.4 billion in the last quarter.   The pipeline is now made up of 7,600 projects, worth $204 billion.   Infrastructure New Zealand Policy Director Michelle McCormick told Andrew Dicken...

Praise from a vocal retail crime critic and ministerial advisor over the Government's strategies to curb crime rates.  New data shows ram raids halved last year while violent crime dropped 2%.   However, overall retail crime increased 12%.  Dairy and Business Owners Group Chair Sunny Kaushal told Andrew Dickens it will take time, but the tougher approach is working.  He says re...

Concern about the uptick of opioid use in the workplace.  The Drug Detection Agency released its drug testing findings in the three months to December.  Cannabis continues to be the most prevalent substance detected in workplace drug tests, accounting for 59 per cent of cases.  But CEO Glen Dobson told Andrew Dickens 12 percent involved opioids, which is the most high-risk drug in t...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 26th of February 2025, Violent crime has increased by 2% for the first time since 2018, Dairy Business Owners Group Chairperson Sunny Kahsual shares the experience of business owners.  The Drug Detection Agency has found use of the drugs amphetamines and opioids is on the rise.   Infrastructure NZ Michelle Mccormick shares how the...