Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

There's an expectation Ukraine won't be left out of peace deal negotiations.   US and Russia have agreed to appoint teams to negotiate ending the war following high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, to which neither Ukraine nor Europe were invited  Russia says it will talk with Ukraine if "necessary".  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's former chief of staff Matt Terrill told Andrew Dic...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 19th of February 2025, the inquiry into steps government agencies took to ensure personal Census and Covid vaccination data collected at Manurewa Marae could not be misused has found the agencies failed to put appropriate safeguards in place.   Marco Rubio's Former Chief of staff Matt Terrill shares his thoughts on the crucial meeting...

Vindication for whistleblowers, following revelations officials lack census data safeguards, when sharing with third parties.  An inquiry shows multiple data-keeping failures from Stats NZ, Health NZ and the Ministry of Health, and has led to the head of Stats NZ stepping down.   Employment Advocate Allan Hulse told Andrew Dickens all whistleblowers faced retaliation during this process....

A mate and I have a little joke.   Whenever we screw up. Either big or small.  We’ll look at each other and say, “it only took one goat”.   It acknowledges that it takes forever to build up a good reputation and all it takes is one misstep to immediately undo all that good work.  New Zealand was recently told it had slipped a place in the world reputational survey around fraud...

Australia’s next tropical cyclone is getting a name change.   Cyclone Zeila’s dissipation has brought the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to the end of an alphabetical list, alternating by gender.  The next cyclone was due to be named Anthony, but since Anthony Albanese is the current Prime Minister, the decision was made to jump to the next a-initial on the list.  Australian Corre...

Waikato high schoolers can earn a qualification and a paycheque with a pilot programme supporting manufacturing.  The Government's teamed up with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa to give students three days work a week with a local business.  Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says the industry contributes about 8.4% of our GDP, but skill shortages are slowing productiv...

Genesis Energy says it's doing what it can to ensure Huntly Power Station helps the country avoid another generation shortfall this winter.   More than 500,000 tonnes of coal was restocked earlier this month, with another 500,000 tonnes on the way before September, in anticipation of demand.   Genesis Chief Executive Malcolm Johns told Andrew Dickens Huntly's units ran at full capacity l...

European nations are expected to show a united front regarding discussions on ending the war in Ukraine.  An emergency summit of European and NATO leaders is being held in Paris, after being excluded from peace talks between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia.  Russia says Europe will have no role in talks with the US.  EUobserver Foreign Editor Andrew Rettman told Andrew Dickens a n...

So, the Government thinks they’re all about growth.   So why in the weekend was Radio New Zealand reporting that engineering New Zealand was calling the Government out for gaslighting about it’s going for growth strategy.  They accuse the Government of talking up infrastructure development.  And yet in the last 15 months since the formation of the Government they have stalled, froze...

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 18th of February, the European Union holds an emergency national security summit with top officials in Paris, Euobserver Foreign Editor Andrew Rettman shares the latest. Genesis Boss Malcom Johns tells Andrew Dickens, how Genesis plans for any potential energy shortfalls this winter.   A new programme has launched directly connecting high...

The Government’s new tourism campaign targeted at Australians is a no brainer.  A simple test is comparing how many New Zealanders have visited Australia compared to how many Australians have come here.  I remember being at a conference in Sydney and asking around the room how many had been to New Zealand. There were none. Yet all had been to Queensland. including me.  It’s a right...

The government has announced a new campaign for encouraging Australian's to come here for their next holiday. The campaign is being funded through the International Visitor Levy, costing $500,000, and will be followed by further campaigns targeting other places.  Marketing for the campaign, 'Everyone must go,' will go live across the ditch next week.  Tourism Minister Louise Upston joins...

European leaders are set to gather this week for an emergency summit on the war in Ukraine. This comes as concerns are growing that the US is moving ahead with Russia on peace talks that will lock out the continent.  UK PM Sir Keir Starmer says it is a "once-in-a-generation moment for our national security."  UK Correspondent Gavin Gray joins the show to discuss the summit, as well as th...

Newstalk ZB's Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss what happened over the weekend in sport.  What has been the reaction to Jannik Sinner's three month doping ban?  Shane van Gisbergen has entered his maiden Daytona 500, and it was a busy few days with Super Rugby officially underway. LISTEN ABOVE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in Ukraine is top of mind for European leaders.  France is set to host a summit to discuss the situation and European security.  It comes as the continent tries to respond to US President Donald Trump's unilateral approach to the conflict.  UK correspondent Gavin Gray told Andrew Dickens European leaders are worried about being left out of negotiations to end the war. ...

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Monday 17th February 2025, Tourism Minister Louise Upston talks about the Government's new campaign enticing Australians to visit New Zealand.   Andrew Dickens thinks the Government’s new tourism campaign targeted at Australians is a no brainer.   Andrew Alderson shares all the excitement from over the weekend at the Super Rugby Pacific games.&n...

The Government’s new tourism campaign targeted at Australians is a no brainer.   A simple test is comparing how many New Zealanders have visited Australia compared to how many Australians have come here.   I remember being at a conference in Sydney and asking around the room how many had been to New Zealand. There were none. Yet all had been to Queensland. including me.  It’s a righ...

The troubled curriculum rewrite has hit another snag.  The Ministry of Education’s new English curriculum has been described as “shambolic” by the English Teachers Association, who have walked away from the rewriting process.  They say it’s too complex and has unrealistic expectations of what teachers can fit into a single year.  Association President Pip Tinning told Francesca Rudk...

German officials are on high alert after an attack in Munich ahead of a big few weeks in national and global politics.   It's believed 28 people —including children— have been injured after an Afghanistan asylum seeker allegedly drove into a crowd of demonstrators overnight.   European Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin the city is about to host the high profile Munich...

It could be too little too late when it comes to encouraging a third supermarket to New Zealand.  The Government's repeated the call that we need more competition - to pressure prices.  It's laying out plans to challenge the incumbents, Foodstuffs and Woolworths - and remove regulations discouraging competition.  Former pre cursor to the Food and Grocery Council chief executive Erni...

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Friday 14th of February 2025, the Government's hinted at a plan to encourage a third player into the grocery sector. There's credibility issues for the ministry of education's new English curriculum after the English teachers association walked away from work on the draft, pip tinning resident of New Zealand association of teachers of English, shares her...

A lovely tease yesterday from the government, aimed at those of us still hurting at the cost of putting food in the supermarket trolley.   The government wants more competition in the grocery sector.   It was a nicely timed message – despite all the big picture talk of foreign investment, a new economic ministry, and a focus on growth, growth, growth, the government has not forgotten tha...

The Screen Producers guild —SPADA— says overall, it's pleased with proposed changes for media.  The Ministry for Culture and Heritage has released a discussion document with five proposals.  They include the possibility of requiring platforms to invest more in local content and a suggestion New Zealand on Air and the Film Commission could be merged.  SPADA President Irene Gardiner t...

Tenants and landlords might not always be on the same page when it comes to privacy rights.  Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster's reminding tenants they legally don't have to disclose their personal information to find a flat.   He says it can be tempting for landlords to collect this information when considering applications.   Auckland Property Investors Association's Sarina Gib...

A seafood company says new fishing regulation proposals will hopefully reflect the leap in the industry's technology.   The Government's wanting public consultation on changes to the Fisheries Act.   It would allow catch limits to be more readily extended or reduced, and let boats with cameras installed, dump unwanted catch at sea.  Egmont Seafoods owner Keith Mawson told Francesca...