Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of November, there are calls in Parliament for harsher penalties for MPs following last week's viral haka. Former Speaker of the House Sir Lockwood Smith speaks to Ryan about the subject.  Ukraine has used US made weapons to strike inside Russian territory on the 1000th day of the war. Russian Security Expert Dmitry Go...

The Government's appointed a scam-busting minister to coordinate combatting con-artists.   Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly has been named as the minister in charge of coordinating anti-scam efforts.  New Zealand's latest State of Scams report shows more than $2.3 billion was lost this year, up from $2.1 billion last year.  He told Ryan Bridge that there’s six min...

Flags are already waving and music playing at Parliament ahead of the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arriving there later today.   Hīkoi participants are gathering at Waitangi Park in Wellington City, from which they’ll move along the Golden Mile to Parliament, bringing widespread traffic disruption.  Alistair Boyce, who runs the Backbencher pub across from Parliament, told Ryan Bridge that Police c...

New crime figures are a mixed bag for retailers.  Data released by the Police Minister shows a 61% drop in ram raids in the first nine months of the year, compared to the same period in 2023.  But thefts at retail premises are up 12%, and there's been no change in breaking and entering or acts intended to cause injury.  Dairy and Business Owner's Group Vice Chairperson, Ash Parmar t...

Do you know what really grinds my gears when I go to the gym?  What I've noticed is, you know when you watch tennis, and you hear them grunt when they're playing? That is happening at the gym.  I don't know if it's just my gym. I don't know if this is also happening at your gym.  But can we please stop the grunting?  Is there a legitimate physiological reason for you to do that...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 19th of November, it's a big day in the capital with the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arriving at Parliament. What does it mean for local businesses? Backbencher Pub Owner Alistair Boyce speaks to Ryan.  Andrew Bayly is now the minister in charge of curbing scams in New Zealand. $200 million was taken from Kiwis by scammers in the past...

By the end of those 8 shortened two-minute rounds in the ring with Mike Tyson, I just felt bad for the 58 year old.  What on earth was he doing there in the first place.  Sure, he wants a chance to get back in the right and have a crack at 27-year-old YouTube kid.  But the real motivation must have surely been US $20-million.  That's the amount he was reportedly paid by Netflix...

Health New Zealand spent $85 million more on contractors and consultants in this financial year, compared to last.  The health agency is putting the increase down to a global shortage of health workers. Health Minister Shane Reti says contract hires are needed to fill full-time workforce gaps.  Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Sarah Dalton tells Ryan...

Poland scrambled its air force due to the “massive” Russian attack on Ukraine.   UK & Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan Bridge strike missile and drone attacks from Russia into Ukraine overnight killed 10 people. The attack was the largest coordinated assault since early September, with 120 missiles and 90 drones launched.  European leaders have condemned the attacks. As Ukr...

The All Blacks suffered their third straight loss to France, as fatigue and officials took hold in the second half.  The first half started with momentum and confidence, but several baffling referee decisions and a tiring squad kept an unbeaten northern tour out of reach. The boys fell one point short at full time.  Meanwhile, the Black Caps played Sri Lanka in the ODI series.  ZB S...

The APEC Summit has wrapped up in Peru.  Leaders from 21 economies bordering the Pacific met for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to discuss strategies of the region’s major economies.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon met with several world leaders for the first time at the summit.  New Zealand secured trade deals with Costa Rica, Switzerland and Iceland during the summ...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 18th of November. Health New Zealand has spent $85 million extra in the past financial year on contractors and consultants sue to workforce shortages. What do we need to do to attract more people to work in our healthcare sector? Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton speaks to Ryan.  A...

The Government is exploring a potential game-changer for securing future energy supply.  Up to $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund has been ring-fenced for exploring supercritical geothermal technology.  The first $5 million will be used for work in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, to help understand if it's a possibility.  Geothermal wells are drilled to a maximum depth of 3....

Paris authorities are taking no chances with this morning's French football international against Israel at Stade de France.  The game comes just days after violence between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine football fans in Amsterdam.  About 4,000 police and 1,600 private security guards will be on patrol, with an elite anti-terror unit providing security detail for the Israeli squad. ...

Former Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson told Ryan Bridge that David Seymour has to realise this was never going to a civil debate due to the emotions involved.  “The debate takes place against the backdrop of what I perceive to be hostile acts towards tangata whenua over the last year in terms of names and treaty principles… it’s a culmination of a number of things.”  He said...

There are concerns New Zealanders could be priced out of their own backyard.   The Government's seeking feedback on who should pay visitor fees at national parks and conservation areas.  The options include charging everyone the same, charge New Zealanders less than international visitors, or only charge overseas visitors.  Federated Mountain Clubs President Megan Dimozantos told Ry...

These are the political winners and losers from a bombastic day in the House yesterday:  Labour: loser.  Willie Jackson did his best to take the headlines, didn't he?  But Te Pāti Māori's choreographed stage production well and truly stole his thunder and with it, they've probably stolen any hope of Labour regaining the Māori seats they lost at the last election.  Why would you...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 15th of November, could DOC start charging you for access to conservation land? The Government is seeking feedback on the proposal - Megan Dimosantos from the Federated Mountain Clubs speaks to Ryan about what it could mean.  It was a chaotic day in the House yesterday as the controversial Treaty Principals Bill passed its fir...

International tourism continues its slow recovery to pre-Covid levels.  Overseas visitor arrivals were at 3.23 million for the year to September, which is up on the same month last year, but well below 2019's almost 4 million.  ASB Senior economist Mark Smith told Ryan Bridge that part of our struggle is that the global economy still recovering from Covid.  He says the most importan...

The Government's taking a new approach to Public-Private Partnerships for infrastructure projects.   There will be a reduced risk for private partners and guidance for agencies on how to lower the cost and time burden in the bidding process.  Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett was Mayor of Porirua, when a Public-Private Partnership was established to build Transmissi...

60,000 Cantabrians are set to descend on the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds for the Christchurch Show.  The three-day event kicks off today in place of the usual New Zealand Agricultural Show.  The previous board had called it off due to financial struggles before local company, Event Hire came to the rescue in June.  Director Phil Anderson told Ryan Bridge they're hopeful to turn a...

Joe Biden has welcomed Donald Trump back to the White House in a meeting in the oval office.   It's a traditional courtesy that the outgoing president welcomes the incoming president, a courtesy Trump didn’t afford Biden in 2020 after his loss.   Today, the pair both spoke about a smooth transition of power.   US correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge there were a lot of smiles...

There were two numbers out yesterday that prove that no one likes us.  Number one - 87%. We're still plateauing in the high 80s for tourism, that's on pre-Covid levels.  And number two - 55,000 for the year to September, that was our net migration loss of New Zealand citizens, which is a new record.  Not only are we that unsexy to foreigners —they won't come here and have a piece— b...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 14th of November, tourism numbers appear stuck well below pre-Covid levels, and a record number of Kiwis are leaving the country. Could we see net migration reach zero next year? ASB's Mark Smith talks to Ryan.  A new public private partnership framework has been released by the Government - what are the industry hoping to s...

ACT is calling for an end to taxpayer-funded election ads.  They’re calling for the Government to consider ceasing the “broadcasting allocation”, given to election campaigns to buy television and radio ads.  MP Todd Stephenson suggested it in the Justice Select Committee’s inquiry into the 2023 election, and the report was made public this week.   He told Ryan Bridge the taxpayer do...