Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Tauranga businesses are furious about what they label harsh outdoor dining fees following a tough winter.  They've been waived for the rest of 2024, but in the new year businesses must pay an annual charge based on outdoor dining area.   In Mount Maunganui it will be $150 per square metre used, which compares to Auckland, where the highest fee is $154 a square metre.   Black Orchid...

There’s an argument in favour of setting a maximum term for Supreme Court Judges. A report from New Zealand Initiative suggests the Supreme Court is getting an exaggerated view of its role and straying into Parliament's domain. Former ACT MP and lawyer Stephen Franks says there's been grumblings about it among some lawyers. He told Ryan Bridge that at the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Court this...

The UK's announced a fresh wave of sanctions against extremist settler groups in the West Bank.  The measures target three outposts and four organisations which provide or promote support for violence against Palestinian communities.  British Foreign Minister David Lammy says the inaction of the Israel Government has allowed an environment of impunity to flourish.  Europe correspond...

Many forecasters are expecting inflation to be around 2%, well within the Reserve Bank's target range.   The latest Stats NZ Consumer Price Index number will be released this morning.   The Reserve Bank was confident last week inflation is now below 3%.   Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that imported things like petrol and electronics have fallen in price, but...

So Luxon is out of touch apparently.  Name me one politician, one Prime Minister, one President in the world who's in touch, doesn't matter which side of politics they're on.  Albanese, Australia's Prime Minister and Labour leader, he's just bought a $4 million cliff top mansion north of Sydney.  Keir Starmer, the UK's Labour Prime Minster, he's worth NZ$10 million, excluding all th...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 16th of October, inflation numbers are out today and forecasts are pointing to 3 year low within the target range of 1 to 3%. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold joins the show to discuss.  An NZ Initiative report is suggesting changes to stop the Supreme Court getting an "exaggerated view of their role". What could it me...

Australia’s Northern Territory is reintroducing a controversial device in its efforts to get tough on crime.  Police Commissioner Michael Murphy says that spit hoods will once again be used to restrain children.  Murphy says that over the last three months 68 police officers were assaulted, with 20 counts of spitting.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge that it’s...

There's been yet another call to shake-up how Pharmac funds drugs in Aotearoa.  Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand's independently commissioned report recommends the Crown entity adapts a cost benefit model.  That means funding decisions would be made not just on the cost of a drug or medical device itself, but on the wider fiscal impact the decision would have on our society.  Presiden...

The latest 1News-Verian poll was out last night. There wasn't a lot of change, other than a dip in the personal popularity of both Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins.  Nothing really major is going on, is it? And it's been that way for a couple of polls.  Now, what I find interesting is just the vibe, the energy levels that you're picking up off these guys.  Luxon, he's like the ro...

There’s a belief more redundancies are causing a rise in work ready Jobseekers.  The Ministry of Social Development's September figures show a yearly increase of 29,000 people on a main benefit, a rise of 12%.   Minister Louise Upston describes rising unemployment as a consequence of years of high inflation, high government spending, and economic recession.  Employment specialist Je...

China appears to be testing the waters around Taiwan in an effort to quell its independence.   The superpower has been holding military exercises off the coast of the self-governing island.   Taiwan says it's detected 34 naval vessels and 125 aircraft in formation around it.   Otago University International Relations expert Robert Patman told Ryan Bridge China ideally wants Taiwan t...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15th of October, Jobseeker numbers are in, and it's not looking good. The number of people on the benefit has risen by 12% since last year, Employment Specialist Jennifer Mills joining the show to dig into the numbers.  There are calls to change the way Pharmac makes funding decisions. Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand has commi...

We're all living much longer, aren't we? At what cost? That's my question for you this morning. A report out over the weekend found human life expectancy has just about peaked globally. It's lights out. Goodbye.   New Zealand men, you'll make 80, women, you'll make 83, which is great, longer life. Everyone wants one right now. We're told that we also have a health system in crisis. People wai...

King Charles III is bringing two doctors and a supply of his blood on his tour of Australia and Samoa starting later this week. The King has been dealing with cancer since February. It will be his first visit to Australia as King - New Zealand was believed to be dropped from the itinerary on medical advice. UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge the King is taking a pause on his chemotherapy...

Statistics show there's been more gun crime in Auckland this year than the last. RNZ reports there were 879 gun crime offences across Auckland in the first six months of the year - 28 more than the same time last year. Just 18 of those were committed by people with a firearms licence. Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime Chair Sunny Kaushal told Ryan Bridge New Zealand is fa...

The gates are opening for foreign investors looking at New Zealand companies and property. The Government's reforming the Overseas Investment Act - allowing any investment that doesn't threaten our interests. Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Toby Williams says he supports the change. He told Ryan Bridge overseas buyers are interested in large farms - that Kiwi farmers can't afford to begin wi...

By Christopher Reive in Barcelona In the days before the  America’s Cup  match in Barcelona,  Team New Zealand  starboard helmsman Peter Burling made it clear the team would take necessary risks  to defend  the Auld Mug. “When you get  to the top level of any sport, you see people really getting punished for mistakes. In saying that, you can’t be afraid to take r...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 14th of October. Changes could be on the way to make foreign investment easier in New Zealand - how could it impact our rural sector? Gun crime is on the rise in our biggest city, and most of it is from unlicensed firearms holders. Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime Sunny Kaushal joins the show....

Sunday marks the start of a big week ahead for Emirates Team New Zealand as they face Ineos Britannia in the race to retain the America’s Cup.  The first team to win seven races will take the Cup, the first two races taking place Sunday morning if weather permits.  Richard Gladwell, Editor for Sail World NZ, told Ryan Bridge that it’s always the defender's to lose, and Team New Zealand w...

Labour says the current state of Government books shows it went too hard and too fast with public service cuts.   Treasury documents show the Crown's deficit has grown $3.4 billion dollars in the year to June, to $12.9 billion.   Spending is outpacing income, despite revenue increasing by $14 billion.  Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds told Ryan Bridge the Government could...

Florida residents are being warned not to visit areas hit by Hurricane Milton as clean up and rescue operations continue.   There's still flooding in many areas, and NBC is reporting there have been 10 deaths in various parts of the state.   More than three million properties remain without power.   US correspondent Mitch McCann in St Augustine, Florida, told Ryan Bridge that in man...

If these new TradeMe numbers are to be believed, and I have no reason not to believe them, then the biggest problem that we have with property and getting a foot on the ladder is not price.  We're not too poor, we're too fussy.  So TradeMe has done a survey; 44% of buyers were willing to compromise on the size of a section. Only 40% on the size of the property. Only 40% on the size of th...

 On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 11th of October, the Government's books have sunk further into the red in the year to June, with the deficit $1.8 billion worse than forecast in the budget. Labour Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds joins the show to discuss.  Hurricane Milton has hit Florida, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. US Correspondent...

The air quality in New Zealand has increased across the country, but some areas are still dealing with high levels of pollution.  The Our Air 2024 report shows the level of key pollutants —largely produced by transport and home heating— has reduced across most monitoring sites.   However, it also says air quality isn't good everywhere, and in some urban areas the pollution is above natio...

Northland's power network is being zapped into action in the wake of the pylon collapse outage.  In June, a contractor unfastened three legs of a pylon at once, putting around 88,000 homes and businesses out of power.  Northland MP Grant McCallum revealed a regional energy package, with Transpower and contractor Omexom putting one million dollars towards it.  McCallum told Ryan Brid...