Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Workers in Australia can now legally refuse unreasonable contact from their employers outside of work hours.   A legislated right to disconnect has come into effect and is expected to majorly reduce the number of unpaid work hours.   The law change offers some flexibility around the employee's role and responsibilities, the nature of the contact, and how disruptive it is.   Australian corresponden...

The energy sector is questioning how long new reform will really last.   Cabinet has agreed to cut regulation stopping New Zealand bringing in foreign Liquefied Natural Gas in efforts to boost energy supply and ease power bills.   Energy Resources Aotearoa is urging Labour to support the changes.   Chief Executive John Carnegie told Ryan Bridge the change must outlast the current political cycle....

An energy expert is confident New Zealand can do without oil and gas exploration.   Cabinet has agreed to cut regulation stopping New Zealand bringing in foreign Liquefied Natural Gas in efforts to boost energy supply and ease power bills.   Labour Leader Chris Hipkins is refusing to support the move, despite urges from the Prime Minister.   Massey University Sustainable Energy Expert Professor Em...

A ruling against Uber is likely to benefit all drivers.   The Court of Appeal has ruled that four Uber workers were employees not contractors.   It means they will have access to certain entitlements like minimum wage and sick days.   Uber's appealing the decision, claiming it will create greater confusion for those on contract work.   Employment lawyer Alastair Espie told Ryan Bridge it will have...

Hundreds of decent hard working Kiwi provincial Union jobs are hanging in the balance today.   Electricity spot prices peaking at $1000 per megawatt hour in the last couple of weeks. Power companies, they are basically cancelling deals for Kiwis to heat their homes this winter, and businesses are literally shuttering operations, rationing power, producing less.   Think of the ports that will be af...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 27 th of August, big changes for our energy sector - a new LNG terminal will be built for importing gas and extended resource consent periods will be introduced for renewable electricity. Ryan speaks to Massey University professor Ralph Sims and John Carnegie from Energy Resources Aotearoa to get their thoughts.   A win for Ki...

The fast track approvals bill, it's been in the news in the last couple of days. Fast track - I was thinking fast food, like drive through, how quickly we can get infrastructure done in this country. Something we haven't been able to do very well for a very long time. Like you would drive into the McDonald's or whatever it is to get your speedy infrastructure done. What would you like, sir? I'll h...

The mining industry wants the latest changes made to the Fast Track Bill, to be its last.   Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announced Cabinet will recommend changes to the proposed law, to the Environment Select Committee.   It includes changing who has the final say -  from ministers to an independent panel.   Minerals industry association Straterra calls it a watering-down of the...

Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire - signalling an escalation in hostilities. Israel says it pre-emptively destroyed thousands of rocket launchers across Southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah says it fired 320 rockets and drones at Israel - in the first phase of a retaliatory attack for the killing of its leaders. Otago University Middle East expert Leon Goldsmith told Ryan Bridge Hezbollah...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 26th of August. Changes have been made to the fast track approvals bill - what does it mean for our mining sector. Straterra's Josie Vidal speaks to Ryan. Israel and Hezbollah have traded strikes in the Middle East. Otago University Expert Dr Leon Goldsmith joins the show. Team NZ have won the America's Cup Prelimenary Regatta....

The rugby world is reeling from Leon MacDonald’s abrupt departure from his role as assistant coach of the All Blacks.   NZ Rugby announced the news yesterday, Scott Robertson telling the media that their coaching techniques didn’t quite click.   Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told Ryan Bridge that there’s a couple of schools of thought surrounding the departure.   One is that the issues that saw M...

There’s relief over imminent changes to resource management rules on private farmland.   The Government has announced a second amendment to the Resource Management Act, which will set new national directions for areas such as infrastructure, energy, and farming.   Federated Farmers resource management spokesperson Mark Hooper told Ryan Bridge this change is less significant than the first but give...

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate's under house arrest following damming new allegations.   Tate and his brother are being investigated by Romanian authorities for allegations including sex with a minor and trafficking underage persons.   One of the 35 alleged victims is as young as 15 years old.   UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge the brothers have called the claims as "made u...

A curve ball has been thrown for Kamala Harris as she's about to accept her presidential nomination.   US media is reporting the independent, and former Democrat, Robert F Kennedy Junior is planning to pull out of the race and endorse Republication nominee Donald Trump.   It coincides with the final day of the Democratic National Convention, where Harris is expected to accept the nomination.   FSN...

Resource and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones has given quite a fiery speech in the House taking aim at the Greens over Labour's oil and gas ban, calling out their opposition to using Kiwi coal.   "We can power up New Zealand by using our domestic coal resources. But that party would rather see New Zealanders thrown on the unemployment scrap heap as we've witnessed this week. They would rathe...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday the 23rd of August, All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has left the team a week before they head to South Africa - what does it mean for the team? Ruby commentator Tony Johnson talks to Ryan.   It's the final day of the Democratic National Convention where Kamala Harris will formerly accept the Democratic nomination for Pres...

Anticipation is building over Government announcements at the second day of the Local Government New Zealand conference in Wellington today.   It comes after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon ruffled feathers yesterday with an address telling councils to cut back on wasteful spending.   Local Government Minister Simeon Brown is expected to speak to the delegates today.   But Local Government Busine...

Transpower will today decide whether it'll take the next big step in combatting the current power shortage.   Spiking electricity prices have forced Winstone's central North Island pulp and sawmills to propose closing, with more than 200 jobs on the line.   Transpower will make a decision on if generators can take more water from the hydro lakes - creating more power.   Major Electricity Users' Gr...

There are concerns over the impact of Covid-19 on children's spoken language skills.   The Education Review Office research shows more than two-thirds of parents report their child had language difficulties before they started school last year.   It found a similar number of teachers blame the lockdown period for its impact.   New Shoots Children's Centre director Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it...

The reactions overnight to Luxon's broadside to the mayors and the local councils in Wellington yesterday should be telling him that he's pretty much on the right track.   He got stuck in overspending on dumb stuff, his words, like convention centres, at the expense of basic stuff like leaky pipes.   "I think the building that we're in today is a classic example, with pipes bursting and quite lite...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22nd August 2024, Local Council leaders have been told by the Prime Minister to reign in their own spending before asking central government for more money. Local Business Forum Chair Matt Cowley speaks to Ryan about what local economies need.   The Education Review Office has found Kiwi kids are not starting school with the lang...

Rescuers are still racing to find survivors from the sunken superyacht near Sicily.   The yacht's Kiwi captain James Catfield has survived, along with Christchurch lawyer Ayla Ronald and her partner.   But correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge others are still believed to be trapped in the boat's hull.   Among them are Ronald's colleague Christopher Morvillo and his wife, jewellery designer Ne...

There could be a battle brewing between Green Party MPs and grass root party members.   Independent MP Darleen Tana has written a letter to the Greens which says they will vote with the party, which will mean proportionality stays the same.   The Green Party leadership will take the proposition to use the Waka Jumping legislation to the wider party membership on September 1st.   Political commenta...

There's a belief the Government could make part of Kiwibank public-owned.   The Commerce Commission's market study shows there's little competition between the big four banks, and they take high profits by international standards.   It recommends giving Kiwibank access to more capital to better compete and become a disruptor.   Massey University's banking expert David Tripe told Ryan Bridge that m...

David Seymour, you might have seen him on the news last night or in the Herald yesterday, basically calling Christopher Luxon and the government undemocratic for refusing to support this Treaty Principles Bill passed the first reading when it gets to select committee.   This is what he said on the news last night.   "Well, I think it is disrespectful and anti-democratic to tell people that no matt...