Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Buying a house is hard, but still worth it.   There's new CoreLogic data out this morning, it's a housing affordability report looking at median property values versus median income for households.   Let's put all the detail aside for a second and cut to the chase. Basically, the good news for you, houses are worth 7.9% household income – they were worth 10 times.   So that is good news.   Also go...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 14th of August, it's OCR day - will the Reserve Bank cut our official cash rate? Jarden's John Carran joins the show to discuss.   NZ's 30-year gene editing ban is set to be lifted, taking GE out of just the lab. Michael Bunce speaks to Ryan about what it means for new products, productivity, and our economy.   Tourism numbers a...

The Australian Government is facing calls to go further with proposed restrictions on gambling ads.   It's looking to ban ads during sports broadcasts, during children's programming, and online.   But a 60-strong alliance —including former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, and prominent figures from across the political spectrum— are calling for a complete ban.   Australia correspo...

The AA says the devil will be in the details when it comes to “time of use” charging.   Transport Minister Simeon Brown says he'll introduce legislation by the end of the year which will see drivers taxed to use some sections of road at certain times.   AA Policy Director Martin Glynn says while there are benefits, there are also kinks to be worked out.   He says certain tweaks to the charge will...

The Government's being accused of failing to learn from past mistakes with its new benefit sanctions scheme.   It's announced new rules requiring beneficiaries to reapply more often.   People who fail to follow the rules could see half their benefit put on a payment card can that only be spent on essentials.   Youth justice consultant Shirley Johnson told Ryan Bridge we've had measures like this b...

Every government is thinking ahead to when they next need to be re-elected.   There's a risk here that the government is taking when it goes for sanctions on beneficiaries, when it goes for tougher requirements and criteria when it comes to social housing, for example, and you're starting to see some kick back already in response to some of these changes.   If you're a centrist voter you might thi...

It's a waiting game for the construction sector as the economic downturn continues to bite.   The latest EBOSS Builder Sentiment Report shows 67% of builders are seeing less demand for their services.   70% feel industry conditions will continue to decline in the next 12 months.   Construction Industry Council Executive Director Tommy Honey told Ryan Bridge everyone is waiting for economic conditi...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 13th of August 2024, new requirements and a traffic light sanction system have been introduced for beneficiaries, but what does it mean for our jobless youth?   Congestion charging is on the way for our busiest roads. AA Policy Director Martin Glynn talks to Ryan about what it means for you.   Construction confidence is down,...

Taylor Swift's upcoming London shows will go ahead after a foiled plot to attack her now-cancelled Vienna concerts. A 19-year-old with Islamic State ties has been arrested and confirmed they planned a terror attack involving explosives and knives. Two other teen suspects have also been arrested. UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge there's major security concerns for Swift's five Wembley S...

Who are we to believe when it comes to kids in motels? It’s undeniably a disaster. At its worst, we had 4000 kids living in motels and emergency accommodation in New Zealand. And the last lot who said it was a complex problem that required complex solutions, they said it would take time, and we sort of bought that argument because it does seem incredibly complex. And then yesterday, the Government...

By Kris Shannon in Paris Ellesse Andrews has confirmed what this week already seemed clear – she is the world’s fastest woman on two wheels. The Kiwi claimed a second gold medal on the final day of the Paris Olympics, her victory in the individual sprint even more commanding than an earlier triumph in the keirin. Andrews won all nine sprint races she contested inside Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velo...

Trade Minister Todd McClay is visiting India this week for the fifth time in nine months. He’ll meet with India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, for talks around forestry, agriculture and trade between the two countries. It follows Indian President Droupadi Murmu’s visit here last week. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls joined Ryan Bridge. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/l...

The Paris Olympics is coming to a close. Dame Lisa Carrington and Finn Butcher are leading out Kiwi athletes as the flagbearers for the closing ceremony, getting underway now. New Zealand now has 20 medals, including ten gold after a Bronze for Ally Wollaston and another Gold for Ellesse Andrews in the velodrome overnight. New Zealand Chef de Mission Nigel Avery told Ryan Bridge it's one of our be...

Council-controlled water organisations will be able to leverage up to 500% of their operating revenues through the local government funding agency. The Commerce Commission will oversee it to make sure there is appropriate investment, maintenance, and delivery of water infrastructure for consumers long-term.  Auckland Councillor Daniel Newman joins Ryan Bridge on Early Edition to discuss.  LISTEN A...

A state of emergency has been declared in the Kursk region of Russia, as a rare cross-border attack by Ukrainian troops continued on Wednesday.  Taylor Swift has been forced to cancel three concerts in Vienne, Austria, after a bomb and knife attack plot by a teenager who had pledged allegiance to ISIS.  More marches across the United Kingdom has led to more arrests for disturbances, with tough sen...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday the 9th of August, The Government's plan to replace Three Waters is out, it will allow council controlled organisations to borrow and invest in their local water infrastructure. Auckland Councillor Daniel Newman joins the show. New instructions for Oranga Tamariki - but is it going to make a difference? Charity BlueLight speak to R...

Electricity prices in New Zealand are about six times higher than Australia, this week sitting at around $700 per megawatt; while in late 2021 they were $100 per megawatt. Multiple large scale businesses are proposing the idea of shutting down as a result of the high prices, and the Government is now looking at possible intervention. Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie joins Ry...

Children's Minister Karen Chhour has handed Oranga Tamariki a new set of instructions to keep the agency accountable and transparent.  Chhour has outlined five new measures she expects to be reported on every quarter, including the number of children able to to access a social worker. Bluelight Operations Manager Rod Bell joins Ryan Bridge on Early Edition to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio....

We live in a world that is seemingly spilling over with hate and division at the moment. You don't have to look far to find it.   Just in the past few days, you've got this 19-year-old Isis inspired terror suspect, planning to kill himself and as many Taylor Swift fans as possible.   There's rioting and division on the streets of the UK. Australia has raised it's terror threat level.   Remember th...

It seems like it's virtually impossible for families on a benefit to afford healthy food.   Research shows two-children families receiving financial assistance would be 200-dollars short if they bought low-cost nutritional kai.   Health Coalition Aotearoa spokesperson Sally Mackay told Ryan Bridge it's clear low-income families are doing it tough, with drastic increases in food parcel demands.   S...

There’s a belief the US Democrats have a renewed sense of momentum and energy in the lead up to the Presidential election.   It follows Democratic nominee Kamala Harris confirming Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.   US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge thousands of supporters have packed out a Philadelphia auditorium to hear from the pair jointly for the first time.   He s...

Labour's police spokesperson is calling out the Police Minister for refusing her request to meet with an Auckland police inspector.   Ginny Andersen asked to visit the Albany police station, but Mark Mitchell's office said no.   In a statement, Mitchell says he cannot support a generic request to visit a station, with no context, with a week’s notice.   Andersen told Ryan Bridge she followed what...

There's been an increase in businesses asking for advice around redundancy and resizing is being seen by the Employers and Manufacturers Association.   Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in the June quarter, up from 4.4% the previous.   It's one factor the Reserve Bank considers when weighing up whether to cut the Official Cash Rate.   The EMA's Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday the 8th of August, the number of people who lost their jobs in the June quarter are up. Ryan speaks to the Employers and Manufacturers Association to see how businesses are feeling on the ground.   A dispute between Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Anderson - why won't National let Labour visit...

There are calls for the Government to reconsider privacy laws when it comes to retail crime.   The Motor Trade Association is asking for bold changes after a rise in smash-and-grabs and drive off fuel theft.   First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Ryan Bridge retailers should be allowed to publish CCTV video of thieves on social media to deter the crime.   He says currently it'...