Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Social media for under 16s is being compared to the harm caused by cigarette smoking.  Clear evidence shows that social media can be linked to depression and anxiety.  This has led to National introducing a member's bill to ban social media for those under 16 years of age, to protect kids.  Parenting expert Nathan Wallace told Ryan Bridge implementing a ban for under 16s sends the message that, like cigarettes and alcohol, social media is something we need to monitor.  He says social media is worse than we originally thought, so we now need to take the responsible steps to protect our kids from it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mixed opinions on when unemployment will reach its peak.  Stats NZ data out this morning is predicted to show rates increased to around 5.2% during the March quarter.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner expects this will likely be as high as it will go.  While ASB senior economist Mark Smith told Ryan Bridge it could be a bit higher later in the year.  He says they've seen firms hold back on hiring as disruptions to trade and economic concerns continue.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The doors of Rome's Sistine Chapel officially lock tomorrow morning as the conclave selects a new pope.  135 cardinals from around the world will vote on a successor to Pope Francis, who was laid to rest almost two weeks ago.  There's no timescale for how long it'll take, but the last two papal elections lasted for two days.  Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge it's set to be most secretive election of all time.   He says there'll be no televisions, newspapers, or radio, and they can't even open the windows.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of a pay equity deal for teacher aides may fizzle out under newly introduced Government legislation.  The proposed law, which would lift the threshold of pay equity claims of gender-discrimination, is expected to have its third reading this morning.  A deal reached by union teacher aide members in 2020 is due to be reviewed - but may no longer go ahead.  Union Member Ally Kingi told Ryan Bridge it was based on comparison between teacher aides and Corrections staff.  She says it meticulously compared the general areas of responsibility for each group to the pay they received.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 7th of May 2025, The government wants to overhaul the Gender pay equity claims process, Teacher aide Ally Kingi explains how it will impact her workforce.  National's putting forward a member's bill that bans social media for under 16-year-olds, parenting expert Nathan Wallis shares his thoughts.  We get the unemployment figures from Stats NZ this morning, ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith shares his take.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the new UK and India trade deal. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bad news this morning for any productive, hard-working, and busy members of our society. The climate protesters who brought Wellington to a standstill - rush hour traffic to a stand still - will be back at it again soon.  Mark my words.  You'll see more idiots gluing themselves to motorways, abseiling down Mt Victoria, hanging signs from gantries, roads closed, police resources distracted from important stuff, and chaos to start your day.  Why?  The Crown has walked away from, abandoned, the prosecution of more than 20 defendants facing charges over protests in Wellington.  These guys are off on their merry way.  They're from the Restore Passenger Rail group.  Some were awaiting re-trial after juries couldn't come to a verdict on whether they endangered transport.  Anyway there's a lot of hands that should be in cuffs that will soon be covered in glue again. How do we know this?  They told us. One of the nutters said he hopes the Crown decision sets a precedent and

A Government delegation has landed in the Indian capital to kick-start Free Trade Agreement talks.   The Prime Minister, along with several other ministers, visited India earlier this year to improve diplomatic ties.   India New Zealand Business Council Chair Bharat Chawla told Ryan Bridge India will hope to make movement in New Zealand easier for its people.   He says it will also be looking to make use of New Zealand's fruit and dairy industries.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tough winter ahead for meat processing plants as livestock numbers continue to decline.   Latest figures from Stats NZ show a 21% drop in sheep numbers over the past 10 years – a total decline of 6.2 million sheep since 2014.   The number of dairy cattle also fell 13% over the same period.   Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Toby Williams told Ryan Bridge keeping livestock processing plants open, profitable, and running efficiently is a significant challenge.   He says big plants are struggling to get numbers of livestock through, with close to million less lambs to process this year than last.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Prime Minister's confirmed he's had a 'warm and positive' chat with US President Donald Trump.  Anthony Albanese's Labor Party has swept back into office, securing a historic second term.   It's widely thought Trump's volatility influenced the outcome.   Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge Albanese thanked him for reaching out in such a positive way.  She says they talked about tariffs, and will continue to engage with each other.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism organisations from across the North Island are teaming up to shine a light on its tourism offerings. Fifteen operators including Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Rotorua NZ and Northland Inc have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. It aims to generate interest from key tourism markets particularly Australia, North America and China. Northland Inc Head of Destination Tania Burt told Ryan Bridge tourists fly into Auckland and then head straight to the South Island.  She says only 20-30% of their region's visitors are international, hence the need to work together. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disclaimer: Satire  On the news last night, it was nothing but scandal. Scandal. Scandal. I don’t think I’ve seen political misconduct of this magnitude since Watergate. The Woodward and Bernsteins of our time were busy digging through documents, uncovering truth. Protecting democracy. From corruption. From evil. Erica Stanford, Minister of Education and obvious crook, first in the firing line.  Her crime? Printing off work emails at home.  Disgraceful. A two-part report from 1News leading the bulletin over consecutive nights details how this menace, flagrant in her disregard for best practice, printed papers from her home computer after emailing them to her own private email address. Why? I hear you ask. Why such an egregious act? Well it turns out, and this where the story really gets interesting, Parliamentary IT hadn’t hooked up a printer in her office or home. So instead of ignoring her immense workload, switching off her computer and going to the pub like any decent politician, she emaile

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 6th of May 2025, A Government delegation has landed in New Delhi for the first round of talks towards a FTA between India and New Zealand, India New Zealand Business Council Chair Bharat Chawla tells Ryan Bridge how we should approach a deal.  New figures from Stats NZ show our livestock numbers are falling, Federated Farmers Meat & Wool Chair Toby Williams tells Ryan whether or not we should be worried.  A brand new alliance of fifteen tourism organisations is hoping to attract more overseas visitors to North island destinations, Northland INC Head of Destination Tania Burt shares her thoughts. Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on The mushroom murder trial entering its sixth day. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eight men have been arrested in two separate counter-terrorism UK police investigations.  Five people were arrested at various locations around England on Saturday as part of a "pre-planned" investigation into a plot to "target a specific premises." Three other men, all Iranian, were arrested in London on Saturday as part of a separate counter-terror police investigation.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks to Ryan Bridge about the investigations.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been re-elected for a second term after Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton.  Dutton not only failed to unseat Albanese, but he also lost his seat of Dickson in Brisbane, making him the first federal opposition leader to ever do so.  Australian Correspondent Lesley Yeomans talks to Ryan Bridge about Saturday's election.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson has been handed a five-second time penalty and has therefore lost his points finish from Formula One‘s Miami Grand Prix sprint race. After qualifying 14th, Lawson looked to have finished seventh in the 18-lap affair, shortened by one lap due to rain over the Miami International Autodrome. Sports Contributor Andrew Alderson talks to Ryan Bridge about the race. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 5 May. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defence Minister is tight-lipped over whether a major investment in the military, will mean better pay for frontline troops.  Defence contractors will be lining up their bids to build the Defence Force's new maritime helicopters. Judith Collins revealed yesterday two-billion dollars has been set aside for new helicopters, while 957-million's been earmarked over four years for Defence Force activities.  She told Ryan Bridge troops already had quite large pay rises last year, and every time they go overseas, they get extra money on top of their usual pay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No doubt Donald Trump's brand is dicey at home at best but globally, the world has watched on with a mix of amusement and feigned concern.  These results out of Canada and Australia at the weekend show that brand has turned toxic... like a beef Wellington at a family dinner party.  We've all seen the host - the chef - tuck in... but now we're thinking hmm... do we want to do the same.  We can't get much closer in style and substance to Canada and Australia when it comes to democracy - both chained to the Westminster system we inherited Mother England... and both of our cousins have turned on their political oppositions as Trump upends the global order.  To rub salt in the wound both Poilievre and Dutton lost not just their elections but their seats.  We spoke about this on Friday but... but what is the message here? Trump is toxic.  Poilievre's problem was one of style - he sounded and campaigned too much like Trump - the airports hanger with the branded plane behind shots on the

The balance of power seems to be shifting in Australian politics.  There was a shock U-turn in the polls ahead of the election, with Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party suddenly pulling out in front.  It now seems likely the party will secure a second term.  Independent Member for Warringah, Zali Steggall told Ryan Bridge confidence in major parties keeps decreasing, and there’s an increased interest in independent candidates as a result.  Although convention in parliament has evolved towards party politics, Steggall says the Australian constitution actually allows for a model of parliament in which legislation is tackled on its own merits.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures on meth-use are prompting calls for more preventive action.   Discharges from public hospitals suggest meth-use has increased four-fold over the past decade, while wastewater testing last year showed a doubling in meth use.  Former detective and anti-meth advocate Mike Sabin told Ryan Bridge that you’ve got to turn the tap off on the supply.  He says that New Zealand’s had a problem with meth for the last 25 years because policy is focused on harm minimisation or problem limitation, which accepts that use will happen and tries to manage it.  Sabin says this is the wrong way to go around it, as areas such as tobacco and diabetes which have seen a reduction have been as a result of prevention.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.