Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Smokefree advocates are hoping a new vaping crackdown coming in today doesn't deter smokers trying to quit. The new rules include stricter advertising restrictions for vape retailers and a ban on disposable vapes. It's an effort to clamp down on youth vaping, with around 10% of teenagers currently regular vapers. Action for Smokefree Director Ben Youdan told Ryan Bridge it's about striking the right balance. He says just leaving products cheaper than smoking but not too cheap for young people, is important. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If growth is the game we're in then the Reserve Bank should keep cutting interest rates.  The problem is growth is not the game they're in. They're in the business of taming inflation, and that's about it.  The Government ditched the dual mandate —introduced by the last lot— that saw Adrian and Co. also focus on keeping people in jobs. Maximum sustainable employment.  That's now gone and inflation's in the band.  So the bank is going to take things slow. Ease the next few cuts over a longer period of time out of fear they'll overcook it again. They'll be thinking about Trump's tariffs and the fear of price hikes, even though these haven't materialised —even in the data out of the States— as yet. They'll be worried about the Middle East and the price of oil.  It's an imported cost and it's in everything, not just our cars, but transport of goods, production, you name it.  It directly and indirectly contributes up to 30% of our inflation when the price is high – like when somebody'

Director of the New Zealand China Council Alastair Crozy joins Ryan Bridge to discuss a new visa for Chinese tourists. The change will allow Chinese tourists visiting Australia to enterNew Zealand with their Australian visa. Crozy says that this change has already increased searches for “New Zealand travel” on Chinese tourism websites like CTrip. This change comes ahead of Prime Minister Luxon’s visit to China where he will meet President Xi Jingping in a face-to-face meeting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More nations are responding to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. The two countries are continuing to exchange air assaults, after Israel's initial attack on Friday and Iran launched waves of missiles, in response. UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge Iran believes any support of Israel from the West, makes assets from those countries fair game. He says Britons are being advised against travelling to Israel, as the UK says it's unable to keep them safe in this fast-moving situation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 16th of June 2025, The Police Commissioner has given body cams the all clear, Police Associaiton President Chris Cahill shares his thoughts.  The Government's announced changes to Visa's for Chinese nationals ahead of the Prime Minister's visit to China this week, The NZ China Council tells Ryan Bridge how significant the visit will be.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK advising Britons against all travel to Israel amid an escalation in the country's military activity with Iran.  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.

The Police union is celebrating the decision to work towards rolling out body cameras - but wants it done right.  Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says staff are assessing options for equipping frontline officers with the technology.  The Police Association says it could clear-up misconceptions in the field, reduce complaints, and lead to more guilty pleas.  President Chris Cahill says body-cameras have become the international standard.  He says many officers in Australia don't want to deploy without the technology. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister’s jetting off on a diplomatic mission this week and he’s heading into a very undiplomatic world. Israel and Iran are going at it. Netanyahu says Tehran is close to producing a nuclear weapon. As missiles and drones fly across the Middle East, talks for a nuclear deal with Iran’s leadership in Oman are on hold. The UK is mobilising fighter jets in the region as Iran warns it will strike western targets if they dare support Tel Aviv.  Israeli’s blockade of Gaza continues despite protests from this country and most others through the UN and sanctions. Talks in Turkey to end the war in Ukraine haven’t stopped the violence. Diplomacy has so far failed.  China continues buying oil from Russia and tacitly keeping its war in Europe alive. The US continues supporting Israel, keeping its wars on Gaza and Iran alive. China and the US themselves are doing direct battle of a different kind on trade. We’ve got politically motivated assassinations in America. Marines and national guard troops on

Skifields in Queenstown have got the chair lifts turning ahead of opening day tomorrow.  NZ Ski Chief Executive Paul Anderson says the Remarkables and Coronet Peak have had eight solid days of snow making, mixed in with natural snowfall.  He says there's more than a metre of snow on the main trails and both skifields should have their main chairlifts running, providing a chance at top to bottom skiing across the mountain.  Mount Hutt attempted to open this morning but rainfall caused the snowpack to become unstable, pushing launch day to tomorrow.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Clark says the future of the AUKUS security pact remains very uncertain.  The Pentagon's reviewing the agreement between Australia, the UK, and the US to ensure it meets Donald Trump's America First agenda.  It's still unclear what that might mean for New Zealand's potential involvement.  But Clark —the former Prime Minister and UNDP Head— told Ryan Bridge there's a chance Trump could scrap the pact altogether.  She says the leaders of all three countries have changed since the agreement was signed, and the US has become increasingly unpredictable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Corrections Minister believes our prisons will be ready for an increase in demand.  The Ministry of Justice expects the prison population will increase 36% by 2035, to more than 14,000 people. It's prompted concerns for the country's ability to cope with demand.  Mark Mitchell says the Waikeria prison expansion will help provide enough beds.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 13th of June 2025, a report from the Ministry of Justice is predicting our prison population to grow by 36% over the next 10 years, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell shares his thoughts. The Ski season kicks off this weekend, NZ Ski Chief Executive Paul Anderson tells Ryan Bridge what people can look forward to. The US is "reviewing" it's AUKUS security pac, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark shares what this means for New Zealand's position.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the Air India plane crash which killed more than 200 people.  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.

It’s fair to say Christopher Luxon’s had a rough run at the top. The transition from CEO to PM hasn’t been all that smooth. His approval ratings have been way out of whack with those of any predecessor at the same time in their reigns. We hardly saw a honeymoon. One of the problems has been communication. You ask people and they tell you: it’s hard to connect with him. We don’t really get what he’s about.  His loudmouth coalition partners have largely filled the personality void to his detriment. As a business executive, you’ve got to optimistic. You’ve got to project positivity, and that positive, upbeat style has jarred with the reality of our economy.  The more he said things are improving and this economy is turning a corner, the more out of touch he has sounded.  Jacinda Ardern encountered this problem when she refused to call the cost of living crisis a crisis. You lose the room. It's like a bit like trying to entertain a crowd of Metallica fans with a choir - a bit of a bum note.&nb

An Independent Children's Monitor report finds almost half the reports of concern relate to young Māori.  They make up two-thirds of those in care - and more than three-quarters in youth justice custody.  Voyce Whakarongo Mai Chief Executive Tracie Shipton told Ryan Bridge that change is possible.  She says it's a stark reminder if we get in early with wrap around services for whanau and young people, we can make a difference.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has criticized New Zealand for banning two Israeli Ministers.  Winston Peters has decided to jump on the bandwagon with allies such as Australia and Canada by banning Israel’s finance minister and national security minister from entering the country.   But the US has denounced these sanctions and said that New Zealand should focus on Hamas instead.  International relations professor Robert Patman talks to Ryan Bridges about the situation and what can be expected from both sides going forward.  LISTEN ABOVE      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Correspondent Mitch McCann talks about Trump’s new “deal” with China after China threatens to cut off the US’ supply of rare minerals.  China issued these threats in response to the treatment of Chinese students studying in the USA. China also wants the USA to continue exporting semiconductors to China.  President Trump has said that these terms will be met, although current details are unclear.   Although communication between the two nations is positive, the discussion isn’t over yet as McCann says, “it’s a bit of a framework to continue working on a deal.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 12th of June 2025, Food and Fibre exports are on track to break new records, Meat Industry Association Chief Executive Sirma Karapeeva, shares her thoughts on how red meat exports are going.  The US has criticised NZ for sanctions on Israel, international relations Professor Robert Patman tell Ryan Bridge how this makes us look.  We've got another report showing some Maori children are falling through the cracks, Voyce CEO Tracey Shipton shares her thoughts.  Plus Mitch McCann has the latest on deal between the US and China.  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.

Red meat's among food and fibre exports surging in value, with revenue forecast to surpass $60 billion for the first time. The latest forecasts projects export earnings of $59.9 billion for the year ending later this month.  It's now on track to reach $65.7 billion by 2029. Meat Industry Association Chief Executive Sirma Karapeeva told Ryan Bridge we're seeing strong global demand and healthy prices across key markets. She says there's demand from the US and EU, with a good recovery in exports to China. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve been reflecting this Fieldays week on how much the dial has shifted in farming and emissions. We had Chris Hipkins on the Herald Now programme Tuesday admit they essentially don’t currently have a policy in putting agriculture into the ETS.  It was a signature policy platform under Ardern. We had to do it, they told us. It was immoral not to.  Farmers had to pay a higher price, and who cares if it’s CO2 or methane, emissions are emissions.  Labour’s now open to ditching that altogether and softening its tone on farmers. This is happening for two reasons. 1. People are alive to the fact that without our strong agriculture export prices, our regions would feel a lot more our main centres right now: economically depressed and limping along. Actually, selling a bunch of stuff we already know how to do well is exactly what a small trading nation likes ours should be doing. 2. The Government has successfully changed the narrative on emissions, basically through repetition: our farmers are t

Fieldays has opened at Hamilton's Mystery Creek, with 100 thousand visitors expected over the next four days.  1200 vendors will be plying their wares at the Southern Hemisphere's largest agribusiness event, displaying the latest farming innovations.  GFactor Edge co-founder Rhys Gardner is bringing his company’s VR driving simulators to the event – the technology allowing people to learn how to drive heavy machinery in a controlled environment.  He told Ryan Bridge they’re recreating real accidents and near misses and allowing people to experience the outcomes of their decisions.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown could soon be leading the world’s renewable energy future.  Rewiring Aotearoa is launching the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator project to speed up the transition to electric machines that run on renewable electricity.  It wants to make it easier for homes and businesses to go electric.  Chief Executive Mike Casey told Ryan Bridge one of the biggest barriers to going solar is the up-front cost.  But he says with some of New Zealand's highest energy prices, Queenstown is the best place to turn renewable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.