Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Those opposing our FTA with India have got be guilty of economic treason, don't they? We're a small trading nation with lots of food, and world markets who need our red meat and our milk.  The closer the country, the better. The higher-value-add, the better.  And the sugar on top is tariff-free access, so our competitive advantaged producing the world best dairy and sheep and beef, and Kiwifruit, can all me admired and loved by the word at a reasonable price.  When Helen Clark and Phil Goff signed the deal in Beijing back in 2007, two-way trade was $8. It's now $41-billion. It's now our largest trading partner. We are on the cusp of another bonanza just like with a country much bigger and meddle class about the crack on.  It's to come the third largest economy in the world. However, some kiwi politicians believe this is somehow a bad thing. That selling our best produces to other countries at cheaper prices, unencumbered another' tax regime, how is that not a good idea?  Why because w

A view that increased employment will be the key to our economic bounce back.   Infometrics says there's worrying indicators which show economic momentum is fragile.  But more signs of improvement are expected by midyear, when labour market conditions should be turning.   Infometrics’ Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge that they are expecting the economy to pick up this year, they’re just a bit cautious.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

West Coast officials are working to make the insurance market more competitive so Westporters can continue to insure their homes.   AA Insurance has temporarily stopped offering policies to properties in the 7825 postcode due to flood-risk exposure.  Existing policyholders can renew as usual.  Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew told Ryan Bridge AA Insurance is the main insurer in the town, so have the largest market share.  He says they want to write to all insurance companies and the insurance council to try improve the market, given the investment they're making in flood banking.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Vision is welcoming the new bill around fighting modern slavery.  The new bill, co-sponsored by National and Labour, will require large businesses to make reports on modern slavery in their supply chains public.  Head of Advocacy and Justice Rebekah Armstrong says it will change how companies do business.  She says there are other pleasing aspects to the bill too.  Armstrong says that includes penalties to give the legislation teeth and the promise to create an anti-slavery commission.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 30th of January 2025, AA insurance has announced they will not be accepting any new insurance policies on homes in Westport because the flooding and weather events are too risky, West Coast Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew tells Ryan how this will impact the area.   National and Labour have teamed up to fast-track a modern slavery law, World Vision's head of advocacy and justice Rebekah Armstrong shares her thoughts.  Infometrics latest report says the economic turnaround might not turnout to be what was promised, Principal Economist Brad Olsen tells Ryan why. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer in China and the US build up to attack Iran today. 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.

This week we've heard about another privacy breach.  We don't tell strangers on the street everything about ourselves but for some reason, when a business does it online, who we also don't know or trust, you just cannot shut us up.  Name and address? Sure. Phone number? Why not.  Signature? Fill ya boots.  Don't even get me started credit cards and debit cards.  I was talking to tech expert this week on the show. What he said has been playing on my mind for two reasons.  1. We've lost trust and faith in companies to manage our data now, I reckon. Trust is dead, and it's very hard to earn back. And nothing's sacred - we know that after the health hack. In Finland, a psychologist's notes were hacked so patients had all their secrets out there for ransom online.  2. The penalties for businesses leaving the backdoor open for scammers is very low - the maximum fine is apparently just $10,000. So if a business gets your data stolen and then doesn't tell you, the maximum fine is $1

The US and Iran are trading threats, with the President warning a massive naval armada is moving towards the country.  Donald Trump says time's running out for Iran to make a deal to limit its nuclear programme.  The BBC reports satellite images show a steady and significant build-up of US military forces in the region since a brutal crackdown on demonstrations in Iran earlier this month.  US Correspondent Jagruiti Dave told Ryan Bridge Iran's mission to the United Nations has responded to Trump's latest warning.  She says they're ready for dialogue based on mutual respect, but if pushed it'll defend itself and respond like never before.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A struggle to secure GP visits could be playing a role in skyrocketing calls for ambulances.  National ambulance data shows there's been a 30% increase in 111 calls for ambulances over the past five years.   St John fielded more than 700 thousand calls for the first time last year and attended more than half a million incidents.   Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quinn told Ryan Bridge minimal access to healthcare in rural areas is playing a role.  He says St John is sometimes used as a "pseudo-GP" because it's the only access to health operating in the area.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 29th of January 2025, new numbers show Labour's "fees free" wasn't all that it was supposed to be, VUWSA Vice President Aidan Donoghue tells Ryan what it did for students.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts on a housing sentiment survey from Cotality.  Demand for ambulance's was the highest on record last year according to stats from St John, New Zealand Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quin tells Ryan why demand has increased.  Plus, US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on Donald Trump’s latest threat to Iran and layoffs at Amazon.  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.

Reading this story this morning about Fees Free, you've got to wonder how the policy got through the boffins in Wellington.  It has, by all accounts, failed to achieve it's objective.  Did we see floods of people charging into lecture halls and studying at university? No. Did we see loads of poorer students benefit? No. What did it cost us, again? $2.6 billion. $350 million last year alone.  That's one and half brand new Dunedin hospitals.  This is what it got us: No increase in participation. 230 students from poor schools were helped. That's 1.3%. A whopping 70% of the kids who had their university fees paid for (up to $12,000 each) were from above-average socio-economic schools. They were the wealthier kids.  Did they need it? No.  I've always backed the interest-free student loan idea. You can borrow, not stress about interest, and work hard to pay it down once you finish.  But clearly Fees Free was too much of a free lunch. Not enough discipline or focus.

Cost barriers continue to keep disadvantaged students out of university. Of the 26 thousand students who went straight from Year 13 into study in 2024,  just 1.3%, or around 230 students, came from the most disadvantaged schools.  It's despite the fees free policy aiming to alleviate costs. Victoria University Students' Association Vice President Aidan Donoghue told Ryan Bridge study should be a full time job if we want that return on investment, with a well educated workforce.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India and the European Union have announced what's been named 'the mother of all trade deals'.   The landmark agreement will allow the free trade of goods across the 27 EU states and India, which make up nearly 25% of global trade across a market of two billion people.  It comes as both sides contend with economic pressure from Donald Trump's tariffs.   Europe correspondent Mike Pearse told Ryan Bridge just about everything from tea, to cars, to chemicals will see tariffs cut and trade made easier.  He says it's been dubbed the biggest and most historic trade deal ever, being talked about for more than 20 years.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ACT MP wants the Broadcasting Standards Authority to be abolished as the watchdog seeks more power.   The authority has been asking for law reform for about 15 years as media companies produce more online content.   A Parliamentary paper notes the watchdog operates off a definition of a broadcaster established 35 years ago.   ACT's Laura McClure told Ryan Bridge she agrees the world has changed a lot in the past three decades.   She says there are many methods of oversight and doesn't believe the BSA is relevant anymore.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington bookstore owner is expecting a 35% loss in revenue following the closure of their NZ Post counter - and says she’s “devastated” for affected customers, particularly the elderly. NZ Post has announced it will close 142 urban partner stores across the country after reviewing how customers use its urban retail services. No rural stores are currently affected. The decision has left many in the community outraged, saying it was already hard to access a post shop and many people who couldn’t go online would struggle. Marsden Books Karori owner and manager Briony Hogg said the shop’s estimated revenue would drop 35-40% once the post counter closes at the end of May. Speaking to Ryan Bridge on Newstalk ZB this morning, Hogg said there were only two post shops in the suburb of 18,000, with the other – a Mobil station – staying open. The postal counter itself had low margins but closing it would have a “pretty significant” effect on revenue, thanks to the loss of customers. “People would come in to do thei

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 28 January. 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.

A view there's no harm in having Tauranga Council review the Mount Maunganui disaster alongside the Government inquiry. A Rāhui's now in place over parts of Pilot Bay and Mount Main Beach, and the cordoned area where recovery work's expected to run into weeks. Six people remain missing, presumed dead. Political Commentator Bryce Edwards told Ryan Bridge the council review can take a look at its own systems, while the Government inquiry can take a birds-eye view. He says it can look at what the Police did, what the fire service did, and if there's an issue of council resourcing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is going to sign this free trade deal with India. The massive boost we got and still enjoy from Phil Goff’s signing of the China FTA is still very much fresh in mind. Hipkins sounds pretty upbeat about it, with a few questions to be asked, but he says caucus will look at it and make a decision.  Of course, it’ll need support across the aisle because NZ First isn’t keen. The Europeans have just done a massive deal with Delhi overnight. Ursula von der Leyen is in India, getting the red carpet treatment from Modhi.  Combined they make up 25% of the world’s GDP and the market size? Two billion people. They’ve been negotiating for years and years, but finally have a deal, in part because of a Trump’s tariffs but also because India has managed to secure protections for dairy. They say Delhi "has prudently safeguarded sensitive sectors, including dairy…”. We generally treat trade as a bipartisan issue and there’s little reason to think this deal will be any different - barring any major red fla

More flexible electricity use could save the country billions of dollars.   The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's new report finds about 18 hundred megawatts of demand could be shifted away from peak times.  Their analysis found $3 billion dollars could be saved without changing how people live and work.  Octopus Energy COO Margaret Cooney told Ryan Bridge it might mean that instead of putting your dishwasher on at 7pm, when there’s still a lot of demand on the grid, you put the timer on for 11pm.   She says it would help us avoid having to invest in really expensive infrastructure, save consumers money, and allow for more energy users and renewables to be integrated into the system faster.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While New Zealand's been stuck under grey skies for a lot of this summer, things are heating up across the ditch.  Temperatures are expected to reach the high 40s in the southern states of Victoria and South Australia.   Some Australia Day events were cancelled yesterday out of safety concerns.  Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge it's the worst heat wave in decades.   She says Dubbo has seen 46.1 degrees and 48 in an area called Noona, with some temperatures 21 degrees above average.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a belief the Government and experienced principals need to step up to secure the future of the profession.   A recent New Zealand Council for Educational Research survey found just 18% of teachers want to become principals, while 50% said they definitely wouldn't.  It's after Newstalk ZB revealed one in five principals quit within a year.  Principals' Federation President Jason Miles told Ryan Bridge as well as teaching experience, you also need finance, employment, crisis management, and relationship skills.   He says principalship is a challenging but rewarding role, and teachers are sometimes so busy they miss the opportunity.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.