Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

So today is the day the Australians lead the world with a social media ban for people under 16.  Good luck with that. The kids who still want to be online will get around it. Because, you know, kids and computers.  They can’t speak the Queen’s English, but they sure can speak computer.  They’ll VPN and forge and weasel their way through the same way we all got our hands on booze when we were underage.  And the kids who’ll actively skirt the law are either the ones who believe social media benefits their life in society, or they’re hoping one day that they’ll get some positive self-affirmation even though more often than not they’re bullied, and of course, the bullies themselves, because bullying is fun for them.  They’re not going to pay attention to some words in black and white written by some old parliamentarians in a grand hall wearing their fancy clothes. And the kids aren’t going to be thankful. You’ve taken away their town hall, their community centre, their pub.   They’re

The Hurricanes have revealed a $2 million loss is projected for the current financial year, after announcing a new leadership structure.  Local developer Malcolm Gillies has stepped in to buy the Wellington Rugby Union's 50% stake in the Super Rugby franchise.  NZ Rugby will also take a minority shareholding and bolster the 'Canes with loans.  Interim CEO Tony Philp told Andrew Dickens rugby’s had a difficult few years, but there’s certainly opportunities at the club to settle the finances moving forward.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rural Communities Minister believes a new wool deal will take the sector to a whole new level.  It's a significant milestone for the country's wool sector, as Wool Source confirms its first commercial export order.  The Wool Research Organisation company's signed a deal with a Japanese company, for eight tonnes of Kiwi products.   Minister Mark Patterson told Andrew Dickens its currently constrained by capacity, but it's a big step forward.  He says there's a very small laboratory and there's plans to scale it up as demand increases.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are hoping an RMA shake-up will deliver a faster, cheaper consenting system. The Government's today announcing significant changes to consenting as part of a shake-up to the Resource Management Act. It's expected to slash the need for consents in 46% of cases that currently need them. Federated Farmers' spokesperson Mark Hooper told Andrew Dickens layers of added costs hold farmers back from getting on with normal farm operations. He says they have to go through expert planners, consultants, and iwi for consents, which takes time and is a large bureaucratic cost. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For as long as I’ve been in talk radio, I’ve been talking to people about RMA reform - and I’ve been in talk radio since 1996.  The Resource Management Act was introduced in 1991 and it has ballooned into an albatross around our necks. To comply you need to pay a fortune. To check your compliance authorities, have to spend weeks reviewing your plans.  So today we learn what comes next. Now the reason the RMA grew like a cancerous growth around our progress is simple: too many people took too many liberties and caused too much damage.  Worrying about their margins, they took shortcuts, and then projects failed. Like so many laws, we had to take into account the lowest common denominator: the developer who did it cheap, did it bad, and then liquidated the company to leave others to clean up the mess. That experience is why many will not welcome a simplification of the rules today, but the overcompensation for the bad actors has cost us all too much.  Today I'll be looking for the efficiencie

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 9th of December 2025, the Government's announcing a major shake up to the Resource Management Act, Federated Farmers RMA Reform Spokesperson Mark Hooper tells Andrew what he's hoping for.  Kiwi company wool source has landed its first big export deal with Japan, Rural Communities Minister Mark Paterson tells Andrew what the deal means for farmers. The Hurricanes will start the new season with a different ownership model, interim Hurricanes CEO Tony Philp shares his thoughts.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on more pressure on Sports Minister over her taxpayer funded trips to sporting events and a federal police blitz targeting people they allege are a threat to Australian cohesion. 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.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday 8th of December 2025, Andrew Coster has made explosive claims in an interview with Q&A, lawyer and former cop Matthew Hague shares his thoughts.  Elliot Smith has the latest on the weekend's sport.  A new report from ASB shows clear signs of life for the economy in 2026, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen shares his thoughts.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on a man arrested on suspicion of assault after a number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be pepper spray at London’s Heathrow Airport and four people have been arrested after custard and apple crumble were flung at a display case containing part of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.  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.

One person's been arrested after a string of pepper spray attacks at London's Heathrow Airport. Twenty-one people suffered injuries, with five needing hospital treatment, after an argument escalated in a terminal carpark.  Social media footage shows a large armed police response, as the area was temporarily locked down. UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens police were quick to say it wasn't related to terrorism or a protest. He says the people seemed to know each other, and got into an argument, which led to someone spraying a substance at people they didn't like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What to make of the Andrew Coster interview on Q and A yesterday  Firstly why did he do it.  Obviously he felt he had been thrown under the bus by Judith Collins, Mark Mitchell and Richard Chambers at their recent press conference  So he was prepared to throw them under the bus as well. And he does have a point when the IPCA report did not mention corruption but the politicians and the new police commissioner inferred it.  The protection of his name is the reason he negotiated with the Public Service Commissioner regarding the delay in resigning from his latest job and frankly I don’t blame him  But the problem is he has no proof of his claims.  And so now we have a he said, he said situation with nobody able to provide concrete proof of their claims.  He may have briefed Mitchell and Hipkins of the situation but which situation was he talking about.   An affair gone wrong or a police force covering up for one of their own. and how much detail of anything did he giver i

80% of trained secondary teachers will have a base salary of more than $100 thousand from late next month.  PPTA members have voted to accept a collective agreement offer from the Government.  The settlement includes a 4.6% pay increase over two years, increased allowance for teachers with greater responsibilities, and a million dollar a year fund for professional development.  Secondary school Deputy Principal Pip Tinning told Ryan Bridge she felt this was as good as it was going to get.  She says they’ve got a lot of stuff coming up, and it feels like time to just move on.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Climate Change Minister says we're still at the table for the Paris Agreement, despite the targets being challenging.  The Coalition rejected all three recommendations made to it by the Climate Change Commission yesterday.   It means it won't be including international aviation and shipping emissions in its 2050 reduction target.   Simon Watts told Ryan Bridge they remain committed to the Paris Climate Agreement and are still part of the global conversation.  He says they're challenging targets in reality, but they have the intent of hitting them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Retirement Villages Association is calling out the Government for issuing a double whammy against the sector.   Newly announced Retirement Villages Act 2003 amendments include ensuring money on a unit is paid back within a year after a resident leaves.    Interest will also be payable after six months if a unit remains empty.    Association Executive Director Michelle Palmer told Ryan Bridge the moves could seriously jeopardise the sector.   She says they were the ones who suggested the interest element, which the Government has taken and then topped with the full repayment at 12 months.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The family of a British woman who was killed by a nerve agent smuggled into the UK have spoken out following an inquiry into her death. 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess died in 2018, after spraying herself Novichok from a fake perfume bottle discarded in Salisbury by Russian agents. The inquiry states Russian President Vladimir Putin must have ordered the use of it to assassinate former spy Sergei Skripal. Sturgess' mother Caroline says a narrative's been created online, that's been distressing for family. She says she wasn't a known drug user as had been reported, she was a very loved, mother, daughter and granddaughter. UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 5 December. 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.

This is my last day on Early Edition for 2025. I’ll be on Drive for a few weeks from Monday and while I won’t lie, I’m looking forward to few sleep-ins before Christmas, I will miss our wee 5am club. It’s a huge privilege to be here with you every morning as you wake up, head off to work, off to school sport or home from a night shift yourself.  Your messages and emails bring so much to the show, so I want to thank you for all your feedback. The good, the bad, the hilarious, the thoughtful, and even the nutty ones. This show is as much yours as it is mine. The beauty of this early hour is the breaking international stories we bring you. The sad ending to the Tom Phillips happened overnight this year. We’ve had elections, budgets and updates on wars in far flung places.  This show is designed to keep you up to date with business as much as politics, after all, the real engine and true heart of this country doesn't whir and beat out of Wellington, but out of the staff rooms, factories, farm

Shoppers are travelling from around the country to witness today's Ikea launch.  The mega-retailer will start trading at 11am but the car park will open at 8:30am.   Heavy traffic's anticipated, including 40-minute queues to exit the motorway at Mount Wellington.  It could take punters up to an hour just to enter the carpark.  First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Ryan Bridge it's the most anticipated retail opening New Zealand has seen.  He says everyone knows about Ikea, but we haven't had it within reach.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All the stars have aligned for the first concert at Christchurch's new stadium. Six60 and Synthony will open the music calendar at One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha next May - following Super Rugby’s Super Round a month earlier. It’s backed by the Government’s $70 million Major Events fund. Duco Events Promoter David Higgins told Ryan Bridge Synthony wouldn’t be part of the lineup without that funding. He says these events are very expensive to run, and organisers have to make a risk-return judgement if it's their own neck on the line. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 4th of December 2025, Andrew Coster's resigned with immediate effect employment lawyer Gareth Abdinor shares his thoughts on why he was placed on leave for so long.  Ikea opens in Auckland today, First Retail Group Managing Director tells Ryan whether the hype will last.  Six60 and Synthony will play the first ever live show at Christchurch stadium, funded by the government's events fund, Duco Events promoter David Higgins tells Ryan what concert-goers can expect.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the US and Venezuela and the Kremlin saying it's wrong to suggest Putin rejected US proposals for peace in Ukraine.  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.

Andrew Coster's three weeks of silence and negotiating speaks volumes about the sincerity of the apology delivered yesterday.  If you really felt that way, if you hadn't until yesterday realised what had gone on, which he had of course, he saw the report long before any of us did, then surely, you'd have come straight out starting blocks with an apology to Ms Z. Wouldn't that be a bit more credible?  As for the Government, they've obviously been trying to get him out without paying him too much.  The bill is three months paid out. Essentially gardening leave. And, crucially, a statement from the Government that there was no cover-up.  That's despite the IPCA report having the strong whiff of one, or as Judith Collins put it, the walk, talk, and quack of one.  Coster's obviously done the calls in his head. The longer you stay on and fight, the messier it gets, reputation-wise. He'll be thinking about the next job, whatever and wherever that may be.  He strikes me as the sort of gu

A pivotal year ahead for Liam Lawson after confirmation his seat is safe in Formula 1 in 2026.  Red Bull has confirmed Lawson will retain his spot in Racing Bulls and be joined by 18-year-old debutant Arvid Lindblad.  Herald motorsport correspondent Eric Thompson says Lawson will have plenty to race for.  He told Ryan Bridge that 2026 will be the year for him to cement his position on the Formula 1 grid.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.