Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

So what do we know today that we didn't know yesterday after the big show from the Reserve Bank?  Well not much, really.  The cut was expected - it was already priced in. They're a bit more rosy on growth, it looks like the end of the cycle for cuts.  But beyond that, it really is guesswork.  The central outlook was 'balanced'. Meaning closed wallets could could hurt the outlook, higher housing prices and export prices could help it.  We put a lot of faith in the OCR to get us out of the rut. Even though it hasn't really worked thus far, even after six rounds of slashing. At one point in the presser the Chief Economist was almost repeating this like a mantra, as if by saying it over and over again, he'd will it to happen.  There are two problems here: First, we've heard it all before and not seen the results. Second, by their own admission, the GDP numbers we've been relying on aren't reliable.  There's a bunch of seasonality in the numbers - especially for that shocker in J

Another cut to the Official Cash Rate is expected today but it could be the last for a long time.  The Reserve Bank's reviewing the OCR at 2pm.  Most economists expect the cash rate to be cut 25-basis-points to 2.5%.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge they expect the Reserve Bank to keep the door wide open to taking further action next year if needed.   He says it will be wanting to use the three-month closedown period to really gauge whether it’s needed.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of roles could be facing the axe as the Government looks to scrap regional councils.  The Government's proposing replacing them with boards made up of Mayors in a particular region.  The proposal aims to reduce duplication and put downward pressure on rates.  Boards would be required to put plans in place around re-organising services and infrastructure, which will be checked over and ticked off for financial sustainability.  Otago Regional Council Chair Hilary Calvert told Ryan Bridge says they employ a lot of staff.   She says they have around 368 roles, which is twice as many as there were six years ago.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes a nationwide maths pilot can continue to deliver results. The $40 million Government programme targeted 1,500 Year 7 and 8 students needing extra support, through small-group tutoring up to four times a week.  New data shows students averaged one to two years progress in 12 weeks. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge the focus on core skills like maths never stopped, but this is a new way of doing it. He says one of the issues with intense focus is that it's resource-heavy, which is fine as long as it can continue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm part of the generation that grew up pre-cell phones.  Gifts were usually clothing you needed. Toys were chatter rings, marbles, maybe a skate board.  There was no 'picky eating', as we've heard about this week. If you didn't finish what was on your plate at dinner, you didn't get a treat afterwards.  Sweet treats were fruit. Or Raro sachets (sugar rush) if you managed to sneak one out the pantry. There were no snacks - if you were hungry before dinner, mum would tell you to drink a glass of water.  School was basics. Maths, reading, writing. A bit of everything else.  What we're learning, as a society, is that we've collectively taken our eye off the ball. We've taken parenting to a level beyond usefulness.  Do we need cheap imported asbestos sand to engage toddlers?  Do we need a thousand fun school subjects in place of decent time on basic ones? Do we need to tip-toe around kids not eating their veggies, as was suggested yesterday, for fear our kids may develop some ea

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 26th of November 2025, The Government's committed to abolishing all 11 regional councils, Otago Regional Council Chair Hilary Calvert says she thinks this is a good idea.  Students forced to do an hour of maths a day made a full year's progress in just 12 weeks, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie shares his thoughts.  It's the final OCR day of the year, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley tells Ryan what we can expect from the Reserve Bank.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the potential of a Zelensky/Trump meeting and the UK government's sugar tax.  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.

A rise in bulk buying may be contributing to New Zealand's food waste.   A report commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment reveals more than 1.2 million tonnes of food is wasted or thrown away here every year.  Nearly a third is by households, with processing and food production making up the rest.  Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager Sophie Wolland told Ryan Bridge buying in bulk isn't always the best idea.  She says if there's no plan in place for the food, it can likely go off and end up in the bin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A construction sector voice says mandatory home warranties are well overdue. The Government's announced plans to require warranties for new homes three storeys or less and all renos worth at least $100,000. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says it hopes to protect homeowners from cowboys. Certified Builders Association Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Ryan Bridge it will cost more, but only marginally. He says it will make up 0.4% of a $200,000 project. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Bay of Plenty trust says new investment will help more families address harm before authorities have to step in. The Social Investment Fund's putting $50 million into programmes for children with parents in prison, and those who’ve grown up in care. Among the recipients is Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Trust. Chief Executive Enid Ratahi-Pryor told Ryan Bridge their aim is to tackle family harm early, before official intervention's needed. She says you can never remove the need for state intervention at critical times, so it's still a tool that can be used - but their services are prevention focused. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 25th of November 2025, The Government's announced a new building rule designed to protect homeowners from cowboy builders. A study from Otago uni says Kiwis toss out 1.2 million tonnes of food a year, Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager, Sophie Wolland shares how we can improve food waste.  The Government's revealed the first seven groups to get funding from its $50-million social investment fund, Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services Trust CEO tells Ryan how the money will be spent.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on Cocaine, valued at around 170 million dollars has been seized off the coast of Western Australia and the search ramps up for missing 4 yr old Gus Lamont in South Australia Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This rates cap, how's it actually going to work.  I had Luxon on my Herald show yesterday, an announcement's coming in the next few weeks.  But ask any Mayor, not the ones who like disco toilets and golden miles, but the ones who already to the basic stuff and little else. They're cutting their cloth. Tim Macindoe in Hamilton. I spoke to the Tararua Mayor yesterday. They all say the same thing: we are doing the basics. We've cut the silly stuff. And we don't know how this is going to work without bankrupting local government.  RMA reforms will be a big part of this. Luxon's talking about amalgamation. If there are fewer consents needed or consents are streamlined, do we need so many councils with a back office bigger than Kim K's booty?  Probably not.  So less work, especially for regional councils, could lipo some cost out of the system. Then there's the back office more generally.  The Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore makes a good point about double up. We have 67 territorial author

A banking expert is picking apart National's 'piecemeal' Kiwisaver election pledge, saying it doesn't go far enough.  The party's promising to lift default worker and employer KiwiSaver contributions to six percent by 2032 - matching Australia's 12 percent superannuation rate. Employer contributions would increase by half a percent - but not until 2029. Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Ryan Bridge that there's an issue if people think the rate's too high.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, National promises to lift the default kiwisaver rate to 12% by 2032 if elected again next year, Claire Matthews Associate Professor at Massey University Business School shares her thoughts.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  The trucking industry wants tougher rules for unsafe vehicles, Billy Clemens Head of Policy and Advocacy at Transporting NZ tells Ryan why changes need to be made.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on global security officials meet in Geneva, to discuss the America's plan to end the Ukraine war and Sir Keir Starmer urges anyone with information on the Epstein case to come forward after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor missed the deadline to appear in front of US Congress.  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 in

The trucking industry wants NZTA to have the power to impound dangerous vehicles, after an Auckland operator was jailed for manslaughter. Ashik Ali kept his truck on the road despite it being banned, and its failed brakes caused it to roll away and fatally hit a roadworker last year. Transporting NZ Policy Head, Billy Clemens told Ryan Bridge the assessment for entering the industry needs to be more rigorous, with the current process limited to a theory test. He says they want people to demonstrate their experience and the necessary skills beforehand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unions charge like wounded bulls for their services.  And they claim they're in it for the workers.  They care about workers' pay and conditions so much, they're worked their way up the union ranks to help those at the bottom. But then once they get a bit of profile. They jump ship to the Labour party, their good mates.  Craif Rennie - flits between the CTU and Grant Robertson's office - has been selected to run in Wellington Bays.  Fleur Fitzsimons - who tried but failed to get elected for Labour. She's surely trying to weasel her way back on to a list.  Michael Wood - he wants back in.  You see, Unions are simply not the premiere league. They're the equivalent of the bench for Labour's caucus.  It's the place you go to keep your profile up while you wait for another turn at sucking from the public tit.  There's nothing particularly wrong with this.  But if you're a low-wage worker who believes these people are your champions and are in for you. For negotiating ha

The All Blacks playing stocks have been refreshed for the final test of the year against Wales on Sunday morning.  Only captain and lock Scott Barrett and blindside flanker Simon Parker are retained in their positions from the loss to England with Will Jordan moving from fullback to right wing.  Ruben Love makes his second test start from fullback.  Former All Black Josh Kronfeld told Ryan Bridge Robertson is giving people opportunities to make a statement at the end of the tour.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lifetime Black Power member is warning of a larger threat on the anniversary of the gang patch ban.   Today marks one year since the law was changed to give Police increased powers to go after gangs, including banning gang insignia in public.   Since then, officers have seized 182 patches, more than 600 insignia items, and 178 firearms.  But Community Advocate Denis O'Reilly told Ryan Bridge international cartels are becoming increasingly involved in gang activity.   He says they will recruit young gang members with promises of wealth and riches.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 21 November. 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.

Hopes that those responsible for the Pike River mine disaster will finally be held accountable.  Police believe they have sufficient evidence to prosecute certain people for manslaughter.  This week marks 15 years since 29 men died in the West Coast mine tragedy.  Sonya Rockhouse, whose son died, told Ryan Bridge Police have done their job and now it's a waiting game for justice.  She says they've always had enough evidence but more has been gathered in extensive forensic investigations over the years.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you trust Winston Peters not go with Labour next year? No you can’t. He hasn’t ruled it out. Despite National scoring a higher party vote in 2017, he went with Jacinda. Labour has not ruled Winston out. Winston has not ruled Labour out. Winston has ruled out Chippy, so a leadership swap in the last seven weeks of the campaign, or even during negotiations, is possible.  Hipkins is a party man, and if the choice was opposition for his caucus or the Treasury benches, he’d fall on his sword. So it’s a live scenario.  If Labour and NZ First get enough to form a coalition together, wouldn’t he prefer that to another threesome on the right? He hates Chippy because of Covid and his ‘what is a woman’ malfunction in that press conference, but the party’s been working hard to shake the overly wokey/dopey vibes since then. Also, he hates Seymour.  And if there was a chance for him to extract big spending policies, some regional fund, manufacturing energy deals, and more gold card benefits, I reckon he’