Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A former Labour leader says there'll be a sense a relief among many to see a new capital gains tax policy. Labour's announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes.  The revenue would go into health, creating a Medicard scheme providing free GP visits. Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge the OECD has been calling out New Zealand for being the only country in the western world not to have the tax. He says Labour's putting it in place for the sake of fairness and making sure investment decisions aren't distorted by being the odd one out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 29th of October 2025, The Government’s finally unveiled its new school curriculum for years 1 to 10, Immediate past President of the Auckland Primary Principals Association, Kyle Brewerton shares his thoughts.  A new report for the NZ Initiative believes our MMP system needs 50 more MPs, report author and senior fellow at the NZ Initiative, tells Ryan why.  Former Labour Party leader Phil Goff shares his thoughts on who leaked the capital gains tax.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on asylum seekers could be housed in military sites and UK ministers to look at complaints modern cars have headlights which are too bright. 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.

Did you catch the comments yesterday from Malaysia Deputy PM. He was talking to a kiwi delegation off in KL for ASEAN. "This will be your new market and we welcome any halal product from New Zealand." I have always been pretty sceptical about these trade missions, whether they actually achieve something or are just a giant junket. The truth is their a bit of both.  On a trip to Vladivostok in Russia back in 2011, our PM got a sit down with Vladimir Putin.  The guy was late. We waited in the rain for hours. And then he came in in, sat down, spoke in Russian, then had his body guards usher us out of the room.  He and John Key spoke for about an hour.  At the time, NZ was trying to cut a free trade deal with Russia - including Belarus and Kazakhstan. You just don't get that sport of access everyday. Of course, you wouldn't be doing that deal today. We suspended talks in 2014 with Ukraine. So I grew to accept these meetings actually do achieve something. Besides, the hotels and accommodation t

The Government's making moves on aged care reform - hoping to better meet New Zealanders' needs. It's establishing a Ministerial Advisory Group to recommend changes to the aged care funding model - expected by mid-next year.  The group will also look at the changes needed to support integration between aged care and health and disability services. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello told Ryan Bridge most people want to stay at home for as long as possible, so they want to develop a system that supports this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's met with various South East Asian leaders but missed out speaking with US President Donald Trump, as he attends talks in Malaysia. Chris Luxon's attending the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur for bilateral talks with regional leaders.  Donald Trump was at the talks briefly, before leaving for Japan to meet their new leader. Senior Political Reporter Azaria Howell told Ryan Bridge the pair will have a chance to cross paths again, with APEC in South Korea later this week. She says Luxon told a news conference it's unlikely there'll be any reprieve from tariffs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's unclear how much the Labour government will raise, from its just announced new capital gains tax. The targeted tax would apply to profit made from selling commercial or residential property, to raise funds for universal free doctors visitors. The family home, farms, KiwiSaver, shares, business assets, inheritances, and personal items will be exempt. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge the announcement doesn't specify how much the tax is likely to raise. He says it's hard to assess based on the information whether the tax would raise millions, hundreds of millions, or billions of dollars of revenue over any time period. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 28th of October 2025, Labour's announced a capital gains tax, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen shares his thoughts.  The Government’s finally making moves on aged care reform, Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello tells Ryan what changes they plan to make.  Newstalk ZB Political reporter Azaria Howell has the latest on Luxon in Asia.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a crocodile attack in Queensland.  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 was only a matter of time before Dame Noels was allowed back where she belongs. You could almost hear the cheers from fans not just of netball but of sport in general. The problem with this whole saga is that for the most part, we the public have been left guessing what was really going on behind the scenes. The reason people became so invested, and it eventually became political, was the narrative around the story. Speak to your average punter and they’d made up their minds. Dame Noels is a bloody legend. She’s a straight shooter. She calls a spade a spade. She’s hard and hearty and gets results. It’s not tiddlywinks. It’s professional sport. And that’s why this story took off like a rocket.  High performance sport is about exactly that. If you can’t take heat, get out of the kitchen. The public backed Dame Noels because this looked like a small group of players, notably excluding star Grace Nweke, who didn’t like the coaching style. They got sour grapes. They thought they were bigger than the boss.&

The Deputy Prime Minister isn't buying the argument strikers have won the war on public sentiment. Thousands downed tools across the education, health and public sector yesterday and took to the streets calling for better pay and working conditions.  David Seymour - who's also the Associate Health Minister - told Ryan Bridge that it's important to talk about facts, rather than sentiment.  He says the pay requests being made aren't sustainable with the Government's current finances.  Seymour says teachers and nurses have had recent pay increases - more than many tax payers.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's economy could look to benefit from Fonterra’s proposed sale. The proposed sale of Anchor and Mainland brands to French company Lactalis could unlock around 4.5 billion in additional spending. Forsyth Barr Senior Analyst Matt Montgomerie shares his thoughts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 24th of October 2025, the mega strikes have been and gone, Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Health and Education Minister David Seymour tells Ryan what happens next.  Nick Bewley has this scoop on this weekend's all-southern NPC final.  A new ASB report out this morning says Fonterra’s plan to sell its retail brands could unlock $4.5 billion in extra spending across the economy, Forsyth Barr Senior analyst, Matt Montgomerie shares his thoughts. Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Zelensky in Brussels and King Charles becoming the first head of the Church of England to pray publicly with the Pope. 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.

So 100,000 workers went on strike. Now what? The cost to settle these claims will run into the billions. Easily.  1979 was the last time we a strike this big. A general strike. 300-thousand people. It was Muldoon days. It was over a dispute with driver unions and transport. It went to arbitration and the unions won. This time, senior doctors refused binding arbitration.  Secondary teachers have a few more strikes before Christmas. And the primary teachers have more dates set down for pay talks next month.  You’d have to say, based purely on vibes and a little bit on polling, that the workers win the week. They 've won the PR battle. We're already sick of hearing how much senior doctors get paid. Parents will be sick of their kids missing school. Anymore delayed hip operations and there’ll be hell to pay. If the unions expect strikes to kick off again next year, they might find themselves falling out of favour with workers in the private sector. The median wage is $70k. Private sector workers ha

Unions say the mega-strikes today - are not just about them.  Tens of thousands of workers across health and education are stopping work in their fight for better pay and conditions.  More than 100 members gathered in Auckland last night - discussing the importance of strong public education and health systems.  PPTA President Chris Abercrombie says that the public service commission hasn't yet made contact, but the teachers have made it clear, "we're more than happy to talk about anything they want to talk about." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour plans to expand rebate for game development industry. Labour says that, if re-elected, they will expand the game development rebate, which gives Kiwi studios access to $40million a year to grow the industry.   The subsidy currently covers 41 different game studios, and in the 2025 financial year $24million of the $40million was spent.  Game Developers Association Executive Director Joy Keene told Ryan Bridge that, “the world can't get enough of New Zealand developed games.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More children are being harmed in Oranga Tamariki's care.  The agency's annual report reveals 530 children in care experienced harm in the year ending in March - 23 more than the previous 12 months.  There were more findings of emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect in this period - but an eight percent reduction in findings of physical harm. Instances of harm in secure residences fell for the first time - something the Children's Minister is celebrating.  Karen Chhour told Ryan Bridge she's pleased by the 14 percent drop - as it shows recent system changes are yielding results. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Massey Uni releases these numbers each year.  They tell you how much you might need to retirement.  In the city... two people in a house... want to live comfortably... need $1 million.  $450,000 in the provinces. Now, you then start working backwards. In terms of you're net worth.  Depending on your age, you may not be able to rely on the pension.  Some government will eventually means test it or change the age or cut it back. It's inevitable.  So there's a shortfall you're probably going to have to fill.  KiwiSaver contributions need to go up. And they are. Slightly, from 3 to eventually 4%.  But realistically, we'll need to be doing 10%. And I know people are doing that - who are, even in their 30s, going hard on saving and investing for this express purpose.  So people are planning and working hard. Slogging their guts out. Just being responsible and making sure they can take care of themselves and their families.  Which is why it smacks of entitlement that

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 23rd of October 2025, an estimated 100,000 teachers, nurses, dentists and medical staff are all walking off the job today, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie tells Ryan some rallies have been called off due to severe weather.  Labour’s keeping the policy train rolling and this time it’s all about video games, New Zealand game developers Association Executive Director Joy Keene shares her thoughts.  The Children’s Commissioner and Independent Children’s Monitor have called out the Children's Minister for cherry-picking statistics on abuse in state care, Karen Chhour makes her case. Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Trump demanding the Justice Department pay him $230 million in compensation for the federal investigations into him and the government shutdown is now entering its fourth week. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.        

A Māori rights lawyer is not buying the Government's explanation for a change to foreshore and seabed laws.  It says amendments to the Marine and Coastal Areas Act restore the legislation to its original intent - an argument criticised by the Act's original author former Attorney General Chris Finlayson.   It's expected to make getting Māori customary marine titles more difficult.  Lawyer and former Waitangi Tribunal Registrar Tom Bennion told Ryan Bridge the Government's won't admit they're trying to eradicate coastal rights.  He says people just about have to have been standing on the shore since 1840 with a taiaha telling everyone to go away - or they won't get anything.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicolas Sarkozy's become the first French ex-president to go to jail. He's started a five-year sentence for conspiring to fund his election campaign with money from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.  Sarkozy, who was president from 2007-2012, has appealed against his jail term at La Santé prison, where he will occupy a small cell in its isolation wing. UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was always going to be a risky strategy but it's backfiring quite badly for Labour. The two-year policy drought is over. Then heavens have open.  And a flood, or more like a few rain drops, of policy. It's gone haywire not just because Hipkins forgot his Health spokesperson was actually announcing a policy yesterday.  But because of the contents of that policy. In a nutshell it’s about letting some independent group of experts decide on health funding. And as I mentioned yesterday, a trend is now emerging.  Labour doesn’t trust itself to make wise choices. Or rather, it knows the electorate doesn’t trust it make wise choices with their hard-earned money. That’s why they’ve outsourced decision making to other people. They did it with the Future Fund and now they've done it on health. In some ways it’s smart. They're trying to suggest National will sell off assets and de-fund doctors so there needs to be an independent group making decisions.  But mostly it’s dumb because if there’s one t