Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Foreign Minister says New Zealand is officially resetting its relationship with the Cook Islands.   Tensions have continued to escalate between our Governments as the Cooks inked in a new partnership with China.   In a speech yesterday, Winston Peters has reiterated his concerns New Zealand was in the dark about this agreement, and is yet to see key details.  Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Andrew Dickens it’s clear Peters is well past fed up at this stage.   Walls says it’s no small feat to completely snub New Zealand in a sense, and sign such a major agreement with China without giving us a heads up.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's frustration about rubbish dumping along the Desert Road detour.   State Highway 1 between Tūrangi and Waiōuru closed in mid-January for about two months of roadworks.  The detour, which runs through State Highways 41, 47, 4, and 49 has seen a noticeable rise in rubbish.   Ruapehu District Councillor David Nottage has been picking up the rubbish himself.  He told Andrew Dickens it's more than people throwing a few things out the window.   Nottage says it's hard to believe people are carrying that much around while they travel, so they may be taking advantage.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Banks could soon be competing a bit harder for our business.  The Reserve Bank's signalling yesterday's double cut to the OCR will be followed by at least two more single cuts at the next reviews in April and May.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Andrew Dickens that's going to drive banks' rates down.  She says mortgage-holders and small businesses should be expecting to see their interest rates keep dropping.  Governor Adrian Orr says banks that don't cut their rates enough could lose market share to their competitors.  He says banks will be "sniffing and hunting" for business and may even have reduce their profit margins.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions are rising between the US and Ukrainian presidents.  In a post on social media network Truth Social, Donald Trump has labelled Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator without elections, who's duped the US into spending billions of dollars in defence against Russia.   It comes hours after Zelensky accused him of repeating Russian disinformation.  US correspondent Mitch McCann told Andrew Dickens this comes at a delicate time. He says the US is looking to negotiate with Russia without Ukraine at the table and Ukraine is getting impatient. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Thursday 20th of Feburary 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis reacts to the Reserve Bank cutting the OCR by 50 basis points.  Roadside dumping is an increasing problem along the Desert road detour Ruapehu District Councillor David Nottage tells Andrew Dickens, it's disgraceful. Winston Peters delivered a speech calling to 'reset' our relationship with the Cook Islands, Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls shares his analysis.  US Correspondent gives the latest on Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky responding to President Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine started the war. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So yesterday I outlined the reasons why the Reserve Bank might not cut interest rates.   I got that wrong.   They chopped the rate by the expected half a percent with immediate relief for mortgage holders.   What we try to do with the Reserve Bank is read behind the lines and figure out what they freely mean for our day-to-day life.  This is what I think they’re saying, times have been tough.   But you’ve been sitting on that couch for 15 years.   You wanted to replace it 5 years ago, but everything went so crazy that you called tai hoa until times were better.  The Reserve Bank then says times are as good as you’re going to get anytime soon so buy that couch.   But please buy a New Zealand made one.   They admit there are future risks, but they promise to keep a close eye on it.   We’ve got a furlough. So, let’s get cracking.   We can wait for the government to tell us what to do.    But that’s not the New Zealand way.   We need to work fo

New medical tests have shown further complications in the condition of Pope Francis.  They reveal the 88-year-old pontiff has developed bilateral pneumonia.  The Vatican says laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father's clinical condition continue to present a complex picture.  Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens that he’s being described as in stable condition and doesn’t have a fever, but nevertheless, his state is worrying.   Nevertheless, the pope is in good spirits and is grateful for the prayers for his recovery.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists are very confident in a 50-point cut to the Official Cash Rate today.  The Reserve Bank is expected to drop the OCR from its current 4.25% to 3.75% at 2pm.  That would follow a 50-basis point cut at the bank's last meeting in November.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Andrew Dickens the data has fallen in line with the Reserve Bank’s forecasts. He says it’s reasonable for the Reserve Bank to expect domestic inflation will continue to fall, and while they don’t want to cause unnecessary pain, they also don’t want inflation to leave the bottom of the band.  Zollner says that’s why they’re comfortable cutting now.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's an expectation Ukraine won't be left out of peace deal negotiations.   US and Russia have agreed to appoint teams to negotiate ending the war following high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, to which neither Ukraine nor Europe were invited  Russia says it will talk with Ukraine if "necessary".  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's former chief of staff Matt Terrill told Andrew Dickens the meeting in Saudi Arabia was just a first step at getting Russia to the table.  He says ultimately Ukraine, Russia, and other key players will need to be there too.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 19th of February 2025, the inquiry into steps government agencies took to ensure personal Census and Covid vaccination data collected at Manurewa Marae could not be misused has found the agencies failed to put appropriate safeguards in place.   Marco Rubio's Former Chief of staff Matt Terrill shares his thoughts on the crucial meeting between the US and Russia on the future of the war in Ukraine.   It's OCR day, ANZ's Sharon Zollner tells Andrew Dickens she expects the Reserve Bank to cut by 50 basis points.  Lydia Ko won her second supreme award at the Halberg Awards last night, and Hamish Kerr won Sportsman of the year, Andrew believes they are both deserving of their titles.   Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vindication for whistleblowers, following revelations officials lack census data safeguards, when sharing with third parties.  An inquiry shows multiple data-keeping failures from Stats NZ, Health NZ and the Ministry of Health, and has led to the head of Stats NZ stepping down.   Employment Advocate Allan Hulse told Andrew Dickens all whistleblowers faced retaliation during this process.  Hulse says they stood up and told the truth, and without them, the report wouldn't exist.  An investigation was ordered following claims Manurewa Marae misused Census and Covid-19 vaccine data.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mate and I have a little joke.   Whenever we screw up. Either big or small.  We’ll look at each other and say, “it only took one goat”.   It acknowledges that it takes forever to build up a good reputation and all it takes is one misstep to immediately undo all that good work.  New Zealand was recently told it had slipped a place in the world reputational survey around fraud and corruption.  We’re now 4th in the world. Which is still very good but not as good as we were before.  The news that confidential data held by a government agency was inappropriately given to a third party is a very serious one.  Maybe it wasn’t misused but it shouldn’t have been released.   And maybe this was not as dodgy as it seems but if we let standards slide then the next time could be even worse.   This is not the right time to be seen as a wink wink nudge nudge country. There’s more than enough third world metrics in play as it is.   When combined with Brian Roche’s report on

Australia’s next tropical cyclone is getting a name change.   Cyclone Zeila’s dissipation has brought the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to the end of an alphabetical list, alternating by gender.  The next cyclone was due to be named Anthony, but since Anthony Albanese is the current Prime Minister, the decision was made to jump to the next a-initial on the list.  Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Andrew Dickens that when the name matches that of a prominent person, they reorder the name to avoid confusion.   She says the next name will be Alfred.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waikato high schoolers can earn a qualification and a paycheque with a pilot programme supporting manufacturing.  The Government's teamed up with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa to give students three days work a week with a local business.  Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says the industry contributes about 8.4% of our GDP, but skill shortages are slowing productivity.  Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa CEO Catherine Lye told Andrew Dickens the idea of the programme began a couple of years ago between Waikato manufacturers to address their biggest challenge: the attraction and development of the workforce.   She says the students will gain experience and exposure to three different manufacturing businesses over the 30 week programme.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Genesis Energy says it's doing what it can to ensure Huntly Power Station helps the country avoid another generation shortfall this winter.   More than 500,000 tonnes of coal was restocked earlier this month, with another 500,000 tonnes on the way before September, in anticipation of demand.   Genesis Chief Executive Malcolm Johns told Andrew Dickens Huntly's units ran at full capacity last winter, working their way through 800,000 tonnes of coal.  He says a million tonnes is about appropriate for what he believes can be put through the machines.  Johns says this kind of preparation will still be needed in the future, even with 95% renewable generation in New Zealand in 2035.   He says 100% renewable can't genuinely be reached, and back up is needed for when the rain doesn't come and the wind doesn't blow.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European nations are expected to show a united front regarding discussions on ending the war in Ukraine.  An emergency summit of European and NATO leaders is being held in Paris, after being excluded from peace talks between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia.  Russia says Europe will have no role in talks with the US.  EUobserver Foreign Editor Andrew Rettman told Andrew Dickens a number of things will come out of this summit.  He says they're trying to show they're relevant, that they're stakeholders in this and have some answers on what's next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, the Government thinks they’re all about growth.   So why in the weekend was Radio New Zealand reporting that engineering New Zealand was calling the Government out for gaslighting about it’s going for growth strategy.  They accuse the Government of talking up infrastructure development.  And yet in the last 15 months since the formation of the Government they have stalled, frozen and dumped various state-funded building plans with the aim of deficit and debt reduction.   It’s the cancellation of education rebuilds, the shutdown of hospital builds and upgrades, the slow down on roading, the changes in the three waters spac.  It's all meant that New Zealand engineers and New Zealand constructors, the people who build the roads, waters network and buildings, have all had to look for work elsewhere and that has seen people heading overseas or contracting to work overseas and significant numbers."   Large infrastructure firms" in Australia are rapidly hiring large numbers of New Z

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 18th of February, the European Union holds an emergency national security summit with top officials in Paris, Euobserver Foreign Editor Andrew Rettman shares the latest. Genesis Boss Malcom Johns tells Andrew Dickens, how Genesis plans for any potential energy shortfalls this winter.   A new programme has launched directly connecting high school students with the manufacturing industry.  And Andrew believes the Government needs to act fast to save our engineers from leaving the country.  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 Government’s new tourism campaign targeted at Australians is a no brainer.  A simple test is comparing how many New Zealanders have visited Australia compared to how many Australians have come here.  I remember being at a conference in Sydney and asking around the room how many had been to New Zealand. There were none. Yet all had been to Queensland. including me.  It’s a right of passage to visit Aussie.  But it’s not a right of passage for Aussies to come here.  So imploring everyone must come here is a good thing.  Shame on the Labour spokesperson who seemed to think such a plea was desperate.   If we can imbue the belief in Australia that a visit to New Zealand is a must then that will continue to pay it’s way for generations. It’s the same with European visitors.    The people I know who came here from Europe for their OE are now the families who return. Their kids having heard the legends form mum’s OE in New Zealand are the ones who come back.  My p

The government has announced a new campaign for encouraging Australian's to come here for their next holiday. The campaign is being funded through the International Visitor Levy, costing $500,000, and will be followed by further campaigns targeting other places.  Marketing for the campaign, 'Everyone must go,' will go live across the ditch next week.  Tourism Minister Louise Upston joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.