Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

European leaders are set to gather this week for an emergency summit on the war in Ukraine. This comes as concerns are growing that the US is moving ahead with Russia on peace talks that will lock out the continent.  UK PM Sir Keir Starmer says it is a "once-in-a-generation moment for our national security."  UK Correspondent Gavin Gray joins the show to discuss the summit, as well as the adventurous cat that had to be collected from London Waterloo station after tripping 30km away.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB's Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss what happened over the weekend in sport.  What has been the reaction to Jannik Sinner's three month doping ban?  Shane van Gisbergen has entered his maiden Daytona 500, and it was a busy few days with Super Rugby officially underway. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in Ukraine is top of mind for European leaders.  France is set to host a summit to discuss the situation and European security.  It comes as the continent tries to respond to US President Donald Trump's unilateral approach to the conflict.  UK correspondent Gavin Gray told Andrew Dickens European leaders are worried about being left out of negotiations to end the war.  He says they fear it will be put together by America and Russia - without even involving Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Monday 17th February 2025, Tourism Minister Louise Upston talks about the Government's new campaign enticing Australians to visit New Zealand.   Andrew Dickens thinks the Government’s new tourism campaign targeted at Australians is a no brainer.   Andrew Alderson shares all the excitement from over the weekend at the Super Rugby Pacific games.  European leaders are set to gather for an emergency summit on the war in Ukraine, UK Correspondent Gavin Gray shares the latest.   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.

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 co

The troubled curriculum rewrite has hit another snag.  The Ministry of Education’s new English curriculum has been described as “shambolic” by the English Teachers Association, who have walked away from the rewriting process.  They say it’s too complex and has unrealistic expectations of what teachers can fit into a single year.  Association President Pip Tinning told Francesca Rudkin that the Ministry is expecting teachers to fit a significant amount of work into a single year, with the curriculum document currently sitting at 120 pages.  She says they’re concerned about the ability to meaningfully engage with the content, and the idea of leaving students behind becomes increasingly concerning if they’re trying to get through everything.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

German officials are on high alert after an attack in Munich ahead of a big few weeks in national and global politics.   It's believed 28 people —including children— have been injured after an Afghanistan asylum seeker allegedly drove into a crowd of demonstrators overnight.   European Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin the city is about to host the high profile Munich Security Conference, with US Vice President JD Vance having already arrived.   He says Germany has had several of these attacks over recent years, and have election just over a week away which could have something to do with it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It could be too little too late when it comes to encouraging a third supermarket to New Zealand.  The Government's repeated the call that we need more competition - to pressure prices.  It's laying out plans to challenge the incumbents, Foodstuffs and Woolworths - and remove regulations discouraging competition.  Former pre cursor to the Food and Grocery Council chief executive Ernie Newman told Francesca Rudkin the time has past and the focus should be on breaking up the existing sector.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Friday 14th of February 2025, the Government's hinted at a plan to encourage a third player into the grocery sector. There's credibility issues for the ministry of education's new English curriculum after the English teachers association walked away from work on the draft, pip tinning resident of New Zealand association of teachers of English, shares her thoughts.  A 24-year-old Afghan asylum seekers has purposefully driven into a crowd in the German city of Munich, Uk Correspondent Vincent McAviney tells Francesca Rudkin the latest.  And the Super Rugby season kicks off today, rugby commentator Tony Johnson gives his take on the teams to watch.  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 lovely tease yesterday from the government, aimed at those of us still hurting at the cost of putting food in the supermarket trolley.   The government wants more competition in the grocery sector.   It was a nicely timed message – despite all the big picture talk of foreign investment, a new economic ministry, and a focus on growth, growth, growth, the government has not forgotten that most Kiwis are dealing with simpler day to day challenges, like affording groceries.   But the announcement by Finance and Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis at the University of Waikato Economics Forum in Hamilton was very much connected to the Government’s economic growth plan.   And look that’s not a bad thing. Got to love a government with focus, or at least messaging focus. The issue is – there isn’t really a plan here at all.   The Government's has said it’s receptive to cracking down on pricing and helping new entrants access land and properties. Willis said that if a new competitor presen

The Screen Producers guild —SPADA— says overall, it's pleased with proposed changes for media.  The Ministry for Culture and Heritage has released a discussion document with five proposals.  They include the possibility of requiring platforms to invest more in local content and a suggestion New Zealand on Air and the Film Commission could be merged.  SPADA President Irene Gardiner told Francesca Rudkin the document's considered and detailed.  She says it shows the Ministry's listened to what they're saying and has taken it on board.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tenants and landlords might not always be on the same page when it comes to privacy rights.  Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster's reminding tenants they legally don't have to disclose their personal information to find a flat.   He says it can be tempting for landlords to collect this information when considering applications.   Auckland Property Investors Association's Sarina Gibbon told Francesca Rudkin the rules are pretty clear, but having separate documents for tenants and landlords could be part of the problem.  She says the language and the approach are very different, which could end up setting very different expectations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A seafood company says new fishing regulation proposals will hopefully reflect the leap in the industry's technology.   The Government's wanting public consultation on changes to the Fisheries Act.   It would allow catch limits to be more readily extended or reduced, and let boats with cameras installed, dump unwanted catch at sea.  Egmont Seafoods owner Keith Mawson told Francesca Rudkin parts of the system haven't changed for 40 years, but their technology's come a long way since then. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a Dominos and a Subway, but there will be no McDonald’s in Wānaka - at least at the currently proposed site. Yesterday, Commissioners declined to grant consent for a McDonalds restaurant, largely due to the location.  The proposed location was at the edge of town - where urban meets rural living. It is regarded as outside the urban growth boundary for Wānaka, at one of the town’s entrances, directly underneath magnificent Mt Iron.   A McDonalds was deemed to be at odds with rural living, the design of the building and surroundings not consistent with the landscape values of the site and its wider context. Commissioners considered reports and findings about the architecture, noise, traffic and future planning.   Queenstown Lakes District Council opened the proposal up for public submissions and of the 367 made, 340 opposed the development and 21 supported it.  While there were some who would have liked the opportunity for a Big Mac for dinner, many locals thought it would increase t

On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Thursday 13th February 2025, The fishing industry is welcoming a proposed major shake up of the Fisheries Act.  Local media may soon be on a more level playing field with proposed changes suggesting global streamers could be required to invest in local kiwi content, NZ's Screen Producers guild President Irene Gardiner told Francesca Rudkin the industry has been lobbying for the change for some time.  McDonalds isn't coming to Wanaka after all, would it have ever been accepted? Francesca shares her thoughts.  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared at his first meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Wednesday to tell allies that the liberation of all Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory "is an unrealistic objective." US Correspondent Mitch Mccann shares the latest.  (Something from Contributors)  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE

One of New Zealand Rugby's major sponsors has found itself offside with the national body.  NZR has confirmed they're launching legal action against petrochemical company INEOS for breaching a deal worth $8 million a year.  The petrochemical company hasn't paid its first 2025 instalment to have its logo on various All Blacks attire, making NZR believe they have exited their arrangement early.  INEOS claims they tried to negotiate a solution before the legal action came.  Newstalk ZB Rugby Journalist Elliott Smith told Francesca Rudkin that the company is blaming the decision on a commercial downturn in Europe.  He says they’re looking for a way to save costs, and that between their new America’s Cup team and recent acquisition of Manchester United, it’s likely they felt the NZR contract would be easiest to ditch.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group fighting youth homelessness says Kainga Ora's crackdown on rent debt will exacerbate housing insecurity.   The housing provider's announced it will terminate tenancies with people who skip rent and don't attempt to get back on track.   It says the new policy will also help it engage with tenants when rent debt is beginning to mount.   Manaaki Rangatahi Spokesperson Brooke Stanley told Francesca Rudkin they’re worries about the lack of alternatives to emergency housing that the Government is putting forward.  She says they’re also worried about the lack of strategy for addressing homelessness, as the previous plan ended in 2023 and there’s nothing in place to ensure that the work is continued.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian football player is walking away from jail time after being accused of racially harassing a Metropolitan police officer.   Sam Kerr was found not guilty by a British jury over an incident two years ago where she called an officer stupid and white.   UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Francesca Rudkin the charge could have lead to two years in prison.  He says the 31-year-old has always claimed she was antagonised by officers when she was taken to the police station following a dispute with a taxi driver.   The driver wanted clean up compensation from Kerr and her partner, for vomit and a broken window.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Whangārei Mayor believes more people will accept a decision around water fluoridation - if it comes from councils. New Zealand First's new Members Bill seeks to remove the Director General of Health's central authority on fluoridation - and mandate binding local referendums. It comes as Whangārei District Council's under fire - as the only council refusing to fluoridate under current mandates. Mayor Vince Cocurullo says told Francesca Rudkin Whangārei's never fluoridated and is probably due for a referendum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 12 February. 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.