Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Fighting in Trump’s cabinet after Elon Musk lashed out at Trump’s “Big, beautiful bill”.   US Correspondent Mitchell McCann told Ryan Bridge that Elon Musk’s comments earlier in the week have gone unaddressed by the President so far.   Musk took to X and called the President’s new bill a “disgusting abomination.” Later adding that the bill would increase the budget deficit to $2.5trillion.   President Trump wanted the bill on his desk by the 4th of July, but the opposition from one of his closest allies could drastically slow down the process.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission is ramping up efforts to disrupt the supermarket monopoly.  It says supplier charges and promotional pricing are reinforcing the dominance of Foodstuffs and Woolworths.  It's proposing a simplified grocery code, reducing the range of payments that supermarkets can charge suppliers.  Grocery expert Ernie Newman told Ryan Bridge that supermarkets are receiving billions of dollars in discounts - which largely aren't being passed on to consumers.   He says there's more money floating around in the sector than the Commerce Commission had previously identified.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeowners will have to pay more for home insurance to help the Natural Hazards Commission.   Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says levies will almost certainly need to rise further, with Cabinet set to decide on the changes in the coming months.    Insurance consultant Dean Lester told Ryan Bridge that these changes could cost homeowners two to $300 more a year.   The government says they'll carry $2 billion worth of risk but have about $500 million in the kitty.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Government reforms aim to tidy up inconsistencies in Fish and Game New Zealand.  It will be shifted to a nationalised fee collection system to reduce double handling of fees.  Fish and Game councils will also be required to consider the interests of other stakeholders, like farmers and the aviation sector, when it comes to decision making.  Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager told Ryan Bridge he wants to ensure councils function efficiently. He says there should be a consistent approach across the country. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 5th June of 2025, The Grocery Commissioner has revealed changes to crack down on the grocery sector, Grocery Policy Expert Ernie Newman shares his thoughts.  Homeowners could be in for more insurance levies, Insurance Consultant Dean Lester tells Ryan Bridge why.  The Government's announced an overhaul of Fish and Game, Minister for Fishing and Hunting, James Meager tells Ryan Bridge what the changes will mean.  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 Commerce Commission reckons we need fewer items 'on sale' at the supermarket.  That would mean less yoghurt on special at $4.99, fewer $1.99 chocolate bars at the checkout, and just less price yo-yo-ing in general. This is counterintuitive. The job of Commerce Commission, through the Grocery Commissioner, is meant to score us cheaper prices and boost competition, right? So, what the hell is going on here? This morning, they announced they want to change the rules around what the supermarkets can charge suppliers. Foodstuffs and Woolworths purchase $15 billion of goods from suppliers each year and control 82% of the retail market.  When they do this, suppliers will discount prices by about $5 billion a year through rebates, discounts, and promotional payments. This ensures their stock is on sale. If they need to move a boat load of it, they can do on special and quickly, because we all love a bargain. The Supermarket tsar says if you’re a new, smaller supermarket chain opening up, you can’t compe

Ukraine's struck a critical bridge connecting Russia and the Crimean Peninsula.  It's security service claims agents mined the supports of the bridge with more than one-thousand kilograms of explosives, severely damaging the foundations.  Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge the bridge is a hated symbol of Russian occupation for Ukraine.  He says it's also a vital piece of infrastructure for Russia.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's seen as the ideal place to host a major movie premiere.  That's due to a decade-old agreement between the producers of the Avatar franchise and the Government, given the amount of taxpayers' money that's been contributed.   In return, the producers agreed to roll out a red carpet in New Zealand for at least one of the three movies.  818 Publicity Managing Director Chris Henry told Ryan Bridge Wellington has a wonderful film culture.  He says the capital is also home to the films' director James Cameron, and a number of stars.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Building and Construction Minister's confident they're providing the right support while sector liquidation rates remain bleak.  Building Research Association data shows construction companies now make up about a third of all business liquidations – up 25% in 2022.   Minister Chris Penk told Ryan Bridge it's not a great statistic, but they're focusing on what they can control.   He says this includes turning around rules and regulations to make recovery easier.    Penk says the sector's in the midst of a deep boom and bust cycle.   He says times will get better, but they need to do everything in their power to avoid things being tougher for longer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although visitor spending is on the rise, some parts of New Zealand are still doing it tough. A Government survey's found international visitor spending increased by 10% and contributed more than $12 billion to the economy in the year ending March. That's 9.2% up on the previous year. It reflects an increase in international visitors, topping 3.3 million arrivals, up from almost 3.2 million. Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers told Ryan Bridge it's good news, but also highlights the uneven nature of the spend across New Zealand.  He says there should be more effort to collaborate and spread the love between different regions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism mojo.  Louise Upston fired off an enthusiastic press release last night.  "International visitor spend on the up” it proclaimed. New data, which we get from the International Visitor Survey, showed a 10% jump in spending on the previous year. Sounds impressive, right?  Sounds like we’re getting somewhere. Finally shaking off the Covid cobwebs.  But this is where we start to see the spin doctors earning their keep.  Let’s not forget we’ve been dealing with inflation outside the band over that year. Which means stuff costs more - restaurants and hotels included. So, are we actually getting more out of tourism than we were, and is the jumping up and down justified? Well, the measure of success ought to be pre-Covid, when everything was shut down, we battened down the hatches and kissed the world goodbye. By that measure, spending is still only 86% of what it was in 2019. Now, the very same Minister responsible for last night’s press release was the same Minister responsible for f

Australia's refusing to play ball with the US, which is demanding it up its defence spend to 3.5% of GDP as soon as possible.   Australia's currently tracking to lift spending to 2.33% of GDP in the next eight years.   Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seems to be brushing off the demand.   Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge that Albanese has said what you should do in defence is decide what you need, your capability, and provide for it, and that’s what his Government is doing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plenty happened in the sporting world over the long weekend, and Andrew Alderson joined Ryan Bridge to delve into some of it. On today's agenda is the latest from Roland-Garros, the Warriors' win and Mitch Barnett's unfortunate ACL injury, and a social media spat coming out of IndyCar. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minimal progress in another round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.   The two countries have agreed, in Istanbul, to exchange sick and wounded prisoners of war, and those under 25.  Meanwhile, Ukraine's carried out drone strikes on several Russian air bases.   BBC's Olga Ivshina says even the loss of one plane is significant, as Russia can't replicate it quickly.   She told Ryan Bridge Russia has also launched attacks.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what's really starts to rub me the wrong way?  It's governments telling us to do more things.  This morning, we've got the government coming out with yet another hotline. Sounds fancy. Sounds efficient.  It's a hotline to report road cones. A road cone tipline.  Sorry, but if the problem is that there are too many road cones on the road, and they're unnecessary for the work being carried out —which half of them appear to be— then why do you need us to tell you that? Surely if we just had better, clearer rules and less bullshit, we wouldn't need a road cone tipline. A pothole tipline. A 105 theft tipline. A beneficiary tipline. Either you know what you're doing and you've got smart people and smart systems, or you don't.  And every time I hear of another tipline I realise, they have no idea.  Tiplines are the equivalent of a safety calming measure. Those weird speed bumps or narrowing roads, designed to make people feel better when driving around. All they really

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 3rd of June 2025, The Government's introducing new changes to Worksafe and implementing a new roadcone hotline, Parallax CEO Dave Tilton shares his thoughts on how it will work.  Ukraine and Russia have been having peace talks in Turkey, BBC Senior Russia Correspondent Olga Ivshina shares the latest.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus, Donna Demaio has all the details on the Australian PM  brushing off a push from the US to spend more on defence. 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.

Significant changes at WorkSafe as it moves from an enforcement focus and launches the road cone hotline. The agency will now engage early to support risk management, starting with today's opening of a tipline for excessive road cone usage.  Parallaxx Traffic Control Training Chief Executive Dave Tilton told Ryan Bridge there are good elements to this announcement.  He agrees with the collaborative risk-based approach, connecting WorkSafe, councils, and NZTA.  But Tilton says there are incompatible components to the hotline itself.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just 60% of Air New Zealand's trans-Tasman flights took off within 15 minutes of their scheduled time last month.   A report by the Ministry of Transport shows airline performance for April.  78% of Jetstar's flights between Australia and New Zealand left on time, and 70% for Qantas.   Aviation commentator Peter Clark told Ryan Bridge Air New Zealand's has a large fleet, which means more planes needing attention.  He says aircrafts have to be turned around, serviced, and catered every flight.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doubts many parents will be prosecuted for repeat truancy under a new Government directive.  Associate Education Minister David Seymour's confirmed these parents could be fined up to $30 a day as part of a firmer approach on school attendance.   Any possible prosecution cases will be referred to the Ministry.  Darfield High School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge they have 28 students —or 3%— who could fall into the chronic non-attendance category.  He says the vast majority have parents who are struggling financially or have health issues, and the ministry would struggle to prosecute any of them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are welcoming a proposal to remove difficult rules from the Resource Management Act.  The Government's released three discussion documents proposing amending 12 current national directions and four new ones.  They include changes to freshwater management and regulation of farming practices.  Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chair Kate Acland told Ryan Bridge the Government's addressing issues they've been highlighting for a long time.  She says the rules are complex, impractical, and in some cases, impossible to meet.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.