Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Green Party's concerned beneficiaries will be slapped with massive debt due to the Ministry of Social Development's mistakes.  MSD's revealed nearly 1-in-4 benefit entitlements aren't being processed correctly.  It's cited complexity of cases, systems challenges and weakness within its internal capability, and says accuracy's been declining for three or four years.   Greens Social Development spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March told Ryan Bridge MSD hasn't confirmed it won't order thousands of dollars from those it's overpaid.   He says that would push people further down the poverty line and into more hardship as they try to repay it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The manhunt continues for a gunman after a top US executive was fatally shot in the back in New York's Manhattan.   The victim is 50 year old UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson.   Police say it was a brazen, targeted attack carried out by someone who was proficient with firearms.   US Correspondent Kate Fisher told Ryan Bridge that authorities are telling people not to panic.   She says Mayor Eric Adams is assuring people they're safe to go about their business.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More international students are keen on studying in New Zealand.  Data shows the number of international students has grown by 6% since last year.  Universities are still at a pre-pandemic capacity, despite the growth in the sector this year.  Education New Zealand General Manager Geoff Bilbrough told Ryan Bridge that countries like Canada and Australia putting caps on foreign students will benefit our sector.  He says some of the interest in New Zealand is at the expense of Australia.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday the 5th of December. Nearly one in four beneficaries are being paid incorrectly when the target is 95% correct payment. What is the Ministry for Social Development doing wrong and how can it be fixed? Green Party Social Development Spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March joins the show. The government is looking at advice on our biogenic methane as they look to set new targets next year. Associate Minister for Agriculture Andrew Hoggard speaks to Ryan about what it means for the sector. More international students are attending our universities, but how do the numbers compare to pre-covid levels? Education NZ's Geoff Bilbrough has the details.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's basically the question you've got to ask yourself after the latest wool snub. This time it was Kāinga Ora saying no to Kiwi made woollen carpet for state houses, and yes to synthetic imported stuff.  Why? It's cheaper. We've been here before, you'll remember the school classrooms - same story. It's happened again despite the coalition agreement deal with New Zealand First ensuring wool carped is used where practical - and that might be the caveat that Kāinga Ora is using here to get out of wool, the deal says that the local product has to be used in government procurement and in government buildings.  But Kāinga Ora, like a good kid in class, has been listening to the government's main lecture which is cut costs.  Wool is 30% more expensive on average than the nylon equivalent.  But the industry says a deal with Kāinga Ora could revitalise a flailing product and its fortune.  So we have a clash of competing priorities, cost versus localism.  The answer to the question pose

A  government appointed scientific panel has found that by reducing our methane emissions to 24% by 2050 we would meet the goal of not seeing additional warming above 2017 levels. But the climate change commission has warned there's no evidence to support changing the existing target of up to 47 percent.  Associate Minister for Agriculture Andrew Hoggard says the government will work with the sector when looking at any changes to local regulations and targets. "New Zealand farmers are some of the world’s most carbon efficient food producers. We can meet our obligations through innovation and technology,” The government is now going over the panel's advice to decide on a new target next year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Black Sevu Reece has avoided conviction a second time after damaging a Christchurch property.  The 27-year-old crashed a car into a garage door after being asked to leave a post-Cup Day party last year.  The Crusader's been discharged without conviction after admitting a reduced charge of wilful damage.  In 2018, Reece was granted a discharge for assaulting his then-partner.  Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told Ryan Bridge that being well-paid to play sport is a privilege.  He says a responsibility comes with that, and twice now, he's fallen below the line.  Johnson says he'll have to stay true to his commitment to stay away from alcohol.  He says it's already cost him one job overseas, so another repeat could have major impacts for Reece in the game.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes a shakeup at Auckland Transport will bring more democratic decisions.   The council will now take control of transport policy and planning, as well as road control.   A new Auckland Regional Transport Committee will be created to develop a 30-year transport plan – agreed to by Cabinet and the council.   Howick Local board Chair Damian Light told Ryan Bridge it could mean locations for controversial infrastructure like cycleways and pedestrian crossings are more carefully chosen.  He says it could mean they only end up in areas where people want them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former Health New Zealand chair says a lot of the estimate issues we're seeing carry over from the DHBs.   The health service has reported a $1.1 billion deficit – lower than the $1.76 billion it was initially signalling.   The revised deficit was revealed at yesterday's review of the Ministry of Health, and has prompted backlash from opposition MPs.   Former Chair Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge that Health New Zealand's trying to pull together figures from the previous system.   He says the main people in control have been the Ministry of Health and Treasury, which haven't had any changes made to them in this respect.  Campbell says that Health New Zealand, the Commissioner, and whoever's involved in its organisation, can't staff-cut and staff-restrict costs to make this better.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 4 December. 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.

Here's a question for you this morning - How much will ever be enough to spend on health?  The answer is there will never be enough, so you got to make do with what you got.  At least that is what Health New Zealand is trying to do.  At the moment, we spend $30 billion bucks a year, that's just taxpayer money on health. It is middle of the road for the OECD in terms of percentage of GDP comparisons.  According to Health New Zealand we're ahead of the likes of the UK, Canada and Sweden, but we're behind France, Switzerland and Germany.  I mean, really, what does all this mean?  Whether that spending is any good or not is another matter. Ask a hundred people about their experience in the health system and you'll get 100 different answers.  One answer though, that we should be getting a bit more right, is exactly how much we're spending or planning to spend on health because how can you know what you're doing unless you know what you're spending and on what? Health New Zea

It was a landmark judgement on a more than 20-year court saga surrounding Māori customary rights to the foreshore and seabed.  The Supreme Court's allowing an Attorney-General appeal against a Court of Appeal judgment, made in October last year.    It's rejected the judgment as a narrow interpretation of criteria for customary marine titles, and reaffirmed the role of tikanga Māori in guiding decisions.   Former Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson told Ryan Bridge it's a significant decision that could nullify the need for the Government's amendment bill.  He says it may have been better to wait for the Supreme Court to deliver its decision before proceeding with legislation.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nurses’ union is confident today's strike won't negatively impact patients.  Bargaining between the Nurses Organisation and Health New Zealand is deadlocked, with workers opposing changes which would see a reduced number of nurses caring for patients.  They say it risks patient safety and are walking off the job at every Te Whatu Ora facility nationwide between 11am and 7pm today.   Nurses Organisation Chief Executive Paul Goulter told Ryan Bridge it's a necessary move.  He says it's what the nurses want, saying they're exasperated by the bargaining process.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More targeted support is on the way for beneficiaries on the jobseeker benefit, but questions have been raised about punishing people who don't move for jobs. Job losses have been a big problem in regional New Zealand this year, with two big mills closing in the Ruapehu District costing over 200 people their jobs. Mayor Weston Kirton told Ryan Bridge there simply aren't any regional jobs around. "We've got only a limited number of opportunities in our district. We do have one or two businesses that, on a seasonal basis, take people and we traditionally have a high unemployment rate in our area anyway," he said.  "To have 230 jobs taken away from us has a huge impact on our economy". An additional 8000 people went on jobseeker support in the last three months, bringing the total to over 200,000 which is pushing the government's target of bringing that down to fewer than 50,000 by 2030. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 3rd of December. More people are joining the jobseeker benefit, making the government's target harder to meet. Could jobseekers who don't move for work face punishment, and what are regions that have had big employers close down seeing? Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton joins the show.  The Supreme Court will allow the Attorney General to appeal a decision on the Foreshore and Seabed made last year - what does it mean? Former Treaty Negations Minister Chris Finlayson speaks to Ryan. 36,000 Te Whatu Ora nurses will go on strike for 8 hours today. NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter on what you need to know. 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.

Why do Americans keep saying nobody is above the law and then repeatedly showing us some blatantly are.  Biden tweeted during the campaign "nobody is above the law". He said it many times, but he was talking about charges against Trump, of course.  But, on principle, he said the same applies to him and his family - Including his son Hunter.  That brings us back here - He's lost the election and quicker than you can say 'get out of jail free', he's flip-flopped and the convictions are wiped clean.  Now Hunter won't face any jail time or have a criminal record for two separate court cases, some of them involving gun charges. Their constitution allows Presidents to pardon pretty much anyone for federal crimes, except themselves for impeachment.  Trump did it on the way out too.  Obama, both Bushes and FDR hit the record with more than 2000 pardons.  At the same time Biden proves his son is in fact above the law you've got the Department of Justice dropping cases against Trump l

The Black Caps have got their summer off on the wrong foot, after losing to England by eight wickets in the first test in Christchurch. Their efforts were marred by a string of fielding errors, with multiple dropped catches in the first innings as England's Harry Brook bagged 171. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson's efforts for last points in Qatar have been unsuccessful after finishing 14th in Lusail - as F1 Drivers Champion-elect Max Verstappen takes out the Grand Prix. Newstalk ZB Sport Wellington reader Adam Cooper joined Ryan Bridge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British broadcaster Gregg Wallace has stepped back from presenting Masterchef as allegations of sexual comments surface. There's been 13 complaints from staff and celebrity guests over almost two decades – which Wallace denies. The 60-year-old's posted videos online defending himself. Europe Correspondent Kay Oliver told Ryan Bridge he's pointing the finger at middle class women of a certain age. “A question to be answered as to why at this stage, if we’re talking about crisis management, he has gone out and put this online so that now millions of people can see this.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cautious optimism from the meat sector as it braces for the impact of a US presidency change. Donald Trump's campaigned on tariffs of up to 20 percent on all imports, with higher tariffs for imports from China. Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton says they're still unsure if New Zealand will actually be affected. He told Ryan Bridge the tariffs will focus on nations which have a trade imbalance with the US. “And I think for us, the US is very, very short on beef at the moment, and they’re going to be relying heavily on us over the next few years.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ex-Labour Party high-flyer is confident Chris Hipkins will continue to lead the party. Labour's conference over the weekend came with a vow not to join security conference AUKUS. The party's also spoken about a potential tax shake-up should it come into power at the next election. Former Labour MP Stuart Nash told Ryan Bridge he has no doubt Chris Hipkins will be leader. “If he wants to be the leader, and I assuming he does, because he’s engaged, he’s passionate.” Wairarapa-based list MP Kieran McAnulty has been announced as Labour's 2026 campaign chair. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.