Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

I'm getting really angry reading these stories about violence in New Zealand, and I don't think that harsher sentences are going to stop them.  I don't think that the gang patch ban is going to stop them, I don't think that wraparound services are going to stop them either.  I'm talking here about Palmerston North's emergency Department yesterday, daylight doctors are at work, nurses are there.  A cab driver has a minor accident with gang members in the hospital car park, gang members attack the cabbie, another cabbie comes to his rescue.  He gets beaten up, one of the cabbies gets taken into the ED and hidden because the gang members were threatening to kill him.  Cops arrive, two cops starting out, they get beaten up, the cop car gets attacked.  This is daylight on a Wednesday in Palmerston North while people are trying to get health care.  Six police cars end up having to come, they bring pepper spray and a taser and finally, the situation is brought under control. 

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 31st of October, a Ministry of Social Development report has highlighted how long young people spend on the benefit. It found people spend an average of 13 years on the benefit - 26% higher than estimates from eight years ago. Labour's Carmel Sepuloni joins the show to discuss.  Could wood residue be used to make aviation fuel? Air NZ reckons we could make the sustainable fuel here, potentially adding hundreds of regional jobs to the economy. Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Kiri Hannifin speaks to Ryan.  Police are still investigating a sideline assault on a coach - what do we need to do to keep volunteers safe at kids sporting games? Northern Football Chief Executive Laura Menzies joins the show.  There's less than a week until the United States Presidential Election. Mitch McCann has the latest from the campaign trail.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRa

There's hopes rural communities will be considered before changes are made to NZ Post's services.   Options include dropping to delivering two days a week in urban areas, instead of three, and going from five times a week in rural areas down to three.  Additionally, postal outlets will be reduced from 880 to 500.  Rural Women CEO Marie Fitzpatrick says postal services are essential for rural communities that don't always have access to broadband.  She said that while this consultation focuses on mail specifically and excludes courier posts, those services are done in the same van if you live rurally.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Review Office has found the system for addressing school absence is failing, with chronic absence doubling in the last decade.   In Term 2 this year, one in ten students was chronically absent, with more than 80 thousand missing more than three weeks of the term.   Since 2015, chronic absence has doubled in secondary schools and almost tripled in primary schools.   Tupuranga Attendance Service Practice Lead Adam Duchac told Ryan Bridge they're underfunded and under-resourced.   He says they only have 7.4 full-time equivalent staff covering 250 schools, and a simple fix would be more funding, which the report recommends.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK teenager accused of killing three young girls at a children's dance event will appear in court tomorrow, now on a terrorism charge.  England's Merseyside Police yesterday announced they'd discovered a bio-toxin and al Qaeda documents in the 18 year old's home following the July mass-stabbing.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge it's a shock twist in the devastating case.  He says despite the terror charge, counter-terrorism Police say the incident isn't classified a terrorist incident.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s assurance the Government's proposed building consents scheme, allowing tradespeople to self-certify, is safe.  Businesses with a track record of delivering bigger projects will be able to access streamlined consenting.  Qualified tradespeople will be able to forego inspections for low risk builds through the opt in 'self-certification scheme'.  Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace told Ryan Bridge there's proof it works.  He says Gas Fitters and Electricians have already been self-certified for 14 years, with no significant issues.  Wallace says it will save workers and customers time and money, as at the moment adding 30 centimetres to your bathroom will take around four inspections to get a consent.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 30th October, there are more changes to our building and construction sector. The Government wants to allow builders and plumbers to self-certify their work to cut back on council inspections. Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace joins the show to discuss.  The Education Review Office has found chronic absence in our schools has doubled over the past decade, saying we have reached a crisis point. Adam Duchac from the Tupuranga Attendance Service talks to Ryan about what's going wrong.  NZ Post could be cutting back on the number of days it delivers mail - does it matter when we're sending hundreds of millions fewer mail items than 20 years ago? Rural Women Chief Executive Marie Fitzpatrick discusses the situation.  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.

Newstalk ZB Sports Reporter Andrew Alderson joined Ryan Bridge to wrap the weekend's sporting events. On today's agenda:  The Black Caps claimed a history-making win over India, beating the hosts on their home turf. The Silver Ferns claimed the Constellation Cup, beating Australia 61-43 in the third test of the series. Liam Lawson's behaviour at the Mexico Grand Prix has raised a few eyebrows.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The iconic Kiwi corner dairy is believed to be becoming a rarer sight.  The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment notes there are more than 1,700 businesses currently registered as dairies or superettes, less than Retail NZ's 2018 count of around 4,000. Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johnson told Ryan Bridge a number of dairies have closed, but people's shopping habits have changed.  She says they've been great for popping in to buy bits and pieces, but people pay for the convenience.  Johnson says retail’s been doing it tough, and if people want to keep the dairies open, they need to support them. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian woman's been found alive, after going missing in New South Wales' Snowy Mountains for nearly two weeks.  A multi-agency search started for Lovisa Sjoberg when authorities discovered her hire car had not moved for six days.  The 48-year-old was found injured and dehydrated by officials on Sunday.  Australian Correspondent, Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge it was also found a venomous Copperhead snake had bitten her, four days before being found.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's received advice on how Kiwibank can better compete with the large Australian-owned banks.   It's in response to the Commerce Commission market study on personal banking.   Documents released under the Official Information Act show Treasury wants to look at exploring use of private capital, including an Initial Public Offering.  Massey University banking expert David Tripe told Ryan Bridge there could be issues with an NZX listing or other private parties getting involved.   He says returns aren't especially good, and that's one of the big challenges with the IPO option.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The road toll is sitting at zero for the long weekend.  Six people died last Labour Weekend, which is a tragedy.  The road toll is the lowest Labour Weekend toll since 2013, when we had one death on the roads.  Why do we think this has happened this particular weekend?  Is it the Road to Zero that the previous government introduced?  Is it the fact we've had some road upgrades, some potholes fixed potentially?  Or is it just random stats? You know, we should really be looking at annual averages, not weekend blips which can jump around – a bit like our weekend of sport last weekend, which was a bit of a con job.  It just so happened we had a bunch of sporting finals on the same weekend, it wasn't like we were comparing apples with apples like an Olympics tournament, was it?  So, was it one of those situations?  Or, and here's my theory, we didn't really travel much this weekend – and this is based on nothing other than my own experience.  But I was on Waiheke I

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 29th of October, Treasury has put three options on the table to raise Kiwibank's capital and make it a stronger competitor against the big banks. Massey University Banking Expert David Tripe talks through the options with Ryan.  They're a Kiwi staple, but the number of dairies across the country could be on the decline. Business NZ's Ann-Marie Johnson has the reasons why.  It's been another busy weekend of sport - Liam Lawson raises eyebrows at the Grand Prix and the Black Caps beat India in India for the first time. Andrew Alderson has your weekend sport wrap.  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.

Here we go again, everybody. They’re planning to build yet more houses on land that we know is partial to flooding.  This time, it's the Coalition Government, with three housing projects on its fast-track list in Auckland and Canterbury.  In 2022 it was Labour, they had 700 homes on their fast-track list that were prone to flooding.  You might think, well, if you want to go and build your house on flood-prone land after Cyclone Gabrielle, et cetera, that's your issue. You pay up.  But here's the problem with that: we have no hard and fast rule about what rate payers and or taxpayers might have to stump up for compensation. You know, do we buy these houses out? How does it work?   If they build and it floods, our collective insurance premiums go up. Just this week, we had a letter from big insurers to the Prime Minister and others saying we can't keep up with these payouts, with the increased weather events, et cetera – premiums are going to have to rock it up, stop allowing developmen

There's fresh information for prostate cancer patients and their doctors to consider when making treatment decisions.  A UK study has found those treated with a highly targeted type of radiotherapy appear to have fewer problems with two major side effects, compared with those who have surgery.  Auckland Radiation Oncologist Associate Professor Giuseppe Sasso says the treatment is also more convenient compared to conventional radiation.  He says it's able to take care of their disease with five appointments, rather than a four week, Monday to Friday course of radiation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The issue of the Manawanui sinking is hanging over the Prime Minister as he attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Christopher Luxon met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last night, and will meet with King Charles and other leaders today. He says it's too early to talk about whether Samoa will get any financial compensation for the Manawanui.  But Political Editor Jason Walls —who's on the ground in Samoa with the PM— told Ryan Bridge Luxon has been full of praise for the Kiwi taskforce responding to the situation.  He says there was some initial estimates that thousands of litres of diesel could be leaking out into the ocean, but the PM is confident there's been little to no damage to marine life.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's meeting with Police and transport officials today over Wednesday's fatal stabbing in Auckland.  Police are expected to lay charges against a 37-year-old man who handed himself in to North Shore Police Station yesterday afternoon.  It came after a woman was fatally stabbed on a bus in Onehunga on Wednesday in a seemingly random attack.  Transport Minister Simeon Brown told Ryan Bridge he and Police Minister Mark Mitchell will be sitting down with Police and Auckland Transport today.  He says the key issue is to ensure they're using the resources they have effectively, keeping public transport users safe, and looking at what more they can do.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 25th of October, there are concerns about safety on public transport following the fatal stabbing of a woman on a bus in Onehunga. Transport Minister Simeon Brown joins the show to discuss the situation.  A new UK prostate cancer trial is looking good for patients - it aims to reduce side effects and treat the cancer in a more targeted way. Oncologist Giuseppe Sasso speaks to Ryan about what it could mean for Kiwi patients.  The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting is getting underway in Samoa. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has already held a meeting with the UK's Kier Starmer and is set to meet the King for the first time today. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls joins us live from Samoa.  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.

Donald Trump is coming under fire for alleged comments he made about Adolf Hitler.   In an interview with the New York Times, Trump's former Chief of Staff, John F. Kelly claims the former president said that Hitler did some good things.   US correspondent Sally Patterson told Ryan Bridge the Republican presidential nominee allegedly praised Hitler on other things.   She says that includes praising Hitler's economic policy and military tactics.   A spokesperson for the Trump campaign says Kelly has made a fool of himself with the accusations and labelled them debunked stories.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The primary teachers’ union says there are other matters which should come before improvements to the measuring of student performance.   An Auditor-General report says there's a gap in the Ministry of Education's information on student performance before NCEA level.   It recommends better collection of progress reports on primary and intermediate students.  New Zealand Education Institute President Mark Potter told Ryan Bridge that there needs to be more investment in education across the board.  He says it’ll require new money to be invested, not just clip and cut funding from one part of education, and moved to another.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.