Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

An ambulance union says the Government's made the right call in increasing funding by 6% for Hato Hone St John.  It's putting an additional $21 million into the ambulance service, increasing the overall funding to nearly $357 million.  Ambulance Association Secretary Mark Quin told Ryan Bridge that it hasn’t resolved the issues of pay parity, but it’s more than they were offered previously.   He says the pay increases take them above the inflationary pressures, as well as significant conditions around medical.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bit of life is coming back into the property market, but investors think the best is yet to come.   The CoreLogic October Housing report has found almost a quarter of the properties bought were by people who own multiple properties.   The Property Investors Federation says there should be a pickup mid next year as mortgage rates continue to fall.   Advocacy Director Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge there are some bargains to be had.  He says some investors are buying up run down homes and doing them up for a profit.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, a driver and fellow passengers all witnessed a stabbing take place, and the person died.  This is 2:30 in the afternoon on a bus in suburban Auckland, and someone is allegedly stabbed to death.  There's been beatings of passengers and drivers, I don't have to explain this, you've seen the headlines. The problem of driver safety seems to only be getting worse.  I was walking past the bus just a few weeks back, there was a guy, he looked wild in the eyes. You know the ones that I'm talking about, swearing and yelling and walking up to buses and kicking their doors.  So every time a bus would come along the guy would just kick the door and he did it to several of them. I didn't say anything. I was with other people; they didn't say anything because you're just worried he's going to go nuts at you.  But we could carry on walking down the road, when you work on public transport, you cannot escape the public.  And when the public is increasingly hostile, there are more and m

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 24th of October, the Auditor General has told the Ministry of Education to get a better handle on inequality in our school children. NZEI President Mark Potter reacts to the report.  Property investors could be the ones to watch in the new year as interest rates continue to drop. Matt Ball from the Property Investors Federation joins the show to discuss.  St John have ratified their collective agreement; it comes as the government provides the ambulance service with more money - but is it enough? NZ Ambulance Association Secretary Mark Quin speaks to Ryan about what more needs to be done.  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.

Retailers appear hopeful their sales numbers will turn around.  Retail NZ's quarterly survey finds 65% of retailers feel confident or very confident their business will survive the next 12 months.  It finds 57% expect to meet or exceed their targets for the final quarter, even after 70% failed to meet their last sales targets.  General Manager of Normanby Fine Wines, Liz Wheadon told Ryan Bridge that they’ve started to see positive signs, and they see it as a good time to look at starting a new business.  She said that fine wines is a hard market to read, but it feels like there’s some optimism there.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor hopes a Crown Observer will help the city put more support towards water infrastructure.  Preparations are under way for a Crown Observer, announced by Local Government Minister Simeon Brown in a bid to help the council's 10 Year Budget.  The city's seeking cuts after reversing plans to sell its airport shares.  Wellington City Councillor Tony Randle told Ryan Bridge they need to cut some of their projects, and they are not funding Wellington Water as much as it's requesting.  He says water's not the top priority, but it should be, and he's confident they're going to get there.  Randle is also uncertain if Tory Whanau will be voted in as Mayor for a second term.  He says her record is not necessarily the best, but it depends who stands against her.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nothing is ever good enough for some people, is it?  You've got a centre-right government committing hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer money to feed kids in schools, and they've managed to free up $130 million in savings in the process, and still, it's not good enough for some.  The Health Coalition Aotearoa, they're not happy, some dieticians say it's not nutritious enough.  "Simply cutting the amount of food that they are having and supplying a more processed, less varied diet is a complete lost opportunity for our health system."  I'll tell you what, it's more nutritious than nothing at all, an empty stomach.  Some said the food was too processed, it was one size fits all, it wouldn't appeal to the kids.  It's not meant to appeal to kids so much as feed them when they're hungry. I thought that was the point. And if they don't eat it, they're not hungry. It's simple.  Now, there are some bold claims being made by David Seymour which I am a little sceptical of lik

A principal's sceptical about the Government's ambitious school lunch budget.  The Government says it's saving $130 million a year by reducing the cost per meal from $8 to $3.  Schools preparing meals internally will get $4 a student to keep hiring people to prepare food.  Greymouth High School principal Samantha Mortimer told Ryan Bridge that hungry children will eat anything, but they deserve high quality food.   She’s questioning how everything will be done for that price, as it’s not just about the food, there are costs around production, wages, and transport.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 23rd of October, a Crown Observer is set to step in at Wellington City Council following mismanaged finances and big changes proposed for the city's Long Term plan. Councillor Tony Randle speaks to Ryan about what it means.  David Seymour has unveiled the Government’s new school lunch programme, with meals coming in at just $3 each. But what impact will this have on local suppliers currently working with schools? Greymouth High School principal Samantha Mortimer joins the show to discuss.  Retail business confidence is on the rise as we head into Q4. According to Retail NZ, 57% of retailers are expecting to meet or exceed their targets this quarter, up from just 32% in the last survey. Ryan talks to the manager of a new business opening next year who feels confident about where the economy is heading.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbs

Labour's calling on the Māori Development Minister to keep the Ihumātao deal as it stands. Documents seen by Newstalk ZB show that Tama Potaka is considering dissolving the committee dealing with the land. It was bought in 2020 with a promise to put Māori housing in the area, putting an end to ongoing protests. Māori Development Minister under Labour, Willie Jackson, told Ryan Bridge the Government should give them the space and honour the agreement. He's telling Potaka not to cut things before they're finished. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A criminal defence lawyer believes locking people up for longer won't necessarily make communities safer. Thousands more offenders are likely to be captured under the Three Strikes rule, following changes by Cabinet to toughen up the new regime. It's lowering the threshold for a first strike warning from 24 months imprisonment to 12 months. Roderick Mulgan told Ryan Bridge offending is complicated. He says it's not cause they're bad people, they offend because of things like substance abuse and lack of family support. Mulgan says the idea of putting people away and forgetting where you left the key,  is a bit old fashioned. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Three Strikes update for you this morning: the Government's basically lowering the threshold you have to meet in order to be hit with the new Three Strikes law.  Originally for the law to kick in, for you to get a strike, you had to commit a crime with a prison sentence of 24 months or more, and it was the same for each of the Three Strikes.  Now, it's being lowered to just 12 months for the first offence.  So basically, more criminals will be captured by the first strike.   And, if they go on to commit more serious crimes, it could mean they're locked up for good or an increase in the minimum sentence.  It's taking away the power from the judges and the discretion that they have.  They say the law doesn't work, this Three Strikes law, because we have had it before.  It's not proven to reduce offending or reoffending. It's not right. It doesn't rehabilitate criminals.  And yet somehow, I don't mind it.  If you can't sort yourself out after warnings one and two, t

An upgrade to a key Hawke's Bay road is expected to bolster the region.   The Hawke's Bay Expressway, which carries 29,000 vehicles a day, is being widened from two lanes to four.   The Government says starting work on the Road of National Significance early will bring construction forward 12-to-15 months.   Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge it'll massively improve access.   He says the Road of National Significance programme is designed to make better connections between the economic hubs of the country.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian politicians from both sides have denounced Independent indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe's expletive-laden outburst at King Charles' reception in Canberra.   Thorpe, a Senator for Victoria, began yelling as the King's speech ended and claimed he'd committed genocide against her people.   She says the King destroyed her land, and the country wants a treaty.   Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge it's been labelled childish.   She says front-benchers from both sides say it was grandstanding and failed miserably.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 22nd of October, the Government is toughening the three strikes law to catch more offenders. Criminal Defence Lawyer Roderick Mulgan speaks to Ryan about what it means.  Tama Potaka has warned the group tasked with deciding the future of Ihumatao to come up with a solution or be shown the door. Labour's Willie Jackson was the Māori Development Minister at the time the government purchased the land, joining the show to discuss.  Work has started on the Hawke's Bay Expressway, the country's first new road of national significance. The EMA's Head of Advocacy and Strategy Alan McDonald talks to Ryan about its significance.  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.

Couple of stories in the news today, one of them and I'll just read you the first line from this story. "Ministry of Social Development officials warned their minister that using payment cards as a sanction for beneficiaries can be stigmatising and open to exploitation." What? So either the poor things will stigmatise them, will tarnish their good reputations or those bludgers that will just exploit the hell out of the cards, which is it? Are they bad? Are they good? It just seems a very confused piece of advice from the Ministry for Social Development, in my eyes at least. They're going to flog them off these cards on Facebook, sell them, or are we tarnishing their good reputations by giving them to them in the first place? When you design a system, a safety net like this, it should be done for the dignity and the simplicity of those who desperately need it. I think we can all agree with that. However, you need to have enough hoops and barriers and checks and balances for those who would exploit the system.

New Zealand have held their nerve to record one of their best wins in almost 95 years of test cricket. The loss of their skipper from the second ball of the fifth day didn’t worry the tourists, nor the probing of a fearsome Indian attack buoyed by a frenzied atmosphere in Bengaluru. Instead, two players with a combined 25 tests’ experience coolly and methodically worked their way towards a 107-run target to secure an eight-wicket victory, the Black Caps’ third from 37 matches in India. Will Young (48no) and Rachin Ravindra (39no)survived a new ball that was seaming and swinging then negated a deteriorating pitch offering variable turn, seeing off a unit boasting three of the top six-ranked bowlers in the world. And they did it with barely a scare – one batter in the team only owing to an injury for Kane Williamson and the other playing his first test in the city of his parents’ birth. It was a victory built on an outstanding initial four sessions, skittling the hosts for 46 before piling on 402

The meat processing sector is being encouraged to evolve to ensure it captures future demand. Alliance Group's confirmed Timaru's Smithfield meatworks will shut by the year's end due to declining sheep numbers – cutting up to 600 positions. BusinessDesk reports rival Silver Fern Farms wants to be constructively involved as Alliance works through a capital raise. Chief Executive Dan Boulton told Ryan Bridge he doesn't believe this downward trend will continue forever. “Our sheep, beef and venison farmers deserve to thrive, but to do that, they’re going to need a really strong, efficient, and viable processing sector and that’s going to require investment.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The voice of the America's Cup says returning the event to New Zealand shores will deliver more than just sailing. Previous editions have all been held in Auckland, but Mayor Wayne Brown says the hosting decision is in the hands of Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton. Brown says he'd welcome it back, but has concerns over its cost. Sailing commentator Peter Montgomery told Ryan Bridge people aren't aware of its positive flow-on effects, like creating jobs and incomes. “More than the whole industry, more than just the tourism industry and fans coming to fill hotels rooms or whatever. There’s been a byproduct that’s come out of it that no other sport brings.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 21st of October. Team New Zealand have made history in Barcelona, winning the America's Cup for the third time in a row. But where to now for the auld mug? Sailing Commentator Peter Montgomery speaks to Ryan about the win. A huge loss for Timaru with the Alliance Smithfield meatworks set to close by the end of the year - will Silver Fern Farms be involved in the restructure, and what does it mean for the meat sector? Chief Executive Dan Boulton joins the show. A busy morning for Kiwi sport - The White Ferns are facing South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, and Liam Lawson takes to the track in Formula 1. 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.