Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Pilot shortages in the aviation sector has some sounding the alarm, concerned that flights could be grounded in four years.  There are calls for the Government to intervene, to encourage more young people to pursue the profession.  Ardmore Flying School Chief Executive Irene King told Ryan Bridge the financial strains are to blame, with their income not keeping up with costs.  She says they're trying to operate with the same income as in 2013.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judith Collins says race shouldn't be a factor in prosecution decisions.  Solicitor-General Una Jagose KC has been under fire after advising prosecutors to "think carefully about particular decisions... where a person is Māori".  Collins —in her capacity as Attorney-General— is refusing to endorse the directive.  She told Ryan Bridge all prosecution decisions should be carefully thought about, but based on circumstances, not on race.  Collins says it's not just about whether someone can be prosecuted, but whether they can be prosecuted in those circumstances.  The HMNZS Manawanui’s navigation book has also been found by the crew of a British ship.  A New Zealand Defence Force spokesman has confirmed Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Tamar was able to recover the book  The navigation record book and black box are expected to be key evidence in the Court of Inquiry.  Defence Minister Collins told Bridge the HMS Tamar has found good information.   She says the ship was in

Green Party delegates have voted to ask Speaker Gerry Brownlee to remove the now independent Darleen Tana from parliament.   It's now down to Brownlee to decide if Tana's resignation from the party —but not Parliament— affects the proportionality of the House.   Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls told Ryan Bridge the party was previously against the legislation even being in place.   He says it's remarkable for as many delegates to come together and agree, and it draws a line under the situation.  He said former co-leader Metiria Turei being involved was a surprise move, as even Chloe Swarbrick had no idea she would be contributing to the call.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The family of former One Direction star Liam Payne have broken their silence following his death.   The 31-year-old has died after a fall at a hotel in Buenos Aires.  He's famous for his role in One Direction, the boy band being one of the bestselling groups of all time between their formation in 2010 and their indefinite hiatus in 2016.   UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge Payne's family has released a statement addressing the death.   It says they are heartbroken, and Liam will be remembered for his kind, funny, and brave soul.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 18th of October, the Green Party has voted to invoke the waka jumping legislation against former party, now independent, MP Darleen Tana. Political Editor Jason Walls has the latest on what comes next.  The NATO Defence Ministers meeting is underway in Brussels amid ongoing global tension, and Defence Minister Judith Collins speaks to Ryan live from NATO.  The aviation industry is warning of a looming shortage of pilots. Ardmore Flying School Chief Executive Irene King explains what it could mean for the industry.  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.

Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup lead has been halved.  Ineos Britannia claimed the wins for races five and six, leaving the score at 4-2.  ZB Sport Journalist Adam Cooper told Ryan Bridge that it’s more exciting than it is concerning for Team NZ.  He said that the wins were the result of two mistakes from the Kiwis, and although people are fearful of a shock loss, at the most part everyone is still confident.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation is expected to keep easing in the months to come.  Overall inflation is back within the target range at 2.2% due to falling prices for imports like petrol and diesel.  Domestically-driven non-tradeable inflation remains much higher at 4.9%, due to a sharp rise in rents, council rates and insurance premiums.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge that inflation is expected to remain close to 2% over the next few years, with a chance of it edging below towards the end of 2025/26.  He says it would take something quite drastic to push it back up.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A timely reminder, an important one too, for me last night. I'm in Wellington, flew into the schmozzle storm yesterday for an event.  It's easily one of the most beautiful cities in New Zealand, is it not? Can we all agree on that? With the hills jutting out of the harbour, all of the bush surrounding it.  It is stunning and the weather was good, so that helped.  It was absolutely beautiful flying in, and then you land and there's the road cones, and there's the Uber driver not happy, and the mayor's in meltdown, and the government's taking over, and the council is all over the place.  Shambles, schmozzle, all that stuff.  But then this event last night featured and honoured a couple of Wellington business people.  Among them was Brian McGuinness, whose family have either built or refurbished basically half of Wellington – including Government House, which I found fascinating.  Doug Hauraki was a name you will know, he was on there as well. Great Wellingtonian.  Many we

The Minister in charge says ACC needs to lift its game.   The government agency has reported a $7.2 billion deficit, just a year after posting an almost $1 billion surplus.   It says the cost of services and compensation rose 16% over the year.   It's proposing to hike levies for vehicle owners, workers, and business owners.   Minister Matt Doocey told Ryan Bridge he doesn't expect levies to be used as default.    He says they have to focus on their rehabilitation rates, which have been lower than expected.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 17th of October, ACC has recorded a $7.2 billion dollar deficit just a year after a $911 million surplus. How has it become this bad, and what does it mean for the levies we all pay? ACC Minister Matt Doocey discusses.  Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau is set to meet with the local government Minister today following the threat of government intervention. Councillor Ray Chung speaks to Ryan about the situation.  Inflation is back within the target range of 1-3%, what does it mean for the November OCR decision? ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley joins the show.  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.

Tauranga businesses are furious about what they label harsh outdoor dining fees following a tough winter.  They've been waived for the rest of 2024, but in the new year businesses must pay an annual charge based on outdoor dining area.   In Mount Maunganui it will be $150 per square metre used, which compares to Auckland, where the highest fee is $154 a square metre.   Black Orchid Collective Cafe Owner Veronica de Oliveira told Ryan Bridge she understands the council wants to control the outdoor areas a bit since the summer is quite busy, but it’s also the only time of the year that they’re actually very busy.  She thinks that a lot of people will rebel against the fees, and quite a few alfresco set ups will be lost, making the city quiet.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s an argument in favour of setting a maximum term for Supreme Court Judges. A report from New Zealand Initiative suggests the Supreme Court is getting an exaggerated view of its role and straying into Parliament's domain. Former ACT MP and lawyer Stephen Franks says there's been grumblings about it among some lawyers. He told Ryan Bridge that at the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Court this year, a leading KC presented a paper aligned with this belief. He says it read that the law is ceasing to be predictable as the Supreme Court's changing it according to their social values. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK's announced a fresh wave of sanctions against extremist settler groups in the West Bank.  The measures target three outposts and four organisations which provide or promote support for violence against Palestinian communities.  British Foreign Minister David Lammy says the inaction of the Israel Government has allowed an environment of impunity to flourish.  Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge it's the third set of sanctions imposed since February.  He says the previous Government had also been prepared to sanction two Israeli Ministers over comments about blocking aid to Gaza.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many forecasters are expecting inflation to be around 2%, well within the Reserve Bank's target range.   The latest Stats NZ Consumer Price Index number will be released this morning.   The Reserve Bank was confident last week inflation is now below 3%.   Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that imported things like petrol and electronics have fallen in price, but rates, insurance, and services have increased.   He says the average of more than 2% reflects divergent trends.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So Luxon is out of touch apparently.  Name me one politician, one Prime Minister, one President in the world who's in touch, doesn't matter which side of politics they're on.  Albanese, Australia's Prime Minister and Labour leader, he's just bought a $4 million cliff top mansion north of Sydney.  Keir Starmer, the UK's Labour Prime Minster, he's worth NZ$10 million, excluding all the donor freebies.  Kamala Harris is worth NZ$13 million. Tory Whanau won Lotto, Rishi Sunak is a billionaire, Jacinda Ardern gets $300,000 per speaking gig. Chris Hipkins has multiple properties. So, they're all rich.  The question is, does it really matter, and why the question in the first place?  Would we rather they only got rich through public office, as Albanese seems to be admitting. He says I'm fortunate and much better off as Prime Minister.  Personally, I'd rather they managed to build a business, run a company or do something productive first to earn their wealth rather than just walk i

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 16th of October, inflation numbers are out today and forecasts are pointing to 3 year low within the target range of 1 to 3%. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold joins the show to discuss.  An NZ Initiative report is suggesting changes to stop the Supreme Court getting an "exaggerated view of their role". What could it mean for our judicial system?  Tauranga businesses are paying increasing fees for alfresco dining - what impact is it having on them and the price you're paying for cafe food? Ryan speaks to a Tauranga cafe owner.  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.

Australia’s Northern Territory is reintroducing a controversial device in its efforts to get tough on crime.  Police Commissioner Michael Murphy says that spit hoods will once again be used to restrain children.  Murphy says that over the last three months 68 police officers were assaulted, with 20 counts of spitting.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge that it’s in opposition to the UN Committee against torture recommending last year that Australia take all necessary measures to end their use.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been yet another call to shake-up how Pharmac funds drugs in Aotearoa.  Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand's independently commissioned report recommends the Crown entity adapts a cost benefit model.  That means funding decisions would be made not just on the cost of a drug or medical device itself, but on the wider fiscal impact the decision would have on our society.  President Neil Woodhams says that currently, Pharmac doesn't take into account the total economic costs —or costs to individuals— when making the call.  He says the failure to do so gives a distorted view of the benefits from proposed new medicines.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest 1News-Verian poll was out last night. There wasn't a lot of change, other than a dip in the personal popularity of both Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins.  Nothing really major is going on, is it? And it's been that way for a couple of polls.  Now, what I find interesting is just the vibe, the energy levels that you're picking up off these guys.  Luxon, he's like the road runner. You ever watch the Road Runner, the Looney Tunes thing? And he's beep-beep, beep-beep, running around in a cloud of dust. Just in a hurry to get everything done.  And then there's old Hipkins. Is his heart still in it?  What do you really think when you see him being interviewed?  I've interviewed him over many years now and it must be hard to maintain a level of enthusiasm, but I just think he's sort of outwardly showing it now.  He'll be dusting off his CV, no doubt he'll be thinking about what's next.    He doesn't want to be there for the next election, does he?  The

There’s a belief more redundancies are causing a rise in work ready Jobseekers.  The Ministry of Social Development's September figures show a yearly increase of 29,000 people on a main benefit, a rise of 12%.   Minister Louise Upston describes rising unemployment as a consequence of years of high inflation, high government spending, and economic recession.  Employment specialist Jennifer Mills told Ryan Bridge there's also been a 33% drop in job advertisements in the last quarter, which shows there's not enough jobs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.