Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A push to ensure funding for Kiwi made TV shows is a hand up, not a handout.   NZ On Air has announced its non-fiction funding, which includes more than $1.3 million for Celebrity Treasure Island.  It's returning for its seventh season.   Creator Dame Julie Christie told Ryan Bridge we can't only have Australian and British shows, we need New Zealand to become a TV hub.   She says we have to look at improving things within our own industry to get back to creating the shows we used to create.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of the country's largest school says the stress of exams readies students for the future.  The Government is proposing to scrap NCEA for a literacy and numeracy test in Year 11 and certificates in Year 12 and 13.  Consultation on the ideas are open to the public until mid-next month.  Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale told Ryan Bridge it is important for students to be under some level of pressure.  He says strong academic achievements means a person will have less stress and anxiety in adulthood.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We need to be a bit practical about this business of importing coal.  Yesterday Genesis, Mercury, Meridian, and Contact announced they're going to stockpile up to 600,000 tonnes of coal to keep the lights on at Huntly power station.  The deal needs Commerce Commission's approval so it doesn't look like they're colluding on price, but the idea struck a deal, which still needs Commerce Commission approval, to keep the lights on at Huntly.  The coal gives them a back up for times when we're low on electricity, when the lake levels are low, and the wind isn't blowing.  Huntly is the largest electricity generation site in the country. It needs fuel to run on.  Eventually, they'd like it to be all biomass and green, friendly fuels. But in the meantime, they need something reliable to keep things chugging along so as we avoid another energy crunch like last year when spot prices went berserk because we realised how little gas have in this country.  And queue the predicable outcries of d

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Tuesday 5th of August, the government's announced an overhaul of NCEA, Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale shares his thoughts.  Four big gentailers are importing 600,000 tonnes of coal and storing it at Huntly, Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey shares his thoughts.  NZ on air's dropping nearly $3 million in taxpayer cash on new seasons of reality TV, Dame Julie Christie, the creator of Celebrity Treasure Island tells Ryan Bridge why it's important to keep reality TV alive.  Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a Chinese national accused of spying in Canberra. 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.

Donald Trump's latest tariff announcement looks set to hit our meat industry in the back pocket. Trade Minister Todd McClay is heading to Washington in the coming weeks to argue our case, following Trump's decision to raise tariffs on New Zealand goods. We'll now face a 15-percent tariff, while Australia and the UK still face a 10-percent rate. Beef & Lamb Chair Kate Acland says our exporters may have to absorb that five-percent difference. She says that will equate to about 300-million dollars in extra tariffs a year, if trade levels stay the same.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 4 August. 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.

A teachers union is hoping the Government keeps the bulk of NCEA.  A major announcement on the future of the secondary qualification is expected to be imminent. It's understood public consultation will be launched on proposed changes -- in which teachers and parents can give feedback. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge he wants improvements - not for it to be thrown out entirely.  He says there are some issues with coherency around subjects and the structure of vocational pathways. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s about that time of year when it feels like winter really starts to drag.... and it must be feeling that way for Christopher Luxon, too. It‘a cold and dark and we just want to be at the beach like our poser friends in Bali or Europe.  But we endure this gloomy season safe in the knowledge that one day, in a month or so, springtime will come, the days will get longer and everything about life will just feel easier. Easy, breezy and warm. Contrast that to the economic winter we’re simultaneously enduring and you can see there’s an immediate problem. Unlike winter, which we know will end soon, this economic funk has graced us longer than the GFC's. Inflation is back on its way up.  We may have bounced out of recession for a few quarters but there’s also a good chance we’re currently back in negative growth territory. That’s after now three years of unaffordable food, mortgages, well, pretty much everything.  Politicians are arguing  - again at the weekend - about who's to blame.  The

Donald Trump's latest tariff deadline is rapidly approaching.  The US President has reached 11 deals and agreed to pause tariff increases for Mexico, ahead of his deadline of 4pm today.  He's indicated he'll raise the baseline tariff faced by most countries, including New Zealand.  Federal Tax Economist Alex Durante told Ryan Bridge that overall, consumers and businesses should be bracing for higher tariffs and higher prices going forward.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a concern consumer choice is at risk with new rules changing the labelling requirements around gene editing.  The change will see New Zealand mirror the genetic technology legislation in Australia.  It'll mean food produced using new breeding techniques, including gene editing, will not need to be labelled as genetically modified unless it contains new DNA.  GE Free New Zealand spokesperson Jon Carapiet told Ryan Bridge consumers care about how their food is made.  He says people care about free-range for example, even when it actually doesn't mean a huge difference in the end product.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 1st of August, as the final 24 hours of Trump's tariff deadline loom, federal tax economist Alex Durante joins Ryan to discuss what deals have been made so far, and the implications for countries who don't conclude negotiations in time.  And changes to the labelling of genetically modified foods have been green lit as New Zealand adopts new rules around the definition of gene editing. Spokesperson for GE-Free NZ joins the show to discuss the regulations.  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.

A banking expert believes new capital for Kiwibank will shift the dial but won't completely close the gap with its Australian competitors.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced the bank's parent company is being allowed to raise half a billion dollars from private investors to help it close in on the four major banks.  Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Ryan Bridge Kiwibank is already making a difference, but can't see the announcement making a big enough splash.   She says enabling it to grow will help, but the competition issue in the market is being overstated.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our largest power companies sees the great potential in the Government's push for geothermal energy.  The Resources Minister Shane Jones' draft strategy lays out a goal of doubling its production by 2040.  Mercury Energy Chief Executive Stewart Hamilton says 20% of New Zealand's power already comes from geothermal.  He told Ryan Bridge it has great opportunities to decarbonise and grow the economy.  Hamilton says they're currently doing a $300 million extension on one of their geothermal sites, which will produce enough power for the entire city of Wellington.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 31st of July 2025, The Government's given Kiwibank the green light for a capital injection from the private sector, Associate Professor at Massey University Claire Matthews tells Ryan Bridge whether it will impact banking competition.  The cost of flying to and from every airport in New Zealand is about to increase, Air Chathams CEO Duane Emeny shares his thoughts. Energy Minister Shane Jones has announced a plan to double New Zealand's production of geothermal energy by 2040, Mercury Energy CEO Stewart Hamilton, shares his thoughts.  Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on The August 1st deadline looming and New Zealand calling for a two-state solution at the UN.  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.

Airlines have had another challenge thrown at them as our sole air traffic control provider hikes prices. Airways are upping fees for commercial airlines by an average of 17.7% over the next three years. However, it's acknowledged airlines are doing it tough and still recovering from Covid-19. Air Chathams Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge as a state-owned enterprise, the Government have some control over Airways' cost. He says they could go to Airways and say they need to do better, as they shouldn't really be making a profit while airlines are suffering. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They haven't said it explicitly yet, but one day soon, our KiwiSaver contributions will rise to 12% and Kiwibank will be partially sold to foreign buyers.  On the bank, Nicola Willis is flying a kite and talking about a potentially partial float of the stock exchange for the wee Kiwi battler. It needs capital to grow and take on the big banks. They're getting access to an extra half a billion through changes already announced. But they could yet get more, should National campaign on a partial float.  It's sounding more and more like they will.  And the question is whether most voters will care? I think not. Asset sales are not the great electoral disaster they were once portrayed as - just ask John Key who whipped Phil Goff's butt in 2011 on a platform of partially privatising assets.  On KiwiSaver... the Government's already upped the amount we pay, and our bosses pay on our behalf, towards retirement.  Our default contribution is going up to 4% over three years. Add your employ

Israel's rejected the UK's moves to recognise Palestine as a state at a UN meeting in September.  The UK and France will both do so, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire.  New Zealand isn't among the 139 countries that recognise a Palestinian state, but last year Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated it's a question of when, not if.  UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge Israel's rejected the move, stating it harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.  He says this comes amid huge pressure in Gaza, with 60 thousand now killed during Israeli action there.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The short-term future of the ANZ Premiership is confirmed.  Netball New Zealand has signed an exclusive broadcast deal with TVNZ for next year, with the competition to remain in its current two-round format.  Governing body boss Jennie Wyllie's refused to confirm whether players will take a pay cut, but admits they'll likely use cash reserves to make ends meet.  Netball Players Association Executive Manager Steph Bond told Ryan Bridge that a free to air platform will increase the eyes on the sport.  Especially, she says, for a sport like netball where most people are playing at a community level.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Those with mortgages are bank-hopping at record rates, but not necessarily to get lower interest rates.  More than 3,500 holders switched nearly two and a half billion dollars of debt between loan providers last month.  It's the highest since records began in 2017.  Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says it reflects a mix of factors including short term loans, minimal or no break fees, and cash-back incentives.  He told Ryan Bridge it’s reasonably common to get 0.7-0.8% of the loan value as a cashback, up to certain caps, so it would make sense for people who are potentially under cashflow stress.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Wednesday the 30th of July, 36 thousand nurses go on strike today, former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell tells Ryan what he thinks needs to be done to reach an agreement with Health NZ. The ANZ premiership will soon be free to air on TVNZ, NZ netball players association Executive Manager Steph Bond shares her thoughts.  Cotality has done a report finding record numbers of us are refinancing our mortgages with a new bank, Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davison explains what it means.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK PM Sir Keir Starmer saying the UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a UN meeting in September unless Israel meets certain conditions. 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.