Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A former Speaker of the House is reminding MPs the rules of the House must be followed. The Privileges Committee have suggested three Te Pati Māori MPs be temporarily suspended from Parliament, ranging up to 21 days, for their role in a haka over the Treaty Principles Bill. Te Pati Māori says these suspensions are the longest in Parliament's history. Sir Lockwood Smith told Ryan Bridge members need to think before they ignore the rules. He says the three-week suspension and missing part of the budget debate will hopefully make people take notice. The recommendation will be put to the House next Tuesday and likely pass.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here’s a few c-words for your Thursday morning: communist, coalition, and crash. Crash, because that’s what’d happen to the economy if we lived in the Green utopia complete with the $88-billion tax train wreck.  Coalition, because that’s what you’d get if Labour shacks up with their neighbours on the far left. Hipkins yesterday first claimed not have read the manifesto. Whatever.  This is the manifesto of a party he could well be sitting round the cabinet table within a year from now.  He then refused to rule out anything in it. It won't rule out the hammer. And I won't rule out the sickle.  The Greens are by far Hipkins' biggest Achilles heel, and therefore Luxon’s greatest strength.  Remember the hit in the polls Labour took over "defend da police"? Here's the thing about us New Zealanders, your middle voters, we may not right now be affected by the inheritance taxes, wealth taxes, higher income taxes, the company tax hikes which would put them amongst highest in the developed world

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 15th of May 2025, Putin still hasn't confirmed he'll turn up to a meeting with Zelensky in Turkey, BBC Senior Russia Reporter Olga Ivshina has the latest.  The privileges committee has suspended the Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders and MP for Hauraki-Waikato Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for the haka in Parliament.  According to a Unicef report New Zealand has around three times the average rate for youth suicide - the worst out of 36th high-income countries, Unicef Director of Communications Tania Sawicki Mead shares her thoughts.  Plus US Correspondent from Feature Story News Toni Waterman has the latest on The possible release of the Menendez brothers and Trump announcing deals with Qatar.  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.

Cyber threats are estimated to have cost New Zealanders $1.6 billion last year.  New data from the National Cyber Security Centre has revealed half the country has been the target of online scam in the last six months.  Up to 830,000 experienced some financial loss.  Director of Mission Enablement Michael Jagusch says good cyber security practises can reduce harm.  He says it includes using two-factor authentication and having long, unique passwords on main accounts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's backtracked on requests for a ceasefire to come before talks with Russia.  He's set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey this week to discuss the Ukraine war.   This comes as Western allies in the 'Coalition of the Willing' have offered a US backed 30-day cease-fire proposal to Russia, alongside the threat of sanctions.   Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge it's still uncertain if the meeting will take place, but Zelenskyy is hopeful.  He says Zelenskyy hasn't won the introduction he'd hoped for, as he requested a ceasefire agreement first, and a meeting second.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meridian Energy's denying its purchase of Flick Electric is a takeover by New Zealand's big power companies.  The power gentailer is paying $70 million to Z Energy for Flick's 41,000 electricity customers and the brand.  It'll increase Meridian’s market share to 18%, maintaining its position as our fourth largest electricity retailer.  Meridian Energy Chief Customer Officer Lisa Hannifan told Ryan Bridge this isn't about market consolidation.  She says Flick wanted to leave the market to focus on transport and EVs, so they're pulling out of New Zealand and Australia.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 14th of April 2025, The government's looking at changes to the Kiwisaver scheme, Kiwisaver and Superfund expert Jonathan Eriksen shares his thoughts.   Half of New Zealanders were the target of online scam and fraud last year National Cyber Security Centre's Director of Mission Enablement Mike Jagusch tells Ryan Bridge what to look out for.  Meridian has bought Flicks, Chief Customer Officer Lisa Hannifin tells Ryan what this will mean for the energy sector.  Plus Uk Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on A man who has served 38 years in a UK prison for the murder of a woman having his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal after new DNA evidence emerged. 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.

New Zealand will pass an economic milestone in 2028, with the Government making it's first ever Super Fund withdrawal. The Finance Minister revealed yesterday they'll begin offset superannuation costs by withdrawing $32 million from the New Zealand Super Fund. From 2031, withdrawals are expected annually.  Superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen told Ryan Bridge it's exactly what the Superfund was set up to do. He says it's up to $80 billion currently and is generating returns of 10% per annum, with 1% of that being $80 million. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the Budget we got the same message we got from a barefoot, jandal wearing Chippy on day one of his post summer break. More debt. Borrow more and spend more.    Name an issue, pick a portfolio, any portfolio, where Labour has not criticised the government for cuts and promised to restore spending to pre-Willis levels.  The latest example is pay parity, but that is just the latest in a long and growing list of items on the wishlist.  In case they didn’t get the memo, Kiwis voted for cuts at the last election. If we’re doing our bit, the government ought to do its bit. That’s the politics of it. The economics have been up for debate. Net core crown debt has more than doubled on pre-Covid to $182 billion or 42.6% of GDP. Like our tourist arrivals, debt has unfortunately not returned to normal pre-Covid levels.  Some of this is inflation but much of it is not. There’s spending that went too far and got baked in. A couple of things to note. Yes, government debt is low compared

A former Police officer says it's beyond him why Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming would ever access porn on a work device.  McSkimming had been suspended on full-pay since December.   He was under a criminal investigation by police on unrelated different allegations, the nature of which can't be reported.   Our newsroom understands while investigating the original complaint, detectives allegedly discovered porn on one of his electronic work devices.  Former crisis negotiator Lance Burdett told Ryan Bridge it's shocking.  He says it's not the accessing of the pornography that's the problem; it's the fact it's on a police computer, which leaves it open to malware.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's Business Chamber CEO says we have nothing to lose by loosening transit visas for Chinese nationals.  Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's updated his Auckland Manifesto, laying out a Beehive to-do list.  It includes calling for the Government to reconsider loosening transit visas for Chinese Nationals, giving them more freedom for short stays in the country.  Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge it would be an easy sugar hit for the economy.  He says he can't think of single reason not to do it, as China's a lot more developed and wealthy than other South-East Asian countries.  Bridges is also backing the mayor’s renewed call for a tourist bed tax in the city.   Browns calling for the Government to reconsider an Auckland tourist bed tax, adding a small levy on short term accommodation.  Bridges told Bridge it'll help bring in funding so more major events can come to the city.  He says both central and local government are failing Auckland when it comes to major events.&nbs

If what’s they’re saying about a Flick Electric shutting up shop is true, and I’ve no reason to doubt it, then it should come as no surprise. This is a BusinessDesk report - it's owned by Z and so far, they're not saying anything. It’s one of the smaller retailers that help keep the bigger gentailers honest, but the cracks started showing ages ago. Winter 2021, they closed their books to new customers. The great wholesale price crunch hit them hard.  Last year, again, wholesale prices shot up above retail.  You can’t run a business like that, and we were warned then about what is happening now. Means little guys can’t hold on. The problem is hedging. They couldn’t afford the cost of hedging during the crunch for new customers.  That means less choice for us, and we know what that typically means for prices.  Unlike your Air New Zealand regional airfares debate this past week, there is a quick fix for this problem. At least a partial one.  The government announced to much fanfare

The Government's putting $100 million into primary and intermediate maths in this year's Budget. It will be used for maths checks in the first two years of school, to identify the students struggling with the subject.  About $40 million will go towards tutoring at intermediate level. Upper Hutt Principals' Association President Robyn Brown told Ryan Bridge there's many children with diverse needs in our schools. She says children are going to be accessing additional support for numeracy and literacy, when they need more support for their learning needs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 13th of May 2025, Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming resigns suddenly, Former Cop Lance Burdett shares his thoughts.  Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown believes Auckland's the ticket to getting our country out of recession, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges shares his thoughts.  The Government's announced $100 million of the 2025 budget will go to helping kids with maths over four years, Upper Hutt Principals Association President Robyn Brown tells Ryan Bridge whether or not it will work.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on hundreds of distressing claims of childcare abuse at one of Australia’s biggest childcare companies. 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.

The National Party has dropped their social media ban for under-16s and it will instead be lead by Education Minister Erica Stanford. The Prime Minister announced social media restrictions will become a part of the Government’s work programme. Stanford will work across government to explore options for legislation and bring them to cabinet for consideration. Social media parenting expert Malinda Maclean talks to Ryan Bridge about the plans. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors put on a nail biting performance over the weekend, coming back from what was looking like a loss.   A 69th minute Luke Metcalf field goal proved decisive, as the Auckland team hung on for a 15-14 victory over the St George-Illawarra Dragons. It takes the Warriors to a 7-2 record for the season – cementing their top-four position.  Sports reporter Andrew Alderson talks to Ryan Bridge about the win, the New Zealand crickets fleeing India and Pakistan and Ryan Fox at the Myrtle Beach Classic in South Carolina. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Public funding for the Royal Household has tripled since 2012, with the rise largely driven by repairs and building work at Buckingham Palace.  The Sovereign Grant was introduced in 2012 at £31m per year. That has now risen to £132m, data from the House of Commons Library shows, and once inflation has been taken into account, that represents about a threefold increase. Royal aids say the funding will come down again.  UK Correspondent talks to Ryan Bridge about the rise and potential talks between Ukraine and Russia.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday the 12th of May 2025, The Government's promising to clamp down on boy racers, Police Association President Chris Cahill tells Ryan Bridge whether or not the legislation will work.  Erica Stanford will lead work on reducing social media harm for under-16s, social media parenting expert from B416, Malindi Maclean shares her thoughts.  Andrew Alderson has the latest from weekend sport.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey shares the latest on Putin offering face-to-face talks with Ukraine. 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.

Tougher penalties hope to put the brakes on boy racers and fleeing drivers. The Government's establishing a presumptive sentence of vehicle destruction for street racers, those who flee police, and intimidating convoys.  Police will also get greater powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas.  Police Association President Chris Cahill says told Ryan Bridge something needs to be done because the situation is out of control. He says these aren't just boy racers, they are deliberately antagonising Police, throwing bottles and ramming cars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The youth are out of control.  We'll crush the cars. We'll crush the smartphones.  Which all sounds nice this will... like most laws designed to make us feel like we're getting a handle on social problems, will all come down to enforcement. For all the time Judith Collins spent at the scrap metal yards for photo ops, was not quite the Crusher those photos ops made her out to be.  In the five years after they passed the law, three cars were crushed.  But that was a three-strike solution, Mark Mitchell, the destroyer, is moving us to a first strike programme... so you're one Gone in 60 Seconds Street race away from destruction or your car ending up on the Turner's auction site.  If you've tried to get some sleep in an area where they convoy in some Subaru at 3am in the morning, you'll know how annoying these so-called meet ups are.  It wastes so much police time. They're crashing into each other and hurting themselves. Ripping up the road.  So yeah, why not double down on the