Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Israeli Prime Minister says bombing in Iran could continue for days.  Coordinated strikes with the US have killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and multiple senior officials - resulting in Iran launching counter strikes across the Middle East.  Three US service members have been killed in the military operations while nine people in Israel have been killed in Iran's retaliatory attacks.  Iranian officials have formed a transitional council to lead the country.  The Guardian Washington Bureau Chief David Smith told Ryan Bridge Benjamin Netanyahu wants the offensive to continue - but US Congress likely won't.  He says they will want US President Donald Trump to leave Iran as soon as possible. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a new issues poll out this morning.  It's from IPSOS. 1000 people. Was taken after Waitangi weekend.  The numbers are bad for National, because they should be winning on more issues.  But Luxon won't hate the numbers because they're going in the right direction of a few key issues.  A significant increase on Cost of Living - after a period of trending in the wrong direction.  Another 'significant' increase on healthcare/hospitals- closing the gap from 19 to 12 points since October.  After being overtaken on the economy, they've come back to draw with the reds.  Interestingly, concern from voters about poverty and inequality is trending down - despite the big push in the media last week.  The reality is that Labour is still ahead on three of the five issues.  But no election is won or lost on a single issue, is it? Although Covid in 2020 and cost of living in 2023 were dominant.  What the election will come down to, as I've always said, and everyone alr

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith, has the latest on US/Israel strikes on Iran.  The Government will allow farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home or farm, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Ryan about the impact this will have.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK troops at a base in Bahrain are narrowly missed by a rocket fired from Iran and tens of thousands face flight disruption as airlines are continuing to cancel and divert flights serving the Middle East. 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 Danish Prime Minister has called a snap election, hailing it a decisive next four years for her country.  Mette Frederiksen says the election will be held on March 24 instead of the original end of October date.   It comes after months of politics dominated by Donald Trump's threats to annex Greenland – the semi-autonomous Danish territory.   UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge before that, polls had been unfavourable towards her.   He says her handling of Trump gave her a popularity boost, which she may be capitalising on.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Excitement in Christchurch as the city gears up for one of the biggest weekends of the year.   Electric Avenue is officially the biggest festival in Australasia, with 90 thousand attendees over the two days.  Kiwi band Split Enz is headlining, joined by Australian DJ Dom Dolla.  Last year's festival brought in $10.5 million in visitor spend – the largest local event since the 1974 Commonwealth Games.   Christchurch NZ Visitor Economy Manager Anne Newman told Ryan Bridge 23 thousand people are visiting the city for the festival.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Taupō Mayor says he'd be surprised if Air New Zealand cut its popular regional route.   Some regional flights could be on the chopping block after the airline posted a $40 million half-year loss.  It's pointed to ongoing fleet constraints, a slower recovery in domestic demand, and persistently high aviation system inflation.   Mayor John Funnell told Ryan Bridge he understands costs are rising, but the Taupō to Auckland flights are close to full every time.  He says they have a good relationship with Air New Zealand and isn't expecting any changes.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A victims advocate is attributing a switch up of crime figures to changes in policing and sentencing.   Data from the latest Crime and Victims Survey shows there were 49 thousand fewer victims of violent crime in the year to last October, compared to the two previous years.  The Government says there's no doubt the gang patch ban has played a part.   Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money told Ryan Bridge many victims think it is because of a bolstered police presence.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 27 February. 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.

The Reserve Bank's proposal to set up more branches and ATMs has left one expert stunned.  It's asking for public feedback on requiring banks to provide accessible cash services countrywide, free of charge.   It includes ensuring those in urban areas can reach a service by walking.   But Massey University Banking Professor Claire Matthews says the need isn't high enough to warrant banks spending money on this plan, which she says has come out of left field.   She told Ryan Bridge that while the disaster argument does carry water, this doesn’t seem to be the right solution, as it’s not clear cash has been lacking in most of the one’s we’ve had.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last piece of the puzzle for overnight air traffic control, with the Government opening up a new 24/7 alternative runway for commercial airlines.   Funding's been approved for the round-the-clock service at Ōhakea Air Force base, near Palmerston North.   Under aviation laws, commercial flights must nominate an alternative runway in case a plane can't land at its destination.   Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director Cath O'Brien told Ryan Bridge this is important as long-haul aircraft often start running low on fuel.   She says it's key to have an airport where airlines can divert to if they need, and then get on their way once they refuel.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Dairy NZ have unveiled their state of the dairy nation report, Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean shares his thoughts.  The Government says the control tower at Ohakea air base will soon operate 24/7, making it the country’s official back-up airport, Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand Executive Director Cath O'Brien tells Ryan Bridge how big of a difference this will make for airlines.  The Reserve Bank is asking the public for feedback on a proposal that banks must provide a minimum level of cash services, Professor at Massey University Business School Claire Matthews, shares her thoughts.  Plus US Correspondent Katie Fisher has the latest on the reaction to Trump's State of the nation speech.  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.

Dairy farmers are celebrating as the sector delivers a record year.  Data from Dairy NZ's annual state of the dairy nation report shows farmers produced an unprecedented 21 billion litres of milk in the 2024/2025 season.  It's also brought the highest ever export earnings worth $27.1 billion.  Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean told Ryan Bridge a lot of it comes down to herd testing to ensure Kiwi cows have the best genetics.  He says as performance and profitability continue to increase, the Government gets more tax revenue.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a big puffy cloud of smoke hanging over the vaping versus cigarettes debate this week.  It's all kicked off because the Government's handing out free vapes to smokers to stop them getting what we know could be a death sentence.  They've done a deal to buy a bunch of them for $500,000. Between last January and July, 3000 smokers were given vaping kits and nearly half of them stopped smoking. Which, ordinarily, you would think would be a good news story.  Not so for Kelly Burrowes, Auckland University Vaping Researcher. She said on Newstalk ZB that it wasn't.  So I spoke yesterday to Robert Beaglehole. Yes, the Robert Beaglehole. Former boss of the World Health Organisation. Public health expert.  He says some of the searches are from laboratory-based scientist with no epidemiological or public health experience and doesn't have the big picture in mind. He says one of the other antagonists to this approach clearly doesn't comprehend the evidence, because it's a my

Liquor licensing mayhem for Christchurch bar owners as the opening of the new stadium nears.   Super Rugby's Super Round games will be played at One NZ Stadium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Anzac weekend.   But alcohol laws mean bars must close at midnight on Friday and can't serve alcohol without a meal before 1pm on Saturday.   Hospitality NZ's Canterbury President Jeremy Stevens told Ryan Bridge they've been hoping to get an exemption.  But he says despite the council and Mayor Phil Mauger being on board, current legislation won't allow it  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former chair of Health New Zealand says a fix to issues within health data systems has likely been put off, after a possible hack of MediMap.  The platform's widely used across the country, especially in aged care, disability, hospice, and community health.  Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge there's a lot of issues within data systems that need fixing.  He says it's expensive, can be complex and isn't headline grabbing, so it's the sort of thing people put off.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 25th of Feburary 2025, nurses at aged care facilities are going back to paper-based prescriptions after Medimaps data breach, Former Health NZ Chair shares his concerns.  Christchurch bar owners say Anzac Day liquor laws will ‘shut the city down’ on the new stadium’s opening night, Jeremy Stevens Hospitality NZ Canterbury Branch President tells Ryan how much it'll impact bars.  Pharmac's looking at funding two new Melanoma drugs, medical oncologist and Melanoma specialist Dr Gareth Rivalland tells Ryan how big of a difference the drugs would make.  UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on trade minister Chris Bryant calling Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a "rude, arrogant and entitled man" and a baby boy has become the first child in the UK to be born using a womb transplanted from a dead donor. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.     &

New treatment options for melanoma are being described as the global gold standard.   Pharmac's proposing to increase access to nivolumab and ipilimumab for treating stage 3b and 4 melanoma, from May.   Pre-surgery use of the immunotherapy drugs can lower the chance of cancer returning.  Medical oncologist Dr Gareth Rivalland told Ryan Bridge it's state of the art treatment.   He says it's the best combination and will kill off the cancer in 60% of people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Government has made fast-track a buzzword. After yet another massive hack of private information on Sunday, it needs to put that buzzword into action and sharpen up our privacy laws. Like, yesterday.  Especially if we're talking about your health information getting stolen and potentially posted online by hackers for a ransom.  The hackers it seems, are pretty much a mystery and never get caught. That ship seems to have sailed, and we can, at least for now, put that in the too hard basket.  But the folks we can fine, which we currently don't, are the businesses asking for our information and not doing enough to protect it in the first place.  If there was ever a need for better regulation and harsher penalties, it's with cases like this - what should be your private data.  In New Zealand, Consumer says there is no express penalty or fine for a breach.  The Privacy Commissioner has the power to issue a fine of $10k. Yes, just $10k. And that's only if a company doesn't report

Former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  Mandelson was fired and has been under investigation over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.  It comes as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has written to his UK counterpart Keir Starmer, calling for the former Prince Andrew to be removed from the royal line of succession.  Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge the line of succession is a very complex legal framework.  She says the charges require all Commonwealth countries to pass new laws, but Albanese says they're grave allegations and Australia takes them very seriously.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long term benefits could justify the Crown pouring more money into Genesis Energy.   The company's revealed a $400 million capital raise to up its investment in renewables.  Now the Crown's purchasing $200 million worth of new shares to maintain its 51% shareholding.   Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord told Ryan Bridge Genesis is focused on storing electricity for dry years.  He says that backup supply is the most important electricity for the system.   But Harbord says the investment doesn't do much in the short term for affordability issues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.