Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The economy appears to be turning a corner, and we'll learn today whether the unemployment rate will follow suit.  Stats NZ is providing its latest employment update at 10.45am.  Economists are divided on whether the unemployment rate will remain unchanged at the historically high 5.3%, or will dip slightly to 5.2%.  Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Ryan Bridge jobs have started to trickle through, but it’s just enough to stabilise the rate, rather than bring it down.   He says they’re expecting things to turn towards the middle of the year, improving over the course of the next year or so.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The British Prime Minster says Lord Mandelson has let the country down as he quits the House of Lords.  UK Police are now investigating allegations that Mandelson shared internal government information with convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.  The latest release of Epstein files also show pictures of Mandelson in his underwear with an unidentified woman.  UK correspondent Mike Pearse told Ryan Bridge the Government told him if he didn't resign, they would've introduced legal powers to sack him. He says it's turning out to be one of the biggest political scandals in the UK in recent years.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 4th of February 2025, the government's scrapping full drivers license tests, Mark Revill-Johnson, President of the New Zealand Institute of Driver Educators shares his thoughts.  The first job market statistics of the year come out today, Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon tells Ryan where he thinks the unemployment rate will sit. The wine industry’s nursing a bit of an oversupply hangover, Soljans Winery Vineyard Manager Tai Nelson tells Ryan how it's been impacting their winery. Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Mike Pearse has the latest on Peter Mandelson stepping down as a lord.  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 inflation thief might be gone but it lurks in the corner and if you’re not careful, it happily leaps out and steals your wages. Last week we spoke about the fact their inflation’s running hot - almost 4%.  They’re now world leaders, with the highest rate in the developed world. More than the UK, US, Germany, Japan, Canada, Spain, and France. Not something Albo or anyone in Canberra should be proud of. So yesterday the Reserve Bank of Australia did what central banks do when things are getting too spicy - they hike rates.  They’ve just done a quarter of a percent. They’re likely to do another one next month. Labor has a very generous system that gets Aussies into houses. First home buyers can get in with 10%, there’s cash at the ready.  Housing costs are partly driving this inflation. No such thing as a free lunch. The subsidies are also helping to drive house prices, which in places like Sydney, Melbourne, and even Brisbane are completely out of reach and not even comparable to our big citi

Canterbury farmers are being urged to plan ahead amid concerns over winter feed supplies.  A series of significant hailstorms, combined with persistently wet conditions, has made it a tough season for arable farmers across the region.  Federated Farmers is encouraging early discussions between arable and dairy farmers, warning crop damage could reduce feed available for winter-grazed dairy cows.  Mid Canterbury President David Acland told Ryan Bridge it’s not panic stations just yet, it’s a push for people to check in and secure the feed they need.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nelson's Mayor has kicked off a conversation about whether alcohol licensing laws are too strict.  Nick Smith was unable to buy a bottle of wine at the Ready to Roll concert on Sunday, at Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson.   It was being sold by the cup – the rule in place thought to be an effort to stop intoxication.  New Zealand Winegrowers Chair Fabian Yukich told Ryan Bridge there should be a little common sense.   He says you can try to cut out every possibility of everything going wrong, but in the end that becomes impractical.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Principals are looking to see more detail on the Government's new standardised school reports. The nationally consistent assessments in reading, writing, and maths will roll out this year, with students from Years 0 to 10 ranked against one of five progress indicators twice a year. Reports are also planned to give advice to parents on how they can help out at home. Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken told Ryan Bridge some subjects have a lot more nuance for marking, especially in Years 9 and 10 He says there's a lot more in the English curriculum than just putting things into five categories. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 3rd of Feburary 2025, school report cards are getting a government makeover, Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken tells Ryan how big  if a difference this will make.  Nelson Mayor's taking a swipe at what he calls “over-zealous” alcohol licensing laws, New Zealand Winegrowers Chair Fabian Yukich shares his thoughts. Agribusiness had a cracker 2025 but farmers are being warned don’t pop the champagne just yet, mid Canterbury Federated Farmers President David Acland tells Ryan what farmers need to look out for.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a meeting which failed to re-unite the Australian government coalition which remains split ahead of parliament today and a new search for alleged fugitive cop killer Dezi Freeman has begun. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  S

The same crowd who moan and complain when we don't have enough cash to upgrade schools or pay teachers and nurses more are the same lot who throw eggs at Crown cars and chant 'shame' at ribbon cuttings for mining operations.  The latest whinge is about Otago Council giving road access to some Aussie gold miners to mine gold in an area that was basically founded on doing just that.  You don't get wealthy sitting on your hands or waving banners.  That's not how you create communities people want to live in, in which teachers earn a decent wage, and nurses don't work 16-hour shifts.  A country that looks a bit more like, oh I don't know, Australia - you know, the place all our kids are moving too.  You can't have your cake and eat it too.  Critical minerals, another example. Why wouldn't we do a deal and pull it out of the ground?  Everyone else is doing it. By the way, a lot of this stuff goes into electric cars and electronic tech, like the cell phones and computers the Green

The families of the six victims caught in the Mount Maunganui landslide will begin heading home - with all bodies now recovered from the site. They'll have one last visit to the former campsite before it's handed back to the Tauranga City Council with clearing taking place when it's safe.  The council's meeting today to decide what type of investigation into the incident will be conducted.  Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge it's going to be tough for families.  He says they have to now leave the support and go back to their own home for funerals, so making sure they're supported is critical.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday the 2nd of February 2025, changes to ADHD prescriptions have officially kicked in, Gen Pro Chair Dr Angus Chambers shares his thoughts.  Police have officially ended all recovery operations at Mount Maunganui, Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell tells Ryan what happens from here.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Mike Pearse has the latest on the US Department of Justice releasing more than three million pages from the Epstein files and ICE protests at Olympics. 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.

Those opposing our FTA with India have got be guilty of economic treason, don't they? We're a small trading nation with lots of food, and world markets who need our red meat and our milk.  The closer the country, the better. The higher-value-add, the better.  And the sugar on top is tariff-free access, so our competitive advantaged producing the world best dairy and sheep and beef, and Kiwifruit, can all me admired and loved by the word at a reasonable price.  When Helen Clark and Phil Goff signed the deal in Beijing back in 2007, two-way trade was $8. It's now $41-billion. It's now our largest trading partner. We are on the cusp of another bonanza just like with a country much bigger and meddle class about the crack on.  It's to come the third largest economy in the world. However, some kiwi politicians believe this is somehow a bad thing. That selling our best produces to other countries at cheaper prices, unencumbered another' tax regime, how is that not a good idea?  Why because w

A view that increased employment will be the key to our economic bounce back.   Infometrics says there's worrying indicators which show economic momentum is fragile.  But more signs of improvement are expected by midyear, when labour market conditions should be turning.   Infometrics’ Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge that they are expecting the economy to pick up this year, they’re just a bit cautious.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

West Coast officials are working to make the insurance market more competitive so Westporters can continue to insure their homes.   AA Insurance has temporarily stopped offering policies to properties in the 7825 postcode due to flood-risk exposure.  Existing policyholders can renew as usual.  Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew told Ryan Bridge AA Insurance is the main insurer in the town, so have the largest market share.  He says they want to write to all insurance companies and the insurance council to try improve the market, given the investment they're making in flood banking.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Vision is welcoming the new bill around fighting modern slavery.  The new bill, co-sponsored by National and Labour, will require large businesses to make reports on modern slavery in their supply chains public.  Head of Advocacy and Justice Rebekah Armstrong says it will change how companies do business.  She says there are other pleasing aspects to the bill too.  Armstrong says that includes penalties to give the legislation teeth and the promise to create an anti-slavery commission.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 30th of January 2025, AA insurance has announced they will not be accepting any new insurance policies on homes in Westport because the flooding and weather events are too risky, West Coast Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew tells Ryan how this will impact the area.   National and Labour have teamed up to fast-track a modern slavery law, World Vision's head of advocacy and justice Rebekah Armstrong shares her thoughts.  Infometrics latest report says the economic turnaround might not turnout to be what was promised, Principal Economist Brad Olsen tells Ryan why. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer in China and the US build up to attack Iran today. 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.

This week we've heard about another privacy breach.  We don't tell strangers on the street everything about ourselves but for some reason, when a business does it online, who we also don't know or trust, you just cannot shut us up.  Name and address? Sure. Phone number? Why not.  Signature? Fill ya boots.  Don't even get me started credit cards and debit cards.  I was talking to tech expert this week on the show. What he said has been playing on my mind for two reasons.  1. We've lost trust and faith in companies to manage our data now, I reckon. Trust is dead, and it's very hard to earn back. And nothing's sacred - we know that after the health hack. In Finland, a psychologist's notes were hacked so patients had all their secrets out there for ransom online.  2. The penalties for businesses leaving the backdoor open for scammers is very low - the maximum fine is apparently just $10,000. So if a business gets your data stolen and then doesn't tell you, the maximum fine is $1

The US and Iran are trading threats, with the President warning a massive naval armada is moving towards the country.  Donald Trump says time's running out for Iran to make a deal to limit its nuclear programme.  The BBC reports satellite images show a steady and significant build-up of US military forces in the region since a brutal crackdown on demonstrations in Iran earlier this month.  US Correspondent Jagruiti Dave told Ryan Bridge Iran's mission to the United Nations has responded to Trump's latest warning.  She says they're ready for dialogue based on mutual respect, but if pushed it'll defend itself and respond like never before.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A struggle to secure GP visits could be playing a role in skyrocketing calls for ambulances.  National ambulance data shows there's been a 30% increase in 111 calls for ambulances over the past five years.   St John fielded more than 700 thousand calls for the first time last year and attended more than half a million incidents.   Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quinn told Ryan Bridge minimal access to healthcare in rural areas is playing a role.  He says St John is sometimes used as a "pseudo-GP" because it's the only access to health operating in the area.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 29th of January 2025, new numbers show Labour's "fees free" wasn't all that it was supposed to be, VUWSA Vice President Aidan Donoghue tells Ryan what it did for students.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts on a housing sentiment survey from Cotality.  Demand for ambulance's was the highest on record last year according to stats from St John, New Zealand Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quin tells Ryan why demand has increased.  Plus, US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on Donald Trump’s latest threat to Iran and layoffs at Amazon.  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.