Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

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.

Belief a breakdown of trust between nurses and leadership is fuelling protests today.  Tens of thousands of nurses are striking for 24 hours over chronic workforce shortages, withdrawing labour from all Health New Zealand services from 9am.  Thousands of procedures and appointments have been postponed.  Former Health New Zealand Chair, Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge people don't trust general assurances anymore and want to see working safe conditions that are capable of being met.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke van Velden's anti-health and safety crusade's taken a rather bizarre twist - it's the plot twist nobody saw coming.  She's consulting the public on safe activities kids are allowed to do on farms, like watering plants and collecting chicken eggs.  It's a bit of an odd strategy, but the strategy seems to be that there's a potential problem with the law.  Anyone under 15 is technically not allowed to do work on a working farm. You could get fined $50,000.  But nobody's been done for letting little Johnny pick up eggs.  So, it's a potential problem, but not an actual problem.  The Minister's strategy, surely, is to point out how ridiculous the law is in the first place.  But her response sounds a bit off for a Minister who says we need to get away from over regulation and consultation and nonsense and just let Kiwis get on with their lives.  She is quoted as saying:  “We’ll be consulting with farmers and the agriculture sector on the safety thresholds for light

Throwing in a CV and cover letter in response to a job ad may not cut it anymore, as young people face high unemployment rates.  Stats NZ data shows jobs filled by 15 to 19-year-olds dropped 10% in the last year – representing over 12 thousand roles.  The overall drop nationally is 1.2%.  Youth Inspire Chief Executive Zainab Ali told Ryan Bridge the tactical approach to training youth has been forced to change.  She says in the past six months she's relied on relationships with business partners for job opportunities.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia has yet to respond to the latest ultimatum from US President Donald Trump.   Trump says Vladimir Putin has between 10 and 12 days to make progress on ending the war with Ukraine to avoid sanctions.   That's shrunk from the 50 days he gave the Russian leader two weeks ago.   US correspondent Toni Waterman says there's been no official response from the Kremlin.   She told Ryan Bridge former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has warned sanctioning Russia would be disastrous.   Waterman says the leader has claimed it would start war between the US and Russia.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health and Safety experts say the Government need to consider people's lives as they set to change scaffolding regulations.  Government officials are consulting with the construction sector on whether to relax certain rules on work site scaffolding, making them only compulsory in some situations. Construction Health and Safety Chief Executive, Chris Alderson told Ryan Bridge falling from height is the number reason people are killed at work globally, but not in New Zealand.  He says we've been doing something differently that has saved people's lives, so the Government needs to be careful.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've got an appointment at the hospital this week, you might want to check it's still going ahead.  Nurses are going on strike tomorrow from 9am for 24 hours. 4,300 surgeries and specialist appointments will be affected.  It's a complete withdrawal of labour. It's 36,000 nurses. It'll affect every place where Health NZ provides health or hospital care, and it's the middle of winter.  The nurses union's been bargaining. It's the usual stuff - pay and staffing levels.  Also as usual, they say if it's life or death, you will be seen to.  They had a bargaining meeting yesterday with Health NZ, which didn't go well. They've been bargaining since last September and haven't found common ground yet.  The nurses say they are too short staffed and departing nurses are not being replaced. And without more pay, nurses will keep being tempted across the Tasman.  So, what were they being offered?  Health NZ says a new graduate nurse on $75,773 would gain a total pay in

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 29th of July 2025, Donald Trump's set a deadline of 10 or 12 days for Putin to make a deal with Ukraine, US Correspondent Toni Waterman has the latest.  Health and Safety experts say the Government need to consider people's lives as they set to change scaffolding regulations.  It's becoming increasingly difficult for young people to get into employment, Youth Employment expert Zainab Ali explains. Plus Australia correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the UN Chief urging Australia to aim higher as it debates climate goals.  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.

Jordan and the UAE have begun airdrops into Gaza to deliver aid.  This comes after the Israeli military announced it’ll open humanitarian corridors into the strip and a tactical pause in three specific combat areas.  Geopolitical Analyst Geoffery Miller told Ryan Bridge that 25 tons of aid was delivered to Gaza overnight, but that it’s up to Israeli forces to cooperate and allow the aid to travel into Gaza.  He said that ‘they only really will help if Israel allows more aid to come into Gaza.’ and trucks carrying supplies for Gaza have been held up at the border.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corrections staff are struggling to accommodate at-risk inmates as prison violence and aggression grows.  Staff accepted 12-thousand requests from inmates to be separated from the general prison population in the 2023 financial year.  Many do so because they feel unsafe or vulnerable, as more prisoners become gang-affiliated.   Corrections Association President Floyd du Plessis told Ryan Bridge it's putting greater pressure on staff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Bishop says we're sick of over-the-top cone use and expensive traffic management plans.  And he'd be right. They are so annoying and often, to the untrained eye at least, completely pointless.  They take a $100 job and make it a $1000 job.  So why is this till happening? Why are there still cones everywhere, when the government says NZTA's code of practice for traffic management rick assessment - is no longer being used? Obsolete?   Well, the problem is many councils are apparently still using this code of practice as their north star.  As a response, the government's now threatening local council funding.  They have to threaten funding to get these council to change their ways. What this shows us is just how far and deep the overly cautious, safety-at-any-cost mentality has set in.  And also, it shows you how scared they are of worksafe coming in a going them if somebody gets hurt or injured. You have to make sure people are safe, especially when working with dangers.