Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Changes to rigid insulation standards are predicted to cut new-build costs by an average of $15 thousand. They'll give more flex to requirements in the building code by the end of the year, in a bid to cut down rising construction costs.  The Government's also looking to make the Far North a separate 'climate zone', stating the region’s warmer climate allows for a more tailored approach. Far North District Councillor Felicity Foy told Ryan Bridge current rules add a significant chunk to building costs.  She says the difference in cost between double glazing and low-E glass is significant.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The award for most press releases and announcements on a single issue must got to National this week. Law and Order was front and centre - announcements about everything from first responders to coward punches. It was an assault of announcements.  Now, announcements don't make streets safer. Announcements don't fix problems on their own.  This was a targeted campaign to reinforce the idea their tough on crime. That they're on the side of the victim.  Why are they doing this? Because it's one of the now minority of issues on which they outpoll Labour - from the last Ipsos survey.  So, they've been going health for leather on law and order. Meanwhile, Labour's overtaken the right for the party most trusted to fix the economy.  I know for a lot of you listening, this is laughable. They got us into this mess, etc, etc.  And I agree with you - I think it's like a protest vote against the incumbent when cost of living is high. Would you actually go and vote for that person tomorrow? Or

The Government's one step closer to reaching long-term agreements on the future of some of our fastest-growing areas.  It's agreed to negotiate with councils in Auckland, Western Bay of Plenty, and Central Otago, on 10-year deals to boost economic growth, housing and infrastructure.  Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says "small decisions" should be kept with councils.  Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley told Ryan Bridge the agreement could cover everything and anything.  She says they’ve put together a list of priorities for the region, and it will be up to them to negotiate with the government and see where their priorities align.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Finance Minister believes there's a need for a publicly funded body to find out what election promises would cost.  Act and New Zealand First have shot down current Finance Minister Nicola Willis' proposal, which would have allowed resources from the public sector to cost policies of political parties up to 10 months before an election.  Ruth Richardson was the Finance Minister in the 1990s and told Ryan Bridge Willis is on the right track, but the proposal falls short of what's required.  She says we want a publicly resourced body, independent of the executive to ensure more informed public and parliamentary debate.  Richardson says the UK’s Office for Budget Responsibility is a gold standard example of what we should be creating.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Children's $41 million workforce investment is expected to train and retain youth care staff.  Karen Chhour says her new funding follows a 2023 Oranga Tamariki review, which found many workers weren't equipped to deal with the high needs of some kids in care.  The boost will qualify more staff, recruit capable workers to vacant positions, and establish clinical roles in each residence.  Child Matters CEO Jane Searle told Ryan Bridge dealing with high-risk kids takes a level of expertise.  She says they were having staff who didn't have that level of training and struggled, causing high turnover.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are swarming outside a New York courthouse following Sean “Diddy” Combs' conviction. The 55-year-old hip hop mogul's been found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. But he's been acquitted of his more serious charges, of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. US Correspondent Mitch McCann is outside the courthouse and told Ryan Bridge social media influencers are everywhere, streaming live from outside. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday was a bad day for some of my pet peeves.  I couldn't find a carpark in town, I had to visit a supermarket, and Qantas suffered a data hack.  Nothing drives me more crazy than a business —big or small, although in this case very big— asking too many personal questions and getting too many personal details about their customers.  Unnecessarily so.  Now. There's a good argument for why Qantas needs your details - if you're flying then they require your passport number, your date of birth, your addresses in case things go wrong, etc.  I get that. But if they are collecting such sensitive information —our secrets and the secret to our identity— then can they not keep it safe?  No, they can't.  Yesterday, 6 million Qantas customers had names, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdates, and frequent flyer numbers stolen. They reckon no credit card data was taken.  But honestly, who cares? The information that was taken is bad enough.  And what will they do? Apol

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 3rd of July 2025, the government's ready to start negotiating with councils on regional city deals, Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley shares her thoughts.  Minister for children Karen Chhour yesterday announced more money for Oranga Tamariki staff's professionalism training, Child Matters CEO Jane Searle tells Ryan Bridge how big of a difference it will make.  The Government's voted against setting up an independent costings agency former finance minister and Taxpayer's union chair Ruth Richardson tells Ryan what the outcome means.  Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial from outside the court room.  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.

Books written by artificial intelligence have been finding their way onto local library shelves, and they could become more common in the future.  Newstalk ZB can reveal most libraries avoid buying AI-written books, but don't ban them, and some have added them to their collections by accident.  Laura Marshall, Library and Information Association of New Zealand Executive Director, told Ryan Bridge there’s not that many AI books currently available in New Zealand.  She doubts they’re going to fill an entire library with them, and she doubts in five years there will be many AI books that are good enough to pass the test to get into the library.  However, most libraries are open to stocking AI books in the future if there’s customer demand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defence Force is keeping details of its cost cuts secret.  But Newstalk ZB can reveal NZDF admitted, in internal communications, that it would have to scale back or cut programmes that impact how people view the force, and New Zealand's reputation.  The defence force also noted the sinking of the Manawanui added to its financial struggles.  Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Ricketts told Ryan Bridge that since there’s going to be a $12 billion investment over the next four years, they’re unable to cut what is normally one of the first things to go: personnel.  He says that NZDF is going to need civilian workers to do the introduction of service, to do the staff work, to do the business cases and the papers for cabinet that comes with that money.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 2nd of July 2025, the government introduces tougher penalties for crime, Woolworths director of retail Jason Stockill shares his thoughts.  Quite a few of New Zealand's libraries either already have or are open to stocking books written by AI authors, Laura Marshall from the library and information association tells Ryan Bridge what this means. We’ve got fresh warnings this morning of reputational damage to our defence force if planned cost-cutting goes ahead, Hayden Ricketts retired Lieutenant Colonel from Mission Homefront, tells Ryan Bridge where the issue lies.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on a new twist in the story of Britain’s most prolific child killer in modern history. 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.

Woolworths says it takes a community effort to curb retail crime.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has unveiled the plan for Police to issue infringement fines for people stealing - similar to speeding tickets.  It is based on suggestions from the Retail Crime Ministerial Advisory Group.  Woolworths Retail and Franchise Director Jason Stockill told Ryan Bridge the announcement is an example of collaboration across the sector.  He's hoping for more initiatives which will help deter shoplifting.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know immediately when something makes good political sense.  You can usually tell, not by listening to the Minister announce it, but by listening to the Opposition oppose it.  Crime is topic du jour as the Government's rolling maul of thundercloud announcements continue.  It's one of the party's strongest, biggest levers to pull - it's one of the few election issues on which the Nats outpoll Labour. So it's no wonder they've pulled out all the stops this after a few weeks of shaky polling and being on the defence.  The problem for Labour with crime is simple: nobody trusts them.  The facts are as follows: crime went nuts. Labour's policy was reduce the prison population.  Which is what makes this such a hard week for Labour, not the Greens and TPM who sing a different song on law and order, but for Hipkins.  How do you credibly stand up and argue against longer sentences for thugs who bash first responders? How do you oppose getting tough on coward punches? How do y

Businesses still seem to be doing it tough.  The latest Centrix data for June shows the number of people behind on payments is down on last year, for the fifth consecutive month in a row.  At the same time, company liquidations have risen 27% year-on-year.  BWA Insolvency’s Bryan Williams told Ryan Bridge he expects it to start falling again later this year.  He says people will have a more enlightened view of their future and will likely have greater discretionary funding to spend as we head towards Christmas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business NZ's Advocacy Director says Invest New Zealand is looking to hire people with an array of international connections.  The government organisation's been given $85 million over four years to work with global investors to create jobs, boost innovation, and lift productivity.  Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge potential employees should be well-connected around the world.  She says they should be looking at where the opportunities and gaps are, and where we actually need investment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's introduction of new sentences for coward punches is being described as merely cosmetic.  It's announced specific offences for striking a distracted victim - which could carry a sentence of life imprisonment, if fatal.  But Law Association Vice President Julie-Anne Kincade told Ryan Bridge she understands people have been looking for reform in this area.  She doesn't think it will make a huge impact, as the changes will add one year to the maximum penalty of offences which already exist. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 1st of July 2025, the Government's announced coward punches will now be a specific offence, Vice President of the Law Associaiton Julie-Anne Kincade KC tells Ryan Bridge the difference it will make.   Bryan Williams, Principal at BWA Insolvency, shares his thoughts on new data from Centrix around business liquidations.  From today we officially have a new regulatory body for overseas investment, Catherine Beard, Business NZ Advocacy Director tells Ryan what she wants to see come from it.  Plus Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a jury beginning deliberations in the mushroom murder trial.  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 robots are coming, and they reckon they'll be better than us humans at doing difficult, complex stuff - like being a doctor.  Microsoft announced overnight "an artificial intelligence system that performs better than human doctors at complex health diagnoses".  That's according to the Guardian, who say the company's AI unit is creating a “path to medical super-intelligence”. So, Microsoft reckons their robot system “solved” more than eight of ten case studies. The question you then start asking yourself is: do you trust AI to make important health decisions like that? Even though doctors don't always get it right, the thought of a computer deciding my fate is just weird.  But if it's shown to work reliably, and it's accurate, I suppose why not?  China meanwhile is into the robots, big time.  A company there wants a humanoid robot cleaning our dishes and washing our clothes in a matter of years. They want one robot for every home.  This, I can get onboard with.  But you'v

From tomorrow, all rental properties in New Zealand will have to meet the healthy home standards.  The Healthy Homes Act brought in stricter rules around heating, insulation, ventilation and draft stopping.   Despite the long notice period and extensions, Advocacy manager at the Property Investors Federation Matt Ball says some homes are still not up to standard.   In a recent sample of 1000 homes, only 23% were found to be fully compliant.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 30 June. 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.