Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Hopes that the Government's aviation plan can help more pilots take off.   The Government released the first ever strategy for the sector.  Part of that is a commitment to look at pilot education and create a workforce plan.  Airports Association Chief Executive Billie Moore told Ryan Bridge it's something we can't afford to neglect.  She says there's already a pilot shortage, so we need to get a move on.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland businesses are keen to see what benefits more events at Eden Park could bring them.   The Government's looking at Eden Park's rules, including the number of concerts and sporting events that can be held, and a 2000 person limit for conferences.   It's exploring whether current rules are holding back economic growth.   Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck told Ryan Bridge even a single added concert can do wonders.   She says a single P!nk concert brought in more than $6 million in spend.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forestry industry voices say keeping 100% of slash and wood debris inside forest boundaries is operationally impossible.   Gisborne District Council has obtained an enforcement order forcing two companies to properly manage the sediment risk.   Samnic Forest Management is appealing the order and says it would probably go bankrupt if it went ahead.   Eastland Wood Council Chairman Julian Kohn told Ryan Bridge they're trying to get a better deal.   He says the industry is trying to find an environmental, social, and economic balance.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Rabobank survey's found farmers' faith in the broader agricultural economy is at its second highest level in the last decade, up to 46 percent. 51 percent expect it to improve in the year ahead - up three percent from the last quarter. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay told Ryan Bridge it's pleasing to see - as it's good for the country's economy. He says when the primary sector's doing well and prices are up, they start spending money. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve had it with people whinging about state of this county and people fleeing to Australia who then refuse to stop and ask why we got here and how we get out of it. Chucking up a post up on TikTok or waving a banner at a protest won't cut it.  Productivity (that’s how much we get out for what we put in) is crap. It's been getting worse or flat-lining for decades. Australia’s is better. Wages are 30% higher. We’re smaller, we have to be smarter.  And that means doing what the banner wavers of the world hate most - getting roadblocks and innovation-killers like government out of the way. Doing business needs to be as cheap and easy as possible. Let smart people be smart people and do what they do best: invent, optimise, invest, grow, thrive. We did this post-Muldoon with agriculture - subsidies and deregulation.  We’re now the most productive in world. It's proof. There of course are those who reckon the solution is to have a politician sign a piece of paper and artificially increase the mi

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 16th of September 2025, the Government's investigating local rules that are holding Eden Park back from hosting more big events, Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck tells Ryan about the impact this could have on Auckland.  Agriculture Minister Todd McClay shares his thoughts on farmer confidence climbing.  Gisborne council’s forestry rules have company directors warning they could go bankrupt. Plus, Australia correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a record fine for misconduct by one of Australia’s big four banks. 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.

Hopes a new events fund will make Auckland an attractive choice for international acts.  The Government is pumping $40million dollars to secure large scale events from next year - part of a bigger $70million dollar boost. Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner says his dream would be a Spice Girls reunion concert.  But he told Ryan Bridge any big name will be good for the city.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 15th of September 2025, The government's dropping $70 million to supercharge events and tourism, Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner shares his thoughts. Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  One in four of our schools need help to achieve the government's 2030 attendance target, NZ Principals Federation President Leanne Otene explains what help is needed.  Plus 26 police officers have been injured while policing a protest organised by a far-right activist, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest.  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.

A view that factors schools can't control are the reason school attendance is static. About 600 schools are struggling to reach the 2030 goal of having 80 percent of students attending more than 90 percent of the time. That's almost one in four schools. Principals' Federation President Leanne Otene told Ryan Bridge this data includes both unjustified and justified absences - as well as transience. She says this can be kids needing to move around for social housing, or those in families impacted by high unemployment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no doubt punters will like this new major events fund.  $70-million of new and old money.  Some for infrastructure like the cycleway network which needs an upgrade. $10-million for regional tourism.  And the showstopper is this $40 for "significant, high-impact events for New Zealand from 2026".  The PM and Minister Upston came out yesterday and said these big major events are money-makers.  Hospotality does well. Tourism operators do well. Retail does well.  They called it a bonanza.  But if you're a fan of ailing. If you like the America's, you might scratching your head.  It was only five months ago the PM say nah to backing the America's Cup.  Why? We're in a fiscal mess, we need to invest in "proper infrastructure" like hospitals and roads.  He said we need to be more responsible with taxpayers money.  And now we have new money for a pearl jam concert.  To be fair, the sums involved here are important. The Cup would have cost somewhere b

It’s a big weekend for rugby, with the Warriors final against the Panthers falling at the same time as the All Blacks second clash with South Africa.   It’s been ten years since the All Blacks claimed victory over the Springboks in Wellington – will they be able to pull off another win?  And the Warriors are entering the playoffs in 6th place after a season filled with ups and downs – how will they fare against the Panthers?  Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby Elliott Smith and sports journalist Nick Bewley joined Ryan Bridge to preview the weekend’s clashes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concern there's a creep towards privatisation in a refreshed curriculum.  The Government's overhauling senior secondary school subjects, with new options to be phased in from 2028.  Vocational subjects including engineering, building, and construction will be industry-led.  Principal of Auckland's Albany Senior High School Claire Amos told Ryan Bridge it could mean losing the benefits of a school-led approach.  She says some of the most powerful vocational learning is happening in the context of schools meeting the needs of their distinct communities.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 12th of September 2025, Erica Stanford's revealed the new subjects which will be included in the replacement of NCEA, Albany Senior High School Principal Claire Amos shares her thoughts. Newstalk ZB's Elliot Smith and Nick Bewley provide some analysis ahead of the All Blacks and Warriors games this weekend.  A manhunt is still underway in the us to search for the killer of conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith has the latest out of the US.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Peter Mandelson's sacking. 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 FBI is releasing images of the latest person of interest following the shooting of Charlie Kirk.  The highly influential conservative activist was shot at an event at Utah Valley University yesterday morning and later died in hospital.  The manhunt continues for the person responsible after two people were questioned but later released from custody.  Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith has the latest out of the US.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week NASA found the clearest sign yet of ancient life on Mars. We learned that for the first time in human history, there more obese children on earth than underweight children. In the Middle East, missiles bomb peace talks. Over the skies of Europe we’ve got drones and fighter jets. In the US, supposedly the first among free nations, another political assassination. It’s times like this you think, what a strange species.  If those Martian aliens turned up here, what would they think of us? How would we explain ourselves? Religion is about loving thy neighbour, but we fight in the name of it. Food is scarce but some have too much and others too little. Democracy means freedom until you’re shot in the head for speaking your mind. Of course none of this is unusual. We’ve done this since the beginning of time. Fight, kill, war, rinse and repeat. Animals fight for territory, food and survival. We do that to, but we also fight just because we can't agree with each other.  I think what it all bo

New Zealand appears to be a gateway for migration to other countries.  Latest Stats NZ data shows there were 14 thousand migrant arrivals and nearly 10 thousand departures in the year to July.  Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Ryan Bridge we're seeing more people migrate to New Zealand, who then move on to Australia.  He says the Australians have been actively recruiting here for a number of years, offering better salaries and pension conditions.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calls for swift intervention to keep our young people healthy.   A United Nations report suggests 9.4% of those aged five to 19-years-old are obese, and 9.2% are underweight.  In the year 2000, 12% were underweight and just 3% were obese.   Save the Children Advocacy Director Jacqui Southey told Ryan Bridge there needs to be better education around what is and isn't healthy.   She says some products may appear healthy but are actually packed with sugars, salts, and fats.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big commitment from Jetstar and its parent Qantas as both airlines make big moves to expand routes. Jetstar's adding new routes from Brisbane to Queenstown and Hamilton to Christchurch and increasing capacity on five domestic and trans-Tasman routes. Qantas is also expanding routes and will begin flying state-of-the-art A220 aircraft between Wellington and Brisbane from February. Aviation Commentator Irene King shares her thoughts with Ryan.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember it was only a month ago Trump was parading around an Alaskan Air Force base, talking up peace for Ukraine. Within weeks, Putin sends 800 drones across the border - the biggest attack of the war so far. He’s targeted EU and British government buildings in Kyiv. He’s now entered NATO airspace. The fighter jets were scrambled. The alarm bells rang in Brussels.  Does any of this sound like progress? Does any of this sound like diplomacy is doing a god damn thing to stop regular folk being slaughtered in the crossfire? No, of course not. Meanwhile Netanyahu’s firing missiles into Doha.  And who was he aiming for? The Hamas lead negotiator. The same guy who, as recently as last week, was being given ceasefire details from the Americans via the Egyptians and Qataris.   If you really want peace, you don’t fire missiles at the guy you’re negotiating with. Now if you’re Hamas, what are you going to do now the place you thought was safe to have talks no longer feels safe? Some in Hamas believe th

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 11th of September 2025, more New Zealand citizens are leaving the country than ever before, Massey University Sociologist Paul Spoonley tells Ryan about the impact it'll have on the country's growth.  Jet Star's announced it's biggest ever expansion here with over 600,000 extra seats, Airline Commentator Irene King tells Ryan about the impact it'll have on Air New Zealand. More children are now obese than they are underweight, Jacqui Southey from Save the Children shares her thoughts. Plus could there be life on Mars? US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest from a NASA press conference about a rock showing potential of ancient life.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.