Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A view higher than average grocery prices show something's clearly wrong with our grocery sector.  The Commerce Commission's revealed our prices are the fifth-highest in the developed world.   It highlights the market doesn't support new players and major supermarkets continue to wield power over smaller stores.  Grocery policy expert Ernie Newman told Ryan Bridge there's no good reason for us to pay so much.  He says for a country that's an extremely efficient food producer, we should be paying way below the OECD average – which we used to.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The road freight industry is backing the Government's wish to have all vehicles paying electronic Road User Charges.  It wants to do it by 2027.  National Road Carriers Association Chief Executive Justin Tighe-Umbers says the current system means some pay less because they can afford more efficient cars.  He told Ryan Bridge the current system isn't collecting enough revenue.  Tighe-Umbers says we're missing out on billions for new roads and maintenance.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Thursday 7th of August, fuel taxes are out and road user charges are in for everyone, National Road Carriers Association CEO Justin Tighe-umbers tells Ryan how much of an impact it will make.  According to a Commerce Commission report, the big two supermarket chains still dominate with 82% market share.  Unemployment’s at its highest level since 2020, with retail hit hard, Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young tells Ryan how bad the job market is looking.  Plus US Correspondent Katie Fisher has the latest on US Envoy Steve Witkoff meeting with Putin in Moscow.  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.

Is there anything more thrilling than watching two countries battle hammer and tong to achieve something we all dreamed impossible, until it happens? Like going to he moon in the 60s (provided, of course, you think they actually went there).  It's like the science Olympics crossed with geopolitical Hunger Games. This time it's a bit like last time, but with the US on one team and China/Russia working together on the other.  They want to install nuclear reactors on the surface of the moon, 400km away. The US wants it done by 2030. China and Russia are aiming for early 2030s.  The scientists are hoping everybody'll come together and co-operate up there like we do with the ISS.  But, the politicians have other plans. This is about nationalism, defence and territory.  Everyone wants to be the first because there are currently no laws or treaties for colonising the moon. It's basically first come, first served.  And they reckon whoever builds the first reactor for electricity can

Figures, due out this morning, are expected to show unemployment's hit a nine-year high.  Stats NZ is releasing its latest unemployment update at 10.45am.  Economists expect the rate to have reached 5.3% in the June quarter, up from 5.1% for the March quarter.  Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Ryan Bridge they expect the peak unemployment rate to be around 5.3% or slightly higher.  He says that the labour market tends to be one of the more lagging parts of the economic cycle.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lawyer says people shouldn't fear Māori being given customary marine titles.   The Government will tighten criteria so that groups will have to prove continuous and uninterrupted occupation since 1840.   Te Mata Law barrister Harry Clatworthy says there are about 200 outstanding claims, and he expects around 50 to be particularly affected.   He told Ryan Bridge concerns that Māori will close down beaches are a misunderstanding of what the titles actually grant.   Clatworthy says they do grant the right to turn down private resource consents, but don't affect most other activities.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 6th of August 2025, unemployment is expected to hit a nine year high, Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon provides some analysis.  The government is forging ahead with plans to change the law governing New Zealand's foreshore and seabed, despite a Supreme Court ruling last year that appeared to undercut the rationale for the change. Should Artificial intelligence be used to mark your kids school work? Learning, development and AI specialist Danny Bedingfield shares his thoughts.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the ‘one in one out’ migrant deal between the UK and France beginning tomorrow.  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.

A learning development specialist fears artificial intelligence won't have cultural considerations when marking student work.  Education Minister Erica Stanford says AI is already partly in use for marking - and expects it could do almost all assessments by 2028.  It comes as the Government plans to scrap NCEA for an entirely new qualification.  Cyclone Computer Company's Danny Bedingfield told Ryan Bridge current AI models aren't trained on the uniqueness of New Zealand.  He says newer, more specific models, would have to be developed LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future's here. AI is taking over.  A team of robots kept alive in some giant warehouse with tonnes of electricity are right now whirring away, beavering away on the world's problems.  AI will soon be marking our students' exams. The Swedish Prime Minister overnight admitted he uses AI for a second opinion on running the country.  AI architects are in high demand - they're being snapped up like hotcakes.  Meta recently offered AI researcher Matt Deitke $250 million over four years - AI engineers are apparently paid upwards of $2.5 million a year.  The big tech companies are investing billions. The efficiencies are real. AI is changing the world, one data centre at a time.  So the question is: what do we do about it?  Some of the teachers are upset because they don't trust AI to mark exams. But really, we shouldn't trust the teachers. According to the Minister of Education, AI is at least as good as if not better than teachers at getting it right.  There's some s

Advocates for renewable energy say a new coal deal may be necessary but should be the last of its kind.   The big four power companies are investing in a strategic energy reserve which will add 600-thousand tonnes of coal to current stocks.   Rewiring Aotearoa Chief Executive Mike Casey says this will be needed because we haven't reduced our reliance on fossil fuels.   He told Ryan Bridge we need to accelerate the move towards sources like solar and geothermal.   Casey says all renewable options should be on the table and there should be a focus on keeping power bills low.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push to ensure funding for Kiwi made TV shows is a hand up, not a handout.   NZ On Air has announced its non-fiction funding, which includes more than $1.3 million for Celebrity Treasure Island.  It's returning for its seventh season.   Creator Dame Julie Christie told Ryan Bridge we can't only have Australian and British shows, we need New Zealand to become a TV hub.   She says we have to look at improving things within our own industry to get back to creating the shows we used to create.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of the country's largest school says the stress of exams readies students for the future.  The Government is proposing to scrap NCEA for a literacy and numeracy test in Year 11 and certificates in Year 12 and 13.  Consultation on the ideas are open to the public until mid-next month.  Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale told Ryan Bridge it is important for students to be under some level of pressure.  He says strong academic achievements means a person will have less stress and anxiety in adulthood.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We need to be a bit practical about this business of importing coal.  Yesterday Genesis, Mercury, Meridian, and Contact announced they're going to stockpile up to 600,000 tonnes of coal to keep the lights on at Huntly power station.  The deal needs Commerce Commission's approval so it doesn't look like they're colluding on price, but the idea struck a deal, which still needs Commerce Commission approval, to keep the lights on at Huntly.  The coal gives them a back up for times when we're low on electricity, when the lake levels are low, and the wind isn't blowing.  Huntly is the largest electricity generation site in the country. It needs fuel to run on.  Eventually, they'd like it to be all biomass and green, friendly fuels. But in the meantime, they need something reliable to keep things chugging along so as we avoid another energy crunch like last year when spot prices went berserk because we realised how little gas have in this country.  And queue the predicable outcries of d

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Tuesday 5th of August, the government's announced an overhaul of NCEA, Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale shares his thoughts.  Four big gentailers are importing 600,000 tonnes of coal and storing it at Huntly, Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey shares his thoughts.  NZ on air's dropping nearly $3 million in taxpayer cash on new seasons of reality TV, Dame Julie Christie, the creator of Celebrity Treasure Island tells Ryan Bridge why it's important to keep reality TV alive.  Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a Chinese national accused of spying in Canberra. 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.

Donald Trump's latest tariff announcement looks set to hit our meat industry in the back pocket. Trade Minister Todd McClay is heading to Washington in the coming weeks to argue our case, following Trump's decision to raise tariffs on New Zealand goods. We'll now face a 15-percent tariff, while Australia and the UK still face a 10-percent rate. Beef & Lamb Chair Kate Acland says our exporters may have to absorb that five-percent difference. She says that will equate to about 300-million dollars in extra tariffs a year, if trade levels stay the same.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 4 August. 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.

A teachers union is hoping the Government keeps the bulk of NCEA.  A major announcement on the future of the secondary qualification is expected to be imminent. It's understood public consultation will be launched on proposed changes -- in which teachers and parents can give feedback. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge he wants improvements - not for it to be thrown out entirely.  He says there are some issues with coherency around subjects and the structure of vocational pathways. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s about that time of year when it feels like winter really starts to drag.... and it must be feeling that way for Christopher Luxon, too. It‘a cold and dark and we just want to be at the beach like our poser friends in Bali or Europe.  But we endure this gloomy season safe in the knowledge that one day, in a month or so, springtime will come, the days will get longer and everything about life will just feel easier. Easy, breezy and warm. Contrast that to the economic winter we’re simultaneously enduring and you can see there’s an immediate problem. Unlike winter, which we know will end soon, this economic funk has graced us longer than the GFC's. Inflation is back on its way up.  We may have bounced out of recession for a few quarters but there’s also a good chance we’re currently back in negative growth territory. That’s after now three years of unaffordable food, mortgages, well, pretty much everything.  Politicians are arguing  - again at the weekend - about who's to blame.  The

Donald Trump's latest tariff deadline is rapidly approaching.  The US President has reached 11 deals and agreed to pause tariff increases for Mexico, ahead of his deadline of 4pm today.  He's indicated he'll raise the baseline tariff faced by most countries, including New Zealand.  Federal Tax Economist Alex Durante told Ryan Bridge that overall, consumers and businesses should be bracing for higher tariffs and higher prices going forward.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a concern consumer choice is at risk with new rules changing the labelling requirements around gene editing.  The change will see New Zealand mirror the genetic technology legislation in Australia.  It'll mean food produced using new breeding techniques, including gene editing, will not need to be labelled as genetically modified unless it contains new DNA.  GE Free New Zealand spokesperson Jon Carapiet told Ryan Bridge consumers care about how their food is made.  He says people care about free-range for example, even when it actually doesn't mean a huge difference in the end product.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.