Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The All Blacks playing stocks have been refreshed for the final test of the year against Wales on Sunday morning. Only captain and lock Scott Barrett and blindside flanker Simon Parker are retained in their positions from the loss to England with Will Jordan moving from fullback to right wing. Ruben Love makes his second test start from fullback. Former All Black Josh Kronfeld told Ryan Bridge Robertson is giving people opportunities to make a statement at the end of the tour. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lifetime Black Power member is warning of a larger threat on the anniversary of the gang patch ban. Today marks one year since the law was changed to give Police increased powers to go after gangs, including banning gang insignia in public. Since then, officers have seized 182 patches, more than 600 insignia items, and 178 firearms. But Community Advocate Denis O'Reilly told Ryan Bridge international cartels are becoming increasingly involved in gang activity. He says they will recruit young gang members with promises of wealth and riches. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 21 November. 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.

Hopes that those responsible for the Pike River mine disaster will finally be held accountable. Police believe they have sufficient evidence to prosecute certain people for manslaughter. This week marks 15 years since 29 men died in the West Coast mine tragedy. Sonya Rockhouse, whose son died, told Ryan Bridge Police have done their job and now it's a waiting game for justice. She says they've always had enough evidence but more has been gathered in extensive forensic investigations over the years. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you trust Winston Peters not go with Labour next year? No you can't. He hasn't ruled it out. Despite National scoring a higher party vote in 2017, he went with Jacinda. Labour has not ruled Winston out. Winston has not ruled Labour out. Winston has ruled out Chippy, so a leadership swap in the last seven weeks of the campaign, or even during negotiations, is possible. Hipkins is a party man, and if the choice was opposition for his caucus or the Treasury benches, he'd fall on his sword. So it's a live scenario. If Labour and NZ First get enough to form a coalition together, wouldn't he prefer that to another threesome on the right? He hates Chippy because of Covid and his ‘what is a woman' malfunction in that press conference, but the party's been working hard to shake the overly wokey/dopey vibes since then. Also, he hates Seymour. And if there was a chance for him to extract big spending policies, some regional fund, manufacturing energy deals, and more gold card benefits, I reckon he'd go for it. The scenario becomes much less likely if the Greens and whatever might be left of TPM need to prop them up. He hates them much more than Seymour, and would look stupid going into government with a Green handshake and a hongi. The rule with Winston is pretty simple: all options are on the table and this time next year, as summer approaches and the weather warms, we will be doing stake outs at his beach house and his crowbar villa in Central Auckland. Waiting outside, microphones ready, guessing who the patron saint of Kiwi politics will anoint to lead the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ferry Holdings' Chairman says he's more confident in the new Cook Strait ferry plans than the ditched iRex project. The Government's officially signed a fixed-price contract with a Chinese shipbuilder for two new rail-enabled ferries. It's now securing teams to build the required infrastructure at Picton and Wellington ports. Winston Peters claims the total cost will come in under two billion dollars and will be delivered on time in 2029. Ferry Holdings Chair Chris Mackenzie told Ryan Bridge the iRex project would have required a lot more work to be done on the ports. He says the new plans don't need much to be moved as it's re-using as much as possible from existing infrastructure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students getting around a school phone ban could be chatting with family members. An Education Review Office report shows three-quarters of secondary school teachers believe the ban has improved student behaviour. But nearly half of students admit to using their phones in class, likely because family members were getting in touch. Whangaparāoa College Principal Steve McCracken told Ryan Bridge most schools have other systems in place for families to contact students during the day. He says the report shows parents want to connect with their kids, but they're setting them up to fail if they contravene the ban. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 20th of November 2025, New Cook Strait ferries are set to arrive in 2029, Ferry Holdings Limited Chair Chris Mackenzie tells Ryan how the government managed to save $2.3 billion dollars. A ERO report shows the cellphone ban is working but half of high school students aren't following the rules, Whangapaeroa College Principal and B416 expert advisory panel member Steve McCracken shares his thoughts. The Government's banned puberty blocker prescriptions for new patients, Sue Bagshaw, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Christchurch School of Medicine at the University of Otago Christchurch tells Ryan how big of a impact this will have. Plus US Correspondent Toni Waterman has the latest on the Epstein files and Nicki Minaj publicly backing Trump's allegations that Christians face persecution in Nigeria. 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.

One of the country's top youth health experts says puberty blockers have been safely used in New Zealand for 20 years. No child or young person experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence will be able to start taking gonadotropin-releasing hormones from December 19. Health Minister Simeon Brown says Cabinet has agreed to new settings until the outcomes of a major clinical trial in the UK in 2031. Otago University's Dame Sue Bagshaw told Ryan Bridge she doesn't like the way Government is politicising a possibly life-saving medicine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've got a bunch of new economic numbers this morning. The recovery is underway. Finally. We've had false dawns before, so I'm not overcooking this, but things are moving in the right direction. Investor confidence is up for Q3. Most regions are getting a slice of the recovery action, according to Infometrics. What's most interesting is investor confidence, led by Auckland, is up quite a bit and they're not worrying so much about the dramatic headlines from Trump, etc. They're shrugging them off. And our attitudes to different types of investment are changing. The proportion of us who see owning our own home as the best investment is now at its lowest level since 2015, and young people are loving stocks. Which is no surprise - the S&P's up around 14% this year, house prices are falling or flat. Which might help explain why the mood on capital gains seems to have shifted a bit. But here's the thing with the capital gains: it will not lower house prices, it will not fix the structural deficit. It will provide tax revenue for doctors visits, sure. But can those doctors visits be delivered, or just advertised in some brochure like Kiwibuild? And to those who are enjoying success with stocks, congratulations. Your gains aren't taxed, but property is the canary in the coal mine. It's a warning of more to come. Give a politician an inch and they'll take a mile. Look at the fundamentals of it. This CGT won't fix the stuff you'd expect it to fix and still leaves the State short of revenue. So they'll eventually come for something else, and that something will be whatever's popular. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 19th of November 2025, a new report from Business NZ projects a shortfall of at least 250,000 workers by 2045, Chief Executive of Business Canterbury Leeann Watson shares her thoughts. Over half of our apprentice trainees in new zealand drop out before they complete their course, Te Pukenga CEO Gus Gilmore tells Andrew what needs to change. It's been revealed the Government spent over $38 million on business start-up grants to beneficiaries, Small Business NZ founder Phil Wicks shares his thoughts. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Peter Anderson has the latest on British MPs warned by security service MI5 they're at risk of being targeted by Chinese spies and technology from Formula 1 cars is being used in a pilot scheme to provide faster and more reliable wi-fi on British trains. 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 small business advocate says a Government grant must do more than throw money at a problem. The Taxpayers' Union has revealed the business start up grant has dished out $38 million with little to show for it. Documents retrieved through the Official Information Act show hundreds of the recipients struggled and returned to a benefit within two years. Small Business New Zealand Founder Phil Wicks told Andrew Dickens the recipients are the furthest people away from the labour market. He says they can still succeed but need more mentoring, structure, and clear expectations. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A warning our major political parties need to display more bipartisan planning so we don't buckle to a dwindling population and economic growth. Business NZ's report warns a labour shortage of at least a quarter of a million is expected before 2050, and there's also a one in four chance the population doesn't grow. Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens says major parties need to reach a certain level of bipartisan agreement on the country's big decisions She says businesses want to see steady incremental progress not a pendulum shift which potentially puts us backwards. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns over the fact that more than half of trainees aren't completing their apprenticeships. Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is seeking extra funding so new industry bodies can investigate low apprenticeship completion rates. She says the government could help through policy settings and funding, but the nature of the problem was likely to vary between industries. Te Pūkenga Chief Executive Gus Gilmore told Andrew Dickens things like training wage rates, low pay, and the economic downturn causing them to lose their job. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's controversy in the Ockham Book Awards as two books by notable authors are withdrawn from competition because their covers were created using AI. Stephanie Johnson's collection of short stories 'Obligate Carnivore' and Elizabeth Smither's collection of novellas 'Angel Train' are the two books cancelled. Their covers were created using AI and the book awards are on high alert for anything that takes the place of human activity. The decision to amend the criteria around AI was spurred by a desire to support creative and copyright interests of the country's writers and illustrators. So I understand the concern from the creative industries about the rise of AI, but I wonder if they really understand how AI was used in these circumstances. Covers are created by graphic designers. Sometimes they may commission an artist to draw the cover, but more often they've been creating images using computer programmes like Photoshop and various Adobe programmes. But in all cases a human is in charge, and there's no difference here. Elizabeth Smither's team had a specific image in mind combining a steam locomotive and an Angel inspired by Marc Chagall. A human asked AI to do it. It popped it out and the human refined it. Is that any different to a graphic designer pulling it together in Adobe? AI has spooked the creatives. AI bands have had hit albums. Now Paul McCartney is releasing a single that is silent in protest at AI stealing his sound. Morgan Freeman is railing against AI copy of his distinctive voice. But Elizabeth Smithers and Stephanie Johnson wrote their books. In Stephanie's case the short stories have been written over 20 years. But now her work has been cancelled because of a virtue signalling protest against progress. AI is out of the genie's bottle. It's important that it's influence is credited, but it still can't do it's own thing. It still needs a human to guide it and so it is like any other tool, including a pen and a piece of paper. Meanwhile Thursday we hear the Nvidia result. The bellwether stock of AI. There are bears and bulls and people talking about the bursting of the AI tech bubble as being a thing. I just want to warn that AI is still in it's infancy and there's a long way to go before it becomes a Terminator film. But what interesting times we live in See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The struggling car industry is looking forward to some much needed relief. The Government's confirmed its slashing charges on importers who don't meet carbon targets by almost 80% and launching a full review. It's expected to save about $264 million in cost to consumers and will keep imported cars cheaper. Imported Vehicles Association Chief Executive Greig Epps told Andrew Dickens the target was difficult for many businesses to reach. He says this isn't going backwards, it is being realistic about encouraging the use of clean cars. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The police union is confident the health sector can pick up the remainder of mental health callouts. Now there's new guidance to determine if Police are needed when health workers request non-emergency assistance or when people go missing from health facilities. It will free up roughly half-a-million policing hours every year. Police Association President Steve Watt told Andrew Dickens the new approach has been introduced in phases. He says it gives Health New Zealand the time to ensure it can fill in the gaps Police leave. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uber drivers are rejoicing over their employment status being finalised with a legal win in the Supreme Court. Four drivers have won their battle against Uber to be treated as employees, rather than contractors. The Supreme Court rejected Uber's bid for the court to overturn a 2024 Court of Appeal ruling. Wellington Uber driver —and city councillor— Nureddin Abdurahman told Andrew Dickens Uber's been exploiting the huge number of people looking for a job. He says it doesn't matter how many people are looking for a job, they all deserve rights. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recall of coloured play-sand products - potentially contaminated with asbestos - is continuing to cause disruption on both sides of the Tasman. A recall notice was issued last week for EC Rainbow Sand 1.3 kilos and Creatistics Coloured Sand, 1 kilo. More than 20 schools and early learning centres are temporarily closed. Australia correspondent Lesley Yeomans told Andrew Dickens schools and centres across Australia are also impacted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 18th of November 2025, The Government's having another go at the clean car standard, Imported Vehicle Association CEO Greig Epps shares his thoughts. Police and Health New Zealand are pressing ahead with phase three of their mental-health response changes, Police Association President Steve Watt tells Andrew what will change for the Police. The court's recognised that Uber drivers are employees, Nureddin Abdurahman a Uber driver who took Uber to court shares his thoughts on the outcome. Plus Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on dozens of schools closed across the ACT and stores recalling special coloured play sand and Concerns about a newly discovered Koala colony in outback New South Wales. 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.

So the latest plan to fix central Wellington traffic has been released for consultation, and it's a monster. There's a couple of tunnels. A new one at the Terrace end of the motorway and another new tunnel through Mount Victoria. Land and houses will be taken out of the town belt at Mount Victoria and parkland at the Terrace There will be a major redesign of the Basin Reserve roundabout and a bridge near the airport. And the price tag? 3 billion dollars. Ironically the same sort of cost for two ports and two ferries to cross Cook Strait, that was thought to be wildly expensive at the time. So the immediate reaction is that this plan is wildly expensive. Which it is. Wildly expensive and totally predictable. The Rongotai Airport was opened in 1959 and from day one it was dependent on the Mount Vic tunnel, which opened in 1931. It should have been expanded then. It's Wellington's Auckland Harbour Bridge moment - a piece of insufficient infrastructure that only got worse. You could argue the same thing about the Terrace tunnel that was built ending abruptly in tiny urban streets designed before the rise of the automobile. Meanwhile some of Mount Vic's funky houses are going to be destroyed, and that gets right up the inner-city residents noses - the ones who don't have to drive far at all. So consultation is open now and I'm expecting it to be rancorous. But it's the bed Wellington chose to lie in when building an inner city airport and not making the hard calls earlier. And that also means strife for the good people of Khandallah who are complaining about the plane noise over their suburb after the flight paths changed in 2022. They'd rather the flights went over Newlands, who love the flight path change. As soon as you put your airport at Rongotai this was bound to happen. So you can't really complain about the bill you've inherited from your forebears who lacked foresight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand beef sector's set to save some dosh, with the removal of the additional 15-percent tariff on our beef. US President Donald Trump's reversed his tariffs on a wide range of US food imports, including New Zealand beef, offal and kiwifruit. These products represent around 25 per cent of our exports to the United States, worth more than two billion dollars annually. Beef & Lamb New Zealand Chair Kate Acland told Ryan Bridge the tariffs were costing our beef industry a lot. She says in 12 months the quotas were looking to cost us about 310-million dollars, so it's a significant amount.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Couple of things from this morning's poll on CGT. Basically, we're evenly split. As many of us are in favour of Labour's plan as are against it. The results are interesting, though. The details. So, more Aucklanders hate it more than the rest of the country. 45% of Aucklanders oppose it. Only 32% support it. Now, Auckland holds the keys to the kingdom, electorally, as Labour found out in stunning defeat at the polls two years ago. Auckland lockdowns collapsed their vote. As did the cost of living. So, if you're National, that's where you focus your anti-CGT campaign. Its' also interesting, and the Herald piece on the poll makes this point, in areas where people are doing well, where house prices haven't caved. There's more support. In areas feeling poor because their house price has fallen through the floor, they don't like it. So basically, you have squeezed-middle voters telling you they feel too poor to support another tax. And so, you end up with this fight between people who like the sound of an idea, and people who feel it will threaten their chance of growing wealth. Then you've got to ask yourself, will the tax do what it says on the label? Will it pay for millions of extra doctor's visits? Where will these doctor's magically appear from? Does this party have a good track record with delivering on promises, practically if they tell you how much but not really how? You could look at this poll and think it's a win for capital gains. And it is. Sort of. But there's plenty of fodder for an anti-capital gains campaign which is no doubt being workshopped by some ad agency as we speak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Beef and Lamb Chair Kate Acland shares her thoughts on the US dropping tarrifs on more than $2 billion NZ exports. Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekends sport. The Opportunity Party has had a rebrand, starting with a new leader, Qiulae Wong tells Ryan she hopes to reach the 5% threshold. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK government set to announce a major change of asylum policy and groundbreaking DNA analysis of Adolf Hitler's blood. 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 All Blacks have their captain back as they prepare to face England at Twickenham on Sunday morning. The English haven't beaten the All Blacks at the stadium since 2012, and the All Blacks will be looking to continue that streak and keep their current winning streak alive. Scott Barrett has been cleared to start after a full week of training as his leg gash healed. Newstalk ZB's Voice of Rugby, Elliott Smith, joined Ryan Bridge to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pub Choir – it's the new phenomenon taking the internet by storm. It was created by Astrid Jorgensen, a vocalist and conductor who brought her skills to America's Got Talent, getting hundreds of audience members to perform a rendition of Africa by Toto. She tours the world, turning audiences of thousands of amateur singers into incredible choirs, breaking down the melodies into accessible bites. Jorgensen told Ryan Bridge she's tried a lot of songs, and while some work out better than others, that's not the important part. “The point of the show for me is that we can make art together in real time.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 14th of November 2025, Labour says it will repeal the Regulatory Standards bill in their first 100 days if elected next year, Labour regulation spokesperson Duncan Webb tells Ryan why. The All Blacks take on England at Twickenham, Newstalk ZB voice of rugby Elliott Smith has the latest. Pub Choir is a new phenomenon taking the internet by storm, Australian vocalist and conductor Astrid Jorgensen tells Ryan how she came up with the idea and landed herself a feature on America's Got Talent. Plus, UK/ Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Jeffrey Epstein appearing to confirm Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was photographed with Virginia Giuffre and France marks the 10th anniversary of the Bataclan massacres. 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.

Labour says the new Regulatory Standards bill unfairly tilts the playing field. Act's controversial bill has passed its third reading at Parliament despite overwhelming backlash. The bill provides principals for lawmaking in an attempt to cut red tape and guide regulation. Labour's Regulation Spokesperson Duncan Webb told Ryan Bridge, while it isn't enforceable, it makes forming policy harder. He says it's like the Bill of Rights Act - which lawmakers can ignore - but it comes at a political cost. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This prison escape story is fishy as hell. And in the week of cover ups and ass-covering, this walks, talks, and quacks like another one. On Friday last week at 9am, an inmate escapes Mt Eden prison. But the public isn't told. No media release. No warning to the public. Radio silence. Then on Tuesday, a media report pops up. It looks like a journo has got wind of this story. Corrections then confirm a prisoner has escaped but they don't tell us who or how or anything. Was this guy a murderer? Is he a risk to the public? Why can't we know why he is? Four days on the run by that stage and they still hadn't found him. There's some BS about safety being the top priority, blah, blah. Then yesterday, a release goes out. They, finally, name him and put out a photo. Six days after he escaped - they haven't been able to catch him. They still don't say if he's a risk to the public. His name is Paul Kyle Peekay Rehua. A quick google search and you find out pretty quickly why they didn't want you to know his name, and why they didn't release it for six days. Paul Kyle Peekay Rehua has escaped from prison before. In 2010. That's embarrassing for them, isn't it? I've been asking Corrections for an interview since the story broke. But computer says no. Why? Because there's an internal review going. So what? You don't get to hide and cover up your mistakes and wait till the dust settles. You front up and own your mistakes. When this guy escaped last time, Corrections immediately put out a release warning the public not to approach him as he was dangerous and had an extensive criminal history. This time round, there has been no warning whatsoever. Is he friendly now? Or are they, again, butt covering? For God's sake, take a leaf out of the Police's book and front up. The longer you leave this the dodgier it looks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An employment expert says the Public Service Commission must undergo due process in its handling of Andrew Coster. A scathing IPCA report's found the former Police Commissioner was among those in senior police leadership who failed to properly address sex allegations against the then Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. McSkimming last week admitted to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material. Coster is now head of the Social Investment Agency and being investigated by his employer, the Public Service Commissioner. Max Whitehead told Ryan Bridge there must be just cause for termination. He says bringing the organisation into disrepute is a sackable offence. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Auckland oyster farmers believe a million dollar payout from Watercare isn't enough to cover their reputational loss. A power surge at the Warkworth pump station caused a massive sewage spill in the Mahurangi River, meaning an almost month-long halt to harvesting. Watercare's payout to Aquaculture New Zealand will be distributed across 10 impacted oyster farmers. Mahurangi Oyster Farmers' Association Chair Lynette Dunn told Ryan Bridge you can't put a price on not being able to harvest good quality oysters. She says stories about the wastewater issues mean all oyster farmers in the area have had their reputations damaged. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's feared Fire and Emergency's proposed restructure will leave New Zealanders less safe. It's expected to impact about 700 roles, with a net loss of 140. No frontline firefighter positions will be affected but some supporting functions may change. PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons told Ryan Bridge the jobs under threat work on prevention, operational response, and wildfires. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White House says released emails claiming Donald Trump spent hours with a victim of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein create a fake narrative. The House Oversight Committee has released a tranche of emails and documents from Epstein's estate - another referencing the now US President as 'the dog that hasn't barked'. The White House says the victim referenced in the emails is the late Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly said Trump wasn't involved in any wrongdoing. US correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He says the White House says these are nothing more than bad faith efforts to distract from Trump's historic accomplishments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've seen a lot of commentary in the past few days about our government debt position. We're up over 40% of GDP - that's doubled on pre-Covid. There are those on the left who say that's too little. We should borrow more. Forget a debt ceiling, borrow more and throw it at the public service and create some jobs - any jobs. This is what Carney is doing in Canada. His budget would double Ottawa's debt to $80-odd billion. They've got Trump tariffs and weak domestic demand, so, he's getting out the deficit and trying to revive it. Make no mistake, if a Labour-led government were to get in, that is the approach we'd have taken here. Chris Hipkins has made that very clear. TPM and the Greens would make sure of it, too. What we haven't heard from them yet is how much more they're wanting to borrow. Remember Robertson has a debt ceiling of 30% of GDP. Well, didn't that go well? The fact is it's popular to spend more. It sounds like you're doing something. The more you spend, the more you care, goes the theory. Average public debt ratio to GDP for advanced economies is roughly 110%. So, we're well under that. But we're a small, isolated and trading-exposed country in the middle of trade war. What we need is headroom. Morningstar, who've just given the government AAA credit rating, said as much. And as for those banks making massive profits? Well, turns out that's actually quote important, too. Morningstar said we weathered the housing market correction so well because of well-capitalised banks that are also very liquid, and they have strong buffers to absorb losses. So not all is as it seems. Bank profits and seemingly stingy insistence on returning books to surplus not only keep our interest costs down, but also keep us afloat during touch times. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 13th of November 2025, Sir Brian Roche is investigating Andrew Coster over the IPCA report. Watercare is set to pay a $1 million settlement to 10 oyster farmers affected by a sewage spill. FENZ is proposing to cut more than a hundred jobs, PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons explains how it will impact firefighters. Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on new allegations from House Democrats that Donald Trump knew about Mr Epstein's illegal behaviour and the latest on the US government shutdown. 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.

AA believes it'll be difficult to conduct the new roadside drug tests at the same volume as alcohol tests. From December, Police across Wellington can do random roadside saliva tests – screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine. The rollout will begin throughout the rest of the country from April. Drivers testing positive will need to do a second test that checks for 25 substances. AA Road Safety Spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told Ryan Bridge the test takes three to five minutes to complete. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is "on leave" from the Social Investment Agency following a damning report into the handling of the Jevon McSkimming case. The former Deputy Police Commissioner is awaiting sentence after last week pleading guilty to having child sexual exploitation and bestiality material on his work devices. The IPCA's report reveals senior leadership ignored anonymous allegations McSkimming was a sexual predator, and instead the woman was prosecuted for digital harassment. Survivors' advocate Louise Nicholas told Ryan Bridge Coster's role in this really makes her angry. She says he has a lot to answer for around this and he needs to front up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New firearms law reforms aren't expected to hit the mark for everyone. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee's rewritten the Arms Act, easing up on licensed owners, banning gang member ownership, and adding offences including 3D printing weapons. It doesn't include McKee's bid to allow greater access to military-style semi-automatic weapons. Fish and Game Chief Executive Corina Jordan told Ryan Bridge she understands there could be disappointment from some hunters. She's encouraging those people to make a submission during the select committee process. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 12th of November 2025, sexual violence survivor advocate, Louise Nicholas shares her thoughts on the IPCA report into the handling of the Jevon McSkimming case. Gun lobbyist-turned-firearms minister Nicole McKee has lifted the lid on her Arms Act rewrite plans, Fish & Game Chief Executive Corina Jordan shares her thoughts. AA Road Safety Spokesperson Dylan Thomsen shares his thoughts on new roadside drug testing. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on outgoing BBC boss who resigned this week says the corporation must fight for their journalism and UK unemployment hits 5% as the jobs market weakens. 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.

Coster is a dead man walking at this point. Anyone not completely brainwashed during Covid could see there was something a bit off about him - this IPCA report is proof they were right. He knew about this so-called ‘affair' McSkimming had - the woman had worked for the Police. He didn't ask the questions he should have. He promoted McSkimming and didn't tell the people he should have told about dodgy stuff. Which makes it look, well, dodgier, doesn't it? In August, I asked Coster about McSkimming. No answers then, and still no answers now. We've asked to speak to him this morning, he's on leave. Nicola Willis gets tangled up in this, too. She recommended Coster for his current job. He's still got five years on his contract. She says she's appalled, but she can't fire him. That's a job for Brian Roche. I don't think there's any doubt he's going to get the sack, unless he resigns first. The whole thing is an absolute cluster. In a big government job like Police Commissioner, you've got to cross the t's and dot the i's. It's a $700k job. Coster wasn't up to the job. And if he doesn't quit his current one, it's only a matter of time now before it's taken from him. The clock for Coster is now ticking. And for the frontline, sadly, respect and integrity takes a lifetime to earn and moment to lose. They're the ones who'll cop the backlash. They're the ones who have to actually talk to real people everyday. As of 6 o'clock last night, their jobs just became a lot harder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's set to lay out what it plans to do about the gun laws. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is expected to announce her rewriting of the Arms Act this morning. Council of Licensed Firearms Owners Spokesperson Hugh Devereux-Mack says they want clearer definitions around when a firearm could be taken away for non-criminal reasons. He told Ryan Bridge the current Act says Police need to consider any relevant matters deemed appropriate, which he believes is a vague catch-all. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Banks are under pressure to deliver customers more value. ANZ's announced a 21% rise in annual profit days after Westpac confirmed a 13% rise. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says with bank profits this high, customers should be seeing breakthrough innovation or new technology. Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub told Ryan Bridge we need our banks to be successful, but we also need them to compete for our business. He says we have a banking sector that's extraordinarily safe and profitable, but not very innovative, and we need to ask why we're paying so much for so little. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.