Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

All the stars have aligned for the first concert at Christchurch's new stadium. Six60 and Synthony will open the music calendar at One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha next May - following Super Rugby's Super Round a month earlier. It's backed by the Government's 70-million-dollar Major Events fund. Duco Events Promoter David Higgins told Ryan Bridge Synthony wouldn't be part of the lineup without that funding. He says these events are very expensive to run, and organisers have to make a risk-return judgement if it's their own neck on the line.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 4th of December 2025, Andrew Coster's resigned with immediate effect employment lawyer Gareth Abdinor shares his thoughts on why he was placed on leave for so long. Ikea opens in Auckland today, First Retail Group Managing Director tells Ryan whether the hype will last. Six60 and Synthony will play the first ever live show at Christchurch stadium, funded by the government's events fund, Duco Events promoter David Higgins tells Ryan what concert-goers can expect. Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the US and Venezuela and the Kremlin saying it's wrong to suggest Putin rejected US proposals for peace in Ukraine. 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.

Andrew Coster's three weeks of silence and negotiating speaks volumes about the sincerity of the apology delivered yesterday. If you really felt that way. If you hadn't until yesterday, realised what had gone on, which he had, of course, but he saw the report long before any of us did, then surely, you'd have come straight out starting blocks with an apology to Ms Z. Wouldn't that be a bit more credible? As for the government. They've obviously been trying to get him out without paying him too much. The bill is three months paid out. Essentially gardening leave. And, crucially, an statement from the government that thee was no cover-up. That's despite the IPCA report having the strong whiff of one, or as Judith Collins put it, the walk, talk and quack of one. Coster's obviously done the calls in his head. The longer you stay on and fight, the messier it gets, reputation-wise. He'll be thinking about the next job, whatever and wherever that may be. He strikes me as the sort of guy with a plan to maybe one day get into politics. Local cop boss. Top cop boss. New 'modern' approach to policing. A champion of progressive policing. That sort of resume would get you pretty close to the top of a left-leaning party pretty quickly, I would have thought. He's not stupid. But this scandal will rule him out of politics and pretty much all top public sector jobs in New Zealand, pretty much for life. As the Police Association boss told us yesterday on this programme, front-line officers are being taunted over this. Association with that sort of damage doesn't evaporate quickly. And the media culpa, the sorry, wasn't quick enough.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pivotal year ahead for Liam Lawson after confirmation his seat is safe in Formula 1 in 2026. Red Bull has confirmed Lawson will retain his spot in Racing Bulls and be joined by 18-year-old debutant Arvid Lindblad. Herald motorsport correspondent Eric Thompson says Lawson will have plenty to race for. He told Ryan Bridge that 2026 will be the year for him to cement his position on the Formula 1 grid. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association says when it comes to new policing targets, the devil will be in yet-to-be-confirmed detail. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has announced four new targets, including raising New Zealanders trust and confidence from 69 to 80-percent. It follows the force taking a major hit in the wake of the McSkimming scandal. Association President Steve Watt told Ryan Bridge it's good to have goals, but information is scarce. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This story should shock everybody, but it won't. Sadly. The headline? Former Covid response lead Alister Thorby stole $1.8 million from DHBs. From us, taxpayers. This guy was 25 and yet somehow in charge of the DHBs' response to the Covid pandemic in the Lower North Island. He stole almost $2m over five months. He bought cars, holidays, a house. He was an MIQ boss. He submitted invoices for work that never happened. One invoice was for $300k. Two of the companies he invoiced for didn't even exist. Now, this is bad for two reasons: 1. How on earth does some 25-year-old who's been in the job just five months, bill $1.8m and get those invoices paid? That's criminal. Who signed off on the cheques? Who was in charge? It's outrageous. 2. The timing. The Judge in this case points out the money went out the door at a time when the Government was scrambling to deal with Covid. Except this guy was employed October 2021 to June 2022. We were letting DJs through the boarder for Rhythm & Vines by then. The Wiggles were performing at Spark Arena. So that doesn't add up, in my mind. It wasn't panic stations, it was BAU by then. So, who was writing these cheques on our behalf? Something tells me this guy probably wasn't alone in taking the piss and taking us for a ride. Give fraudsters an inch, they'll take a mile. This was, after all, peak Ardern/Hipkins money tap era. We were throwing money out the window like there was no tomorrow. Was this the tip of the iceberg and will anyone, other than the guy to duped us, be held responsible for the fact it was allowed to happen in the first place? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 3rd of December 2025, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has set new 2026 targets to lift public trust, Police Association President tells Ryan how he can lead the Police to doing so. Liam Lawson will keep his Racing Bulls seat for 2026, former, motorcycle racer and Herald motorsport Journalist Eric Thompson tells Ryan what Lawson will need to prove next year. New data shows one in five school principals quit within their first year, Darfield High school Principal Andy England tells Ryan why so many principals are quitting. Plus. Uk/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years will be heard by a judge only and the UK government admits 12 prisoners have been accidentally released in the past three weeks. 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.

SkyCity's pulling together the final touches on its colossal International Convention Centre ahead of its February 11th opening. A large fire in 2019, when the building was nearing completion, set the project back significantly. Now with just two months to go, SkyCity's locked in more than 100 conferences and events at the new venue. General Manager Prue Daly told Ryan Bridge an estimated 30% of their events each year will be international. She says they've got inquiries all the way out to 2032, and the team is working to make sure they can bring them to New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are doubts the proportion of homeowners in New Zealand will grow significantly anytime soon. Kiwibank's Annual State of Home Ownership Index finds 57% of non-owners feel locked out of the market, improving by 6%. 60% still find cost of living the biggest obstacle to owning a house. Squirrel Mortgages Chief Executive David Cunningham told Ryan Bridge that problem's always existed, adding that home ownership typically stays around 65%. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agreement from Wellington's Mayor over council rates needing to be kept in check. The Government's proposing to cap rates increases at 4% a year, with only water rates and other non-rates revenue to be excluded. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says rates increases are due to decades of under-spending. However, he told Ryan Bridge the Government's tapped into a justified concern. Little says a lot of people are watching rates rise astronomically along side other costs, and councils need to do a better job at controlling this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This rates cap is popular politics, no doubt, and local government needs a good kick in the pants. But does a 2-4% band simply mean we're going to pay more in other fees? Rates aren't the only way these guys make money off us, we also pay for specific things like resource and building consents, LIM requests, dog registrations, and campgrounds. Will hairdressers have to pay more to register under the Health Act? Yes, this is a thing, and in Kaipara, for example, it'll cost your business $423 bucks, thank you very much. Will we pay more for a burial plot at the local cemetery? That's another fee. Will we pay more to register out dogs? The options are endless. Waikato District Council has a document setting out the fees it whacks ratepayers with. It's 45 pages long. The government may take a revenue lever away from councils with one hand, but councils will no doubt get creative and hit us up from another angle. Actually, this is exactly what the Government itself has been doing. We're seeing the rise of the fee. 2026 will be the year of the fee. Yes, the Coalition may have cut taxes, but they're also overseeing one the biggest hikes in fees and charges of any government in recent history. Road user charges, user-pays, road tolls, congestion charging is coming, fines are going up, immigration fees, airport fees - you name it, chances are it's heading north. It's a strategy. The top line number comes down, but all the little bits they hope we won't notice go up. Councils will be no different. Add in the Water Done Well fee, which will be massive in some places, and the reality is that no ratepayer will feel like they're getting a batter a deal post-cap band. The question is whether this a reason not to do it. And the answer is probably not. But it should come with tempered expectation that we won't feel fleeced when the council emails those pesky quarterly rates bills or charges you for sending a hard copy by snail-mail!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, the government's announced a rates cap for councils, Wellington City Council Mayor Andrew Little shares his thoughts. More renters reckon they have a shot at buying a home of their own, David Cunningham from Squirrel Mortgages tells Ryan why the housing market is improving for first home buyers. We finally have an opening day for the new International Convention Centre, General Manager tells Ryan what we can expect from the opening. Plus, four people have been arrested in Sydney, accused of being involved in a satanic child sex abuse ring, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans 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.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 2025, Labour's pledging to offer low-interest loans for doctors and nurse practitioners to set up or buy into GP practices next year, GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers shares his thoughts. The government says Local Water done well reforms will cost $48 billion over the next decade, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker tells Ryan if the money will be well spent. Adam Cooper has the latest on the weekend's sport. Plus UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on dozens of protesters arrested under the Terrorism Act and three Austrian nuns in their 80s who ran away from the old people's home where they were placed have been told they can stay in their former convent "until further notice". 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.

Doubts ratepayers will be any better off under the Government's Local Water Done Well plan. The Department of Internal Affairs says councils face nearly 48-billion dollars in water infrastructure costs over the next decade. By comparison, the former Government's reforms were projected to cost at least 120-billion over 30 years. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker told Ryan Bridge the price tag will likely end up similar to Labour's model. She says it's still 30 percent of council's debt moving over the new water entity, with the ratepayer footing the bill due the under-investment in water previously.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The housing market is once again in the driver's seat for the economy, but it's not heading in the direction we're used to. Yes, a recovery is underway. But the brutal truth of 2025 was summed up rather well, I thought, by Sir Bill English in an interview about the current state of play. Basically, this protracted downturn - which for anyone living outside Queenstown or living on dairy farm has felt as drawn out and depressing as a Covid lockdown - has been made worse by the housing market. It's not firing back into life like it usually would at this stage of the cycle. The wealth effect hasn't kicked in. The recovery's taken longer. In the long run, English argues, this is a good thing. Because supply has been coming on, planning laws are being changed, intensification will keep prices low or in some cases, see them fall. Does this make it any easier to stomach? No? Is he right? Probably. If it's happening, this structural shift is going to create headaches for anyone relying on property to boom in order to get rich. Like. um I don't know, Hipkins and Labour. They were out at the weekend, making in rain cash, this time on GP clinics who apparently get bank loans to start practices which are effectively licenses to print money. Like the free GP visits for billionaires and the rest of us, the policy relies on revenue from a capital gains tax. What if those gains don't happen, or the happen but not to the extent they assume they will? What if the gains look more of the sort we've seen over the past few years i.e. nil or losses? Then what? What's that old saying about your mouth writing cheques your ass can't cash? Without those golden-year capital increases, it won't just be the economy feeling their loss, but politicians with big spending agendas also. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A retail frenzy is expected today as shoppers take advantage of Black Friday sales. Data from PriceMe shows nearly 40% of Kiwis are planning to take advantage of Black Friday to do their Christmas shopping. The day now outpaces Boxing Day in terms of sales volumes and popularity. Oyster Property Group's Jennifer Andrews told Ryan Bridge that they're preparing for a very busy day today. She says they have discounts all through the weekend, but particularly today as it's when most people like to come out to find the discounts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A youth protection advocate says it's entirely appropriate to look deeper into Tom Phillips' children's four years on the run. The saga ended when he died in a Police shootout in September. The Government will explore whether agencies did everything possible for the children's safety and welfare. Child Matters Chief Executive Jane Searle told Ryan Bridge she's hopeful it will be a constructive process. She says they want is the system to be strengthened as a result of the review. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 28th of November 2025, Judith Collins has ordered a public inquiry into the Tom Phillips case, Child Matters CEO Jane Searle tells Ryan what she hopes to see from it. Jennifer Andrews from Oyster Property Group which manages Dress Mart shares what retailers are hoping for this Black Friday. The Government's considering moving escooters into cycle lanes as injury costs soar, Cycling Action Spokesperson Patrick Morgan shares his thoughts. Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Labour's budget and a limited form of military service being re-introduced in France. 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 push to get more bike lanes as the Government eyes up moving e-scooters onto them from pathways. ACC statistics show there were more than 2,100 claims for e-scooter related injuries in the first half of this year. Payouts for e-scooter injuries this year are close to surpassing $14 million. Cycling Action Spokesperson Patrick Morgan told Ryan Bridge e-scooters are here to stay, so councils need to build more bike lanes to meet demand. He says we don't need a bike lane on every street, just on main thoroughfares where people want to go. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RBNZ update this week again made the point that yes, the economy's in bounce back mode. We'll grow 2.5% next year, they reckon. But this country needs more than that. It deserves more than that. The problem for us is, and has been for about the past 30 years, productivity. How much we get out for what we put in. We went sideways and it's now falling. As you know, this is a bad thing. It's taking us more people and resources to make less stuff. It puts a ceiling on success. It's a wealth killer. Some reckon it's the canary in the coalmine - the thing we should care about most because we're basically sleepwalking into third world status. Like falling asleep on a plane and waking up in a different country, we'll one day wake up outside the OECD. The solution, in part, is AI. The World Economic Forum had some numbers showing it can boost labour productivity in developed countries by up to 40% over the next 15 years. The richer your country, the more you gain, which stands to reason because higher labour costs incentivise switching to AI to save on wage bills. The economic upswing we're seeing right now is a business cycle uplift: they go up and down. But if you're talking about making this country a serious economic contender on the world stage, as we once were, you need a plan. You need a strategy. You need electricity. You need to get rid of a bunch of regulations. Do we have those things? No. But we need to. I'm hoping next year at the election, more than a tax cut here or a medi-card there, somebody, from some party, I don't care which, paints us a credible path towards prosperity and wealth again. Lord knows we need it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister believes the country is in a position to grow. The Reserve Bank believes the economy has now turned a corner after last month's 50-basis-point cut to the OCR. It's cut the cash rate a further 25-basis-points to 2.25%, but is signalling further cuts are unlikely. Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge that while the data lags make things difficult, there is enough other information to give them a sense of where the economy is at. She says it's allowed the Reserve Bank to be confident in their forecast that the economy is growing and that growth will strengthen next year, and inflation will come down. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Encouragement for any Northlander who feels hard done by from the region-wide power outages last year to explore legal avenues. Local businesses are taking class action against Transpower and its lines maintenance contractor over the outages caused from a pylon collapsing in Glorit, north of Helensville. An investigation found a relatively inexperienced and inadequately supervised Omexom worker removed nuts from three of the pylon's four legs. Northland MP Grant McCallum told Ryan Bridge he's backing the local businesses seeking legal action. He says we all know what happened which still beggars belief, but we will have to wait for the legal process to be completed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auckland Business Chamber believes a a surcharge cap is a reasonable compromise to an otherwise unfair rule. In July, the Government announced its plan to ban surcharges for shoppers on methods like Paywave, forcing merchants to front the cost instead. The business chamber says this will just force businesses to increase costs, which will be unfair for other customers. CEO Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge a cap will give a balanced and more practical alternative. He says retailers like hospitality and tourism can recuperate some of their costs. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 27th of October 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Ryan to talk on the final OCR cut of the year. The Northland pylon fiasco is heading to court, Northland MP Grant McCallum shares his thoughts. Business groups have come up with an alternative plan for the surcharge ban, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges tells Ryan what they're asking of the Government. Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Steve Witkoff appearing to coach a Russian official on how to win Trump over and Black Friday sales for the American economy. 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.

So what do we know today that we didn't know yesterday after the big show from the Reserve Bank? Well not much, really. The cut was expected - it was already priced in. They're a bit more rosy on growth, it looks like the end of the cycle for cuts. But beyond that, it really is guesswork. The central outlook was 'balanced'. Meaning closed wallets could could hurt the outlook, higher housing prices and export prices could help it. We put a lot of faith in the OCR to get us out of the rut. Even though it hasn't really worked thus far, even after six rounds of slashing. At one point in the presser the Chief Economist was almost repeating this like a mantra, as if by saying it over and over again, he'd will it to happen. There are two problems here: First, we've heard it all before and not seen the results. Second, by their own admission, the GDP numbers we've been relying on aren't reliable. There's a bunch of seasonality in the numbers - especially for that shocker in June where where we apparently went backwards almost 1%. We didn't. The computer's a bit bust after Covid and hasn't caught up, basically. The good news? It probably wasn't as bad as they said it was. The bad news? Growth the following quarters probably wasn't as good as forecast either. Give with one hand and take with another. So we have a system we're hoping like hell still works in this new post-Covid/tariff environment with sticky inflation and pretty lame-o growth. And numbers we can't really rely on, which if you cast your mind back to quarter two, get blown up by us in the media, scaring people into closing their wallets again, and perpetuating the cycle. To be be fair, there's always been a lag with the OCR working its magic. And at some point, surely, we'll hit the g-spot again, for growth. If for no other reason than what goes down must, at some point, bounce back up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another cut to the Official Cash Rate is expected today but it could be the last for a long time. The Reserve Bank's reviewing the OCR at 2pm. Most economists expect the cash rate to be cut 25-basis-points to 2.5%. ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge they expect the Reserve Bank to keep the door wide open to taking further action next year if needed. He says it will be wanting to use the three-month closedown period to really gauge whether it's needed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of roles could be facing the axe as the Government looks to scrap regional councils. The Government's proposing replacing them with boards made up of Mayors in a particular region. The proposal aims to reduce duplication and put downward pressure on rates. Boards would be required to put plans in place around re-organising services and infrastructure, which will be checked over and ticked off for financial sustainability. Otago Regional Council Chair Hilary Calvert told Ryan Bridge says they employ a lot of staff. She says they have around 368 roles, which is twice as many as there were six years ago. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes a nationwide maths pilot can continue to deliver results. The $40 million Government programme targeted 1,500 Year 7 and 8 students needing extra support, through small-group tutoring up to four times a week. New data shows students averaged one to two years progress in 12 weeks. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge the focus on core skills like maths never stopped, but this is a new way of doing it. He says one of the issues with intense focus is that it's resource-heavy, which is fine as long as it can continue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm part of the generation that grew up pre-cell phones. Gifts were usually clothing you needed. Toys were chatter rings, marbles, maybe a skate board. There was no 'picky eating', as we've heard about this week. If you didn't finish what was on your plate at dinner, you didn't get a treat afterwards. Sweet treats were fruit. Or Raro sachets (sugar rush) if you managed to sneak one out the pantry. There were no snacks - if you were hungry before dinner, mum would tell you to drink a glass of water. School was basics. Maths, reading, writing. A bit of everything else. What we're learning, as a society, is that we've collectively taken our eye off the ball. We've taken parenting to a level beyond usefulness. Do we need cheap imported asbestos sand to engage toddlers? Do we need a thousand fun school subjects in place of decent time on basic ones? Do we need to tip-toe around kids not eating their veggies, as was suggested yesterday, for fear our kids may develop some eating disorder? Do they all need cell phones that helicopter parents message constantly while their kid should be learning in school? No, we don't. We didn't then and we don't now. The results speak for themselves. The Aussies are banning social media. Cell phone bans in schools are working. According to results out yesterday, students forced to do an hour of good old fashioned maths a day made a full year's progress in just 12 weeks. Kids are fatter than they've ever been before, so the meal time passive parenting thing clearly isn't working. The goods news, it's not too late to turn this around. But frankly, parents and teachers are the ones who need to grow up and show leadership here, not the kids. And the best news of all is that most of this stuff is easier and cheaper. We've set expectations too high, boundaries too low, and our kids are paying the price. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 26th of November 2025, The Government's committed to abolishing all 11 regional councils, Otago Regional Council Chair Hilary Calvert says she thinks this is a good idea. Students forced to do an hour of maths a day made a full year's progress in just 12 weeks, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie shares his thoughts. It's the final OCR day of the year, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley tells Ryan what we can expect from the Reserve Bank. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the potential of a Zelensky/Trump meeting and the UK government's sugar tax. 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 rise in bulk buying may be contributing to New Zealand's food waste. A report commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment reveals more than 1.2 million tonnes of food is wasted or thrown away here every year. Nearly a third is by households, with processing and food production making up the rest. Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager Sophie Wolland told Ryan Bridge buying in bulk isn't always the best idea. She says if there's no plan in place for the food, it can likely go off and end up in the bin. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A construction sector voice says mandatory home warranties are well overdue. The Government's announced plans to require warranties for new homes three storeys or less and all renos worth at least $100,000. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says it hopes to protect homeowners from cowboys. Certified Builders Association Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Ryan Bridge it will cost more, but only marginally. He says it will make up 0.4% of a $200,000 project. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Bay of Plenty trust says new investment will help more families address harm before authorities have to step in. The Social Investment Fund's putting $50 million into programmes for children with parents in prison, and those who've grown up in care. Among the recipients is Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Trust. Chief Executive Enid Ratahi-Pryor told Ryan Bridge their aim is to tackle family harm early, before official intervention's needed. She says you can never remove the need for state intervention at critical times, so it's still a tool that can be used - but their services are prevention focused. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 25th of November 2025, The Government's announced a new building rule designed to protect homeowners from cowboy builders. A study from Otago uni says Kiwis toss out 1.2 million tonnes of food a year, Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager, Sophie Wolland shares how we can improve food waste. The Government's revealed the first seven groups to get funding from its $50-million social investment fund, Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services Trust CEO tells Ryan how the money will be spent. Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on Cocaine, valued at around 170 million dollars has been seized off the coast of Western Australia and the search ramps up for missing 4 yr old Gus Lamont in South Australia 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.

This rates cap, how's it actually going to work. I had Luxon on my Herald show yesterday, an announcement's coming in the next few weeks. But ask any Mayor, not the ones who like disco toilets and golden miles, but the ones who already to the basic stuff and little else. They're cutting their cloth. Tim Macindoe in Hamilton. I spoke to the Tararua Mayor yesterday. They all say the same thing: we are doing the basics. We've cut the silly stuff. And we don't know how this is going to work without bankrupting local government. RMA reforms will be a big part of this. Luxon's talking about amalgamation. If there are fewer consents needed or consents are streamlined, do we need so many councils with a back office bigger than Kim K's booty? Probably not. So less work, especially for regional councils, could lipo some cost out of the system. Then there's the back office more generally. The Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore makes a good point about double up. We have 67 territorial authorities in New Zealand. All have their own finance departments, comms teams, legal - the full kit and caboodle. Can they combine the back office and save some cash that way? He reckons they can, and to his credit, is already talking to the neighbours about doing just that. But even with no frills and upkeep on the basics, residents are still steering down the barrel of double digit rates increases, or at least north of 7%, which, as we know, is more than inflation. So a rates cap, like a move-on order for rowdy rough sleepers on Queen Street, might sound like a good idea. But is it fixing a problem or simply moving it down the road for somebody else to clean up? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A banking expert is picking apart National's 'piecemeal' Kiwisaver election pledge, saying it doesn't go far enough. The party's promising to lift default worker and employer KiwiSaver contributions to six percent by 2032 - matching Australia's 12 percent superannuation rate. Employer contributions would increase by half a percent - but not until 2029. Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Ryan Bridge that there's an issue if people think the rate's too high. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, National promises to lift the default kiwisaver rate to 12% by 2032 if elected again next year, Claire Matthews Associate Professor at Massey University Business School shares her thoughts. Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport. The trucking industry wants tougher rules for unsafe vehicles, Billy Clemens Head of Policy and Advocacy at Transporting NZ tells Ryan why changes need to be made. Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on global security officials meet in Geneva, to discuss the America's plan to end the Ukraine war and Sir Keir Starmer urges anyone with information on the Epstein case to come forward after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor missed the deadline to appear in front of US Congress. 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 trucking industry wants NZTA to have the power to impound dangerous vehicles, after an Auckland operator was jailed for manslaughter. Ashik Ali kept his truck on the road despite it being banned, and its failed brakes caused it to roll away and fatally hit a roadworker last year. Transporting NZ Policy Head, Billy Clemens told Ryan Bridge the assessment for entering the industry needs to be more rigorous, with the current process limited to a theory test. He says they want people to demonstrate their experience and the necessary skills beforehand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unions charge like wounded bulls for their services. And they claim they're in it for the workers. They care about workers' pay and conditions so much, they're worked their way up the union ranks to help those at the bottom. But then once they get a bit of profile. They jump ship to the Labour party, their good mates. Craif Rennie - flits between the CTU and Grant Robertson's office - has been selected to run in Wellington Bays. Fleur Fitzsimons - who tried but failed to get elected for Labour. She's surely trying to weasel her way back on to a list. Michael Wood - he wants back in. You see, Unions are simply not the premiere league. They're the equivalent of the bench for Labour's caucus. It's the place you go to keep your profile up while you wait for another turn at sucking from the public tit. There's nothing particularly wrong with this. But if you're a low-wage worker who believes these people are your champions and are in for you. For negotiating hard with your employers. For doing the mahi. And then you realise, actually, they've just been using your plight to feather their nest at the beehive, wouldn't you be a bit pissed off? Not all union members are Lefties. Sure, many of them are. But most just want a fair deal and decent spokesperson. Not a bunch of political wannabes doing dress ups waiting for their time in the national spotlight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.