Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Time will tell if Vladimir Putin will postpone a meeting with Donald Trump, as he has done in the past. The Kremlin says the US President and his Russian counterpart have agreed to meet in the "coming days". The Trump administration has indicated, for the pair to meet, Putin must meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. BBC Russia Correspondent Olga Ivshina told Ryan Bridge Putin's made progress towards his goals while pretending he's open for peace talks. She says he's pushed Ukrainian forces out of Russia's Kursk region, while capturing some villages. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US company is building the world's largest aircraft without having ever built a plane before. The WindRunner is being constructed to transport large wind turbines and will be operating by the end of this decade. It's eight times as big as the largest military aircraft, with a cockpit as tall as a five storey building. Radia CEO Mark Lundstrom told Ryan Bridge it's capable of moving gigantic things to hard to reach places, including for humanitarian missions and defence applications He says the goal is to move a more than 100metre long turbine blade and land it on a piece of dirt within confines of a wind farm, which would reduce cost of wind energy by a third. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 8th of August 2025, the Ardern government was warned that the spending spree during Covid would have dire consequences, Finance Minister Nicola Willis explains the impact it's had. There's been confirmation from the Kremlin overnight that a meeting between Trump and Putin will take place as early as next week, BBC Russia correspondent Olga Ivshina tells Ryan whether it will impact the deadline for sanctions. A US company's building the world's largest airplane to transport massive wind turbines, the company's CEO Mark Lundstrom tells Ryan about the project. Plus UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Israel's security cabinet meeting and the UK beginning operating its 'one in one out' scheme with France. 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 Government says it won't make the same mistakes as the last if hit with an event similar to the Covid-19 pandemic. A Treasury report has calculated the total cost of the pandemic at $66 billion. It puts New Zealand among the highest spenders as a proportion of GDP on the Covid response in advanced economies. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge nearly half of the spending was on unnecessary initiatives. She says it didn't make a difference to the economy, and racked up huge amounts of debt. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The $66-billion question hanging over Labour's head has been answered. This new Treasury report tells us what we all already knew about Labour's Covid response. They went too far. Spent like a drunken sailor. Made it rain dollar bills. When Treasury advised them to pull back, they didn't they kept going. Covid was the most expensive economic to this country. The government spent $66-billion - which is 20% of our GDP. Of that, just 18% was spent on specific pandemic healthcare costs. Then they just kept spending. Forget the Nigerian prince, this is the biggest scam to hit kiwi shores. They also spent the Covid fund on things like school lunches and art therapy programmes. The report tip toes around it but the clear inference of this report is Labour went too far pulling the fiscal leaver. The Reserve Bank should be using monetary policy to bulk of the heaving lifting in future events. At the same time this report landed on Labour's lap like a tonne of bricks, Chris Hipkins was in Queenstown chatting about the policies they don't have but will probably have going into the election. Guess what's on the menu? A capital gains tax. More government spending. And talk that the Treasury-imposed safe debt cap could be increased. So debt, Tax. And spend. People may not like Luxon's delivery of this message, it grates, but you can't hide from the fact those guys screwed the pooch. And the pooch, if they were to get back into power, best be preparing for more screwing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Higher unemployment could continue to be a handbrake on the country's economic recovery. More Kiwis are out of work, with unemployment now at a five-year high. And Kiwis that are working are earning less, with wages not keeping up with inflation over the past 12 months. Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge that's having ripple effects. She says if consumers are earning less, they spend less, and if they're anxious about their job security, they tend to reduce their discretionary spending. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 basically bags an area, and build its base close by. He who gets there first, wins. Basically. The moon is quite important to earth, as you know. The seasons, our crops, our ocean, our entire lives a tied to that thing. But if you look at it closely, it's already coved in giant craters - so big you can see them from earth. So even if these guys do blow something up, one's one more crater? I'm frothing to see this new age space race get underway. The most interesting question is: what happens if it's not a country that gets there first, but one of those weirdo billionaires and their space toys?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 stuff so nuanced you need human eyes across it, but that would be the exception, not the rule. As for the Swedish Prime Minister, he's copping flak for not being able to do his job without the help of a robot. But you still need to use judgement, don't you? You can't just punch in "should I go to war tomorrow" and the blindly follow the answer. Is AI not the mental equivalent of a forklift? A tool, a machine, doing the heavy lifting for our brains? The reality is, it doesn't actually matter how we feel about AI and the moral dilemmas it raises. Like mobile phones, the internet, smart phones and social media, it's one of those phenomenon that's taking over our lives, whether we like it or not. The best we can probably do is just get used to it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 disbelief and feigned shock from some quarters in reaction. Including those climate protesters, who I can only assume are still disrupting operations at the Stockton mine in the South Island. Last I saw, there was some woman up there in the bucket, health and safety be damned, zooming into a call with a journalist. Surrounded by a plethora of plastic in things like cabling, cell phones, battery packs, tools, even a helmet, she explained that coal was evil and would eventually ruin kill the planet. Never mind the fact her presence in the bucket meant workers were now having to truck their coal from one site to another using diesel, rather than the aerial rope pulley system whose bucket she and her plastic fantastic friends were occupying. No shame either, apparently, about a helicopter flying in, on AV gas, to check on the protesters after a bit of rain. The reality is this. Nobody's saying coal is amazing and is the only solution to our problem and let's burn it till we all burn. They're just saying, we need this reliable fuel to tide us over till we don't need it anymore. If the choice is to either burn coal or have a cold shower, I know what I'd be doing. And let's not forget that even if we did stop digging up coal and using it to heat our homes occasionally, some other country would be just that anyway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 answer of course is a party and a reserve bank that went too far responding to a virus, and then continued down spending like a drunken sailor. Trump hasn't helped, just recently. The problem for National is that voters don't seem to care much who started a fire, they just want the thing put out. And they need to feel the numbers. Not the OCR announcement, but the mortgage re-fix on a lower rate. Food price inflation's still going up. So things might be getting more expensive less quickly, but they're still going up in price. Only once people feel different will the polls respond. The biggest problem for the Coalition on waiting for that to happen, is not that some might convert to Labour voters in the meantime, but that they might jump ship altogether and move to Brisbane. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 1st of August, as the final 24 hours of Trump's tariff deadline loom, federal tax economist Alex Durante joins Ryan to discuss what deals have been made so far, and the implications for countries who don't conclude negotiations in time. And changes to the labelling of genetically modified foods have been green lit as New Zealand adopts new rules around the definition of gene editing. Spokesperson for GE-Free NZ joins the show to discuss the regulations. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A banking expert believes new capital for Kiwibank will shift the dial but won't completely close the gap with its Australian competitors. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced the bank's parent company is being allowed to raise half a billion dollars from private investors to help it close in on the four major banks. Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Ryan Bridge Kiwibank is already making a difference, but can't see the announcement making a big enough splash. She says enabling it to grow will help, but the competition issue in the market is being overstated. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our largest power companies sees the great potential in the Government's push for geothermal energy. The Resources Minister Shane Jones' draft strategy lays out a goal of doubling its production by 2040. Mercury Energy Chief Executive Stewart Hamilton says 20% of New Zealand's power already comes from geothermal. He told Ryan Bridge it has great opportunities to decarbonise and grow the economy. Hamilton says they're currently doing a $300 million extension on one of their geothermal sites, which will produce enough power for the entire city of Wellington. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 31st of July 2025, The Government's given Kiwibank the green light for a capital injection from the private sector, Associate Professor at Massey University Claire Matthews tells Ryan Bridge whether it will impact banking competition. The cost of flying to and from every airport in New Zealand is about to increase, Air Chathams CEO Duane Emeny shares his thoughts. Energy Minister Shane Jones has announced a plan to double New Zealand's production of geothermal energy by 2040, Mercury Energy CEO Stewart Hamilton, shares his thoughts. Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on The August 1st deadline looming and New Zealand calling for a two-state solution at the UN. 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.

Airlines have had another challenge thrown at them as our sole air traffic control provider hikes prices. Airways are upping fees for commercial airlines by an average of 17.7% over the next three years. However, it's acknowledged airlines are doing it tough and still recovering from Covid-19. Air Chathams Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge as a state-owned enterprise, the Government have some control over Airways' cost. He says they could go to Airways and say they need to do better, as they shouldn't really be making a profit while airlines are suffering. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They haven't said it explicitly yet, but one day soon, our KiwiSaver contributions will rise to 12% and Kiwibank will be partially sold to foreign buyers. On the bank, Nicola Willis is flying a kite and talking about a potentially partial float of the stock exchange for the wee Kiwi battler. It needs capital to grow and take on the big banks. They're getting access to an extra half a billion through changes already announced. But they could yet get more, should National campaign on a partial float. It's sounding more and more like they will. And the question is whether most voters will care? I think not. Asset sales are not the great electoral disaster they were once portrayed as - just ask John Key who whipped Phil Goff's butt in 2011 on a platform of partially privatising assets. On KiwiSaver... the Government's already upped the amount we pay, and our bosses pay on our behalf, towards retirement. Our default contribution is going up to 4% over three years. Add your employer's and that's 8%. Scott Simpson was at a conference yesterday and there's an interest.co.nz report quoting him as saying basically it'll happen before long. At a gradual pace. But here's the thing... like the partial float of Kiwibank, this is all stuff that needs to happen. The Aussies' pensions funds boast $4 trillion in balances. That money is put to work. It funds infrastructure. It builds wealth. It grows a domestic economy. Our KiwiSaver balances, collectively, sit just above $100 billion. It's David and Goliath. So we need to save more. And if we're serious about a Kiwi bank taking on the Aussies and sticking it to them good and proper, we'll need some outside capital to give it that boost. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel's rejected the UK's moves to recognise Palestine as a state at a UN meeting in September. The UK and France will both do so, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire. New Zealand isn't among the 139 countries that recognise a Palestinian state, but last year Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated it's a question of when, not if. UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge Israel's rejected the move, stating it harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. He says this comes amid huge pressure in Gaza, with 60 thousand now killed during Israeli action there. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The short-term future of the ANZ Premiership is confirmed. Netball New Zealand has signed an exclusive broadcast deal with TVNZ for next year, with the competition to remain in its current two-round format. Governing body boss Jennie Wyllie's refused to confirm whether players will take a pay cut, but admits they'll likely use cash reserves to make ends meet. Netball Players Association Executive Manager Steph Bond told Ryan Bridge that a free to air platform will increase the eyes on the sport. Especially, she says, for a sport like netball where most people are playing at a community level. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Those with mortgages are bank-hopping at record rates, but not necessarily to get lower interest rates. More than 3,500 holders switched nearly two and a half billion dollars of debt between loan providers last month. It's the highest since records began in 2017. Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says it reflects a mix of factors including short term loans, minimal or no break fees, and cash-back incentives. He told Ryan Bridge it's reasonably common to get 0.7-0.8% of the loan value as a cashback, up to certain caps, so it would make sense for people who are potentially under cashflow stress. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Wednesday the 30th of July, 36 thousand nurses go on strike today, former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell tells Ryan what he thinks needs to be done to reach an agreement with Health NZ. The ANZ premiership will soon be free to air on TVNZ, NZ netball players association Executive Manager Steph Bond shares her thoughts. Cotality has done a report finding record numbers of us are refinancing our mortgages with a new bank, Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davison explains what it means. Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK PM Sir Keir Starmer saying the UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a UN meeting in September unless Israel meets certain conditions. 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.

Belief a breakdown of trust between nurses and leadership is fuelling protests today. Tens of thousands of nurses are striking for 24 hours over chronic workforce shortages, withdrawing labour from all Health New Zealand services from 9am. Thousands of procedures and appointments have been postponed. Former Health New Zealand Chair, Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge people don't trust general assurances anymore and want to see working safe conditions that are capable of being met. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke van Velden's anti-health and safety crusade's taken a rather bizarre twist - it's the plot twist nobody saw coming. She's consulting the public on safe activities kids are allowed to do on farms, like watering plants and collecting chicken eggs. It's a bit of an odd strategy, but the strategy seems to be that there's a potential problem with the law. Anyone under 15 is technically not allowed to do work on a working farm. You could get fined $50,000. But nobody's been done for letting little Johnny pick up eggs. So, it's a potential problem, but not an actual problem. The Minister's strategy, surely, is to point out how ridiculous the law is in the first place. But her response sounds a bit off for a Minister who says we need to get away from over regulation and consultation and nonsense and just let Kiwis get on with their lives. She is quoted as saying: “We'll be consulting with farmers and the agriculture sector on the safety thresholds for light chores children can do on farms... while ensuring safety is not compromised.” It does a bit gobbledegook. It sounds a bit unnecessary. It sounds a bit odd. If there's a problem, then why not just change it? Why consult up the wazoo through till September, then waste time and money, no official advice, and blah blah blah. If it's a problem, then make it go away. And quickly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throwing in a CV and cover letter in response to a job ad may not cut it anymore, as young people face high unemployment rates. Stats NZ data shows jobs filled by 15 to 19-year-olds dropped 10% in the last year – representing over 12 thousand roles. The overall drop nationally is 1.2%. Youth Inspire Chief Executive Zainab Ali told Ryan Bridge the tactical approach to training youth has been forced to change. She says in the past six months she's relied on relationships with business partners for job opportunities. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia has yet to respond to the latest ultimatum from US President Donald Trump. Trump says Vladimir Putin has between 10 and 12 days to make progress on ending the war with Ukraine to avoid sanctions. That's shrunk from the 50 days he gave the Russian leader two weeks ago. US correspondent Toni Waterman says there's been no official response from the Kremlin. She told Ryan Bridge former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has warned sanctioning Russia would be disastrous. Waterman says the leader has claimed it would start war between the US and Russia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health and Safety experts say the Government need to consider people's lives as they set to change scaffolding regulations. Government officials are consulting with the construction sector on whether to relax certain rules on work site scaffolding, making them only compulsory in some situations. Construction Health and Safety Chief Executive, Chris Alderson told Ryan Bridge falling from height is the number reason people are killed at work globally, but not in New Zealand. He says we've been doing something differently that has saved people's lives, so the Government needs to be careful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've got an appointment at the hospital this week, you might want to check it's still going ahead. Nurses are going on strike tomorrow from 9am for 24 hours. 4,300 surgeries and specialist appointments will be affected. It's a complete withdrawal of labour. It's 36,000 nurses. It'll affect every place where Health NZ provides health or hospital care, and it's the middle of winter. The nurses union's been bargaining. It's the usual stuff - pay and staffing levels. Also as usual, they say if it's life or death, you will be seen to. They had a bargaining meeting yesterday with Health NZ, which didn't go well. They've been bargaining since last September and haven't found common ground yet. The nurses say they are too short staffed and departing nurses are not being replaced. And without more pay, nurses will keep being tempted across the Tasman. So, what were they being offered? Health NZ says a new graduate nurse on $75,773 would gain a total pay increase of $8,337 (or 11%) by the end of June 2026. What's more, they say the average salary for both senior and registered nurses, including overtime, PDRP allowance, and penal rates, is $125,662. Until these guys can sort out who's right and come to a deal, this may not be the last hospital strike we patients must endure this winter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.