Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

This is not the most important story that you will hear today, but it grinds my gears.  It's a small, seemingly insignificant event, but I think it speaks to two things that I absolutely hate about the world that we live in right now.  It took place at cinema three in Pukekohe. You might have seen the video on the Herald website.  So, two women and a child go to the movies, they sneak food in, which I know is not the biggest thing happening in the world right now.  We've all done it too, haven't we?  These guys, these entitled prats, let's just call them what they are, they had food, they had drinks, they had snacks, they had hot food, they snuck hot food into the cinema. That's brazen.  The guy working at the cinema goes over them and says, you're not allowed to bring your own food in.  And these guys just are having none of it. First of all, the worker that comes over has an Asian accent, they mock him for, for his race. They sit there and they start berating him: “Oh, you've made my daughter cry. You've ma

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 1st of August, it's a throwback to the days of regional DHBs - Health NZ has announced four new regional directors.  Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Iran, so where could the conflict go to from here? Ryan speaks to a Middle East expert.  Building consents are down - is it a sign of the struggling economy? The Construction Industry Council breaks down the reasons for the drop.  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 nine-year-old girl has become the third child to die after a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the UK.  Two other girls, aged six and seven, died in the attack in northwest England on Monday.  A 17-year-old boy remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident in Southport.  Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in critical condition, alongside two adults who were critically injured.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that there is a vigil going on at the sites, with hundreds if not thousands of people attending.  Taylor Swift herself has also commented on the situation, saying she is in total shock over the loss of life and innocence.  Grey said that her fans have raised more than $400 thousand for the families of the victims.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The changing whims of different governments are putting financial pressure on councils.   A report from NZIER has found central government underestimates what its reforms cost councils to implement.   Local Government New Zealand is calling for more assistance from Government to help them carry the cost.   Vice President and Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says the speed limit increases under the previous Government cost $570 thousand for his council to implement.   He says the Government's new directive to reverse speed limit increases will cost another $570 thousand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moves to improve online gambling regulation will allow overseas online casinos to advertise in New Zealand from early 2026.   The Minister of Internal Affairs says it will only apply to licensed operators and come with strict limits.  The Problem Gambling Foundation says the advertising is a concern.  Director of Advocacy and Public Health for the Problem Gambling Foundation, Andree Froude told Ryan Bridge that they’d love to see the advertising of gambling banned completely, but if that’s not going to happen they want to see strict measures in place.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The River Seine fell short yesterday, leading to a last minute cancellation.  The Men’s Triathlon was postponed due to the poor water quality in the river, after the cancellation of two prior training sessions.  They’ve moved the event from 6pm last night to 8:45pm tomorrow, after the Women’s Triathlon.  Michael Burgess, NZ Herald Sports Reporter, told Ryan Bridge that Friday is, as far as they know, the last day they could hold the men’s triathlon in the river, and if they can’t, they’ll have to skip that portion.  He said that one of our athletes, Hayden Wilde, has expressed that there’d be a funny feeling about competing and perhaps medalling at an incomplete Olympic triathlon.  “There’d sort of always be an asterisk attached to that.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Income tax cuts kick in for us today and 94% of us will get a few extra bucks.  Will it be swallowed up by your mortgage, or your insurance going up, or your rates? Probably, but better we get the money and decide what to do with it than the politicians, right?  Also today, MPs get their first pay rise since 2017, and watch closely, watch those particularly who shout the loudest about equality, and fairness, and justice, and all those good things.  Do they put their money where their mouth is today?  Chris Luxon, for his sins —and I assume it's to stave off the inevitable media storm about he's rich, he's white, he's got seven houses— he has promised to donate his full tax cut 20 bucks a week to charity, also the increase in his pay to charity.  Hipkins, what's happening over at Labour HQ?  Well, Labour has apparently emailed their supporters asking for the tax cut to be donated.  It sounds good. Not to Women's Refuge or Kids Can, but to Labour.  Yes. Take your tax cut and give it to Labour.  But what about t

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 31st of July, Local Government NZ say central government policies are costing councils and ratepayers more - LGNZ Vice President Campbell Barry speaks to Ryan.  New licensing rules are on the way for online casinos, but do they go far enough? The Problem Gambling Foundation has concerns.  The women's sevens have won New Zealand our first medal in the Olympics! We have all the action. But there's a lack of action in the River Seine - water quality issues have pushed the triathlon schedule back  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.

New Zealand is still looking to secure their first medal in this year’s Olympic Games.  They had a busy morning on Day Three, with multiple equestrian events, cycling, swimming, and the Black Ferns Sevens moving through to the semifinals.  Kiwi Tom Saunders, one of the top laser sailors in the world, is in Paris for his first Olympics.  He told Ryan Bridge that since they’re all racing with identical supplied equipment, it’s a lot more pure sailing, and comes down to the individual sailor’s skill as opposed to what sort of gear they have.  They’re not short on competition, Saunders said, with Australia and Britain setting the benchmark the last two years, but there’s also strong competition from Germany, Norway, and Cyprus.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers still feel there are tough times ahead.  The latest Farm Confidence report from Federated Farmers shows confidence has fallen over this year, with debt, interest rates, and banks the greatest concern.  More than half of farmers are expecting conditions to deteriorate in the year ahead.  Federated Farmers President Wayne Langford told Ryan Bridge they’re questioning why their interest rates and margins are significantly higher than others. He said that they’ve asked for a banking inquiry as the banks and the Reserve Bank are just pointing the finger at each other.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s concerns a crackdown on gangs could go too far.  Proposed Firearm Prohibition Order laws would expand bans on holding a firearms licence to people committing lower-level offences, and allow warrantless police searches of suspects.  The Justice Select Committee is asking for it to be scaled back, concerned it gives police too much power.   Labour's Justice Spokesperson Ginny Andersen told Ryan Bridge the proposal is still too broad.  She says it's designed to look tough, but it's not clear what problem it's actually fixing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love watching the Olympics. I'm still watching, I'm still excited, but there are just a few little niggly things that are putting a slight dampener on it for me.  The river Seine is dirty again. That's the second day with no practice.  You've got to do a triathlon, you want to practice swimming in the river that you're going to compete in, but you can't because it's dirty.  It's filled with E Coli and it rained in the weekend, still affecting the water quality.  So, that's the second day in a row with no practice. And you won't know whether you're going to swim in the Seine until four hours before the race is due to start.  Could this have been avoided? Could you have picked another river to swim in?  I would have thought.  The opening ceremony, that's another thing. I mean, obviously Celine Dion was amazing, but there was the weird meandering lead up to Celine.   The athletes themselves are actually complaining a lot about the beds being uncomfortable, the rooms being too hot, the food is bad, and they say

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 30th of July, changes could be on the way for the Firearms Prohibition Order following recommendations from the Justice Select Committee. Committee Member and Labour MP Ginny Anderson talks to Ryan.  Federated Farmers say farmer confidence remains at a historic low. Wayne Langford runs Ryan though their latest survey.  Live in Paris - We're still waiting for the first NZ medal. Kiwi Olympic sailor Tom Saunders chats about his first Olympic games.  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.

Is it just me or does it feel like democracy is somewhat under threat or at risk?  Just reading the international news headlines day in day out, it feels precarious.  Trump, over the weekend if you missed it, is suggesting that he will fix the next election. And I know he's probably joking, but you never really tell with Donald Trump.  "You won't have to do it anymore, four more years, you know what? It'll be fixed, it'll be fine. You won't have to vote anymore.  My beautiful Christians, I love you Christians."  So there's Trump and then you've got a barely functioning Joe Biden in the White House. Are these the shining beacons of democracy we can hold up as our poster kids.  I don't think so.  And then there's, if you look apart from the Olympics in France, the election result there has left them basically in limbo.  I mean, who is actually running the government you know, the Olympics is kind of the spectacle.  That's a sideshow, but really who's running the place and there's such an extreme spectrum from t

Oranga Tamariki’s bootcamp pilot programme for serious youth offenders starts today.  The 12-month military style programme will see one-to-one mentoring with a focus on routine, physical activity and education.  Labour’s children’s spokesperson Willow Jean Prime tells Ryan Bridge the programme is experimental and is taking place despite evidence that bootcamp models do not work.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France’s high speed rail network is expected to be back to normal tomorrow after a co-ordinated attack on the infrastructure occurred before the Olympics Opening Ceremony. It’s estimated 800,000 have been affected.  And, the UK Government is softening taxpayers up for widespread tax rises. Ministers are set to reveal a treasury audit of public spending pressures inherited by the new government.   Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan Bridge there are claims of a “black hole” worth tens of billions of pounds.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sailors Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie are first after the opening day of the men's 49er competition off the Marseille coast. The pair triumphed immediately, before posting a third and an eighth.  Meanwhile, in efforts to snag New Zealand’s first Olympic swimming medal since 1996, Lewis Clareburt faces tough competition in France’s Leon Marchand.   And, rain continues to disrupt water quality at training in the River Seine.   ZB Sports Andrew Alderson gives Ryan Bridge the latest.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party held its annual General Meeting over the weekend – but focus remained on the Darleen Tana saga.   Party leadership has written to Tana, formally requesting her resignation and response within 21 days. Delegates will hold a vote on September 1 on whether to invoke the waka jumping legislation and kick her out of parliament.  Political commentator Brigitte Morten tells Ryan Bridge the saga is drawn out because Green party members are not fully behind party leadership.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 29th of July. The Government's serious young offender bootcamp trial starts today - Ryan speaks to Labour about their thoughts on the pilot programme.  Darleen Tana has been asked again by her former party to resign from parliament. What are the next steps for the party?  It's all on in Paris - Kiwi athletes could win their first medals this morning. Andrew Alderson takes us through the latest from the Olympics.  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.

Excitement is building in Paris as the Olympic Opening Ceremony draws near.  In less than 24 hours, nearly 100 boats will be floating down the River Seine for the outdoor ceremony.  195 Kiwi athletes are in France for the Games, competing across 22 sports.  Erin Routliffe is competing in the tennis doubles alongside Lulu Sun, and told Ryan Bridge that they’re excited to play together.  She said that they’re trying to figure out their identity as a team, but they’re both good players so they’ll be pretty adaptable when playing together.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.