Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Regulation Minister says people in Early Childhood tell them they're sick of the amount of red tape and regulation.    Labour, Te Pati Māori, and the Greens have united against the Regulation Ministry's regulatory review.  They claim the Government's making dangerous changes.   The NZEI union is also calling for it to stop.   David Seymour told Ryan Bridge it's the first time the opposition has united around something this term.   He says they say they want to stop dangerous changes but a single change hasn't yet been announced, they're still just listening to people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s being suggested that New Zealand's freshwater quality targets are unworkable.  A Beef + Lamb-commissioned independent review shows more than a third of our rivers won't meet national sediments standards.  That's even if agriculture is removed and catchments are returned to their natural state.  Chair Kate Acland told Ryan Bridge they're asking for a pause to work on something more practical.  She says it's not trying to delay regulation —and acknowledges farming's impact on freshwater quality— but need an enduring framework to manage it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drone gate.  It's all anyone is talking about at the Olympics.  We've just lost to the Canadians by the way, 2 - 1 in the women's football.  Imagine being that assistant coach and the analyst who were caught, who were busted.  You know, you go to the Olympics, it's one of your proudest moments. Your family is behind you, your kids are cheering you on.  Then imagine the shame of flying home before the games have even begun.  I could think of nothing worse. You're coming home basically a spy, you've broken the rules.  Imagine that plane ride and imagine facing your family and facing your country when you go home, the shame of it.  And why? Apparently they're way better than us anyway.  They're the reigning champs and they've just beaten us 2-1 over in Paris.  The head coach Beverly Priestman is staying on, she sat out the match this morning. But I don't know, if you dope, you get disqualified, don't you?  Isn't spying, isn't cheating the same?  And you can't tell me the coach didn't know. If the assistant coach

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 26th of July, the Olympics opening ceremony is just about here - Ryan speaks to kiwi tennis star Erin Routliffe.  Beef and Lamb are up in arms about our water sediment targets - what's the solution?  Opposition parties have united against the early childhood sector review - Ryan speaks to Associate Education Minister David Seymour.  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.

Kiwi Esports athletes will be heading to Saudi Arabia next year to compete in the first-ever Olympic Esports games.  The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously for Saudi Arabia to host the Games in 2025 reflecting the growth in popularity of competitive gaming.  The decision comes as Riyadh hosts the Esports World Cup – a two-month event drawing 2,500 gamers competing for NZ$100 million in prize money.  New Zealand Esports President Conor English joined Ryan Bridge.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 25th of July, the abuse in care Royal Commission report is out - what action will the government take on the 138 recommendations? A call for an end to raised crossings in Wellington - Transporting New Zealand speaks to Ryan. The Kiwi E-Sports team are heading to Saudi Arabia next year for the first Olympic competition. They're currently competing in the World championships. U.S. President Joe Biden will make a public address today, the first since announcing he won't seek re-election. Ryan speaks to our correspondent in the states Mitch McCann. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shock horror and online hate this week for that American who came here, the reality TV show contestant, who came here and murdered one of our native birds and then ate it.  It was a Weka that he killed and ate.  I have a confession for you: I too have killed and eaten a Weka.  Yes.  But it was buff wicker on the Chatham Islands, and you're allowed to. It's the only place you can do it in New Zealand.  And it's delicious, I have to confess. It tasted like a cross between chicken and pork quite greasy, but really delicious.  I went there to film for a TV show.  You sit in the ute in the evening drinking whiskey with the local guys. The dogs go out, get them, bring them to the window of the ute. They snap the neck, throw them on the back of the tray.  They said that sometimes they could get hundreds in a night and, they're a pest over there so they would run rampant and take over the island.  So there we are over there eating Weka, having a great time.  And Roger Beattie is a conservationist and an entrepreneur

The Government is preparing its response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care report after its release yesterday.  It found about 200,000 were abused from the 655,000 in care between 1950 and 2019.  There are 138 recommendations which include looking at allowing compensation claims through court, and an apology from the Government and religious organisations.  Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls joined Ryan Bridge.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken to the US Congress in Washington DC, amid waning support for Israel in its war in Gaza. Netanyahu was invited to speak by US House Speaker Mike Johnson, where he will also meet with President Joe Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump. But US correspondent Mitch McCann says at least 30 Democratic lawmakers didn't attend, and about 5000 people protested his visit in Washington. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transport organisations are raising concerns about proposed raised crossings on Wellington's Thorndon Quay.  Wellington City Council is planning five raised signalised crossings along a 1.7 kilometre stretch of the central city road.  Freight lobby group Transporting New Zealand has joined forces with Fire and Emergency, the AA, New Zealand Heavy Haulage, and the Bus and Coach Association in calling on the council to rethink those plans.  The group's chief executive Dom Kalasih told Ryan Bridge the raised crossings will cause major issues for trucks and other heavy vehicles.  “Dare I say it, we’re just carrying freight. Think about all the people and buses and ambulances – people could be on their way to hospital.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday the 24th of July. The abuse in state care Royal Commission report is out today, Ryan speaks with a survivor. The Commerce Commission says Kiwis are paying to much is card payment surcharges - what does Retail NZ want to see change? Northland's four lane highway is set to be fast tracked by the Government. Northchamber speaks to Ryan about their concerns with current infrastructure. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Islamic preacher in the UK has been found guilty of directing and supporting terror group al-Muhajiroun. The group has been linked to different acts of terror in the UK, including attacks on Westminster and London Bridges in 2017, which killed five and eight people respectively, and an attack at London's Fishmongers' Hall in 2019. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says preacher Anjem Choudary now faces life in prison for his support of the group. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Excitement in Northland, as the Transport Minister gives the green light to a prioritised regional expressway. Simeon Brown's agreed to accelerate delivery — letting NZTA move at pace on the route between Auckland and Whangarei. Locals have been growing irritated following repetitive road closures on the Brynderwyns. Northland Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Darryn Fisher told Ryan Bridge the projected opening date is unknown. “I think there’s still some work to go on there as far as consents and obtaining land and business cases go, but as a community, we’re here to make sure we accelerate that as quickly as we can.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The press conference yesterday for Health New Zealand - Boy, Oh boy, what a doozy. So they've appointed Lester Levy as the commissioner, the CEO Margie Apa was there alongside him. She's been in the job two years, that's how long the organisation's been set up for. They're overspending $130 million a month. We know that — that can be nothing more than mismanagement if you take Levy's word for it. He says they don't need more money. They basically just don't know how to spend efficiently within the organisation as it stands. So, that's mismanagement short and simple start to finish. And the whole thing for me was a farce. They said we need to push into the regions, that's where the decision making is made. What? Isn't that what we said we didn't need? We needed more centralisation, we needed a national service and now we're going out to the regions again. Why did we spend all this money to set this organisation up? It's so frustrating to listen to. They also said we're never going to achieve the proper transit

The head of Retail NZ has stopped short of saying consumers are being ripped off by fees for PayWave and online card payments. The Commerce Commission's consulting on fee capping regulation that could save Kiwis $250 million a year. Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge fees passed to consumers are not always as accurately reflected as they could be, but that's not necessarily the intent. “Part of that from the conversations we’ve had with people is through lack of knowledge through a really complicated system, so we want the system to be a lot more simple and straightforward so that everyone can follow it.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final report into the inquiry in abuse in care and faith-based institutions will be tabled in Parliament later today. A Royal Commission of Inquiry has been conducting hearings for almost six years - about people's experiences in the system from 1950 to 1999. The Prime Minister is due to make a formal public apology in November. Abuse in care survivor Karl Tauri told Ryan Bridge the most important part is an acknowledgement of the crimes committed. “A lot of that has not actually just been acknowledged and perpetrators haven’t been named or brought to account to the public eye really.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An election analyst says Kamala Harris' nomination is probably a done deal.   The process will be formally open for challengers, and none of the delegates at the Democratic National Convention are required to vote for her.  Election analyst Henry Olsen told Ryan Bridge it's likely any possible contenders would be feeling it's not worth taking on Kamala Harris.   He says some could privately think she isn't the strongest candidate and personally want the job, but have decided it’s better to choose discretion.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maritime experts are still cautious after a report into KiwiRail.   Interislander ferries have been deemed safe and well maintained, and will stick around for years to come.   Aratere ran aground last month when the autopilot was mistakenly turned on according to a leaked document.        Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says workers are still anxious because of historical technical problems.   He says there's real safety concerns for the staff manning the deteriorating ships.  Findlay told Ryan Bridge that with the given history, they need to have a very, very clear, well thought out rescue plan.   He says he’d rather be prepared than the old story of the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some health workers say they want the priority to be the workforce rather than the budget.  The Health New Zealand board has been sacked and replaced with a commissioner - Lester Levy.  Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the agency is overspending by $130 million a month.  Resident Doctors' Association National Secretary Deborah Powell told Ryan Bridge it is underfunded.  She says the money they get is always in catch-up mode, and they need to get into an investment phase.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Herald this morning, the boss of traffic management firm Traffix laid into the Transport Minister, saying he and Wayne Brown don't understand how the industry works.  He says they don't charge per road cone for work, but rather per worker and truck.  He says the public's abusing his staff on site because of misinformation being spread.  The problem here is an independent report, which we spoke about yesterday, from EY.  It was pretty damning, finding said rules incentivise contractors to cause maximum disruption to maximise profits. NZTA looked at 800 maintenance work sites on highway network and found 145 of them were not needed.  Doesn't that make your blood boil?  And Auckland council alone spends $145m a year on road cones and temporary traffic management.  There was a contractor around the corner from my place who had to dig a small hole on side of road, I couldn't believe they had to actually close the road.  Small, quiet suburban street, down to one lane with stop go signs.  Madness.  I'd never