Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Rate cuts could arrive early as next month, banks are predicting.  Inflation fell to a 3-year low yesterday, reaching 3.3% in the June Quarter.  Although that falls outside of the Reserve Bank’s target band of 1-3%, banks have reacted positively to the move.  ANZ have cut their three year home loans rates to 6.35% and the two year rates to 6.49%.  ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Ryan Bridge they’re predicting two rate cuts before Christmas: a 25 bps cut in October, and another in November.  He said that factors such as pricing pressures, external inflation, and pressures in the housing market are beginning to ease, which the Reserve Bank can use as a positive sign that inflation will remain low once rates are cut.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Airport is being urged to be responsible with its charging of airlines.  A Commerce Commission draft investigation has found the airport's planned expansion is justified, and some price increases are necessary to fund the investment.  However, it found the organisation's targeted returns from airlines is around $200 million over what's reasonable.  It found that travellers would most likely bear much of that cost.  Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director Cath O’Brien told Ryan Bridge that this is the second period in a row where Auckland Airport has been found to be targeting excess profits.  She said that they’re targeting a return of 8.73% on aeronautical caps, against the Commission midpoint of 6.98%.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US poll finds the attempted assassination of Donald Trump has had little impact on voting intention.   A Reuters poll by Ipsos shows of around 1200 voters, 43% are in favour of the Republicans and 41% intend to support the Democrats.   Of all voters, 80% agreed the country was spiralling out of control.   US correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge prominent Democrat Adam Schiff has written a letter asking Joe Biden to step down.   He says while the assassination attempt may have taken the spotlight off Biden, the issue of Democrats wanting him to step down isn't going anywhere.  On the other side of the divide, Republican vice president hopeful JD Vance is set to deliver his first speech to party faithful.   The Republican National Convention continues in Wisconsin after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump over the weekend.   McCann told Bridge the theme of the convention tonight is Make America Strong Again, with a focus on foreign policy and border security.  He says it follows last night's th

The confirmation Tiwai Point is going to reduce its electricity usage next month isn't proving to be great news for everyone.   The aluminium smelter's usage agreements means Meridian Energy can request it scale back production to meet electricity demands.   But Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie told Ryan Bridge production shouldn't have to be reduced, and it's a sign the gas market needs to be revitalised.  He says the country isn't in great shape, adding with declining gas reserves comes the threat of black outs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you seen the story floating around about the U.S. Secret Service?  After the assassination attempt on Trump, the internet's been going nuts.  Not just because, how did this happen? What a monumental cock-up. Who's responsible?  But also because a number of the agents trying to protect the president were women.  According to Time magazine, based on video of the shooting, one of these agents looked frazzled and couldn't get her gun back into its holster.  Another apparently frantically shouted "what are we doing? where are we going?" after the shots were fired.  Meghan McCain, daughter of former presidential nominee John McCain posted on X:  "This is why the notion of men and women being the same is just absurd. You need to be taller than the candidate to protect them with your body. Why do they have these short women guarding trump? (Trump and biden are both over 6 ft) this is embarrassing and dangerous."  Some are blaming diversity, equity and inclusion targets which aim to have 30% of the Secret Service

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 18th of July, inflation data is out, and it's much better than expected - banks are now predicting rates cuts as early as August. Ryan speaks to ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith.  Tiwai aluminium smelter has been asked to reduce their electricity output to help with hydro levels - do we need to find renewable alternatives?  The Commerce Commission says Auckland Airport is charging too much, Ryan speaks to the Airline Representatives group.  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.

Dozens of Indian farmers have been freed from “slave-like” working conditions in Northern Italy.  The 33 workers were lured to the country with the promise of jobs and a better future.  Allegedly, they were forced to work more than ten hours a day, seven days a week, their tiny wage used to pay off debts to the alleged gangmasters.  Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that when the men were arrested, they had over three quarters of a million AUD on them.   He said that the 33 workers are now being looked after by social services and migrant support.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Latest data due out this morning is expected to show inflation is slowing down faster than expected but will it be enough to bring down interest rates?  ANZ's Henry Russell and Infometrics' Brad Olsen expect a headline rate of 3.3%, but driven by offshore factors.  Russell says a lot of the decline in inflation is being driven by things like food prices, fuel and airfares and Olsen says the Reserve Bank will be more worried about "non-tradable" domestic inflation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s confidence Māori health outcomes won't be impacted by Pharmac focussing on health determinants rather than ethnicity.   In a letter of expectations to Pharmac Board Chair Paula Bennett, David Seymour says he doesn't think its commitment to embedding the Treaty of Waitangi is appropriate, and it’s no longer expected.  Seymour says the drug-buying agency's burnt a lot of energy doing that over recent years.   Patient Voice Aotearoa's Malcolm Mulholland told Ryan Bridge he's okay with that directive.   He says there was never any evidence that the Treaty provisions within Pharmac's decision making process led to more Māori accessing medicine.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rolling out of more speed camera signs has support from the AA.  Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced more than 100 signs will go up across the country, giving people the opportunity to check their speed and avoid tragic consequences.  AA Road Safety Spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told Ryan Bridge it's a positive move.   He says they expect to see a reduction in tickets being dished out at high-risk sites, meaning fewer drivers exceeding the speed limit.   Thomsen describes it as a long time coming.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 17th of July, the Consumer Price Index is out - most banks are predicting a drop, but what does it mean for you? Ryan finds out.  New expectations for our drug buying agency Pharmac, what do patient advocates think of David Seymour's letter?  Speed camera warning signs are being put up across the country - are we going to see a reduction in the number of fines issued?  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.

I'm not a huge fan of former PMs sticking their oar into the water of current political debates.  Not only are their thoughts rooted in briefings given by officials long ago, but when attacking a sitting Prime Minister, they tend to sound a bit whingy and out-of-touch.  This is the case of Helen Clark and Don Brash, who've issued a statement condemning Christopher Luxon for comments he made to the Financial Times on the sidelines of NATO in Washington D.C..  Luxon said a few things: 1. We need to call out China more for spying. 2. He's hoping to sign a deal that would see NZ able to deploy military assets to the Philippines, which has long running and regular disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. 3. He's keen on our military joining the U.S. and Australia in conducting joint military exercises inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. 4. He spoke about NZ being a "force multiplier" for Australia, the U.S., and other partners. Clark and Brash are tut-tutting this, which comes off the back of the

Australia’s Opposition leader is edging ahead in the polls amid growing economic concerns.  A national Resolve poll saw Peter Dutton eclipse Anthony Albanese as preferred Prime Minister for the first time, backed by 36% of voters compared to Albanese’s 35%.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge support for the Coalition lifted from 36% to 38%, while Labour remains on 28%.  She said that it’s the lowest level since Albanese took power at the last election in 2022.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief the Government's new service for young job seekers is a nudge in the right direction.  Social Development Minister Louise Upston's announced a new phone case management service for people on the Jobseeker Benefit, due to expand to 4000 people.   18-24-year-olds will receive monthly calls, with benefit sanctions if the person misses the call without good reason.  Employment Relations expert Max Whitehead told Ryan Bridge it's important job seekers are held to account.  He says it's good having someone there to encourage you not to waste potential job opportunities.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Republican National Convention is beginning in the United States after the attempted assassination of presidential candidate Donald Trump.   Trump's expected to pick his running mate today.   Meanwhile, a Florida judge has dismissed the criminal case accusing the former president of illegally keeping classified documents after leaving office.  FSN correspondent Ira Spitzer told Ryan Bridge there's a sense of excitement in Milwaukee.  He says the convention will run into the later hours of the evening and at some point, they expect to hear who the person is.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister is defending the Government's pay increase for police, despite concerns of a mass exodus.  An independent arbitrator has ruled in favour of the Government's offer which includes a $1500 lump payment, an at least $5000 backdated wage increase, and increased overtime pay from July next year.  However, many cops are unhappy.   Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge while he understands where they're coming from, the government worked hard to put this together.   He says they've had a huge hospital pass and put together what they think is a fair package.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 16th of July, Donald Trump has had his classified documents case dismissed by a judge, we cross live to the US.  The Government wins the long running Police pay dispute - Ryan asks Police Minister Mark Mitchell if he's expecting more police to move to Australia as a result.  Young people on the job seeker benefit now have to do consultations with MSD over the phone - is this going to get more people off the benefit and into jobs?  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.

We've just adopted a hope, wait, and see approach to policing in this country.  This at a time when crime is out of control, people don't feel safe in their own homes and on city streets. 150-thousand retail crimes were reported last year.  Despite their best efforts, our cops are struggling to keep up and they've just been delivered a slap in the face by the government.  The Police Association has lost its final-offer arbitration over pay increases, meaning the government won.  Chris Cahill says he can now only "hope" that officers won't move to Aussie en masse, where pay is way higher and conditions much better.  On the face of it, the offer actually looks pretty good.  Along with a lump sum and overtime being paid —not to be scoffed at— the increases are actually 4% from July 1, back dated, and a further 4% from 2025.  If we believe Adrian Orr and Co's predictions about inflation hitting the target 1-3% later this year, then the increase will actually beat inflation.  Sounds alright, right?  Not when you c

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 15th of July, Donald Trump is shot in an assassination attempt - Ryan speaks with a presidential historian. An increase in Kainga Ora evictions, but is community-run housing the way forward? The All Blacks narrowly won against England over the weekend. We cross to Auckland where the pubs are already busy ahead of the Euro finals. 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.

Barring any other major, ugly affronts to democracy this U.S. election season, the image of a bloodied former president surrounded by Secret Service agents gripping his fist and pumping it into the air after narrowly avoiding an assassination attempt will be one of the most enduring and iconic. He's reported to be saying fight, fight. fight, with a somewhat understandably angry look on his face. Donald Trump cheated death. Questions are no doubt being asked about how and why this could have happened, as they should. How did 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, wearing grey camouflage clothing, manage to scale the roof of a manufacturing plant just north of the Butler Farm show grounds with his dad's AR 15 rifle? What's interesting, of all the eye witness interviews I watched over the weekend, all felt not surprised, it was only a matter of time. Why? After the shooting Republican senator J.D. Vance. a potential Trump running mate, blamed the Biden campaign for inciting the violence. “The central premise of the