Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

I'm always a little bit paranoid about what governments are planning and what kind of taxes that they're scheming up.  Look at the UK, which recently elected Labour and Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. They are talking about the potential of fiddling with their inheritance tax.  They have one, we don't. On Heather's show yesterday we heard about the Labour Party in New Zealand weighing up whether to introduce one.  I hate the idea of it. In the UK it's 40% and they paid £7.5 billion in death duties last year, which is a huge increase and this is largely because property prices have gone up.  Governments all over the world are running out of money and they're running out of ways to tax people, and this one's quite appealing to a lot of them.  If you look at the UK in particular, the number paying death duties is expected to jump from 33,000 this year to nearly 44,000 by the end of the next Parliament.  That is a very tempting number for a government that needs new ways of finding revenue. And this is obvi

Alice Springs is under another curfew.  Australia’s Northern Territory Police Commissioner has declared another curfew, lasting three nights, following a string of violent incidents in the outback town.  Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge that this time the curfew applies to both children and adults, unlike the one in March that only applied to youth.  She said that the NT Police Minister Brent Potter says it’s been a “horror 72 hours”, beginning with a police officer being run over outside a bottle shop on Friday night.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The changes to New Zealand’s medical cannabis export regulations are being called a ‘game changer’.  Exports will now only have to meet the standards of the importing jurisdiction, rather than New Zealand’s standards.  It will also streamline the licensing process for growers, and update testing and laboratory requirements.  Sally King, Director of the New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council, told Ryan Bridge that it’s one of those examples of overregulation that is being untangled.  She said that at the moment we don’t export much medical cannabis at all, but the change is really going to open up the opportunity for New Zealand cultivators and manufacturers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An aviation expert says Boeing's management would be in jail if it were subject to New Zealand law.   The company's agreed to a guilty plea around defrauding American regulators.   It could pay up to half-a-billion US dollars to avoid prosecution.   The lawsuit relates to two Boeing 737 Max jets that crashed in Indonesia in 2018 —and Ethiopia the year later— leaving hundreds dead.  Irene King told Ryan Bridge that prosecution is just one part of the equation.   She doesn't think it does enough to improve the company's performance or safety.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darlene Tana doesn't think natural justice has been followed.   The Green Party's requested the MP resign from Parliament after receiving the investigation into alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business.   Tana's been suspended on full pay for 115-days, earning over $40 thousand in that time.  The former Green MP doesn't accept the findings and claims it substantially misrepresents her level of involvement in her husband's business.  Former National ministerial advisor Brigitte Morton told Ryan Bridge that Tana has all the cards in her hands.   She says unless the Green's backflip on the waka jumping legislation and invoke it, she can sit there as long as she wants.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Question: how do the greens save money on marketing photoshoot costs for the next election?  Answer: just use their candidates' mugshots.  Now that's obviously a joke... they're not all criminals.  But there were a few criminally absurd things that happened during yesterday's press conference about Darleen Tana.  Chloe got a bit grumpy when a reporter asked, repeatedly, why the Greens are asking Tana to resign and shunning her in public, when old-mate Julie Anne Genter's still in the party despite multiple aggressive bullying allegations.  The implication was the Greens must be a bit racist towards Tana cause she's Māori.  Chloe was outraged. She rejected it. She refuted it. It was a reductive argument. Tana has done x,y,z and Julie Anne a,b,c.  The irony of the party best known for calling everyone else in the room racist till they’re blue in the face not being accused themselves of racism over not one, in Tana, two in Kerikeri, but three MP's (Turei), was almost too much for new co-leader to take.  The seco

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 9th July.  The Darleen Tana report is out and the Greens have called for her to resign from Parliament, but will she actually leave?  Boeing pleads guilty to criminal fraud after the US Justice Department found they violated a settlement agreement following two fatal crashes. Ryan speaks to NZ aviation expert Irene King.  Changes are on the way for our medicinal cannabis export market, he speaks to Sally King from the Medicinal Cannabis Council.  Ryan asks why the double standard from the Greens - Darleen Tana was asked to resign but not Julie-Anne Genter who has multiple bullying allegations against her.  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.

It's looking more likely the fast tracked roads of national significance will be tolled.  Construction will begin in the next three years, but exact time frames and costs are not yet known, sparking fears from freight and transport companies.  Transporting NZ Interim Chief Executive Dom Kalasih joins Ryan Bridge on Early Edition to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second round of voting has begun in the French election, just a week after the far right National Rally Party won a third of votes.  Cabinet in the UK is meeting for the first time since Labour won the election.  French cyclist Julien Bernard is being fined for kissing his wife during a Tour de France time trial.  UK and Europe correspondent Gavin Grey discusses all of this with Ryan Bridge on Early Edition.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data from Infometrics and Foodstuffs show costs from suppliers to supermarkets rose by 2.7% in June.  Costs were up in all departments compared to last year, with around 2,000 items up in price from May to June.  Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan joins Ryan Bridge to discuss why.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 8th of July, Newstalk ZB welcomes Ryan for his first programme.  It's looking likely the government will toll the new Roads of National Significance - Ryan found out that's something the freight industry supports.  Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan speaks to the costs from suppliers to supermarkets are still increasing.  He challenges Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr to look at the "real economy" when the next OCR review comes.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The principal of an online high school is broadening the conversation about children's screen time.   In an article in today's Medical Journal a group of experts calls for breaks, the use of blinking exercises, more hearing and visions tests for children, and more research on the dangers of screens.   But Mark Phillips, Principal of online high school Crimson Global Academy, told Mike Hosking the time spent on screens isn't the primary concern.    He believes it's more about the content a child is watching on the screen, rather than how long they're doing it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dunedin is abuzz ahead of the first All Blacks test of the 2024 season.  They take on England at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night - and it's Scott Robertson's first match in charge.   His first side includes Stephen Perofeta ahead of Beauden Barrett at fullback and Samipeni Finau edging Ethan Blackadder for the number six jersey. Newstalk ZB's Rugby Editor Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking he's expecting a tight contest.  Listen to commentary tomorrow from 7.05pm on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain's Conservative Party is bracing for a huge loss, with only a few hours to go till polling booths close. Keir Starmer's Labour is expected to close a 14 year chapter of Tory rule. Projections expect them to have up to 431 MPs out of 650, with the Tories plummet to 102 MPs. UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking the Liberal Democrats are now fighting for third place. He says it will be a dramatic night in politics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour Party says building more houses requires support from all sides.   Housing Minister Chris Bishop will today announce the plan to flood the largest cities with land for housing development.   Councils won't be able to set fixed rural-urban boundaries or mandate minimum floor area and balconies.   Instead, the market will decide.  Labour Housing Spokesperson, Kieran McAnulty told Mike Hosking not all government decisions will be dumb.   He's backing it, to give the construction sector some certainty.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A housing expert is backing the move to overhaul Kainga Ora leadership.   The Housing Minister's announced a refreshed board and new expectations to reduce operating losses. It follows a review by former Prime Minister Bill English saying the ministry's been financially unsustainable.   Former CEO of Monte Cecilia Housing Trust Bernie Smith says private community housing providers can be better at supporting tenants.   He told Mike Hosking that Kainga Ora's previous board made unilateral decisions which negatively affected the market.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American President Joe Biden continues to face pressure from his own party.  A new Reuters Ipsos poll shows Biden and former president Donald Trump neck and neck on 40% support among registered voters.  Biden's recent debate performance against Trump has prompted calls for him to step aside.  US Correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking there have been persistent rumours of panic between the Democrats.  She says part of the renewed effort to calm the public is Biden agreeing to an interview with ABC news tomorrow night.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The primary teachers union says the Government's new school tests won't make a difference.   The Government's introducing phonics checks done after 20 weeks of schooling and repeated at 40 weeks.   Progression monitoring on reading, writing, and maths will also be introduced for children in Years 3 through 8, and done twice a year.   NZEI president Mark Potter told Mike Hosking teachers already assess, analyse, and use that to inform their teaching.  He says there's not that many that don't use these tests, but if they don't, they'll have other assessments that give similar information.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former UK nurse Lucy Letby has been found guilty of trying to murder another newborn baby.  It adds to convictions last year that made her the United Kingdom's most prolific serial killer of modern times.  The 34-year-old was found guilty last August of murdering seven babies and trying to kill six more while working at a Chester Hospital.  She went on trial last month for a second time for the attempted murder of a baby girl after the original jury failed to reach a verdict.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that when the verdict was read the parents gasped while Letby showed no emotion in the dock.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A principal says the number of students going on holidays during the school term has dropped.  Flight Centre data shows a 30% reduction in family bookings during the school term compared to last year.  But the bookings during winter school holidays are up 10%.  General Manager Heidi Walker says it's likely due to the Government's focus on truancy.  Avonside Girls High principal Catherine Law told Mike Hosking that they've seen some significant pattern changes.  She says they're seeing an upward trend in improved overall attendance.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.