Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Government's making changes aimed at bringing down the cost of building homes.   It's introduced new legislation to make it easier to import building supplies from abroad.   It'll enable recognition of overseas standards and Building Consent Authorities will need to accept products already certified offshore.   Building Industry Federation Chief Executive Julian Leys told Ryan Bridge this will impact a number of supplies.  He says they're looking at products with the biggest costs - like internal linings, external claddings, windows, plumbing products and insulation.   The Bill will have its first reading later this month.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 6th of August, overseas building supplies could soon be introduced to the market to help lower building costs. Building Industry Federation Chief Executive Julien Leys speaks to Ryan about what it means.  New Zealand has joined the multinational space programme Operation Olympic Defender. How could it benefit us? Space law expert Dr Maria Pozza joins the show.  Can the All Blacks recover from last week's loss to the Springboks? Rugby commentator and former Springbok Kevin Putt speaks to Ryan.  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.

Semi-professional rugby tours may soon be back on the table.  New Zealand rugby is reportedly close to signing off a three-test, eight-match itinerary away against South Africa in 2026 - the Springboks would reciprocate in 2030.  Former All Black Ian Jones told Ryan Bridge it's wonderful news.  He said that it’s an absolute trip of a lifetime, and wonderful news not only for the players, but for the fans if they’re able to make their way over to watch.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a difficult retirement outlook for many Kiwis.  The latest Financial Services Council Money & You research reveals 94% of Kiwis worry about money, and one in five don’t have enough in their retirement savings to get them through the next year.  Many are dipping into savings to cover basics, with some having to juggle priorities.  Simplicity Founder Sam Stubbs told Ryan Bridge that a couple of things need to happen with KiwiSaver.  He said that we’re getting to the point where it needs to become compulsory, as it’s all very well that 79% of people are saving, but that still leaves 21% who’s retirement will be funded by the taxpayer.  The other thing, Stubbs said, is that the contribution needs to go up.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the group who are upset about the monopoly-duopoly that's happening in our grocery sector, you could save, at most per person, about $74 per year. That's if they were to have perfect competition in the sector, which obviously would be very hard to achieve.    Do you know what else costs you $80 a year?  A friend and I were chatting at the gym the other day and he showed me his rates bill, which he had kindly brought to the gym to encourage him to run faster.  There's an $80 targeted rate for the food compost bin. He said, what's that for? And I was like, it's the green bin that's on the street that no one uses. Then he was running faster than I've ever seen him run on the treadmill.  So apparently 60 to 65% of us don't use them. I know they have them in other parts of the country, in Auckland we've only got them just recently, so we're all getting a bit used to them. But $80 a year is what you have to pay.  And I got quite angry because if you're on a fixed income, $80 a year is a lot of money. I

The Grocery Action Group wants more regulation in our supermarket sector.   The Commerce Commission's first annual report on grocery shows competition has not meaningfully improved.  Foodstuffs and Woolworths could now face hefty fines for failing to treat small suppliers fairly or breaking a new wholesaler code.  Group lead Sue Chetwin told Ryan Bridge we need structural change to split up this big duopoly.  She says the Government has to bite the metal here and say we need more regulation to address the state of the industry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 5th of September, the grocery commissioner says the sector has no meaningful competition and retail margins have increased. Grocery Action Group's Su Chetwin chats to Ryan about what it means and what to do from here.  The All Blacks and South Africa could be resuming full tours from 2026, and NZ Rugby say there won't be any changes to rules preventing Kiwis playing overseas from representing New Zealand. Former All Black Ian Jones joins the show.  One in five Kiwi retirees don't have enough savings to get them through the next year - that's according to the Financial Services Council. They also want a review into KiwiSaver to make sure New Zealanders are getting the most out of it. So, what needs to change? Simplicity Founder Sam Stubbs speaks to Ryan.  Mitch McCann has the latest on the U.S. election - new polls in battleground state are showing mixed results for both Harris and Trump.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podc

At least 12 people have died after the capsize of a migrant boat in the English Channel.  The French Coastguard has rescued more than 50.  It's the deadliest disaster in the Channel so far this year.  Downing Street is labelling the disaster "truly horrific", and says it's determined to further crack down on dangerous people-smuggling operations.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that more than 20,000 people have made the crossing from France to the UK this year, but the number of deaths has also risen significantly.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have zero issues with foreign visitors paying more to visit New Zealand. The tax hike that is being touted is big – $35 up to $100 per visitor, and that is substantial.  Crucially though, our Aussie mates are exempt, and they make up 40% of our market. So that's a good chunk who won't be contributing and shouldn't be affected in terms of numbers visiting us here.  The impact, the overall impact still quite unclear.  The Government on one hand says they've got MBIE advice, which is always good advice, saying that it won't be a significant impact. The industry says we will have 48,000 fewer visitors coming here and they'll take their almost $300 million spend elsewhere. The industry says this is alarming.  It's possible they're both right here. The total tourist numbers visiting in the year to June is 3.2 million. So, 48,000 is both not significant if you're the Government, but alarming if you're the industry.  The cold, hard reality is we're not as hot as we used to be when it comes to New Zealand as a desti

Travel experts believe that now isn't the time to push up the fees for overseas tourists.  The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is rising almost 200% from next month, from $35 to $100.  The money raised will go back into services and infrastructure used by visitors to the country.  Intrepid Travel general manager Eve Lawrence told Ryan Bridge New Zealand's tourism recovery is still lagging behind other countries.  She says we're only sitting at 80% of pre-Covid numbers, while Australia is expected to hit 100% by the end of the year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A terrorism expert says New Zealanders need to be more aware of the threat of terrorism.   The SIS identifies a person acting alone as our biggest terrorist risk and warns of a small number of people subscribing to violent extremist ideologies.   It's also concerned about foreign interference and how many young people are engaging with violent extremist rhetoric.  Massey University International Security Expert John Battersby told Ryan Bridge that locals need to wake up to the realistic possibility of an attack.   He says New Zealanders tend to not take potential risks seriously.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 4th of September, visitors to the country will soon have to start paying a $100 levy, up from $35. Eve Lawrence from Intrepid Travel talks to Ryan about what it means for the tourism industry.  The SIS has released its second annual report detailing security threats to New Zealand. Massey University’s John Battersby joins the show to discuss the findings.  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.

The state of New Zealand's general practices is being dubbed a crisis.   A GP Owners Association survey of about a quarter of GPs reports they're being squeezed by rising costs, high patient demand, and staff shortages.  It found nearly 60% have doctor and nurse vacancies, and about 70% are financially worse off than a year ago.  Chair Angus Chambers told Ryan Bridge that Government funding doesn't keep pace with running costs.  He says the Government must urgently overhaul the out-of-date funding model.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People appear to be getting a better handle on their financial situations.  The latest Centrix figures for July show overall the number of people behind on their payments fell month-on-month by nine thousand to 456 thousand.  Chief Operating Officer Monika Lacey says there's also positive signs when it comes to those who are several months behind.  She says that number is decreasing too, which indicates people are starting to manage their financial positions quite well.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tiger handler remains in hospital after being attacked by a tiger at Dreamworld on Australia's Gold Coast.  Investigations are underway after the trained handler was set upon by one of the theme park's nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers yesterday morning.  It follows a fatal tiger attack on a keeper at Hamilton Zoo in 2015.  Correspondent Lesley Yeomans told Ryan Bridge the attack seemed to come out of nowhere.  She said the incident is now being thoroughly reviewed.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country could be driving towards a need for cross party agreement on transport.  The Government's National Land Transport Plan will see almost $33 billion pumped into roading, public transport, and maintenance.  Employers and Manufacturers Association head of advocacy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge there should be a broad agreement on what the main priorities are.  He says that's critical if we want to get value from these projects and keep costs down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand is the country's largest organisation by far, it employs more than 80,000 people.  Roughly the same number of teachers are employed by state schools in our education system, and these numbers dwarf any private enterprise that's currently operating here.  Fletcher buildings has about 18,000 staff, Woolworths about 18,000, Fonterra about 16,000, the Warehouse in New Zealand, Kmart, they're up there too.  Here's a question for you: which of these organisations provides a quality or even adequate service to us?  When a private airline says they'll fly you somewhere on a certain date at a certain time, it generally happens. When you go to the supermarket, you generally know you can reliably leave with some milk and some bread in your hand.  And when you go to Kmart, are you ever told you must wait 18 months for that $12 lamp that you've been eyeing up in the latest catalogue? No.  So why does this happen with our healthcare system?  Why are we constantly told you must wait, you must line up. It'

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 3rd September 2024, the Government has allocated $32.9 billion dollars in transport funding over the next 3 years. How could it improve our roading network and the economy? Alan McDonald from the Employers and Manufacturers Association speaks to Ryan.  Nine out of ten general practices say they are looking at raising their prices due to difficult economic times, and 70% of them say they're in a worse financial position than last year. General Practice Owners Association Chair Angus Chambers joins the show to give an insight into the situation.  Company liquidations are on the rise as consumer arrears continues to ease. What does it all mean? Centrix Chief Operating Officer Monika Lacey chats to Ryan about the situation.  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.

As we squabble over toast for new mums in hospitals and funding for street dance performers in Auckland, we are penny pinching a lot lately, aren't we? We're bickering about all sorts of things, should nurses be getting the free toast in the smoko room if they're doing a night shift? The insignificance of all of these debates is being laid bare this morning. There's an article in the Herald, it's a bit of a truth bomb from the Treasury boss. She's leaving the job, the data is not really new, but the way that she is speaking so openly and frankly is quite new. Her name is Dr Caralee McLiesh. You probably don't know her name, she doesn't do many interviews, she doesn't want to be in the press. She's Australian, she's apolitical, and her five year term coming to an end. She's actually going back to Australia to be the auditor general over there. So, what has she said? Well, she said the chickens are coming home to roost after covid, we have a structural deficit and it is so bad that the penny pinching or the pin

Officials are being told to take a clear look at the financial impact of our ageing population. Outgoing Treasury boss Dr Caralee McLiesh [Cara lee Mick Leesh] has made it clear there's a need for a Capital Gains Tax and superannuation changes, as her five-year term comes to an end. She says with an ageing population, an increasing share of government transfers are going to the wealthy. Independent tax advisor Geof Nightingale told Ryan Bridge more of the population will be taking the national super and needing more healthcare. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.