Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

An energy expert is confident New Zealand can do without oil and gas exploration.   Cabinet has agreed to cut regulation stopping New Zealand bringing in foreign Liquefied Natural Gas in efforts to boost energy supply and ease power bills.  Labour Leader Chris Hipkins is refusing to support the move, despite urges from the Prime Minister.   Massey University Sustainable Energy Expert Professor Emeritus Ralph Sims told Ryan Bridge there are no guarantees natural gas could even be found.   He says it's a chance to develop renewable energy generation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A ruling against Uber is likely to benefit all drivers.  The Court of Appeal has ruled that four Uber workers were employees not contractors.   It means they will have access to certain entitlements like minimum wage and sick days.   Uber's appealing the decision, claiming it will create greater confusion for those on contract work.   Employment lawyer Alastair Espie told Ryan Bridge it will have ramifications for other drivers.  He says the majority of drivers will have the same argument - that they're an employee.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of decent hard working Kiwi provincial Union jobs are hanging in the balance today.  Electricity spot prices peaking at $1000 per megawatt hour in the last couple of weeks. Power companies, they are basically cancelling deals for Kiwis to heat their homes this winter, and businesses are literally shuttering operations, rationing power, producing less.  Think of the ports that will be affected by that in provincial New Zealand, think of the competitive advantage that we are losing.  What's the problem? Not enough sun, not enough rain, not enough wind for our renewable energy sources, plus we have a gas shortage.  This problem will continue, in part, because Labour cancelled oil and gas exploration into the future.  Now the rubber has hit the road. The oil and gas investment and exploration has gone through the floor, investment confidence has gone through the floor.  Where are our leaders in this crisis? Well, Jacinda's in Chicago doing Kamala mania, probably still dining out on the nuclear free momen

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 27th of August, big changes for our energy sector - a new LNG terminal will be built for importing gas and extended resource consent periods will be introduced for renewable electricity. Ryan speaks to Massey University professor Ralph Sims and John Carnegie from Energy Resources Aotearoa to get their thoughts.  A win for Kiwi Uber drivers as the Employment Court has ruled that four drivers are employees, not contractors. Employment Lawyer Alistair Espie breaks down what it means for contractors.  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 fast track approvals bill, it's been in the news in the last couple of days. Fast track - I was thinking fast food, like drive through, how quickly we can get infrastructure done in this country. Something we haven't been able to do very well for a very long time. Like you would drive into the McDonald's or whatever it is to get your speedy infrastructure done. What would you like, sir? I'll have a housing development, I'll have a bridge or perhaps I'll have a mine on the west coast. Drive straight to 3 pay there, Uncle Shane, there's cousin Simeon ready to take your card and then, oh, lo and behold, Chris Bishop gives you a free Sunday, he's on the milkshake machine. Great. Everybody's happy. Bam, bam, bam and you're straight through. But no, not anymore. Now they are going to revise it and they're going to take away some of those quick decisions making power. So the decisions will now be made by, you guessed it, a panel of experts, not ministers. There's a new process that involves environmental experts

The mining industry wants the latest changes made to the Fast Track Bill, to be its last.   Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announced Cabinet will recommend changes to the proposed law, to the Environment Select Committee.  It includes changing who has the final say -  from ministers to an independent panel.  Minerals industry association Straterra calls it a watering-down of the scheme.   Chief Executive, Josie Vidal told Ryan Bridge she doesn't understand why ministers can't make the decisions, which they are elected for.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire - signalling an escalation in hostilities. Israel says it pre-emptively destroyed thousands of rocket launchers across Southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah says it fired 320 rockets and drones at Israel - in the first phase of a retaliatory attack for the killing of its leaders. Otago University Middle East expert Leon Goldsmith told Ryan Bridge Hezbollah had wanted to wait until a ceasefire was reached in Gaza before acting. He says the group had been under a lot of pressure to do something over the assassinations. He says they called the operation Arbaeen which is Arabic for 40 days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 26th of August. Changes have been made to the fast track approvals bill - what does it mean for our mining sector. Straterra's Josie Vidal speaks to Ryan. Israel and Hezbollah have traded strikes in the Middle East. Otago University Expert Dr Leon Goldsmith joins the show. Team NZ have won the America's Cup Prelimenary Regatta. Andrew Alderson has your weekend sport wrap. 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.

The rugby world is reeling from Leon MacDonald’s abrupt departure from his role as assistant coach of the All Blacks.   NZ Rugby announced the news yesterday, Scott Robertson telling the media that their coaching techniques didn’t quite click.  Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told Ryan Bridge that there’s a couple of schools of thought surrounding the departure.  One is that the issues that saw MacDonald leaving his role as assistant to Robertson in 2017 arose again, this time proving irreconcilable.   Another thought is that there may be too many voices on the coaching panel, which NZR denies.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s relief over imminent changes to resource management rules on private farmland.   The Government has announced a second amendment to the Resource Management Act, which will set new national directions for areas such as infrastructure, energy, and farming.  Federated Farmers resource management spokesperson Mark Hooper told Ryan Bridge this change is less significant than the first but gives more freedom to the primary sector.   He says the fact the government is addressing specific concerns within the highly productive land national policy statement is good to see.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate's under house arrest following damming new allegations.  Tate and his brother are being investigated by Romanian authorities for allegations including sex with a minor and trafficking underage persons.   One of the 35 alleged victims is as young as 15 years old.  UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge the brothers have called the claims as "made up" and "pathetic".  He says despite their claims of innocence, they'll have to remain under house arrest in their compound near Bucharest for 30 days.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A curve ball has been thrown for Kamala Harris as she's about to accept her presidential nomination.  US media is reporting the independent, and former Democrat, Robert F Kennedy Junior is planning to pull out of the race and endorse Republication nominee Donald Trump.   It coincides with the final day of the Democratic National Convention, where Harris is expected to accept the nomination.   FSN Correspondent Simon Marks told Ryan Bridge it'll be a big help to Donald Trump with so many eyes are on the Democratic campaign.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resource and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones has given quite a fiery speech in the House taking aim at the Greens over Labour's oil and gas ban, calling out their opposition to using Kiwi coal.  "We can power up New Zealand by using our domestic coal resources. But that party would rather see New Zealanders thrown on the unemployment scrap heap as we've witnessed this week. They would rather see people cold, they would rather see people in their retirement years too afraid to put the jug on or the sleeping blanket just so they can cover themselves in an ideological blanket of piety and self-righteousness."  That was not scripted, that was just Shane Jones going hell for leather in the House. A very enjoyable speech, he's easy to listen to, isn't he?  He makes a point, doesn't he, about the workers who are being affected by all of the closures that are happening around the country at the moment.  I flicked off an email to Methanex yesterday because they've shuttered operations at their plant until Octobe

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday the 23rd of August, All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has left the team a week before they head to South Africa - what does it mean for the team? Ruby commentator Tony Johnson talks to Ryan.  It's the final day of the Democratic National Convention where Kamala Harris will formerly accept the Democratic nomination for President. We're live to Chicago for the latest.  More changes for the Resources Management Act, but will it make thing easier for our farmers? Mark Hooper from Federated Farmers joins the show to give his thoughts.  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.

Anticipation is building over Government announcements at the second day of the Local Government New Zealand conference in Wellington today.   It comes after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon ruffled feathers yesterday with an address telling councils to cut back on wasteful spending.  Local Government Minister Simeon Brown is expected to speak to the delegates today.  But Local Government Business Forum Chair Matt Cowley told Ryan Bridge the Government won't be offering a handout.  He says it wants the big infrastructure issues addressed but ratepayers will have to chip in.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transpower will today decide whether it'll take the next big step in combatting the current power shortage.   Spiking electricity prices have forced Winstone's central North Island pulp and sawmills to propose closing, with more than 200 jobs on the line.  Transpower will make a decision on if generators can take more water from the hydro lakes - creating more power.   Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord told Ryan Bridge he'd be surprised if they don't tap into them.   He says we have this water set aside for emergencies, and there's no doubt the crisis we're in is anything but a critical issue for our communities.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns over the impact of Covid-19 on children's spoken language skills.  The Education Review Office research shows more than two-thirds of parents report their child had language difficulties before they started school last year.  It found a similar number of teachers blame the lockdown period for its impact.  New Shoots Children's Centre director Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it's the result of multiple factors in the last few years.  She says children were more isolated, with parents trying to work from home, so teacher and peer interaction reduced.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The reactions overnight to Luxon's broadside to the mayors and the local councils in Wellington yesterday should be telling him that he's pretty much on the right track.  He got stuck in overspending on dumb stuff, his words, like convention centres, at the expense of basic stuff like leaky pipes.  "I think the building that we're in today is a classic example, with pipes bursting and quite literally this morning pipes bursting on the streets not far from here. And it looks very nice and it's great and it's very nice for us politicians to have a wonderful space to make some great speeches in. But can anyone seriously say that was the right financial decision?"  It was a spin doctor’s wet dream yesterday. The contrast between all of the mayors and the councillors sitting in $180 million gold plated convention centre while you know, ordinary Joe and Jane, like you and me are trudging through lakes to reach the bus stop. It was pretty good from a PR perspective.  Not good for the Tory Whanaus of the world, the W

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22nd August 2024, Local Council leaders have been told by the Prime Minister to reign in their own spending before asking central government for more money. Local Business Forum Chair Matt Cowley speaks to Ryan about what local economies need.  The Education Review Office has found Kiwi kids are not starting school with the language skills needed, saying Covid has had an impact on development. New Shoots Children's Centre Director Kelly Seaburg joins the show to give her thoughts.  Transpower will decide today whether to allow power generation companies to use contingent lake levels to boost our power generation. Major Electricity Users Group Chair John Harbord talks to Ryan about the impact the power crisis is having on large industry.  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.

Rescuers are still racing to find survivors from the sunken superyacht near Sicily.  The yacht's Kiwi captain James Catfield has survived, along with Christchurch lawyer Ayla Ronald and her partner.  But correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge others are still believed to be trapped in the boat's hull.  Among them are Ronald's colleague Christopher Morvillo and his wife, jewellery designer Neda Morvillo, banker Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, and British tech tycoon Mike Lynch.  The body of the on-board chef has been formally identified, and British investigators have now arrived on the scene.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.