Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Hamilton's not losing sleep over the French rugby team's decision to snub the city.  The Les Bleus are basing themselves in Auckland for as long as possible before the third test against the All Blacks in Waikato next week.  A spokesperson says the team prefer the facilities in Auckland.  Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate told Andrew Dickens the city does sporting events very well, using its co-hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup as an example.  She says the event was very pleased with the facilities at FMG Stadium and believed Hamilton's hosting was some of the best.  The Mayor says thousands of visitors are heading to the city for the game.  Southgate says they're going to pack out local business and accommodation and thinks it's the French team's loss.  The second test is on Saturday night in Wellington.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank's expected to press pause on the Official Cash Rate this afternoon, but that's not it's only option.    The OCR's sitting at 3.2% after six consecutive rates reductions since last August.   Mortgage rates have followed it down over that time, falling to about 5%.   ANZ Chief economist Sharon Zollner told Andrew Dickens a 25-basis-point cut wouldn't be a bad idea, given GDP may have gone backwards.   She says that more than offsets the fact that GDP in the first three months was stronger than expected.   Zollner says it matters quite a bit that momentum's flagging at the moment.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The red carpet's been rolled out for French President Emmanuel Macron for his first visit to the UK since Brexit.  The three-day visit marks his first time there since 2008.  Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to hold meetings this week, expecting 'good progress' on issues like illegal migration.  UK and Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens the UK wants to be more welcoming towards Europe.  He says UK dignitaries have shown a great deal of warmth towards Macron.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 9th of July, the OCR has been cut six times in a row... what will happen today? ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner joins Andrew Dickens to discuss why a cut should happen, but probably won't.  Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard explains what the Government's new AI strategy means for business.  And Mayor of Hamilton Paula Southgate reacts to Les Bleus snubbing a stay in the Tron for the final test in the series.  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.

Iwi-owned entities have emerged in good shape following the country's economic downturn.  ANZ’s annual Te Tirohanga Whanui report reveals iwi surveyed saw asset values grow a median 4.1% in the 2023-2024 year.   Auckland University Professor of Māori Management Jason Mika told Andrew Dickens iwi have focused on being prudent when it comes to treaty settlements.  He says they only get one shot, so they're doing all they can to be careful while also being innovative with how they manage these assets.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belief changes to child banking requirements will affect teens the most.  The Government's making it easier to sign children up for a bank account, saying the current laws are unnecessarily difficult, in an attempt to prevent serious crime.   It's one of the first steps in Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee's revamped anti money-laundering regime.    MyMahi founder Jeff King told Andrew Dickens New Zealand would be in a good place if all young people had a bank account.  He says those aged 15-to-16 are looking for their first part-time job and need an account.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's mushroom murder trial is set to go down in the history books.  Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering her estranged husband's parents and aunt and attempting to kill his uncle with a beef wellington with death cap mushrooms in it.  Newstalk ZB's Donna Demaio is in Victoria, following developments.  She told Andrew Dickens hundreds of people have been descending on the small town of Morwell for the trial.  Demaio says people took time off work and arrived early each morning for a chance to be in court.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Question: should Jacinda Ardern come home and appear before the Royal Commission into our Covid response? I think she should.   I could understand though if she doesn't. Because just as she became the symbol of our successful response to the pandemic, which we rewarded with a supermajority in Labour's second term, she also then became the symbol of everything that we did wrong.   And there's a significant number of people who have been weaponised against the former Prime Minister because of the things they resent, and they want a holding to account. They want a Nuremberg trial, as you heard from my texts, you know, they want fines, they want jail.   But they won't get that, even if she did come back. This is an inquiry about Covid to understand everything they got wrong as well as everything they got right. Now, I'm sure Jacinda Ardern, even if her conscience is completely clear, she would be worried about the consequences of coming home and being at the front of this investigation for her fami

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 8th of July, mushroom cook Erin Patterson has been found guilty on all charges in her murder trial. Australia correspondent Donna Demaio is in Victoria following the developments.  MyMahi founder Jeff King joins Andrew Dickens to discuss changes to the anti-money laundering act that will make it easier for parents to open bank accounts for their children.  And Māori enterprises are outpacing some of the country's largest corporations - what is setting them apart?  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.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 7 July. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A youth charity believes the Government's taking courageous steps, to tackle chronic school absence. Ministry of Education data shows more than one thousand students weren't enrolled in school for more than a year in 2024 - a 576 percent increase on a decade ago. Graeme Dingle Foundation CEO Jo Malcolm-Black told Andrew Dickens it's good to see the Government is wanting to tackle the problem. She says early intervention and consistent support reduces the risk of disengagement. Malcolm-Black hopes schools, social services and community organisations will support the Government's approach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop is into the US for a range of meetings across housing, planning, development and transport.  Notably - he's visiting New York to speak to city officials about their introduction of "CONGESTION PRICING" and how its faring.  Over there - the results of charging people to use the roads in peak times have looked promising so far, and Bishop says he wants "to learn some lessons he could take back here"  it appears congestion charges are inevitable.  And not just for the basket case that is Auckland.  Tauranga and Wellington are in the firing line. And the point about them is not just to ease the congestion on our roads but it would be a white lie to assert that it's not a money maker.  So when, not if, Chris Bishop comes back and pulls the pin on congestion charges in this country the question is who gets the money?  I think it's a no-brainer that any money raised in a district should be reinvested in that district. That is Wayne Brown's posit

There are new faces across the board for the first All Blacks test of the season.  Four uncapped All Blacks will be unleashed in Dunedin, with number 8 Christian Lio-Willie and lock Fabian Holland starting, while prop Ollie Norris and flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi will storm off the bench.  On the French side of things, with five debutants featuring in the run-on side and three in the reserves.  Newstalk ZB’s Voice of Rugby Elliott Smith told Ryan Bridge this feels like more of a team Scott Robertson wants to pick and unleash on the world, as opposed to trying specifically to win.  He says it feels a sea change in the All Blacks selection philosophy.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Franchises could soon have the ability to trespass someone across multiple sites.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is beefing up the current laws, calling them no longer fit for purpose.  He's also proposing doubling the maximum fines for trespassing on businesses, and increasing the maximum period to three years.  Franchise New Zealand Chairman and Coffee Club Director Brad Jacobs told Ryan Bridge there's currently no way to block someone across several sites.  He says there's a lot of repetition with multiple franchises doing the same work to get the same outcome.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Friday 4th of July, the Government's given businesses the power to trespass people from multiple locations, Franchise NZ Chairperson Brad Jacobs tells Ryan about the difference this will make.  It's the first All Blacks test of the year, Newstalk ZB voice of rugby Elliot Smith joins Ryan from Dunedin ahead of Saturdays game.  It's thought changes to insulation rules could save up to $15,000 per new build, Far North District Councillor Felicity Foy shares her thoughts.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Liverpool forward Diogo Jota tragically dying in a car crash in Spain with his brother. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changes to rigid insulation standards are predicted to cut new-build costs by an average of $15 thousand. They'll give more flex to requirements in the building code by the end of the year, in a bid to cut down rising construction costs.  The Government's also looking to make the Far North a separate 'climate zone', stating the region’s warmer climate allows for a more tailored approach. Far North District Councillor Felicity Foy told Ryan Bridge current rules add a significant chunk to building costs.  She says the difference in cost between double glazing and low-E glass is significant.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The award for most press releases and announcements on a single issue must got to National this week. Law and Order was front and centre - announcements about everything from first responders to coward punches. It was an assault of announcements.  Now, announcements don't make streets safer. Announcements don't fix problems on their own.  This was a targeted campaign to reinforce the idea their tough on crime. That they're on the side of the victim.  Why are they doing this? Because it's one of the now minority of issues on which they outpoll Labour - from the last Ipsos survey.  So, they've been going health for leather on law and order. Meanwhile, Labour's overtaken the right for the party most trusted to fix the economy.  I know for a lot of you listening, this is laughable. They got us into this mess, etc, etc.  And I agree with you - I think it's like a protest vote against the incumbent when cost of living is high. Would you actually go and vote for that person tomorrow? Or

The Government's one step closer to reaching long-term agreements on the future of some of our fastest-growing areas.  It's agreed to negotiate with councils in Auckland, Western Bay of Plenty, and Central Otago, on 10-year deals to boost economic growth, housing and infrastructure.  Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says "small decisions" should be kept with councils.  Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley told Ryan Bridge the agreement could cover everything and anything.  She says they’ve put together a list of priorities for the region, and it will be up to them to negotiate with the government and see where their priorities align.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Finance Minister believes there's a need for a publicly funded body to find out what election promises would cost.  Act and New Zealand First have shot down current Finance Minister Nicola Willis' proposal, which would have allowed resources from the public sector to cost policies of political parties up to 10 months before an election.  Ruth Richardson was the Finance Minister in the 1990s and told Ryan Bridge Willis is on the right track, but the proposal falls short of what's required.  She says we want a publicly resourced body, independent of the executive to ensure more informed public and parliamentary debate.  Richardson says the UK’s Office for Budget Responsibility is a gold standard example of what we should be creating.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Children's $41 million workforce investment is expected to train and retain youth care staff.  Karen Chhour says her new funding follows a 2023 Oranga Tamariki review, which found many workers weren't equipped to deal with the high needs of some kids in care.  The boost will qualify more staff, recruit capable workers to vacant positions, and establish clinical roles in each residence.  Child Matters CEO Jane Searle told Ryan Bridge dealing with high-risk kids takes a level of expertise.  She says they were having staff who didn't have that level of training and struggled, causing high turnover.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.