Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

A retail frenzy is expected today as shoppers take advantage of Black Friday sales.   Data from PriceMe shows nearly 40% of Kiwis are planning to take advantage of Black Friday to do their Christmas shopping.   The day now outpaces Boxing Day in terms of sales volumes and popularity.  Oyster Property Group’s Jennifer Andrews told Ryan Bridge that they’re preparing for a very busy day today.  She says they have discounts all through the weekend, but particularly today as it’s when most people like to come out to find the discounts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A youth protection advocate says it's entirely appropriate to look deeper into Tom Phillips' children's four years on the run.  The saga ended when he died in a Police shootout in September.  The Government will explore whether agencies did everything possible for the children's safety and welfare.  Child Matters Chief Executive Jane Searle told Ryan Bridge she’s hopeful it will be a constructive process.  She says they want is the system to be strengthened as a result of the review.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 28th of November 2025, Judith Collins has ordered a public inquiry into the Tom Phillips case, Child Matters CEO Jane Searle tells Ryan what she hopes to see from it. Jennifer Andrews from Oyster Property Group which manages Dress Mart shares what retailers are hoping for this Black Friday.  The Government's considering moving escooters into cycle lanes as injury costs soar, Cycling Action Spokesperson Patrick Morgan shares his thoughts.  Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Labour's budget and a limited form of military service being re-introduced in France. 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.

A push to get more bike lanes as the Government eyes up moving e-scooters onto them from pathways. ACC statistics show there were more than 2,100 claims for e-scooter related injuries in the first half of this year.  Payouts for e-scooter injuries this year are close to surpassing $14 million.  Cycling Action Spokesperson Patrick Morgan told Ryan Bridge e-scooters are here to stay, so councils need to build more bike lanes to meet demand. He says we don't need a bike lane on every street, just on main thoroughfares where people want to go. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RBNZ update this week again made the point that yes, the economy's in bounce back mode. We'll grow 2.5% next year, they reckon.  But this country needs more than that. It deserves more than that. The problem for us is, and has been for about the past 30 years, productivity.  How much we get out for what we put in. We went sideways and it's now falling.  As you know, this is a bad thing. It's taking us more people and resources to make less stuff.  It puts a ceiling on success. It's a wealth killer. Some reckon it's the canary in the coalmine - the thing we should care about most because we're basically sleepwalking into third world status.  Like falling asleep on a plane and waking up in a different country, we'll one day wake up outside the OECD. The solution, in part, is AI.  The World Economic Forum had some numbers showing it can boost labour productivity in developed countries by up to 40% over the next 15 years. The richer your country, the more you gain, which sta

The Finance Minister believes the country is in a position to grow.   The Reserve Bank believes the economy has now turned a corner after last month's 50-basis-point cut to the OCR.  It's cut the cash rate a further 25-basis-points to 2.25%, but is signalling further cuts are unlikely.  Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge that while the data lags make things difficult, there is enough other information to give them a sense of where the economy is at.   She says it’s allowed the Reserve Bank to be confident in their forecast that the economy is growing and that growth will strengthen next year, and inflation will come down.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Encouragement for any Northlander who feels hard done by from the region-wide power outages last year to explore legal avenues.  Local businesses are taking class action against Transpower and its lines maintenance contractor over the outages caused from a pylon collapsing in Glorit, north of Helensville.  An investigation found a relatively inexperienced and inadequately supervised Omexom worker removed nuts from three of the pylon's four legs.   Northland MP Grant McCallum told Ryan Bridge he's backing the local businesses seeking legal action.  He says we all know what happened which still beggars belief, but we will have to wait for the legal process to be completed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auckland Business Chamber believes a a surcharge cap is a reasonable compromise to an otherwise unfair rule.  In July, the Government announced its plan to ban surcharges for shoppers on methods like Paywave, forcing merchants to front the cost instead.   The business chamber says this will just force businesses to increase costs, which will be unfair for other customers.   CEO Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge a cap will give a balanced and more practical alternative.  He says retailers like hospitality and tourism can recuperate some of their costs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 27th of October 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Ryan to talk on the final OCR cut of the year. The Northland pylon fiasco is heading to court, Northland MP Grant McCallum shares his thoughts.  Business groups have come up with an alternative plan for the surcharge ban, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges tells Ryan what they're asking of the Government.  Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Steve Witkoff appearing to coach a Russian official on how to win Trump over and Black Friday sales for the American economy.  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.

So what do we know today that we didn't know yesterday after the big show from the Reserve Bank?  Well not much, really.  The cut was expected - it was already priced in. They're a bit more rosy on growth, it looks like the end of the cycle for cuts.  But beyond that, it really is guesswork.  The central outlook was 'balanced'. Meaning closed wallets could could hurt the outlook, higher housing prices and export prices could help it.  We put a lot of faith in the OCR to get us out of the rut. Even though it hasn't really worked thus far, even after six rounds of slashing. At one point in the presser the Chief Economist was almost repeating this like a mantra, as if by saying it over and over again, he'd will it to happen.  There are two problems here: First, we've heard it all before and not seen the results. Second, by their own admission, the GDP numbers we've been relying on aren't reliable.  There's a bunch of seasonality in the numbers - especially for that shocker in J

Another cut to the Official Cash Rate is expected today but it could be the last for a long time.  The Reserve Bank's reviewing the OCR at 2pm.  Most economists expect the cash rate to be cut 25-basis-points to 2.5%.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge they expect the Reserve Bank to keep the door wide open to taking further action next year if needed.   He says it will be wanting to use the three-month closedown period to really gauge whether it’s needed.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of roles could be facing the axe as the Government looks to scrap regional councils.  The Government's proposing replacing them with boards made up of Mayors in a particular region.  The proposal aims to reduce duplication and put downward pressure on rates.  Boards would be required to put plans in place around re-organising services and infrastructure, which will be checked over and ticked off for financial sustainability.  Otago Regional Council Chair Hilary Calvert told Ryan Bridge says they employ a lot of staff.   She says they have around 368 roles, which is twice as many as there were six years ago.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes a nationwide maths pilot can continue to deliver results. The $40 million Government programme targeted 1,500 Year 7 and 8 students needing extra support, through small-group tutoring up to four times a week.  New data shows students averaged one to two years progress in 12 weeks. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge the focus on core skills like maths never stopped, but this is a new way of doing it. He says one of the issues with intense focus is that it's resource-heavy, which is fine as long as it can continue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm part of the generation that grew up pre-cell phones.  Gifts were usually clothing you needed. Toys were chatter rings, marbles, maybe a skate board.  There was no 'picky eating', as we've heard about this week. If you didn't finish what was on your plate at dinner, you didn't get a treat afterwards.  Sweet treats were fruit. Or Raro sachets (sugar rush) if you managed to sneak one out the pantry. There were no snacks - if you were hungry before dinner, mum would tell you to drink a glass of water.  School was basics. Maths, reading, writing. A bit of everything else.  What we're learning, as a society, is that we've collectively taken our eye off the ball. We've taken parenting to a level beyond usefulness.  Do we need cheap imported asbestos sand to engage toddlers?  Do we need a thousand fun school subjects in place of decent time on basic ones? Do we need to tip-toe around kids not eating their veggies, as was suggested yesterday, for fear our kids may develop some ea

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 26th of November 2025, The Government's committed to abolishing all 11 regional councils, Otago Regional Council Chair Hilary Calvert says she thinks this is a good idea.  Students forced to do an hour of maths a day made a full year's progress in just 12 weeks, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie shares his thoughts.  It's the final OCR day of the year, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley tells Ryan what we can expect from the Reserve Bank.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the potential of a Zelensky/Trump meeting and the UK government's sugar tax.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rise in bulk buying may be contributing to New Zealand's food waste.   A report commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment reveals more than 1.2 million tonnes of food is wasted or thrown away here every year.  Nearly a third is by households, with processing and food production making up the rest.  Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager Sophie Wolland told Ryan Bridge buying in bulk isn't always the best idea.  She says if there's no plan in place for the food, it can likely go off and end up in the bin.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A construction sector voice says mandatory home warranties are well overdue. The Government's announced plans to require warranties for new homes three storeys or less and all renos worth at least $100,000. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says it hopes to protect homeowners from cowboys. Certified Builders Association Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Ryan Bridge it will cost more, but only marginally. He says it will make up 0.4% of a $200,000 project. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Bay of Plenty trust says new investment will help more families address harm before authorities have to step in. The Social Investment Fund's putting $50 million into programmes for children with parents in prison, and those who’ve grown up in care. Among the recipients is Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Trust. Chief Executive Enid Ratahi-Pryor told Ryan Bridge their aim is to tackle family harm early, before official intervention's needed. She says you can never remove the need for state intervention at critical times, so it's still a tool that can be used - but their services are prevention focused. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 25th of November 2025, The Government's announced a new building rule designed to protect homeowners from cowboy builders. A study from Otago uni says Kiwis toss out 1.2 million tonnes of food a year, Love Food Hate Waste Programme Manager, Sophie Wolland shares how we can improve food waste.  The Government's revealed the first seven groups to get funding from its $50-million social investment fund, Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services Trust CEO tells Ryan how the money will be spent.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on Cocaine, valued at around 170 million dollars has been seized off the coast of Western Australia and the search ramps up for missing 4 yr old Gus Lamont in South Australia 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.

This rates cap, how's it actually going to work.  I had Luxon on my Herald show yesterday, an announcement's coming in the next few weeks.  But ask any Mayor, not the ones who like disco toilets and golden miles, but the ones who already to the basic stuff and little else. They're cutting their cloth. Tim Macindoe in Hamilton. I spoke to the Tararua Mayor yesterday. They all say the same thing: we are doing the basics. We've cut the silly stuff. And we don't know how this is going to work without bankrupting local government.  RMA reforms will be a big part of this. Luxon's talking about amalgamation. If there are fewer consents needed or consents are streamlined, do we need so many councils with a back office bigger than Kim K's booty?  Probably not.  So less work, especially for regional councils, could lipo some cost out of the system. Then there's the back office more generally.  The Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore makes a good point about double up. We have 67 territorial author