Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

New Zealanders have voted against steep rates rises in the local elections. Auckland's Wayne Brown and Christchurch's Phil Mauger have both been re-elected over the weekend, with a commitment to keep rates rises lower. Wellington's Andrew Little and Hamilton's Tim Macindoe have indicated they'll rein in their cities' steep rates rises. In Dunedin - Sophie Barker has won the mayoralty over incumbent Jules Radich.  Newstalk ZB's Callum Proctor, Claire Sherwood, Max Towle and Michael Sergel joined Ryan Bridge to recap the results so far.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the Coalition was looking for an endorsement of its rates cap idea, it got one over the weekend. Of the 18 councils that hit ratepayers with double-digit hikes this year, 13 elected new mayors. Newsroom had great coverage of the results. Tim Macindoe won in Hamilton. If the name sounds familiar — he’s a former National MP. Rates there rose 41% in three years. Go figure. Voters aren’t stupid and should never be taken for granted. Rates hikes are driving domestic inflation. Not only are you paying more to your council — they’re helping to keep interest rates higher. It’s a double burn in the back pocket. Our most important city councils — Auckland, Christchurch, and Hamilton — are now led by right-of-centre mayors. The results speak for themselves. But the problem, of course, is the sample size. Seventy percent of us didn’t bother voting. Ask ten pundits why, and you’ll get ten different answers. I think the problem is simple: the size and scope of local government is out of control. In a small Pacific islan

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 13 October. 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.

Property investors are celebrating new methamphetamine contamination laws coming in next year.   Properties with meth residue exceeding 15 micrograms per 100-square centimetres will be considered contaminated, requiring treatment.  Landlords and tenants will be able to quickly end tenancies with excessive levels.  Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge the new standards will reduce costs for some landlords.  He says the threshold for decontamination, which can cost a considerable amount, were conflicting under the previous guidelines, resulting in some spending money that they shouldn’t have needed to.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The road to peace in Gaza is not without its obstacles, despite a major breakthrough.   Israel's security cabinet's meeting to vote on implementing the first phase of a ceasefire proposal.   The deal would allow the release of hostages early next week and would see Israeli troops pull back to agreed lines.   The Guardian Washington Bureau Chief David Smith told Ryan Bridge it will get more complicated from this point onwards, with components like the de-militarisation of Hamas to discuss.   He says even going further forward, in phases two to four, one has to look to the future governance of Gaza.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACC Minister's confident the insurer's growing deficit is on track to be brought under control.  The scheme's recorded a net deficit of $1.5 billion, blowing the total out to $13.8 billion. Minister Scott Simpson told Ryan Bridge the net deficit is still a lot better than last year's $7.2 billion shortfall.  He says good work has already started, but there's still a lot to do.  Simpson says this involves doing the basic stuff consistently well. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 10th of October 2025, Donald Trump says the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal has been signed, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith has the latest out of the US.  ACC has reporter yet another deficit, Minister responsible for ACC Scott Simpson shares his thoughts.  New rules are out on when a rental’s too contaminated with Meth, Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball tells Ryan how big of a difference this will make.  Plus, UK/ Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Israel's stance on the Gaza ceasefire deal.  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.

In a few hours we'll know who's won the Nobel Peace Prize.  It's the world's most prestigious award, and Trump wants it really, really badly.  Every year since 1901, a bunch of Norwegians sit around a table and sort through their candidates.  This year there's almost 330 entries. Four US Presidents have previously won it: Obama, Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson - Jimmy Carter got his two decades after he left office.  But one man wants it more than anyone else, and Benjamin Netanyahu's just tweeted that Trump should win it. The criteria? The prize goes to whoever has done the most for fraternity between nations, whoever gets rid of or reduces the size of armies, and whoever promotes peace.  Basically, who's really good at peace.  Here's the thing, Trump's not going to win this.  They met and decided on Monday. That was before this Gaza deal was announced.  It actually isn't even for this year. It relates to 2024 or prior. Trump wasn't even in office at that point and applicat

The discourse surrounding the R360 League is growing increasingly heated. The rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy issued a joint statement on Wednesday (NZT) refusing to endorse the proposed Saudi-funded competition. Sport commentator Sam Ackerman says the unions are overreacting- "that's like saying back in the day, if you had converted to, to rugby league, then you could never go back to rugby union or vice versa." He told Ryan Bridge that the players shouldn't be blamed for taking a good opportunity. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank's cut the OCR 50-basis-points to 2.5%, despite acknowledging inflation is above or almost above where they'd like it.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they've factored in broader economic conditions.  She says the central bank clearly thinks any fluctuation in inflation will be constrained by spare capacity in the economy.  Labour's Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds told Ryan Bridge it’s a direct response to the economic damage caused by Christopher Luxon.  She says the economy has gone backwards under the Coalition Government, with 36,000 jobs lost, 2,700 businesses liquidated, and more Kiwis moving overseas.  “Christopher Luxon promised to make it better, but he’s made it worse.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Locals are raising eyebrows at the camping areas selected within a proposed freedom camping bylaw that goes before council this week.   The Queenstown Lakes District Council bylaw proposes 15 designated freedom camping sites for the district following a surge in freedom campers.  Save Clean New Zealand spokesperson Andrea Beryl says she's not against freedom camping, as the area relies on tourism.  But she told Ryan Bridge the places given the green light for camping are bizarre.   Beryl says it's like they've just pointed at places on a map.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former FBI director James Comey is standing by his innocence after being targeted by US President Donald Trump.  Comey was indicted last month and made his first court appearance in Virginia today. He's pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation. US correspondent Nick Harper told Ryan Bridge Trump has described Comey and other political enemies as 'guilty as hell'.  But he says Comey's lawyers are calling it a selective and malicious prosecution.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 9th of October 2025, Labour Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds thinks the Reserve Bank is taking a risk cutting the OCR by 50 basis points, she tells Ryan why. Freedom camping across some of the South Island’s most popular holiday hot-spots has surged to the highest levels, Save Clean New Zealand spokesperson, Andrea Beryl shares her thoughts.  Rugby Unions around the globe are banding together against R360, Sports commentator Sam Ackerman has the latest. Plus US Correspondent Nick Harper updates us on former FBI Director James Comey appearing in court charged with lying to Congress.  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 story about sick or disabled teenagers getting the benefit doesn’t make any sense. The Government wants to cut the dole for teenagers whose parents earn $65k plus - okay. Their justification? If poor old mum and dad have to cover their living costs, said teenagers will go find a job. Okay, fine. That’s about 4000-odd 18–19-year-olds. But here’s where it gets complicated.  It turns out around half that number are getting the benefit not because they can’t find work, but because they can’t work. Like physically. Have a look on the WINZ website, it lays out the criteria. You have to prove the reason with a doctor’s certificate. Basically, you can’t work full-time because you have a disability, injury, or health condition which prevents it. There’s mention of chronic stuff like haemophiliacs and chronic asthma sufferers. So here’s the rub.  If Johnny can’t work —and we accept that because a doctor has said so— and the point of cutting Johnny’s benefit is to encourage him to work, then we have

Kier Starmer has urged students not to protest on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks. UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that they aren't listening.  In London on Saturday nearly 500 people were arrested in a protest linked to Palestine Action which has been labelled a terrorist organisation by the UK Government.  Starmer warns of rising antisemitism while protesters say conflating the Israeli Government's actions and Jewish people is antisemitic.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has signed off changes that let NZ Post cut back to just two delivery days a week in towns and three in rural areas. Postal Workers Union co-president John Maynard said to Ryan Bridge that they are 'very critical' of the decision as it appears NZ Post prioritises returning a dividend to the Government over it's customers. But NZ Post says nothing is changing yet, and rural communities will still get extra protections under this new deal. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More students now think it's important to attend school everyday. A new Education Review Office report shows students are taking school more seriously than three years ago, with six in ten attending regularly - back to pre-Covid levels. It also found that 80 percent think education is important for their futures, and 75 percent think attending every day is important. PPTA president Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge having the government focused on attendance has helped, however the threat of punishments isn't working for everyone. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists say a 25 basis point cut to the Official Cash Rate could be the Reserve Bank's most strategic option.  The central bank will announce its latest review of monetary policy at 2pm.  It's largely expected we'll see a cut from the current rate of 3%, but the size of the reduction isn't clear.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Ryan Bridge we're just getting into the spring period for the housing market, and the next six weeks will reveal a lot about the rebound.   She says a 25-basis point cut would leave the most options open. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday October 8th 2025, ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner shares her thoughts on what will happen with the OCR.  The Government letting NZ Post cut back to just two delivery days a week in towns John Maynard co-president of the Postal Workers Union tells Ryan about the impacts it'll have on the workforce.  School attendance is back up to pre-covid levels, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie tells Ryan how much of difference he's seen with truancy.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK students ignoring pleas by the UK PM not to join pro-Palestinian protests and the latest with the French political crisis.  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.

Regular listeners will know, when it comes to free speech, I'm into it.  How else do we get smarter but to debate ideas, put them through the ringer, shout and scream and reason and argue? We've been doing it since we could talk - which is, well, a long time.  When the MAGA mob came for Jimmy Kimmel, I defended him. On this programme.  Many of you agreed. Some of you did not, which is what we call an argument, and that's okay too.  So yesterday, when the telco OneNZ decided to pull those ads with the activist in them, I had a genuine moral conundrum.  See I think people should be able to protest (not in work uniform, obviously), and not get the sack. I don't like cancelling people.  In this case, the fact she gave out Winston's address on the internet probably crosses a line.  But if we're being honest, did it need to take a crowbar through his front window, shattering glass, for the head honchos at OneNZ to take action? She'd been plastered all over the news for sharing his