Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

LIV Golf’s financial backer is pulling its funding after the current season.   Plays and staff will reportedly find out the decision today to axe the funding by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.  It’s reportedly cost PIF over US$5 billion to operate the series so far.  NZ Open Tournament Director Michael Glading told Ryan Bridge that the model was flawed from the get-go – you can’t just create teams out of nowhere.  He says if something sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a suggestion better quality visa applications are coming through, with more than nine in ten applicants being approved.  Data released to Newstalk ZB shows just over 65 thousand applications were declined in 2025 – down from over 83 thousand in 2024.  Last year's rejection rate was about 6.3%, compared to 7.3% for the two years before.  Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar told Ryan Bridge there've been several changes in visa settings in the last few years.  She says people are also starting to understand how Immigration New Zealand's approaching decisions and are more prepared.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 1st of May 2026, still no answers for Mount Maunganui businesses following a council meeting on when the Mount will reopen, Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig tells Ryan what happened during the meeting.  Saudi Arabia's pulling funding for the Liv Golf tour from next season, New Zealand open tournament Director Michael Glading shares his thoughts.  New Zealand's rejecting fewer Visa applications with the number now at a post-covid low, immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar tells Ryan what impact this is having.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest King Charles and Camilla's state trip wrapping up and Keir Starmer's address following the Golders Green attack on the Jewish community.  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.

Mount Maunganui businesses are frustrated at a perceived lack of progress in reopening the mount.   Hundreds of residents went to a community meeting last night with council and local MPs.   Mauao's been closed to the public since the landslide which killed six holiday makers nearly 100 days ago.   Mount Maunganui Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig told Ryan Bridge reduced tourist numbers are really tough for businesses.  She says many are worried they won't be able to survive the winter months.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no reason parties on left and right in New Zealand politics can't work together to get stuff done.  This week we've seen it with the India FTA. It's essentially just deal-making.  It'll pass because a party not in government joined forces with two in government to make it happen.  We've seen it with a member's bill, put forward to Labour's Arena Williams, on international money transfers.  When you transfer money to somebody overseas, the banks and transfer companies can basically say what they like about fees and commissions then charge you what they like. They don't need to up front about it.  The bill would force them to tell you what they going to charge before you're charged, rather than find out once the money's left your account. It seems like pretty sensible law-making to me.  It passed its first reading this week. A Labour MP's bill.  National didn't support it. But that didn't matter, because ever other party in the House —including ACT and New Zealand Firs

Australia's starting to feel the economic effects of the energy squeeze stemming from conflict on the other side of the world.   Annual headline inflation surged to 4.6% in March, up from 3.7% in February.   It's the country's highest inflation rate since September 2023, when the economy was bouncing back after Covid.  Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that New Zealand’s inflation is unlikely to reach the same peaks.  He says New Zealand economists are predicting a peak of around the mid-4s, whereas Australia’s are expecting it to go well over 5%.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is about to test its readiness for foot and mouth disease with a farm simulation next month on a Taranaki farm.  It'll be followed by a national exercise including everything from mock on-farm detection, quarantine, and national governance decisions.  Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says it's one thing to have a plan on paper and another to actually carry it out.   He told Ryan Bridge other countries have managed to effectively contain it.   Hoggard says in Germany it was kept at a single farm and still meant exports could go ahead from the rest of the country.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is about to test its readiness for foot and mouth disease with a farm simulation next month on a Taranaki farm.  It'll be followed by a national exercise including everything from mock on-farm detection, quarantine, and national governance decisions.  Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says it's one thing to have a plan on paper and another to actually carry it out.   He told Ryan Bridge other countries have managed to effectively contain it.   Hoggard says in Germany it was kept at a single farm and still meant exports could go ahead from the rest of the country.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes the Government's latest crackdown on the misuse of nitrous oxide gets the message through to retailers.  People inhaling the gas to get high is becoming a serious public health concern. Imports of the gas will soon need approval from the Director-General of Health, while large canisters, also known as nangs, will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances. Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge the canisters can be used for whipping cream, but it's not really a big seller for retailers. She says they will never sell that many, with caterers preferring a wholesaler than a convenience store. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 30th of April 2026, inflation spiking across the Tasman, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold tells Ryan what this could mean for us.  The Government's changing import rules to crack down on nangs, Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young tells Ryan if this will make much of a difference.  The Government’s running a trial to see how ready we’d be if Foot and Mouth disease hit our shores, Biosecurity Minister paints a picture of what the trial will look like.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the fiery questioning of Pete Hegseth over the Iran war and the King's state visit.  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.

This was always going to happen. The closer you get to the election, the more your friends become your enemies under MMP. Winston's office released OIA docs showing Luxon's people wanted to go further in supporting Trump's war in Iran. The Foreign Minister's office and MFAT, in their wisdom, cautioned against it. For what most of us would probably understand to be good reasons. This was straight after the war began. This is a story in the Herald this morning: A spokesman for Peters said Luxon’s support for the war was “imprudent” and would have “run counter to New Zealand’s national interests”. “Experience matters in foreign policy.” Then, last night, there were talks between the PM and Foreign Minster.  Luxon's hitting back, he's saying the emails mischaracterised his position. He's saying the release of the emails puts politics ahead of the national interest. So, as you can see, quite the mess.  The problem here is for Luxon, not for Peters.  Luxon is the one who has struggled to articul

A belief from one fuel company boss we won't face a total fuel drought.   The Government's signed a deal with Z Energy to bring an extra 90 million litres of diesel into the country, to be stored at Marsden Point.  Waitomo Chief Executive, Simon Parham told Ryan Bridge it shows there's supply out there to buy, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.   He says South Korea has purchased crude from 17 different countries than they've traditionally bought from, showing the market's solving issues for itself because there's incentives to do it.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power companies are being put on the spot as the Electricity Authority demands answers to surging prices.   The average household is facing an 8% jump in their power bill this year, matching last year's rise.   That's alongside the big four gentailers lifting their profits 42% in just six months.  Major Electricity Users' Group Executive Director Karen Boyes told Ryan Bridge higher prices pressure all New Zealanders.    She says they've told the authority we need to also make sure businesses are scrutinising their tariffs.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 29th of April 2026, the Government's secured an additional 90 million litres of diesel, Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham tells Ryan if it will make much of a difference.  The Electricity Authority’s firing another shot at the gentailers, Major Electricity Users Group Executive Director, Karen Boyes shares her thoughts.  The Government’s rolling out a big aviation shake-up squeezing 20 years of change into just two, Aviation Industry Association CEO Simon Wallace shares his thoughts. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on King Charles delivering his historic address to US lawmakers and UK MPs debating if Sir Keir Starmer should face an inquiry into whether he misled them over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/l

An aviation shake-up will modernise rules dating back about 20 years.  The Government has announced a major overhaul of the Civil Aviation Authority.  The reforms will also update pilot training and licensing to create clearer, more flexible pathways.  Industry Association Chief Executive Simon Wallace told Ryan Bridge historically, the Authority hasn't moved at pace.  He says certifications and approvals have been slow, at a cost to business.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you hear the story about these three young flatmates who hunted down their own burglars, busted them, and took back their stuff?  Sarah, Anna, and Charlotte, all in their 20s, got home from work in Christchurch, and some mug, or mugs, had broken in and stolen their stuff.  Rooms were ransacked. Stolen items? Cameras, laptops, jewellery. Also missing? Clothes, undies, and frozen curry from the freezer.  Not the butter chicken!  But there was one thing they needed back urgently and sparked amateur detectives into action - a stolen passport. One of them needed to travel overseas.  So, they asked the neighbours - what police would call in a press release 'canvassing the area'.  The neighbours told them which way the robbers went. What police would call 'positive lines of inquiry'.  They followed the leads, or 'made a breakthrough' in the case. Found the house the alleged thieves had returned to.  Opened the door, caught the culprits red-handed, wearing their stuff,

Banks around the world are meeting this week to discuss interest rates.   Financial conditions are tightening, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East causing inflationary pressures.  They’re broadly expected to keep policy unchanged, opting to remain in wait-and-see mode as the length of the conflict is still unknown.  Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce told Ryan Bridge there’s a lot of real uncertainty at the moment.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand may not have a large enough working population in the future to support government spending.  A new Koi Tū report shows the fertility rate is at a record low and the population is ageing very quickly.  It found immigration is increasingly becoming the major source of talent and population growth.   PwC Partner and tax issue specialist Sandy Lau told Ryan Bridge that artificial intelligence can't help us either.  She says New Zealand's tax base is unique in that in relies on taxes on labour and on consumption, which is tax paid by people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 28 April. 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 freight carriers advocacy group is pleased its concerns are being heard but worries change will come too late.   The Government is preparing options in case the country moves to Phase Two of the fuel response plan.  It includes increasing load limits for trucks and changing the time of day freight can move.  Transporting New Zealand's Chief Executive Dom Kalasih believes it's irrational to hold off on the changes.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.