Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

So the OCR decision was largely as expected yesterday, but what the Reserve Bank made very clear is where they think growth will come from. As we’ve spoken about on the show lately, house prices aren’t running away here like in Australia, bar Queenstown. In previous recoveries, the wealth effect kicks in and people go shopping when their house prices go up. But this time the bank says prices will stay flat, then pick up again later this year, but only at the rate of income growth.  In other words, the opposite of what we’re used over the past few decades.  Usually, as anyone who’s tried to buy a house will know, the price of a three-beddy in Auckland grows quicker than your salary. That’s all changed now because we have more supply, at least according to the bank. So without the tickle up, where does economic growth come from? Anna Breman answered that question specifically yesterday and was pretty clear: agricultural exports, tourism, and more recently, some signs that manufacturing is picking

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 19th of Feburary 2025, RBNZ Governor Anna Breman held the OCR at 2.25%, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts.  Pharmac is moving closer to backing two new drugs for people living with chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Blood Cancer NZ CEO Tim Edmonds tells Ryan why funding for the drugs is important. Shane Jones has called for jail sentences for owners of roaming animals, Dog zen owner and pet behaviour expert Mark Vette shares his thoughts.  Plus, US Correspondent has the latest on peace talks in Geneva between Russia and Ukraine and Mark Zuckerberg appearing in court for a landmark trial on youth social media addiction. 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.

Praise for the Infrastructure Commission's 30 year plan.   It lays out 16 recommendations for the next three decades, including prioritising hospital investment and better managing assets through maintenance.   Civil Contractors New Zealand says the plan recognises the role that infrastructure plays in people's quality of life.   Chief Executive Allan Pollard told Ryan Bridge it’s a good, open, honest assessment of the challenges faced in New Zealand’s infrastructure programme.   He says it reflects a lot of the things they’ve been advocating for – including the need for a clear, consistent pipeline of work, rebuilding capacity and capability, and a long-term vision.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some reassurance a jump in bread prices isn't major as food price inflation rises sharply.  Latest Stats NZ data shows the rate's risen from 4% a month ago to 4.6%.  In the past year, the very cheapest loaf of white bread has gone up by almost 60%, and steak and chocolate more than 20%.  Baking Industry Association President Bernie Sugrue told Ryan Bridge most loaves of bread haven't had price rises as much as this, despite increased costs for bakeries.  He says 60% doesn't represent a lift in all bread prices, just that one particular loaf.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 18 February. 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.

We'll learn today where the new Reserve Bank Governor sees the OCR heading. The central bank's expected to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25%. Governor Anna Breman will be releasing her first Monetary Policy Statement since taking charge 11 weeks ago. It's likely to show when inflation should start easing, and when the economy should recover from last year's downturn. Economists expect the OCR will rise again late this year and early next year. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares his thoughts with Ryan.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The answer depends on whether you can afford it. Congestion charging is coming and that'll add to the cost if you need to drive for work.  This is only a proposal, based on the original toll, inflation-adjusted, almost 70 years ago.  The suggestion, nothing's hard and fast, comes from an Infrastructure Commission report.  We know there'll be a toll to cross the new bridge, or tunnel, whichever gets built - the Government already told us that.  What we know now is that the both the old and the new crossing will be tolled. So, there's no avoiding it. If you can avoid it, they don't collect the revenue they need to pay for the new one.  Why $9? They reckon it's the sweet spot that will get enough people using it to make enough to pay for the new build, without scaring everybody off and, again, leaving it short on revenue.  So basically, driving a car over the bridge becomes a luxury item. You'll either need to be a bit rich or as happens overseas, your employer will pay for your car

A bittersweet result for Contact Energy’s shareholders.   The energy company released their half-year results yesterday, recording a 44% rise in net profit.   But it's now in a trading halt while it starts raising capital for more renewable energy projects.  Shareholders Association CEO Oliver Mander told Ryan Bridge Contact is unlikely to be the last to announce a capital raise – with more likely coming up later in the year.  He says it’s important for current shareholders to make an active decision going forward, as there’s no value gained by simply doing nothing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The business events sector's working to bump up our international multi-day conferences, which are currently lagging behind domestic bookings.  A Business Events Industry Aotearoa report shows events contributed $925 million to the economy last year.   Multi-day conferences generated approximately 1.5-million visitor nights for accommodation, nationwide.  BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge if you want to attract events you have to have good venues that are big enough to take big conferences – like the new International Conference Centre in Auckland.  She says it’s a bit like stadium shows for major music acts – if you don’t have the events and can’t draw the crowds, you’re going to miss out.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, The government’s ordered an independent review over what happened at Wellington Water’s Moa Point, Mayor Andrew Little tells Ryan what he hopes will come out of it. A new report shows business conferences contributed nearly $1 billion to the kiwi economy last year, Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard shares her thoughts.  Contact Energy posted a half year net profit increase of 44% to $205 million, Shareholders Association CEO Oliver Mander provides analysis.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the alleged Bondi terror gunman’s first court appearance and a major supermarket chain accused of misleading customers, faces court action. 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.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says everyone is now in the hands of central Government, as an inquiry is announced into the catastrophic failure at the Moa Point Water Treatment Plant. A Crown Review team's being appointed to look into the failure of Wellington's wastewater facility. Little was met with clear frustration from locals at a lack of clear answers at a public meeting on the issue in Kilbirnie last night. He told Ryan Bridge people need the chance to express their anger, but says the review is now a matter for ministers. He says they need to figure out what happened as a matter of public confidence. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's like a hungry child screaming for more food, even though you've just fed them dinner and pudding.  Across the Tasman, Jim Chalmers, the Aussie Treasurer is facing high debt and deficit. They've managed to achieve the highest level of spending to GDP of any Government in 40 years, outside the pandemic. Sound familiar?  To deal with this, the IMF has just told them they should cut their cloth.  They've also suggested the Federal Government may need to bail out some states who are also weighed down by the Double Ds of post-Covid governance - debt and deficit.  Let's not forget this is the lucky country. The one that's been firing on cylinders we don't even have. The Flying Aussie Roos, it turns out, haven't quite been putting away for a rainy day despite making hay while the sun shines.  So, what do they do? There's a report out from The Australian this morning that they're considering taxing more.  Remember they already have a capital gains tax, the thing we don't have but Lab

Hopes new events settings coming to Eden Park stadium will bring more foot traffic through Auckland's city-centre. The stadium will be allowed to host up to 12 large and 20 medium-sized concerts a year under the changes - without the need for resource consent.  This will bring the total of concerts allowed up from the current 12. Night-time sport will also be allowed on any day, as long as the games finish by 10.30pm. Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck told Ryan Bridge she thinks back to the Metallica concert last year - and the buzz that it brought to the city.   She says fans stayed around for days - and were queuing round the block for merchandise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 16th of Feburary 2025, The Government's allowing Eden Park to host 22 concerts a year, on any day, without the need for resource consent, Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck shares her thoughts.  Labour’s laying down conditions on the FTA with India, Beef and Lamb Chair Kate Acland tells Ryan what it will take to get the deal across the line.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK and Europe accusing the Kremlin of assassinating Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and a water leak at the Louvre that caused damage to 19th century painting.  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.

Full credit to Tom Slingsby at the Aussies on their victory over the weekend. It obviously didn’t hurt that the Black Foils and Burling, and the French, crashed out.  It was brutal to watch. I was at the racing on Saturday in the grandstand and up close, you get a sense of how fast they’re going and how close they are to one another. And that’s what makes it such a thrill. You’re not meant to say that, but everybody there on Saturday was as hyped about the near-misses and close calls as they were about the results and actual racing. That's human nature. You can’t look away from a car crash.  It’s the same reason UFC is nipping at the heels of boxing and Run If Straight is now a thing people watch and get paid for. We like the excitement of somebody possibly getting hurt or injured. Throw in the fact athletes take the risks, hopefully calculated ones, and come out victorious… and you have yourself an afternoon of entertainment. There’s skill and talent and technology involved, no doubt. But you would

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 13th of Feburary 2025, The Government says Kainga Ora has exceeded savings targets, delivering $211 million in operating cost reductions, Associate Minister of Housing tells Ryan how they've made savings. New Zealand First's announced they'll be campaigning for a referendum to put an end to Māori electorate seats, former Te Pati Māori co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell shares his thoughts.  The Sail GP is back in Auckland, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited CEO Nick Hill tells Ryan how big of a boost this will be for the city.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Jim Ratcliffe apologising for saying the UK is 'colonised by immigrants' and US President Donald Trump's multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the BBC has been scheduled to go to trial in February 2027, according to court documents.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.     &nb

All eyes are on Auckland's waterfront this weekend - as Sail GP returns.  Thirteen teams on foiling catamarans will race around the Waitematā Harbour tomorrow and Sunday. Last year's Sail GP drew in more than 25-thousand spectators - for Auckland's first time hosting.  Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill tells Ryan what they're doing to prepare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know how everyone complains the lights at supermarkets are too bright? People reckon they do it on purpose.... it's a trick to make you awake and alert, no matter the time of day, so you keep shopping and buy more stuff.  Well, the opposite is true of movie theatres, right.  You go there and they dim the lights because it makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. The screen is a sensory overload - that's what you're paying for the. The lighting enhances that. Well, can I just say that you shouldn't never go the movies early, before they've dimmed the lights.  I went to the movies the other day in the afternoon. My usual cinema was not showing anything at te time I wanted.  Off I go.. down to... wait for it... Queen Street.  $17 for parking. That's on me.  $40 for the ticket and coke... which went down smoothly after I choked on the price.  Anyway, the cinema's empty but the lights are on. Like flood lights. Like Supermarket lights.  There is precisely zero glamour abo

Draught beer excise tax has been frozen in Australia and there are calls for the same to be done here.   The goal is to relieve some pressure on local pubs.  It rises in New Zealand automatically every year, while beer consumption has fallen to the lowest on record.   Founder and Director at Abandoned Brewery Tim Ward told Ryan Bridge he questions what the tax is trying to achieve.  He says it's meant to offset alcohol harm and discourage consumption, but it's a blunt instrument.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand homeowners are holding onto their properties for the longest period yet.  A report by Cotality NZ reveals the median hold period for profitable re-sales hit a record 10.1 years for the fourth quarter of last year.  Resale profits have also stabilised, with 88% of homes selling for more than their purchase price.  Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson told Ryan Bridge the housing market is pretty flat, so if you want to make some kind of gain you have to hold on for longer than in the past.  He says there’s a stark difference between those who hold on 10-20 years and have a higher chance of making a profit, versus those who sell after only three or four years, who have a higher chance of making a loss.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.