Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The Reserve Bank is expected to play it safe today as it releases the first Official Cash Rate since the Iran war began.  Economists predict it'll remain at 2.25% until later this year.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Ryan Bridge the conflict is very much inflationary and bad for growth.  She says until it's clear whether higher interest rates are required to head off persistent inflation or not – the best thing to do is stay in 'wait and see' mode.  The OCR will be released at 2pm.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's rhetoric is becoming more violent as he issues a grave threat toward Iran. The US President says 'a whole civilisation will die tonight' unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens, warning US forces will demolish Iranian bridges and power.  But Tehran is holding steadfast.  The Guardian's defence and security editor Dan Sabbagh told Ryan Bridge Iranian infrastructure's already being bombed.  He says Israel's blown up eight bridges across Tehran's rail network.  US forces also bombed targets on Kharg Island overnight, which exports most of Iran's oil.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 8th of April 2025, the Reserve Bank will deliver it's first OCR since operation epic fury, Anz Chief Economist Sharon Zollner what she thinks the bank will do.  There are calls for ministers to have more control over the agencies that they are responsible for, NZ Initiative Executive Director shares his thoughts with Ryan.  Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor at the Guardian, shares his thoughts on Donald Trump's peace deal deadline.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on London’s most popular music festival cancelled after the UK government blocked Kanye West's permission to travel to the UK and JD Vance has travelled to Budapest to back veteran Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a key European ally of the Trump administration, ahead of tough parliamentary elections on Sunday.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.    

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: this war in Iran has been a total balls-up from Trump.  He's cried wolf three times on his ultimatums. He's said one thing and then in the next breath said exactly the opposite.  Now he's talking about ending an entire civilisation.  White House officials have described him as being in a 'defiant' mood. Wars aren't generally won on moods, they're won on strategy and execution.  The gameplan for Iran has been sorely lacking.  Even Nigel Farage says Trump's gone too far with his rhetoric. Tucker Carlson is calling on the military to disobey Trump's orders, refuse to carry out his bombing.  The reason this is all for nothing is because Trump could blast Iran's military infrastructure 'till the cows come home and still not get every drone, every speed boat, every regime-loving terrorist out there. And all it takes are a few of them to hold the world to ransom via the Strait.  So Trump ups the ante. He talks tough. He threatens to e

Andrew Alderson joined Ryan Bridge to discuss the sporting news from the Easter weekend.   On the agenda was the railway-crossing incident at the Tour of Flanders, Charlisse Leger-Walker becoming the first Kiwi woman to win an NCAA basketball title in the US, and the performance of the Wellington Phoenix Women.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says almost nothing is off limits as he threatens to obliterate Iranian civil infrastructure.   The US President's demanding Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 1pm tomorrow or the country will be 'living in Hell'.  Tehran has meanwhile rejected a last-ditch temporary ceasefire proposal, calling instead for a definitive end to the war.   Feature Story News Correspondent Kate Fisher told Ryan Bridge there does seem to be diplomacy happening in the background, but at the same time, the rhetoric is very aggressive.  She says it doesn’t sound like the rhetoric or violence is being dialled down, but diplomacy is happening.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An interesting article in the Herald yesterday about army training at Waiouru.  The troops are singing from the same song sheet as Winston and Judith in terms of how threatening the world is at the moment. Senior Army commanders were quoted saying the pressure on our defence force is greater than at any time in recent memory.  They’re getting billions of extra funding for equipment and kit and houses on base that aren’t mouldy, but in order for any of that to be useful, you need soldiers.  You need personnel.  In order to get personnel, you need people who understand the importance of the task at hand, and I just don’t think enough young people, people of my generation and younger, actually get it. Look no further than Germany, where they’re protesting over a requirement for men aged 45 and younger to inform the Government of their whereabouts if they leave the country for three months or more. It’s similar to a rule they had during the Cold War and is basically preparing for a time when t

Students are worried the fight for jobs is getting even harder as public sector roles dry up.  There were just over 485 graduate roles in November 2023, down to 192 last November.  It comes after a significant push —led by the Government— for cost savings.  Victoria University Students Association president Aidan Donoghue says finding work is a huge concern, and more are looking overseas for jobs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 7th of April 2025, Feature Story News Correspondent Kate Fisher shares the latest from Washington as Trump addresses the media on the latest with the Iran war.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  There's more concern our young talent is flocking across the ditch, Victoria University of Wellington Student's Association President Aidan Donoghue shares his thoughts.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest reassurance on fuel supplies for Australia and a lucky teen escapes with just a bite in a shark attack.  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.

Fire and Emergency's board is reportedly getting a pay rise while firefighters are striking for the same thing.  The Post is reporting Fire and Emergency NZ’s deputy chair and board members are in line for boosts of up to 79%.   A departmental briefing recommended Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden approve the large increases in December.  Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams told Ryan Bridge this highlights what have been systematic issues with a total failure of governance and insight within the organisation.  He says the organisation has seemingly lost its community service ethos.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 2nd of April 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian shares his thoughts what will come out of Donald Trump's address to the nation.  NASA is set to send four astronauts on their way around the moon, Executive Director of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network Haritina Mogosanu tells Ryan how big of a deal this is.  Fire and Emergency board members are getting a payrise of up to 80% this year, it comes as firefighters fight for pay rises themselves, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams shares his thoughts.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Trump telling the UK's The Telegraph he is strongly considering pulling out of NATO and the US Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on whether some children born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.        

Astronomer's are over the Moon with excitement as NASA's first crewed lunar mission in 50 years is only hours away from take off. The launch window for Artemis II begins at around midday New Zealand time.  It'll last about 10 days, with four astronauts circling the Moon, taking them further into space than ever before. Astrobiology Network Executive Director Haritina Mogoșanu told Ryan Bridge NASA isn't in a rush to land on the Moon like it was with the Apollo missions. She says the last moon landing was a military operation and during a space race. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The American President's doing a live presser today on his war.  The Australian Prime Minister's just wrapped a live address to the nation on the oil shock. And here, our Prime Minister is making his own announcement about a cabinet reshuffle.  It's a bit of an odd time to do it.  He's got Reti and Collins leaving, so he had to do it some point. The day before Easter Friday means he wants to spray and walk away for the weekend.  The good news is there's plenty of talent to promote - the likes of James Meager and Chris Penk. Which is a contrast to the Opposition where the pool is quite shallow. Water comes up to your ankles. For Luxon, getting the right team around him is not just important for running the country, it's his entire election strategy. His pitch to voters is basically that he's the HR department. He prides himself on putting the right man in the right job.  The fact he's doing it today also suggests that he's not listening to the press gallery, who criticised him for open

An Auckland councillor says people shouldn't read too much into yet another change to Auckland's density plan.  The Government revised the Super-city's minimum housing capacity for a second time yesterday, settling on 1.4 million after continued push-back in some suburbs.  Last month it reduced it from two-million homes to 1.6-million.   Councillor Richard Hills told Ryan Bridge the latest number just feels like political game playing.  He says legal requirements mean it'll likely end up near 1.6 million regardless.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes thawing our frosty relationship with the Cook Islands shouldn't be too tough for the Foreign Minister.  Winston Peters is meeting Prime Minister Mark Brown on his home turf after an Auckland meeting last month.  Relations have been tense since the Cooks didn't consult with New Zealand on a partnership deal with China, despite our free association arrangement.  Former Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge Peters should have the upper hand.  He says Brown has an election this November and it's really unpopular among Cook Islanders to think they'd lose their New Zealand passports.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All signs are pointing towards inflation going up - as the Middle East conflict causes business confidence to plummet.  ANZ's latest Business Outlook survey shows most firms expect costs to increase as economic insecurity sets in.  Most anticipate they'll raise prices in the next three months. Retail and construction had the sharpest slides in confidence.  Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Simon Bridges told Ryan Bridge after the tariffs last year, this feels like a sense of deja vu. He says this survey was from early days of the war - so things will likely get worse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember the outrage over bureaucrats working for home, even though Covid was a distant memory?  The Government came in and said they should all pack their lunch and go back to work. Problem is, this isn't happening.  As you'll know from listening to this show, ACC has already staged a backdown, now MBIE is doing the same.  To her credit, Fleur Fitzsimons at the PSA union, has lawyered up and successfully argued workers' collective contacts allowed them to work from home. Now, the policy to restrict WFH, or what they call 'flexible work', is heading for the bin. Some ACC staff only have to be in the office two days a week - the equivalent of a weekend at the office. Days off, or at home, are usually Fridays and Mondays, conveniently.  This is all in spite of the fact management at ACC said staff are less productive and it's a culture killer.  Now I don't blame the workers here, or the Union. They're exercising their rights and won before it even got to Employment Relations Author

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 1st of April 2025, Former Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff shares his thoughts on Winston Peters heading to the Cook Islands this week for the first time since 2024. Business confidence been punched in guts amid the global uncertainty, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges shares his thoughts. The Government's reducing the housing density plan yet again, Auckland City Councillor Richard Hills tells Ryan why.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on a man jailed for 10 years and three months after his bully dog mauled his mother-in-law to death and extra UK troops, along with further UK air defence systems, will be deployed to the Middle East. 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.

Banks' forecasts of an economic contraction in the second quarter are probably right, independent economist Cameron Bagrie says.  ASB’s revised outlook shows the bank expects annual GDP growth of 1.3% this year, down from its previous forecast of 2.9%, thanks to higher fuel prices hitting consumer spending.  It expects the economy to contract by 0.3% in the second quarter and expand by 0.3% in the third, with New Zealand’s economic recovery now “unlikely” before 2027.  Bagrie told Ryan Bridge those forecasts were a “central scenario” but there was a lot of variance, as nobody had a firm idea of how long the war would last.  The economy would likely move backwards in the next quarter, and GDP per capita was still down 3.4% from its peak three years ago.  While that didn’t technically qualify as a recession —which requires going backwards for two quarters in a row— “it’s still going to feel like it’s pretty tough out there”.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privac

Construction and manufacturing workers are out the door, with more opportunities in other industries or abroad.   Stats NZ finds the overall number of filled jobs ticked up 0.3% from January to February.   But close to eight thousand jobs in construction and manufacturing have disappeared in the past year.  Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Ryan Bridge most building work's now in the renovation space.   He says new builds have fallen away quite a lot, so well qualified workers are moving across to renovations and small commercial work.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.