Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Concerns life-saving kidney care is underfunded across New Zealand. Dialysis - a vital treatment for thousands - can take hours, with some patients travelling long distances or managing care at home without any medical support. Health New Zealand admitted to 1News there's been a lack of funding in renal care in some parts of the country.  Kidney Health New Zealand General Manager Madi Keaytold Ryan Bridge every hospital unit is struggling. She says Christchurch Hospital's come forward with concerns care may have to be rationed - and every unit would be feeling similar pressures.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 31st of March 2025, Ryan talks to Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie about the nerves facing the NZ economy as the Iran War continues.  We hear about how underfunding of life-saving kidney care in parts of the country is impacting patients.  And Ryan argues Auckland's City Rail Link needs to hit the ground running and be running at full capacity from opening day.  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.

As far as conditions go ahead of a grand opening, you couldn’t do much better than a petrol price spike for the City Rail Link. Construction and testing will be finished within three months. Then it’s handed over to operators, who need another three months. So we can use it from September. Trains will depart every four to five minutes under the city. The cost? $5.5 billion. Half of that is funded by the Crown, so Gore — you’ve pitched in here. What’s more, Wayne Brown reckons the operational costs mean what would have been a zero per cent rates increase this year will instead be seven per cent. So it’s pretty bloody important — given the scale of the capital and operational spend, and the size of current petrol bills — that this thing happens: 1. As quickly as possible2. As conveniently as possible On the latter point, transport experts — train people — are sounding the alarm bells. That’s because AT is talking about a transitional timetable for the first six months, meaning fewer trains than we were promised

The Former Buller Mayor turned New Zealand First candidate thinks the party's mining policy will win over West Coast voters.  The party's policy will see 50% of the royalties from each mine returned to the region where the mine's located. The party also wants to review mining rules, limiting the role of Government agencies like the Department of Conservation. West Coast Tasman Candidate Jamie Cleine told Ryan Bridge that he's looking to change the minds of the Coast's Labour supporters. He believes Labour have been failing to support what was its traditional heart - miners.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 30th of March 2025, Ryan asks Minister for Regulation and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour on his quest to cut red tape to help NZ's fuel resilience.  He also asks about the rumour the government is about the shelve the LNG terminal.  Former Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine talks why he's standing for New Zealand First - and whether the party's mining policy will win over the West Coast.  Plus Andrew Alderson talks through Liam Lawson securing another points finish at the Japanese Grand Prix - and where to now for Tiger Woods.  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.

David Seymour is hunting for red tape to cut in an effort to stretch New Zealand’s fuel stocks further. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regulation has asked businesses and the public to dob in any rules or regulations that could be getting in the way of an effective fuel response. Seymour says stripping back unnecessary bureaucracy could help keep fuel flowing and ensure supplies are used where they matter most. He told Ryan Bridge there's already been a few tips from members of the public worth exploring.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First’s mining policy hits all the right notes but ultimately is not worth the paper it’s written on. I’ll tell you why. On the whole, Kiwis don’t mind a bit of mining, so long as there are good jobs to be had in the right place — preferably not the middle of Milford Sound. Last year, the Government took in more than $250 million in royalties. But there was a poll we spoke about on this show just a few weeks ago: half of voters don’t think we get a good enough deal — a fair enough return — from mining companies. To pacify this problem, New Zealand First wants to give half the royalties back to the regions where the resources come from. It might get them blue-collar votes on the Coast, but it won’t fix the big problem we have, which is investment confidence. If you’re an international player with options and a world in front of you, the disruption, civil disobedience, and political uncertainty on display here don’t go unnoticed. It’s all very well having these pro-mining policies and fast-tracks, b

It's been revealed the documentary on the disappearance of Tom Phillips will screen on Netflix.  He and his children were missing for four years, and the saga ended with a shootout in September, killing the fugitive. Dame Julie Christie is creating a documentary on the case with the help of the Police and has been granted exclusive access.    Massey University’s James Hollings told Ryan Bridge the primary concern with Netflix screening the documentary, is that it will play out overseas.  He says the case has a lot of legal tangle and suppressions surrounding it, and it’s hard to know how that will play out or if it will be respected overseas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new cruise terminal in downtown Auckland is set to be a game changer.  The large terminal precinct is part of a $200 million “big ships” development project.  It'll also be able to receive cargo vessels carrying 10 thousand containers by the end of next year.  Cruise Association Chief Executive Jacqui Lloyd told Ryan Bridge it creates a dedicated 'welcome' area for people disembarking off ships.  She says they’ve been using temporary spaces for the last twenty years, and having a dedicated space for customs, transport, and check-ins is really important.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A union for scientists says its vital New Zealand's keeps some extra helium on hand to ensure cancer scanning treatment can continue at full capacity. Health officials are closely monitoring how the Middle East conflict could affect access to medical items. Minister Simeon Brown has been seeking advice, particularly around the supply of helium, which is critical for MRI machines. APEX national secretary Deborah Powell told Ryan Bridge there's no current supply issues and everything is operating as normal, but it's important to look ahead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 27th of March 2025, The Government's getting advice on a potential helium shortage which is needed for MRI's, Apex National Secretary Deborah Powell shares her thoughts. Downtown Auckland's getting a new cruise terminal, NZ Cruise Association CEO Jacqui Lloyd tells Ryan Bridge how this will boost the cruise industry.  It's been revealed the documentary about Tom Phillips is going to be on Netflix, Massey University Journalism Programme Lead and former news editor, James Hollings shares his thoughts.  Plus, UK/ Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Trump criticising NATO again for their efforts in the Iran war and the UK is facing the biggest hit to growth from the Iran war out of the G20 major economies, according to an influential global policy group. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystu

For the second year in a row, Donald Trump has rained on the parade of our economic recovery. The economists this week have been beavering away, updating the economic forecasts. We'll kiss goodbye to up to a third of our growth for the year. What was 3% is now 2%. Groundhog day. This is exactly what happened last year with tariffs. The recovery begins in earnest, there are signs of life, then Trump posts on Truth Social and the world comes crashing down. If Kamala Harris was in the White House our economy would probably be up on the foils by now. Recession would be a distant memory. Life probably be better for your average Kiwi. A Harris presidency could arguably have been much worse for America's fortunes, but who cares, we live here. The question is whether the midterm elections are going to actually change anything for Trump, and by extension, us.  And the short answer is basically no. Even if the Republicans lose the midterms, Trump still has the power to start wars and do tariffs. The cour

Rising jet fuel prices are continuing to cause flight cancellations, but the Government is confident we still have steady supply coming into the country.  Jetstar has now followed Air New Zealand in scaling back both domestic and international flights.  Associate Transport Minister James Meager says there's 43-days worth of jet fuel either onshore, or on its way.  He told Ryan Bridge there's no need for anyone to panic.  Meager says we normally like to have about 50 days on fuel on hand, but there's nothing to indicate the orders we've placed aren't on the way.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls to power up the energy sector's workforce so it doesn't short-circuit.  A report by two industry groups —Energy Resources Aotearoa and the Electricity Engineers’ Association— has found the current size of the workforce is a constraint on growth.  It recommends a new energy workforce governing body and a more bipartisan approach on energy to ensure job security.  Electricity Engineers Association Chief Executive Nicki Sutherland told Ryan Bridge there's no crisis yet, but there could be in the future.  She says the sector is fundamentally tied to prosperity, so we need to ensure we have the right plans in place now.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greenpeace says the Government’s partial backdown on controversial fishing rule changes don't go far enough.  Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has U-turned on a plan to allow commercial fishing companies to sell some undersized fish to reduce wastage.  It follows concerns the move would deplete fishing stocks.  Greenpeace Oceans Lead Ellie Hooper told Ryan Bridge the rest of the Government's proposed changes still reads like a wish-list for the trawling industry and would limit public input on key decisions.  She says there's also the issue of cameras on boats, and under this bill, footage would be locked up and unable to be accessed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 26th of March 2025, Associate Transport Minister James Meager tells Ryan what the government plans to do to support the aviation industry around the fuel shortage.  A new report’s warning we need a lot more workers in the energy sector and fast, Electricity Engineers' Association CEO Nicki Sutherland explains why.  Commercial fishers won't be allowed to catch and sell popular undersized fish after a Shane Jones walk-back, Elle Hooper from Green Peace shares her thoughts.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the US deploying 2,000 more troops to the region, at the same time there are reports White House has drawn up 15 point peace plan for the war to end and Savannah Guthrie appearing back on the Today show to talk about her mother's kidnapping.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See om

Everyone keeps asking why the world feels so hectic at the moment.  If life were a movie, they'd call it One Battle After Another. Winston Peters, Judith Collins, and their counterparts in Europe and elsewhere all agree we’re living in the most dangerous era since the World Wars. But why? Yes there’s Trump, he’s unpredictable and a bit nuts, but Trump is really just a symptom of a wider problem, which is basically the decline of America. The last death rattle of a superpower who knows its time is almost up.   China’s military spending grew from one sixth to one third of America’s in the past decade. India is about to overtake Germany as the third largest economy in the world. The Russians are still hammering Ukraine, four years into a European war. Now Iran. But the world has lived through bigger wars before. It's survived bigger battles. It survived the Spanish flu, Covid. What’s really changed that makes this feel more doomsday is basically two things: globalisation and technology. It took us

It’s believed businesses will hold off on hiking prices for as long as possible as rising fuel prices risk pushing inflation up.   Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman says fuel prices are likely to lead to higher inflation and weaker growth over the coming months.  She says it's too early to say how much that will push up inflation across the board, or whether the Official Cash Rate will need to be hiked earlier than expected.  BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge there was discussion with suppliers to make any price increases as a result of fuel transparent, so they won’t get baked in.  She says businesses are preparing for the worst, but things at the moment aren’t too bad.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disbelief in Hawke's Bay as another major food producer prepares to cut back.  McCain's confirmed it plans close its Hastings vegetable processing plant early next year.  The move follows Heinz Wattie’s plans to shut its Hastings packing site, along with factories in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin.  Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Will Foley told Ryan Bridge locals thought they were better off than regions like Canterbury, and they thought McCain was still going strong.  He says this has come as a complete shock, and farmers will be digesting what this will mean for them over the next year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns over the Government's fuel relief package missing benefit-dependent households. It's unveiled a temporary $50 weekly tax credit for about 143 thousand eligible working families with children as the Iran war sends fuel costs rocketing. Another 14 thousand families will get support at a lower rate. Green Party Social Development Spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March told Ryan Bridge beneficiaries are often having to drive and some have kids. He says it's people who are already struggling to make ends meet. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.