Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

A significant milestone for New Zealand apple brand Envy – the first to surpass a billion dollars in global sales.   The Royal Gala and Braeburn mix was first bred in 1985, and is now grown in more than 13 countries and sold in 55 markets around the world.   T&G Managing Director Shane Kingston told Ryan Bridge it won't be long until sales hit the two billion mark.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tax expert believes new Inland Revenue recommendations fly in the face of long term fiscal forecasts.  The report lays out a range of suggestions, including a capital gains tax and increasing the Goods and Services tax from 15%.   It warns this would disproportionately affect those less fortunate, so should be paired with cash transfers to poorer workers.   Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale told Ryan Bridge the aim is to ease the Government's deficit.  He says you can borrow, which isn't sustainable long term, or you can cut expenditure and raise taxes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 16th of April 2025, Pharmacists are being given more powers to help take the pressure off GPs, Director of Mangawhai Pharmacy Lanny Wong tells Ryan how big of a difference this will make.  The Envy apple has cracked $1 billion in global sales, a first for a New Zealand apple brand, T&G Managing Director tells Ryan Bridge how the brand became so successful.  Inland Revenue is floating higher GST and a Capital Gains Tax, Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale shares his thoughts.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Trump saying to watch out for an "amazing two days" as diplomats work to arrange a second round of peace talks and Trump renewing his threat to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. 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.

Pharmacists appear ready for an increased workload under a proposed expansion of services. The Government's considering letting pharmacists prescribe funded medicines for common conditions like scabies and head lice, as well as for UTIs and the emergency contraceptive pill. Until now, people have needed a GP prescription or had to pay the medication's full pharmacy price. Mangawhai Pharmacy Director Lanny Wong told Ryan Bridge pharmacists treat these conditions already, people just have to pay. She says it's nothing new but demand will likely increase. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special good morning to all the redheads listening.  There's some new Harvard research that's come out about human evolution and it mentions you. I'll get to you in a sec. Conventional wisdom says that homo sapiens (us) basically stopped evolving when we emerged 300,000 years ago. We reached peak human. It took us about seven million years to evolve from looking more like Apes. It took us four million years to walk on two legs, which is one of things that makes humans. More recently we learnt how to use tools, language.  But once we stopped hunter-gathering, roaming round looking for food, and settled down to farm our own and build cities and civilisations, natural selection wasn't such a big deal.  But that's not true.  They looked at DNA from 16,000 people over 10,000 years, some from ancient burial sites and modern ones from the UK Biobank. We used to think natural selection was changing just a dozen genes, they now reckon it's hundreds.  Coeliac disease is now more common. You might think why? Who doesn't love pasta and oats? You'd think evolution would edit out coeliac diseases.  No, because the gene actually increases your resistance to a bunch of germs and bacteria. So, you're less likely to die, more likely to live longer. The longer you live, the more likely you pass that gene onto your kids. That's how natural selection works. The gene for narrow waists have become more common because we didn't need to store as much fat post-hunter-gatherer days (though you wouldn't know it walking through the supermarket). And redheads, the red hair gene, MC1R, it's become more common in recent history.  It's popular. More gingers than ever before. Congratulations. The only mystery is why as there's no obvious survival advantage, other than looking fabulous, I suppose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists are divided over how fast the Reserve Bank should raise the Official Cash Rate.  ANZ has already picked three consecutive hikes in July, September, and October, while Westpac says it’s becoming more of a possibility next month, but is more likely in September.   On the hand, Kiwibank believes raising the rate multiple times before the election would be reckless.  Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge there’s a case for raising the OCR in May – a pre-emptive strike against inflation.  He says that if they feel the need to go, they're better off going early as if they leave it later and let inflation get a bit embedded, they’ll have to take the OCR higher to compensate.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An industry expert is welcoming changes to medicinal cannabis licences, but wants the industry given a greater push.  Cannabis flower exports increased from 49 kilograms in 2021 to more than 2300 last year.  Medsafe is now exploring changes to its regime, potentially allowing more permanent licenses.  Cannabis Clinic CEO Waseem Alzaher told Ryan Bridge New Zealand holds itself to a particularly high standard, applying pharmaceutical standards seen nowhere else in the world.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 15th of April 2025, tourism’s roaring back now sitting at 92% of pre-covid levels, Mat Woods CEO of Destination Queenstown & Lake Wanaka Tourism, tells Ryan what we can do to keep tourism booming.  David Seymour’s pushing to turn New Zealand into a cannabis export powerhouse, Cannabis Clinic CEO Dr Waseem Alazaher tells Ryan if new changes will be a big help for exporting.  Independent economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts on opposing views on OCR hikes from ANZ and Kiwibank.  Plus, UK Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the IMF's predictions for the UK economy and a former Nato secretary general saying the UK's security is "in peril".  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.

Queenstown's asking for a bed-tax as tourist numbers roar back.  Stats NZ data shows the country's now at 92% of pre-Covid levels, with February visits up more than 53 thousand annually.  Chinese tourist numbers jumped the most in February, followed by Australia and Taiwan.  Destination Queenstown and Lake Wanaka Tourism Chief Executive Mat Woods told Ryan Bridge a bed-tax for tourists would come in handy country-wide.  He says for tourism to be our number one export, we need to be maintaining and investing in infrastructure.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism Minister Louise Upston is getting advice from officials on a bed tax. Christopher Luxon told us that last week. They're not being explicit about it yet, but the idea is a no-brainer and will eventually happen. In the Auckland deal Luxon did with Wayne Brown last week, they promised to investigate one. Wayne took this to mean the thing would be introduced by 2027, though we have an election before then obviously.  We've just had new visitor numbers drop, we're back to 92% of pre-Covid numbers. 3.5 million internationals a year.  Great. But the roads and housing and pipes can't take much more. The Government's goal is almost 5 million a year.  In Queenstown, for every single ratepayer funding local infrastructure, you've got 30 to 34 international tourists hiking, skiing, and smashing a Ferg burger. The ratio is 1:30! In Auckland, it's 1:1. Tourist hotspots with small resident populations struggle to fund what's required. Roads, amenities, and housing suffer as a result.  And the Government has so far been turning around and saying no to a bed tax for them. They want 5%.  They're doing this because they don't like the word tax and made promises, but as I've said before, they'll U-turn on this position because it makes no sense.  You can't rely on a 1:30 ratio. Rod Drury lives down that way, and he reckon we need a model like Aspen and Colorado, similar mountain towns, where they use tourism revenues to fund core infrastructure, not just marketing. "90% of local lodging tax can be spent on affordable housing, childcare for workers, and capital improvements like trails and community assets, with only 10% required to stay in pure promotion..." It's only a matter of time before we do the same. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cancer Society says widening access to cancer infusion treatment is a win for rural communities.    The Health Minister announced $210 million from Budget 2024 will go into 14 new sites and expanding 14 existing ones.   Small towns including Dargaville and Te Kuiti will get new facilities by 2028.   Cancer Society Chief Executive Nicola Coom told Ryan Bridge that with the price of fuel at the moment, anything that reduces travel time is a win.   She says it puts treatment closer to rural communities, which then frees up critical capacity in major tertiary hospitals.  “A win for families, a win for our communities, and definitely a win for the system overall.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retail NZ is warning time's running out to counter a tobacco black market crisis.  The group's released a new report detailing the rise in illicit tobacco, including reports from retailers of sales happening near their premises.   The group wants an Illicit Tobacco Taskforce setup to bring Customs, Police and Health officials together to fight the growing problem.   CEO Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge that when organised crime infiltrates the legitimate market it changes the landscape, and brings with it more crime.  She says we need to act now while we still have this window of opportunity.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

United States President Donald Trump may have to resort to bombing Iran again, according to an American columnist and pollster.  Henry Olsen told Ryan Bridge that Trump will not be satisfied until Iran ends its nuclear programme.  "I think Trump may eventually have to go back to bombing.  "Trump has already committed American prestige and his personal prestige to the ending of the nuclear programme."  The President is always clear about his goals during negotiations and has been "very clear" about that objective, throughout the campaign, Olsen said.  "Until he gets it, he's going to continue to use what's at his disposal, and that does include bombing and potentially a land invasion.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump's at war with the Pope again, this time over Iran. Last time it was over Gaza.  Usually the pontiff is a bit more low-key, just praying and kissing babies and cruising round in the white robe in the Pope-mobile, like Batman but less cool.  Not Leo. Leo has spoken out, telling Trump to end the war and saying he does not fear the President. This is a humanitarian appeal, but its delivery its a little more political than past statements because of the way the US President is being name-checked personally.  There's nothing newsworthy about the Pope calling for peace. Popes are going to do what Popes do, and we all want peace.  But religious leaders are doing more of this - getting political.  We've had vicars in nappies chaining themselves to Nicola Willis' electorate office. Priests opposing ACT's Treaty bill. Ten church groups held an all-night vigil at St Paul's Cathedral in protest of the Coalition Government's 'move-on' orders.  Deborah Coddington, former ACT MP, made a relevant observation about this in the Spinoff last week. She said instead of showboating, hand-wringing and virtue signalling, churches could start paying rates to local bodies, and sell some valuable assets they currently rent out – which would raise enough money to house the homeless who sleep on the streets. The Vatican, because of its small population and huge tithings, is the 18th wealthiest nation in the world per capita. They boast a huge real estate portfolio.  It's hard to work out exactly what it's worth all up, but media reports anywhere between $73 and 250 billion. So more than the combined wealth of all the billionaires this country's ever known. You can see how this starts to look if they get a little too political: hypocritical.  Like the Salvation Army and Amnesty International when they go beyond calling out poverty, and start advocating for wealth taxes to solve it.  It rubs people the wrong way.  Personally, I think the less political a religious leader, the more effective and weightier their message.  Is nothing sacred anymore? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 14th of April 2025, A US blockade of Iran's ports is underway in the strait of Hormuz, American pollster and Washington Post columnist Henry Olsen shares his thoughts.  More access to cancer treatment is on the way, with a big nationwide expansion of infusion services Nicola Coom Chief Executive Cancer Society, tells Ryan how big of an impact this will have. Retail NZ is sounding the alarm on illegal tobacco; Chief Executive Carolyn Young tells Ryan why it's becoming such a problem.  Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the Australian Coalition’s immigration policy to be unveiled today and a histórica appointment for the Australian army. 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.

Emergency Management Minister, Mark Mitchell, says Cyclone Vaianu could've been much worse - and Kiwis prepared well.  Gisborne and some other East Coast communities are still cut off with sections of State Highways 2 and 35 closed, due to fallen trees, flooding and slips.  The last of MetService's strong wind warnings and watches for Wairarapa and the Tararua District are set to ease at 7 this morning. Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge several thousand houses were evacuated across the North Island. He says some of them have flooded, but a lot were precautionary evacuations - which was the right thing to do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 13th of April 2025, Former CIA Intelligence Officer Glenn Carle shares his thoughts on the US failing to make a peace deal with Iran.  Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell tells Ryan whether or not we dodged a bullet with Cyclone Vaianu.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on suggestion blockade in the strait of Hormuz may be enforced by allies of the US and Hungary goes to the polls today with the EU secretly hoping the incumbent Prime Minister loses power. 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.

The storm for the most of the North Island was a fizzer. The TV news struggled to find pictures of anything actually happening other than a few trees down and reporters breathlessly doing pieces to camera in the wind. In Auckland where I live most shops were closed and they didn’t need to be. There is a risk of the boy who cried wolf. But I also don’t think need to have an existential national conversation about whether this was over-hyped. The forecasters do their thing. They tell you what is coming. Or their best guess of what's coming. Then it’s up to us to make our own decisions based on the information, our own experience and personal judgement. The businesses who decided to close yesterday before anything had actually happened lost a day's trade. The one's who didn't, didn't.  Maybe next time they’ll make a different call. After all, Auckland was only under an orange watch. The media coverage was over the top. It always is. Remember they make money off events like this. Eyeballs on screens. I noticed before every video on the stuff site yesterday showing ocean lapping at sand dune, there was an ad for Tower Insurance playing.  They do what they do. But you can’t tell MetService to not to report the weather.  They’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t. We’re all responsible for our own lives. Ultimately we can decide if we’re safe enough to stay home or go to get a flat white from the local Robert Harris. And if you want to go out kite-surfing or surfin in their storm, all power to ya. You might die, or you might have an awesome Sunday, wither way it'll be your informed choice to do so.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK wants to know why three Russian submarines have apparently been examining the country's vital underwater cables and pipelines.  British Defence Secretary John Healey says the subs were tracked over several weeks operating in the north Atlantic.  Russia denies the claims.  More than 90% of the UK's day-to-day internet traffic travels via undersea cables.  Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge there's been no apparent damage; rather, the British Government is putting Russia on notice.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered officials to hold talks with Lebanon, but rejects any reports of a ceasefire there.  He says Israel's military will continue to strike Hezbollah with force and won't stop until security is restored, but a Lebanese official says it won't negotiate under fire.  Reuters senior Middle East correspondent Alexander Cornwell told Ryan Bridge if the talks between Israel and Lebanon take place, they'll need some kind of guarantor for it to work.   He says they'll probably have to come from outside of the region – like the US or the French.   Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says it's allowing the Strait of Hormuz to open but requires vessels to communicate with its military.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.