Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

ACT is calling for an end to taxpayer-funded election ads.  They’re calling for the Government to consider ceasing the “broadcasting allocation”, given to election campaigns to buy television and radio ads.  MP Todd Stephenson suggested it in the Justice Select Committee’s inquiry into the 2023 election, and the report was made public this week.   He told Ryan Bridge the taxpayer doesn’t need to be forking out just over $4 million every year for political parties to pay for their TV and radio ads.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After days of mounting pressure, the Archbishop of Canterbury is stepping down over his handling of abuse allegations.  Justin Welby —the leader of the Anglican Church— has been under fire following the release of a report into abuser John Smyth.  Smyth, who is believed to be the most prolific child abuser associated with the Anglican Church, died in 2018 without facing justice.  Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge the report's found Welby failed to take appropriate action.  Specifically, he says the report found Welby hadn't followed up rigorously on reports of abuse of 100 young boys and men that go back as far as 2013. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commuter chaos.  It's one of the prices we must pay for living in a democracy.  I know this won't be popular with Aucklanders this morning or others around the country where this hīkoi is heading, but it's a cost we must bear.  They're closing two lanes of the Harbour Bridge this morning, and if you've got kids getting to an NCEA exam, then you will be fuming about this.  But let's remember, this is a one-off protest.  It's not like those dickheads from the public rail or whatever they were in Wellington. Remember them? They repeatedly shut down the motorways. They did it time and time again. They repeatedly stopped the ambulances from getting to call outs, the kidney patients from getting to dialysis.  They deserved to be swept to the curb, and it seems like for the most part they have been, which is a good thing.  This is a one off from a group of people who feel, rightly or wrongly, that they're getting a hard time from this government. They feel they're not being heard in our democracy.  And whether you agree with that or not is beside the point, the point is we live in a democracy and the right to protest is, well, a right.  It can be an annoying one, but the minute you say you can't do it, we all lose.  If we learned anything through Covid, it's that this whole system is rather fragile when people feel ostracized or maligned – we do better to listen rather than suppress and silence debate and dissent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 13th of November, the Auditor General's report into last year's election has been released. The results have prompted ACT MP Todd Stephenson to call for an end to the broadcast allocation that sees taxpayer money used for television and radio campaign advertisements.  Traffic chaos could be on the way for Auckland with the hikoi heading across the bridge, but it's the price we have to pay for living in a democracy.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Government is pushing ahead with regulating of social media and AI, despite the incoming Trump administration's opposition to both.  It's in the process of developing "guardrails" for high-risk uses of AI.  Donald Trump is promising to repeal American regulation of AI, claiming it hinders innovation and imposes radical left-wing ideas.  But Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge the Australian Government believes the public wants action.  She says the Government's planning to work with other countries if possible, but is prepared to act alone.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Survivors are hoping the Government won’t stuff it up when it comes to the abuse-in-care reparations.  Abuse survivor Jim Goodwin says the Government's apology is a huge moment for many people.  But, he told Ryan Bridge, today's words will need to be followed through with actions.  Goodwin says he's worried about how the Government will provide support for survivors and what they'll do to prevent future abuse-in-care.  He says that compensation is important but it’s only part of what survivors need.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who's got a trillion dollars to spare this morning?  That's the value of our new climate change tab from COP29 – the climate change conference.  This year all the officials, the politicians, the experts, the industry, every man and his dog, has flown to Azerbaijan to lecture everybody not in the room about climate change.  And they're already cranking the classics through the stage:  We're at a turning point, the Paris Agreement’s at a crucial tipping point because Donald Trump's going to pull out, even though we've been through this crucial tipping point before.  This is the problem with COP-insert-number-here: no one really listens.  Every year they make the same pilgrimage and give the same speech, and every year we shrug our shoulders and wonder why doesn't the number ever match the year?  Shouldn't it be COP24?  Oh well, back to the mall for another coffee at Robert Harris. I also need to pick up some presents from Kmart for the grandkids this Christmas.  If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing every year over and over and expecting a different result, then these guys are beyond nuts.  The big push this year is finance.  They wanted rich countries, supposedly like ours, to pay $100 billion a year to poor countries to stop them from burning coal and adapting to climate change by 2020.  Well, we missed that goal and now they want a trillion dollars a year.  That's 1000 billion, or four Elon Musk's.  Despite all the talk, and flying around, and threats, and end of day speeches, global emissions went up last year reaching record levels.  Do we care about climate change? Yes.  Enough to change our habits in a major way? No.  We keep electing leaders to fix other things like inflation, and until that changes, or all of our houses actually do catch fire, we'll be at the mall down at Robert Harris not listening to Azerbaijan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra is expected to receive global interest when it sells off some of its most well-known brands.  The dairy giant has confirmed plans to sell its consumer arm, including brands like Anchor, Mainland Cheese, and Kapiti Ice Cream.  The sale could bring in up to $3 billion.  Forsyth Barr Senior Analyst Matt Montgomerie told Ryan Bridge he expects large dairy companies like Nestle would make a bid if it's put to a trade sale.  He says there could be multiple buyers at play, or the brands could be sold through an IPO.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's hoped today's Cup Day in Christchurch will be bigger —and better-behaved— than in years before.  Addington Raceway is reporting higher ticket sales after slashing general admission ticket prices from $40 to just $25.  Christchurch City Councillor Jake McLellan says the event is huge for Canterbury's economy.  He told Ryan Bridge he hopes everyone will keep their behaviour in check.  McLellan says misbehaviour been in an issue in the past, but Police have made progress in improving the situation in recent years.  Gates open at Addington at 11am.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 12th of November, it's a big day in the capital as the Government is set to deliver the national apology to survivors of abuse in care. Survivor Jim Goodwin speaks to Ryan ahead of the apology.  Fonterra is selling its consumer products businesses – why, and how much would it cost? Forsyth Barr Senior Analyst Matt Montgomerie joins the show.  It's Cup Day in Christchurch. Councillor Jake McLellan speaks to Ryan about what this day means for the city.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to join a nine-day hīkoi, which has left from Cape Reinga bound for Parliament.  It will follow the route taken by Dame Whina Cooper in the 1975 Māori land march.  The Act Party leader says he hasn't got any extra security, and doesn't think he will need it.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since 2021, there have been nearly 96,000 new cases of diabetes in New Zealand - bringing the total to 324,000.  Diabetes NZ says this is a "worst case scenario" which will only get worse.  CEO of Diabetes NZ Heather Verry joins Ryan Bridge with more.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 11th November 2024, David Seymour talks ahead of the planned hikoi against his Treaty Principles Bill. Diabetes is on a rapid rise in New Zealand, Diabetes NZ CEO Heather Very shares her concerns on the latest statistics. Ryan vents about what has him riled up this Monday including questioning how slow is too slow in a 110km zone, after a slow trip on the Waikato Expressway. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's questioning the Government's decision to bring forward the introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill.  The bill was introduced to the House yesterday ahead of its first reading next week.  If adopted, it would set treaty principles into law to be used when interpreting legislation.  Labour's Justice Spokesperson, Duncan Webb, told Ryan Bridge that introducing the bill 11 days earlier than expected appears to have been a strategic move.  Webb says introducing it during US election week has helped keep it on the "low down".  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The meat sector is bracing for the impact of a Donald Trump presidency.  The President-Elect has campaigned on tariffs of up to 20% on all imports, with higher tariffs for imports from China.  The US is our largest market for red meat.  Meat Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy told Ryan Bridge the tariff plan will hit the sector pretty hard.  He says it will hit US consumers even harder as they'll have to pay more for the red meat and burger patties we produce.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosemary Banks – remember that name. She now has one of the most important jobs for New Zealand – a potentially $2 billion job. She's woman in Washington DC, our ambassador to the United States. Her mission: get us an exemption from Trump's tariffs. The scale of the problem: massive. Early estimates show that at 20% it could cost us $1.7 billion every year. Total exports currently $8.8 billion. It can be done: the Aussies got an exemption on steel and aluminium in 2018 under Trump. Is she up to the job? I'm told yes. If anyone can do it, Rosemary Banks is the person you want up there. I'm told she has excellent contacts in the Republican Party and is working the phones hard. She was asked to stay on by Winston Peters back in May, in anticipation Trump might get in. She's the same ambassador who was in charge when we nearly got an FTA during Trump's first term. Of course, it's not all on her. Winston and Todd McClay and Luxon will play their parts too. But the ground game is on Rosemary. We may have some advantage here in that we export food, and food is something Trump probably doesn't want to make more expensive. Then there's the uncertainty of whether Trump will actually make good on his campaign big talk. Rosemary's not waiting round for that certainty, they have a plan and by God it better be a good one. We like to hate on diplomats - oh they just go to nice dinners, drink wine and shmooze. Well, it's time to crack out our best pinot, use the contacts and make the deals happen. The weight of our export nation is on your shoulders. Best of luck.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 8th of November, what could Trump tariffs mean for our red meat industry? Nathan Guy from the Meat Industry Association speaks to Ryan.  New details on the Treaty Principals Bill which has been introduced to Parliament. Labour's Duncan Webb joins the show to discuss.  Can the All Blacks win against Ireland this weekend? Newstalk ZB's Voice of Rugby Elliott Smith is on the ground.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 7th of November, in a historic win - Donald Trump is set to head back to the White House for a second term. Former Prime Minister John Key talks to Ryan about why a Trump victory is good for the economy.  Famous Election Analyst Sean Trende discusses the win for Trump and Republicans, who are set to take back control of the Senate. Republican and former Marco Rubio staffer Matt Terril has rection from the GOP.  Markets have reacted positively to the news - what does it mean for the New Zealand dollar and our markets set to open later this morning. Mitch McCann is live in Detroit Michigan, where the state is yet to be called - and when are we expecting to hear from Kamala Harris.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a successful night for the Republican Party.  While control of the House is still up for grabs, Republicans have won control of the Senate, and Trump has claimed the Presidency.  Trump says his return to the White House will usher in a ‘golden age’ for America.  Matt Terrill, Marco Rubio’s Former Chief of Staff, told Ryan Bridge Trump has been clear throughout the campaign what he plans to do with the power of the Senate, Presidency, and likely the House of Representatives.   He says that it’s one thing to win the Electoral College, but to have control of both chambers of Congress, that mandate will allow him to go in and implement the policies he campaigned on.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the space of 12 hours the whole world has changed.  Not only is Trump back baby, but he's more powerful than ever.  Republicans have flipped the Senate and are on track to retain the House of Representatives.  That gives the GOP enormous power to set budgets, start or stop funding wars, and impose tariffs on anyone they like.  Kiwi farmers and primary producers, our exporters, the backbone of this trading nation, will be waking up this morning with a pit in their stomach.  America is our second largest export market, overtaking the Aussies last year. Tariffs on our meat and dairy could be a brutal blow.  Plus, our number one trading partner in China is about to whacked even harder by Trump's Washington.  A trade war could wipe almost 1% of global growth in the next year, which is tipped to be around 3.5%. That's massive, and will send shockwaves around the world, and we will feel it.  Add in Trump potentially pulling support for Ukraine's war and his bullish comments on the Middle East and you've got yourself a highly unpredictable and, to use a couple of overused terms, unprecedented and consequential, set of variables.  For all the hand-wringing pre-election that Trump was an existential threat to democracy, that very system has elected him the 47th President, serving his last term with more power. This is Trump unleashed.  Buckle up and brace yourselves. Everything we knew yesterday about the global economy and global conflicts is about to change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.