Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

An economist says a new OECD report says what most people already know about the pension age.   Its latest Economic Survey warns if current policy settings continue, we could be spending 5% more of our GDP on health, long-term care, and pensions by 2060.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen agrees the pension age should be adjusted to general life expectancy.   He told Ryan Bridge that while there are many considerations, New Zealand needs to at least do something or else we'll hit a fiscal cliff.    Olsen says the country keeps having the conversation, but no one seems to want to take the bull by the horns.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism operators are gearing up as the Government moves to overhaul conservation law.  Its newly announced bill would speed up concessions and give more clarity to those wanting to use conservation land for business, research, or charity.  International tourists would also be charged to visit certain sites, with the funds to be re-invested into nature.  Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive Grant Webster told Ryan Bridge this will hugely benefit operators like jet boat and caving businesses.  He believes this will create year-round jobs and open up some regions.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 8th of May 2026, a new OECD report's calling for the age of eligibility for NZ super to rise, Informetrics CEO, Brad Olsen shares his thoughts. The Government's doing a review on why the CRL has cost so much, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett tells Ryan what we can do to prevent huge cost blow outs of future projects.  It's about to get easier for tourism businesses to use conservation land, Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive Grant Webster tells Ryan how big of an impact this will have. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on  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.

City Rail Link cost concerns have uncovered a reoccurring issue with New Zealand infrastructure projects.  The project's former boss Sean Sweeney has claimed the project could've cost half of its estimated $5.5 billion price.   This sparked Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to announce a full review of the project after its open date later this year.    Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett told Ryan Bridge we're not approaching projects right, from the start.  He says we don't have the proper controls and take too long to plan, so things drag on.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's somewhat ironic the latest lecture we're getting from an office of global boffins is headquartered in Paris.  No offence to the French, but they're screaming out for lesson in basic economics. Their debt-to-GDP ratio is 118%. Their debt is 60% above the EU limit.  You're used to hearing about the Italians and the Greeks, but the French are up there with them in the top three most indebted nations in the bloc.  The country nearly fell over trying to cut back pension spending. They spend billions on stuff we'd consider 'nice-to-haves'.  The OECD is a multi-nation group; it just happens to be based in Paris. It's been around since 1961. But they've come up with a bunch of stuff they think we need to do, including linking pensions to life expectancy. This is the same group that wanted us, a few years back, to tax property and shares! They're also saying we should have quotas for women on company boards, which even Helen Clark doesn't think is a good idea.  So, a lot of this shou

ACT's welcoming the death of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, but wants the Government to move quickly.   Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the regulator will be disestablished, as it’s unfit for a modern media environment.  Laura McClure says the decision's long overdue, and the Government needs to pass legislation.   She told Ryan Bridge that it’s a huge win for freedom of speech in New Zealand.  McClure says the BSA was the regulating body for mainstream media, but it doesn’t cover anything else, and young people in particular are consuming media everywhere, whether it’s online or on social media.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's plans to introduce a citizenship test is being labelled as a waste of taxpayer money.  Applicants would have to answer 20 questions on our history, politics and laws, and get 15 correct to pass.   The test will be imposed for people seeking New Zealand citizenship from late next year.    New Zealand Immigration Law Principal Lawyer Aaron Martin told Ryan Bridge the Coalition's just trying to make itself look good ahead of the election.  He says we've got bigger problems that need to be addressed, rather than a pop quiz in a citizenship test.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, unemployment’s slightly dipped to 5.3%, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts.  The Government's introducing a new citizenship test for those looking to become Kiwis, Principal lawyer at NZ Immigration Law tells Ryan how big of a difference this will make.  The Government’s pulling the pin on the Broadcasting Standards Authority, ACT MP Laura McClure tells Ryan why she thinks this is a good idea.  Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the Iran war edging closer to an end, and a number of state primary elections were held in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio overnight. 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.

A major bank believes unemployment will remain fairly flat this year, rather than anything catastrophic. The national rate dipped slightly to 5.3 percent in the first three months of this year. ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge says he's not overly pessimistic about the next couple of quarters. But he cautions the next few months are really the danger zone as businesses hunker down and defer some decisions. Youth unemployment is up from 13.3 to 14.4 percent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coalition is failing on two numbers that matter most to us voters.  Inflation is up over 3% - not as bad as the Aussies but not helped by Trump.  But wage growth is 2%. The cost of buying stuff is going up quicker than we can afford to pay for it by working. Our real wages are a bit shite.  You know when Luxon set the election date in January and said people needed to "feel" the recovery happening? They're not. That's why the right track/wrong track poll results look the way they do. Most of us reckon we're heading in the wrong direction because they are.  And people, generally and rightly, link their individual circumstances to that of the country.  Now some of you might be annoyed by this, but these are facts - you can't argue with them. However, they do not mean Labour is getting back into government. Far from it.  Elections are about choices. Has the other guy hawking his wares got something better to offer me? Labour's got three doctors visits at already-stretched GP cli

A Salvation Army report finds secure housing is a key to reducing reoffending.   The first of six reports into prisoner reintegration into the community suggests stable accommodation is the foundation for everything that follows.   It says it helps address mental health and addiction issues and helps reconnect with family and the workforce.   Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit's Mission Officer Ian Hutson told Ryan Bridge that when leaving prison, people often have no means to contact landlords and no form of ID, so they can’t apply for MSD and thus can’t afford bond.   He says the Steps to Freedom Grant, which is a payment of up to $350, isn’t much good for securing decent housing. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale's accepted the Government's three-month challenge in order to control the region's local government destiny.   Councils have been given a few months to come up with amalgamation plans or face having to do it under the Government's system.   Drysdale told Ryan Bridge efficiency can be achieved better, and they've been elected by their communities to make decisions, so that's what they'll do.   He says the challenge will be convincing the community it's a good idea in three months, but it's an opportunity they need to grasp.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding a job's set to get tougher before it gets easier. Unemployment reached a near-decade high in the last three months of last year as job growth failed to keep up with the number of people moving to New Zealand. Stats NZ data due out this morning is expected to show it remained steady or rose slightly in the first three months of this year. BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Ryan Bridge it's expected to keep rising. He expects unemployment to peak at 5.8% at the end of this year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 6 May. 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.

There are basically two big things governments control that affect the economy and therefore all of us: spending and stability.  They're not to be taken for granted, but too often they are.  Romanians are going to bed right now, unsure of who will run their country. The Government's just lost a confidence vote.  The socialists have sided with the far-right, of all groups, to collapse the Coalition.  This is bad for their economy because business relies on stability and predictability. Their absence kneecaps investment decisions and therefore growth. It's the same reason investors are jittery in the UK.  Long-term bond yields are the highest they've been since 1998.  Why?  Because Starmer is going to get a hiding in local elections.  His replacement, either Angela Rayner or even the outsider Andy Burnham, are left of him and that could mean more spending and borrowing. Something markets, unsurprisingly, think the motherland can ill-afford at present. Which brings us

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 6th of May 2026, Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale, shares his thoughts on Councils being given a amalgamation ultimatum by the government.  Unemployment’s expected to hold around 5.4%, Mike Jones, Chief Economist at BNZ tells Ryan what to look out for.  The Salvation Army wants more done to help people back on their feet after prison, Salvation Army Mission Officer, Ian Hutson shares his thoughts.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Peter Anderson has the latest on Keir Starmer holding a anti-semitism summit in Downing Street and counter-terrorism police investigating a suspected arson attack at a former synagogue in east London. 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.

A union says the taxpayer pays the price for any cost blowout to the Cook Strait ferry replacement programme.   A Treasury review last year found “back-to-front” planning and decaying port infrastructure's left the project exposed to delays and higher costs.   Maritime Union Secretary Carl Findlay told Ryan Bridge Ferry Holdings was set up to sort all of this out.   He says they should've pulled together the Port of Wellington and Picton, both councils, and KiwiRail so they're all on the same page.  Findlay says they’ve known about these issues for several years, and from his understanding, nothing’s been done at either port to accommodate the ferries.  Ferry Holdings says the groups planning shows costs are within the allocated budget.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of New Zealanders choosing to get divorced is outpacing those getting married.   Stats NZ data shows a 3% drop in marriages and civil unions last year compared to 2024.   In the same period, divorces were up 5%.   Family Lawyer Jeremy Sutton told Ryan Bridge marriages are more likely to end in divorce after 25 years.   He says if you're together for a longer period of time, you'll change and are more likely to get sick of each other.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renewed attacks by Iran and the United States threaten to see the war in the Middle East “spiralling out of control”.  The ceasefire seems to be on shaky ground, but some experts are saying that despite the optics, they are progressing towards a peace deal.   US Correspondent Toni Waterman told Ryan Bridge that proposals to end the war had been exchanged through the weekend.  “But certainly this announcement by the President [Donald Trump] on Sunday to start guiding these ships through the Strait of Hormuz has opened up another area in this conflict because the strait is really Iran's main leverage point right now.”  Trump’s new “Project Freedom” aims to help neutral commercial ships get out of the Persian Gulf, where they have been stranded by the closure of the Strait.  Waterman said experts were warning that even if the US successfully guided those ships through the Strait, it would not be a permanent solution as they would not return as long as fighting continued.  LISTEN ABO

What are your chances of getting divorced? The new Stats NZ numbers are interesting for a couple of reasons.  1. Fewer people are getting hitched. In 2025, 7.6 marriages per 1000 people. That's half of the rate in 2000 (15.5 per 1000). In 1971, peak marriage, it was 45 per 1000 people.  So basically, fewer of us are bothering to get married. I've got friends who are single and don't mind being single - that was far less acceptable in 1971.  2. We're getting married later in life. We used to put a ring on it around the age of 20, now we wait until we're into our thirties. This is part of a bigger trend. People still live at home with their parents when their 25 - it's common. They go to university, don't get proper jobs until they're sometimes in their late 20's or even early thirties. We're living longer at the other end of life, and it feels like we're stretching out childhood a bit at the beginning, too. Get a dog, live at home, complain about house prices, and then marry later