Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

US President Donald Trump's delivered his two cents on the state of Europe, as tariff threats over the Greenland issue loom.  

Trump's spoken at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, confirming he still wants to buy and control the Danish territory, but won't use force.  

He's already threatened increasing tariffs on eight European countries if he doesn't get a deal. 

University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Vi...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 22nd of January 2025, Donald Trump's made a speech to the World Economic Forum saying he won't use excessive force to acquire Greenland, but he will push ahead with Tariffs, University of Iowa Economics Professor Anne Villamil explains the impact this will have on the US. 

Confidence seems to be returning to the construction sector, with jobs ads for construct...

Builders across the country are starting to feel the benefits of the rise of employment opportunities. 

SEEK NZ's latest Employment Report shows a drop of 0.3% on overall job ads.

But demand for construction workers continues to add volume, with a rise of 3.4% nationally, up 43% year on year.

Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Andrew Dickens jobs are coming from across the country. 

He says employment...

I am becoming even more impressed with Mark Carney as time goes on.

I said that yesterday on the radio and got a text that Carney is just Trudeau but without Katy Perry - a snappy one liner fed to my texter by the President’s camp, and nowhere near the truth.

Carney yesterday gave a speech to Davos that may go down in history as era defining.

He said great powers can go alone. They have the size and the money and the military ...

Opposition leaders in the UK are concerned following through with plans for a giant Chinese Embassy in London. 

The UK Government's approved the mega embassy, located near Tower Bridge in the central city. 

Opponents have been warning the embassy could be used as a spying base. 

UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens there are fears the embassy will be used to eavesdrop on both data, and people. 

He say...

Calls are growing for tougher gambling regulations to prevent relapse. 

New AUT research shows one in four gamblers who recover from harmful gambling slip back and return to the habit at a risky level. 

Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Bridgette Thornley told Andrew Dickins people need concrete plans in place to kick their addiction, and New Zealand needs to help.  

She says they need to remove predatory...

An inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children will analyse if New Zealand met its obligations under international law.  

The four year search for the group ended in a shootout last September, where Phillips severely injured a police officer before being shot dead. 

An inquiry into their disappearance will begin hearing evidence today, looking at whether agencies should have done more or acted faster t...

Fletcher Building's calling time on its construction arm after a difficult few years. 

It's signed a sale deal with French multi-national Vinci Construction, subject to regulatory approval. 

The final reckoning could sit on about $334 million, and it'll move its focus to manufacturing and distribution. 

AUT Construction Professor John Tookey says it's a seismic shift, but Fletcher's been overstretched in recent years...

It might be today that the Government announces the date of the election.

Some have called for an early election. They argue that the job to fix us up needs more time. The Government could argue they’re the ones to do it.  

They could ask for a mandate for another three years to finish the job, and the sooner we get on with it the better.

I can see that, but I don’t agree with it.

We’ve been through a tough two years. Gov...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 21st of January 2025, the Tom Phillips inquiry is underway today, Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato School of Law Dr Anna-Marie Brennan tells Andrew what we can expect from it. 

A new study is hoping to highlight just how hard it is to kick a gambling habit, Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Brigette Thornley shares her thoughts.&nb...

As prices for everyone's favourite sweet treat soar, chocolate makers are searching to find cheaper alternatives. 

A Rabobank report reveals manufacturers are exploring ways to replace cocoa beans, including lab-grown options, as climate pressures disrupt supply and make global cocoa prices rise. 

Raglan Chocolate Head Maker Mike Renfree told Andrew Dickens the commodity price of cocoa has been double what it was in 2023,...

A superannuation expert suggests the Government looks across the ditch for ways to maintain the retirement age.  

The Prime Minister took the opposite stance during his State of the Nation speech in Auckland yesterday afternoon.  

Christopher Luxon says as life expectancy rises, the pension age of 65 is too low.  

Jonathan Eriksen told Andrew Dickens Australia introduced compulsory superannuation in 1991 with 3% empl...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 20th of December 2025, Christopher Luxon says a lift in the retirement age inevitable, retirement and superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen shares his thoughts. 

Confectionary giants are looking into lab-grown cocoa as prices continue to rise, Raglan Chocolate Head Chocolate Maker, Mike Renfree tells Andrew what difference it could make. 

Teacher shor...

Schools hit by staffing shortages are being forced to adapt as vacancies climb nationwide.

Around 450 teaching and principal roles remain vacant - 12% more than this time last year.

Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken told Andrew Dickens vacancies are taking longer to fill than in the past.

He says schools are doing everything they can to manage with the staff and resources available.

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Election Year is off and running with Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation address. 

We should know the election date later this week. 

What we do know is the theme of National’s campaign: “Fixing the basics and building the future”. 

Not a shock.

It’s a variation of the way they’ve positioned themselves for a while. The party that concentrates on the need to haves and not the nice to haves - Labour trashed the ec...

The business sector will want to know how the Government will support them - as the Prime Minister prepares for his State of the Nation speech. 

Chris Luxon will give the address at the International Convention Centre in Auckland this afternoon - the first event to be held at the new centre. 

Newstalk ZB understands he will try to draw attention away from turbulent affairs overseas - and to the Government's successes back...

Europe may be on the cusp of implementing a never-before-used law, to turn up the heat on the United States. 

President Donald Trump's announced increasing tariffs on eight countries starting next month, unless a deal allowing him to buy Greenland is reached. 

European leaders have condemned the decision, with France now set to urge the EU to enact its anti-coercion instrument,  if the tariffs go ahead.

Gavin Grey to...

Pharmac is seeking clinical advice on whether weight loss medication should be funded in New Zealand. 

One in three people over the age of 15 are classified as obese and one in eight children aged between two and 14.

Pharmac received two applications to fund Wegovy or semaglutide - a GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss.

Auckland University Professor of Molecular Medicine Peter Shepherd told Andrew Dickens despite it being a...

On Friday just before most of us came back to work Auckland Transport announced that public transport fares on the rise from February 1st. 

They’re going up by 5.1% which is higher than inflation, but they claim transport costs have risen by up to 16%.

Meanwhile parking costs in AT controlled buildings and areas are going up by 50 cents an hour. 

For adult commuters, this means a 10 to 25 cents increase per bus or train t...