April 14, 2026 • 34 mins
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".
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The issues, the interviews and the insight. Ryan Bridge on
early edition with Spark for business Technology that keeps business moving,
news talks.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
There'd be today, good morning, It's Wednesday. Great to have
your company. We've got some more strong numbers for visitors.
This is tourism, so we need a big text, don't
We will talk about that. The ims weighing in on
war and growth will go to London. Red Tape cup
for the wacky Becky and it's key we Bank versus
A and Z on the ocr Cameron Bagri, the agenda Gouesday,
the fourteenth of April blockade is a go go over
(00:32):
in Iran. We know that, but who's getting through? Who's
not getting through? Apparently still a few ships slipping through
the blockade, two which have traveled via Iranian ports. Remember
that's what Trump said he would try and stop. China's
is going to ignore the whole thing.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Under the circumstances where relevant parties have already reached a
temporary ceasefire arrangement, the US increased military deployment and targeted
blockade actions will only intensify contradictions. Heightened tensions undermine the
all the fragile Sea spire and further impact the safety
of navigation in the Strait. This is dangerous and irresponsible behavior.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Over in Washington, Marco Rubio is currently hosting talks. There's
rallies there, the Lebanese there. This is peace talks.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
We understand we're working against.
Speaker 5 (01:14):
In decades of history, whatsit that have led us to
the CDQUE moment and the opportunity here. I know someone
who were shocking watchings about Sea Spier.
Speaker 6 (01:22):
This is a port about that.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
This is about bringing a permanent end.
Speaker 7 (01:26):
It's one of your thirty years has.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
From the war. Worst case scenario for the globe is
that growth falls below two percent this year.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Yes, two percent is a situation that will feel for
most people around the world as if it's a recession type.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Unemployment will be high for some countries.
Speaker 8 (01:44):
Food prices, food insecurity made wise, food prices may be higher.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Remember these comments from Timothy chala May the actor, and
he got a backlash from them. We played them for
you when you said them at the time.
Speaker 7 (01:55):
I admire people, and I've done it myself to want
to talk to them.
Speaker 6 (01:57):
Go here.
Speaker 7 (01:57):
We got to keep movie theaters alive, you know, we
keep this genre alive. And another part of me feels
like if people want to see it like Barbie, like Oppenheimer,
they're going to go see it and go out of
their wed and be loud and proud about it. And
I don't want to be working in ballet or opera
or you know things where it's like, hey, keep this
thing alive, even though.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
No one logging the dead horse that is Ballet. Well,
the Royal Ballet and Opera in London say thank you
very much, Timothy. They turned this into a marketing opportunity
and good on them. They used Timothy as a discount code.
Ticket sales took off.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Get ahead of the headlines on a early edition with
Ryan Bridge and Spunk for Business Technology that keeps business
moving US talks that'd be.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
The best thing to happen to Ballet since those little
shoes that they can stand on. Now it is eight
minutes after five nine two nine two is the number
to text. Just be glad you're not living in Australia
because two things I wanted to share with you this morning.
One is that the tide may now finally be turning
on the mass exodus, the brain drain of people leaving
this country. So we've got numbers from stats in z
(03:04):
we gained six seven hundred people to our population in February.
That is forty two percent higher than in February of
twenty five and it's mainly because there are a fewer
kiwis moving off shore long term. So the numbers coming
in fourteen thousand, the numbers going out seven one thousand,
that's down twenty percent on February of the year before.
(03:24):
So people are seeing that the lights well, the grass
is greener, probably going to be greener on this side
of the Tasman more so than the other. Now, the
other thing you've got happening is the IMF. I mentioned
we'll talk about them later in what the global growth
for carts are, but they've given a warning to Albanezi
make your spending targeted. You know, Nikola Willis keeps going
on about ten pre timely targeted. Well, there's a reason
(03:47):
for that, and the IMF says, you're getting a bit
carried away here, mate, just rain it in. And the
tax windfalls that we've mentioned on the show many times now,
so they're doing iron or a whole bunch of stuff
that's gone up in value during the war. The commodities
that have gone up in value. They're selling for a
higher price. The producers will get a higher price. That
(04:07):
means the government will get more tax and the IMF
is saying to Albanezi, spend it wisely. In fact, don't
spend it, try and sort out your structural deficit. Now.
The reason all this is interesting is because their Deputy
Reserve Bank governor at the RBA yesterday said that the
scenario that's being painted now for Australia is quote nightmare
(04:29):
ie stagflation. Way more reliant over there. They are on
diesel than us. Their stockpile was lower to begin with.
Consumer confidence is crashing. Isn't this music tearies? I mean no,
you don't want them to suffer, but there's obviously things
that they're worried about. And the AMP chief economist there,
Shane Oliver, yesterday I was reading a piece where he
(04:50):
said it's crunch time on oil supplies for them over
in Australia and the risk of recession this year is
now high. Eleven After five Ryan Bridge to speak to
Cameron Bagriy So a m Z yesterday came out and
said we're going to have three hikes to the official
cash rates starting July. West Pak action'ss May and then
(05:14):
Kiwibank came out and said, Tyhoe, chill out. We don't
want to crash the economy and the recovery that we've
got that was sort of fledgling before the war began.
So we'll see what Cameron Bagrie thinks about that.
Speaker 9 (05:26):
Next News and Views you trust to start your day,
it's early Editions with Ryan Bridge and Spark for business
Technology that keeps business moving.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
News Talks ABSB just gone thirteen minutes after five. Winston
Peters continues, Well, New Zealand first, i should say, continues
to recruit and recruit. Well, they apparently have secured former
All Black Tane Randall to run for TOOKI took in.
TOOKI took is interesting. This is in Hawk's Bay because
that's where Catherine Wead the National Party. You know, the
woman who's doing the MP, who's doing the under sixteen
(05:58):
phone band stuff, that's Wedge. She used to be a
TV and Z journalist, so she's taken Tookie Tookie and
she took it off Anna Lork, who was the slightly
maniacal one who is I've always found highly entertaining in
the house. She did the Baraka speech. You might remember her,
so she took the seat off her. So in other words,
it's a flippable seat. It's been with labor. In the
(06:20):
last twenty twenty election. It was labor and then twenty
twenty three went blue. So putting Tane Randall of New
Zealand first in, there will be a cat amongst the pigeons,
and well worth a watch. Fourteen after five ran Bridge
bit of a cat fight, speaking of between the banks
on what's next for the ocr A and Z picking
three hikes starting July. Westpac thinks one could come as
soon as may Kiwibank's warning, push too hard, you risk
(06:42):
tipping the economy into recession. Cameron Baggery Independent economists with
us this morning. Hey Cameron, good to have you on
the show. So peck aside Cameron, whose position is more realistic.
Speaker 10 (06:55):
Well, I put an article up on Business Test sign
It was a case for a mayhik. The Reserve Bank said,
you're watching core inflation. You're watching inflation expectations. If you
look at the December quarter, core inflation already ticked up.
If you look at inflation expectations, they've started to move
up slightly and we see more out of that data
and the coming to the month, then you have the
(07:17):
case from May height. Now that's what's called a bit
of a pre emptive stripe. You know, we're not going
to like it, but we don't like inflation raising as well.
So it's a bit of a double ed sword for
the Reserve Bank to.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Be fair too.
Speaker 10 (07:26):
A and D.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
They also said that yeah, it might go up sooner,
but it wouldn't go as high as they'd previously said either.
Speaker 10 (07:32):
Yeah. Well there's the old adage one you know, a
stitch in time might save nine and I think that
comes to the play here. If you feel that you
need to go you're better off to go early. Is
if you go early, you're not this thing on the head.
If you go late and you're let inflation get a
little bit and bettered, then you're going to have to
take the official castraight an awful lot of highis strategically,
you're what Ain's you're a saying. Here, you go early
(07:53):
and you have to go less hard. I think makes
a lot of sense.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Abian did said they would look through short term inflation
then didn't matter. I spoke to Paul Conway. He said,
doesn't matter if it's four, five, six, whatever percent, We'll
look through it short term. Are you saying that the
medium to long term inflation number is now looking like
a warrants change.
Speaker 10 (08:13):
Well, if you go back and have a look at
the December Corder inflation numbers, which is called dated, but
it gives us a bit of a benchmark. Core inflation,
which strips out food and energy, already started to tick
up very early in this economic recovery. And this is
kindomly supposed that he's still got an awful lot of
excess capacity, So you wouldn't expect to see core inflation
(08:35):
tick up this early in the economic recovery. So if
we see another pickup in core inflation once again strips
out fuel, strips out energy, electros, strips out food as well,
and you've got the case that's sitting there on the
table for the official cash right to move. It's not
going to move high. It's going to move to what's
(08:55):
called a less restrictive setting. People need to remember that
the official cash rate of the mine is two point
two five percent. The Reserve Bank caused the neutral official
cast right. That's where they've got neither the foot on
the accelerate or the break around three. So if you
take it from two point two five to two point
five or as angel to saying back to three, you're
merely taking the foot off the accelerator. It's not as
(09:15):
though you jumping on the brake.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Yeah, it's going bloody low to low. This is not
The QUEV Bank makes the point, this is not demand inflation.
This is supply inflation via oil. Does it matter where
it comes from?
Speaker 10 (09:27):
Well yes, But the problem is that the Reserve Bank,
the governor has made it pretty clear and she delivered
an excellent speech a couple of weeks where they said, look,
they are going to look through the immediate impact of
a rise in fuel prices. They're going to look through
the immediate impact of what's called the indirect consequences for inflation,
the likes of increases and transport costs on food inflation.
(09:50):
But they're going to jump on what's called secondary inflation.
Now do we see secondary inflation? You look at what's
called core inflation, that strips out fuel, that strips out food.
As I said, what we've already seen is that core
inflation has already started to pick up. So if we
see the March inflation figures and we see a further
tick up in that core inflation measure. I think there
is a case for going and may I think one
(10:13):
of the reasons that Ang has gone with Lie is
that they think one month March is not going to
be enough. They think, I suspect you more like to
set within the June figures and the Braserve event would
like a little bit of two quarter qualification in regard
to what's going on here. But the key events sort
of view that you jump on this early is not
the right sort of call. Well, there's a cost to
(10:35):
not jumping on the scene right up front as well.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Cameron Bagribagary Economics eighteen after five News Talks the B
will talk about deregulation or removing some red tape at
least for the WACKYBACKI.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Next, Ryan Bridge on early edition with Spark for Business
Technology that keeps Business Moving News Talks the B.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Twenty one minutes after five. David Seamo was pushing to
turn New Zealand into a cannon US export powerhouse. He
wants to cut the time it takes for businesses to
get an export license from over twenty two days in
twenty twenty two to just over six days so far
this year. Doctr wasim Elsa. Here is with US Cannabis
Clinics CEO. Good morning, Good morning. Right the time it
(11:17):
takes to get an export license. Is that the big
barrier here? Or is it about? Are there other issues?
Speaker 6 (11:23):
There are other issues, But it's a step in the
right direction. Helping our companies, quepit companies get export permits
and export medicinal cannabis faster is definitely a win. But
it still comes down to the root cause of the problem,
which is the fact that here in New Zealand we're
applying standards, pharmaceutical standards to our medicines, to medicinal cannabis
(11:46):
that is above and beyond what other countries around the
globe apply, and so we still are disadvantaging our industry
here by holding ourselves to a much higher standard than
other countries.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Yes, that's the big problem, isn't it, Because if you
want to sell your stuff here in New Zealand, you've
basically got to send it off shore to get it
processed and bring it back, don't you.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
Exactly, Yeah, that happens, and it's happening right now.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
See that seems dumb to me. Why don't they change that?
Speaker 6 (12:16):
Yeah, it's a good point. It's also to do with
the size of the economy. I mean, to set up
some of these testing facilities, you're talking about millions of
dollars of investment to set up, and it becomes economically
not viable. I mean, you look at the country. We've
had several companies start, We've had most of them go under.
The last one Helius, which has gone under that really
(12:40):
live in New zeand with only one remaining manufacturing processing facility.
Everybody else is you know, hasn't been successful.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Appreciate your time. DOTTR. Wassim Elsa here with us Cannabis
Connects CEO. Time is twenty three minutes after five. A
couple of little things to update you on before we
get to the break. So retailers, you know, we have
the numbers from on card spending yesterday, and retailing zetters
come out and said, oh, hang on, it's it's actually
(13:12):
worse than it looks because obviously the card spinning goes
up when things cost more, not necessarily the people buying
more stuff, but when things cost more, ie petrol, ie diesel,
which is definitely costing more at the moment, and so
we saw that in the numbers yesterday. But they reckon
that non fuel retailing is down one point two percent
(13:33):
in March from a year ago because people are having
to spend more on fuel, more on fuel even though
they're getting less fuel, and then therefore spending less on
other things too. Twenty three after five, we're back talking
bed taxes.
Speaker 9 (13:46):
Next the early.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
Edition Full the Show podcast on Ihart Radio powered by News.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Talks V News TALKSB twenty six minutes after five on
your Wednesday morning. Great to have your company, Louise Upston,
she's tourism. She's getting a vice from officials on a
bed tax, an accommodation levy. Call it what you will.
Luxon told us this last week. They're not being explicit
about it yet, but the idea is a no brainer
and will eventually happen in Auckland and the Auckland deal
(14:14):
Luxon did with Wayne last week they promised to investigate one.
Wayne took this to mean the thing would be introduced
in twenty twenty seven, though we have an election to
go before then. Obviously we've had a new visitor numbers drop.
We're back to ninety two percent of pre COVID three
and a half million internationals a year. Great, but the
roads and the housing and the pipes can't take much
more of this. The government's goal is almost five million
(14:38):
internationals a year. In Queenstown. For every single ratepayer funding
local infrastructure. There, you've got thirty to thirty four international tourists.
They're hiking, they're skiing, they're smashing a Ferg Burger down
in Queenstown. The ratio one to thirty. In Auckland, it's
one to one. Tourism. Hotspots with small population and small
(15:00):
resident populations struggle to fund what is required. Roads, amenities, housing.
They all suffer as a result, and the government has
so far I've been turning around and saying to Queenstown, Nah,
you can't have a bed tax.
Speaker 6 (15:13):
Nah.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
They want five percent downe in Queenstown. And they're doing
this because they don't like the word tax. Right. They've
made some promises about this, but as I've said many
times on the show before, they will you turn on
this position because it makes no sense and logic will prevail.
You can't rely on a ratio one to thirty. Rod Drury,
he lives down there in that way, he reckons we
(15:34):
need a model like Aspen in Colorado. There are similar
mountain towns. They use tourism revenues to fund core infrastructure,
not just marketing. Ninety percent of the local lodging tax
they call it there. You can spend that on affordable housing,
childcare for workers, important because you need workers to run
the place, capital improvements to the trails, etc. Ten percent
(15:55):
of that is required to stay in pure promotion for tourism.
It's a good idea. It makes sense. It's only a
matter of time before we do the same bridge in
eight minutes after five. Now there's a couple of tourists
in Australia at the moment which I want to draw
your attention to. Harry and Meghan are doing a tour.
They're of course not working royals. So why do we care? Well,
(16:19):
a lot of Australians actually don't.
Speaker 7 (16:21):
Can I be honest and tell you I really don't
think about them at all.
Speaker 11 (16:24):
I was aware that they were coming out to Australia
at all. I haven't seen anything on the news.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Honestly, no, I did not really know they came last
night as well.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
I don't know why they're coming.
Speaker 11 (16:34):
They're very much about self promotion. They probably be my
least favorite Royal, so let's put it that way.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Everybody's favorite punching bag Royal punching bag. But what they're
doing is a couple of like they've posed for selfish
since they've been their tech. They've done gardening at the
hospital with patients, which is a nice thing to do,
assuming the patients wanted to meet them. Of course, if
you're in hospital, you kind of got no choice. Where
are you going to go? Anyway. What they're also there
(17:03):
for is some commercial opportunities. So there's an in person conversation.
If you want to see Meghan in person conversation at
a women only girls weekend and you can pay, it's
thousands of dollars. You can pay to have a photo
with Meghan at a brunch table with you and the
gal pals, and that will cost you thousands. And there
are still tickets available which times he's not sold out.
(17:25):
Harry's doing a speech. Ticket price two four hundred dollars.
Just watch the Netflix thing. That's pretty cheap. News Talks
AB we'll talk to Matt Woods from destination Queenstown and
head to the UK with Gavin.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
The news you need this morning and the in depth
analysis earlier edition with Ryan Bridge and Spark for business
Technology that keeps business moving. US talksb pro.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Me pro Noree. Far away from six, y're on News
Talk SB. We will go to Queenstown on tourism numbers.
Before six we'll head to London with Gavin Gray on
the IMF report on growth. This is about the war
loads of texts coming on on the bid tex. Ryan
should be a bid tax. We are hopefully going to Italy,
says Sharon. I hope you are too, Sharon, hopefully going
(18:19):
to Italy, all things staying equal and all bookings have
a bid tax. No one cares, exactly, Sharon. No one cares,
which is why there's no political risk for the government
and doing it. So why don't they just go on
to do it? They will, Ryan, So can we staying
long term and backpackers because of no housing, but will
also be required to pay a bid tax. How many
(18:40):
people are doing that? Ryan? Bid tax has to be nationwide,
not just in the tourism hotspots. I don't know. To
be honest, I don't care where it goes, but I
think it should be up to each individual region to
decide whether they want it or not. That the government
just needs to make the lever available and then each
council can decide whether theyll it or not. Brian Bread,
(19:02):
let's go around the regions now in Donedan Callum, Good
morning morning, Ryan. Hey, what's this small little town that's
leading the property value growth stakes.
Speaker 5 (19:11):
It's Automatata in the Waittucky. You're familiar with that part
of the world. Down here, it's You're just a small place,
just two hundred people, and it's topping the country for
property growth so farthes here in the first quarter. This
is the latest one roof data, and so values in
Automatata have gone up eight point seven percent eight point
seven to five hundred and eighty six thousand dollars in
(19:33):
the first three months of the year. So Automatata in
the news today on an annual basis, though Central Otago
continues to lead the games big time. Aratown posted the
biggest left up eleven point four percent, followed closely by
neighboring Lake Hayes at ten. The average value in Aratown now, Ryan,
three point one million.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Heavy place. Have you been to Automatata?
Speaker 5 (19:54):
I have been there. What's this cycled through it as
part of the of of an impressive cycle trail. Well,
it's small, it's small, Ryan, and I suppose that's what
makes it desirable.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Yeah, I'm just looking because I'm just on one roof
having a look at the houses for so I mean
you can get a pretty decent three betty for four
hundred and something there for the lakes. Close to the lakes,
straight spot, so lovely Callum. How's your weather in Dunedin.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
It's good today mainly fine maybe later again afternoon or
evening showers seventeen the.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
High nice one. Thank you Claire and christ this morning, Claire,
good morning. How did the decision to cut the Crusaders
horses come about?
Speaker 12 (20:31):
Well, that's the big question. I think everyone's sort of
curious about that today. Of course, we found out yesterday
very late in the piece that the rugby team's iconic
match day horses, who never actually made it inside our
new stadium for testing, will not feature moving forward. The
six horses have been part of Crusaders' home game since
nineteen ninety six. We're told there is a limited space
(20:52):
around the playing field, which means they can't do their
usual lap around the field. Before the games we found
out there's seven meters from sideline to the led signage
around the edges. Now everyone else has been very quiet
on it. The Crusader's not offering much more than an
initial statement, the mayor not willing to speak.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
We've got venues.
Speaker 12 (21:10):
Auto TAGHI chief executive Caroline Harvey Tear, who says the
inclusion of the horses was actually assumed during the design phase.
She says the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby are the home
teams and despite the venue being used for other events,
it was always assumed.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
The horses would come that.
Speaker 12 (21:24):
Harvey Tears says, Ultimately the decision fell on the Crusaders
and the city council has declined to make any comments
on whether it was a miss during the design phase.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
What about a pony? This smaller man Avery one saying
hobby horses you might have to do. How's you with her?
Speaker 12 (21:41):
There was the chance of a shallower early todaytion clear
to fine and then some cloud coming back later, southwesterlies
and a hiveh eighteenth.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
All right, thanks Claire at Cape Ricard for Wellington Morning, Kate,
Morning Rain. We're learned of another cost controversy, have we
in the capitol.
Speaker 13 (21:54):
Yes, a pair of Australian consultants are earning thousands a
day to rescue Wellington's budget behind schedules sludge minimization project.
Former Melbourne Water manager em And Kelly, alongside John Hurst,
have been charged with getting the project done after costs
balloon from more than two hundred million to more than
five hundred million. Now the city Council is paying. The
(22:16):
two are combined four two hundred dollars a day plus
GST and expenses, and is expected to clock up just
over one point four million over the course of the project.
It's set for completion in April next year.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
All right, how's the weather.
Speaker 13 (22:30):
Fine apart from areas of evening cloud with a high
of seventeen.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Brilliant Kate, thank you very much. And Neva has our
open report this morning. Neva, good morning, good morning. So
the ambulances look, this is a kin to attempted murder
in my book, just a shocking You slash the tires
and an ambulance. Yes, and the ambulance can't go and
save someone's life, They could die.
Speaker 14 (22:49):
I know, I agree with you. For the first time
in my life. Ryan, So police are on the job
now they are seeking information. This is the Wilfield damage reports.
You're quite right, see John Basis. In Monaco or Taho,
six ambulances had their tires slashed, so a new appeal
has just been issued. This was after the incident at
Utahho on April ninth, and of course then in fab
(23:12):
we had the Monaco incident. Not good at all, so
police say. In both events, apparently this offender illegally gained
access to the station's compounds, jump through somewhere who knows where,
and then just started slashing the ties of the ambulances.
Speaker 6 (23:26):
Part there.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Terrible, terrible murial. How's our weather shower?
Speaker 14 (23:30):
Some heavy possible thunderstorms, hailrible for dawn shower is isolated.
Longer find spells though. Later on this afternoon twenty Isha
high au Clint.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Thank you very much, Neva. Bob says, great value houses
in Otamatata. I think I'm saying it Righttamatata. This is
the small town were values increased the most in the
latest report. But try to get a job there, says Bob. Well,
you can work remotely these days, can't you. I could
do the show from Ottomatata. I'm sure that'd be fine.
(23:57):
I'm just looking now. There's one for sale on Tasman
Road and Ultimatata seven hundred and twenty thousand dollars and
it's all brain well, looks relatively brand new, very nice,
wonderful views. Why is no one moving there? You've probably
noticed lately there's been loads of conversations about retirement. And
while we can't control every change ahead on the road,
we can choose an approach that's built for the long haul.
(24:20):
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(25:04):
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Speaker 1 (25:23):
International correspondence with endsit Eye Insurance Peace of Mind for
New Zealand Business.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Fourteen away from six Kevin Gray are UK. You're a correspondent, Kevin,
Good morning, Good evening to you. Hither right the IMF
the UK is going to copy worst out of this war,
aren't they?
Speaker 15 (25:41):
Yes, they are. And what's more, this is the second
survey recently showing exactly the same thing. So according to
the International Monetary Firm, the UK growth that they have
forecast would be one point three percent, they have slashed
now to zero point eight percent. Now the one point
three percent was before the conflict in Iran. And the
(26:02):
reason that they've slashed it is because of the structure
of our economy here, the oil price going up will
keep inflation up, will mean interest rates are not cut.
If anything, they may go up, and that will see
growth really effectively slow down to a crawl. It also,
of course, is meaning that the stocks and shares the
foot seat one hundred suffering badly. But the structure of
(26:23):
our economy, little in the way of manufacturing, reliant on
service industries and so forth, is really not best suited
to a crisis where the oil is spiking in price
as it is.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
What's Lord George Robertson been saying.
Speaker 15 (26:37):
Well, you may not know the name, but he is
the former NATO Secretary General, and his comments today have
truly blown people away because he said security of the
United Kingdom is and I quote in peril. He says
the country's leaders have shown corrosive complacency towards defense. Now
he is the former labor Defense secretary. We currently have
(26:59):
a labor government, and he said that there are non
military experts in the treasury and he's accused them of vandalism.
He says the government has promised to publish a ten
year defense investment plan, but it keeps being delayed. Repeatedly,
and he said we cannot defend Britain with an ever
expanding welfare budget, too much handouts. He's saying we're underprepared,
(27:21):
under insured, under attack. We are not safe. Britain's national
security and safety is in peril well. His suggestion that
the government could find money from reducing the welfare bill
is possibly one shared by the money Woman, the Chancellor,
Rachel Reeves. But earlier this government's tried to do that,
make savings in that area, but they had to abandon
them after a fierce opposition from within their own parties.
(27:43):
So a warning, a shot across the bows. But will
they be able to change anything?
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Kevin Gray are UK, you're a correspondent. It is twelve
minutes away from six Bryan Bridge. Tourism continues to roar back,
sitting now ninety two percent of pre COVID levels, with
three and a half million visitors a year. The monthly
numbers international visitor arrivals up one point seven percent in
February from January, though there was a one off boost
there because the Chinese lunar New Year timed well for US.
(28:08):
Matt Woods CEO Destination, Queenstown, Good morning, Good.
Speaker 8 (28:12):
Morning, Ryan, how are you very well?
Speaker 2 (28:13):
And you must be happy with how this is going tracking.
Speaker 8 (28:17):
Look, I think Queenstown's been tracking really well. Yeah, since
we got out of the sort of lockdowns of COVID
and we bounced back to sort of those pre COVID
levels back in about twenty twenty three. But of course,
you know, seeing Chinese New Year coming down to February,
that's had a real impact. We've had a massive February
down here.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
And how far above pre COVID are you now in Queenstown?
Speaker 10 (28:38):
Oh?
Speaker 8 (28:39):
Look, I think it's fair to say if we look
at like the national growth at the moment, we're sort
of sitting around about eleven percent this year of growth
on year on year compared to last year. Nationally we're
sort of sitting about six percent, so we can see
that Queenstown has been growing much faster. We know that
the airport is roughly about sort of forty percent up
on pre COVID levels at the moment, so quite quite
well up at the moment, and I think that's that
(28:59):
pressure that we're really feeling on the infrastructure with the
increased visitation.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Yeah, are you mentioned the McKenzie district when you were
speaking to my producer and I wondered if you could
tell us specifically why.
Speaker 8 (29:09):
Yeah, Look, when you produce, the name happens to be
McKenzie as well. So we talked about McKenzie, Monica and
Queenstown and these these three areas particularly are sort of
areas that are really feeling that pressure from increased visitation.
And look, we're all about actually growing tourism, but we
need to make sure we have the right infrastructure in place.
And the problem that we have in those three districts
that we just talked about McKenzie, Wanica and Queenstown is
(29:31):
we have a really low rate payer base. And so
earlier on the show you were talking about a bed tax,
and that's something that we really need to look at,
not just for those three regions, but for New Zealand,
for the regions that need them. And of course we're
seeing Wayne Brown looking at this in Auckland as well.
They need a bid tax for events, We need a
bid text down here for infrastructure. And I think you
know that sort of stat that you used earlier that
(29:52):
there's thirty international visitors to one resident in Queenstown's how
do those how do those residents in Queenstown pay for
that infrastructure for those thirty international visitors.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
They will eventually do this. I think the National Party
is going to take it to the election. What do
you reckon?
Speaker 8 (30:06):
I think you're right. I think we're going to see
quite a lot of campaigning around a bid tex. We
need to get one. And if we're going to grow
tourism to be our number one export, it's number two
at the moment. We actually gonna have to invest in
infrastructure to make sure that we deliver a great experience
for the visitors and also the people that live there.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
Matt would CEO Destination Queenstown Lake Wanaka Tourism. It's nine
to six News TALKSBB.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
The first word on the News of the Day early
edition with Ryan Bridge and Spark for Business Technology that
keeps Business Moving.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
News TALKSB seven minutes away from six, Ryan Holiday homeowners
are already being targeted by councils in most areas. Look
at ots at all where we are. If you advertise
more than sixty nights a year, then they charge you
double rates. If we were to go with the bid tax,
would that then stop? Surely you can't have both, says Norman. Well,
you wouldn't think so, But then it is councils we're
(30:58):
talking about, and they're wondering about not having an money.
Quick little update on what's happening in Spain. Pedro Sanchez,
you know, Justinda's comrade mate. He's the Socialist leader there
his wife. They've been investigating his wife over fraud, embezzlement
charges for ages. In fact, two years they've been investigating
her and they finally charged her so embezzlement, influence, pedling corruption.
(31:22):
She's used her influence as the wife of the Socialist
prime minister to secure and manage a post at the
university in Madrid and using public resources and personal connections
to further her private interests. In other words, accused, just
accused at this stage of feathering her own nest Rahm
Bridge Sex to Sex Morning Mike.
Speaker 4 (31:42):
They've also announced overnight that they're going to legalize half
a million illegals in Spain, which is a funny thing
because it doesn't work anywhere else, but if you've been
to Spain, it's on a roll of all the economies
and really the IMF I don't have to covered the
smallst of the IMF given this global outlook here and
the country least of it, certainly in Europe is Spain.
It seems to me at the moment Spain can do
(32:04):
no wrong. Everything about the economy, the tourism, et cetera
is fantastic.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
All the renewables. The UK's baggered by their energy, aren't.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
They hate the British though our sun was there last week?
Speaker 2 (32:15):
Oh was it? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (32:16):
And unless you speak Spanish, they're not interested in you.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
They've got that, They've got that real vibe Parisian snobbery exact. Hey,
did you see Trump and Maloney going at it? That's funny.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
Yeah, that's funny.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
And old friends now foes.
Speaker 4 (32:29):
Well that's the thing, isn't it. Didn't we learn that
with Hungary the other day. What was once a thing
if you were aligned with Trump is no longer a thing.
So you want to on it?
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Hey, was I right about the big text? Or where
am I going to be right about the big text?
Speaker 4 (32:41):
I don't know what you mean?
Speaker 2 (32:43):
So Trump, sorry, Luxon, Yes, not to be confused.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
Sign the deal.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Sign the deal and we'll look at it in the dealers,
we'll look at it. Wh's fine, no commitment, but it's coming.
You marke My Wie I don't know why not If
you makes it makes no sense not to.
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Well in tact anyway, But everyone else does it. You
go anywhere in the world, you go to California, you
book into a hotel, you booking to the SLS in
California on Larcienegar, and you just look at your bill
at the end of it.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
Everyone's texting in three yearros a night when I was
in Venice. Who cares, that's we're year.
Speaker 4 (33:17):
But the counter argument to that, We've got to be
careful about this, I think, is just this whole other
people do it thing is not a reason to do things.
People rob banks, take drugs and generally a reprobate.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
You want to do it, but look at the ratio
of local residents in Queenstown to international visitors. It's one
to thirty. In Auckland that's one to one, Like it
makes no sense. How can they afford to run the places?
Speaker 4 (33:40):
I can see why you trusted. You've seen the media
trust thing this morning?
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Yeah, I have, it's up significantly.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
No it's not that's it's up significant.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
It's up. Literally, I literally just got handed this. This
is why no one trusted media trust in news up significantly.
Speaker 4 (33:57):
Who says significantly? This is the media least from it's
gone from thirty two to thirty five or something. For
goodness sake, anyway, we'll look at that this morning.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
Yeah, forget about trusted media, what about trust and the
university study itself? There tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (34:13):
For more from Early Edition with Ryan Bridge. Listen live
to News Talks. It'd be from five am weekdays, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
The issues, the interviews and the insight. Ryan Bridge on
early edition with Spark for business Technology that keeps business moving,
news talks.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
There'd be today, good morning, It's Wednesday. Great to have
your company. We've got some more strong numbers for visitors.
This is tourism, so we need a big text, don't
We will talk about that. The ims weighing in on
war and growth will go to London. Red Tape cup
for the wacky Becky and it's key we Bank versus
A and Z on the ocr Cameron Bagri, the agenda Gouesday,
the fourteenth of April blockade is a go go over
(00:32):
in Iran. We know that, but who's getting through? Who's
not getting through? Apparently still a few ships slipping through
the blockade, two which have traveled via Iranian ports. Remember
that's what Trump said he would try and stop. China's
is going to ignore the whole thing.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Under the circumstances where relevant parties have already reached a
temporary ceasefire arrangement, the US increased military deployment and targeted
blockade actions will only intensify contradictions. Heightened tensions undermine the
all the fragile Sea spire and further impact the safety
of navigation in the Strait. This is dangerous and irresponsible behavior.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Over in Washington, Marco Rubio is currently hosting talks. There's
rallies there, the Lebanese there. This is peace talks.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
We understand we're working against.
Speaker 5 (01:14):
In decades of history, whatsit that have led us to
the CDQUE moment and the opportunity here. I know someone
who were shocking watchings about Sea Spier.
Speaker 6 (01:22):
This is a port about that.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
This is about bringing a permanent end.
Speaker 7 (01:26):
It's one of your thirty years has.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
From the war. Worst case scenario for the globe is
that growth falls below two percent this year.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Yes, two percent is a situation that will feel for
most people around the world as if it's a recession type.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Unemployment will be high for some countries.
Speaker 8 (01:44):
Food prices, food insecurity made wise, food prices may be higher.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Remember these comments from Timothy chala May the actor, and
he got a backlash from them. We played them for
you when you said them at the time.
Speaker 7 (01:55):
I admire people, and I've done it myself to want
to talk to them.
Speaker 6 (01:57):
Go here.
Speaker 7 (01:57):
We got to keep movie theaters alive, you know, we
keep this genre alive. And another part of me feels
like if people want to see it like Barbie, like Oppenheimer,
they're going to go see it and go out of
their wed and be loud and proud about it. And
I don't want to be working in ballet or opera
or you know things where it's like, hey, keep this
thing alive, even though.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
No one logging the dead horse that is Ballet. Well,
the Royal Ballet and Opera in London say thank you
very much, Timothy. They turned this into a marketing opportunity
and good on them. They used Timothy as a discount code.
Ticket sales took off.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Get ahead of the headlines on a early edition with
Ryan Bridge and Spunk for Business Technology that keeps business
moving US talks that'd be.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
The best thing to happen to Ballet since those little
shoes that they can stand on. Now it is eight
minutes after five nine two nine two is the number
to text. Just be glad you're not living in Australia
because two things I wanted to share with you this morning.
One is that the tide may now finally be turning
on the mass exodus, the brain drain of people leaving
this country. So we've got numbers from stats in z
(03:04):
we gained six seven hundred people to our population in February.
That is forty two percent higher than in February of
twenty five and it's mainly because there are a fewer
kiwis moving off shore long term. So the numbers coming
in fourteen thousand, the numbers going out seven one thousand,
that's down twenty percent on February of the year before.
(03:24):
So people are seeing that the lights well, the grass
is greener, probably going to be greener on this side
of the Tasman more so than the other. Now, the
other thing you've got happening is the IMF. I mentioned
we'll talk about them later in what the global growth
for carts are, but they've given a warning to Albanezi
make your spending targeted. You know, Nikola Willis keeps going
on about ten pre timely targeted. Well, there's a reason
(03:47):
for that, and the IMF says, you're getting a bit
carried away here, mate, just rain it in. And the
tax windfalls that we've mentioned on the show many times now,
so they're doing iron or a whole bunch of stuff
that's gone up in value during the war. The commodities
that have gone up in value. They're selling for a
higher price. The producers will get a higher price. That
(04:07):
means the government will get more tax and the IMF
is saying to Albanezi, spend it wisely. In fact, don't
spend it, try and sort out your structural deficit. Now.
The reason all this is interesting is because their Deputy
Reserve Bank governor at the RBA yesterday said that the
scenario that's being painted now for Australia is quote nightmare
(04:29):
ie stagflation. Way more reliant over there. They are on
diesel than us. Their stockpile was lower to begin with.
Consumer confidence is crashing. Isn't this music tearies? I mean no,
you don't want them to suffer, but there's obviously things
that they're worried about. And the AMP chief economist there,
Shane Oliver, yesterday I was reading a piece where he
(04:50):
said it's crunch time on oil supplies for them over
in Australia and the risk of recession this year is
now high. Eleven After five Ryan Bridge to speak to
Cameron Bagriy So a m Z yesterday came out and
said we're going to have three hikes to the official
cash rates starting July. West Pak action'ss May and then
(05:14):
Kiwibank came out and said, Tyhoe, chill out. We don't
want to crash the economy and the recovery that we've
got that was sort of fledgling before the war began.
So we'll see what Cameron Bagrie thinks about that.
Speaker 9 (05:26):
Next News and Views you trust to start your day,
it's early Editions with Ryan Bridge and Spark for business
Technology that keeps business moving.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
News Talks ABSB just gone thirteen minutes after five. Winston
Peters continues, Well, New Zealand first, i should say, continues
to recruit and recruit. Well, they apparently have secured former
All Black Tane Randall to run for TOOKI took in.
TOOKI took is interesting. This is in Hawk's Bay because
that's where Catherine Wead the National Party. You know, the
woman who's doing the MP, who's doing the under sixteen
(05:58):
phone band stuff, that's Wedge. She used to be a
TV and Z journalist, so she's taken Tookie Tookie and
she took it off Anna Lork, who was the slightly
maniacal one who is I've always found highly entertaining in
the house. She did the Baraka speech. You might remember her,
so she took the seat off her. So in other words,
it's a flippable seat. It's been with labor. In the
(06:20):
last twenty twenty election. It was labor and then twenty
twenty three went blue. So putting Tane Randall of New
Zealand first in, there will be a cat amongst the pigeons,
and well worth a watch. Fourteen after five ran Bridge
bit of a cat fight, speaking of between the banks
on what's next for the ocr A and Z picking
three hikes starting July. Westpac thinks one could come as
soon as may Kiwibank's warning, push too hard, you risk
(06:42):
tipping the economy into recession. Cameron Baggery Independent economists with
us this morning. Hey Cameron, good to have you on
the show. So peck aside Cameron, whose position is more realistic.
Speaker 10 (06:55):
Well, I put an article up on Business Test sign
It was a case for a mayhik. The Reserve Bank said,
you're watching core inflation. You're watching inflation expectations. If you
look at the December quarter, core inflation already ticked up.
If you look at inflation expectations, they've started to move
up slightly and we see more out of that data
and the coming to the month, then you have the
(07:17):
case from May height. Now that's what's called a bit
of a pre emptive stripe. You know, we're not going
to like it, but we don't like inflation raising as well.
So it's a bit of a double ed sword for
the Reserve Bank to.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Be fair too.
Speaker 10 (07:26):
A and D.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
They also said that yeah, it might go up sooner,
but it wouldn't go as high as they'd previously said either.
Speaker 10 (07:32):
Yeah. Well there's the old adage one you know, a
stitch in time might save nine and I think that
comes to the play here. If you feel that you
need to go you're better off to go early. Is
if you go early, you're not this thing on the head.
If you go late and you're let inflation get a
little bit and bettered, then you're going to have to
take the official castraight an awful lot of highis strategically,
you're what Ain's you're a saying. Here, you go early
(07:53):
and you have to go less hard. I think makes
a lot of sense.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Abian did said they would look through short term inflation
then didn't matter. I spoke to Paul Conway. He said,
doesn't matter if it's four, five, six, whatever percent, We'll
look through it short term. Are you saying that the
medium to long term inflation number is now looking like
a warrants change.
Speaker 10 (08:13):
Well, if you go back and have a look at
the December Corder inflation numbers, which is called dated, but
it gives us a bit of a benchmark. Core inflation,
which strips out food and energy, already started to tick
up very early in this economic recovery. And this is
kindomly supposed that he's still got an awful lot of
excess capacity, So you wouldn't expect to see core inflation
(08:35):
tick up this early in the economic recovery. So if
we see another pickup in core inflation once again strips
out fuel, strips out energy, electros, strips out food as well,
and you've got the case that's sitting there on the
table for the official cash right to move. It's not
going to move high. It's going to move to what's
(08:55):
called a less restrictive setting. People need to remember that
the official cash rate of the mine is two point
two five percent. The Reserve Bank caused the neutral official
cast right. That's where they've got neither the foot on
the accelerate or the break around three. So if you
take it from two point two five to two point
five or as angel to saying back to three, you're
merely taking the foot off the accelerator. It's not as
(09:15):
though you jumping on the brake.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Yeah, it's going bloody low to low. This is not
The QUEV Bank makes the point, this is not demand inflation.
This is supply inflation via oil. Does it matter where
it comes from?
Speaker 10 (09:27):
Well yes, But the problem is that the Reserve Bank,
the governor has made it pretty clear and she delivered
an excellent speech a couple of weeks where they said, look,
they are going to look through the immediate impact of
a rise in fuel prices. They're going to look through
the immediate impact of what's called the indirect consequences for inflation,
the likes of increases and transport costs on food inflation.
(09:50):
But they're going to jump on what's called secondary inflation.
Now do we see secondary inflation? You look at what's
called core inflation, that strips out fuel, that strips out food.
As I said, what we've already seen is that core
inflation has already started to pick up. So if we
see the March inflation figures and we see a further
tick up in that core inflation measure. I think there
is a case for going and may I think one
(10:13):
of the reasons that Ang has gone with Lie is
that they think one month March is not going to
be enough. They think, I suspect you more like to
set within the June figures and the Braserve event would
like a little bit of two quarter qualification in regard
to what's going on here. But the key events sort
of view that you jump on this early is not
the right sort of call. Well, there's a cost to
(10:35):
not jumping on the scene right up front as well.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Cameron Bagribagary Economics eighteen after five News Talks the B
will talk about deregulation or removing some red tape at
least for the WACKYBACKI.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Next, Ryan Bridge on early edition with Spark for Business
Technology that keeps Business Moving News Talks the B.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Twenty one minutes after five. David Seamo was pushing to
turn New Zealand into a cannon US export powerhouse. He
wants to cut the time it takes for businesses to
get an export license from over twenty two days in
twenty twenty two to just over six days so far
this year. Doctr wasim Elsa. Here is with US Cannabis
Clinics CEO. Good morning, Good morning. Right the time it
(11:17):
takes to get an export license. Is that the big
barrier here? Or is it about? Are there other issues?
Speaker 6 (11:23):
There are other issues, But it's a step in the
right direction. Helping our companies, quepit companies get export permits
and export medicinal cannabis faster is definitely a win. But
it still comes down to the root cause of the problem,
which is the fact that here in New Zealand we're
applying standards, pharmaceutical standards to our medicines, to medicinal cannabis
(11:46):
that is above and beyond what other countries around the
globe apply, and so we still are disadvantaging our industry
here by holding ourselves to a much higher standard than
other countries.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Yes, that's the big problem, isn't it, Because if you
want to sell your stuff here in New Zealand, you've
basically got to send it off shore to get it
processed and bring it back, don't you.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
Exactly, Yeah, that happens, and it's happening right now.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
See that seems dumb to me. Why don't they change that?
Speaker 6 (12:16):
Yeah, it's a good point. It's also to do with
the size of the economy. I mean, to set up
some of these testing facilities, you're talking about millions of
dollars of investment to set up, and it becomes economically
not viable. I mean, you look at the country. We've
had several companies start, We've had most of them go under.
The last one Helius, which has gone under that really
(12:40):
live in New zeand with only one remaining manufacturing processing facility.
Everybody else is you know, hasn't been successful.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Appreciate your time. DOTTR. Wassim Elsa here with us Cannabis
Connects CEO. Time is twenty three minutes after five. A
couple of little things to update you on before we
get to the break. So retailers, you know, we have
the numbers from on card spending yesterday, and retailing zetters
come out and said, oh, hang on, it's it's actually
(13:12):
worse than it looks because obviously the card spinning goes
up when things cost more, not necessarily the people buying
more stuff, but when things cost more, ie petrol, ie diesel,
which is definitely costing more at the moment, and so
we saw that in the numbers yesterday. But they reckon
that non fuel retailing is down one point two percent
(13:33):
in March from a year ago because people are having
to spend more on fuel, more on fuel even though
they're getting less fuel, and then therefore spending less on
other things too. Twenty three after five, we're back talking
bed taxes.
Speaker 9 (13:46):
Next the early.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
Edition Full the Show podcast on Ihart Radio powered by News.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Talks V News TALKSB twenty six minutes after five on
your Wednesday morning. Great to have your company, Louise Upston,
she's tourism. She's getting a vice from officials on a
bed tax, an accommodation levy. Call it what you will.
Luxon told us this last week. They're not being explicit
about it yet, but the idea is a no brainer
and will eventually happen in Auckland and the Auckland deal
(14:14):
Luxon did with Wayne last week they promised to investigate one.
Wayne took this to mean the thing would be introduced
in twenty twenty seven, though we have an election to
go before then. Obviously we've had a new visitor numbers drop.
We're back to ninety two percent of pre COVID three
and a half million internationals a year. Great, but the
roads and the housing and the pipes can't take much
more of this. The government's goal is almost five million
(14:38):
internationals a year. In Queenstown. For every single ratepayer funding
local infrastructure. There, you've got thirty to thirty four international tourists.
They're hiking, they're skiing, they're smashing a Ferg Burger down
in Queenstown. The ratio one to thirty. In Auckland, it's
one to one. Tourism. Hotspots with small population and small
(15:00):
resident populations struggle to fund what is required. Roads, amenities, housing.
They all suffer as a result, and the government has
so far I've been turning around and saying to Queenstown, Nah,
you can't have a bed tax.
Speaker 6 (15:13):
Nah.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
They want five percent downe in Queenstown. And they're doing
this because they don't like the word tax. Right. They've
made some promises about this, but as I've said many
times on the show before, they will you turn on
this position because it makes no sense and logic will prevail.
You can't rely on a ratio one to thirty. Rod Drury,
he lives down there in that way, he reckons we
(15:34):
need a model like Aspen in Colorado. There are similar
mountain towns. They use tourism revenues to fund core infrastructure,
not just marketing. Ninety percent of the local lodging tax
they call it there. You can spend that on affordable housing,
childcare for workers, important because you need workers to run
the place, capital improvements to the trails, etc. Ten percent
(15:55):
of that is required to stay in pure promotion for tourism.
It's a good idea. It makes sense. It's only a
matter of time before we do the same bridge in
eight minutes after five. Now there's a couple of tourists
in Australia at the moment which I want to draw
your attention to. Harry and Meghan are doing a tour.
They're of course not working royals. So why do we care? Well,
(16:19):
a lot of Australians actually don't.
Speaker 7 (16:21):
Can I be honest and tell you I really don't
think about them at all.
Speaker 11 (16:24):
I was aware that they were coming out to Australia
at all. I haven't seen anything on the news.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Honestly, no, I did not really know they came last
night as well.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
I don't know why they're coming.
Speaker 11 (16:34):
They're very much about self promotion. They probably be my
least favorite Royal, so let's put it that way.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Everybody's favorite punching bag Royal punching bag. But what they're
doing is a couple of like they've posed for selfish
since they've been their tech. They've done gardening at the
hospital with patients, which is a nice thing to do,
assuming the patients wanted to meet them. Of course, if
you're in hospital, you kind of got no choice. Where
are you going to go? Anyway. What they're also there
(17:03):
for is some commercial opportunities. So there's an in person conversation.
If you want to see Meghan in person conversation at
a women only girls weekend and you can pay, it's
thousands of dollars. You can pay to have a photo
with Meghan at a brunch table with you and the
gal pals, and that will cost you thousands. And there
are still tickets available which times he's not sold out.
(17:25):
Harry's doing a speech. Ticket price two four hundred dollars.
Just watch the Netflix thing. That's pretty cheap. News Talks
AB we'll talk to Matt Woods from destination Queenstown and
head to the UK with Gavin.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
The news you need this morning and the in depth
analysis earlier edition with Ryan Bridge and Spark for business
Technology that keeps business moving. US talksb pro.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Me pro Noree. Far away from six, y're on News
Talk SB. We will go to Queenstown on tourism numbers.
Before six we'll head to London with Gavin Gray on
the IMF report on growth. This is about the war
loads of texts coming on on the bid tex. Ryan
should be a bid tax. We are hopefully going to Italy,
says Sharon. I hope you are too, Sharon, hopefully going
(18:19):
to Italy, all things staying equal and all bookings have
a bid tax. No one cares, exactly, Sharon. No one cares,
which is why there's no political risk for the government
and doing it. So why don't they just go on
to do it? They will, Ryan, So can we staying
long term and backpackers because of no housing, but will
also be required to pay a bid tax. How many
(18:40):
people are doing that? Ryan? Bid tax has to be nationwide,
not just in the tourism hotspots. I don't know. To
be honest, I don't care where it goes, but I
think it should be up to each individual region to
decide whether they want it or not. That the government
just needs to make the lever available and then each
council can decide whether theyll it or not. Brian Bread,
(19:02):
let's go around the regions now in Donedan Callum, Good
morning morning, Ryan. Hey, what's this small little town that's
leading the property value growth stakes.
Speaker 5 (19:11):
It's Automatata in the Waittucky. You're familiar with that part
of the world. Down here, it's You're just a small place,
just two hundred people, and it's topping the country for
property growth so farthes here in the first quarter. This
is the latest one roof data, and so values in
Automatata have gone up eight point seven percent eight point
seven to five hundred and eighty six thousand dollars in
(19:33):
the first three months of the year. So Automatata in
the news today on an annual basis, though Central Otago
continues to lead the games big time. Aratown posted the
biggest left up eleven point four percent, followed closely by
neighboring Lake Hayes at ten. The average value in Aratown now, Ryan,
three point one million.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Heavy place. Have you been to Automatata?
Speaker 5 (19:54):
I have been there. What's this cycled through it as
part of the of of an impressive cycle trail. Well,
it's small, it's small, Ryan, and I suppose that's what
makes it desirable.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Yeah, I'm just looking because I'm just on one roof
having a look at the houses for so I mean
you can get a pretty decent three betty for four
hundred and something there for the lakes. Close to the lakes,
straight spot, so lovely Callum. How's your weather in Dunedin.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
It's good today mainly fine maybe later again afternoon or
evening showers seventeen the.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
High nice one. Thank you Claire and christ this morning, Claire,
good morning. How did the decision to cut the Crusaders
horses come about?
Speaker 12 (20:31):
Well, that's the big question. I think everyone's sort of
curious about that today. Of course, we found out yesterday
very late in the piece that the rugby team's iconic
match day horses, who never actually made it inside our
new stadium for testing, will not feature moving forward. The
six horses have been part of Crusaders' home game since
nineteen ninety six. We're told there is a limited space
(20:52):
around the playing field, which means they can't do their
usual lap around the field. Before the games we found
out there's seven meters from sideline to the led signage
around the edges. Now everyone else has been very quiet
on it. The Crusader's not offering much more than an
initial statement, the mayor not willing to speak.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
We've got venues.
Speaker 12 (21:10):
Auto TAGHI chief executive Caroline Harvey Tear, who says the
inclusion of the horses was actually assumed during the design phase.
She says the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby are the home
teams and despite the venue being used for other events,
it was always assumed.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
The horses would come that.
Speaker 12 (21:24):
Harvey Tears says, Ultimately the decision fell on the Crusaders
and the city council has declined to make any comments
on whether it was a miss during the design phase.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
What about a pony? This smaller man Avery one saying
hobby horses you might have to do. How's you with her?
Speaker 12 (21:41):
There was the chance of a shallower early todaytion clear
to fine and then some cloud coming back later, southwesterlies
and a hiveh eighteenth.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
All right, thanks Claire at Cape Ricard for Wellington Morning, Kate,
Morning Rain. We're learned of another cost controversy, have we
in the capitol.
Speaker 13 (21:54):
Yes, a pair of Australian consultants are earning thousands a
day to rescue Wellington's budget behind schedules sludge minimization project.
Former Melbourne Water manager em And Kelly, alongside John Hurst,
have been charged with getting the project done after costs
balloon from more than two hundred million to more than
five hundred million. Now the city Council is paying. The
(22:16):
two are combined four two hundred dollars a day plus
GST and expenses, and is expected to clock up just
over one point four million over the course of the project.
It's set for completion in April next year.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
All right, how's the weather.
Speaker 13 (22:30):
Fine apart from areas of evening cloud with a high
of seventeen.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Brilliant Kate, thank you very much. And Neva has our
open report this morning. Neva, good morning, good morning. So
the ambulances look, this is a kin to attempted murder
in my book, just a shocking You slash the tires
and an ambulance. Yes, and the ambulance can't go and
save someone's life, They could die.
Speaker 14 (22:49):
I know, I agree with you. For the first time
in my life. Ryan, So police are on the job
now they are seeking information. This is the Wilfield damage reports.
You're quite right, see John Basis. In Monaco or Taho,
six ambulances had their tires slashed, so a new appeal
has just been issued. This was after the incident at
Utahho on April ninth, and of course then in fab
(23:12):
we had the Monaco incident. Not good at all, so
police say. In both events, apparently this offender illegally gained
access to the station's compounds, jump through somewhere who knows where,
and then just started slashing the ties of the ambulances.
Speaker 6 (23:26):
Part there.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Terrible, terrible murial. How's our weather shower?
Speaker 14 (23:30):
Some heavy possible thunderstorms, hailrible for dawn shower is isolated.
Longer find spells though. Later on this afternoon twenty Isha
high au Clint.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Thank you very much, Neva. Bob says, great value houses
in Otamatata. I think I'm saying it Righttamatata. This is
the small town were values increased the most in the
latest report. But try to get a job there, says Bob. Well,
you can work remotely these days, can't you. I could
do the show from Ottomatata. I'm sure that'd be fine.
(23:57):
I'm just looking now. There's one for sale on Tasman
Road and Ultimatata seven hundred and twenty thousand dollars and
it's all brain well, looks relatively brand new, very nice,
wonderful views. Why is no one moving there? You've probably
noticed lately there's been loads of conversations about retirement. And
while we can't control every change ahead on the road,
we can choose an approach that's built for the long haul.
(24:20):
And that's why Milford's approach resonates with people and it
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Its investment team is totally focused on long term outcomes,
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(24:43):
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(25:04):
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Speaker 1 (25:23):
International correspondence with endsit Eye Insurance Peace of Mind for
New Zealand Business.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Fourteen away from six Kevin Gray are UK. You're a correspondent, Kevin,
Good morning, Good evening to you. Hither right the IMF
the UK is going to copy worst out of this war,
aren't they?
Speaker 15 (25:41):
Yes, they are. And what's more, this is the second
survey recently showing exactly the same thing. So according to
the International Monetary Firm, the UK growth that they have
forecast would be one point three percent, they have slashed
now to zero point eight percent. Now the one point
three percent was before the conflict in Iran. And the
(26:02):
reason that they've slashed it is because of the structure
of our economy here, the oil price going up will
keep inflation up, will mean interest rates are not cut.
If anything, they may go up, and that will see
growth really effectively slow down to a crawl. It also,
of course, is meaning that the stocks and shares the
foot seat one hundred suffering badly. But the structure of
(26:23):
our economy, little in the way of manufacturing, reliant on
service industries and so forth, is really not best suited
to a crisis where the oil is spiking in price
as it is.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
What's Lord George Robertson been saying.
Speaker 15 (26:37):
Well, you may not know the name, but he is
the former NATO Secretary General, and his comments today have
truly blown people away because he said security of the
United Kingdom is and I quote in peril. He says
the country's leaders have shown corrosive complacency towards defense. Now
he is the former labor Defense secretary. We currently have
(26:59):
a labor government, and he said that there are non
military experts in the treasury and he's accused them of vandalism.
He says the government has promised to publish a ten
year defense investment plan, but it keeps being delayed. Repeatedly,
and he said we cannot defend Britain with an ever
expanding welfare budget, too much handouts. He's saying we're underprepared,
(27:21):
under insured, under attack. We are not safe. Britain's national
security and safety is in peril well. His suggestion that
the government could find money from reducing the welfare bill
is possibly one shared by the money Woman, the Chancellor,
Rachel Reeves. But earlier this government's tried to do that,
make savings in that area, but they had to abandon
them after a fierce opposition from within their own parties.
(27:43):
So a warning, a shot across the bows. But will
they be able to change anything?
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Kevin Gray are UK, you're a correspondent. It is twelve
minutes away from six Bryan Bridge. Tourism continues to roar back,
sitting now ninety two percent of pre COVID levels, with
three and a half million visitors a year. The monthly
numbers international visitor arrivals up one point seven percent in
February from January, though there was a one off boost
there because the Chinese lunar New Year timed well for US.
(28:08):
Matt Woods CEO Destination, Queenstown, Good morning, Good.
Speaker 8 (28:12):
Morning, Ryan, how are you very well?
Speaker 2 (28:13):
And you must be happy with how this is going tracking.
Speaker 8 (28:17):
Look, I think Queenstown's been tracking really well. Yeah, since
we got out of the sort of lockdowns of COVID
and we bounced back to sort of those pre COVID
levels back in about twenty twenty three. But of course,
you know, seeing Chinese New Year coming down to February,
that's had a real impact. We've had a massive February
down here.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
And how far above pre COVID are you now in Queenstown?
Speaker 10 (28:38):
Oh?
Speaker 8 (28:39):
Look, I think it's fair to say if we look
at like the national growth at the moment, we're sort
of sitting around about eleven percent this year of growth
on year on year compared to last year. Nationally we're
sort of sitting about six percent, so we can see
that Queenstown has been growing much faster. We know that
the airport is roughly about sort of forty percent up
on pre COVID levels at the moment, so quite quite
well up at the moment, and I think that's that
(28:59):
pressure that we're really feeling on the infrastructure with the
increased visitation.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Yeah, are you mentioned the McKenzie district when you were
speaking to my producer and I wondered if you could
tell us specifically why.
Speaker 8 (29:09):
Yeah, Look, when you produce, the name happens to be
McKenzie as well. So we talked about McKenzie, Monica and
Queenstown and these these three areas particularly are sort of
areas that are really feeling that pressure from increased visitation.
And look, we're all about actually growing tourism, but we
need to make sure we have the right infrastructure in place.
And the problem that we have in those three districts
that we just talked about McKenzie, Wanica and Queenstown is
(29:31):
we have a really low rate payer base. And so
earlier on the show you were talking about a bed tax,
and that's something that we really need to look at,
not just for those three regions, but for New Zealand,
for the regions that need them. And of course we're
seeing Wayne Brown looking at this in Auckland as well.
They need a bid tax for events, We need a
bid text down here for infrastructure. And I think you
know that sort of stat that you used earlier that
(29:52):
there's thirty international visitors to one resident in Queenstown's how
do those how do those residents in Queenstown pay for
that infrastructure for those thirty international visitors.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
They will eventually do this. I think the National Party
is going to take it to the election. What do
you reckon?
Speaker 8 (30:06):
I think you're right. I think we're going to see
quite a lot of campaigning around a bid tex. We
need to get one. And if we're going to grow
tourism to be our number one export, it's number two
at the moment. We actually gonna have to invest in
infrastructure to make sure that we deliver a great experience
for the visitors and also the people that live there.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
Matt would CEO Destination Queenstown Lake Wanaka Tourism. It's nine
to six News TALKSBB.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
The first word on the News of the Day early
edition with Ryan Bridge and Spark for Business Technology that
keeps Business Moving.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
News TALKSB seven minutes away from six, Ryan Holiday homeowners
are already being targeted by councils in most areas. Look
at ots at all where we are. If you advertise
more than sixty nights a year, then they charge you
double rates. If we were to go with the bid tax,
would that then stop? Surely you can't have both, says Norman. Well,
you wouldn't think so, But then it is councils we're
(30:58):
talking about, and they're wondering about not having an money.
Quick little update on what's happening in Spain. Pedro Sanchez,
you know, Justinda's comrade mate. He's the Socialist leader there
his wife. They've been investigating his wife over fraud, embezzlement
charges for ages. In fact, two years they've been investigating
her and they finally charged her so embezzlement, influence, pedling corruption.
(31:22):
She's used her influence as the wife of the Socialist
prime minister to secure and manage a post at the
university in Madrid and using public resources and personal connections
to further her private interests. In other words, accused, just
accused at this stage of feathering her own nest Rahm
Bridge Sex to Sex Morning Mike.
Speaker 4 (31:42):
They've also announced overnight that they're going to legalize half
a million illegals in Spain, which is a funny thing
because it doesn't work anywhere else, but if you've been
to Spain, it's on a roll of all the economies
and really the IMF I don't have to covered the
smallst of the IMF given this global outlook here and
the country least of it, certainly in Europe is Spain.
It seems to me at the moment Spain can do
(32:04):
no wrong. Everything about the economy, the tourism, et cetera
is fantastic.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
All the renewables. The UK's baggered by their energy, aren't.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
They hate the British though our sun was there last week?
Speaker 2 (32:15):
Oh was it? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (32:16):
And unless you speak Spanish, they're not interested in you.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
They've got that, They've got that real vibe Parisian snobbery exact. Hey,
did you see Trump and Maloney going at it? That's funny.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
Yeah, that's funny.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
And old friends now foes.
Speaker 4 (32:29):
Well that's the thing, isn't it. Didn't we learn that
with Hungary the other day. What was once a thing
if you were aligned with Trump is no longer a thing.
So you want to on it?
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Hey, was I right about the big text? Or where
am I going to be right about the big text?
Speaker 4 (32:41):
I don't know what you mean?
Speaker 2 (32:43):
So Trump, sorry, Luxon, Yes, not to be confused.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
Sign the deal.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Sign the deal and we'll look at it in the dealers,
we'll look at it. Wh's fine, no commitment, but it's coming.
You marke My Wie I don't know why not If
you makes it makes no sense not to.
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Well in tact anyway, But everyone else does it. You
go anywhere in the world, you go to California, you
book into a hotel, you booking to the SLS in
California on Larcienegar, and you just look at your bill
at the end of it.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
Everyone's texting in three yearros a night when I was
in Venice. Who cares, that's we're year.
Speaker 4 (33:17):
But the counter argument to that, We've got to be
careful about this, I think, is just this whole other
people do it thing is not a reason to do things.
People rob banks, take drugs and generally a reprobate.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
You want to do it, but look at the ratio
of local residents in Queenstown to international visitors. It's one
to thirty. In Auckland that's one to one, Like it
makes no sense. How can they afford to run the places?
Speaker 4 (33:40):
I can see why you trusted. You've seen the media
trust thing this morning?
Speaker 2 (33:43):
Yeah, I have, it's up significantly.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
No it's not that's it's up significant.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
It's up. Literally, I literally just got handed this. This
is why no one trusted media trust in news up significantly.
Speaker 4 (33:57):
Who says significantly? This is the media least from it's
gone from thirty two to thirty five or something. For
goodness sake, anyway, we'll look at that this morning.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
Yeah, forget about trusted media, what about trust and the
university study itself? There tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (34:13):
For more from Early Edition with Ryan Bridge. Listen live
to News Talks. It'd be from five am weekdays, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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