Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

What could be a reactive move - as Immigration Minister Erica Stanford sends a clear message to immigrants, to obey the law.

Criminals with New Zealand residency could now face deportation if they've been here for less than 20 years.

That's double the current limit of under 10 years. 

Immigration lawyer Simon Laurent told Andrew Dickens this is a response to an overall mood that's surfacing, particularly in the UK and Australi...

Now seeing as I am a 60 year old white guy, some will consider my comments inherently racist, but I am allowed my opinion just as you are allowed yours. 

Opinions are like bums - we all have one, so why fight it?

Firstly, the coming out of the Māori Queen. 

One thing is for sure, Māori do this customary and ceremonial stuff well. The attendees are seeing history, a young Queen about to take leadership. 

But I’m alway...

A separate argument against major tech firms paying more tax. 

A report from tax expert Nick Miller says companies like Google are able to skirt their dues by taking payments from New Zealand subsidiaries, listed as service fees. 

He says they could be seen as royalties, which come under a withholding tax.  

However, another independent expert in the field, Geof Nightingale, told Andrew Dickens the Trump administrati...

Optimism in the education sector as the number of people studying to be a teacher rises. 

There's been about 3,500 new domestic enrolments to initial teacher training this year – up 30% on the same time last year. 

Primary education's grown by 31%, while enrolments in secondary are up 28%, and 24% for ECE. 

PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Andrew Dickens that doesn't reflect the need, in terms of shortages. ...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 4th of September 2025, a report from the Chief Justice says trials are becoming longer, more complex and it's clogging up the system, former high court judge and former Chair of the NZ parole board, Sir Ron Young shares his thoughts.

Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale gives his take on how big tech pay their fair share to our economy.

Data from the Ministry of...

Complex cases appear to be clogging up our justice system, with manslaughter and murder offences making up more than 70% of all High Court trials.

Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann says the system is struggling to keep pace, in her latest Annual Report.

Her report reveals a mix of delays, burnout, safety issues, and under-funding.

Former High Court Judge and Parole Board Chair Sir Ron Young told Andrew Dickens it's horrifying tha...

The game of rugby this weekend is starting to take on a life of it’s own. 

Some have called it the biggest game of rugby since the last World Cup Final featuring the same two teams - and this is even though the Lions have just toured Australia in a record-breaking financial success. 

But it is going to be a cracker. It’s been fortified by Eden Park’s record as a fortress - 30 years and 50 games where the All Blacks have n...

The Government's tertiary refresh has sparked conversation around whether the country's dumbing down the sector. 

Universities Minister Shane Reti's announced a package of initiatives, including a new education strategy and updated governance rules. 

He decided against making university entrance harder. 

Universities NZ chair Grant Edwards told Andrew Dickens there's no need for more limits on who can hand out the to...

Farmers are pushing ACT and New Zealand First for less politicking and more action.  

The two parties have expressed interest in withdrawing from the global Paris Agreement unless more realistic emissions targets are produced to fight climate change.  

But Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says they're in government and could be resolving the problems creating uncertainty for farmers now.  

He told Andrew Di...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday 3rd of September 2025, Should we pull out of the Paris Climate Accord? Federated Farmers National President Wayne Langford makes his case. 

A international visitor survey shows there was a 5% increase in visitors over the last year, Hospitality NZ Head of Advocacy Sam Mackinnon shares his thoughts.

The Government’s rejected tougher entry rules for universitie...

Pulling out of the Paris Climate agreement has got the backing of ACT and New Zealand First, who say we're overdoing it. And my first reaction is yes.

The thing isn't working. It's never worked.  It has always felt like something the world does to make itself feel like it's doing something, even though it's doing nothing

When you combine it with the Emissions Trading Scheme —...

Overseas visitors are back and here to spend, with tourism hotspots like Queenstown reaping the benefits.

The latest International Visitor Survey results show a 5% increase in international tourists over the past year.

Spending has increased by more than 4%, but still remains at 86% of pre-pandemic levels. 

Hospitality New Zealand spokesperson Sam Mackinnon told Andrew Dickens he's hoping the spending will soon become more reg...

A push to slim down New Zealand’s unusually large number of ministerial portfolios is being met with caution. 

A report by the New Zealand Initiative's found comparable countries have a third of our 81 portfolios and is calling for a cull. 

PSA's national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says they don't object to a discussion around this. 

But she told Andrew Dickens it's taking place in a political context, driven by the ...

A drive to attract foreign investors could deliver more than just financial gain. 

The Government’s tweaking visa rules, letting Active Investor Plus holders buy or build one New Zealand home worth at least $5 million. 

This is on top of the minimum $5 million investment pledge needed to get the visa. 

Former Labour Cabinet minister Stuart Nash told Andrew Dickens these investors will bring experience, contacts, and ...

More people are getting mortgages approved as they prepare for the Official Cash Rate to fall further.

Latest Centrix figures show mortgage enquiries are up 16% for the month of July and new mortgage lending rose almost 25%.

Key Mortgages broker Jeremy Andrews told Andrew Dickens many people are getting approved and just holding off.

He says there's been more activity lately - with one client of his going to auction, and nine peopl...

The Government’s new plan for water services is called Local Water Done Well. It’s all about keeping control in the hands of local councils and communities, rather than shifting everything to big centralised bodies. 

Which was what Three Waters did. Eventually Labour caved and the policy got renamed 10 Waters because there would be 10 regionalised bodies, but even that was not popular. And of course there was the troubles...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 2nd of September 2025, the government's made moves of the foreign buyers ban, former Labour minister Stuart Nash shares his thoughts. 

Interest rates are softening but the property market’s still in limbo, Jeremy Andrews from Key Mortgages provides analysis on the latest Centrix Credit data.

The NZ Initiative has done a report which found we have about three ti...

The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey reveals most violent crimes have been dropping in the past two years.

It finds the number of sexual assault victims steadily increased over this time.

More beat officers are being deployed in Auckland to act as a deterrent to crime.

Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money told Andrew Dickens that these numbers are highly volatile.

She says there's lots of high pressure times, like Christmas wh...