Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The Rural Communities Minister believes a new wool deal will take the sector to a whole new level. 

It's a significant milestone for the country's wool sector, as Wool Source confirms its first commercial export order. 

The Wool Research Organisation company's signed a deal with a Japanese company, for eight tonnes of Kiwi products.  

Minister Mark Patterson told Andrew Dickens its currently constrained by capacity, ...

Farmers are hoping an RMA shake-up will deliver a faster, cheaper consenting system.

The Government's today announcing significant changes to consenting as part of a shake-up to the Resource Management Act.

It's expected to slash the need for consents in 46% of cases that currently need them.

Federated Farmers' spokesperson Mark Hooper told Andrew Dickens layers of added costs hold farmers back from getting on with normal farm oper...

For as long as I’ve been in talk radio, I’ve been talking to people about RMA reform - and I’ve been in talk radio since 1996. 

The Resource Management Act was introduced in 1991 and it has ballooned into an albatross around our necks.

To comply you need to pay a fortune. To check your compliance authorities, have to spend weeks reviewing your plans. 

So today we learn what comes next.

Now the reason the RMA grew like a c...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 9th of December 2025, the Government's announcing a major shake up to the Resource Management Act, Federated Farmers RMA Reform Spokesperson Mark Hooper tells Andrew what he's hoping for. 

Kiwi company wool source has landed its first big export deal with Japan, Rural Communities Minister Mark Paterson tells Andrew what the deal means for farmers.

The Hurri...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday 8th of December 2025, Andrew Coster has made explosive claims in an interview with Q&A, lawyer and former cop Matthew Hague shares his thoughts. 

Elliot Smith has the latest on the weekend's sport. 

A new report from ASB shows clear signs of life for the economy in 2026, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen shares his thoughts. 

Plus, UK/Euro...

One person's been arrested after a string of pepper spray attacks at London's Heathrow Airport.

Twenty-one people suffered injuries, with five needing hospital treatment, after an argument escalated in a terminal carpark. 

Social media footage shows a large armed police response, as the area was temporarily locked down.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens police were quick to say it wasn't related to terrorism or a...

What to make of the Andrew Coster interview on Q and A yesterday 

Firstly why did he do it. 

Obviously he felt he had been thrown under the bus by Judith Collins, Mark Mitchell and Richard Chambers at their recent press conference 

So he was prepared to throw them under the bus as well. And he does have a point when the IPCA report did not mention corruption but the politicians and the new police commissioner inferre...

80% of trained secondary teachers will have a base salary of more than $100 thousand from late next month. 

PPTA members have voted to accept a collective agreement offer from the Government. 

The settlement includes a 4.6% pay increase over two years, increased allowance for teachers with greater responsibilities, and a million dollar a year fund for professional development. 

Secondary school Deputy Principal Pip T...

The Climate Change Minister says we're still at the table for the Paris Agreement, despite the targets being challenging. 

The Coalition rejected all three recommendations made to it by the Climate Change Commission yesterday.  

It means it won't be including international aviation and shipping emissions in its 2050 reduction target.  

Simon Watts told Ryan Bridge they remain committed to the Paris Climate Agreement ...

The Retirement Villages Association is calling out the Government for issuing a double whammy against the sector.  

Newly announced Retirement Villages Act 2003 amendments include ensuring money on a unit is paid back within a year after a resident leaves.   

Interest will also be payable after six months if a unit remains empty.   

Association Executive Director Michelle Palmer told Ryan Bridge the moves c...

The family of a British woman who was killed by a nerve agent smuggled into the UK have spoken out following an inquiry into her death.

44-year-old Dawn Sturgess died in 2018, after spraying herself Novichok from a fake perfume bottle discarded in Salisbury by Russian agents.

The inquiry states Russian President Vladimir Putin must have ordered the use of it to assassinate former spy Sergei Skripal.

Sturgess' mother Caroline says a...

This is my last day on Early Edition for 2025.

I’ll be on Drive for a few weeks from Monday and while I won’t lie, I’m looking forward to few sleep-ins before Christmas, I will miss our wee 5am club.

It’s a huge privilege to be here with you every morning as you wake up, head off to work, off to school sport or home from a night shift yourself. 

Your messages and emails bring so much to the show, so I want to thank you for all...

Shoppers are travelling from around the country to witness today's Ikea launch. 

The mega-retailer will start trading at 11am but the car park will open at 8:30am.  

Heavy traffic's anticipated, including 40-minute queues to exit the motorway at Mount Wellington. 

It could take punters up to an hour just to enter the carpark. 

First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Ryan Bridge it's the most an...

All the stars have aligned for the first concert at Christchurch's new stadium.

Six60 and Synthony will open the music calendar at One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha next May - following Super Rugby’s Super Round a month earlier.

It’s backed by the Government’s $70 million Major Events fund.

Duco Events Promoter David Higgins told Ryan Bridge Synthony wouldn’t be part of the lineup without that funding.

He says these events are very expensi...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 4th of December 2025, Andrew Coster's resigned with immediate effect employment lawyer Gareth Abdinor shares his thoughts on why he was placed on leave for so long. 

Ikea opens in Auckland today, First Retail Group Managing Director tells Ryan whether the hype will last. 

Six60 and Synthony will play the first ever live show at Christchurch stadium, fund...

Andrew Coster's three weeks of silence and negotiating speaks volumes about the sincerity of the apology delivered yesterday. 

If you really felt that way, if you hadn't until yesterday realised what had gone on, which he had of course, he saw the report long before any of us did, then surely, you'd have come straight out starting blocks with an apology to Ms Z.

Wouldn't that be a bit more credible? 

As for the Government...

A pivotal year ahead for Liam Lawson after confirmation his seat is safe in Formula 1 in 2026. 

Red Bull has confirmed Lawson will retain his spot in Racing Bulls and be joined by 18-year-old debutant Arvid Lindblad. 

Herald motorsport correspondent Eric Thompson says Lawson will have plenty to race for. 

He told Ryan Bridge that 2026 will be the year for him to cement his position on the Formula 1 grid. 

LISTEN...

The Police Association says when it comes to new policing targets, the devil will be in yet-to-be-confirmed detail. 

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has announced four new targets, including raising New Zealanders trust and confidence from 69 to 80-percent.

It follows the force taking a major hit in the wake of the McSkimming scandal. 

Association President Steve Watt told Ryan Bridge it's good to have goals, but inf...