The Latest from Audio /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/rss ¾ÅÒ»ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ Fri, 31 Jan 2025 05:01:02 Z en Kara Biggs: Campaign for Wool General Manager on Kainga Ora revising their ban on wool carpets /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/kara-biggs-campaign-for-wool-general-manager-on-kainga-ora-revising-their-ban-on-wool-carpets/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/kara-biggs-campaign-for-wool-general-manager-on-kainga-ora-revising-their-ban-on-wool-carpets/ There's confidence from the wool sector that Kainga Ora will learn the value of wool carpets.  The social housing agency's back-tracking on a previous ban after using synthetic carpets for more than a decade.  It will now allow wool carpet providers to tender for carpet and underlay contracts.  Campaign for Wool general manager Kara Biggs told Andrew Dickens there's an opportunity to show Kainga Ora how wool can compete on price and value now.  She says that wool is natural, flame resistant, warmer, and more absorbent, which means it's a better and healthier alternative for those in community housing. LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 30 Jan 2025 20:36:27 Z Catherine Beard: Business NZ Advocacy Director on the potential impact of US tariffs on NZ exporters /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/catherine-beard-business-nz-advocacy-director-on-the-potential-impact-of-us-tariffs-on-nz-exporters/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/catherine-beard-business-nz-advocacy-director-on-the-potential-impact-of-us-tariffs-on-nz-exporters/ New Zealand remains in the dark about Donald Trump's tariff plan, as new data shows the US has overtaken Australia as our second largest destination for exported goods.  Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Andrew Dickens blanket tariffs wouldn't have the same impact as targeted tariffs.  She says it would mean the cost will be passed on to the US consumer rather than having to be absorbed by exporters, and we would still be competitive against other markets.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 30 Jan 2025 20:31:06 Z Full Show Podcast: 31 January 2025 /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-31-january-2025/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-31-january-2025/ Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 31 January. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thu, 30 Jan 2025 17:08:21 Z Matt Reid: Barnardos Chief Executive on helpline funding reversal /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/matt-reid-barnardos-chief-executive-on-helpline-funding-reversal/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/matt-reid-barnardos-chief-executive-on-helpline-funding-reversal/ Children's Minister Karen Chhour has reversed an Oranga Tamariki decision to pull funding from the Barnardos helpline. It comes after Oranga Tamariki providers were given little notice their funding would end last year, a process the Auditor General is looking into. The Minister has told Oranga Tamariki to pause it's review of funding and extend existing contracts with providers until the end of the year. Barnardos Chief Executive Matt Reid has welcomed the reversal. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Jan 2025 16:55:30 Z Parul Sood: Auckland Council Deputy Director of Resilience and Infrastructure on e-waste in rubbish bins /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/parul-sood-auckland-council-deputy-director-of-resilience-and-infrastructure-on-e-waste-in-rubbish-bins/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/parul-sood-auckland-council-deputy-director-of-resilience-and-infrastructure-on-e-waste-in-rubbish-bins/ Auckland Council's sounding the alarm over a spike in rubbish-truck fires this month.  It says more and more risky batteries and battery-powered devices are being illegally dumped in bins.  In December alone, nearly 600 laptops and more than 300 12-volt batteries ended up in Auckland’s regional recycling facility.  Parul Sood, Auckland Council’s Deputy Director of Resilience and Infrastructure, told Andrew Dickens that the council website has a list of places you can take e-waste, and many retailers actually offer to take it back for free.  She says it’s a community responsibility to do the right thing, so people just need to spend a little more time thinking before automatically tossing something in the rubbish bin.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 29 Jan 2025 21:55:18 Z Richard McIntyre: Federated Farmers banking spokesperson on banks' climate informed decisions /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/richard-mcintyre-federated-farmers-banking-spokesperson-on-banks-climate-informed-decisions/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/richard-mcintyre-federated-farmers-banking-spokesperson-on-banks-climate-informed-decisions/ Competition is being touted as a possible answer to banks' climate informed decisions.   NZ First Minister Shane Jones has spoken out against several banks' attempts to reduce lending and services to fossil fuel businesses - decisions he says are driven by "unelected climate apostles".   Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre told Andrew Dickens that if new legislation came forward, he would like businesses to have other options.   He says that if banks decide they're the moral police of the country, there needs to be enough competition so that those they decline can get lending elsewhere.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 29 Jan 2025 21:38:38 Z Full Show Podcast: 30 January 2025 /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-30-january-2025/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-30-january-2025/ On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Thursday the 30th of January. The government is lowering speed limits across the country. Viastrada's Glenn Koorey says it makes sense in some places, but does go against the evidence that roads with lower speeds are safer. Shane Jones has fired off at banks for their attempts to reduce lending and services to fossil fuel business and is understood to have a members bill in the works. Auckland has seen nine rubbish truck fires in just the first months of the year. Are Aucklanders putting the right things in the bin? Get the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:08:23 Z Glenn Koorey: Viastrada Certified Safe System Assessor on government increasing speed limits /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/glenn-koorey-viastrada-certified-safe-system-assessor-on-government-increasing-speed-limits/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/glenn-koorey-viastrada-certified-safe-system-assessor-on-government-increasing-speed-limits/ The Government has announced the reversal of speed limit reductions on a large number of New Zealand roads, including many in the northern regions of the country. The move will result in speed limits being increased on 38 sections of key routes, including parts of State Highway 1 in Northland, SH16 near Auckland and SH3 in Hamilton. Also on the list are changes to SH2 between Featherston and Masterton, and SH3 Whanganui. Making the announcement in Wairarapa, where the speed limit increase will save drivers around three minutes on their journey, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said: “It all adds up - that is productivity and growth.” Viastrada Certified Safe System Assessor and Level Crossing Safety Impact Assessor Glenn Koorey says the move goes against evidence that lower speeds make for safer roads, but there are some areas where putting the limit up can be justified. LISTEN ABOVE Wed, 29 Jan 2025 16:54:48 Z Gail Downey: UK Correspondent on the UK's population being expected to increase over next 7 years /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/gail-downey-uk-correspondent-on-the-uks-population-being-expected-to-increase-over-next-7-years/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/gail-downey-uk-correspondent-on-the-uks-population-being-expected-to-increase-over-next-7-years/ The UK’s population is set to skyrocket.  Net migration is expected to increase the population to 72.5 million in the next seven years – an addition of almost ten million people.  UK Correspondent Gail Downey told Andrew Dickens the statistics also reveal that almost 5 million people are leaving the country to live elsewhere.  She says the government wants to bring down the high migration levels, but won't put an arbitrary cap on the number of people coming in.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 28 Jan 2025 22:03:16 Z Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on DeepSeek and its impact on the stock market /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principal-economist-on-deepseek-and-its-impact-on-the-stock-market/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principal-economist-on-deepseek-and-its-impact-on-the-stock-market/ Tech stocks have been taking a hammering after the debut of DeepSeek.  The Chinese tech firm has created a budget AI model said to be cheaper and more efficient than the other models on the market.  It sent the stocks of Nasdaq and NVIDIA tumbling – Nasdaq falling about 3% and NVIDIA plummeting more than 16%.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Andrew Dickens that the market has already recovered about half the drop.  He says everyone is now trying to get a handle on how big AI is and the amount of money they want to invest in it.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 28 Jan 2025 21:28:45 Z Roger Gray: Port of Auckland CEO on the shipping collaboration between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk Gemini /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/roger-gray-port-of-auckland-ceo-on-the-shipping-collaboration-between-hapag-lloyd-and-maersk-gemini/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/roger-gray-port-of-auckland-ceo-on-the-shipping-collaboration-between-hapag-lloyd-and-maersk-gemini/ Wondering when a shipment will turn up in New Zealand may hopefully be a thing of the past.   A collaboration has been announced between two of the world's largest shipping companies - Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk Gemini Cooperation.  Port of Auckland Chief Executive Roger Gray told Andrew Dickens the initiative may mean delivery takes longer across multiple ships, but it will also see cargo moved more reliably on a better schedule.  He says importers and exporters will benefit from the schedule reliability, adding not knowing when cargo will arrive has been one of their biggest complaints.   It's also expected to drive down freight prices.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 28 Jan 2025 20:08:58 Z Full Show Podcast: 29 January 2025 /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-29-january-2025/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-29-january-2025/ On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 28th of January. People on the visitor visa will be allowed to work remotely while in New Zealand in an aim to increase time and money spent in the country. Tourism Export Council Chief Executive Lynda Keene joins the show to discuss how it will work. A new study says less than $500,000 is needed on top of superannuation to live comfortably as a retiree - is it really enough? Superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen speaks to Roman. Students will be heading back to the classroom this week, but Kidscan say thousands will start the new school year without the essentials. Get the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Tue, 28 Jan 2025 17:08:21 Z Nick Leggett: Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive on asset sales /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/nick-leggett-infrastructure-nz-chief-executive-on-asset-sales/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/nick-leggett-infrastructure-nz-chief-executive-on-asset-sales/ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has suggested National may take asset sales to the next election but denies there are any immediate plans for a sell-off. Act’s David Seymour says it’s time to debate whether some government assets should be sold off if they aren’t delivering returns. Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis on Monday said Treasury had identified some areas where entities were not delivering “as well as it should” and more would be said in the future. Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett says New Zealand is falling behind on infrastructure and asset sales are needed to bring us back in line with other countries and improve assets we currently have. LISTEN ABOVE Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:54:36 Z Jonathan Eriksen: Superannuation and Super Fund expert on the recommended savings for retirees /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/jonathan-eriksen-superannuation-and-super-fund-expert-on-the-recommended-savings-for-retirees/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/jonathan-eriksen-superannuation-and-super-fund-expert-on-the-recommended-savings-for-retirees/ An expert is backing a recent recommendation that retirees need a decent amount of money to top up their superannuation.  New Expenditure Guidelines have found less than $500 thousand in savings is enough for most over-65s.   Superannuation and Super Fund expert Jonathan Eriksen told Roman Travers a nest egg is required to top up superannuation.  He says Massey University's half a million dollar figure is right, adding if people want a bit more luxury for holidays, a million is probably needed.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 27 Jan 2025 21:32:38 Z Julie Chapman: KidsCan CEO on the increasing number of schools requesting financial assistance for families /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/julie-chapman-kidscan-ceo-on-the-increasing-number-of-schools-requesting-financial-assistance-for-families/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/julie-chapman-kidscan-ceo-on-the-increasing-number-of-schools-requesting-financial-assistance-for-families/ The leader of a kids charity says it's a bleak situation for some families heading into the school year.   KidsCan, which offers schools help with uniforms and food, has 70 schools on its wait list.   Chief executive Dame Julie Chapman told Roman Travers that 20 of those have applied since the middle of last year. She says they're already supporting kids in more than 1,100 schools and early learning centres.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 27 Jan 2025 19:40:40 Z Full Show Podcast: 28 January 2025 /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-28-january-2025/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-28-january-2025/ On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 28th of January. People on the visitor visa will be allowed to work remotely while in New Zealand in an aim to increase time and money spent in the country. Tourism Export Council Chief Executive Lynda Keene joins the show to discuss how it will work and when we will see an increase in tourists. A new study says less than $500,000 is needed on top of superannuation to live comfortably as a retiree - is it really enough? Superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen speaks to Roman. Students will be heading back to the classroom this week, but Kidscan say thousands will start the new school year without the essentials. Get the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:08:19 Z Lynda Keene: Tourism Export Council Chief Executive on changes to the visitor visa allowing people to work remotely while on holiday /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/lynda-keene-tourism-export-council-chief-executive-on-changes-to-the-visitor-visa-allowing-people-to-work-remotely-while-on-holiday/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/lynda-keene-tourism-export-council-chief-executive-on-changes-to-the-visitor-visa-allowing-people-to-work-remotely-while-on-holiday/ Tourists in Aotearoa on the visitor visa will soon be able to work remotely while here. The change is targeting 'digital nomads', people employed by overseas companies here to holiday and work at the same time, in the hope they will spend more time and money in the country. Tourism is currently New Zealand's second largest export and the latest visitor numbers from Stats NZ show in November 2024 we reached 86% of pre-Covid levels. Chief Executive of the Tourism Export Council Lynda Keene welcomes the move, saying it will help get us closer to pre-Covid numbers, but more should have been done sooner. LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:53:38 Z Grant McCallum: Northland MP on the Mangawhai tornado, clean up effort /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/grant-mccallum-northland-mp-on-the-mangawhai-tornado-clean-up-effort/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/grant-mccallum-northland-mp-on-the-mangawhai-tornado-clean-up-effort/ At least 50 properties have been damaged in Mangawhai following the tornado that ripped through the Northland town over the weekend.  Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.  MP for Northland Grant McCallum has been in Mangawhai witnessing the damage and joins the show to give an update on the situation.  LISTEN ABOVE.  Sun, 26 Jan 2025 18:36:35 Z Gail Downey: UK Correspondent on Heathrow's new runway, and the storm that continues to threaten the UK and Ireland /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/gail-downey-uk-correspondent-on-heathrows-new-runway-and-the-storm-that-continues-to-threaten-the-uk-and-ireland/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/gail-downey-uk-correspondent-on-heathrows-new-runway-and-the-storm-that-continues-to-threaten-the-uk-and-ireland/ Europe's busiest airport may be adding a new wing, as the Chancellor suggests the possibility of a third runway at Heathrow.  An announcement is expected next week for the London airport, as part of plans to boost the UK economy.  Clean up is underway across the UK and Ireland after storms left millions of people without power. Two people died in separate incidents when their cars were hit by falling trees. UK and Europe Correspondent Gail Downey joins the show to discuss these issues and the second storm heading their way.  LISTEN ABOVE.  Sun, 26 Jan 2025 18:26:36 Z Elliott Smith: Sports editor on the Australian Open finals, Auckland FC win and the Breakers out of playoff contention /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/elliott-smith-sports-editor-on-the-australian-open-finals-auckland-fc-win-and-the-breakers-out-of-playoff-contention/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/elliott-smith-sports-editor-on-the-australian-open-finals-auckland-fc-win-and-the-breakers-out-of-playoff-contention/ The Australian Open finals saw the women's world number one beaten, and Italian Jannik Sinner take home the men's division prize.  Auckland FC have secured yet another win, this time against Western Sydney.  ZB sports editor Elliott Smith joins the show to discuss the major sports news over the weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE.  Sun, 26 Jan 2025 18:17:41 Z Full Show Podcast: 27 January 2025 /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-27-january-2025/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-27-january-2025/ On the Early Edition Full Show Podcast for Monday the 27th of January. Northland MP Grant McCallum has the latest on the Mangawhai tornado. The start of 80 hours of hearings on the Treaty Principles Bill starts today. Lady Tureiti Moxon shares her views ahead of giving an oral submission later today. The Australian open has wrapped up and Auckland FC win against Western Sydney. Elliott Smith has your weekend sport wrap. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sun, 26 Jan 2025 17:08:25 Z Lady Tureiti Moxon: Managing Director of Te Kōhao Health on Treaty Principles Bill hearing /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/lady-tureiti-moxon-managing-director-of-te-k%C5%8Dhao-health-on-treaty-principles-bill-hearing/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/lady-tureiti-moxon-managing-director-of-te-k%C5%8Dhao-health-on-treaty-principles-bill-hearing/ Oral hearings for the treaty principles bill get underway today, marking the start of 80 hours worth of hearings over the course of a month. Author of the bill and Act party leader David Seymour will be the first to give his submission later this morning. A total of 50 oral submissions will be heard on day one. Managing Director of Te Kōhao Health Lady Tureiti Moxon says she thinks the bill should be rejected and opposed by the select committee. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 26 Jan 2025 16:55:09 Z Lucy Stewart: New Zealand Association of Scientists Co-President on the changes to the science sector /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/lucy-stewart-new-zealand-association-of-scientists-co-president-on-the-changes-to-the-science-sector/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/lucy-stewart-new-zealand-association-of-scientists-co-president-on-the-changes-to-the-science-sector/ There’s scepticism over the Government's major changes to the science sector.  Seven crown research institutes be merged into three public research organisations and another is also being created to focus on AI and advanced technology.  Callaghan Innovation will close, with 355 jobs impacted.  The moves follow a months-long review of the science sector led by Sir Peter Gluckman.  New Zealand Association of Scientists Co-President Lucy Stewart told Francesca Rudkin that the science sector has been desperately underfunded for 30 or 40 years, which is emphasised in the report.  She says the idea they’re going to have champagne science on a beer budget just by merging some organisations is not particularly realistic.   LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 23 Jan 2025 21:46:00 Z Glyn Lewers: Queenstown Mayor on the Government's ambitions to attract more tourists /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/glyn-lewers-queenstown-mayor-on-the-governments-ambitions-to-attract-more-tourists/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/glyn-lewers-queenstown-mayor-on-the-governments-ambitions-to-attract-more-tourists/ One of our largest hotspots backs efforts to bring in more visitors – on one condition.  Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis is hoping to attract more tourists, with potential visa changes on the cards.  It's as international visitor arrivals remain at 86% of pre-pandemic figures.  Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers told Francesca Rudkin visitor numbers in his patch rebounded hard and fast, post-Covid.  He says he'd welcome more, on the proviso that additional infrastructure to support the growth is accounted for.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 23 Jan 2025 21:34:35 Z Vincent McAviney: UK Correspondent on the sentencing of Axel Rudakubana for the killing of three children at a Taylor Swift themed dance class /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/vincent-mcaviney-uk-correspondent-on-the-sentencing-of-axel-rudakubana-for-the-killing-of-three-children-at-a-taylor-swift-themed-dance-class/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/vincent-mcaviney-uk-correspondent-on-the-sentencing-of-axel-rudakubana-for-the-killing-of-three-children-at-a-taylor-swift-themed-dance-class/ The 18-year-old killer of three UK girls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport last year is unlikely to ever be released from prison.   Axel Rudakubana's been sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in court.   He was convicted on 16 charges including murdering the girls and attempting to kill 10 others.   UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin he changed his plea to guilty earlier in the week.   He says Rudakubana acted out in court this morning, yelling that he was unwell, and had to be taken out for the disruption.   McAviney says it was felt he couldn't be brought back for the reading of the sentences.   LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 23 Jan 2025 19:36:44 Z Full Show Podcast: 24 January 2025 /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-24-january-2025/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-24-january-2025/ Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 24 January. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:08:21 Z Oliver Hartwich: NZ Initiative Executive Director on Luxon's new foreign investment agency /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/oliver-hartwich-nz-initiative-executive-director-on-luxons-new-foreign-investment-agency/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/oliver-hartwich-nz-initiative-executive-director-on-luxons-new-foreign-investment-agency/ During his state of the nation speech Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a new foreign investment agency with the aim of driving more overseas revenue to our shores and boost local economy and productivity. It's a model based on Ireland and Singapore and will see Invest New Zealand become part of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, which itself is set to become an autonomous crown entity. Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative Oliver Hartwich has been advocating for a model like this for more than a decade and says he took Luxon on a trip to Ireland to show how a model like theirs could work locally. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 23 Jan 2025 16:57:58 Z Mike Blackburn: Construction Analyst on the boom in housing consents and construction in Canterbury /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/mike-blackburn-construction-analyst-on-the-boom-in-housing-consents-and-construction-in-canterbury/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/mike-blackburn-construction-analyst-on-the-boom-in-housing-consents-and-construction-in-canterbury/ Internal migration is driving a boom in Canterbury housing construction.  The region's councils consented around 6,500 homes in the past year – a fifth of the country's new builds.  Construction Analyst Mike Blackburn told Francesca Rudkin that it largely down to comparative house price values.  He says people can buy a brand new home in Selwyn or other parts of Canterbury for substantially less than Auckland and Wellington equivalents.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 22 Jan 2025 21:45:08 Z Brigitte Morten: Political commentator ahead of the State of the Nation address /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/brigitte-morten-political-commentator-ahead-of-the-state-of-the-nation-address/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/brigitte-morten-political-commentator-ahead-of-the-state-of-the-nation-address/ A political commentator says people shouldn't expect any big ticket policy announcements from the Prime Minister's State of the Nation address this afternoon.  Christopher Luxon is preparing to deliver the set-piece speech to business leaders at a lunch in Auckland today.  Former National ministerial advisor Brigitte Morten told Francesca Rudkin it's expected to be about economic growth, but says State of the Nation speeches typically don't have any key announcements.  She says people usually aren't paying attention to the detail of political speeches, especially at the start of the year.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 22 Jan 2025 20:30:26 Z Mitch McCann: US Correspondent on the legal action against Donald Trump for his order blocking birthright citizenship /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/mitch-mccann-us-correspondent-on-the-legal-action-against-donald-trump-for-his-order-blocking-birthright-citizenship/ /on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/mitch-mccann-us-correspondent-on-the-legal-action-against-donald-trump-for-his-order-blocking-birthright-citizenship/ Donald Trump is once again facing legal action, this time over his immigration plans.  The US President is wanting to stop issuing citizenship documents for US-born children, whose mothers are in the country illegally and temporarily, and whose father isn't a US citizen or resident.  But more than 20 states have since sued Trump over the scheme.  US correspondent Mitch McCann told Francesca Rudkin they argue it's illegal under the 14th Amendment that guarantees birthright citizenship.  He says it's due to take effect in around four weeks but will probably be delayed as it's held up in court.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 22 Jan 2025 19:22:14 Z