Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

A warning from a constitutional law expert that every time the Government rushes legislation, it risks a major stuff up. 

The Ministry of Social Development's apologising after 30 thousand winter energy payments and main and supplementary benefits were wrongly cut.  

It was caused by an error in legislation which was passed under urgency through Parliament last year.  

Graeme Edgeler told Ryan Bridge these mistakes happen a lot under urgency, but they don't always have such drastic consequences. 

He says skipping the select committee process means losing that extra chance for people to point out mistakes as officials will often be working on the legislation and fixing errors as they go. 

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On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 11th of September 2026, the Ministry of Social Development has released its review into two issues that meant thousands of pensioners, veterans and beneficiaries had their benefits incorrectly cut, constitutional law expert Graeme Edgeler shares his thoughts.

Former US Secretary of Defence and former Director of the CIA Leon Panetta, joins Ryan to share his thoughts on the US/Iran war and when he thinks it will end. 

The All Blacks hoping to rally after back-to-back losses to the Springboks, former Springbok Kevin Putt tells Ryan how he thinks the game will go.

Plus, visitors to England will soon face paying a Tourist Tax for their accommodation, with Mayors to be given the power to set rates, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest. 

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A clearer direction for the hospitality sector, with red tape set to be slashed. 

The Ministry for Regulation's completed a review into cumbersome rules hindering food and drink operators from doing business.  

It highlights several recommendations designed to make things easier for the sector.

Regulation Minister David Seymour told Ryan Bridge the changes would make life easier for people in the industry trying to make a buck. 

Ministers are now working on an Action Plan. 

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Tech New Zealand's hoping AI becomes a hot topic this election as Labour releases its policy on the new technology. 

If elected, the party wants stronger regulations on the use of copyright materials, private information, and the energy needed to power data centres.  

Labour also wants stronger oversight through an Office of AI and would establish an online safety regulator. 

Tech New Zealand chief executive Graeme Muller told Ryan Bridge they've been calling on politicians to focus on AI for the last two elections. 

He says this is a technology which will be more impactful than any that's come before, so it's good people are taking it seriously. 

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House prices could be on track for a much faster recovery than ASB expects.

The bank says national prices are still 15% below their late-2021 peak and won't fully recover until 2029.

But real estate agent Rawdon Christie thinks the market's about to pick up.

He told Ryan Bridge the sheer number of people he's talking to points to a strong start to 2027.

Christie says that's because people have accepted the fact we're in a stable market, with not much changing and not wanting to wait.

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On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 10th of September 2026, the Minister for Regulation, David Seymour tells Ryan how big of an impact the Hospitality review will make for the sector and what comes next. 

Real Estate Agent Rawdon Christie shares his thoughts on ASB picking house prices will return to 2021 peaks by late 2029. 

Labour's put out an AI policy and wants data centres to find their own energy supply, Tech New Zealand Chief Executive Graeme Muller shares his thoughts. 

Plus, US Correspondent Nick Harper has the latest on the US/Iran war and oil prices and a preview of Trump's big speech at the Republican Convention.

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Do we really need a Minister of Booze?  

Back in the good old days, they were all Ministers of Booze. The whole cabinet – especially Robert Muldoon.  

But the idea that we need a Minister responsible for alcohol is well-intentioned, like all 80-odd portfolios that reviews and recommendations have created.  

This one is a recommendation from the Hospitality Sector Regulatory Review.  

The review was done by the Ministry for Regulation – that was created to cut red tape and make government less complicated.  

It's recommended creating a new agency and transferring Ministerial responsibility.  

It was announced by the Minister for Regulation, David Seymour, whose role was also set up to cut red tape.  

Can you see the problem here?  

There are no doubt good reasons to make rules simpler and get rid of regulations.  

But creating a new Minister and ministry who then does a review and recommends creating another agency and transferring responsibility to a new Minister just sounds backwards.  

It's like bacteria. Bureaucratic bacteria. They multiply and spread everywhere.  

One minute it's a single cell, the next minute it's split into two. Next minute there's four. It goes on and on.  

We need fewer jobs in Wellington, not more.  

Remember, Ireland, Norway, Singapore, and Finland who are similar size to us, they all have fewer than 20 Ministerial roles. The UK, Canada, United States, and Korea have fewer than 30.  

The saving grace is that no decisions on the review have been made. Why not just cut the red tape and send the pollies for a beer at Bellamys? 

This piece initially stated that there would be a new Minister created - that was incorrect.

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Israel's taking several measures against the UK, including closing its consulate in Jerusalem and banning 11 MPs from entering the country. 

The move's in retaliation to the UK saying it'll ban the imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank.  

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens the language used in the British Parliament was startling, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband calling it "ethnic cleansing".  

He says it's not how ministers of the past would've framed it.  

France, Canada, and Spain are among the 12 countries imposing similar sanctions. 

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Queenstown's Mayor says National's alternative to a bed tax is better than nothing.  

The party's pledging to change how the International Visitor Levy is spent, pouring $100 million into conservation a year and $50 million for tourism.  

The rest would be dished out to councils based on how many international visitor nights they get.  

Queenstown would get $17.1 million in the first year, with John Glover telling Andrew Dickens it's not as good as a local accommodation levy, but there's currently very little else. 

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On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 9th of September 2026, new numbers on how students are are comparing with the rest of the world and it's good news, Secondary Principals Association Chairman Steve McCracken shares his thoughts.

Nationals got an alternative to a bed tax, redirecting international visitor levy money to councils, Queenstown Mayor John Glover tells Andrew where the money will go.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says supports Labour's policy for changes to Emissions Trading Scheme; Chair Kate Acland shares her thoughts. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on Israel unleashing four countermeasures against the UK after Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Parliament the UK will ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank.

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