There are claims a Parliamentary inquiry into online safety is rushing toward regulation without fully considering the consequences. 

A Select Committee is backing a social media ban for under 16s and calling for an online regulator and tougher controls on harmful apps and algorithms. 

ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar initiated the inquiry last year but says the recommendations don't have adequate analysis. 

She told Ryan Bridge concerns about youth online are real, and we need to find real solutions for them. 

Parmar says it's a complex issue and wasn't dealt with the seriousness that parents and young people deserve. 

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Other countries are using our medicinal cannabis products more than we are.  

ACT leader David Seymour says he's looking at further improvements to speed up processing for exports of the plant, which he believes could one day rival the wine industry.  

He is open to improving regulation domestically as well. 

Cannabis Clinic CEO Waseem Alzaher told Ryan Bridge there's are a lot of companies growing the plant locally. 

He says that product is being sent offshore, in forms people can't get in New Zealand. 

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The UK Prime Minister has an uphill battle to convince the public his response to the war in Iran is the right one.

Sir Keir Starmer has announced four extra Typhoon jets are being sent to join the squadron in Qatar, while helicopters with anti-drone capabilities will shortly arrive in Cyprus and the HMS Dragon is being deployed to the Mediterranean. The move follows a strike from an Iranian-made drone at the UK’s Akrotiri air base in Cyprus.

But Starmer is still being accused of having “completely misjudged” the need to put defences into Cyprus, UK Correspondent Grey told Ryan Bridge.

The HMS Dragon wouldn’t arrive for around a week, while other European nations were very quickly filling the void by sending naval assets.

“Frankly many people think Keir Starmer has been caught rather napping on this - plus the fact, rather embarrassingly for him, the first...government-chartered flight out of the Middle East for people who were stuck there had been delayed for some engineering problems.”

The flight had now taken off, Grey said.

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On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 6th of March 2025, a parliamentary committee’s final report in online youth harm recommends a social media ban for under 16 year olds, Dr Parmjeet Parmar who represents Act on the committee says she was hoping for a different outcome. 

The Formula One 2026 season kicks off in Melbourne today, NZ Herald sports reporter Alex Powell joins Ryan from Melbourne.

David Seymour thinks the medicinal Cannabis industry could be an untapped goldmine, with export levels similar to our wine industry, Cannabis Clinic CEO Waseem Alzaher shares his thoughts.

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on Keir Starmer announcing the UK will send four fighter jets to Qatar to strengthen UK defensive operations and Spain pushing back against the White House’s claim that it agreed to cooperate militarily with Washington amid the conflict with Iran. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

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I don't mind paying the train tax in Auckland, even though I won't be using it. 

Rates are going up 7.9% next year. Which let's be honest, is like Woolworths selling butter for $7.99. 

It's 8%. Wayne Brown is the 8% man. 

Mr Fix it is hitting us in the pocket, and it will hurt. 

An extra $320 for your average ratepayer. The average goes from $4,055 to $4,375. 

If we didn't have to subside the City Rail Link's operations, it'd be 0%. 

Now, usually, something like this would get me a bit angry. I'd be tempted to go tag the side of a locomotive in the middle of the night with a cartoon of Wayno saying some like "Let's F Auckland". Just remove the ix from his campaign slogan.

I don't generally use public transport because it's not convenient for me to do so. It's a timing and location issue, really. 

But if we don't subsidise the users, then it won't get used. If it doesn't get used, then roads will stay clogged. If roads stay clogged, that's time and money down the drain. 

If the thing does what it says on the label —and we haven't actually seen that yet because the bloody thing hasn't opened— it'll be worth the extra $300 a year to me via other gains. 

This might be naïve or a touch too hopeful, but if this thing works then I don't mind paying the train tax.

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The Dave Rennie era is upon the All Blacks. 

New Zealand Rugby announced his appointment as Head Coach yesterday, succeeding Scott Robertson in the role. 

His assistants have yet to be determined, but it’s a focus of Rennie’s.  

Sports Commentator Sam Ackerman told Ryan Bridge that there should be something resembling continuity, and Jason Ryan could be one to stay in the mix. 

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Whanau Ora's Chair believes there's more focus on removing children from their families, rather than their safety further down the track. 

A critical report from the Independent Children's Monitor argues that little progress has been made in living up to National Care Standards introduced six years ago. 

It finds the percentage of young people suffering abuse or neglect in care has risen from 8% to 10% in the year to July last year.  

Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait told Ryan Bridge once children are in care, the minimum standards are not adhered to. 

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On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 5th of March 2025, Dave Rennie has been named the new All Blacks head coach, sports commentator Sam Ackerman shares his thoughts. 

Does the conflict in the Middle East risk knocking out our export gains? Trade Minister Todd McClay explains.
 
The Independent Children’s Monitor says abuse in state care is rising Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait tells Ryan what needs to happen to make change. 

Plus, US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on the Pentagon press briefing on Iran and the Senate set to vote on a war powers resolution. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

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New Zealand’s export boom is accelerating.

New international trade figures show exports climbed to $29.2 billion in the December quarter - up $2.2 billion on a year earlier.

Two-way trade also jumped to just over $61 billion.

Trade Minister Todd McClay told Ryan Bridge dairy is performing strongly, with meat exports up a remarkable 21%.

He says growth has soared with countries we have free trade agreements with, like the EU, UK, and Australia.

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You know how they say cranes in the sky is a good sign of growth? 

Well, not in Auckland. Not at Seascape.

It’s meant to be this city, this country, tallest tower. 187 metres tall. Beautiful expansive views of the water. 52 stories. A statement building for a city on the move.

But for two years we’ve had this… construction stopped, half finished, beams and nuts and bolts exposed.

Then yesterday the Chinese outfit developing it folded completely. Gone-ski.

So what happens to this half-cooked tower down by the wharf? It’s kind of hard to miss, you know.

Imagine the Sky Tower with scaffolding on it for a year.

Whatever happens needs to happen fast. 

Auckland is getting its mojo back. We’ve been talking all over the city lately, the areas your tourists venture, it’s coming alive.

The ICC, the CRL stations, the shops, Ponsonby, viaduct and waterfront; absolutely humming and heaving. 

There’s a buzz in the air and it’s not just politicians talking it up. Go and see if for yourself. It’s happening. Even a lot of the road cones have disappeared. 

Someone out there will be eyeing a bargain, surely, and answer our prayers.

Get in there and finish the job.

Polish that turd and help make this city shine. 

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