Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

National’s trade-off between foreign aid and Pharmac is a sign of just how far we’ve fallen. 

Firstly, our spend on medicines through Pharmac has always been woefully low. It pales beside Australia’s investment and that’s never made sense to me.  

Medicines funded by Pharmac save money within the health system by preventing ongoing costs through hospitalisation and ongoing care.  

The way we’ve underfunded it has been a false economy, but successive governments have found excuses to keep it running on fumes. 

It should be appropriately funded, but it isn’t.  

So now National has decided to rob Peter to pay Paul by reducing our foreign aid.  

Not all of it, about 10% of it. 

But that will still be enough to lower our perception as a compassionate country actively participating on the world stage.  

In an ideal world we would be wealthy enough to fund both.  

But we’re not. And in that is more proof that we are a shadow of the country we used to be. 

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There are concerns National's $800 million promise for a major Canterbury road will be able to deliver enough bang for its buck. 

National is promising to start construction on the Belfast-to-Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass if re-elected, with the money allocated in Budget 2027. 

Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Dom Kalasih told Andrew Dickens that's about $73 million per kilometre.  

He says the concern is whether the project will deliver enough value for money and stay within budget. 

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Labour's vowing to make life easier for mechanics so more time can be spent training the next generation.  

If elected, the party would force car makers to share information, tools and manuals, with local mechanics so they can do a job. 

It would introduce a right of repair law —like Australia— and require the Commerce Commission to enforce the rules.  

Consumer Affairs spokesperson Arena Williams told Andrew Dickens we have an aging workforce of mechanics.  

She says workshop owners are looking at selling instead of training young mechanics. 

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On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 6th of October 2026, National is pledging $800 million to fully fund the 11-kilometre Belfast to Pegasus motorway in Christchurch, Transporting NZ Chief Executive Officer Dom Kalasih tells Andrew why infrastructure comes at such a cost.

Labour is promising to make it cheaper and easier to repair your car if elected, Labour Consumer Affairs Spokesperson Arena Williams explains.

Kiwis loving the cocaine more than ever according to new research, Drug Detection Agency CEO Glen Dobson shares his thoughts.

Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the Federal Government defending costs and guest list of major climate summit in Fiji and more details emerging about the fly Dubai pilot who allegedly attempted to hijack a plane and his Australian connection. 

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Cocaine seems to be appealing to New Zealanders right across the spectrum. 

The Drug Trends Survey shows respondents reporting cocaine use increased from 11% in 2018 to 31% this month. 

The frequency of use is also increasing, with most people who reported using it in the past six months using it at least monthly. 

Drug Detection Agency chief executive Glenn Dobson told Andrew Dickens it appears to be easier to access and is becoming a lot more socially acceptable.  

He says it's not the glamour drug it was in the 80s and 90s but has become popular right across a broad range of society. 

Dobson also says cartels seem to be getting a grip on production. 

He says producers are getting better at growing the plant and extracting cocaine, and New Zealand is becoming a target for supply. 

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Labour finally released their fiscal plan over the weekend  

It was much anticipated. In fact, commentator after commentator for weeks now have been demanding it  

Now it’s being dissected, and mostly by the current coalition parties.  

But here’s the thing: where’s National’s? And why don't they have the same pressure? 

And how about ACT? 

Yesterday I asked David Seyour what spending he will cut to afford the loss of revenue from the KiwiSaver tax exemption, and he said enough and their fiscal plan is forthcoming  

What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, so I would like to see these plans soon.  

Meanwhile I bumped into Jenny Marcroft at a Sunday market in the weekend, and I asked her where she’ll be on the list. She has no idea. She’s waiting. We’re waiting.  

There’s only 32 days until the election. Advance voting in New Zealand begins in 21 days, and overseas voting begins in 16 days. And in those days are weekends and rugby tests and more. 

I just feel this election campaign has been going forever but a whole lot of vital information is being withheld. 

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The suspect accused of murdering Reform UK's Ann Widdecombe has been charged with preparing acts of terror, including against party leader Nigel Farage.

28-year-old Joshua Kerry was charged with one count of preparation of terrorist acts, according to police. 

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Kerry is due to appear in court later this week.

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Inflation across Europe jumped to 3.8 percent in September - a higher rate than economists were predicting.

This increase was largely down to energy costs, and these are expected to make inflation rates go up further. 

Business correspondent Vicky Pryce explained how these rates could increase, and how that's likely to impact households. 

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ACT is confident its KiwiSaver plan would put more in people's kitty by retirement. 

The party wants to scrap the Government contribution to KiwiSaver, and the tax paid on investment earnings made through the scheme.

It says the tax relief created, would be more substantial than the up to $260 currently contributed by the Government. 

Leader David Seymour says someone with a small balance, less than $15,000 may initially be worse off. 

"A builder, $60 grand a year through their career - they start when they're 20, by the time they retire, they would be $210,000 better off not paying tax on their returns."

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On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday the 5th of October 2026, the Act Party wants to scrap tax on Kiwisaver investment earnings, Act Party Leader David Seymour explains.

Labour's laid out it's highly anticipated fiscal plan, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts. 

Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the details on Inflation rising sharply in Europe and Europe agreeing to release more crude and refined strategic stocks to release pressure on diesel prices and prevent US diesel export ban,

Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the man accused of murdering a former UK Prisons Minister and Immigration spokesperson for Reform UK has also been charged with preparing acts of terror including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and UK PM scraps controversial plans to curb some jury trials.

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