Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga is a contender to be named as one of Dave Rennie’s assistant coaches, possibly on defence.

The Moana Pasifika mentor would replace Tamati Ellison.

Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby, Elliott Smith told Ryan Bridge it’s not really a surprise.

He says he’s got a strong connection to Rennie, having played under him for Wellington and the NPC going back 25 years.

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Labour's new education spokesperson says giving non-unionised educators pay increases will divide teachers further.

Boards can now make individual employment offers to non-NZEI primary teachers after the union rejected three recent deals.

Ginny Andersen told Ryan Bridge it undermines existing bargaining and teachers would get more under the collective if it kept being negotiated.

She says this is a short-cut that gives them less money and not as good conditions.

Ginny Andersen took over the portfolio in Labour's shadow Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, replacing Willow-Jean Prime.

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The impact of the Heinz Wattie's restructure won't be felt by growers straight away.

The company plans to shut three manufacturing facilitates in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and packing operations in Hastings.

It's because of a planned move away from selling frozen vegetables, Gregg's Coffee, and several dips, which means 350 jobs are on the line.

Process Vegetables New Zealand Chair David Hadfield told Ryan Bridge the current year's contracts have been locked in.

He says harvests are either finished, halfway through, or about to start, so it will only effect growers next season.

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On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Labour's new education spokesperson Ginny Anderson shares her thoughts on non-union teachers offered a pay rise from the Public Service Commission.

Watties is looking to axe production of its frozen vegetables, Chair of Process Vegetables NZ David Hadfield explains how it will impact growers.

All Blacks legend Tana Umaga has reportedly been picked by Dave Rennie to be an assistant coach, Newstalk ZB Rugby Editor Elliot Smith tells Ryan how significant this appointment could be.

Plus US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on US strikes on Iranian naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the International Energy Agency's decision to release 400 million barrels of stockpiled oil.

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

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I can't see what the problem is with teachers getting a pay rise.

If that sounds weird, it's because it's the union complaining.

The union that's always saying teachers are undervalued and underpaid doesn't want the pay rise. They're actually going to take legal action to try and stop it happening.

It's upside down day today folks.

The primary teachers' union is dragging out their collective bargaining (9 months and counting). So in the meantime, old mate Sir Brian Roche is offering non-union teachers employed on individual agreements up to an extra 4.7% within 12 months.

2.5% from 20 March plus 2.1% percent next year. That's, according to the Government, an extra $50-$76 a week per teacher. A third of primary teachers —about 10 thousand— aren't part of the union.

Now the union doesn't like this because, they say, it's the Government trying to break their unity.

But the reality is, they're not united. A third of them don't pay subs to the union so therefore can go down the individual route with school boards.

Last time I checked, they were adults. It's the kids they're teaching.

And the union members, by the way, can accept this offer too, but chose not to.

To your average Kiwi, a union trying to stop non-union teachers from getting a pay rise during a cost of living crisis by bringing in their expensive lawyers looks messy, controlling, and unfair.

Throw into the mix other teachers unions' demands for updates on the war in Gaza and the fact student achievement was in the bin, and they start look beyond out of touch with the rest of us.

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The Government's under pressure to act to ensure airlines can continue operating.

Air New Zealand's raised fares due to rising jet fuel costs, increasing domestic fares by $10, short-haul fares by $20, and long-haul fares by $90.

Air Chathams has also raised its standard fare by $20.

Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge the Government could be playing a role in helping the industry out.

He says they could focus on aviation and start working on things to support airlines should the conflict continue.

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A lawyer who represented opponents of vaccine mandates says the real test of the Covid inquiry is whether the country learns from its mistakes.

The second phase of the inquiry has found New Zealand's overall response was effective.

But it's found some mandates lasted too long, and the Government didn’t always communicate well with Kiwis.

Lawyer Matthew Hague told Ryan Bridge people don’t expect perfection if another pandemic hits, but decisions need careful reflection.

He says one of the report's recommendations is the introduction of legislation to better protect human rights, and he thinks that's a good idea.

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