The SPCA says it's devastated by the Government's decision to override official recommendations to ban the public sale of fireworks.  

A cross-party Parliamentary select committee unanimously recommended the full ban in May – also supported by Fire and Emergency. 

The Government's opted not to change any laws. 

SPCA Senior Scientific Officer Dr Alison Vaughan told Andrew Dickens they can’t explain why the Government would reject the recommendation. 

She says the evidence is overwhelming in support of a ban when it comes to animal welfare, the environment, and communities.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The SPCA says it's devastated by the Government's decision to override official recommendations to ban the public sale of fireworks. &nbsp;
A cross-party Parliamentary select committee unanimously recommended the full ban in May – also supported by Fire and Emergency.&nbsp;
The Government's opted not to change any laws.&nbsp;
SPCA Senior Scientific Officer Dr Alison Vaughan told Andrew Dickens they can’t explain why the Government would reject the recommendation.&nbsp;
She says the evidence is overwhelming in support of a ban when it comes to animal welfare, the environment, and communities. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Alison Vaughan: SPCA Senior Scientific Officer on the Government's decision not to ban the public sale of fireworks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/aacefba6-fb64-4885-b9de-b49601885fa0/transcript

Two people have died after their helicopters collided in mid-air, while fighting wildfires west of Athens in Greece. 

A British pilot and Greek fire service liaison officer survived the crash and have been taken to hospital. 

Greece is among many parts of Europe suffering devastating wildfires after a summer of extreme heat. 

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that so much of the continent is trying to help one another, with French and Romanian personnel also assisting their Greek counterparts.

LISTEN ABOVE

Two people have died after their helicopters collided in mid-air, while fighting wildfires west of Athens in Greece.&nbsp;
A British pilot and Greek fire service liaison officer survived the crash and have been taken to hospital.&nbsp;
Greece is among many parts of Europe suffering devastating wildfires after a summer of extreme heat.&nbsp;
UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that so much of the continent is trying to help one another, with French and Romanian personnel also assisting their Greek counterparts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent gives updates on European wildfires

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/778d081f-d1a5-4558-9e18-b49a013df2c8/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday the 3rd of August 2026, NZ First's wants to give parents money to have more children, parenting expert Nathan Wallis tells Ryan if it's enough of an incentive. 

Paul Henry's unveiled his first Act Party policy, giving teachers the legal power to remove naughty students from the classroom, Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken tells Ryan if this is the power teachers need.

UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on a search and rescue operation is underway after two Firefighting helicopters collided while tackling wildfires in a region West of Athens and the European Union to hold emergency talks tomorrow to discuss the migration crisis in Ceuta after tense exchanges between Spain and other member states.

Plus, Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the economic impact of the wild forest fires across Europe, inflation up in Europe and bond markets expecting higher inflation and pushing bond yields up globally. 

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

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday the 3rd of August 2026, NZ First's wants to give parents money to have more children, parenting expert Nathan Wallis tells Ryan if it's enough of an incentive.&nbsp;
Paul Henry's unveiled his first Act Party policy, giving teachers the legal power to remove naughty students from the classroom, Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken tells Ryan if this is the power teachers need.
UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on a search and rescue operation is underway after two Firefighting helicopters collided while tackling wildfires in a region West of Athens and the European Union to hold emergency talks tomorrow to discuss the migration crisis in Ceuta after tense exchanges between Spain and other member states.
Plus, Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the economic impact of the wild forest fires across Europe, inflation up in Europe and bond markets expecting higher inflation and pushing bond yields up globally.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 03 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7d8032d9-2c5a-4baa-8c42-b49a012ac109/transcript

A view ACT's classroom behaviour policy misses the mark.

It wants to give teachers more legal power to remove seriously or persistently disruptive students from class and introduce mandatory stand-downs for those who assault teachers or classmates.

Parents who repeatedly fail to engage with schools would also face fines.

Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken told Ryan Bridge teachers can already physically restrain students as a last resort.

He says these existing rules are absolutely fine.

A view ACT's classroom behaviour policy misses the mark.
It wants to give teachers more legal power to remove seriously or persistently disruptive students from class and introduce mandatory stand-downs for those who assault teachers or classmates.
Parents who repeatedly fail to engage with schools would also face fines.
Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken told Ryan Bridge teachers can already physically restrain students as a last resort.
He says these existing rules are absolutely fine.

Steve McCracken: Secondary Principals' Council Chair on teachers given more legal power to remove disruptive students from class

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e2fb3556-99a8-4c82-9139-b49a012af003/transcript

Alison Vaughan: SPCA Senior Scientific Officer on the Government's decision not to ban the public sale of fireworks

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