King Charles has expressed sorrow over Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade - but stopped short of apologising or offering reparations.

Britain captured and transported an estimated 12 to 15-million Africans to the Americas between 1500 and 1800 -  with more than two million dying on the journey.

Opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda - the King acknowledged it's a shameful chapter in history.

UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest. 

King Charles has expressed sorrow over Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade - but stopped short of apologising or offering reparations.
Britain captured and transported an estimated 12 to 15-million Africans to the Americas between 1500 and 1800 - &nbsp;with more than two million dying on the journey.
Opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda - the King acknowledged it's a shameful chapter in history.
UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest.&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

Gavin Grey: UK/Europe Correspondent on King Charles at CHOGM

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/52e6cbfe-54e0-4545-bf19-b4f7011d8d7c/transcript

After all the hand-wringing and manufactured controversy, the 'Move On' orders are actually not controversial.  

The loser in this story is once again the media. 

The beat the story up into a frenzy. The government was trying to punish, or to use a phrase they readily adopted from Tory Whanau, 'punch down' on, the homeless. 

But what does nine days of the law in action actually look like? Yesterday morning we had the Assistant Police Commissioner Tusha Penny on Ryan Bridge TODAY.

Guess what? 

29 orders were issued. Of them, only four were actually homeless. 

That's 13%. 

None were 'moved-on' for rough sleeping. Zero for begging. There was no 'punching down'. 

To be 'moved on', Police say you have to be behaving badly. Confrontational. Aggressive. Disturbing other people. 

Most New Zealanders will see this for what it is: entirely acceptable. 

Most kiwis see Police for what they are: mostly reasonable.

And unfortunately, most kiwis see the media for what it is: unreliable at best and biased at worst. 

They go big on a story that fits a narrative and 'move on' when proved wrong. 

New Zealanders aren't stupid and see right though it. 

After all the hand-wringing and manufactured controversy, the 'Move On' orders are actually not controversial.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The loser in this story is once again the media.&nbsp;
The beat the story up into a frenzy. The government was trying to punish, or to use a phrase they readily adopted from Tory Whanau, 'punch down' on, the homeless.&nbsp;
But what does nine days of the law in action actually look like? Yesterday morning we had the Assistant Police Commissioner Tusha Penny on Ryan Bridge TODAY.
Guess what?&nbsp;
29 orders were issued. Of them, only four were actually homeless.&nbsp;
That's 13%.&nbsp;
None were 'moved-on' for rough sleeping. Zero for begging. There was no 'punching down'.&nbsp;
To be 'moved on', Police say you have to be behaving badly. Confrontational. Aggressive. Disturbing other people.&nbsp;
Most New Zealanders will see this for what it is: entirely acceptable.&nbsp;
Most kiwis see Police for what they are: mostly reasonable.
And unfortunately, most kiwis see the media for what it is: unreliable at best and biased at worst.&nbsp;
They go big on a story that fits a narrative and 'move on' when proved wrong.&nbsp;
New Zealanders aren't stupid and see right though it.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Kiwis see through media bias over move-on orders

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fff190cb-7834-4fd5-974b-b4f7011c741d/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 4th of November 2026, Todd McClay and Vanushi Walters join Ryan for an election special panel on foreign affairs and trade. 

BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones tells Ryan what we can expect from the unemployment number out today. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Antigua and the UK and EU have agreed a draft deal on removing post-Brexit checks from food and agriculture exports, ahead of the UK-EU summit later this month.

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 Wednesday the 4th of November 2026, Todd McClay and Vanushi Walters join Ryan for an election special panel on foreign affairs and trade.&nbsp;
BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones tells Ryan what we can expect from the unemployment number out today.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Antigua and the UK and EU have agreed a draft deal on removing post-Brexit checks from food and agriculture exports, ahead of the UK-EU summit later this month.
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: 04 November 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/87e2a1e0-a9d3-464a-a7c9-b4f7011a4c91/transcript

Labour says it wants to better protect consumers from unfair pricing practices during the cost of living crisis. 

The party wants to shake-up the Fair Trading Act to make sure advertised specials relate to the lowest price in the preceding 30 days. 

It's also promising to ensure loyal phone, internet, and insurance customers don't miss out on specials offered to new sign-ups. 

Consumer Affairs Spokesperson Arena Williams told Ryan Bridge they want things to be more standardised and clearer, so customers know that when these deals are being offered, they're not missing out. 

She says we rely on switching to make the market competitive, but for things like insurance or power, which aren't easy to switch from, there's not enough competitive pressure. 

Williams says the UK brought in a law saying new customers couldn't be offered different rates to what would be offered for a renewal of the equivalent product, and they think that's the right approach to take here. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Labour says it wants to better protect consumers from unfair pricing practices during the cost of living crisis.&nbsp;
The party wants to shake-up the Fair Trading Act to make sure advertised specials relate to the lowest price in the preceding 30 days.&nbsp;
It's also promising to ensure loyal phone, internet, and insurance customers don't miss out on specials offered to new sign-ups.&nbsp;
Consumer Affairs Spokesperson Arena Williams told Ryan Bridge they want things to be more standardised and clearer, so customers know that when these deals are being offered, they're not missing out.&nbsp;
She says we rely on switching to make the market competitive, but for things like insurance or power, which aren't easy to switch from, there's not enough competitive pressure.&nbsp;
Williams says the UK brought in a law saying new customers couldn't be offered different rates to what would be offered for a renewal of the equivalent product, and they think that's the right approach to take here.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Arena Williams: Labour's Consumer Affairs Spokesperson on the party's pledge to ban fake, unfair discounts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/80cda6f3-f020-4bbd-85cb-b4f601760c7b/transcript

Gavin Grey: UK/Europe Correspondent on King Charles at CHOGM

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips