It's thought ACT’s alternative to a bed tax is the right philosophy, but is too small.  

The party's promising one dollar given to local councils for each guest night in their area, funded through GST and levies already paid by visitors.  

Leader David Seymour says it could be implemented at the next Budget, rather than needing legislation.  

Tourism Holdings Limited chief executive Grant Webster told Ryan Bridge they've been asking for some kind of dividend on GST for decades.  

He says the figure needs to be five or ten times bigger than ACT's suggesting. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

It's thought ACT’s alternative to a bed tax is the right philosophy, but is too small. &nbsp;
The party's promising one dollar given to local councils for each guest night in their area, funded through GST and levies already paid by visitors. &nbsp;
Leader David Seymour says it could be implemented at the next Budget, rather than needing legislation. &nbsp;
Tourism Holdings Limited chief executive Grant Webster told Ryan Bridge they've been asking for some kind of dividend on GST for decades. &nbsp;
He says the figure needs to be five or ten times bigger than ACT's suggesting.&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

Grant Webster: Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive on Act proposing a 'Local Tourism Dividend' as an alternative to a bed tax

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ea27efb5-d5d1-426a-a6e2-b4a5013000f4/transcript

A push for the rules to be tightened around meth contamination in New Zealand homes. 

In 2018, the level of meth contamination allowed in a house was raised to 15 per 100-centimetres-squared – an increase of 30 times. 

Unitec research, published in today's New Zealand Medical Journal, has found since the change, average meth contamination has increased by more than 50%. 

Author Muhammad Irfan told Ryan Bridge that other developed countries such as Australia, the US, and the UK have very low thresholds in comparison. 

He says the worry is this high of a threshold, can drastically impact children’s health, which may be pushing healthcare costs up. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

A push for the rules to be tightened around meth contamination in New Zealand homes.&nbsp;
In 2018, the level of meth contamination allowed in a house was raised to 15 per 100-centimetres-squared – an increase of 30 times.&nbsp;
Unitec research, published in today's New Zealand Medical Journal, has found since the change, average meth contamination has increased by more than 50%.&nbsp;
Author Muhammad Irfan told Ryan Bridge that other developed countries such as Australia, the US, and the UK have very low thresholds in comparison.&nbsp;
He says the worry is this high of a threshold, can drastically impact children’s health, which may be pushing healthcare costs up.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Muhammad Irfan: Unitec Data Analytics Lecturer on the research showing meth contamination increased by 50% since the rules were relaxed

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3d1c6017-ba31-4e7f-a689-b4a5017e2b2c/transcript

Inflation may not remain as high, for as long, as previously expected. 

The Reserve Bank's latest survey of business managers suggests inflation will return to a more normal level over the next year. 

Latest data from Infometrics and Foodstuffs suggests food price inflation has already eased, with grocery supplier cost inflation now back down to 1.9%. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge although things are fine right now, the worry is it feels like we’re in a holding pattern. 

He says we don’t know what’s going to happen globally, and there’s been a spike in shipping costs over the last few months that they worry might have a second wave effect eventually.  

LISTEN ABOVE  

Inflation may not remain as high, for as long, as previously expected.&nbsp;
The Reserve Bank's latest survey of business managers suggests inflation will return to a more normal level over the next year.&nbsp;
Latest data from Infometrics and Foodstuffs suggests food price inflation has already eased, with grocery supplier cost inflation now back down to 1.9%.&nbsp;
Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge although things are fine right now, the worry is it feels like we’re in a holding pattern.&nbsp;
He says we don’t know what’s going to happen globally, and there’s been a spike in shipping costs over the last few months that they worry might have a second wave effect eventually. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on food cost inflation easing, latest forecasts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f5116cac-428b-4bd1-8aa2-b4a5017a74bb/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 14th of August 2026, Act wants a tourism dividend instead of a bed tax, Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive, Grant Webster shares his thoughts. 

Price of groceries might be starting to soften, Informetrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen shares his thoughts.

A group of researchers have found that Meth contamination is increasing in previously exposed properties, data analytics lecturer at Unitec Muhammad Irfan, tells Ryan why. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the UK seeing the hottest day of the year with 38.1C provisionally recorded at Kew Gardens, London and the latest on the Clacton by-election. 

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 Friday 14th of August 2026, Act wants a tourism dividend instead of a bed tax, Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive, Grant Webster shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Price of groceries might be starting to soften, Informetrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen shares his thoughts.
A group of researchers have found that Meth contamination is increasing in previously exposed properties, data analytics lecturer at Unitec Muhammad Irfan, tells Ryan why.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the UK seeing the hottest day of the year with 38.1C provisionally recorded at Kew Gardens, London and the latest on the Clacton by-election.&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

Full Show Podcast: 14 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c5216acb-88e5-41bf-b6af-b4a5012ac7f5/transcript

Grant Webster: Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive on Act proposing a 'Local Tourism Dividend' as an alternative to a bed tax

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