The Government's under fire for spending millions on consultants for its Three Waters reform.

Newstalk ZB can reveal more than $16 million has been paid to contractors in the past Financial Year.

Deputy Political Editor Jason Walls says the Government's confirmed even more will be spent in the coming year.

Spending's included $100,000 dollars for a virtual showcase of Aussie initiatives, and almost $2 million on policy services.

National's Simon Watts says it shows the Government's over-reliant on consultants.

The Government admits it's more than usually spent on policy work, but it says these reforms are complex.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government's under fire for spending millions on consultants for its Three Waters reform.
Newstalk ZB can reveal more than $16 million has been paid to contractors in the past Financial Year.
Deputy Political Editor Jason Walls says the Government's confirmed even more will be spent in the coming year.
Spending's included $100,000 dollars for a virtual showcase of Aussie initiatives, and almost $2 million on policy services.
National's Simon Watts says it shows the Government's over-reliant on consultants.
The Government admits it's more than usually spent on policy work, but it says these reforms are complex.
LISTEN ABOVE

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

Jason Walls: ZB Deputy Political Editor says the Govt's confirmed even more will be spent on Three Waters in the coming year

It was a weekend of big events. A wedding, a funeral, and a milestone birthday.

Congratulations, in that order, to America on its 250th anniversary, to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on their wedding, to those Iranians who suffered under the Ayatollah's rule, and to the All Blacks for beating France.

America's birthday is worth pausing on. If you take 1840 as the beginning of New Zealand's democracy, and many do, then the United States isn't actually that much older than we are.

Donald Trump, in typical fashion, declared the Declaration of Independence the greatest achievement in human history. That's probably overstating it. But it doesn't mean the occasion itself should be dismissed.

For 250 years, despite civil war, political upheaval and countless crises, the United States has remained a democracy. It hasn't been perfect, no country is, but it has protected freedoms that much of the world still lacks.

The freedoms to vote, to protest, to assemble and to speak your mind are things many of us take for granted.

They're tested from time to time, but they endure. America remains one of the freest and most open societies in the world.

That's worth remembering because most people don't live that way. According to Freedom House, only about one in five people worldwide live in a genuinely free society. And that number has been falling for years as military coups, wars and authoritarian governments spread. Since 2019 alone, nine African nations have experienced successful military coups.

Freedom is easy to overlook when you've always had it. You only realise its value when it's threatened or taken away.

That's why 250 years of democratic government deserves recognition, even while acknowledging America's flaws.
The contrast was on display over the weekend.

In America, people celebrated a national milestone. Here in New Zealand, we celebrated an All Blacks win. And in Iran, crowds gathered to mourn the Ayatollah.

But perspective matters. For many Iranians, particularly those forced into exile or persecuted by the regime, his funeral wasn't a moment of grief. It was a moment of relief, even celebration.

Democracy gives us the freedom to see those differences clearly. It's a privilege billions of people still don't have.

LISTEN ABOVE

It was a weekend of big events. A wedding, a funeral, and a milestone birthday.
Congratulations, in that order, to America on its 250th anniversary, to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on their wedding, to those Iranians who suffered under the Ayatollah's rule, and to the All Blacks for beating France.
America's birthday is worth pausing on. If you take 1840 as the beginning of New Zealand's democracy, and many do, then the United States isn't actually that much older than we are.
Donald Trump, in typical fashion, declared the Declaration of Independence the greatest achievement in human history. That's probably overstating it. But it doesn't mean the occasion itself should be dismissed.
For 250 years, despite civil war, political upheaval and countless crises, the United States has remained a democracy. It hasn't been perfect, no country is, but it has protected freedoms that much of the world still lacks.
The freedoms to vote, to protest, to assemble and to speak your mind are things many of us take for granted.
They're tested from time to time, but they endure. America remains one of the freest and most open societies in the world.
That's worth remembering because most people don't live that way. According to Freedom House, only about one in five people worldwide live in a genuinely free society. And that number has been falling for years as military coups, wars and authoritarian governments spread. Since 2019 alone, nine African nations have experienced successful military coups.
Freedom is easy to overlook when you've always had it. You only realise its value when it's threatened or taken away.
That's why 250 years of democratic government deserves recognition, even while acknowledging America's flaws. The contrast was on display over the weekend.
In America, people celebrated a national milestone. Here in New Zealand, we celebrated an All Blacks win. And in Iran, crowds gathered to mourn the Ayatollah.
But perspective matters. For many Iranians, particularly those forced into exile or persecuted by the regime, his funeral wasn't a moment of grief. It was a moment of relief, even celebration.
Democracy gives us the freedom to see those differences clearly. It's a privilege billions of people still don't have.
LISTEN ABOVE

Ryan Bridge: Democracy is a privilege billions still don't have

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c2b27077-94a0-4b91-8fe3-b47e01415315/transcript

New Zealand's special agricultural envoy says the first steps have already been taken in securing new trade agreements. 

Chris Luxon's promising to attempt seven new deals in five years, if re-elected. 

These are Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association. 

Meat Industry Association Independent Chair Nathan Guy told Ryan Bridge Bangladesh is a very big dairy market - and he reckons it will be the first deal secured. 

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand's special agricultural envoy says the first steps have already been taken in securing new trade agreements.&nbsp;
Chris Luxon's promising to attempt seven new deals in five years, if re-elected.&nbsp;
These are Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association.&nbsp;
Meat Industry Association Independent Chair Nathan Guy told Ryan Bridge Bangladesh is a very big dairy market - and he reckons it will be the first deal secured.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Nathan Guy: Independent Chair of Meat Industry Association and Special Agriculture Envoy reacts to National's trade promises

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8c6185cd-adea-400b-91d1-b47e013f2bc8/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast, Monday, 6 July 2026, National outlines the trade deals it wants to strike in its second term. Meat Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy tells Ryan which country is at the top of his list.

Business correspondent Vicky Pryce, out of the UK, fills us in on the latest with Andy Burnham as his policy platform begins to take shape.

The All Blacks gave us a nail-biter on Saturday. Newstalk ZB sports reader Adam Cooper gives a post-match autopsy.

Plus, UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains why Prince Harry didn't invite his wife and kids on his UK visit.

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, 6 July 2026, National outlines the trade deals it wants to strike in its second term. Meat Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy tells Ryan which country is at the top of his list.
Business correspondent Vicky Pryce, out of the UK, fills us in on the latest with Andy Burnham as his policy platform begins to take shape.
The All Blacks gave us a nail-biter on Saturday. Newstalk ZB sports reader Adam Cooper gives a post-match autopsy.
Plus, UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains why Prince Harry didn't invite his wife and kids on his UK visit.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 06 July 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/56c0d6c0-639e-48bd-94e1-b47e012abdd8/transcript

Jason Walls: ZB Deputy Political Editor says the Govt's confirmed even more will be spent on Three Waters in the coming year

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