Where people live could dictate how quickly they're seen by addiction services.  

Health New Zealand figures obtained by Newstalk ZB show more than two thirds of drug and alcohol referrals were within three weeks.  

But only 40.3% in Manawatū's MidCentral health district met that timeframe.  

Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm told Ryan Bridge the addiction space has been chronically underfunded over many years.  

She says wait times in general are too long – the window of opportunity for somebody with addiction who's interested in making a change is very short. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Where people live could dictate how quickly they're seen by addiction services. &nbsp;
Health New Zealand figures obtained by Newstalk ZB show more than two thirds of drug and alcohol referrals were within three weeks. &nbsp;
But only 40.3% in Manawatū's MidCentral health district met that timeframe. &nbsp;
Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm told Ryan Bridge the addiction space has been chronically underfunded over many years. &nbsp;
She says wait times in general are too long – the window of opportunity for somebody with addiction who's interested in making a change is very short.&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

Sarah Helm: Drug Foundation Executive Director on a post-code gap for access to drug rehab

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a048f21f-ecf7-4c60-bd69-b4f50119fe86/transcript

Transport spokespeople from both major parties are welcoming the progress on closing the gap with Australia on road deaths. 

Between 2016 and 2018, New Zealand's road death rate was 2.5 people per 100,000 higher than Australia's. 

By last year, that gap had narrowed to just 0.4. 

National's Associate Transport Spokesperson James Meager told Ryan Bridge there are better roads, vehicles, and driver behaviour.  

He says new roads with 110 kilometre limits have seen few crashes and deaths, proving you can move quickly and safely.  

Labour's Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere told Bridge improvements in roadside testing and enforcement has made a difference.  

He says there's still work to go with the numbers of young people seriously injured and road safety data. 

But the two parties are clashing over how Labour would fund its proposed three-year freeze on fuel tax.  

Utikere told Bridge the cost of living is priority, and it would look at scaling back investment from the National Land Transport Fund to help pay for the freeze. 

He says the focus would be on maintaining existing roads, rather than promising new projects the country can't afford. 

Meager says the prospect of scaling back is concerning, and says Labour needs to provide more clarity on what projects would be affected. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Transport spokespeople from both major parties are welcoming the progress on closing the gap with Australia on road deaths.&nbsp;
Between 2016 and 2018, New Zealand's road death rate was 2.5 people per 100,000 higher than Australia's.&nbsp;
By last year, that gap had narrowed to just 0.4.&nbsp;
National's Associate Transport Spokesperson James Meager told Ryan Bridge there are better roads, vehicles, and driver behaviour. &nbsp;
He says new roads with 110 kilometre limits have seen few crashes and deaths, proving you can move quickly and safely. &nbsp;
Labour's Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere told Bridge improvements in roadside testing and enforcement has made a difference. &nbsp;
He says there's still work to go with the numbers of young people seriously injured and road safety data.&nbsp;
But the two parties are clashing over how Labour would fund its proposed three-year freeze on fuel tax. &nbsp;
Utikere told Bridge the cost of living is priority, and it would look at scaling back investment from the National Land Transport Fund to help pay for the freeze.&nbsp;
He says the focus would be on maintaining existing roads, rather than promising new projects the country can't afford.&nbsp;
Meager says the prospect of scaling back is concerning, and says Labour needs to provide more clarity on what projects would be affected.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

James Meager and Tangi Utikere: National and Labour's Transport Spokespeople on reducing road deaths, funding Labour's proposed fuel tax freeze

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/079a1e88-7522-4d8d-9e05-b4f5012fcc9a/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday the 2nd of November 2026, Associate Transport Minister James Meager and Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere join Ryan for a election special panel on transport policy. 

Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the reaction from the UK Budget and ECB President Christine Lagarde to stepping down. 

More people are waiting longer for drug and alcohol rehab, Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm explains why. 

Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the Gen Z protests spreading across Europe and three days of national mourning in Spain following another fatal train crash which killed 69.

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 2nd of November 2026, Associate Transport Minister James Meager and Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere join Ryan for a election special panel on transport policy.&nbsp;
Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the reaction from the UK Budget and ECB President Christine Lagarde to stepping down.&nbsp;
More people are waiting longer for drug and alcohol rehab, Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm explains why.&nbsp;
Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the Gen Z protests spreading across Europe and three days of national mourning in Spain following another fatal train crash which killed 69.
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: 02 November 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6dceab3b-5280-4f23-b2ee-b4f5011a50c7/transcript

Netball New Zealand's board strikes again. And is refusing to do interviews. Again.  

I don't know what it is with these guys but every time there's a bit of good news to celebrate, like the Silver Ferns winning the Constellation Cup, Netball NZ straps on the suicide vest and wanders into the conversation to blow things up.  

Last week they turned down the Mowbray/Williams bid for a private domestic competition. Without warning.  

Williams and Mowbray were told the day after the decision was made and the damage done.  

Nathan Limm, who you'll know from our sport panels, wrote at the weekend about players having to go on the dole because there's no certainty and no contracts to sign.  

The blow-up basically comes down to Netball NZ's principles, at least according to a statement from the CEO.  

They couldn't do a deal because their principles got in the way. 

Anyone reading that will assume it means they worried the money would be put before the sport.  

But for the players, there's no sport without the money. Otherwise, you're on the dole. 

And as for Netball NZ's claim that they're priority is giving players clarity as soon as possible?  

The CEO's communication team has not replied to our requests for an interview. 

Netball New Zealand's board strikes again. And is refusing to do interviews. Again. &nbsp;
I don't know what it is with these guys but every time there's a bit of good news to celebrate, like the Silver Ferns winning the Constellation Cup, Netball NZ straps on the suicide vest and wanders into the conversation to blow things up. &nbsp;
Last week they turned down the Mowbray/Williams bid for a private domestic competition. Without warning. &nbsp;
Williams and Mowbray were told the day after the decision was made and the damage done. &nbsp;
Nathan Limm, who you'll know from our sport panels, wrote at the weekend about players having to go on the dole because there's no certainty and no contracts to sign. &nbsp;
The blow-up basically comes down to Netball NZ's principles, at least according to a statement from the CEO. &nbsp;
They couldn't do a deal because their principles got in the way.&nbsp;
Anyone reading that will assume it means they worried the money would be put before the sport. &nbsp;
But for the players, there's no sport without the money. Otherwise, you're on the dole.&nbsp;
And as for Netball NZ's claim that they're priority is giving players clarity as soon as possible? &nbsp;
The CEO's communication team has not replied to our requests for an interview.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Netball New Zealand is silent – again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b250b1f3-cf58-4fbb-85e4-b4f50118cdaa/transcript

Sarah Helm: Drug Foundation Executive Director on a post-code gap for access to drug rehab

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