The Government's pumping more funding into tourism marketing, with a goal of generating an extra $300 million in spending. 

Minister Louise Upston's announced a $13.5 million injection into Tourism New Zealand -- targeting Australia, the US, and China. 

It's expected to bring an extra 72 thousand visitors over coming years. 

Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told Ryan Bridge the spending goals easily achievable. 

She says Chinese visitors spend an average of $6,000 here, which is why they're being targeted.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government's pumping more funding into tourism marketing, with a goal of generating an extra $300 million in spending.&nbsp;
Minister Louise Upston's announced a $13.5 million injection into Tourism New Zealand -- targeting Australia, the US, and China.&nbsp;
It's expected to bring an extra 72 thousand visitors over coming years.&nbsp;
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told Ryan Bridge the spending goals easily achievable.&nbsp;
She says Chinese visitors spend an average of $6,000 here, which is why they're being targeted.
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

Tania Tapsell: Rotorua Mayor on government injects 13.5 million into Tourism NZ

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ff4fd834-ae4c-48c1-80af-b2f7012db4e7/transcript

Fire and Emergency's board is reportedly getting a pay rise while firefighters are striking for the same thing. 

The Post is reporting Fire and Emergency NZ’s deputy chair and board members are in line for boosts of up to 79%.  

A departmental briefing recommended Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden approve the large increases in December. 

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams told Ryan Bridge this highlights what have been systematic issues with a total failure of governance and insight within the organisation. 

He says the organisation has seemingly lost its community service ethos.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Fire and Emergency's board is reportedly getting a pay rise while firefighters are striking for the same thing.&nbsp;
The Post is reporting Fire and Emergency NZ’s deputy chair and board members are in line for boosts of up to 79%. &nbsp;
A departmental briefing recommended Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden approve the large increases in December.&nbsp;
Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams told Ryan Bridge this highlights what have been systematic issues with a total failure of governance and insight within the organisation.&nbsp;
He says the organisation has seemingly lost its community service ethos. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Jordan Williams: Taxpayers' Union Executive Director on the pay rise for Fire and Emergency's board members

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1adb06fe-abdd-42dc-b72a-b41f0177fe5b/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 2nd of April 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian shares his thoughts what will come out of Donald Trump's address to the nation. 

NASA is set to send four astronauts on their way around the moon, Executive Director of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network Haritina Mogosanu tells Ryan how big of a deal this is. 

Fire and Emergency board members are getting a payrise of up to 80% this year, it comes as firefighters fight for pay rises themselves, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams shares his thoughts. 

Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Trump telling the UK's The Telegraph he is strongly considering pulling out of NATO and the US Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on whether some children born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship. 

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 Thursday 2nd of April 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian shares his thoughts what will come out of Donald Trump's address to the nation.&nbsp;
NASA is set to send four astronauts on their way around the moon, Executive Director of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network Haritina Mogosanu tells Ryan how big of a deal this is.&nbsp;
Fire and Emergency board members are getting a payrise of up to 80% this year, it comes as firefighters fight for pay rises themselves, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Trump telling the UK's The Telegraph he is strongly considering pulling out of NATO and the US Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on whether some children born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship.&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: 02 April 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b795903e-ce00-4d52-9547-b41f011a892f/transcript

Astronomer's are over the Moon with excitement as NASA's first crewed lunar mission in 50 years is only hours away from take off.

The launch window for Artemis II begins at around midday New Zealand time. 

It'll last about 10 days, with four astronauts circling the Moon, taking them further into space than ever before.

Astrobiology Network Executive Director Haritina Mogoșanu told Ryan Bridge NASA isn't in a rush to land on the Moon like it was with the Apollo missions.

She says the last moon landing was a military operation and during a space race.

LISTEN ABOVE

Astronomer's are over the Moon with excitement as NASA's first crewed lunar mission in 50 years is only hours away from take off.
The launch window for Artemis II begins at around midday New Zealand time.&nbsp;
It'll last about 10 days, with four astronauts circling the Moon, taking them further into space than ever before.
Astrobiology Network Executive Director Haritina Mogoșanu told Ryan Bridge NASA isn't in a rush to land on the Moon like it was with the Apollo missions.
She says the last moon landing was a military operation and during a space race.
LISTEN ABOVE

Haritina Mogoșanu: Astrobiology Network Executive Director on NASA's first crewed lunar mission in 50 years

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/42773f4f-75c3-414f-a6ee-b41f01194c40/transcript

Tania Tapsell: Rotorua Mayor on government injects 13.5 million into Tourism NZ

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