Best Mitch Beard Podcasts (2025)

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Liz Koh: Enriched Retirement Founder on health insurance in New Zealand, if employers should pay for it 3:22

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17h ago3:22

3:22

Should your job provide health insurance coverage? There are calls for a fringe benefit tax break as a Council report reveals people are twice as likely to have car insurance than life or health. It says 78% of Kiwis pay for their own insurance, rather than employers footing the bill. Enriched Retirement Founder Liz Koh told Andrew Dickens that New…

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Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on the John Torode allegations, future of the latest Masterchef UK season 3:31

18h ago3:31

3:31

The future of the latest BBC MasterChef UK series is up in the air. John Torode is leaving after a report upheld allegations he used an "extremely offensive racist term". It comes after an independent report substantiated 45 of 83 allegations about the behaviour of former co-judge Gregg Wallace. UK correspondent, Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens ther…

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John Harbord: Major Electricity Users' Group Chair on the proposed special economic zones 3:07

18h ago3:07

3:07

Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones is floating the idea of special economic zones as an answer to New Zealand’s energy security. The Government's asking for feedback on its new long-term fuel strategy. The special economic zones are areas where businesses can get tailored policies on regulation, financial support, and access to infrastructure. M…

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Full Show Podcast: 16 July 2025 34:22

23h ago34:22

34:22

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday 16th of July 2025, The Government’s cracking down on councils - forcing them stick to their core business, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell shares her thoughts. There's calls for fringe benefit tax breaks to help kiwis pay for the rising cost of health insurance, Enrich Retirement foun…

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Tania Tapsell: Rotorua Mayor on the Government wanting to scrap local councils' four well-being provisions 3:35

23h ago3:35

3:35

The Government wants to scrap local councils' four well-being provisions. A amendment bill has been introduced to remove the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing provisions from the Local Government Act, to refocus councils on their core services. The Government wants councils to give more value to ratepayers. Rotorua Mayor Tania …

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Andrew Dickens: Overreacting to the UN again 1:57

23h ago1:57

1:57

I’m always amazed at how much credence the United Nations is given in domestic New Zealand politics. The left loves the UN pronouncements on New Zealand’s stances because if reinforces their view that we’ve got much to feel guilty about. Meanwhile the right somehow believes that the UN can supersede our sovereignty and is an enemy to be repelled at…

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Kate Sutton: Deloitte Future of Auckland Lead on the State of the City report 3:25

2d ago3:25

3:25

A turning point for Auckland. The third annual State of the City report has been released, showing how we compare on a global scale. It highlights strengths in sustainability, resilience, and culture, but says we lag behind in prosperity, skills, and innovation development. Deloitte’s Future of Auckland Lead Kate Sutton told Andrew Dickens that Auc…

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Andrew Dickens: The great polytech flip-flop we’re all paying for 2:04

2d ago2:04

2:04

Here we go again. The polytechs that were centralised by the last government are going to be de-centralised by the current mob. It's not quite back to the future because it won't be the same as we had before the politicians started tinkering. There will now be ten polytechs run locally, six others will have to prove their financial viability, but i…

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Full Show Podcast: 15 July 2025 34:27

2d ago34:27

34:27

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 15th of July 2025, Secondary Principals Council Chair and Aotea College Principal Kate Gainsford joins Andrew Dickens to discuss the number of students passing the NCEA literacy and numeracy co-requisite tests slowly on the rise. Dr Sandra Grey, National Secretary of the Tertiary Ed…

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Kate Gainsford: Secondary Principals Council Chair on NCEA result improvements 3:39

2d ago3:39

3:39

Concerns we're narrowing the focus too much in the push to improve literacy and numeracy rates. Small improvements were seen on last year with 57% of NCEA students achieving the numeracy standard, 61% achieving the reading standard and 55% achieving the writing standard. Secondary Principals Council Chair, Kate Gainsford told Andrew Dickens the foc…

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John Duffy: Chief Executive of Consumer New Zealand discusses open letter to Parliament 4:04

3d ago4:04

4:04

Over the weekend, a group of well-known organizations published an open letter to the Prime Minister. Organizations like the EMA, 2degrees and Consumer New Zealand all signed the letter calling for the government to reform the energy sector. Chief Executive of Consumer New Zealand John Duffy said that the government needs to have a fast, but measur…

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Full Show Podcast: 14 July 2025 34:26

3d ago34:26

34:26

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday 14th of July 2025, Act's Tertiary Education Spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar shares her thoughts on a new plan from the government to double the amount international students contribute to our economy to $7.2 billion by 2034. A group of well-known organisations have written an open le…

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Dr Parmjeet Parmar: Act Tertiary Education Spokesperson on plan to boost international student numbers 2:21

3d ago2:21

2:21

The Government's unveiling new initiatives in hopes of doubling the international education sector. Education Minister Erica Stanford wants it to contribute 7.2 billion dollars to the economy by 2034. The Government's plan begins with expanding work rights to all tertiary students in approved exchange programmes. It's also allowing eligible student…

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Andrew Dickens: We Want Less Bureaucracy—Until We Don't 2:02

3d ago2:02

2:02

I find it ironic that the government and the electorate are once a gain keen on getting rid of some of the layers of our council bureaucracy. First NZ First’s Shane Jones publicly questioned the role of regional councils, pondering whether “there’s going to be a compelling case for regional government to continue to exist”. Then Prime Minister Chri…

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Jason Pine: Weekend Sport Host ahead of the second All Blacks test against France 3:46

6d ago3:46

3:46

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is determined to have more success in the air against France during Saturday's second test in Wellington. The French aerial assault often caught the ABs on the hop in the narrow first test win, an area Robertson says the All Blacks have been tidying up in practice. Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Andew Dickens th…

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Roger Beaumont: Banking Association CEO on the Anti-Scam Alliance 3:40

6d ago3:40

3:40

A belief all sectors will need to step up to deal with online scammers. The new Anti-Scam Alliance brings together government agencies, banks, telcos, digital platforms, and consumer groups. The task force will share data about scams to shut them down in real time. Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont says it will make a difference if…

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Full Show Podcast: 11 July 2025 34:31

6d ago34:31

34:31

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Friday 11th of July 2025, the Government's going to address the country's scamming issues head on with a anti-scam alliance, NZ Banking Association Chief Executive Roger Beaumont, tells Andrew Dickens the difference it will make. The All Blacks are taking on France this weekend in Wellingto…

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Mark Smith: ASB Senior Economist on new migration numbers 3:26

6d ago3:26

3:26

New migration numbers may be painting a bleak picture of our economy. New Zealand saw it's highest net migration loss to Australia in the year to December in more than a decade - with 30 thousand leaving. Overall net migration for the May 2025 year levelled out at a gain of just under 15 thousand. But ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Andrew Dic…

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Andrew Dickens: Another poll, same discontent, Winston still standing 2:06

6d ago2:06

2:06

Another poll. Another rush of fevered opinion, and yet still so far away from an election. The poll business is booming. Once upon a time we had just the two TV networks in the game, but now they’ve been joined by others. Keeping the opinion writers in business and politics as the leading news driver in this country. So this one was paid for by the…

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Leigh Hodgetts: Finance and Mortgage Association Country Manager on the Reserve Bank holding the OCR 2:35

7d ago2:35

2:35

Mortgage-holders will be holding their breath in after yesterday's OCR announcement. The Reserve Bank's opted to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 3.25% while signalling the possibility of further cuts. But new ASB research suggests interest rates remain volatile, with several opposing forces at play. Finance and Mortgage Association Country…

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Joy Keene: Game Development Association Executive Director on the impact of the rebate 3:21

7d ago3:21

3:21

A tax rebate scheme's helped boost the number of people employed in the video game sector by more than 20%. The four-year, $160 million Game Development Sector Rebate allows eligible studios to claim back 20% of their spend. Forty studios will receive a share of $22.4 million this year, for its second year. Game Development Association Executive Di…

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Full Show Podcast: 10 July 2025 34:06

7d ago34:06

34:06

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 10th of July 2025, the Reserve Bank kept the OCR at 3.25%, Finance and Mortgages Association country Manager Leigh Hodgetts tells Andrew Dickens what this means for mortgages. Our video game sector is having a major boom due to a government tax rebate, NZ Game Developers Associatio…

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Richard Kempthorne: Rural Support's Top of the South chair on beneficiaries helping with flood clean up in Tasman and Marlborough 3:46

7d ago3:46

3:46

The Rural Support Trust believes beneficiaries will make a difference to the flooding clean-up in the upper South Island. The Government's activated a beneficiary task force in Tasman and Marlborough, to support those affected by severe weather. Tasman has 600 work-ready beneficiaries. Rural Support's Top of the South chair, Richard Kempthorne told…

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Andrew Dickens: The Reserve Bank and the Government need to work in tandem 1:59

7d ago1:59

1:59

For a while now I’ve been thinking that the Reserve bank and the Government are working at cross purposes for the country. Yesterday the Reserve Bank kept the OCR at the same rate it’s at. The reason: increasing inflation and little or no growth in GDP. Now the Government has an agenda of growth, growth, growth. So reduced interest rates could help…

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Andrew Dickens: Hipkins needs to front up and face the heat 2:03

8d ago2:03

2:03

Chris Hipkins was on with Kerre Woodham yesterday, as well as with Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW, and he talked about the Covid inquiry – insinuating it was slanted against Labour because New Zealand First is now part of a National government and had drawn up the scope of the inquiry to benefit them. It also came out that he has drafted written respons…

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Catherine Beard: BusinessNZ Advocacy Director on the Government's first AI strategy 4:25

8d ago4:25

4:25

Hopes a move to boost New Zealand's use of AI will get small businesses on board. Science Minister Shane Reti's announced the Government's first strategy for using Artificial Intelligence to reduce barriers to adoption and promote responsible use. He says it could lift our GDP $76 billion by 2038. BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told A…

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Paula Southgate: Hamilton Mayor on the French Rugby team not staying in the city before the test 3:35

8d ago3:35

3:35

Hamilton's not losing sleep over the French rugby team's decision to snub the city. The Les Bleus are basing themselves in Auckland for as long as possible before the third test against the All Blacks in Waikato next week. A spokesperson says the team prefer the facilities in Auckland. Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate told Andrew Dickens the city doe…

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Sharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist ahead of today's OCR announcement 3:21

8d ago3:21

3:21

The Reserve Bank's expected to press pause on the Official Cash Rate this afternoon, but that's not it's only option. The OCR's sitting at 3.2% after six consecutive rates reductions since last August. Mortgage rates have followed it down over that time, falling to about 5%. ANZ Chief economist Sharon Zollner told Andrew Dickens a 25-basis-point cu…

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Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to the UK 3:36

8d ago3:36

3:36

The red carpet's been rolled out for French President Emmanuel Macron for his first visit to the UK since Brexit. The three-day visit marks his first time there since 2008. Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to hold meetings this week, expecting 'good progress' on issues like illegal migration. UK and Europe correspondent Gavin Grey …

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Full Show Podcast: 09 July 2025 34:21

8d ago34:21

34:21

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 9th of July, the OCR has been cut six times in a row... what will happen today? ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner joins Andrew Dickens to discuss why a cut should happen, but probably won't. Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard explains what the Government's new AI stra…

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Jason Mika: Auckland University Professor of Māori Management on the growth of the Māori economy 4:02

9d ago4:02

4:02

Iwi-owned entities have emerged in good shape following the country's economic downturn. ANZ’s annual Te Tirohanga Whanui report reveals iwi surveyed saw asset values grow a median 4.1% in the 2023-2024 year. Auckland University Professor of Māori Management Jason Mika told Andrew Dickens iwi have focused on being prudent when it comes to treaty se…

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Jeff King: MyMahi founder on the changes to child banking requirements 4:37

9d ago4:37

4:37

Belief changes to child banking requirements will affect teens the most. The Government's making it easier to sign children up for a bank account, saying the current laws are unnecessarily difficult, in an attempt to prevent serious crime. It's one of the first steps in Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee's revamped anti money-laundering regime…

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Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on the Erin Patterson trial and verdict 3:42

9d ago3:42

3:42

Australia's mushroom murder trial is set to go down in the history books. Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering her estranged husband's parents and aunt and attempting to kill his uncle with a beef wellington with death cap mushrooms in it. Newstalk ZB's Donna Demaio is in Victoria, following developments. She told Andrew Dickens hundreds of…

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Andrew Dickens: Should Jacinda Ardern come home and front the Covid inquiry? 1:31

9d ago1:31

1:31

Question: should Jacinda Ardern come home and appear before the Royal Commission into our Covid response? I think she should. I could understand though if she doesn't. Because just as she became the symbol of our successful response to the pandemic, which we rewarded with a supermajority in Labour's second term, she also then became the symbol of e…

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Full Show Podcast: 08 July 2025 34:12

9d ago34:12

34:12

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 8th of July, mushroom cook Erin Patterson has been found guilty on all charges in her murder trial. Australia correspondent Donna Demaio is in Victoria following the developments. MyMahi founder Jeff King joins Andrew Dickens to discuss changes to the anti-money laundering act that…

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Full Show Podcast: 07 July 2025 34:20

10d ago34:20

34:20

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 7 July. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Newstalk ZB

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Jo Malcolm-Black: Graeme Dingle Foundation CEO on thousands of students not enrolled in school for more than a year 5:04

10d ago5:04

5:04

A youth charity believes the Government's taking courageous steps, to tackle chronic school absence. Ministry of Education data shows more than one thousand students weren't enrolled in school for more than a year in 2024 - a 576 percent increase on a decade ago. Graeme Dingle Foundation CEO Jo Malcolm-Black told Andrew Dickens it's good to see the…

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Andrew Dickens: You can't escape tax 2:19

10d ago2:19

2:19

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop is into the US for a range of meetings across housing, planning, development and transport. Notably - he's visiting New York to speak to city officials about their introduction of "CONGESTION PRICING" and how its faring. Over there - the results of charging people to use the roads in peak times have looked promi…

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Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB Rugby Editor ahead of the All Blacks v France series 3:38

13d ago3:38

3:38

There are new faces across the board for the first All Blacks test of the season. Four uncapped All Blacks will be unleashed in Dunedin, with number 8 Christian Lio-Willie and lock Fabian Holland starting, while prop Ollie Norris and flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi will storm off the bench. On the French side of things, with five debutants featuring in t…

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Brad Jacobs: Franchise NZ Chairman and Coffee Club Director on the proposed trespass rules 3:43

13d ago3:43

3:43

Franchises could soon have the ability to trespass someone across multiple sites. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is beefing up the current laws, calling them no longer fit for purpose. He's also proposing doubling the maximum fines for trespassing on businesses, and increasing the maximum period to three years. Franchise New Zealand Chairman and C…

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Full Show Podcast: 04 July 2025 34:20

13d ago34:20

34:20

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Friday 4th of July, the Government's given businesses the power to trespass people from multiple locations, Franchise NZ Chairperson Brad Jacobs tells Ryan about the difference this will make. It's the first All Blacks test of the year, Newstalk ZB voice of rugby Elliot Smith joins Ryan f…

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Felicity Foy: Far North District Councillor on changes to insulation standards 3:38

13d ago3:38

3:38

Changes to rigid insulation standards are predicted to cut new-build costs by an average of $15 thousand. They'll give more flex to requirements in the building code by the end of the year, in a bid to cut down rising construction costs. The Government's also looking to make the Far North a separate 'climate zone', stating the region’s warmer clima…

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Ryan Bridge: National's week of law and order announcements 2:23

13d ago2:23

2:23

The award for most press releases and announcements on a single issue must got to National this week. Law and Order was front and centre - announcements about everything from first responders to coward punches. It was an assault of announcements. Now, announcements don't make streets safer. Announcements don't fix problems on their own. This was a …

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Tamah Alley: Central Otago Mayor on the long-term agreements between regions and central government 3:38

14d ago3:38

3:38

The Government's one step closer to reaching long-term agreements on the future of some of our fastest-growing areas. It's agreed to negotiate with councils in Auckland, Western Bay of Plenty, and Central Otago, on 10-year deals to boost economic growth, housing and infrastructure. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says "small decisions" should be kept wi…

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Ruth Richardson: Former Finance Minister on the need for a publicly funded election policy-costing unit 3:36

14d ago3:36

3:36

A former Finance Minister believes there's a need for a publicly funded body to find out what election promises would cost. Act and New Zealand First have shot down current Finance Minister Nicola Willis' proposal, which would have allowed resources from the public sector to cost policies of political parties up to 10 months before an election. Rut…

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Jane Searle: Child Matters CEO on the $41 million investment into Oranga Tamariki staff training 2:36

14d ago2:36

2:36

The Minister for Children's $41 million workforce investment is expected to train and retain youth care staff. Karen Chhour says her new funding follows a 2023 Oranga Tamariki review, which found many workers weren't equipped to deal with the high needs of some kids in care. The boost will qualify more staff, recruit capable workers to vacant posit…

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Mitch McCann: US Correspondent on Sean “Diddy” Combs' conviction 2:06

14d ago2:06

2:06

People are swarming outside a New York courthouse following Sean “Diddy” Combs' conviction. The 55-year-old hip hop mogul's been found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. But he's been acquitted of his more serious charges, of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. US Correspondent Mitch McCann is outside the cou…

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Ryan Bridge: There should be instant fines for loss of data 2:22

14d ago2:22

2:22

Yesterday was a bad day for some of my pet peeves. I couldn't find a carpark in town, I had to visit a supermarket, and Qantas suffered a data hack. Nothing drives me more crazy than a business —big or small, although in this case very big— asking too many personal questions and getting too many personal details about their customers. Unnecessarily…

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Full Show Podcast: 03 July 2025 34:09

14d ago34:09

34:09

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 3rd of July 2025, the government's ready to start negotiating with councils on regional city deals, Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley shares her thoughts. Minister for children Karen Chhour yesterday announced more money for Oranga Tamariki staff's professionalism training, Child Matter…

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Laura Marshall: Library and Information Association of New Zealand Executive Director on AI books in libraries 3:37

15d ago3:37

3:37

Books written by artificial intelligence have been finding their way onto local library shelves, and they could become more common in the future. Newstalk ZB can reveal most libraries avoid buying AI-written books, but don't ban them, and some have added them to their collections by accident. Laura Marshall, Library and Information Association of N…