Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The latest unexpected rise in unemployment could be a sign the economy isn't doing as well as expected. Four hundred and 38-thousand people aren't working as much as they could be in the September quarter. That includes 174-thousand - about 5.7 percent of the workforce - who wanted a job but didn't have one. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen shares his thoughts with Ryan Bridge.  See...

The world is now officially on Trump temper tantrum watch.  So far, he's been relatively gracious about the absolute thumping the Dems handed him. What happened last night has only happened three times since WWII, both the House and Senate flipping parties. The big losers are Republicans, the more MAGA the more damage, Pete Hegseth (look out) and Elon Musk.  Musk pumped half a billion Am...

On the Early Edition with Full Show Podcast 2026, American Economist and former economic adviser to John McCain Doug Haltz-Eakin shares his thoughts on the U.S midterm results.  Unemployment's risen to 5.7%, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains why this reinforces the Reserve Banks move to hold the OCR.  It's Guy Fawkes tonight, with fresh calls to ban the private sale and...

Labour's Vanushi Walters has taken aim at the Government, saying its flip-flopping on foreign policy has created problems.   The party's Foreign Affairs spokesperson told Ryan Bridge it's been inconsistent on calling out breaches of international law.   Walters says the US and Israel's intervention into Iran is an example of when the Government hasn't called it out, with that war having...

How has the job market been faring?   Stats NZ is releasing its latest quarterly unemployment data at 10.45am.  Some economists expect unemployment to remain unchanged at 5.6%, an 11-year high, while others expect it will dip slightly to 5.5% or 5.4% – the first fall in five years.  BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Ryan Bridge they expect the rate to stay the same, but they're al...

King Charles has expressed sorrow over Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade - but stopped short of apologising or offering reparations. Britain captured and transported an estimated 12 to 15-million Africans to the Americas between 1500 and 1800 -  with more than two million dying on the journey. Opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda - the King...

After all the hand-wringing and manufactured controversy, the 'Move On' orders are actually not controversial.   The loser in this story is once again the media.  The beat the story up into a frenzy. The government was trying to punish, or to use a phrase they readily adopted from Tory Whanau, 'punch down' on, the homeless.  But what does nine days of the law in action actually...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 4th of November 2026, Todd McClay and Vanushi Walters join Ryan for an election special panel on foreign affairs and trade.  BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones tells Ryan what we can expect from the unemployment number out today.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the Commonwealth Heads of Governme...

Labour says it wants to better protect consumers from unfair pricing practices during the cost of living crisis.  The party wants to shake-up the Fair Trading Act to make sure advertised specials relate to the lowest price in the preceding 30 days.  It's also promising to ensure loyal phone, internet, and insurance customers don't miss out on specials offered to new sign-ups.  Consu...

There are concerns rugby league celebrations are coming at the expense of others.   South Auckland police officers made nine arrests after Sunday's showdown between Tonga and Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup.   Police had 160 officers monitoring the scenes, with some fans running on to roads, hanging out of cars, and driving dangerously.   Councillor Alf Filipaina told Ryan Bridg...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 3rd of November 2026, Labour’s promising a crackdown on business practices it says are pushing up the cost of living, Labour Consumer Affairs Spokesperson joins Ryan.  Rugby League World Cup celebrations turned sour over the weekend with nine arrests, Manukau Ward Councillor Alf Filipaina is warning people to enjoy the celebr...

Belief shop fronts want continuity this election - as retail confidence hits a two-year high. Retail NZ's fresh Retail Radar report finds 73 percent are confident their business will survive the next 12 months. First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Ryan Bridge good strong financial guardianship will be necessary heading into the Christmas season.   See omnystudio.com/liste...

News alert for anyone who thinks the U.S. midterms will save the world from Trump.  They won't.  The guy can still start wars and raise tariffs without Congress approval. He did so last year and this year.  Losing the House to Democrats means funding gets harder and legal problems, but not a brick wall for the Presidential impulses that most affect us, the rest of the world.  L...

The Head of Europe's central bank is resigning nine months before her eight year term ends.  Christine Lagarde is stepping down as President of the European Central Bank on February 7th, 2027.  Her resignation also comes ahead of France's next presidential election, and there's speculation the timing was chosen so her successor could be chosen while the pro-EU Emmanuel Macron was in powe...

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, vehicl...

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 peopl...

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...

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 priv...

New Zealand Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol has reflected on a needs-must moment for the sport.  That follows the move for the five Super Rugby city hubs to consolidate franchise operations with their respective NPC teams from 2028, in a bid to reduce overhead costs.  The governing body are also aiming to have more school leavers attending academies, something Nichol says is p...

First-home buyers are still dominating the market.  The latest Cotality Westpac First Home Buyer Report finds they made up almost 30% of property purchases in the third quarter of this year.  It shows lower house prices and mortgage rates are helping, with many tapping into KiwiSaver.  Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson told Ryan Bridge it varies, but on average homeo...

Possible overhangs, high voter turnout, lower enrolment, and the Opportunity Party all mean the outcome of the election is too close to call, former Labour leader Phil Goff says.  “Come Election Night, by midnight we may well not know who is going to govern New Zealand and that may take a couple of weeks after that, probably up to the edge of Christmas,” Goff told Ryan Bridge.  While Nat...

Halloween is the new fireworks for kids in New Zealand, and it's a hell of a lot less controversial.  New Zealand First wants to ban backyard fireworks. Winston loves his horses and they get spooked.  The Greens back a ban. They love adopted Greyhounds. And cats.  When I was young, this time of year was all about shooting each other with Godzilla's. Smokebombs. Scraping all the powd...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 30 October. 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.

A gin distillery at the bottom of the country is earning top-shelf recognition.  Bluff Distillery's been inducted into the prestigious Gin Guild – one of the first in New Zealand to receive the honour.  Co-founder Chris Fraser was installed as Warden Rectifier at the Lord Mayor of London's mansion earlier this month, just two years since launching the distillery.  Fraser told Ryan B...

Political paralysis in Israel could leave behind a caretaker government with Benjamin Netanyahu at its helm.   With most votes counted, the incumbent's just ahead of his rival Gadi Eisenkot, with 53 seats to 48.    The Arab parties are on a record 19 seats, and the 61 seats needed to govern are beyond the reach of all sides.   CBS Middle East correspondent Linda Gradstein told...