Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Labour is rolling out an election-year sweetener, this time aimed at Kiwis with student loans. The party is promising eligible borrowers will receive a 10 percent reduction on their student loan balance if it's elected.  Under the proposal, graduates who complete their studies and stay in the country for at least three years would qualify.  Labour's Tertiary Education Spokesperson Shanan...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday September 28th 2026, Labour's Tertiary Education Spokesperson Shanan Halbert explains to Ryan why the party wants to wipe 10 percent off people's student debt loans.  Ryan wonders whether this is an election bribe - and whether it will work.  Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce explains why more and more economists are get...

It's not quite Briscoes sale level, but 10% off your student loan is not to be scoffed at. Unless you're not a student, never had a student loan, and don't plan on sitting in a lecture theatre for three years. Then you don't really care about this policy except for what it costs you as a taxpayer. The unfortunate thing about democracy is that we're all taxpayers. It'll cost almost half a billion d...

Another positive annual result for Fonterra despite challenging weather conditions and global volatility.  The dairy co-op's confirmed a total cash return to shareholders of $19.6 billion.  The final Farmgate Milk Price payout for dairy farmers is $9.69, down from a record-high payout of $10.16 last year.  DairyNZ CEO Campbell Parker told Ryan Bridge the results reflect not only str...

Taiwanese independence remains a sticking point in the US-China relationship despite Donald Trump describing a 'great meeting' with Xi Jinping.   Washington has pulled out all the stops for the Chinese leader's three-day visit, but neither side is expecting any significant breakthroughs.  Former US Ambassador Christopher R Hill told Ryan Bridge a multi-billion-dollar military package for...

Fears the Government has only increased uncertainty for councils with delays to amalgamation plans.  The Government won't evaluate council's proposals until next year, despite giving them a tight timeline to put the plans forward.  Local Government New Zealand Regional Chair, Deon Swiggs tells Ryan Bridge pushing back the date is disappointing because a lot of time and money has been put...

The North Korean who tricked their way into a job with Kiwi company to make Kim Jong Un some cash was so yesterday's news.   The nerds and cyber cops are now worried about yet another AI hack.   The Aussies' Health NZ-equivalent was breached a few months back.  The culprit? An OpenAI robot.   Albanese announced the breach at the UN in NYC.  In doing so, he revealed that Op...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, the Government's decided to put council amalgamation on ice, Canterbury Regional Council Chair Dr Deon Swiggs tells Ryan councils aren't happy with the decision. Fonterra farmers are getting a pretty healthy payout, Dairy NZ CEO Campbell Parker tells Ryan if it's enough to keep farmers going through El Nino.  The American diplomat...

The future of professional rugby is on the agenda at today's New Zealand Rugby summit.  The organisation is weighing up decisions regarding the future of Super Rugby and the NPC, with an aim to cut $20 million a year in costs.  Newstalk ZB's Nick Bewley told Ryan Bridge today's summit will be more a "meeting of the minds" as opposed to having any kind of vote.  He says they may deci...

Nurses fear a shorter Police handover for mental health patients could compromise staff and patient safety at ED.   The fourth stage of Police withdrawing from callouts involves cutting the handover time from an hour to 30 minutes after the initial 15 minute target was ruled unsafe.   Nurses' Society National Director David Wills says Police stay in ED to offer support and restrain the p...

Relief cooler heads are prevailing over a discussion around an LNG import terminal. Energy Minister Simeon Brown had intended to sign a contract with a supplier before the end of the year. But New Zealand First says there's time yet to decide the best approach, whilst ACT isn't sure a deal is possible before the election.  Smart Energy Alliance spokesperson Andrew Eagles told Ryan Bridge the...

Energy is everything, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.   The LNG terminal is on ice 'till after the election. Shane Jones told Ryan Bridge Today as much last week.   The Taranaki project hasn't been green lit by Cabinet and there's no way it will be pre-election. There's also no way a contract of that sort would be signed by what is basically a caretaker government.  The...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 24th of September 2026, David Seymour may be the one hitting the brakes on LNG Terminal contracts, Smart Energy Alliance Spokesperson Andrew Eagles explains what this means for the future of the deal.  The future of professional rugby will be on the agenda at today's NZR summit, Newstalk ZB Canterbury Sports Commentator Nick Bew...

The Reserve Bank took too long to pull back on drastic Covid measures.   An independent probe's found the Monetary Policy Committee made the right call by slashing the OCR early in the pandemic, reducing the risk of a severe downturn.    But it didn't respond quickly enough to our recovery, leading to the spike in inflation.  ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith joined Ryan Bridge t...

Workplace harm's costing the country billions of dollars a year.   A report from the Business Leaders Health and Safety Forum has found workplace harm cost the country $5.5 billion in 2025.   Forum Chief Executive Francois Barton says that's made up of a mix of injuries, illness and deaths.  He told Ryan Bridge the industries with the highest rate of harm are the primary industries...

Fifty-one business leaders have signed an open letter from business think tank the New Zealand Initiative urging political parties to drop interventionist policies.   It responds to campaign proposals to structurally reform the grocery sector.    National and New Zealand First propose splitting Foodstuffs.   Labour wants grocery brands split into separate retail and wholesale a...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, the independent review into how the Reserve Bank under Adrian Orr handled the Covid and post Covid era has landed, ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith shares his thoughts.  Prominent business leaders have signed an open letter calling on all parties to protect private property rights and freedom of contract, NZ Initiative Executive Dir...

The problem with writing books and not fact-checking them properly is that you get yourself tangled in knots.  At best, forced to apologise. At worst, sued.  I haven't read the one launched in Wellington yesterday. I watched the press conference and the stand-up afterwards.  There was one allegation made of note that has been denied by the current and past board chairs of the Taxpay...

A tax expert believes Labour's changed stance on interest deductibility makes complete sense.  Labour's confirmed it won't change the current Government's rules allowing landlords to deduct 100% of interest in tax returns.   It had previously criticised the policy as a tax cut for landlords, but Chris Hipkins believes their proposed Capital Gains Tax will address the issue.  Deloitt...

A student leader believes universities will hit a wall when it comes to funding without the Fees Free scheme.   Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds says despite supporting more than 300,000 students from 2018-2025, covering more than $2 billion in fees, it didn't meaningfully lift participation or provide a good return.   But Victoria University of Wellington Students Association...

There's a suggestion consumer spending is recovering, but essential costs are leaving less for the fun stuff. Kiwibank research reveals more than 71% of card transactions in August was on credit cards  – the highest share since records began in 2002. A decade ago, credit cards made up less than half of card spending. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge power bills and rates...

Labour has finally seen the light on interest deductibility.  That's where a landlord, like any other legitimate business in New Zealand, is able to deduct the expense of its capital borrowing, i.e. a mortgage, against taxable income.  After expenses, what's left over is taxed.  This is a genuine surprise to me. The word I'd been getting from some Labour MPs, and the industry, was t...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 22nd of September 2026, the Tertiary Education Minister says the taxpayer sent over $2 billion on the defunct fees free policy, VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue  shares his thoughts.  More Kiwis are relying on our credit cards to pay for stuff as cost-of-living pressures bite, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie explains....

An expert believes National's proposed pre-school check carries merit and is definitely worth exploring. The party says its early childhood policy will set clearer expectations for what children are checked on before school. If re-elected, National wants to end screen and device use in ECE and introduce a School Start Check before children transition to primary school.  Advocates for Early Le...

Labour says it will tackle the supermarket duopoly in its first 100 days, if it forms the next government.  The party will force Foodstuffs and Woolworths to break their wholesale and retail arms up into separate businesses.  It says it will also crack down on big companies ripping people off - by making price gouging illegal.  Commerce and Consumer Affairs Spokesperson Arena Willia...