Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The Government's books are being opened today, giving a financial read of the state of the economy.  Treasury's Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update will show how Crown debt, expenditure, and revenue are tracking.  National's Nicola Willis has let some small details slip, saying people will like what they see.  Infometrics' Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge they expect a slightly rosie...

There's disappointment from a building voice over MBIE's slow response to working on overheating new homes.  The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment say they're working on the issue, but changes will require more technical work and sector consultation.  Officials told RNZ hot homes wouldn't be part of the Building Code review in 2028, but instead the next one five years away...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Treasury is set to open the government's books for the pre-election economic and fiscal update, Brad Olsen Principal Economist at Infometrics tells Ryan what we can expect. New research released to Newstalk ZB shows 68% of schools surveyed have accidentally published an image despite parental privacy restrictions, Darfield High SCHOOL P...

Schools appear to be finding it tough to keep track of students with image restrictions. New research by Christchurch tech company Hail has found 68% of schools have accidentally published a student's image online despite restrictions. Just 12% are confident they could find and remove an image once it's online. Canterbury's Darfield High School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge there's a lot...

There's an irony to this latest poll which won't be lost on Labour.   It is, of course, one poll and should be read as such.   The big parties are getting smaller, and the smaller parties are getting bigger.   This trend will reverse course a bit on polling day because not everyone who's polled bothers to vote and not everyone who votes is polled.   But the fact the Greens have...

Five men have been arrested near a US military base in the UK, with counter-terror police investigating further. Reports claim police were called after three suspicious vehicles were seen travelling towards RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, in the early hours of yesterday morning. The five men were initially arrested under the Explosives Act, then further arrested on suspicion of preparing a terror...

Over in the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to bring 'stability' back to the UK's economy as Labour heads to Liverpool. However, economic concerns like the Middle East conflict and rising energy prices are threatening to have a significant impact on UK households. Business correspondent Vicky Pryce says interest rates in the UK are also quite high and the pressure's on for Burnham to...

The US President's throwing out another deal, as an Iranian official says negotiations are his only way out. Donald Trump's says Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz 'wasn't acceptable'.  But Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says they're the same conditions included in the deal signed by both sides, in June.  US Army Former Major General Randy Manner says Trump's tried al...

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...