Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The UK's new Chancellor is set to deliver his first Budget.  John Healey will set out Labour's tax and spending plans on October 28th, with tax increases possible.  Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce told Ryan Bridge there have been some hints about what the Budget will include, such as some redistribution of funds from the wealthiest to those who need it the most.  But she says it'...

There's potential for National and Labour to find common ground on education, despite disagreement over curriculum reforms.  National's Erica Stanford told Ryan Bridge she tried to engage Labour while NCEA changes were being drafted, but to no avail.  She says a recent meeting with Ginny Andersen revealed plenty they agree on —like the structured literacy mandate— but Labour still doesn'...

Most voters have not realised how difficult New Zealand's fiscal predicament is, says a think tank boss.  New Zealand Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich said the ACT Party's manifesto shows it is the "most radical" about getting government spending to 2017 levels.  Released yesterday, the manifesto pledged to cut "wasteful spending" by $22 billion over four years, getting debt...

Odds are on we'll get another hike to the OCR tomorrow.  That'll take us to 3%.  Markets are pricing the chance of that hike happening at about 85%.  It's not great timing for a Coalition government trying to get elected when cost of living is the number one issue.  But that's obviously not something the Reserve Bank should or would care about.  Their job is inflation. All...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Education Minister Erica Stanford and Labour's Education spokesperson Ginny Anderson join Ryan for an election special discussing schools, children and education policy. Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the forthcoming budget in the UK and what it means for capital markets and the controversial approval in UK of the...

The country's biggest pop culture extravaganza Armageddon starts in Auckland today.   Around 50 thousand sci-fi, anime, fantasy, and gaming fans are expected to flock to Auckland Showgrounds this weekend.   It's filled with more than 400 exhibitors, including a reunion of the Supernatural cast, a High School Musical sing-along panel, and international guests like Highlander star Christop...

Education Minister Erica Stanford’s education overhaul has been impressive this government term. We’re seeing improvements in primary school student achievement, the NCEA qualification is not long for this world, and how good is it to have cellphones out of the classroom? But for all the changes, there are families who feel the system simply doesn’t work for their child, whose needs, interests or...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 23 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.

Inflation's eased up slightly - but it's also become more persistent and widespread. The official inflation rate has fallen in the past three months - from 4.1 percent to 3.7 percent - due to a brief fall in fuel prices. But underlying core inflation has been rising and more items are increasing in price. Labour's Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds told Francesca Rudkin the government doesn't ha...

The Indian cricket tour begins tonight with a T20 against New Zealand at a sold-out Hagley Oval in Christchurch.  The sides last met in March's World Cup final at Ahmedabad, won by the then-hosts.  However, the start times for this tour seem to be an issue, as an 8pm start means the games won't be ending until nearly midnight.  Newstalk ZB Sports Reader Andrew Alderson told Ryan Bri...

Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says politically, the Mood of the Boardroom shows a "tactical draw" between National and Labour.  The survey of business leaders shows dissatisfaction and a desire for more investment in infrastructure, reform, leadership and talk of productivity, Bridges told Ryan Bridge.  "Because you'd expect, and they are in their numbers, the Nats as a cen...

A warning we could see some more nasty inflation spikes before the year is out. Stats NZ is releasing the inflation data for the three months to September just before 11 this morning. Economists expect it to show inflation’s sitting around 3.7 percent. BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Ryan Bridge they're expecting inflation to rise to 4.7 percent in the next update. He says most of it is due to...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 22nd of October 2026, economists are expecting a mixed bag in today's inflation figures, BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones takes his pick.  The Black Caps open their five-match t20 series against India in Christchurch tonight at 8pm, with the first game at Hagley Oval, Newstalk ZB Sports Reader Andrew Alderson shares his though...

Nearly there.  Voting's already happening for kiwis overseas.  Monday, we start in-country. Two weeks later it's all over and counting begins.  The result looks as tight as a fishes bum.  Here's my predictions.  Opportunity won't get 5% and the Coalition will be returned to power.  I want to be clear. This is not based off a scientific poll-by-poll or electorate proba...

Opioids remain the biggest driver of overdose deaths, often with a cocktail of other substances.  The latest NZ Drug Foundation report reveals the country's losing around three people a week to preventable overdose.  It also shows a rise in hospitalisations from stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine.  Foundation executive director Sarah Helm told Andrew Dickens that in 85% of...

A health sector leader's praising Labour's plan to get our emergency departments into recovery mode but says there are still gaps.  The party's released its plan combining all their health election policies, including three free GP visits, a stock take of empty hospital beds, and training more extended care paramedics.   Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sara...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 21st of October 2026, Police arrests for retail crime are through the roof, Retail NZ CEO explains.  Labour’s promising to cut emergency department wait times, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists' Executive Director Sarah Dalton tells Andrew if the plan will work.  The Drug Foundation says three New Zealande...

Retailers are celebrating the Police crackdown on retail crime. Annual Ministry of Justice data to June, shows record-high finalised charges for theft from a retail premises, topping 21-thousand - more than tripling since 2022. Retail NZ believes offending's down as much as 30 percent since last year. Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Andrew Dickens Police's national retail crime unit has had suc...

The other day Christopher sent conniptions through the commentariat by saying we'll be lucky to have a Government by Christmas.  I'm not surprised. So we have an election on November 7.   Writ day is December 3.   That's the deadline for all the votes to be counted.   It's 3 weeks later.   It's always been 3 weeks later. Now here's a thing.   Same day voting was remov...

Our Superannuation fund is seeing great returns, but growth is still needed for the long term.  The 25-year-old fund is now worth $94.35 billion dollars, excluding tax, with it earning $9.3 billion in the past reporting year – a return of almost 14.2%.  Infometrics' Brad Olsen told Andrew Dickens that it's useful money to have, but the expectation for the fund is to grow it to $200 billi...

There's excitement in the apple sector over access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers being unlocked.  Our new Free Trade Agreement with the world's most populous nation takes effect today, with 57% of exports to India now tariff-free.  The number of tariff-free exports would rise to 82% over time, with the next round of cuts due from next year.  Apples and Pears Chief Executive Daniel...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 20th of October 2026, Labour's pledging to ban social media for under-16s within its first 100 days if elected, Secondary Principals Association Chair and B416 expert advisory panel member Steve McCracken shares his thoughts.  The New Zealand Superfund has posted a 14.17% increase, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen te...

A school leader says it's fantastic both major parties are backing a crackdown on children's social media use. Labour says an under-16 social media ban will go before a select committee within 100 days, if they're elected, alongside a new digital duty of care law. National introduced a similar bill to Government in August. Secondary Principals Association Chair and B416 Expert Advisory Panel membe...

So, there's an election promise to train more dentists in Otago. The first increase in training numbers in 10 years.  And if it comes to pass you will have to say why did this not happen earlier.  In John Key's day economic policy supercharged our economy on the back of mass immigration and surging property prices.  But as our population rapidly grew nobody stopped to have a hmm.&nb...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday 19th of October 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Labour's health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall joins Andrew to discuss health policy ahead of the election.  National wants to scrap the right to silence in child murder cases if re-elected, Victims advocate Ruth Money shares her thoughts. Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce ha...