Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The Reserve Bank says more OCR hikes are "likely", but it doesn't know how many more will be needed, or when they're likely to happen.  The central bank's raised the cash rate to 2.5% – the first hike in more than three years.  It wants to get the OCR back to a "neutral" level that doesn't contribute to inflation.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge they believe the b...

The Hurricanes' rampaging success in this year's Super Rugby championship may have helped the All Blacks sell out the Cake Tin.  Around 34 thousand people are expected at Hnry Stadium on Saturday as the All Blacks take on Italy.  The game had initially struggled to sell out, with four thousand tickets still available at the end of last week.  Hurricanes Chairman Malcolm Gillies told...

There's a suggestion a level playing field between gentailers and retailers is needed before homes switch to solar.   Election policies of National and Labour would both let homeowners pay back low interest loans for solar through their rates.  Labour's plan would also let local line companies provide loans, repaid through power bills.  Director of solar company Lightforce John Harm...

The problem with bashing the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in real time is that nobody really knows how badly they might have cocked something until well after the cocking's happened.  There weren't many — though not none — chiding Orr for low rates until it was bleedingly obvious in actual data, and what Prince Harry would term 'lived experience', that prices were on the march.  The RBNZ...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 9th of July 2026, The Reserve Bank has finally pulled the trigger and hiked the OCR 25 basis points, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts.  Labour's released a similar solar policy to National, John Harman, Director of Lightforce Solar tells Ryan which policy is better.  Wellington's Cake Tin is official...

Sky TV is inking a deal with the NRL.  They’ve locked in exclusive broadcast rights for the next seven years, the deal running from 2028 to 2034.  It’ll broadcast on their Sky Sport paid platform, with free to air options rumoured to come.  NZ Herald Media Insider’s Shayne Currie told Ryan Bridge that Sky has essentially claimed the top three sports for at least the next five years...

Donald Trump's floating the idea of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, despite a Congressional ban.  The US President is in the country alongside other European leaders for a NATO summit – our Defence Minister Chris Penk is also heading there for the NATO Defence Industry Forum, and meeting counterparts from allied countries.  Trump's suggested lifting US sanctions imposed on Turkey an...

There's division over whether the Official Cash Rate will be hiked or hold steady at 2.25%.  ANZ and BNZ are both picking it will be raised by 25 points.  NZIER is expecting the Reserve Bank's board to be split and for Governor Anna Breman to make the captain's call on it.  NZIER Senior Economist Ting Huang told Ryan Bridge her own group had mixed views but one prevailed.  She...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 8th of July 2026, Volodymyr Zelensky's urging allies to get more air defence systems to Ukraine as Russian attacks escalate. NZ Herald media insider Shayne Currie has the latest on Sky beating TVNZ to secure NRL rights for another seven years.  NZIER Senior Economist Tina Huang takes her pick for what the Reserve Bank will...

Where is National's social media bill at?  We know Seymour doesn't like it. Winston is apparently has reservations with the wording, though that's only according to Stuff, rather than the man himself. Labour might need to step in and save the day by supporting it from across the aisle.  In Australia, half the kids who were on socials are still on socials.  Here, there's no shortage...

Federated Farmers is challenging the Green Party's crack down on nitrate levels in fresh water.   If elected, the party's promising stronger national standards for fresh water, more robust rules for wastewater discharges, and the phasing out of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser.   Federated Farmers West Coast President Simon Cameron told Ryan Bridge there have been issues in the past, but th...

The Technology Minister says the global demand for more data centres is great, as the Government pushes to bring more here.  Invest New Zealand is looking to attract up to $30 billion in offshore investment in the centres over five years.   It says it could generate $70 billion in broader economic activity and employ up to 3,500 people.   Technology Minister Penny Simmonds told Ryan...

The India Business Council isn't surprised to see the Free Trade Agreement have an impact already, before coming into force. New export numbers show apples are in high demand – volumes jumping 63% on the 2024 season when negotiations began.  Last month, Matariki Forests sent its first shipment of logs from Bluff to India since 2020.  Council Chair Edwin Paul told Ryan Bridge there's an i...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 7th of July 2026, Invest NZ wants foreign companies to invest $30 billion investment in ai data centres over 5 years, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Penny Simmonds shares her thoughts.  The Government says exporters are already experiencing a 'halo effect' of the India FTA, India Business Council Chair Edwin Paul...

This week the Tony Blair Institute warned Andy Burnham that you can't tax your way to prosperity. Some of our politicians could use a similar lecture. We have parties wanting new taxes to fund what is basically a Universal Basic Income, even though AI hasn't yet stolen the number of jobs they claimed it would. A Wall Street Journal piece this morning talks about exactly this point – even big tech...

It was a weekend of big events. A wedding, a funeral, and a milestone birthday. Congratulations, in that order, to America on its 250th anniversary, to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on their wedding, to those Iranians who suffered under the Ayatollah's rule, and to the All Blacks for beating France. America's birthday is worth pausing on. If you take 1840 as the beginning of New Zealand's democrac...

New Zealand's special agricultural envoy says the first steps have already been taken in securing new trade agreements.  Chris Luxon's promising to attempt seven new deals in five years, if re-elected.  These are Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association.  Meat Industry Association Independent Chair Nathan Guy told Ryan Brid...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast, Monday, 6 July 2026, National outlines the trade deals it wants to strike in its second term. Meat Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy tells Ryan which country is at the top of his list. Business correspondent Vicky Pryce, out of the UK, fills us in on the latest with Andy Burnham as his policy platform begins to take shape. The All Blacks...

The Foreign Affairs Minister's claims around our trade deal with India have an immigration expert warning the settings could be more tough than usual.  Winston Peters let loose accusations last week National was covertly changing immigration settings in bad faith.   Immigration Minister Erica Stanford now says initial decisions consistent with the FTA have been sent to ministers for feed...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 3rd of July 2026, seems like the Government is moving to put restrictions Indian immigration, Sonny Lam, Immigration expert at Queen City Law shares his thoughts.  The All Blacks take on France in the first test of the season at the sold out One New Zealand stadium, Chief Executive Venues Otautahi, Caroline Harvie-Teare tells Ryan...

There are hopes new progress in language learning will go beyond early childhood education.  The Government's widening access to ENRICH for a further 450 centres.  The programme is now backed by three decades of evidence, with practical tools to increase toddler-teacher communication.  Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it paves the way for...

The Government's looking to "move on" from free school lunches for every kid in a poor school.  David Seymour told me this week they're looking at making changes, potentially tightening things up.  At present, if your kid's school is signed up, your kid automatically gets a lunch. The only way to stop that is to actually contact the school and opt out on an individual basis.  I reck...

House prices still seem to be going in the wrong direction.  Cotality’s latest Home Value Index shows the national median fell 0.2% in June.  Average values are down 0.8% for the previous quarter, 0.9% year on year, and 17.5% on the early 2022 peak.   Real estate agent Rawdon Christie told Ryan Bridge that prices in the second half of the year are likely to be influenced by three ma...

An economist believes there could be merit to introducing a capital gains tax as the International Monetary Fund releases New Zealand's report card.   The IMF's recommending spending cuts and continued tax rises to support this.  It also suggests we introduce a comprehensive capital gains or land tax.  Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge a capital gains tax could...

An Associate Health Minister says cost is not longer a deterrent for smoking as she considers a review of the tobacco excise tax.   Earlier this week authorities seized more than a 1.3 million cigarettes and made five arrests across Rotorua, Waikato, and Auckland. It estimates illicit tobacco accounts for 50% of the Australian market.    Minister Casey Costello told Ryan Bridge New...