Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 29 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.

The Reserve Bank's surprise decision to keep the OCR on hold has had an immediate impact on the already weak New Zealand dollar. The Kiwi's had its biggest drop against the Aussie in nine years. Finance Minister Nicola Willis shares her thoughts with Ryan Bridge.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wanna know something weird?  1 in 7 Australian adults could imagine falling in love with an AI chatbot. They might tease us about our relations with sheep, but at least we're not actually getting into emotional relationships with a rack of computer hard drives.  Weirdos.  Anthony Albanese gave a speech yesterday about their new AI laws, which he's trying to pass. And trying to get O...

Israeli voter turnout's reached a record high in the election that could determine Benjamin Netanyahu's political future.   CNN exit polls show Gadi Eisenkot's on 52 seats to Netanyahu's 50.  Security is the leading issue among voters, with many blaming Netanyahu for the October 7th attack.   CBS Middle East correspondent Linda Gradstein told Ryan Bridge both camps will likely need...

The election could factor into whether this afternoon brings the Reserve Bank's third OCR hike of the year.   Most economists predict a 25 basis point lift to 3%.   Inflation's sitting at 3.7% – outside its target band.   Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge there's an argument for holding off until December, but he expects the Reserve Bank will toe the market's li...

A property investor is questioning why Labour's rent-to-own scheme should stop at just state houses. The party is proposing allowing Kainga Ora to put aside $100 rent a week, working up to a deposit. Labour would also lift the income cap for 5% deposits to $300,000, making more buyers eligible. Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge it's a good idea but it's nich...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 28th of October 2026, mortgage holders are bracing for another OCR hike, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold tells Ryan what we can expect. The Labour party want state housing tenants to own their own home, Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball shares his thoughts.  Israel is going to the voting booth t...

This morning I can't stay silent on this issue that's been raised in the campaign.   This comment, made by New Zealand First candidate and former Defence Minister Ron Mark, is outrageous and wrong.   Ron, Ron, Ron. There is nothing wrong with an expressing oneself via a man bun. Some call them twat tops. A douche donut. A head turd.   They've been called a lot of things, but a sign...

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...