Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

There's a suggestion better quality visa applications are coming through, with more than nine in ten applicants being approved.  Data released to Newstalk ZB shows just over 65 thousand applications were declined in 2025 – down from over 83 thousand in 2024.  Last year's rejection rate was about 6.3%, compared to 7.3% for the two years before.  Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar told R...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 1st of May 2026, still no answers for Mount Maunganui businesses following a council meeting on when the Mount will reopen, Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig tells Ryan what happened during the meeting.  Saudi Arabia's pulling funding for the Liv Golf tour from next season, New Zealand open tournament Director Michael Glading sh...

Mount Maunganui businesses are frustrated at a perceived lack of progress in reopening the mount.   Hundreds of residents went to a community meeting last night with council and local MPs.   Mauao's been closed to the public since the landslide which killed six holiday makers nearly 100 days ago.   Mount Maunganui Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig told Ryan Bridge reduced tourist...

There's no reason parties on left and right in New Zealand politics can't work together to get stuff done.  This week we've seen it with the India FTA. It's essentially just deal-making.  It'll pass because a party not in government joined forces with two in government to make it happen.  We've seen it with a member's bill, put forward to Labour's Arena Williams, on international mo...

Australia's starting to feel the economic effects of the energy squeeze stemming from conflict on the other side of the world.   Annual headline inflation surged to 4.6% in March, up from 3.7% in February.   It's the country's highest inflation rate since September 2023, when the economy was bouncing back after Covid.  Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that New...

New Zealand is about to test its readiness for foot and mouth disease with a farm simulation next month on a Taranaki farm.  It'll be followed by a national exercise including everything from mock on-farm detection, quarantine, and national governance decisions.  Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says it's one thing to have a plan on paper and another to actually carry it out.   H...

New Zealand is about to test its readiness for foot and mouth disease with a farm simulation next month on a Taranaki farm.  It'll be followed by a national exercise including everything from mock on-farm detection, quarantine, and national governance decisions.  Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says it's one thing to have a plan on paper and another to actually carry it out.   H...

There are hopes the Government's latest crackdown on the misuse of nitrous oxide gets the message through to retailers.  People inhaling the gas to get high is becoming a serious public health concern. Imports of the gas will soon need approval from the Director-General of Health, while large canisters, also known as nangs, will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances. Retail N...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 30th of April 2026, inflation spiking across the Tasman, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold tells Ryan what this could mean for us.  The Government's changing import rules to crack down on nangs, Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young tells Ryan if this will make much of a difference.  The Government’s running a trial t...

This was always going to happen. The closer you get to the election, the more your friends become your enemies under MMP. Winston's office released OIA docs showing Luxon's people wanted to go further in supporting Trump's war in Iran. The Foreign Minister's office and MFAT, in their wisdom, cautioned against it. For what most of us would probably understand to be good reasons. This was strai...

A belief from one fuel company boss we won't face a total fuel drought.   The Government's signed a deal with Z Energy to bring an extra 90 million litres of diesel into the country, to be stored at Marsden Point.  Waitomo Chief Executive, Simon Parham told Ryan Bridge it shows there's supply out there to buy, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.   He says South Korea has purchase...

Power companies are being put on the spot as the Electricity Authority demands answers to surging prices.   The average household is facing an 8% jump in their power bill this year, matching last year's rise.   That's alongside the big four gentailers lifting their profits 42% in just six months.  Major Electricity Users' Group Executive Director Karen Boyes told Ryan Bridge higher...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 29th of April 2026, the Government's secured an additional 90 million litres of diesel, Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham tells Ryan if it will make much of a difference.    The Electricity Authority’s firing another shot at the gentailers, Major Electricity Users Group Executive Director, Karen Boyes shares her thoughts....

An aviation shake-up will modernise rules dating back about 20 years.  The Government has announced a major overhaul of the Civil Aviation Authority.  The reforms will also update pilot training and licensing to create clearer, more flexible pathways.  Industry Association Chief Executive Simon Wallace told Ryan Bridge historically, the Authority hasn't moved at pace.  He says...

Did you hear the story about these three young flatmates who hunted down their own burglars, busted them, and took back their stuff?  Sarah, Anna, and Charlotte, all in their 20s, got home from work in Christchurch, and some mug, or mugs, had broken in and stolen their stuff.  Rooms were ransacked. Stolen items? Cameras, laptops, jewellery. Also missing? Clothes, undies, and frozen curry...

Banks around the world are meeting this week to discuss interest rates.   Financial conditions are tightening, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East causing inflationary pressures.  They’re broadly expected to keep policy unchanged, opting to remain in wait-and-see mode as the length of the conflict is still unknown.  Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce told Ryan Bridge there’s a l...

New Zealand may not have a large enough working population in the future to support government spending.  A new Koi Tū report shows the fertility rate is at a record low and the population is ageing very quickly.  It found immigration is increasingly becoming the major source of talent and population growth.   PwC Partner and tax issue specialist Sandy Lau told Ryan Bridge that arti...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 28 April. 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.

A freight carriers advocacy group is pleased its concerns are being heard but worries change will come too late.   The Government is preparing options in case the country moves to Phase Two of the fuel response plan.  It includes increasing load limits for trucks and changing the time of day freight can move.  Transporting New Zealand's Chief Executive Dom Kalasih believes it's irra...

Judging by the coverage out of New Delhi overnight, the Indian press appears optimistic about the trade deal with New Zealand.  As optimistic as our Government and industry, and as of last week, Labour, are about it here.  Their trade department points out the thing excludes dairy, so that's safe, along with other sensitive markets.  They like the fact we conceded 100% duty-free acc...

Christchurch bars, restaurants and retailers are preparing for a bumper weekend with the city's new stadium playing host to its first crowds.  One NZ Stadium hosts Super Rugby’s Super Round over the next three days, with the Crusaders taking on the Waratahs in the opening match tonight.  Recent alcohol law changes mean hospitality venues can now open past midnight and sell alcohol withou...

More New Zealand lamb could soon be making its way to India under our soon-to-be-signed free trade agreement.  Labour's now backing the deal, which will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95% of exports to the world's largest country.  Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the Indian market has been largely unavailable until now due to a 33% tariff.  Chair Kate Acland told Ryan Bridge India cons...

Some challenging Budget decisions ahead for the Government due to the ongoing war in Iran.  Treasury officials are revisiting their economic forecasts for next month's Budget, just weeks before it's due to be delivered.  International credit agency Moody's has downgraded New Zealand's economic outlook from stable to negative, noting the Government's later-than-expected return to surplus....

I see ACT is flying a kite on free money for school kids.  Which sounds odd given the party's aversion to free lunches.  Seymour's talking about giving each Year 11 student, 5th form, $500 each to invest. It'd cost $30 million a year and could be funded via the KiwiSaver subsidy.  They'd be able to invest in a term deposit, managed fund, and equities. It'd be a controlled fund so th...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 24 April. 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.