Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Westpac have upgraded their GDP forecast, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie tells Ryan what this means for our economy. Act wants to abolish the Climate Change Commission, Adjunct Professor at the NZ Climate Change Research Institute Adrian Macey shares his thoughts.  Dairy exports reached $28 billion in the year to December, Da...

A number of wins for Auckland as the city heads into a new era.   The fourth annual State of the City report, commissioned by the independent non-partisan Committee for Auckland, compares the super city to others globally.   It scored well on innovation, international business events, and the number of people coming here, but did less well on things like productivity and keeping talent.&...

Wellington's Mayor says new rates cap could mean cutting back on important work.  The Government's clarified key aspects of its plan to cap council rate hikes at 4%, which is expected to come into force in 2029.   Councils would be expected to prepare for it from next July, although the scheme excludes water services.  Wellington Mayor Andrew Little told Ryan Bridge they currently h...

This past week is proof a four-year Parliamentary term is probably a good idea.  Elections disrupt the housing market. People get scared off buying for fear of the unknown – who knows what government will get in and what they'll do to price of a house.  Same goes for business decisions – should I buy that extra tractor if a pro-regulation party gets round the cabinet table?  But the...

Labour's determined to see the end of smoking in New Zealand if re-elected to government. The party plans to reinstate the Smokefree Generation, introduce a licensing regime to stop illicit sales, and cancel tax breaks for tobacco companies.   Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says smoking's our leading cause of preventable death.  Action for Smokefree 2025 Director Ben Youdan told Ryan...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 26th of August 2026, the Government’s pushing ahead with its 4% rates cap, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little shares his thoughts. The Labour party says they'd bring back our Smokefree generation goals if they get back in government, Action for Smokefree 2025 Director Ben Youdan tells Ryan why this is important.  A new report s...

Retail's been taking a hit since the Iran war began, with people staying home to save money and fuel.  Stats NZ data shows the June quarter's inflation and seasonal-adjusted sales volumes fell 0.5% on the three months to March, but after accounting for surging fuel prices, petrol station sales actually plunged 13%.  The only significant growth was in computer and appliance store sales, w...

Scepticism as Health New Zealand claims staffing levels may not be as bleak as they look.  The agency's released data across almost 615 wards last year, showing for 740-thousand shifts, around a quarter were below the target level at some point.  Chief Nurse Nadine Gray says the figures could represent five minutes or less of under-resourcing across an eight hour shift.  But Patient...

The Government wants under-16's banned from social media, but any law change is many months away.   Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the move yesterday, which will require platforms to verify age via face scanning or either digital or physical IDs.  It's not clear if the bill will have enough support, with ACT and New Zealand First agreeing to disagree, and Labour yet to fully...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 25 August. 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.

Labour's fallen into a cunning wee trap set by Nicola Willis a few weeks ago.   She laid the bait —releasing 'fiscal rules' her party would abide by if re-elected— and challenged Labour to do the same.   On the weekend, they took the bait and released their own 'fiscal strategy'. Which is different form their 'fiscal plan' – more on that in a second.   The problem for Labour is that...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 25th of August 2026, National’s pushing ahead with a social media ban for under-16s, Labour Spokesperson for Technology and Media Reuben Davidson, tells Ryan what it will take for Labour to support the bill. Q2’s retail numbers show the Iran war is starting to hit the hip pocket, ASB senior economist Jane Turner shares her thought...

They’re calling it one of the All Blacks’ greatest wins in years. A huge 33-16 victory over the Springboks at Ellis park -- our biggest ever there, and first win in South Africa in four years. Former All Blacks Captain Sean Fitzpatrick joins Ryan Bridge from Johannesburg.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, well, well. Look who's feeling good on a Monday morning?  We are. Little old New Zealand.  Did we just beat the Springboks at Ellis Park? Yes, we did.  Five tries to one. At altitude. Our first win in South Africa in four years.  That's just for starters. The Black Ferns rolled the Aussies 66-19.  If you thought the All Blacks six tries were impressive, how about 10...

A big showdown in Johannesburg this weekend.  The All Blacks are facing the Springboks for the first time on their tour of South Africa, clashing at Ellis Park at 3am Sunday.  The Kiwi side is on a winning streak against the domestic sides, but the Springboks have won four of the past five meetings.  Former Springbok Kevin Putt told Ryan Bridge the South African side is taking physi...

Kiwibank is reporting a 9% drop in annual profit.  It comes amid talk of a potential merger between Kiwibank and TSB Bank, if the current TSB-Heartland merger falls through.  The Crown-owned bank says it's dealing with a challenging economic environment.  Its net interest income —the gap between what it's receiving in interest and paying out in interest— has risen 1.7%.  Massey...

New Zealand First's plan to force more Fonterra milk into the hands of rival manufacturers is being dismissed as a “dumb idea”.  The party wants to amend the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act, giving qualifying manufacturers access to up to 500-million litres of Fonterra milk a year for six years – up from the current 50-million.  Dairy industry analyst Peter Fraser told Ryan Bridge if NZ...

Questions whether Megan and Harry's feud with British tabloids will be re-ignited once they're back in the UK.  The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be back in the next couple weeks, with their children due to start school next month.  The pair chose to step down as senior members of the royal family and leave for the US in 2020.  Newstalk ZB correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan...

There's a lot of noise around banks in this country, but results speak for themselves.   If I had a dollar for every time a politician said there's no competition in the banking sector, that they're price-gouging tyrants, I'd be richer than Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos put together.   But let's take a closer look, shall we?   Kiwibank reported annual profit was down 9% yesterday. ...

Queenstown Airport's turning its focus to managing the pressure of growth after another record year.  It’s declared a $20.4 million dividend for the year to June after making $9.1 million in profit and handling a record 2.82 million passengers.  Chief Executive Shane O'Hare told Ryan Bridge the community needs to work together to tackle congestion pressures to continue growing.  He...

Federated Farmers is feeling refreshed seeing the Government's changes for Freshwater Farm Plans.   An amendment paper to the Natural Environment Bill will do away with some mapping requirements and re-certification will be required every six years instead of five.  It'll also ensure certification will only be required on parts of farms where higher environmental risk activity occurs.&nb...

Tauranga's MP says a question mark's hanging over the head of council's CEO following the damning Mt Maunganui landslide review. The council commissioned report found the loss of six lives in the campsite at Mauao's base in January was preventable.  Tauranga City Council had been given expert warnings on the risk for decades. MP Sam Uffindell told Ryan Bridge council need to have a good look...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 20th of August 2026, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell responds to damning findings from the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide inquiry. Business is booming at Queenstown Airport with nearly three million passengers this financial year, Queenstown Airport CEO Shane O'Hare shares his thoughts.  The Government has revealed what its going...

You've probably noticed a few people now, there are loads out there, on the jab and looking skinny.   The weight-loss miracle drugs mean people eat less. Less food and less often.  Fewer cravings. That means demand for fatty, deep fried food and sugar is shrinking, quick as our waistlines.   They reckon 15% of Americans will be on the drugs within a decade. Calorie intake will drop...

The Gianni Infantino saga rolls on.  FIFA has dismissed chief operating officer Kevin Lamour after he criticised Infantino's plan to sell part of the World Cup to investors.  FIFA did not comment on the terms of Lamour departure.  It comes as Scotland withdraws its support, and the Union of European Football Associations, Asia, and Concacaf call for a review of Infantino’s conduct.&...