Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The Reserve Bank expects inflation to spike this quarter but says it's still too early to say by how much. The central bank's opted to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25% for now. It's forecasting inflation will surge to 4.2% in the June quarter but admits that forecast doesn't take into account the fall in fuel prices after yesterday's Iran ceasefire announcement. The Co-operative Bank...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 9th of April 2025, Iran and the US have agreed on a two week ceasefire, Intelligence, Foreign Policy Analyst and former US Navy Senior Chief Malcolm Nance tells Ryan if it will hold.  Huge drug hauls are being caught at Auckland Airport, Drug Detection Agency CEO Glen Dobson tells Ryan why there's so much more drugs coming in.&n...

Should we welcome a ceasefire? Yes, of course. Should we count on it holding? No, of course not. The Iranians now control a strait they didn’t control before the war, and the Israelis are still dropping bombs in Lebanon even though this ceasefire apparently says they shouldn’t be. In fact, both sides now seem to be claiming they're talking about completely different 10-point plans. These are the t...

A think tank's warning the way we appoint public agency leaders is hindering the Government from governing.   The New Zealand Initiative says consecutive governments struggling to fulfil their promises is due to elected ministers being unable to choose a department's chief executive.  Executive Director Oliver Hartwich says the Public Service Commissioner makes the appointment, which can...

The Reserve Bank is expected to play it safe today as it releases the first Official Cash Rate since the Iran war began.  Economists predict it'll remain at 2.25% until later this year.  ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Ryan Bridge the conflict is very much inflationary and bad for growth.  She says until it's clear whether higher interest rates are required to head off persi...

Donald Trump's rhetoric is becoming more violent as he issues a grave threat toward Iran. The US President says 'a whole civilisation will die tonight' unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens, warning US forces will demolish Iranian bridges and power.  But Tehran is holding steadfast.  The Guardian's defence and security editor Dan Sabbagh told Ryan Bridge Iranian infrastructure's already be...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 8th of April 2025, the Reserve Bank will deliver it's first OCR since operation epic fury, Anz Chief Economist Sharon Zollner what she thinks the bank will do.  There are calls for ministers to have more control over the agencies that they are responsible for, NZ Initiative Executive Director shares his thoughts with Ryan.&nbsp...

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: this war in Iran has been a total balls-up from Trump.  He's cried wolf three times on his ultimatums. He's said one thing and then in the next breath said exactly the opposite.  Now he's talking about ending an entire civilisation.  White House officials have described him as being in a 'defiant' mood. Wars aren't generally won on moo...

Andrew Alderson joined Ryan Bridge to discuss the sporting news from the Easter weekend.   On the agenda was the railway-crossing incident at the Tour of Flanders, Charlisse Leger-Walker becoming the first Kiwi woman to win an NCAA basketball title in the US, and the performance of the Wellington Phoenix Women.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says almost nothing is off limits as he threatens to obliterate Iranian civil infrastructure.   The US President's demanding Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 1pm tomorrow or the country will be 'living in Hell'.  Tehran has meanwhile rejected a last-ditch temporary ceasefire proposal, calling instead for a definitive end to the war.   Feature Story News Corresponde...

An interesting article in the Herald yesterday about army training at Waiouru.  The troops are singing from the same song sheet as Winston and Judith in terms of how threatening the world is at the moment. Senior Army commanders were quoted saying the pressure on our defence force is greater than at any time in recent memory.  They’re getting billions of extra funding for equipment and k...

Students are worried the fight for jobs is getting even harder as public sector roles dry up.  There were just over 485 graduate roles in November 2023, down to 192 last November.  It comes after a significant push —led by the Government— for cost savings.  Victoria University Students Association president Aidan Donoghue says finding work is a huge concern, and more are looking ove...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 7th of April 2025, Feature Story News Correspondent Kate Fisher shares the latest from Washington as Trump addresses the media on the latest with the Iran war.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  There's more concern our young talent is flocking across the ditch, Victoria University of Wellington Student...

Fire and Emergency's board is reportedly getting a pay rise while firefighters are striking for the same thing.  The Post is reporting Fire and Emergency NZ’s deputy chair and board members are in line for boosts of up to 79%.   A departmental briefing recommended Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden approve the large increases in December.  Taxpayers’ Union Executive Directo...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 2nd of April 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian shares his thoughts what will come out of Donald Trump's address to the nation.  NASA is set to send four astronauts on their way around the moon, Executive Director of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network Haritina Mogosanu tells Ryan how big of a deal this is.  Fi...

Astronomer's are over the Moon with excitement as NASA's first crewed lunar mission in 50 years is only hours away from take off. The launch window for Artemis II begins at around midday New Zealand time.  It'll last about 10 days, with four astronauts circling the Moon, taking them further into space than ever before. Astrobiology Network Executive Director Haritina Mogoșanu told Ryan Bridge...

The American President's doing a live presser today on his war.  The Australian Prime Minister's just wrapped a live address to the nation on the oil shock. And here, our Prime Minister is making his own announcement about a cabinet reshuffle.  It's a bit of an odd time to do it.  He's got Reti and Collins leaving, so he had to do it some point. The day before Easter Friday means he...

An Auckland councillor says people shouldn't read too much into yet another change to Auckland's density plan.  The Government revised the Super-city's minimum housing capacity for a second time yesterday, settling on 1.4 million after continued push-back in some suburbs.  Last month it reduced it from two-million homes to 1.6-million.   Councillor Richard Hills told Ryan Bridge the...

There are hopes thawing our frosty relationship with the Cook Islands shouldn't be too tough for the Foreign Minister.  Winston Peters is meeting Prime Minister Mark Brown on his home turf after an Auckland meeting last month.  Relations have been tense since the Cooks didn't consult with New Zealand on a partnership deal with China, despite our free association arrangement.  Former...

All signs are pointing towards inflation going up - as the Middle East conflict causes business confidence to plummet.  ANZ's latest Business Outlook survey shows most firms expect costs to increase as economic insecurity sets in.  Most anticipate they'll raise prices in the next three months. Retail and construction had the sharpest slides in confidence.  Auckland Business Chamber...

Remember the outrage over bureaucrats working for home, even though Covid was a distant memory?  The Government came in and said they should all pack their lunch and go back to work. Problem is, this isn't happening.  As you'll know from listening to this show, ACC has already staged a backdown, now MBIE is doing the same.  To her credit, Fleur Fitzsimons at the PSA union, has lawye...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 1st of April 2025, Former Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff shares his thoughts on Winston Peters heading to the Cook Islands this week for the first time since 2024. Business confidence been punched in guts amid the global uncertainty, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges shares his thoughts. The Government's reducing the h...

Banks' forecasts of an economic contraction in the second quarter are probably right, independent economist Cameron Bagrie says.  ASB’s revised outlook shows the bank expects annual GDP growth of 1.3% this year, down from its previous forecast of 2.9%, thanks to higher fuel prices hitting consumer spending.  It expects the economy to contract by 0.3% in the second quarter and expand by 0...

Construction and manufacturing workers are out the door, with more opportunities in other industries or abroad.   Stats NZ finds the overall number of filled jobs ticked up 0.3% from January to February.   But close to eight thousand jobs in construction and manufacturing have disappeared in the past year.  Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Ryan Bridge most bui...

Concerns life-saving kidney care is underfunded across New Zealand. Dialysis - a vital treatment for thousands - can take hours, with some patients travelling long distances or managing care at home without any medical support. Health New Zealand admitted to 1News there's been a lack of funding in renal care in some parts of the country.  Kidney Health New Zealand General Manager Madi Keaytol...