Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Christopher Luxon's going rogue.  The risk when making constitutional policy pronouncements 92 days out from an election, blindsiding your colleagues and diverting attention from your key messaging, is that you look erratic.   At best, voters might see this as a distraction play. They might see this as a means to regain the oxygen.  But it's not something anyone's actually asking fo...

AI might be contributing to our rising unemployment rate.  Stats NZ data shows unemployment jumped to 5.6% in the June quarter, up from 5.3% in March.   It's the highest rate in 11 years and higher than most economists had been picking.  ABC Business Sales’ Chris Small told Ryan Bridge when you compare the South Island’s rate of 3.7% to the North Island’s 6%, it seems like more of a...

The Ministry of Justice is being accused of turning a blind eye to some internal issues after a staffer facing money laundering charges stayed on its payroll for five years.  Former Lotto host Russell Harrison was arrested days after starting at the ministry in 2021, admitting guilt in June.  Documents obtained by the Taxpayers Union reveal four other ministry employees are on leave whil...

A couple of things on the unemployment number that came out yesterday.  It looks worse than actually it is because a bunch of people decided they would start looking for work in the second quarter rather than the one before it. So, there are a bunch of reasons for this happening, but basically you don't really know. You don't know what you don't know. It's anyone's guess. It could be tha...

There are concerns family violence victims are waiting too long for protection orders to be served. Data released under the Official Information Act reveals nearly half of temporary protection orders served by Police in 2025 took four days or longer to reach respondents. Northland recorded the longest average delay at 16 days. Aviva's Gwenda Kendrew told Ryan Bridge their concern is the state of l...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 6th of August 2026, unemployment's climbed to highest level in nearly 11 years, ABC Business Sales CEO Chris Small tells Ryan why the rate is so high currently.  The Taxpayers Union has revealed four more employees at the Ministry of Justice are on leave while facing criminal charges or serious misconduct investigations, Exe...

More than 170 migrants have been rescued after a boat crossing the English Channel caught fire.  The vessel left France on Monday night before bursting into flames on Tuesday morning.  Eleven people suffered minor injuries, while an Egyptian national has been arrested.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge the Government believes its measures are working, with crossings down...

The red meat sector's celebrating its best June on record for exports. The Meat Industry Association's found $1.37 billion worth of red meat was exported over the month – twice that of June last year. Sheepmeat surged 40% in volume and more than doubled in value, while the value of beef climbed more than a fifth. Chief executive Nick Beeby told Ryan Bridge the increased demand is a result of the p...

The job market is expected to remain tight for quite some time.   Many economists are picking today's unemployment rate will increase from 5.3% to 5.5% for the June quarter.   ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Ryan Bridge the war in Iran and the surrounding uncertainty has probably spooked many employers.   He says they may even hold off making any hiring decisions until next yea...

There's scepticism from retailers that Police will turn up to a theft as shoplifting rises to a record high. Official Information Act data shows Police laid the highest number of shoplifting charges in 15 years across the 2024/25 year. This resulted in the highest number of convictions being dished out in the country’s courts. Retail NZ Advocacy Manager Denise Garland told Ryan Bridge Police are s...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 5th of August 2026, unemployment's expected to edge up from 5.3 to around 5.5%, ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith shares his thoughts. June saw $1.37 billion worth of red meat exports, Meat Industry Association CEO Nick Beeby tells Ryan how significant this is for meat farmers.  Shoplifting is at its highest rate in 15 years,...

I've been spending a bit of time in hardware stores lately.   Which is great because most let you bring your dog along, and when it's raining you can basically walk the dog for half an hour indoors.   Anyway, last week I was in the shop looking for a sealer for a limestone tile.   Now, I have no idea about sealers and don’t know much about limestone tiles either.   But this is...

A building material supplier wants to see the consents given to new homes turn into actual work.  Stats NZ figures show approvals rose 19% annually to June – topping 40 thousand for the first time since 2023.   Infometrics says Auckland and Canterbury continue to dominate, making up 80% of residential growth.   Combined Building Supplies Co-operative CEO Carl Taylor told Ryan Bridge...

Signs of life in the economy as overall debt improves.   Centrix data for June shows consumers' credit performance is continuing to improve, with arrears plunging to the lowest level since 2021.   However, the results still show 84 thousand people with payments 90 or more days overdue.  Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge there seems to be a bit less stress on our...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, The Government's keeping the extra $50 fuel relief for now, Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham shares his thoughts on where we're at with fuel prices.  Centrix's consumer credit shows arrears are at the lowest level since 2021, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie tells Ryan why we're seeing a shift. New home consents have topped 40,00...

There's support for continued fuel relief, with motorists still sensitive to price rises. The Government's extending the in-work tax credit, higher mileage rates for health workers and eligible patients, and reimbursements for relievers. That's despite average pump prices staying below $3 for four weeks. Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham told Ryan Bridge people change their behaviour once prices clim...

The battle for the right and centre-right vote is the most interesting thing about the Election.  Because it's the battle that will determine who wears the pants in the next Government.  I'm still of the view that the Coalition will be re-elected. The make-up of the cabinet is what they're now fighting for.  That's why over the past week we've seen the biggest dust ups between the t...

Two people have died after their helicopters collided in mid-air, while fighting wildfires west of Athens in Greece.  A British pilot and Greek fire service liaison officer survived the crash and have been taken to hospital.  Greece is among many parts of Europe suffering devastating wildfires after a summer of extreme heat.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that so much...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday the 3rd of August 2026, NZ First's wants to give parents money to have more children, parenting expert Nathan Wallis tells Ryan if it's enough of an incentive.  Paul Henry's unveiled his first Act Party policy, giving teachers the legal power to remove naughty students from the classroom, Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve M...

A view ACT's classroom behaviour policy misses the mark. It wants to give teachers more legal power to remove seriously or persistently disruptive students from class and introduce mandatory stand-downs for those who assault teachers or classmates. Parents who repeatedly fail to engage with schools would also face fines. Secondary Principals' Council Chair Steve McCracken told Ryan Bridge teachers...

Did you see the news Prime Minister's pep talk to business leaders on Friday?  The business chamber boss said Rotorua's had its sharpest fall in business confidence in a decade, and business are wondering how long they can actually stay in business.  Luxon's reply is what got people talking. A friend sent it to me and said, 'David Brent strikes again'. He said the following:  "I thi...

Freight operators are laying out what they want out of the first stage of the Northland Expressway.  The Government's signed a $3.6 billion deal with the Northway consortium to design, build, and operate the 26-kilometre, four-lane expressway from Warkworth to Te Hana.  Construction's due to start late next year, with the expressway scheduled to open in 2033.  National Road Carriers...

Manufacturing and construction are showing signs of recovery.  ANZ's latest Business Outlook survey finds confidence rose 19 points over the last month, to 56%.  In terms of past activity, manufacturing was highest, while agriculture saw a marked fall and construction lifted.  ASB acting chief economist Kim Mundy told Andrew Dickens the construction sector has been struggling for so...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Friday 31st of July 2026, the Government has signed a PPP with the Northland consortium to get the first part of the Northern Expressway built, General Manager of Policy & Advocacy at National Road Carriers James Smith tells Andrew Dickens this is a big step in the project.  Acting Chief Economist at ASB Kim Mundy shares his thoug...

Confidence that cutting regulations to make solar power more accessible - won't jeopardise people's safety. A new Regulation Ministry reports laid out a potential blueprint to legalise plug-in solar and reduce the time and cost of panel installation. Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey shares his thoughts with Andrew Dickens.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.