Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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.

Winston Peters escaped censure yesterday from the Speaker after his little outburst against a Green MP. But Mr Peters is still being judged in the court of public opinion.   Carmel Sepuloni was jumping up and down demanding he resign, or be sacked, or just go away, which is not going to happen. China complained to MFAT. You've got to hand it to China – t hey play a subtle ball.   Th...

The SPCA says it's devastated by the Government's decision to override official recommendations to ban the public sale of fireworks.   A cross-party Parliamentary select committee unanimously recommended the full ban in May – also supported by Fire and Emergency.  The Government's opted not to change any laws.  SPCA Senior Scientific Officer Dr Alison Vaughan told Andrew Dickens the...

Transparency is being welcomed in the Government's response to the Covid Inquiry.  It's issued its response to the Covid Inquiry, accepting all recommendations to varying degrees.  The Government agrees information on key decisions during any future pandemic will be made public within five working days, which didn't happen with vaccinations.  Lawyer Matthew Hague, who fought against...

The Defence Minister's tight lipped over how much the Government will fork out for one-way military strike drones.  It's looking into the human-operated machines which explode on a target and serve as a lower-cost alternative to missiles.  The Government's also considering unarmed long-range aerial drones for maritime surveillance.  Chris Penk told Andrew Dickens they'll be spending...

The New Zealand Government has officially granted the first new offshore oil and gas exploration permit since reversing its ban, awarding it to Adelaide-based Australian explorer EnZed Energy. EnZed Energy, an Australian start-up. So, it’s their first rodeo. They get a 12-year petroleum exploration for a 546-square-kilometre zone in the offshore Taranaki Basin, east of the currently producing Kupe...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 30th of July 2026, The Government's responded to the Covid Inquiry, accepting all 63 recommendations in some form, Covid Lawyer Matthew Hague shares his thoughts. The Government's rejected calls to ban public sales of fireworks, Senior Scientific Officer at SPCA Dr. Alison Vaughan shares her thoughts.  The Government is looki...

Kiwifruit growers are welcoming seasonal workers being given more flexibility to change jobs.  The Government's tweaking the RSE scheme, focusing on accommodation standards, clarifying rules, and strengthening pastoral care.  It includes making online access for workers mandatory and creating more opportunity for them to switch between accredited employers.  New Zealand Kiwifruit Gr...

The success of Supercars' first double header weekend is being hailed, despite one day being lost due to a major storm.  The two events generated more than $21 million in visitor spend, attracting 95 thousand petrol heads across Taupo Park one weekend and Christchurch the following one.   A full day of racing was cancelled in Taupo, due to Cyclone Vaianu.  Taupo District Council eve...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday 29th of July 2026, The Government's shaking up the Recognised Seasonal Employment Scheme, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated CEO Colin Bond shares his thoughts.  Supercars’ first-ever ITM New Zealand Double Header delivered a major boost to New Zealand’s visitor economy, generating $21.4 million in domestic and international...

Just because New Zealand hasn't recorded more bird flu cases, doesn't mean it's time to relax. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has announced legislation requiring anyone with more than 100 birds to have a bird flu prevention and response plan. This country has two confirmed cases of the globally circulating H5N1 strain in Petone and Carterton. Hoggard told Andrew Dickens MPI has investigated a...

It took a while for the Commonwealth Games to get going, but yesterday they did.  Lewis Clareburt took gold in the 200 metres butterfly with an insane burst over the last 50 metres, in a race even he called stupid. It was a good feeling for the nation, because no disrespect to the earlier medallists, it’s gold that gets the nation going. It’s been a funny old Comm Games thus far.  It’s a...

A digital marketing agency says more New Zealanders are turning to TikTok to decide where to eat and shop.  A new Infometrics report shows the app supported almost 10 thousand local jobs last year and helped boost the local economy by an estimated $1.2 billion.  It reveals more than 300 thousand New Zealand businesses are using the platform each month.  Squid Group founder Laurence...

More evidence in black and white of the need for more investment in water infrastructure.   The Water Services Authority's third annual Network Environmental Performance Report finds there is an average 31 wastewater overflows a day.  It also finds some 15% of assessed drinking water and wastewater pipes are in poor condition.   Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe told...

A push for New Zealand to catch up with other countries on firefighter cancer cover. The Professional Firefighters Union is backing a Green Party Member's Bill to automatically provide firefighters with ACC cover for work-related cancer. Under current rules, firefighters must prove their cancer was caused by their job. Union National Secretary Wattie Watson told Andrew Dickins most of the time ACC...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 28th of July 2026, Water New Zealand Chief Executive Gillian Blythe shares her thoughts on the water services authority’s national report.  TikTok advertising is boosting New Zealand's GDP by $1.2 billion, Laurence Carey Squid Group Founder and Managing Director shares his thoughts. The Greens want firefighters to have automat...

Support for National's paid parental leave policy, from at least one business leader. The party's promising to extend paid parental leave from the current 26 weeks,  to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected, with further increases possible if finances allow. Parents would also have more flexibility to share, or take leave at the same time. Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens th...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 27 July. 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 Bay of Plenty MP says fresh slips at Mauao in Mt Maunganui put further strain on the community.  Adams Avenue remains closed after eight-thousand cubic metres of debris came down over the weekend.   Three have been three slips near the original landslide which claimed six lives in January.  MP Tom Rutherford says told Andrew Dickens the restored track to the summit - hasn't been...

As if the world hasn’t already got enough to worry about what with war, and fuel crisis and inflation, there comes another concern This weekend The Independent published a piece on UK Farmers warning that food shortages are just 10 days away for the UK and there are signs that suggest they’ve already arrived Farmers have sounded the alarm about a growing food crisis, and experts say that Britain’s...

Hopes more regular inflation reports will mean more accurate analysis for businesses.   From next July, Stats NZ will phase in monthly Consumer Price Index reporting, on top of the current quarterly reports.   Statistics Minister Scott Simpson says it'll keep businesses, households, and decision-makers, like the Reserve Bank, better-informed.   Infometrics Principal Economist Brad O...

The architect of a member's bill aiming to crack down on unreported child abuse is confident it will receive widespread support.   The bill, which would make it mandatory for people to report known or suspected child abuse to police, has been drawn from the biscuit tin.    Port Waikato MP Andrew Bayly says the current laws hinder the ability of police to effectively investigate chil...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 24th of July 2026 , Port Waikato MP Andrew Bayly tells Ryan why his members bill on toughening up child abuse reporting is important.  The 2026 Commonwealth Games are underway in Glasgow, Newstalk ZB Sports Reader Andrew Alderson has the latest.  From, July next year Stats NZ is going to report on inflation monthly instead of...

New Zealand has kicked off its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow.   Ahead of the opening ceremony, Shannon McIlroy beat Tonga's Liam Hill 2-nil at the men's singles on the indoor bowls rink.  And in the women's pairs, Katelyn Inch and Selina Goddard won a tie-break against Kenya after the match initially finished one end apiece.  Newstalk ZB Sports Reader Andrew Alderson joined...

It's possible our Defence Force could send personnel to the Middle East to help stop the Houthis.  They're the group in Yemen, backed by Iran, currently firing drones and cruise missiles at Saudi tankers.  They're the ones, along with the Revolutionary Guard in Iran, pushing up the price of oil this morning.  They're the ones blocking the B route for getting crude out of the Gulf.&n...