Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

We have a new issues poll out this morning.  It's from IPSOS. 1000 people. Was taken after Waitangi weekend.  The numbers are bad for National, because they should be winning on more issues.  But Luxon won't hate the numbers because they're going in the right direction of a few key issues.  A significant increase on Cost of Living - after a period of trending in the wrong direc...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith, has the latest on US/Israel strikes on Iran.  The Government will allow farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home or farm, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Ryan about the impact this will have.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  P...

The Danish Prime Minister has called a snap election, hailing it a decisive next four years for her country.  Mette Frederiksen says the election will be held on March 24 instead of the original end of October date.   It comes after months of politics dominated by Donald Trump's threats to annex Greenland – the semi-autonomous Danish territory.   UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Rya...

Excitement in Christchurch as the city gears up for one of the biggest weekends of the year.   Electric Avenue is officially the biggest festival in Australasia, with 90 thousand attendees over the two days.  Kiwi band Split Enz is headlining, joined by Australian DJ Dom Dolla.  Last year's festival brought in $10.5 million in visitor spend – the largest local event since the 1974 C...

The Taupō Mayor says he'd be surprised if Air New Zealand cut its popular regional route.   Some regional flights could be on the chopping block after the airline posted a $40 million half-year loss.  It's pointed to ongoing fleet constraints, a slower recovery in domestic demand, and persistently high aviation system inflation.   Mayor John Funnell told Ryan Bridge he understands c...

A victims advocate is attributing a switch up of crime figures to changes in policing and sentencing.   Data from the latest Crime and Victims Survey shows there were 49 thousand fewer victims of violent crime in the year to last October, compared to the two previous years.  The Government says there's no doubt the gang patch ban has played a part.   Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 27 February. 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 Reserve Bank's proposal to set up more branches and ATMs has left one expert stunned.  It's asking for public feedback on requiring banks to provide accessible cash services countrywide, free of charge.   It includes ensuring those in urban areas can reach a service by walking.   But Massey University Banking Professor Claire Matthews says the need isn't high enough to warrant b...

The last piece of the puzzle for overnight air traffic control, with the Government opening up a new 24/7 alternative runway for commercial airlines.   Funding's been approved for the round-the-clock service at Ōhakea Air Force base, near Palmerston North.   Under aviation laws, commercial flights must nominate an alternative runway in case a plane can't land at its destination. &nb...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Dairy NZ have unveiled their state of the dairy nation report, Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean shares his thoughts.  The Government says the control tower at Ohakea air base will soon operate 24/7, making it the country’s official back-up airport, Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand Executive Director Cath O'Bri...

Dairy farmers are celebrating as the sector delivers a record year.  Data from Dairy NZ's annual state of the dairy nation report shows farmers produced an unprecedented 21 billion litres of milk in the 2024/2025 season.  It's also brought the highest ever export earnings worth $27.1 billion.  Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean told Ryan Bridge a lot of it comes down to herd te...

There's a big puffy cloud of smoke hanging over the vaping versus cigarettes debate this week.  It's all kicked off because the Government's handing out free vapes to smokers to stop them getting what we know could be a death sentence.  They've done a deal to buy a bunch of them for $500,000. Between last January and July, 3000 smokers were given vaping kits and nearly half of them stopp...

Liquor licensing mayhem for Christchurch bar owners as the opening of the new stadium nears.   Super Rugby's Super Round games will be played at One NZ Stadium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Anzac weekend.   But alcohol laws mean bars must close at midnight on Friday and can't serve alcohol without a meal before 1pm on Saturday.   Hospitality NZ's Canterbury President Jeremy Stev...

A former chair of Health New Zealand says a fix to issues within health data systems has likely been put off, after a possible hack of MediMap.  The platform's widely used across the country, especially in aged care, disability, hospice, and community health.  Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge there's a lot of issues within data systems that need fixing.  He says it's expensive, can be...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 25th of Feburary 2025, nurses at aged care facilities are going back to paper-based prescriptions after Medimaps data breach, Former Health NZ Chair shares his concerns.  Christchurch bar owners say Anzac Day liquor laws will ‘shut the city down’ on the new stadium’s opening night, Jeremy Stevens Hospitality NZ Canterbury B...

New treatment options for melanoma are being described as the global gold standard.   Pharmac's proposing to increase access to nivolumab and ipilimumab for treating stage 3b and 4 melanoma, from May.   Pre-surgery use of the immunotherapy drugs can lower the chance of cancer returning.  Medical oncologist Dr Gareth Rivalland told Ryan Bridge it's state of the art treatment.  ...

This Government has made fast-track a buzzword. After yet another massive hack of private information on Sunday, it needs to put that buzzword into action and sharpen up our privacy laws. Like, yesterday.  Especially if we're talking about your health information getting stolen and potentially posted online by hackers for a ransom.  The hackers it seems, are pretty much a mystery and nev...

Former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.  Mandelson was fired and has been under investigation over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.  It comes as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has written to his UK counterpart Keir Starmer, calling for the former Prince Andrew to be removed from the royal line of succes...

Long term benefits could justify the Crown pouring more money into Genesis Energy.   The company's revealed a $400 million capital raise to up its investment in renewables.  Now the Crown's purchasing $200 million worth of new shares to maintain its 51% shareholding.   Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord told Ryan Bridge Genesis is focused on storing electricity for dr...

Airways New Zealand is pushing for the Civil Aviation Authority to lower the age New Zealanders can get an air traffic control licence amid worries our talent's being poached overseas.  The air traffic control provider's sounded the alarm during an address before a Parliamentary Select Committee.   CEO James Young says there's a global shortage of controllers, and in other areas like con...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, the Government’s forking out $200 million to keep its majority stake in Genesis Energy, Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord tells Ryan if this is a good investment.  Warnings that staffing shortages could spell big problems for our airline industry, Aviation Industry Association CEO Simon Wallace shares his concerns....

Police say they can't keep an ongoing presence at Auckland's new City Rail Link long term.  The country's largest transport project is scheduled to open to passengers sometime in the second half of the year.  But a Police official told an Auckland Council Safety Committee this month they're preparing to ramp up operations in quarter three.  Auckland Councillor Alf Filipaina tells Ry...

Kiwis are known around the world for their kindness.  We open doors, we say please and thank you, we help out our neighbour. We leap in to help when help is needed.  It’s one of the traits we’re most proud of. But one thing we hate more than anything else is when that kindness is taken for granted - then it’s no more Mr Nice Guy. We say this with kids stealing from dairies and ram-raidin...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday the 23rd of Feburary 2025, The Government’s moving to give Police new powers to move on beggars and rough sleepers, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Andrew about the difference this will make for town centres. Donald Trump's announced a new 15% global baseline tariff with a new law, after the US supreme court ruled his existing...

The Government is proposing a law which would allow Police to order someone rough sleeping or begging, to leave a public space for up to 24 hours.  They could be fined up to two thousand dollars or three months in jail if they don't. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith joins Andrew Dickens.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.