Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 2nd of July 2026, the IMF's given New Zealand a fairly positive report card, Kelly Eckhold Westpac Chief Economist shares his thoughts. House prices still going in the wrong direction, real estate agent Rawdon Christie tells Ryan why.  Customs Minister Casey Costello has the latest on customs seizing 1.3 million illegal cigarett...

Don't you find it annoying when some economist or think tank or some 'group' comes to our country and tells us what they think we need to do to make it better? There's the odd case where you'd want to listen; former world leaders, current world leaders, banks who lend you money, rating agencies who dictate your cost of borrowing. But your OECDS, IMFS and World Banks, and United Nations? They all c...

New Zealand restaurants are getting their sparkle back, thanks to some joining elite ranks.  More than 100 venues have been recognised by the Michelin Guide, with 14 awarded a single star, including Auckland's Ahi and Wanaka's Kika.  Essence in Queenstown was the only venue to receive a coveted two stars.  Restaurant Association CEO Nicola Waldren told Ryan Bridge the country wasn't...

A former Treasury economist believes the agency has lost its mojo.  A new report's calling for Treasury to up its game, detailing a litany of blunders, including incorrect ACC deficit numbers, and costings for the Interislander ferry replacements.  The Public Service Commission also finds some ministers are losing confidence in its advice.  Economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 1st of July 2026, a scathing external review of the Treasury has found it's losing the confidence of ministers. Former Treasury economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts. The first-ever New Zealand Michelin awards have been handed out, Restaurant Association CEO Nicola Waldren discusses the success of the night. The Auditor-G...

The head of a Rotorua intermediate school says more often than not school lunches are delivered looking unappetising.   A report from the Auditor-General found only half of the meals complied with nutritional standards, and criticises the scheme's rollout.   Associate Education Minister David Seymour says some of the meals with fewer vegetables were more popular with students, and the Go...

Good morning, and I really do mean, good morning. Four months ago, war kicked off in the Middle East. A year earlier the tariff war kicked off all over the world. And yet today the following things are happening, regardless. Wall Street is steaming ahead... on track some best quarterly performances since Covid. The S&P: up 14% through Monday. Nasdaq up 20%. The price of oil's falling. Man...

A thinktank suggests we need to move away from a 'bigger is better' mindset when reforming local government.   A New Zealand Initiative report says the Government's plan for creating fewer larger councils through mergers is the wrong fix.   It cites Infrastructure Commission findings that Auckland's 2010 super-city merger delivered more costs than savings. Initiative Senior Fellow Nick C...

Surprise over jobs in the public service rising, despite cuts planned by the Government. Seasonally-adjusted Stats NZ data shows filled jobs rose 0.3 percent last month - and 0.7 percent for the past year. The most jobs were in the public sector, with more than six-thousand jobs created in the year to May. Infometrics Economist Rob Heyes says there's still plenty of work to do in the public sector...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 30th of June 2026, the employment market's showing slight signs of life, Infometrics Consultant Rob Heyes shares his thoughts.  A NZ Initiative report says merging councils might not be the golden solution to our local government issues, senior fellow Nick Clark tells Ryan why. Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the l...

There's a perception out there that some of the younger MPs either don't know what they're doing in Parliament or are just doing stuff to get likes on social media.  I'm going to be so real right now with you – some of it's actually true. Stuff is running a bunch of stories on Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke at the moment.  Newest one is about photos of her with the Minister for Women, Nicola...

Prince Harry is reconsidering his decision to bring his family to the UK - after a security update. The Duke and Duchess have been planning their visit to Britain, with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet for the first time in four years. International Correspondent Gavin Grey says they're meant to stay in a royal lodge, but it now looks as though Harry will go by himself. He says although they wil...

An expert believes a ceasefire breach between the US and Iran comes from a contradiction within the agreement. Hostilities between the two nations have flared again, with new US strikes on Iranian targets and reports of attacks in the Gulf. Bahrain has reported an attack involving several Iranian drones. Jerusalem correspondent Linda Gradstein told Ryan Bridge the ceasefire deals that include Isra...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 29th of June 2026, the US and Iran are back at it again, exchanging strikes and excusing each other of violating the ceasefire, Freelance Journalist and lecturer in Journalism at NYU Tel Aviv, Linda Gradstein shares her thoughts.  Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on Keir Starmer's resignation and what it means for...

I don't think Opportunity will hit five percent this election.  It's fun to flirt, people are frustrated, but I was there when Colin Craig got close and failed, saw Gareth Morgan then Geoff Simmons have a crack and fail.  I encourage anyone listening to have a look at their policies, do the maths and figure out for themselves how much worse, or better off, you'll be.  Their new lead...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 26th of June 2026, The Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is under investigation over allegations of inappropriate conduct, NZ Herald Senior Investigative Reporter Michael Morrah shares the latest. National's proposing low-interest loans for solar and home energy upgrades, National Party Energy Spokesperson Simeon Brown tells Rya...

Green Peace say the public's opposition to conservation land being sold off, is loud. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka's removing a clause in a Bill that would've allowed for further sales of conservation land, if land's deemed not important to nature, and a sale's agreed to by DOC. It follows significant public outcry. Green Peace Campaigner Gen Toop shares her thoughts with Ryan Bridge.  S...

Most kiwis have an environmental bent to them that most of the rest of the western world just doesn't have. At least, not to the same extent. Most people, left and right, use the outdoors here. We have quite a close relationship to it. Matt Watson and his million fishers put Sane Jone's supposedly industry-friendly fishing clauses in the bin.  Now the same has happened with Potaka and his Con...

There’s optimism amongst the country's chief financial officers.   Employment Agency Hunter Campbell's Mood of the CFO survey has found 57% of businesses have met or exceeded their revenue targets.   But 45% are concerned the world economy is going to deteriorate.   That figure's twice as high as last year's survey.   Hunter Campbell Managing Partner Lee Marshall told Andrew Di...

Far North Police are being met with a wall of silence nearly two months on from a fatal hit and run.  They've been investigating the death of 18-year-old Jahkani Hamilton last month, when he and an associate were knocked off their dirt bikes near Kaikohe.  Police say the investigation's being hindered as witnesses and their supporters are actively choosing to say nothing.  Defence l...

Pike River families are disappointed by mixed messages from New Zealand First over planned health and safety law changes.  Leader Winston Peters told protesters yesterday he'll dump the Health and Safety at Work Act amendments if re-elected next term.  Stand with Pike spokesperson Sonya Rockhouse told Andrew Dickens Peters earlier told families he didn’t support the bill in its current f...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 25th of June 2026, Brooke Van Velden's accused Winston Peters of last-minute politicking, after NZ First threatened to withhold support for health and safety reform, Pike River Campaigner Sonya Rockhouse, tells Andrew what happened at Parliament.  Lee Marshall Hunter Campbell Managing Partner shares his thoughts on the annual...

The hubbub yesterday over the Conservation Amendment Bill brought to light three issues for me. Firstly, how bad much of our law is, and that stems back to how it’s written and processed. Secondly, that many concerned organisations are not afraid to scaremonger and exaggerate to win their way. And thirdly, how many New Zealanders rely on social media to keep informed on the issues of the day. For...

A call for retirement villages to speed up their payment processes.   The Government's looking to change the law so retirement villages have to pay back departed residents in 12 months.   Labour wants to see it reduced to three months.   Retirement Village Residents Association national president Brian Peat says a Consumer NZ petition for the three-month policy has received more tha...

A cyber security expert says AI has created an arms race between attackers and defenders.  Five Eyes agencies have issued a warning rogue states could use artificial intelligence to overwhelm the West’s cyber defences within months, not years.  The spy agencies have issued tips for organisations to shore-up their defences and take a cautious line on new technology.  Cybersecurity ad...