Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

New Zealand's economic recovery could be more of a crawl, or a climb, than a bounce.  The job market remains tough, with unemployment now at a ten-year high.  EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge it's going to take a while for improved conditions and Government policy changes to flow through to the job market.  ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith says while jobs are being...

You’ll probably see and hear a bit of argy-bargy up North today as the politicians get welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds. If you’ve never been up there, it’s easily one of the best ‘Kiwi’ weekends you’ll experience. The sunshine’s guaranteed. People are friendly. The grub’s good and there’s plenty of watering holes filled with political chats flowing long into the night. Protest is an important par...

A view more practical training for drivers will be essential, with the full licence test in the rear-view mirror.  After passing the restricted licence test, drivers under the age of 25 will have to wait out a mandatory 12-month period before they can apply for a full licence.   Those aged over 25 will have to wait six months.   Institute of Driver Educators President Mark Revill-Jo...

Growers are counting the cost as drinking habits change.  Around 100 thousand tonnes of grapes —a fifth of the crop— were left on the vine last year after exports couldn’t keep up.   Soljans Estate vineyard manager Tai Nelson told Ryan Bridge they just haven't been able to sell their product.  He says demand generally has dropped.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener...

The economy appears to be turning a corner, and we'll learn today whether the unemployment rate will follow suit.  Stats NZ is providing its latest employment update at 10.45am.  Economists are divided on whether the unemployment rate will remain unchanged at the historically high 5.3%, or will dip slightly to 5.2%.  Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Ryan Bridge jobs have...

The British Prime Minster says Lord Mandelson has let the country down as he quits the House of Lords.  UK Police are now investigating allegations that Mandelson shared internal government information with convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.  The latest release of Epstein files also show pictures of Mandelson in his underwear with an unidentified woman.  UK correspondent Mike P...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 4th of February 2025, the government's scrapping full drivers license tests, Mark Revill-Johnson, President of the New Zealand Institute of Driver Educators shares his thoughts.  The first job market statistics of the year come out today, Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon tells Ryan where he thinks the unemployment ra...

The inflation thief might be gone but it lurks in the corner and if you’re not careful, it happily leaps out and steals your wages. Last week we spoke about the fact their inflation’s running hot - almost 4%.  They’re now world leaders, with the highest rate in the developed world. More than the UK, US, Germany, Japan, Canada, Spain, and France. Not something Albo or anyone in Canberra should...

Canterbury farmers are being urged to plan ahead amid concerns over winter feed supplies.  A series of significant hailstorms, combined with persistently wet conditions, has made it a tough season for arable farmers across the region.  Federated Farmers is encouraging early discussions between arable and dairy farmers, warning crop damage could reduce feed available for winter-grazed dai...

Nelson's Mayor has kicked off a conversation about whether alcohol licensing laws are too strict.  Nick Smith was unable to buy a bottle of wine at the Ready to Roll concert on Sunday, at Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson.   It was being sold by the cup – the rule in place thought to be an effort to stop intoxication.  New Zealand Winegrowers Chair Fabian Yukich told Ryan Bridge there sho...

Principals are looking to see more detail on the Government's new standardised school reports. The nationally consistent assessments in reading, writing, and maths will roll out this year, with students from Years 0 to 10 ranked against one of five progress indicators twice a year. Reports are also planned to give advice to parents on how they can help out at home. Secondary Principals' Council Ch...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 3rd of Feburary 2025, school report cards are getting a government makeover, Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken tells Ryan how big  if a difference this will make.  Nelson Mayor's taking a swipe at what he calls “over-zealous” alcohol licensing laws, New Zealand Winegrowers Chair Fabian Yukich shares his...

The same crowd who moan and complain when we don't have enough cash to upgrade schools or pay teachers and nurses more are the same lot who throw eggs at Crown cars and chant 'shame' at ribbon cuttings for mining operations.  The latest whinge is about Otago Council giving road access to some Aussie gold miners to mine gold in an area that was basically founded on doing just that.  You d...

The families of the six victims caught in the Mount Maunganui landslide will begin heading home - with all bodies now recovered from the site. They'll have one last visit to the former campsite before it's handed back to the Tauranga City Council with clearing taking place when it's safe.  The council's meeting today to decide what type of investigation into the incident will be conducted.&nb...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday the 2nd of February 2025, changes to ADHD prescriptions have officially kicked in, Gen Pro Chair Dr Angus Chambers shares his thoughts.  Police have officially ended all recovery operations at Mount Maunganui, Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell tells Ryan what happens from here.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the...

Those opposing our FTA with India have got be guilty of economic treason, don't they? We're a small trading nation with lots of food, and world markets who need our red meat and our milk.  The closer the country, the better. The higher-value-add, the better.  And the sugar on top is tariff-free access, so our competitive advantaged producing the world best dairy and sheep and beef, and K...

A view that increased employment will be the key to our economic bounce back.   Infometrics says there's worrying indicators which show economic momentum is fragile.  But more signs of improvement are expected by midyear, when labour market conditions should be turning.   Infometrics’ Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge that they are expecting the economy to pick up this...

West Coast officials are working to make the insurance market more competitive so Westporters can continue to insure their homes.   AA Insurance has temporarily stopped offering policies to properties in the 7825 postcode due to flood-risk exposure.  Existing policyholders can renew as usual.  Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew told Ryan Bridge AA Insurance is the main insu...

World Vision is welcoming the new bill around fighting modern slavery.  The new bill, co-sponsored by National and Labour, will require large businesses to make reports on modern slavery in their supply chains public.  Head of Advocacy and Justice Rebekah Armstrong says it will change how companies do business.  She says there are other pleasing aspects to the bill too.  Armstr...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 30th of January 2025, AA insurance has announced they will not be accepting any new insurance policies on homes in Westport because the flooding and weather events are too risky, West Coast Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew tells Ryan how this will impact the area.   National and Labour have teamed up to fast-track a mod...

This week we've heard about another privacy breach.  We don't tell strangers on the street everything about ourselves but for some reason, when a business does it online, who we also don't know or trust, you just cannot shut us up.  Name and address? Sure. Phone number? Why not.  Signature? Fill ya boots.  Don't even get me started credit cards and debit cards.  I was talk...

The US and Iran are trading threats, with the President warning a massive naval armada is moving towards the country.  Donald Trump says time's running out for Iran to make a deal to limit its nuclear programme.  The BBC reports satellite images show a steady and significant build-up of US military forces in the region since a brutal crackdown on demonstrations in Iran earlier this month...

A struggle to secure GP visits could be playing a role in skyrocketing calls for ambulances.  National ambulance data shows there's been a 30% increase in 111 calls for ambulances over the past five years.   St John fielded more than 700 thousand calls for the first time last year and attended more than half a million incidents.   Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quinn...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 29th of January 2025, new numbers show Labour's "fees free" wasn't all that it was supposed to be, VUWSA Vice President Aidan Donoghue tells Ryan what it did for students.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts on a housing sentiment survey from Cotality.  Demand for ambulance's was the highest on record last...

Reading this story this morning about Fees Free, you've got to wonder how the policy got through the boffins in Wellington.  It has, by all accounts, failed to achieve it's objective.  Did we see floods of people charging into lecture halls and studying at university? No. Did we see loads of poorer students benefit? No. What did it cost us, again? $2.6 billion. $350 million last yea...