Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

A small business advocate says a Government grant must do more than throw money at a problem.   The Taxpayers’ Union has revealed the business start up grant has dished out $38 million with little to show for it.   Documents retrieved through the Official Information Act show hundreds of the recipients struggled and returned to a benefit within two years.   Small Business New Zealan...

A warning our major political parties need to display more bipartisan planning so we don't buckle to a dwindling population and economic growth.  Business NZ's report warns a labour shortage of at least a quarter of a million is expected before 2050, and there's also a one in four chance the population doesn't grow. Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens says ma...

There are concerns over the fact that more than half of trainees aren't completing their apprenticeships.  Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is seeking extra funding so new industry bodies can investigate low apprenticeship completion rates.  She says the government could help through policy settings and funding, but the nature of the problem was likely to vary between industr...

There’s controversy in the Ockham Book Awards as two books by notable authors are withdrawn from competition because their covers were created using AI. Stephanie Johnson’s collection of short stories 'Obligate Carnivore' and Elizabeth Smither’s collection of novellas 'Angel Train' are the two books cancelled. Their covers were created using AI and the book awards are on high alert for anything th...

The struggling car industry is looking forward to some much needed relief.   The Government's confirmed its slashing charges on importers who don't meet carbon targets by almost 80% and launching a full review.   It's expected to save about $264 million in cost to consumers and will keep imported cars cheaper.   Imported Vehicles Association Chief Executive Greig Epps told Andrew Di...

The police union is confident the health sector can pick up the remainder of mental health callouts.   Now there's new guidance to determine if Police are needed when health workers request non-emergency assistance or when people go missing from health facilities.  It will free up roughly half-a-million policing hours every year.   Police Association President Steve Watt told Andrew...

Uber drivers are rejoicing over their employment status being finalised with a legal win in the Supreme Court.  Four drivers have won their battle against Uber to be treated as employees, rather than contractors.  The Supreme Court rejected Uber’s bid for the court to overturn a 2024 Court of Appeal ruling.  Wellington Uber driver —and city councillor— Nureddin Abdurahman told Andre...

The recall of coloured play-sand products - potentially contaminated with asbestos - is continuing to cause disruption on both sides of the Tasman. A recall notice was issued last week for EC Rainbow Sand 1.3 kilos and Creatistics Coloured Sand, 1 kilo. More than 20 schools and early learning centres are temporarily closed. Australia correspondent Lesley Yeomans told Andrew Dickens schools and cen...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 18th of November 2025, The Government’s having another go at the clean car standard, Imported Vehicle Association CEO Greig Epps shares his thoughts.  Police and Health New Zealand are pressing ahead with phase three of their mental-health response changes, Police Association President Steve Watt tells Andrew what will change for...

So the latest plan to fix central Wellington traffic has been released for consultation, and it’s a monster.  There’s a couple of tunnels. A new one at the Terrace end of the motorway and another new tunnel through Mount Victoria. Land and houses will be taken out of the town belt at Mount Victoria and parkland at the Terrace  There will be a major redesign of the Basin Reserve roundabou...

The New Zealand beef sector's set to save some dosh, with the removal of the additional 15-percent tariff on our beef. US President Donald Trump's reversed his tariffs on a wide range of US food imports, including New Zealand beef, offal and kiwifruit. These products represent around 25 per cent of our exports to the United States, worth more than two billion dollars annually. Beef & Lamb New...

Couple of things from this morning's poll on CGT.  Basically, we're evenly split.  As many of us are in favour of Labour's plan as are against it.  The results are interesting, though. The details.  So, more Aucklanders hate it more than the rest of the country.  45% of Aucklanders oppose it. Only 32% support it.  Now, Auckland holds the keys to the kingdom, electoral...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Beef and Lamb Chair Kate Acland shares her thoughts on the US dropping tarrifs on more than $2 billion NZ exports.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekends sport.  The Opportunity Party has had a rebrand, starting with a new leader, Qiulae Wong tells Ryan she hopes to reach the 5% threshold.  Plus, UK/Europe Corres...

The All Blacks have their captain back as they prepare to face England at Twickenham on Sunday morning.  The English haven’t beaten the All Blacks at the stadium since 2012, and the All Blacks will be looking to continue that streak and keep their current winning streak alive.  Scott Barrett has been cleared to start after a full week of training as his leg gash healed.  Newstalk ZB...

Pub Choir – it's the new phenomenon taking the internet by storm.  It was created by Astrid Jorgensen, a vocalist and conductor who brought her skills to America’s Got Talent, getting hundreds of audience members to perform a rendition of Africa by Toto.  She tours the world, turning audiences of thousands of amateur singers into incredible choirs, breaking down the melodies into accessi...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 14th of November 2025, Labour says it will repeal the Regulatory Standards bill in their first 100 days if elected next year, Labour regulation spokesperson Duncan Webb tells Ryan why.  The All Blacks take on England at Twickenham, Newstalk ZB voice of rugby Elliott Smith has the latest.  Pub Choir is a new phenomenon tak...

Labour says the new Regulatory Standards bill unfairly tilts the playing field.  Act's controversial bill has passed its third reading at Parliament despite overwhelming backlash.  The bill provides principals for lawmaking in an attempt to cut red tape and guide regulation.  Labour's Regulation Spokesperson Duncan Webb told Ryan Bridge, while it isn't enforceable, it makes forming...

This prison escape story is fishy as hell. And in the week of cover ups and ass-covering, this walks, talks, and quacks like another one. On Friday last week at 9am, an inmate escapes Mt Eden prison.  But the public isn’t told. No media release. No warning to the public. Radio silence. Then on Tuesday, a media report pops up. It looks like a journo has got wind of this story.&n...

An employment expert says the Public Service Commission must undergo due process in its handling of Andrew Coster.   A scathing IPCA report's found the former Police Commissioner was among those in senior police leadership who failed to properly address sex allegations against the then Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.   McSkimming last week admitted to possessing child sexual...

North Auckland oyster farmers believe a million dollar payout from Watercare isn't enough to cover their reputational loss.  A power surge at the Warkworth pump station caused a massive sewage spill in the Mahurangi River, meaning an almost month-long halt to harvesting.  Watercare's payout to Aquaculture New Zealand will be distributed across 10 impacted oyster farmers.  Mahurangi...

It's feared Fire and Emergency's proposed restructure will leave New Zealanders less safe.  It's expected to impact about 700 roles, with a net loss of 140.  No frontline firefighter positions will be affected but some supporting functions may change.  PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons told Ryan Bridge the jobs under threat work on prevention, operational response, and wildfir...

The White House says released emails claiming Donald Trump spent hours with a victim of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein create a fake narrative. The House Oversight Committee has released a tranche of emails and documents from Epstein's estate - another referencing the now US President as 'the dog that hasn't barked'. The White House says the victim referenced in the emails is the late Virginia...

I've seen a lot of commentary in the past few days about our government debt position.  We're up over 40% of GDP - that's doubled on pre-Covid. There are those on the left who say that's too little. We should borrow more. Forget a debt ceiling, borrow more and throw it at the public service and create some jobs - any jobs. This is what Carney is doing in Canada. His budget would double Ottawa...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 13th of November 2025, Sir Brian Roche is investigating Andrew Coster over the IPCA report.  Watercare is set to pay a $1 million settlement to 10 oyster farmers affected by a sewage spill. FENZ is proposing to cut more than a hundred jobs, PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons explains how it will impact firefighters.  P...

AA believes it'll be difficult to conduct the new roadside drug tests at the same volume as alcohol tests.  From December, Police across Wellington can do random roadside saliva tests – screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine.   The rollout will begin throughout the rest of the country from April.  Drivers testing positive will need to do a second test that checks...