Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Did you catch the comments yesterday from Malaysia Deputy PM. He was talking to a kiwi delegation off in KL for ASEAN. "This will be your new market and we welcome any halal product from New Zealand." I have always been pretty sceptical about these trade missions, whether they actually achieve something or are just a giant junket. The truth is their a bit of both.  On a trip to Vladivostok in...

The Government's making moves on aged care reform - hoping to better meet New Zealanders' needs. It's establishing a Ministerial Advisory Group to recommend changes to the aged care funding model - expected by mid-next year.  The group will also look at the changes needed to support integration between aged care and health and disability services. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello told...

The Prime Minister's met with various South East Asian leaders but missed out speaking with US President Donald Trump, as he attends talks in Malaysia. Chris Luxon's attending the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur for bilateral talks with regional leaders.  Donald Trump was at the talks briefly, before leaving for Japan to meet their new leader. Senior Political Reporter Azaria Howell told Ryan Br...

It's unclear how much the Labour government will raise, from its just announced new capital gains tax. The targeted tax would apply to profit made from selling commercial or residential property, to raise funds for universal free doctors visitors. The family home, farms, KiwiSaver, shares, business assets, inheritances, and personal items will be exempt. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 28th of October 2025, Labour's announced a capital gains tax, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen shares his thoughts.  The Government’s finally making moves on aged care reform, Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello tells Ryan what changes they plan to make.  Newstalk ZB Political reporter Azaria Howell has the...

It was only a matter of time before Dame Noels was allowed back where she belongs. You could almost hear the cheers from fans not just of netball but of sport in general. The problem with this whole saga is that for the most part, we the public have been left guessing what was really going on behind the scenes. The reason people became so invested, and it eventually became political, was the narra...

The Deputy Prime Minister isn't buying the argument strikers have won the war on public sentiment. Thousands downed tools across the education, health and public sector yesterday and took to the streets calling for better pay and working conditions.  David Seymour - who's also the Associate Health Minister - told Ryan Bridge that it's important to talk about facts, rather than sentiment.&nbsp...

New Zealand's economy could look to benefit from Fonterra’s proposed sale. The proposed sale of Anchor and Mainland brands to French company Lactalis could unlock around 4.5 billion in additional spending. Forsyth Barr Senior Analyst Matt Montgomerie shares his thoughts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 24th of October 2025, the mega strikes have been and gone, Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Health and Education Minister David Seymour tells Ryan what happens next.  Nick Bewley has this scoop on this weekend's all-southern NPC final.  A new ASB report out this morning says Fonterra’s plan to sell its retail brands could...

So 100,000 workers went on strike. Now what? The cost to settle these claims will run into the billions. Easily.  1979 was the last time we a strike this big. A general strike. 300-thousand people. It was Muldoon days. It was over a dispute with driver unions and transport. It went to arbitration and the unions won. This time, senior doctors refused binding arbitration.  Secondary teache...

Unions say the mega-strikes today - are not just about them.  Tens of thousands of workers across health and education are stopping work in their fight for better pay and conditions.  More than 100 members gathered in Auckland last night - discussing the importance of strong public education and health systems.  PPTA President Chris Abercrombie says that the public service commissio...

Labour plans to expand rebate for game development industry. Labour says that, if re-elected, they will expand the game development rebate, which gives Kiwi studios access to $40million a year to grow the industry.   The subsidy currently covers 41 different game studios, and in the 2025 financial year $24million of the $40million was spent.  Game Developers Association Executive Directo...

More children are being harmed in Oranga Tamariki's care.  The agency's annual report reveals 530 children in care experienced harm in the year ending in March - 23 more than the previous 12 months.  There were more findings of emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect in this period - but an eight percent reduction in findings of physical harm. Instances of harm in secure residences fel...

Massey Uni releases these numbers each year.  They tell you how much you might need to retirement.  In the city... two people in a house... want to live comfortably... need $1 million.  $450,000 in the provinces. Now, you then start working backwards. In terms of you're net worth.  Depending on your age, you may not be able to rely on the pension.  Some government will eve...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 23rd of October 2025, an estimated 100,000 teachers, nurses, dentists and medical staff are all walking off the job today, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie tells Ryan some rallies have been called off due to severe weather.  Labour’s keeping the policy train rolling and this time it’s all about video games, New Zealand game deve...

A Māori rights lawyer is not buying the Government's explanation for a change to foreshore and seabed laws.  It says amendments to the Marine and Coastal Areas Act restore the legislation to its original intent - an argument criticised by the Act's original author former Attorney General Chris Finlayson.   It's expected to make getting Māori customary marine titles more difficult. ...

Nicolas Sarkozy's become the first French ex-president to go to jail. He's started a five-year sentence for conspiring to fund his election campaign with money from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.  Sarkozy, who was president from 2007-2012, has appealed against his jail term at La Santé prison, where he will occupy a small cell in its isolation wing. UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey h...

It was always going to be a risky strategy but it's backfiring quite badly for Labour. The two-year policy drought is over. Then heavens have open.  And a flood, or more like a few rain drops, of policy. It's gone haywire not just because Hipkins forgot his Health spokesperson was actually announcing a policy yesterday.  But because of the contents of that policy. In a nutshell it’s abou...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 22nd of October 2025, The Foreshore and Seabed Amendment Bill has passed into law, maori rights lawyer and former registrar of the waitangi tribunal Tom Bennion shares his thoughts.  Agriculture Minister Todd McClay shares his views on farmer-shareholders voting in favour of a $270 million investment from Dawn Meats into Al...

Consistency is key to the success of crucial roads, which are next on the Government's construction hit list.  It's funnelling nearly 1.2 billion into 17 highway projects countrywide,  as part of the Roads of National Significance programme.  National Road Carriers Policy manager James Smith told Ryan Bridge newly built roads of significance such as the Kapiti Expressway have seen s...

Belief that small businesses are the backbone of New Zealand but are under-served in current Government schemes.  Labour has pledged to launch a Future Fund - that re-invests dividends from specified Crown assets into businesses and infrastructure projects. Prospa Managing Director Adrienne Begbie told Ryan Bridge her company helps small businesses get off the ground, and it's great Labour is...

A rates cap is one of those policies that immediately sounds appealing.  Look no further than yesterday’s CPI number. It’s one of your top three inflation feeders. So, throw a cap on them. Tie their hands behind their backs. Reign 'em in! Get rid of the hundred-thousand-dollar bike rack here, the million-dollar disco toilets there, the coffee machines for staff over there. But in practice, ho...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 21st of October 2025, the Government's set aside a combined total of $1.2 billion to get key projects moving in the roads of national significance programme, National Road Carriers General Manager of Policy and Advocacy, James Smith shares his thoughts.  Inflation’s hit 3% for the year to September -- up from 2.7%, but still with...

Shane Jones is determined to use his voice to attract mining investors to our shores - no matter the next election outcome.  The Resources Minister and self-proclaimed 'mining champion' is heading to the International Mining and Resources Conference in Sydney, to promote our supply of rare earth minerals.  Jones told Ryan Bridge regardless of the risk of the opposition taking power, if t...

The hunt continues for the thieves who stole priceless jewels in a heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The world's most famous art gallery is closed after a group of thieves used a ladder and small chainsaws to enter the Apollo Gallery, and escaped on scooters with items of 'incalculable' value. UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...