Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Ukraine has suffered its worst night of strikes in months.  Nineteen people have been killed, including four children, and dozens are injured following a bombardment of missiles and drones in the capital of Kyiv.   It marks Russia's deadliest onslaught on Kyiv since July.   UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge the strikes hit residential areas and the offices of those...

Chinese investment in New Zealand is growing, but slowly.  The New Zealand China Council’s annual report shows China ranks 12th as a source of foreign investment in New Zealand, providing less than 1% of total inflows.  Investment grew 9% a year between 2014 and 2024, but has flat lined since 2019.  NZIER Principal Economist Chris Nixon told Ryan Bridge the problem is that investmen...

It could soon be easier to go to the pub for a big overseas sports match amid tough times in hospitality. The Government's proposing to loosen certain regulations and allow for businesses to respond to objections for them having a license. Ministers will be able to grant one-off special trading hours for businesses that stream major events.  Auckland's Kingslander Bar owner Steve Gillett told...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 29th of August 2025, changes to alcohol regulation laws means ministers can grant one-off special trading hours for businesses that stream major events, Kingslander bar owner Steve Gillett tells Ryan how big of a difference it will make.  Black Ferns backs and skills coach Riki Flutey catches up with Ryan on the Rugby World Cup ah...

Reading the Air New Zealand results was a bit disappointing - even more so was the commentary after.  Profit's down, demand is down, costs are on the march, capacity still buggered by engine problems.  Here's the real punch in the guts for our national carrier: they won't be back to full capacity for the best of two more years. Foran confirmed it last night.  There's something about...

A Minneapolis Catholic school's been left devastated after a gunman killed two children and injured 17 other people.  He was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, and shot through the church windows before turning a gun on himself. Annunciation Catholic School was marking their first week of school with morning mass and had highlighted their theme for the year as 'hope'.  US Correspon...

It's positive news for hubs like Auckland and Wellington where housing affordability gains have been most visible.  Cotality NZ’s new report finds the national value-to-income ratio reached its lowest point since mid-2019 in the June quarter, at 7.5%.   One Roof Editor Owen Vaughan told Ryan Bridge buyers should target housing pockets like Auckland's Otara, where's there a lot of value.&...

The Labour Party is accusing the Government of dillydallying on changes to the grocery market.   Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis announced plans to speed up the supermarket consent process.   Labour Party Commerce spokesperson Arena Williams says Labour is working on a suite of changes, but she didn't reveal what they are.   She told Ryan Bridge the consenting changes could b...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 28th of August 2025, the government's fast tracking new supermarkets to boost competition in the sector, Labour's Arena Williams shares her thoughts.  Figures from Cotality show house price/income ratio his back to pre-covid levels, Oneroof Editor Owen Vaughan tells Ryan why that is. The gender pay gap is at the lowest it's ever...

All good so far from Nicola Willis on supermarkets.  She's got to the nub of the problem, which is basically red tape. Governments of all stripes, including her, have been quick to point the finger at private enterprise for high prices. And there's truth in that, but most haven't looked in the mirror like Willis did yesterday and admit it's them that also has a problem. We all do, really.&nbs...

Belief an improving gender pay gap is due to a weaker labour market. Stats NZ's revealed the difference in pay between women and men fell to 5.2% in the June quarter - its lowest point to date A year ago, it was 8.2%. Mind the Gap co-founder Dellwyn Stuart told Ryan Bridge the number will likely go back up as the economy improves and more part-time jobs become available again for women. She says t...

There’s a belief new tax rules will attract top tech talent to the country.  The Government's changing the rules so migrants will only pay tax on income they actually receive.   Currently new arrivals are taxed on estimated overseas income, even if that ends up being wrong.   Business NZ immigration specialist Rachel Simpson told Ryan Bridge this law would ensure people coming here...

More foreign investors could soon flock in to work hard on Kiwi businesses.   The Government's new Business Investor Visa will give foreign businesspeople who invest at least $2 million into an existing Kiwi business a fast-track to residency.  If a business is worth $2 million, the applicant would have to buy it, and if it's worth more, they'd have to invest at least a quarter of its to...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 27th of August 2025, the government's introducing a new investor Visa, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges shares his thoughts.  A new Westpac report into economic conditions across the Tasman shows our growth rate may outpace Australia's in the coming years. Migrants will no longer be taxed on estimated overseas income...

There’s a very good reason National’s talking about a revamping the major events fund - or as the PM said on Monday, stuffing the pipeline with more events.  It’s the same reason you’re seeing them announce just half an hour ago they’re creating a new business investor visa - foreigners will get a fast-track to residency for chucking $2m into a Kiwi business.  It’s the same reason they’l...

New Zealand could see faster economic growth than Australia, but fewer jobs. In New Zealand, Westpac's now forecasting an economic growth rate will hit 2.4% this year, and 3.1% next year. In Australia, it's forecasting a growth rate of 2% this year, and 2.2% next year. Senior Economist Satish Ranchhod told Ryan Bridge we've been seeing more OCR cuts, but it hasn't flowed through to the job market....

A reassurance that banking won't be much riskier even if capital rules are changed.   The Reserve Bank's put out two proposals to loosen capital requirements after the government called for it.   One of them is reducing minimum capital requirement for deposit takers from $30 million to $5 million.   Founder of KiwiSaver provider Simplicity, Sam Stubbs told Ryan Bridge there are othe...

Self-employed people are opting out of KiwiSaver, putting their retirements at risk.  A new report from the Retirement Commission and accounting firm Hnry's reveals only 44% of self-employed people actively contribute compared to 78% of employees.   It shows 41% of self-employed workers don't get any government contribution.   Hnry CEO James Fuller told Ryan Bridge when the Governme...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 26th of August 2025, The Reserve Bank’s giving capital rules a second look, Simplicity Founder Sam Stubbs shares his thoughts.  The Retirement Commission is warning that self-employed people are investing at less than half the amount into their retirement than that of employees. University of Auckland sociology of education profe...

There's a view that NCEA has impacted how Universities grade their students. A report by the New Zealand Initiative has found the proportion of A grades has increased from 22% to 35% since 2006. It shows a dramatic rise during Covid - and can't be explained by academic improvement. Auckland University Sociologist of Education, Elizabeth Rata told Ryan Bridge students now expect to get high marks....

At the rate it’s going, this by-election could cost Labour the real election. Peeni Henare’s popping out policies toxic to the general electorate but popular with the 10,000 odd voters he’ll need to win Tamaki Makarau.  First it was bringing back the gang patches, which left middle New Zealand scratching their heads. We’ve been there, done that with the gangs. We’re over it. We want them sort...

A clear message has been sent around driving under the influence after the jailing of a 20-year-old, who killed one of his friends in a crash.  Alexander Lucas Kerr has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after his friend died, and the other was severely injured.  Kerr had cannabis in his system when he crashed his car in a semi-rural part of Havelock North on January 2.  Criminal...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 25th of August 2025, Police Minister Mark Mitchell joins Ryan to talk about the issues with Police recruits.  Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.  Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen shares his thoughts about where to draw the line on drug driving.  Plus UK/ Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on t...

The Police Minister says our Police force is 'world-class' after concerns were revealed about officers' preparedness. A survey of training officers released to the Herald found 55 percent feel new cops were barely or not at all well equipped with knowledge of arrest and charge procedures.  Mark Mitchell says told Ryan Bridge this is about probationary constables, who receive two years of supe...

How many more children and pets will we tolerate being maimed and punctured to death on suburban streets before this actually gets taken seriously I’ve personally had three people in my life who who’ve been out for a walk with their wee pups, on a leash, registered for $200, poop bags in hand to do the right thing.  Only to be attacked by some absolutely viscous mongrel. And I mean absolutely...