Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Good Lord. Parliamentarians are actually doing something we've asked for. They've come up with an Infrastructure Plan for the next 30 years and more remarkably, it has rare cross party backing. It was produced independently by the Infrastructure Commission. Labour and the Greens have called it a long-term, non-partisan blueprint for fixing decades of inconsistent infrastructure decisions. Here's o...

The All Whites are kicking off their FIFA World Cup campaign this afternoon.  It’s the first time since 2010 that they’ve made it into the tournament, and they’re facing Iran in their opening match.  Weekend Sport’s Jason Pine told Andrew Dickens set pieces will likely be All Whites’ best opportunity to score goals.  He says the opportunities won’t come along very often, so when the...

The Middle East War has left Iran with a harder-line regime than before, says The Guardian's Washington Bureau Chief.  David Smith told Andrew Dickens that although the United States and Iran have agreed on a deal to end the war, it is more relief than resolution.  “I think it's hard to celebrate after such a rough war with so many civilian casualties, we should not forget them. And fran...

MPs may be underestimating just how negatively the public views their use of parliamentary allowances. There's renewed scrutiny of politicians claiming taxpayer-funded accommodation allowances while owning their own Wellington homes. The Opportunity Party is campaigning on reforming the rules. Political commentator Bryce Edwards told Andrew Dickens there could be real public appetite for change. H...

There are a lot of people who think the media are a left-wing lobby group. And they think Stuff is one of the leftiest of them all. So, explain to me why Stuff has just appointed Mathew Hooton as their new editor, apparently after he was shoulder tapped by Sinead Boucher. Yesterday the Post reported this about their new editor. "Hooton's CV includes being a Young Nat, a press secretary in the Bolg...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 16th of June 2026, The US and Iran have agreed a deal to end the war, which Pakistan says will be signed on Friday in Switzerland, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith tells Andrew if this deal is going to stick.  The All Whites will take on Iran in their first game of the FIFA World Cup, Weekend Sport Host...

Donald Trump's peace deal with Iran's could be dead in the water - with Israel being the one to push it overboard.  Israeli forces have killed three people in Beirut, in strikes the US President says shouldn't have happened - and that Iran's now vowing to respond to. Earlier Trump insisted the deal will still be signed today.  Global affairs reporter Simon Marks told Andrew Dickens there...

On Saturday I went to my local rugby club’s game. North Shore versus Northcote. A game Shore comfortably won And there I met the president of the club Laurie Magrain, who as it happens is a fan of this station and the Chair of New Zealand’s second largest dairy company, Open Country. He told me he’s been down at Field Days all week. Of course being a nosey radio guy I googled Laurie when I got hom...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday 15th of June 2026, Trump says a US/Iran agreement could be signed today, with mediators saying a deal is within reach. Business correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on oil prices following a potential US/Iran peace deal, how will the UK pay for defence and forthcoming Bank of England interest rate decision this week and the Euro...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun.   Mexico claimed victory over South Africa in the opening match of the tournament – scoring a goal in each half to win the match 2-nil.  Next up, South Korea and the Czech Republic are taking the centre stage at Guadalajara Stadium.  The current favourites to win the Cup are Spain, France, Brazil, and England, with Argentina close behind.  But...

Johns Hopkins foreign policy analyst Jeffrey Pryce is sceptical of US President Donald Trump’s claim that an agreement in the Middle East is approved and ready to be signed.  Speaking to Francesca Rudkin, Pryce pointed to the extensive demands in a proposed Memorandum of Understanding from several weeks ago, which did not progress.  That MoU had included a permanent ceasefire, likely inc...

The ACT Party isn't saying how it'll pay for a major rural policing policy, but says it'll be a better use of taxpayer money than current spending.   It's boosting rural patrols and expanding 111 texting for farmers in poor mobile coverage.  Rural spokesperson Andrew Hoggard told Francesca Rudkin the plan requires an additional 182 officers in rural areas.  He says it would cost up...

Another member of Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet has jumped ship, with Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey the latest to go.  He's the sixth minister to resign in the past month.  Healey's accusing the Prime Minister of putting the UK at risk, with a planned defence spending uplift of just 0.08% of GDP.  UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin that Healey's suggestin...

Cheap, illict, black market ciggies are in the news again.  A new report claims more that than one third of tobacco consumed last year was bought on the black market. It estimates the Government lost $817 million in excise and GST revenue last year. It’s worth noting the report was commission by tobacco companies, who are obviously very keen to knock this behaviour on the head.   Immedia...

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast 2026, Jeffrey Pryce, Senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute, John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies shares his thoughts on Trump's latest strikes on Iran.  The FIFA World Cup is about to be underway in Mexico City, Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine tells Francesca what we can expect.  Act's taking a tougher st...

There’s a belief a cap on public transport fares would be better bang for buck compared to other roading projects.   Labour's campaigning on a $20 weekly maximum in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and $10 elsewhere.  It would be funded by re-prioritising $65 million from the National Land Transport Fund.  Independent urban planning expert Bruce Weir told Francesca Rudkin for...

The cost of hiring the wrong person is racking up for employers, despite a large number of applicants.   New Seek data estimates small and medium sized businesses lose more than $900 million a year from bad hires.   Small Business NZ founder Phil Wicks told Francesca Rudkin the quality of applicants seems to be slowly declining.   He says often in the trades, it's hard to find the r...

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Thursday the 11th of June 2026,  Labour wants to cap public transport fares at $20 a week in the main centres, urban planner Bruce Weir tells Francesca Rudkin whether or not this is feasible or not.  The wrong hire could come at a big price tag for small businesses, Director of BSP Advisory and Small Business NZ Founder Phil Wi...

A question of whether charter schools can achieve better results than what's already possible at state schools. New annual reports show three of the seven charter schools that opened last year failed to meet attendance or achievement targets. Some did make significant gains, with Māori-Pasifika boys' boarding school Tipene nearly doubling reading expectations. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told...

The Move-on Orders Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament – this is the bill that would give police the power to issue move-on orders to rough sleepers, people begging or obstructing entrance ways, or showing intent to inhabit a public place. Submissions to the bill close next month.    Now, the majority of Auckland City Councillors agreed this week that they want begg...

More exposure to Asian cultures within our communities is helping expand ties with the region.   The Asia New Zealand Foundation's latest survey finds more than 60% of members now feel connected to Asian culture in their daily lives.   Sociologist Paul Spoonley says more young people are considering the region for their OE, when in the past, they'd tend to opt for Europe or Australia.&nb...

There's more scepticism about who'll end up paying for a new LNG terminal.  The Government's pressing on with plans but scrapping a proposed levy on power bills, intended to pay for the facility.  It's also announced stronger dry year supply requirements and penalties for gentailers.  Rewiring Aotearoa Chief Executive Mike Casey told Francesca Rudkin he hopes the facility doesn't ge...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 10 June. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's one of the biggest days on the agricultural calendar, with Fieldays opening its gates. Good weather is forecast for the four-day event at Hamilton's Mystery Creek. There are more than 1000 exhibitors - highlighting the latest agriculture tech and innovation. Karl Dean from Federated Farmers tells Francesca Rudkin what Fieldays is all about.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Recently I had a guest on the Sunday Session – an Aussie who was in New Zealand and was loving it. They said everyone here was relaxed, welcoming, and smiled at you on the street. They were really taken aback by the mood here compared with over the ditch. In Australia, they said, it’s pretty grim, everyone is down and just getting on with it. I asked how could that be? I thought the Australian wea...