Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Time will tell if Vladimir Putin will postpone a meeting with Donald Trump, as he has done in the past.   The Kremlin says the US President and his Russian counterpart have agreed to meet in the "coming days".   The Trump administration has indicated, for the pair to meet, Putin must meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.   BBC Russia Correspondent Olga Ivshina told Ryan...

A US company is building the world's largest aircraft without having ever built a plane before.   The WindRunner is being constructed to transport large wind turbines and will be operating by the end of this decade. It's eight times as big as the largest military aircraft, with a cockpit as tall as a five storey building.  Radia CEO Mark Lundstrom told Ryan Bridge it's capable of moving...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 8th of August 2025, the Ardern government was warned that the spending spree during Covid would have dire consequences, Finance Minister Nicola Willis explains the impact it's had. There's been confirmation from the Kremlin overnight that a meeting between Trump and Putin will take place as early as next week, BBC Russia correspondent...

The Government says it won't make the same mistakes as the last if hit with an event similar to the Covid-19 pandemic.  A Treasury report has calculated the total cost of the pandemic at $66 billion.  It puts New Zealand among the highest spenders as a proportion of GDP on the Covid response in advanced economies. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge nearly half of the spendin...

The $66-billion question hanging over Labour's head has been answered. This new Treasury report tells us what we all already knew about Labour's Covid response.  They went too far. Spent like a drunken sailor. Made it rain dollar bills.  When Treasury advised them to pull back, they didn't they kept going.  Covid was the most expensive economic to this country. The government spent...

Higher unemployment could continue to be a handbrake on the country's economic recovery.  More Kiwis are out of work, with unemployment now at a five-year high.  And Kiwis that are working are earning less, with wages not keeping up with inflation over the past 12 months.  Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge that's having ripple effects.  She says if consum...

A view higher than average grocery prices show something's clearly wrong with our grocery sector.  The Commerce Commission's revealed our prices are the fifth-highest in the developed world.   It highlights the market doesn't support new players and major supermarkets continue to wield power over smaller stores.  Grocery policy expert Ernie Newman told Ryan Bridge there's no good re...

The road freight industry is backing the Government's wish to have all vehicles paying electronic Road User Charges.  It wants to do it by 2027.  National Road Carriers Association Chief Executive Justin Tighe-Umbers says the current system means some pay less because they can afford more efficient cars.  He told Ryan Bridge the current system isn't collecting enough revenue. ...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Thursday 7th of August, fuel taxes are out and road user charges are in for everyone, National Road Carriers Association CEO Justin Tighe-umbers tells Ryan how much of an impact it will make.  According to a Commerce Commission report, the big two supermarket chains still dominate with 82% market share.  Unemployment’s at its h...

Is there anything more thrilling than watching two countries battle hammer and tong to achieve something we all dreamed impossible, until it happens? Like going to he moon in the 60s (provided, of course, you think they actually went there).  It's like the science Olympics crossed with geopolitical Hunger Games. This time it's a bit like last time, but with the US on one team and China/Russia...

Figures, due out this morning, are expected to show unemployment's hit a nine-year high.  Stats NZ is releasing its latest unemployment update at 10.45am.  Economists expect the rate to have reached 5.3% in the June quarter, up from 5.1% for the March quarter.  Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Ryan Bridge they expect the peak unemployment rate to be around 5.3% or slight...

A lawyer says people shouldn't fear Māori being given customary marine titles.   The Government will tighten criteria so that groups will have to prove continuous and uninterrupted occupation since 1840.   Te Mata Law barrister Harry Clatworthy says there are about 200 outstanding claims, and he expects around 50 to be particularly affected.   He told Ryan Bridge concerns that...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 6th of August 2025, unemployment is expected to hit a nine year high, Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon provides some analysis.  The government is forging ahead with plans to change the law governing New Zealand's foreshore and seabed, despite a Supreme Court ruling last year that appeared to undercut the rationale for th...

A learning development specialist fears artificial intelligence won't have cultural considerations when marking student work.  Education Minister Erica Stanford says AI is already partly in use for marking - and expects it could do almost all assessments by 2028.  It comes as the Government plans to scrap NCEA for an entirely new qualification.  Cyclone Computer Company's Danny Bedi...

The future's here. AI is taking over.  A team of robots kept alive in some giant warehouse with tonnes of electricity are right now whirring away, beavering away on the world's problems.  AI will soon be marking our students' exams. The Swedish Prime Minister overnight admitted he uses AI for a second opinion on running the country.  AI architects are in high demand - they're being...

Advocates for renewable energy say a new coal deal may be necessary but should be the last of its kind.   The big four power companies are investing in a strategic energy reserve which will add 600-thousand tonnes of coal to current stocks.   Rewiring Aotearoa Chief Executive Mike Casey says this will be needed because we haven't reduced our reliance on fossil fuels.   He told Ryan...

A push to ensure funding for Kiwi made TV shows is a hand up, not a handout.   NZ On Air has announced its non-fiction funding, which includes more than $1.3 million for Celebrity Treasure Island.  It's returning for its seventh season.   Creator Dame Julie Christie told Ryan Bridge we can't only have Australian and British shows, we need New Zealand to become a TV hub.   She s...

The head of the country's largest school says the stress of exams readies students for the future.  The Government is proposing to scrap NCEA for a literacy and numeracy test in Year 11 and certificates in Year 12 and 13.  Consultation on the ideas are open to the public until mid-next month.  Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale told Ryan Bridge it is important for students to...

We need to be a bit practical about this business of importing coal.  Yesterday Genesis, Mercury, Meridian, and Contact announced they're going to stockpile up to 600,000 tonnes of coal to keep the lights on at Huntly power station.  The deal needs Commerce Commission's approval so it doesn't look like they're colluding on price, but the idea struck a deal, which still needs Commerce Com...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Tuesday 5th of August, the government's announced an overhaul of NCEA, Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale shares his thoughts.  Four big gentailers are importing 600,000 tonnes of coal and storing it at Huntly, Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey shares his thoughts.  NZ on air's dropping nearly $3 million in taxpayer cash o...

Donald Trump's latest tariff announcement looks set to hit our meat industry in the back pocket. Trade Minister Todd McClay is heading to Washington in the coming weeks to argue our case, following Trump's decision to raise tariffs on New Zealand goods. We'll now face a 15-percent tariff, while Australia and the UK still face a 10-percent rate. Beef & Lamb Chair Kate Acland says our exporters...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 4 August. 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.

A teachers union is hoping the Government keeps the bulk of NCEA.  A major announcement on the future of the secondary qualification is expected to be imminent. It's understood public consultation will be launched on proposed changes -- in which teachers and parents can give feedback. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge he wants improvements - not for it to be thrown out entirel...

It’s about that time of year when it feels like winter really starts to drag.... and it must be feeling that way for Christopher Luxon, too. It‘a cold and dark and we just want to be at the beach like our poser friends in Bali or Europe.  But we endure this gloomy season safe in the knowledge that one day, in a month or so, springtime will come, the days will get longer and everything about l...

Donald Trump's latest tariff deadline is rapidly approaching.  The US President has reached 11 deals and agreed to pause tariff increases for Mexico, ahead of his deadline of 4pm today.  He's indicated he'll raise the baseline tariff faced by most countries, including New Zealand.  Federal Tax Economist Alex Durante told Ryan Bridge that overall, consumers and businesses should be b...