Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

New Zealand businesses believe things are looking up, with optimism at a high.  The 2degrees 2025 Shaping Business Study reveals 45% of surveyed business leaders are more optimistic about the year ahead – up on last year's 34%.  46% of businesses also report they're more productive than last year.   Business Central CEO Simon Arcus told Ryan Bridge things will probably still fluctua...

Food inflation is up, rising 4.4% annually.   Meat, poultry, and fish had the biggest annual increases, while butter, milk and cheese drove grocery prices.  Butter surged by more than 51% over the year.  Independent economist, Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge the numbers are creeping up, but the composition of the inflation matters more than the inflation itself.   He says they...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 18th of June 2025, the Government's announced a five-year suicide prevention plan, clinical psychologist Dr Helen Buckland tells Ryan Bridge whether the plan will be enough.  Food inflation is up the highest it's been in eighteen months, independent economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts.  New data from 2degrees show...

Uncertainty on the Government's action plan for suicide prevention. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey's unveiled a five-year approach for addressing high suicide rates.  The new Suicide Prevention Plan includes strengthening the workforce, targeting higher-risk populations, and improving community care.  Clinical Psychologist Doctor Helen Buckland told Ryan Bridge there's been a lot of...

The moral outrage over Run It Straight competitions is a tricky one.  As more and more young men ran at each other head-on and tried to knock each other out, as the injuries piled up, the outrage was palpable. Lots of pearl clutching and horror.  The reaction from some rugby stars and sporting legends was more nuanced, for obvious reasons.  They also run full steam ahead at one anot...

Three people have been injured in a shooting in a Sydney kebab shop.  According to NSW Police, two masked gunmen walked into the shop, firing eight shots in total, before leaving the scene in a black BMW with a cloned licence plate.  A 50 year old woman was shot twice in the torso, a 26 year old man was shot in the arm and shoulder, and another man of unknown age was shot in the face.&nb...

A new poll shows more Kiwis see China as a threat, but experts say a good economic relationship is vital.  The Asia New Zealand Foundation surveyed 2,300 locals between November and December, and again in March.   Results show the number of people concerned about China rose from 28% to 40% over four months.  Research and Engagement Director Julia Macdonald says New Zealanders can ap...

It's thought that as long as the United States doesn't get involved, the Iran and Israel conflict should stay contained.  Tension continues to escalate between the two countries as air strikes continue to fire.  Speculation around a ceasefire is being discussed with US President Donald Trump encouraging the nations to talk before it’s too late.  Middle East correspondent Gregg Carls...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Tuesday 17th of June, conflict continues between Iran and Israel, Middle East Correspondent Gregg Carlstrom has the latest on an Iranian TV studio struck by an Israeli airstrike.  A new survey from the Asia New Zealand Foundation shows our trust in China is slipping, Director of research and engagement, Dr Julia Macdonald tells Ryan...

Smokefree advocates are hoping a new vaping crackdown coming in today doesn't deter smokers trying to quit. The new rules include stricter advertising restrictions for vape retailers and a ban on disposable vapes. It's an effort to clamp down on youth vaping, with around 10% of teenagers currently regular vapers. Action for Smokefree Director Ben Youdan told Ryan Bridge it's about striking the rig...

If growth is the game we're in then the Reserve Bank should keep cutting interest rates.  The problem is growth is not the game they're in. They're in the business of taming inflation, and that's about it.  The Government ditched the dual mandate — introduced by the last lot — that saw Adrian and Co. also focus on keeping people in jobs. Maximum sustainable employment.  That's now g...

Director of the New Zealand China Council Alastair Crozy joins Ryan Bridge to discuss a new visa for Chinese tourists. The change will allow Chinese tourists visiting Australia to enterNew Zealand with their Australian visa. Crozy says that this change has already increased searches for “New Zealand travel” on Chinese tourism websites like CTrip . This change comes ahead of Prime Minister Luxon’s...

More nations are responding to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. The two countries are continuing to exchange air assaults, after Israel's initial attack on Friday and Iran launched waves of missiles, in response. UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge Iran believes any support of Israel from the West, makes assets from those countries fair game. He says Britons are...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 16th of June 2025, The Police Commissioner has given body cams the all clear, Police Associaiton President Chris Cahill shares his thoughts.  The Government's announced changes to Visa's for Chinese nationals ahead of the Prime Minister's visit to China this week, The NZ China Council tells Ryan Bridge how significant the visit wi...

The Police union is celebrating the decision to work towards rolling out body cameras - but wants it done right.  Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says staff are assessing options for equipping frontline officers with the technology.  The Police Association says it could clear-up misconceptions in the field, reduce complaints, and lead to more guilty pleas.  President Chris Cahi...

The Prime Minister’s jetting off on a diplomatic mission this week and he’s heading into a very undiplomatic world. Israel and Iran are going at it. Netanyahu says Tehran is close to producing a nuclear weapon. As missiles and drones fly across the Middle East, talks for a nuclear deal with Iran’s leadership in Oman are on hold. The UK is mobilising fighter jets in the region as Iran warns it will...

Skifields in Queenstown have got the chair lifts turning ahead of opening day tomorrow.  NZ Ski Chief Executive Paul Anderson says the Remarkables and Coronet Peak have had eight solid days of snow making, mixed in with natural snowfall.  He says there's more than a metre of snow on the main trails and both skifields should have their main chairlifts running, providing a chance at top to...

Helen Clark says the future of the AUKUS security pact remains very uncertain.  The Pentagon's reviewing the agreement between Australia, the UK, and the US to ensure it meets Donald Trump's America First agenda.  It's still unclear what that might mean for New Zealand's potential involvement.  But Clark —the former Prime Minister and UNDP Head— told Ryan Bridge there's a chance Tru...

The Corrections Minister believes our prisons will be ready for an increase in demand.  The Ministry of Justice expects the prison population will increase 36% by 2035, to more than 14,000 people. It's prompted concerns for the country's ability to cope with demand.  Mark Mitchell says the Waikeria prison expansion will help provide enough beds.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 13th of June 2025, a report from the Ministry of Justice is predicting our prison population to grow by 36% over the next 10 years, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell shares his thoughts. The Ski season kicks off this weekend, NZ Ski Chief Executive Paul Anderson tells Ryan Bridge what people can look forward to. The US is "reviewing"...

It’s fair to say Christopher Luxon’s had a rough run at the top.   The transition from CEO to PM hasn’t been all that smooth. His approval ratings have been way out of whack with those of any predecessor at the same time in their reigns. We hardly saw a honeymoon. One of the problems has been communication. You ask people and they tell you: it’s hard to connect with him. We don’t really get w...

An Independent Children's Monitor report finds almost half the reports of concern relate to young Māori.  They make up two-thirds of those in care - and more than three-quarters in youth justice custody.  Voyce Whakarongo Mai Chief Executive Tracie Shipton told Ryan Bridge that change is possible.  She says it's a stark reminder if we get in early with wrap around services for whana...

The US has criticized New Zealand for banning two Israeli Ministers.  Winston Peters has decided to jump on the bandwagon with allies such as Australia and Canada by banning Israel’s finance minister and national security minister from entering the country.   But the US has denounced these sanctions and said that New Zealand should focus on Hamas instead.  International relations pr...

US Correspondent Mitch McCann talks about Trump’s new “deal” with China after China threatens to cut off the US’ supply of rare minerals.  China issued these threats in response to the treatment of Chinese students studying in the USA. China also wants the USA to continue exporting semiconductors to China.  President Trump has said that these terms will be met, although current details a...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 12th of June 2025, Food and Fibre exports are on track to break new records, Meat Industry Association Chief Executive Sirma Karapeeva, shares her thoughts on how red meat exports are going.  The US has criticised NZ for sanctions on Israel, international relations Professor Robert Patman tell Ryan Bridge how this makes us look....