Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Christchurch's new stadium is helping drive national retail spending.  Paymark data shows spending through its Core Retail network rose 1.2% last month compared to a year ago.  Canterbury recorded the strongest regional growth, with spending up 2.8%.  Retail New Zealand's Carolyn Young told Francesca Rudkin that events drive activity.   She says the Six60 concert significantly...

National's promising to protect the country's heritage and biodiversity on private land and farms.   It's pledging to double baseline funding for the QEII National Trust to $8.5 million dollars.   It'll boost investment in things like fencing, surveying, and legal work.  National’s Conservation Spokesperson Tama Potaka told Francesca Rudkin the money goes a long way helping farmers....

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast 2026, The Police Commissioner says a senior officer shouldn't stay in the job after putting his name forward for Labour, Police Association President Steve Watt shares his thoughts. New numbers show Kiwis are spending more but buying less, Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young shares her thoughts.  The National Party has pledged t...

Concerns over a senior police officer's Labour candidacy are being downplayed, with assurances police remain politically neutral. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says he only learned of Rakesh Naidoo's candidacy on Sunday afternoon, and his position is now untenable. Labour claims Naidoo took all the appropriate steps. Police Association President Steve Watt told Francesca Rudkin his ranking...

The Labour Party yesterday announced its final candidate list ahead of the Election.    Did you find it an encouraging list? It looks like there are some very capable, accomplished newcomers with real life experience quite high on the list, and quite a few activists. While several more experienced, current MP’s find themselves down the list, most likely further than they’d like.  &n...

The red meat sector is a significant part of New Zealand's economy, generating $17.5 billion in GDP every year and generating almost $50 billion in spending.  A new build study out today shows the industry backs more than 120,000 full-time jobs across the country. Beef and Lamb Chair Kate Acland told Francesca Rudkin, "it's really just keeping the economy going round and round." LISTEN ABOVE&...

The Taxpayers' Union is accusing the Government of "political skulduggery" - over a billion dollars in undisclosed future spending. The Government's quietly set aside the money from next year's Budget but is refusing to say where it'll go. It amounts to 22 million dollars in 2027/28, before ramping up over a four-year period. Union Executive Director Jordan Williams told Francesca Rudkin it appear...

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Monday 8th of June 2026, The Government's quietly pre-committed more than a billion dollars from next year's budget, but is refusing to say where the money's going, Taxpayers Union Executive Director Jordan Williams shares his thoughts.  Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the Euro GDP growth rate and the EU launchi...

I like how the government’s recent moves are trying to create a more integrated and responsive health system. Last week they moved on pharmacists and during the weekend it was with paramedics.  It’s about making the most of the workforce we already have by extending what they do, with the aim being to reduce treatment delays, improve patient experiences and take the pressure of our stretched...

The Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers have arrived.   Four Kiwi teams will be fighting to stay in the game, battling for spots in the semi-final.  The Hurricanes are taking on the Brumbies tonight, before the Crusaders go head to head with the Blues at a sold out One NZ Stadium on Saturday afternoon.  Following on from that, the Chiefs will be aiming to take down the Reds.   Sport...

New data highlights ongoing struggles in the construction sector.   An Infometrics report shows building activity fell 3.5% in the March quarter to its lowest level in 10 years.   Non-residential building is down 13.5% on the same time last year.   NZ Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming told Francesca Rudkin the biggest drop's been in commercial construction.   He says a lot...

Recent moves by Congress suggest some Republicans are acting more independently from the White House.   The House has passed a measure to stop US President Trump ordering more strikes on Iran.   Four Republicans broke ranks to secure the vote.  Foreign Policy Institute Senior Fellow Jeffrey Pryce told Francesca Rudkin it could now pass in the Senate, which would be significant, even...

New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner is right to argue that the law should be changed to allow agencies to be fined when they fail to protect people’s sensitive personal information.   In an increasingly digital society, we’re being encouraged to trust organisations with highly confidential data, including medical records, financial details, and personal identification information. With that tr...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 5 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.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed some frustrations were shared in his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  Earlier this week, anonymous sources claimed the call was filled with expletives, Trump calling Netanyahu “f***ing crazy” and accusing him of ingratitude.   Trump confirmed on The New York Post’s ‘Pod Force One’ that he did indeed call him crazy, but claimed...

A Christchurch mother says current bereavement leave rules don’t give families enough time to grieve.  Sheena Hemens has launched a petition to increase the minimum entitlement from three days to ten, after her 27-year-old daughter Lauren was killed in a car crash nearly three years ago.  She says most people don't realise how little time you get to grieve until tragedy strikes, and the...

The Government's hoping a youth programme funding boost will help keep kids on the straight and narrow.   It's confirmed an $8 million cash injection to support troubled young people through sport and physical activity.   Sports and Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Francesca Rudkin it will reach a wide range of kids, including some already inside youth justice facilities.   He say...

In a podcast earlier this week, Former First Lady Michelle Obama had some wisdom for the Gen Z generation (aged between 14 and 29) when it comes to employment and their work ethic.    She said she wants Gen Z to understand that every experience, the bad boss, the boring assistant job, the job you weren’t appreciated in, the one that didn’t give you the assignment you wanted when you want...

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

Our luxury tourism market is booming.  Data from Grand View Research estimates our luxury travel market generated nearly $8 billion last year and that could more than double by 2033.  Travel agency Luxury Escapes says bookings to New Zealand are up nearly 40% year-on-year and it's seen an increase of about 20% for experience-based travel, like winery tours or wellness retreats.  Hot...

Federated Farmers is calling the potential Heartland–TSB merger an intriguing prospect.  Heartland Bank has struck a deal to buy TSB for $620 million, pending consultation and regulatory approval.   A new bank could formed by the end of the year.  Fed Farmers banking spokesperson Mark Hooper told Francesca Rudkin it's ambitious, but breaking into the rural market will be challenging...

The Government's being praised for stepping in to save councils from themselves.  It's amending a Bill before Parliament to stop unelected council committee members —like iwi representatives— from voting.  It follows a decision by the Far North District Council to expand its Māori liaison committee.  District Councillor Davina Smolders told Francesca Rudkin the recent rise in unelec...

I normally do not respond positively to the way President Trump speaks about and to people.  But a little part of me understood the way the President allegedly spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in a phone call yesterday.  On his social media page it was all very polite, which is kind of unusual – with Trump saying he had a "very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu,...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 3 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.

Airlines are taking another hit from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.  Oil prices jumped 7% after an Iranian news agency announced Tehran has suspended the negotiations with the US.   Contributing to the dwindling stocks of jet fuel is a new ban on exports by Russia, set to last until the end of November.  Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce told Francesca Rudkin airlines are...