Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Buongiorno! Italia is going to host the 38th America's Cup in summer 2027.  The Auld Mug once again heads to European waters - the first time the Italians will play host. They've had the World Series but never the big one. It'll be Mt Vesuvius in the background, not Rangitoto. Pizza lining the bellies of fans, not fish and chips. Auckland has missed, which we already knew. Athens has missed o...

A US parole board will decide next month if infamous brothers serving life sentences can be freed, after their sentences have been reduced.   Erik and Lyle Menendez killed their parents in 1989.   An LA judge has now resentenced the pair to "50 years to life", with time served making them instantly eligible for parole.   US Correspondent Toni Waterman told Ryan Bridge the brothers h...

The stage is set in Turkey for a potentially historic meeting in a few hours between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's personally attending and has challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to do the same.  It has now been confirmed that Putin will not attend the meeting, but the Kremlin had previously refused to confirm either way.  BBC...

Signs of systemic failures when it comes to our children.   UNICEF's Innocenti research reveals New Zealand's recorded the highest child suicide rate of 36 countries, and ranks last for mental wellbeing.   It also finds we have one of the highest rates of child obesity and bullying.   UNICEF Aotearoa's Tania Sawicki Mead told Ryan Bridge that although some of the decrease in life sa...

A former Speaker of the House is reminding MPs the rules of the House must be followed. The Privileges Committee have suggested three Te Pati Māori MPs be temporarily suspended from Parliament, ranging up to 21 days, for their role in a haka over the Treaty Principles Bill. Te Pati Māori says these suspensions are the longest in Parliament's history. Sir Lockwood Smith told Ryan Bridge members nee...

Here’s a few c-words for your Thursday morning: communist, coalition, and crash. Crash, because that’s what’d happen to the economy if we lived in the Green utopia complete with the $88-billion tax train wreck.  Coalition, because that’s what you’d get if Labour shacks up with their neighbours on the far left. Hipkins yesterday first claimed not have read the manifesto. Whatever.  This i...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 15th of May 2025, Putin still hasn't confirmed he'll turn up to a meeting with Zelensky in Turkey, BBC Senior Russia Reporter Olga Ivshina has the latest.  The privileges committee has suspended the Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders and MP for Hauraki-Waikato Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for the haka in Parliament.  According to a Unic...

Cyber threats are estimated to have cost New Zealanders $1.6 billion last year.  New data from the National Cyber Security Centre has revealed half the country has been the target of online scam in the last six months.  Up to 830,000 experienced some financial loss.  Director of Mission Enablement Michael Jagusch says good cyber security practises can reduce harm.  He says it i...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's backtracked on requests for a ceasefire to come before talks with Russia.  He's set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey this week to discuss the Ukraine war.   This comes as Western allies in the 'Coalition of the Willing' have offered a US backed 30-day cease-fire proposal to Russia, alongside the threat of sanctions.   Corre...

Meridian Energy's denying its purchase of Flick Electric is a takeover by New Zealand's big power companies.  The power gentailer is paying $70 million to Z Energy for Flick's 41,000 electricity customers and the brand.  It'll increase Meridian’s market share to 18%, maintaining its position as our fourth largest electricity retailer.  Meridian Energy Chief Customer Officer Lisa Han...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 14th of April 2025, The government's looking at changes to the Kiwisaver scheme, Kiwisaver and Superfund expert Jonathan Eriksen shares his thoughts.   Half of New Zealanders were the target of online scam and fraud last year National Cyber Security Centre's Director of Mission Enablement Mike Jagusch tells Ryan Bridge what to...

New Zealand will pass an economic milestone in 2028, with the Government making it's first ever Super Fund withdrawal. The Finance Minister revealed yesterday they'll begin offset superannuation costs by withdrawing $32 million from the New Zealand Super Fund. From 2031, withdrawals are expected annually.  Superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen told Ryan Bridge it's exactly what the Superfund...

Ahead of the Budget we got the same message we got from a barefoot, jandal wearing Chippy on day one of his post summer break. More debt. Borrow more and spend more.    Name an issue, pick a portfolio, any portfolio, where Labour has not criticised the government for cuts and promised to restore spending to pre-Willis levels.  The latest example is pay parity, but that is just the l...

A former Police officer says it's beyond him why Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming would ever access porn on a work device.  McSkimming had been suspended on full-pay since December.   He was under a criminal investigation by police on unrelated different allegations, the nature of which can't be reported.   Our newsroom understands while investigating the original complai...

Auckland's Business Chamber CEO says we have nothing to lose by loosening transit visas for Chinese nationals.  Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's updated his Auckland Manifesto, laying out a Beehive to-do list.  It includes calling for the Government to reconsider loosening transit visas for Chinese Nationals, giving them more freedom for short stays in the country.  Simon Bridges told R...

If what’s they’re saying about a Flick Electric shutting up shop is true, and I’ve no reason to doubt it, then it should come as no surprise. This is a BusinessDesk report - it's owned by Z and so far, they're not saying anything. It’s one of the smaller retailers that help keep the bigger gentailers honest, but the cracks started showing ages ago. Winter 2021, they closed their books to new custo...

The Government's putting $100 million into primary and intermediate maths in this year's Budget. It will be used for maths checks in the first two years of school, to identify the students struggling with the subject.  About $40 million will go towards tutoring at intermediate level. Upper Hutt Principals' Association President Robyn Brown told Ryan Bridge there's many children with diverse n...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 13th of May 2025, Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming resigns suddenly, Former Cop Lance Burdett shares his thoughts.  Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown believes Auckland's the ticket to getting our country out of recession, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges shares his thoughts.  The Government's announced $100 mi...

The National Party has dropped their social media ban for under-16s and it will instead be lead by Education Minister Erica Stanford. The Prime Minister announced social media restrictions will become a part of the Government’s work programme. Stanford will work across government to explore options for legislation and bring them to cabinet for consideration. Social media parenting expert Malinda M...

The Warriors put on a nail biting performance over the weekend, coming back from what was looking like a loss.   A 69th minute Luke Metcalf field goal proved decisive, as the Auckland team hung on for a 15-14 victory over the St George-Illawarra Dragons. It takes the Warriors to a 7-2 record for the season – cementing their top-four position.  Sports reporter Andrew Alderson talks t...

UK Public funding for the Royal Household has tripled since 2012, with the rise largely driven by repairs and building work at Buckingham Palace.  The Sovereign Grant was introduced in 2012 at £31m per year. That has now risen to £132m, data from the House of Commons Library shows, and once inflation has been taken into account, that represents about a threefold increase. Royal aids say the f...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday the 12th of May 2025, The Government's promising to clamp down on boy racers, Police Association President Chris Cahill tells Ryan Bridge whether or not the legislation will work.  Erica Stanford will lead work on reducing social media harm for under-16s, social media parenting expert from B416, Malindi Maclean shares her thoughts...

Tougher penalties hope to put the brakes on boy racers and fleeing drivers. The Government's establishing a presumptive sentence of vehicle destruction for street racers, those who flee police, and intimidating convoys.  Police will also get greater powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas.  Police Association President Chris Cahill says told Ryan Brid...

The youth are out of control.  We'll crush the cars. We'll crush the smartphones.  Which all sounds nice this will... like most laws designed to make us feel like we're getting a handle on social problems, will all come down to enforcement. For all the time Judith Collins spent at the scrap metal yards for photo ops, was not quite the Crusher those photos ops made her out to be.  In...

Donald Trump's struck his first trade deal since last month's tariff announcement – an agreement with the UK.  The US will slash tariffs on British steel and aluminium, and most British cars.  But UK exporters will still face the same 10% base tariff also faced by New Zealand exporters.  On the flipside, the UK has agreed to remove the tariff on ethanol for US goods, and agreed to r...