Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Why do Americans keep saying nobody is above the law and then repeatedly showing us some blatantly are.  Biden tweeted during the campaign "nobody is above the law". He said it many times, but he was talking about charges against Trump, of course.  But, on principle, he said the same applies to him and his family - Including his son Hunter.  That brings us back here - He's lost the...

The Black Caps have got their summer off on the wrong foot, after losing to England by eight wickets in the first test in Christchurch. Their efforts were marred by a string of fielding errors, with multiple dropped catches in the first innings as England's Harry Brook bagged 171. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson's efforts for last points in Qatar have been unsuccessful after finishing 14th in Lusail - as F...

British broadcaster Gregg Wallace has stepped back from presenting Masterchef as allegations of sexual comments surface. There's been 13 complaints from staff and celebrity guests over almost two decades – which Wallace denies. The 60-year-old's posted videos online defending himself. Europe Correspondent Kay Oliver told Ryan Bridge he's pointing the finger at middle class women of a certain age....

Cautious optimism from the meat sector as it braces for the impact of a US presidency change. Donald Trump's campaigned on tariffs of up to 20 percent on all imports, with higher tariffs for imports from China. Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton says they're still unsure if New Zealand will actually be affected. He told Ryan Bridge the tariffs will focus on nations which have a tra...

An ex-Labour Party high-flyer is confident Chris Hipkins will continue to lead the party. Labour's conference over the weekend came with a vow not to join security conference AUKUS. The party's also spoken about a potential tax shake-up should it come into power at the next election. Former Labour MP Stuart Nash told Ryan Bridge he has no doubt Chris Hipkins will be leader. “If he wants to be the...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 2nd of December. Labour has held its annual conference, leader Chris Hipkins says the party won't join AUKUS if reelected in 2026 and will rebuild Dunedin Hospital. Former Labour Minister Stuart Nash talks to Ryan. With Trump tariffs possibly coming next year, what is the red meat sector expecting and how are they preparing as...

Politics is largely about trust.  When you break it down to its most simple terms, it's about trust.  If you see a bloke or a woman on the telly trying to get your vote, you try and work out what sort of person they are? Do they think like me? Are they smart? Are they thick? Can I trust that they'll make a good decision at an important time? It's a magic thing that takes a lifetime to ea...

Retailers across the country are gearing up for an influx of customers keen to get their hands on some Black Friday sales. First Retal Group managing director Chris Wilkinson tells Ryan Bridge that the best deals are the reoccurring ones.   “It’s the likes of the Dysons that drop massively at this time of year.”   Wilkinson added the week ahead and beyond Black Friday make a difference f...

There’s more sanctions from New Zealand for those involved in Russia's war with Ukraine.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced sanctions targeting those linked to supplying chemical weapons, ballistic missiles, and drones for Russia.  He says concern is growing about illegal Russian and North Korean naval activity.  Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge it comes a...

Public transport leaders say increasing fares is counter productive.   NZTA's ordering councils take a higher revenue share from users and agree to new targets by December 19.   As an example, the move would mean a Wellington commuter currently spending $10 on buses a day would have to spend $17.  Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Darran Ponter told Ryan Bridge the amount co...

There's a belief an apology is due over some Government measures undertaken during our pandemic response.  Phase One of the Royal Commission Inquiry has delivered 39 recommendations.   It highlights that Government messaging was initially effective but became more challenging as objectives shifted.  It notes some vaccine requirements were too broad and continued too long.  Trus...

This Covid phase one report – the verdict is in, and it's pretty much ‘guilty your honour’.   Fine to begin with, and then they as the single podium of truth basically went too far, for too long. Tell us something we don't know.   Trust in our institutions as shot, media took a hammering —and rightly so in some cases— Labour supporters and hysterical scientists and other groups went full...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 29th of November, the first phase of the Royal Commission into our pandemic response is out, and Lady Deborah Chambers says Labour should apologise. She explained why to Ryan.  Could you be paying more for public transport in the New Year? NZTA wants councils to increase their revenue share, so public transport leaders have wr...

There's a belief the latest covid Royal Commission findings may provide assistance to current legal issues.   The first phase of the Inquiry into the pandemic response is being presented today, but it's unclear when the Government will release it.   Chaired by Professor Tony Blakely, it says mandates caused pain to a substantial minority.   Matthew Hague told Ryan Bridge this won't...

The Water Services Authority says they are expecting further results around arsenic levels in the Waikato River this morning.   An elevated level of arsenic has been detected in the river which supplies drinking water to Hamilton and parts of Auckland.   It says there's no risk to public health and the water is safe to drink.   Authority Head of Operations Steve Taylor told Ryan Bri...

The Finance Minister's playing down expectations of a surplus, ahead of Treasury's opening of the books next month.  The Reserve Bank cut the Official Cash Rate by half a percent, to 4.25 -- warning of slower economic growth.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge the OCR cut is welcome news, but agrees there is still more to do.  "Of course, we want to see the economy gro...

The US economy is just humming along at the moment, isn't it? 2.8% is their lucky number this morning. 2.8% annualised GDP for the September quarter. Better than the Eurozone, better than the UK, and much better than New Zealand.  We're still going backwards. We went balls to the wall with interest rate hikes post Covid and we were the first to do it. Adrian Orr and the Reserve Bank held high...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday the 28th of November. The Reserve Bank has cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points to 4.25%. Finance Minister Nicola Willis reacts.  Elevated levels of arsenic have been found in the Waikato river which supplies Auckland and Hamilton's drinking water. The Head of Operations at Water Services Authority Tau Mata Arawai s...

The UK’s Tory party is accusing Labour of stealing their ideas around unemployment resolution. Labour MP Liz Kendall says that her party intends on generating new jobs and an employment scheme, while her counterpart Helen Whately said that is her party’s idea repackaged. This comes as youth unemployment is at 14.8%, up 12% from last year. UK Correspondent Kay Oliver told Ryan Bridge that Kendallsa...

Nikki Kaye is being remembered as a strong voice for the Auckland Central electorate. She died on Saturday aged 44 from cancer. Kaye served as Auckland Central MP from 2008 until 2020. She was also a cabinet minister and briefly deputy leader of the National Party. Former Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Michael Barnett told Ryan Bridge she took the seat as a young liberal. He says she wa...

The Reserve Bank is widely expected to cut the Official Cash Rate today from 4.75% to 4.25%. It was cut by the same margin in October.   ANZ's already cutting most of its home loan rates ahead of this afternoon's decision.    BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Ryan Bridge he can see some of the logic for a 75 basis point move.   But he says those big moves tend to be reserved...

I paid 40 cents for a paper bag while shopping at my local supermarket the other week.  40 cents.  Remember when they used to cost 10 cents? Back in the day when they swapped them out for plastic bags when they banned those – which used to be free.  40 cents.  And guess what they had printed on the side of this paper bag that you buy to put your groceries in.   They had pr...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 27th of November, 25, 50 or 75 points? All are on the table as the Reserve Bank decides the Official Cash Rate for the final time until February. How will Trump's second term and US President influence their decision? BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones joins the show.  The Government has found $42 million for more senior doctor...

Businesses say the new Central Auckland Police base is a positive step towards improving the city's safety.   The new Federal Street station will be close to Aotea Square, making it easier to deploy officers right across the central city.   Police plan to have it open to the public 24/7 by the middle of next year.  Heart of the City's Viv Beck told Ryan Bridge that businesses have b...

Some patients in need of hospital treatment aren't even making it to the waitlist.   A letter obtained by RNZ reveals some referrals from an orthopaedic clinic are being knocked back.  It says it lacks the resources to see all patients within the Ministry of Health waiting time targets.  Royal College of GPs Medical Director Dr Luke Bradford told Ryan Bridge the acceptance level flu...