Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

New data out this morning is expected to show the job market has caught up with the economy.  Stats NZ is releasing the latest unemployment rate at 10.45.  Economists believe it will rise from 4.6% in the June quarter to about 5% in the September quarter.  ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge that until now, employment has been holding up in spite of the economic downtu...

Claims of voter fraud are already hanging over the US election as millions of Americans head to the polls.  Almost a third of eligible voters have cast an early ballot.  Experts say the result could go either way, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris still neck-and-neck in the key battleground states.   FSN Correspondent Nick Harper told Ryan Bridge there are fears Trump will sow con...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 6th of November, it's Election Day in the United States. We're live to New York with the Democrat's Former Treasurer Bill Derrough, to get his thoughts ahead of the polls closing tonight.  Nick Harper joins us live from Washington D.C. where Kamala Harris will be holding her election night event.  Back home, unemployme...

Principals are welcoming a new method for bringing students’ failing maths back up to standard.  The Government's announced a trial programme over the first two terms of next year, for about 2000 Year 7 and 8 students behind in maths learning.  It will use small-group tutoring and supervised online tuition for 30 minutes, up to four times a week.  Auckland Primary Principals' Associ...

Homeownership continues to be the dream for most Kiwis, but a growing number of us think we'll never achieve it.  Kiwibank's latest State of Home Ownership Report has found 85% of people want to own a home, with most believing it's the key to getting ahead.  But over two-thirds of non-homeowners doubt they'll ever own a home, with millennials particularly pessimistic.  Simplicity Fo...

Get out your fascinators and place your bets: it's Melbourne Cup Day.  The 164th running of the Melbourne Cup begins about 5pm.  Donna Demaio is Newstalk ZB's Melbourne Cup correspondent at Flemington.  She told Ryan Bridge there are 24 horses in the final field for this year's big race.  They include three trained in New Zealand: 'Trusting You', 'Positivity' and 'Sharp and Sma...

America is heading to the polls as a nation deeply divided down partisan lines.  Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are making their final pitch to voters on the eve of election day, with latest polling showing the pair remain locked in a tight race.  Harris has strong support from women voters, while Trump has been gaining ground with Hispanic voters, especially men.  Herald Deputy Pol...

The Youth Court is a good idea because it tries to steer kids away from adult prisons and a life of crime. But when it fails, it fails spectacularly, and we all pay the price for leniency.  Take teenager Dontae Eden. When he was 16, he bashed a 78-year-old man nearly to death while the old guy slept in his bed.  A Youth Court judge gave him a warning and told him to keep out of trouble.&...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 5th of November, it's Election Eve in the United States, so what's happening in the critical swing states, and has a new poll put Iowa back in play? Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan joined live from the swing state of North Carolina.   New government maths tutoring is on the way for students falling behind – how...

Of course, Donald Trump is going to win the US election, of course he is. I've been saying that since July on this programme, not that anyone will listen to me. He would have also whipped Biden like a bottle of cream. Too many Americans are hurting with the cost of living, and that's all the motivation you need really to get out and vote, isn't it? Republicans are doing it early in record numbers,...

From today, Police are dialling back the number of mental health callouts they will attend. Phase One of the reduced service will see Police complete faster handovers in the Emergency Department. Transport requests and attendance at mental health facilities will need to meet a higher threshold. Four phases are set to be implemented by September next year. Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursi...

Angry crowds of people have confronted Spanish King Felipe VI in Valencia, a town that has been severely affected by flash floods. A hostile crowd threw mud at him and shouted “murderer”, in response to what they say has been a woeful response to the tragedy that has killed at least 210. UK & Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan Bridge many are angry that weather warnings came too late....

The Black Caps took out an unprecedented clean sweep in India, Liam Lawson races in the Sao Paulo F1 and the All Blacks scraped by with a tight result in Twickenham. Newstalk ZB Sportsreader Andrew Alderson joins Ryan Bridge to recap the weekend’s packed sporting schedule. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report shows the eye-watering social, economic and fiscal costs of the current approach to dental healthcare in New Zealand. Current dental policy settings cost $2.5 billion in lost productivity. Further costs are incurred through sick days, inpatient care, and cardiovascular disease, prompting calls for universal dental care. ActionStation campaigner Max Harris tells Ryan Bridge lost produc...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 4th of November. Phase one of police reducing their presence at mental health callouts starts today - is the healthcare system ready? Associate Professor in Mental Health nursing Anthony O'Brien joins the show. A new report says our current dental system is costing us more than universal dental care would - so do we need to mak...

The All Blacks are switching it up this weekend as they face England.  The squad named to play at Twickenham is largely different to the one that played Japan, with only three players keeping their role.  Beauden Barrett will start at first five-eighth against England, taking over from Damian McKenzie who’s previously worn the number 10 jersey.   Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told...

Another treatment to help people to manage the symptoms of menopause is available from today.    Estrogel will now be available for those requiring oestrogen to meet rising demand for hormone replacement therapy. The other funded patch option is in global short supply.   Menopause specialist Dr Linda Dear says Estrogel will make a massive difference for patients, doctors and pharmac...

Communities in Eastern Spain have been devastated by flooding that's killed at least 158 people.   Rescuers are now searching for bodies.   The Valencia region has been the hardest hit, with widespread destruction to roads and railways.   Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge there were some warnings about strong rainfall.   But, he says, people are saying ther...

A free trade deal with the Middle East countries belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council has come at the right time for exporters.  The FTA's expected to provide a sizable boost to the annual $3 billion of two-way trade.  If treated as one country, all six countries —including Saudi Arabia and the UAE— would be New Zealand's seventh-largest export destination by value.  Former tra...

You can't say you care about and want to hear from people with so-called 'lived experience' and then dismiss them when you don't like what they say.  Everyone knows he doesn't have a PHD in mental health studies. Settle down, Sally.  He looked to me to simply be riffing his opinion. So what?  Props to the Mental Health Foundation and the Minister who've both handled their responses...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 1st of November, a new trade deal has been struck between New Zealand and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council - what does it mean for our exporters, and how hard would negotiations have been? Former NZ trade negotiator Charles Finny speaks to Ryan.  A new look All Blacks team are set to face England over the weekend - how...

Another season of sport, another season of sideline abuse.  Police are investigating a serious assault made on a female football coach in September.  The Ellerslie FC volunteer was attacked by a male supporter of the opposing team following an under-10s game.   Northern Region Football CEO Laura Menzies told Ryan Bridge a sideline attack is an absolute extreme.  She said in mos...

What could have been a win for the Democrats has become a bit of a storm in a teacup.  The Trump campaign received a huge amount of backlash after a comedian suggested that Puerto Rico is a floating island of garbage.   Joe Biden responded to the comments on a Zoom, saying that Puerto Ricans are good, decent, honourable people, and the only garbage he sees floating out there are Trump’s...

The latest estimate from the Social Development Ministry shows the average time people spend on a main benefit is around 13 years and four months.   For people under the age of 25, that figure jumps to more than 20 years.  Time spent on main benefits is 26% higher than in 2016, following a sustained period of increases under Labour.   Labour's Social Development spokesperson Carmel...

A sustainable method of producing jet-fuel could be on the horizon for New Zealand air carriers.   A study commissioned by Air New Zealand found it's possible to create jet fuel out of forestry industry waste like sawdust, slash, and offcuts.   Through chemical processes, the waste is turned into ethanol and then kerosene.   Air New Zealand's Kiri Hannifin told Ryan Bridge that it’s...