Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Freight drivers are warning against pushing back roading projects.  Labour's promised no hikes to the fuel excise over the next three years, if elected.   Instead it'll consider pushing back National Land Transport Fund projects to make up for the reduced income.  Transporting NZ Chief Executive Dom Kalasih told Ryan Bridge this would be a mistake as a reliable road network is extre...

Are we about to witness the return of the pothole?  Both Labour and National want to freeze increases to the petrol tax.   Labour would stop 22c a litre over three years. The Nats probably won't, coalition willing, go ahead with the 12c hike pencilled in for January.   The problem is this money goes into a big fund —along with RUCS from trucks— to pay for building and fixing our roa...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 28th of August 2026, National says it won't increase the petrol tax in January by 12 cents a litre, Transporting NZ CEO Dom Kalasih tells Ryan why this is problematic for roading infrastructure. Newstalk ZB's voice of rugby Elliott Smith is in Cape Town for the All Blacks game against the Springboks, he tells Ryan what we can expect.&n...

ACT's pledging to abolish the Climate Commission.  The Party claims it's cost $100 million since it was established and only writes reports, duplicates work, and proposes ridiculous ideas.  They're proposing folding responsibility for assessing emissions reduction progress into mega-Ministry MCERT, culling the Commission and its Board.  NZ Climate Change Research Institute's Adrian...

The dairy sector's booming, but some are calling for more support to ensure it continues.  A report commissioned by DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association has found dairy exports reached almost $29 billion in 2025, and supports more than 51 thousand jobs.  It also finds the dairy sector is a backbone of much of regional New Zealand's economy, wages, and job market.   Associatio...

The overall economy seems to be holding together as it slowly gets back on track.  Westpac's August overview forecasts 2% growth across this year – accelerating to 3% in 2027.   It points to an uptick in activity after falling flat in the three months to June.    Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge the war in Iran has played into a lot of uncertainty in recent...

Meta's cut a landmark US trial over teen social media addiction short, agreeing to pay US$18 billion in a settlement deal. 29 US states brought the case against the Instagram and Facebook owner in a California federal court. As part of the agreement the social media giant will include daily limits and night-time blocks for teenage users on its platforms. New York correspondent Mitch McCann told Ry...

How much do you really want the value of your property to fall?   Plenty of us say we want cheaper house prices, but do we really mean it?  Once you own a house, you usually have mortgage on it. The less your house is worth, the less equity you have.  Your net worth goes backwards.  In New Zealand, half of the average household’s wealth is land and property.  That is now w...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Westpac have upgraded their GDP forecast, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie tells Ryan what this means for our economy. Act wants to abolish the Climate Change Commission, Adjunct Professor at the NZ Climate Change Research Institute Adrian Macey shares his thoughts.  Dairy exports reached $28 billion in the year to December, Da...

A number of wins for Auckland as the city heads into a new era.   The fourth annual State of the City report, commissioned by the independent non-partisan Committee for Auckland, compares the super city to others globally.   It scored well on innovation, international business events, and the number of people coming here, but did less well on things like productivity and keeping talent.&...

Wellington's Mayor says new rates cap could mean cutting back on important work.  The Government's clarified key aspects of its plan to cap council rate hikes at 4%, which is expected to come into force in 2029.   Councils would be expected to prepare for it from next July, although the scheme excludes water services.  Wellington Mayor Andrew Little told Ryan Bridge they currently h...

This past week is proof a four-year Parliamentary term is probably a good idea.  Elections disrupt the housing market. People get scared off buying for fear of the unknown – who knows what government will get in and what they'll do to price of a house.  Same goes for business decisions – should I buy that extra tractor if a pro-regulation party gets round the cabinet table?  But the...

Labour's determined to see the end of smoking in New Zealand if re-elected to government. The party plans to reinstate the Smokefree Generation, introduce a licensing regime to stop illicit sales, and cancel tax breaks for tobacco companies.   Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says smoking's our leading cause of preventable death.  Action for Smokefree 2025 Director Ben Youdan told Ryan...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 26th of August 2026, the Government’s pushing ahead with its 4% rates cap, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little shares his thoughts. The Labour party says they'd bring back our Smokefree generation goals if they get back in government, Action for Smokefree 2025 Director Ben Youdan tells Ryan why this is important.  A new report s...

Retail's been taking a hit since the Iran war began, with people staying home to save money and fuel.  Stats NZ data shows the June quarter's inflation and seasonal-adjusted sales volumes fell 0.5% on the three months to March, but after accounting for surging fuel prices, petrol station sales actually plunged 13%.  The only significant growth was in computer and appliance store sales, w...

Scepticism as Health New Zealand claims staffing levels may not be as bleak as they look.  The agency's released data across almost 615 wards last year, showing for 740-thousand shifts, around a quarter were below the target level at some point.  Chief Nurse Nadine Gray says the figures could represent five minutes or less of under-resourcing across an eight hour shift.  But Patient...

The Government wants under-16's banned from social media, but any law change is many months away.   Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the move yesterday, which will require platforms to verify age via face scanning or either digital or physical IDs.  It's not clear if the bill will have enough support, with ACT and New Zealand First agreeing to disagree, and Labour yet to fully...

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 25 August. 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.

Labour's fallen into a cunning wee trap set by Nicola Willis a few weeks ago.   She laid the bait —releasing 'fiscal rules' her party would abide by if re-elected— and challenged Labour to do the same.   On the weekend, they took the bait and released their own 'fiscal strategy'. Which is different form their 'fiscal plan' – more on that in a second.   The problem for Labour is that...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 25th of August 2026, National’s pushing ahead with a social media ban for under-16s, Labour Spokesperson for Technology and Media Reuben Davidson, tells Ryan what it will take for Labour to support the bill. Q2’s retail numbers show the Iran war is starting to hit the hip pocket, ASB senior economist Jane Turner shares her thought...

They’re calling it one of the All Blacks’ greatest wins in years. A huge 33-16 victory over the Springboks at Ellis park -- our biggest ever there, and first win in South Africa in four years. Former All Blacks Captain Sean Fitzpatrick joins Ryan Bridge from Johannesburg.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, well, well. Look who's feeling good on a Monday morning?  We are. Little old New Zealand.  Did we just beat the Springboks at Ellis Park? Yes, we did.  Five tries to one. At altitude. Our first win in South Africa in four years.  That's just for starters. The Black Ferns rolled the Aussies 66-19.  If you thought the All Blacks six tries were impressive, how about 10...

A big showdown in Johannesburg this weekend.  The All Blacks are facing the Springboks for the first time on their tour of South Africa, clashing at Ellis Park at 3am Sunday.  The Kiwi side is on a winning streak against the domestic sides, but the Springboks have won four of the past five meetings.  Former Springbok Kevin Putt told Ryan Bridge the South African side is taking physi...

Kiwibank is reporting a 9% drop in annual profit.  It comes amid talk of a potential merger between Kiwibank and TSB Bank, if the current TSB-Heartland merger falls through.  The Crown-owned bank says it's dealing with a challenging economic environment.  Its net interest income —the gap between what it's receiving in interest and paying out in interest— has risen 1.7%.  Massey...

New Zealand First's plan to force more Fonterra milk into the hands of rival manufacturers is being dismissed as a “dumb idea”.  The party wants to amend the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act, giving qualifying manufacturers access to up to 500-million litres of Fonterra milk a year for six years – up from the current 50-million.  Dairy industry analyst Peter Fraser told Ryan Bridge if NZ...