Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The All Blacks kept their grip on the Bledisloe Cup last week, beating the Wallabies 31-28 in Sydney. However, they still have another test to play, the second Bledisloe Cup test being the All Blacks’ final home test for the year. Elliott Smith, Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby, told Ryan Bridge that the team needs to get their “20 minute jinx” sorted out as it’s becoming a real problem for the team....

An Auckland principal says teaching isn't a job, it's a service. The Government's instructing schools to have Stepped Attendance Response plans by 2026. It's also instructed them not to take teacher-only days in term time, unless authorised by the Minister. May Road Primary School principal Lynda Stuart told Ryan Bridge that it’s a complex situation because she knows that in her school, teachers a...

Thank God the UN General Assembly is underway in New York. Nothing solves global conflict like a good UNGA session.  I've been to one of these before, back when John Key was the Prime Minister – there was a resolution on Iran.  A lot of sitting around talking and listening, which as Winston Peters pointed out yesterday, is quite important!  Netanyahu's enroute. Zelensky's there. Pal...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 27th of September, David Seymour is cracking down on school attendance as new numbers show it's improving. But will the new moves, which could see parents prosecuted, work? May Road Principal Lynda Stuard joins the show. The two government owned weather forecasters NIWA and MetService could soon be one, with an agreement in-princip...

{"markup":" New Zealand is being recommended to find a long-term vision for its infrastructure. \n The Infrastructure Commission's released a new report on long-term spending demands ahead of next year's National Infrastructure Plan.   \n Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett says we need to better understand the wide benefits of infrastructure if we're to succeed long-term.  ...

Donald Trump says an attack on a former President is a death wish for the attacker.   The former president's campaign team claims he's been briefed on a suspected Iranian assassination plot.   It follows a man being formally charged for an assassination attempt near Trump's Florida golf course and a shooting in July.   Correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge that Trump's campaign sees the Iran...

There’s been a push for New Zealand to follow England's lead in combating obesity rates.   NHS figures suggest England's turned the tide on rising obesity rates for the first time in two decades.   Obesity rates in adults have remained stable for the past five years.   Auckland University nutrition expert Boyd Swinburn told Ryan Bridge rates will keep going up in New Zealand until something change...

Chris Hipkins is doubling down on the idea of a shake-up to the tax system.   ANZ boss Antonia Watson says the "time has arrived" for a capital gains tax.   Both Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis rejected the call, joking that the boss of a big Australian bank just wants to take more money off Kiwis.   The Labour leader told Ryan Bridge New Zealand's tax system's loaded against...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 26th of September, Chris Hipkins joins the show from the UK where he met the new Labour government and attended their annual conference.   Obesity rates in in England have stabilised for the first time in two decades. How do we use their numbers and lessons as an example to improve our shocking obesity rates here?   How do we mak...

Swedish authorities have accused Iranian intelligence of hacking into a text messaging service last year.   In 2023, several individuals in Sweden set fire to the Quran in public, prompting outage. The events were followed by 15,000 people receiving text messages calling for “revenge against the Quran-burners".   SAPO, the country’s Security Service, says the texts were sent by the Iranian Intelli...

There’s relief from the bus drivers union as the Government announces new measures to improve workplace safety.   It includes new aggravating factors in sentencing for attacks on transport workers and a $15 million injection into safety precautions.   Tramways Union President Gary Froggatt told Ryan Bridge that it’s another weapon in the armoury defending against this type of crime.   He said it w...

There's a suggestion facial recognition isn't the sole factor behind a drop in supermarket retail crime.   Foodstuffs North Island —which owns Pak'n'Save and New World— says early results from its six month trial show it prevented about 130 serious incidents.   It also reported around 4,700 incidents across all stores in April to June – an 8% drop quarterly.   First Retail Group managing director...

Israel says it has killed a senior Hezbollah commander as fighting in Lebanon continues.   The Lebanese health ministry says strikes have killed around 500 people.   The Israeli Defence Force says its mission is to stop the Iranian-backed group from firing rockets into Israel's north and to push them back from the border.   International relations analyst Stephen Hoadley told Ryan Bridge he expect...

It's time I reckon we started sending bills to those protesters for wasting police time and resources.   I watched yesterday with growing anger as a couple of Greenpeace people climbed on top of an awning on The Terrace in Wellington.   They were just one floor up, they stood there looking like numpties with their overalls and their helmets on.   Nothing wrong with protesting, but there were eight...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 25th of September, could facial recognition help reduce retail crime? Foodstuffs North Island’s trial of the technology has just ended, and they say it's helped. First Retail Groups Managing Director Chris Wilkinson speaks to Ryan about what this could mean for retailers.   Conflict is continuing to escalate between Israel and H...

Australia's consumer watchdog has launched legal action against the Australian arm of Woolworths, and its main rival Coles.   The ACCC's accusing the supermarket giants of breaching consumer law by misleading consumers, raising prices by 15% at times before dropping the price as part of a promotion.   The watchdog claims the price of hundreds of products were affected.   Australia Correspondent Do...

A criminal defence lawyer says the Polkinghorne verdict isn't a surprise.   Eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne was found not guilty of the murder or manslaughter of his wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home in April 2021.   The verdict —given at the High Court in Auckland yesterday— followed 10 hours of deliberations over two days.   Criminal defence lawyer Roderick Mulgan told Ryan Bridge if ther...

Kiwifruit exports are on the rise, with values now at their highest point ever.   Exports for the fruit were worth $3.1 billion in the year to August.   It's an increase of just over half a billion from 2023, with gold kiwifruit rising by 24%.   Green kiwifruit were up 9.9%.   Motueka grower Evan Heywood told Ryan Bridge the number of Ruby Red kiwifruit exported is also increasing.   He says it's...

Wellington businesses could reap the benefits of calling public servants back to the office.   Public sector agencies are being told to enforce stricter Working From Home guidelines.   It's suggested the move could help Wellington's struggling economy, as well as boost productivity and collaboration.   Backbencher Pub owner Alistair Boyce told Ryan Bridge it will absolutely make a difference.   He...

This is a travel advisory for the city of Wellington: do not travel to New Zealand's capital. Environment considered dangerous.   Basic necessities like flat whites and pints are difficult to find.   The government-ordered a crackdown on civil servants is currently in action. A warning other civil servants may be hiding inside homes and not immediately visible on city streets.   Risk of political...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 24th of September, a jury has found Auckland eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne not guilty of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna. Criminal Defence Lawyer Roderick Mulgan gives his analysis.   The Government wants public sector workers to stop working from home and return to the office. What has the impact of working from home had on c...

Yes to a four year term please. Our politicians are too short sighted.   Think about infrastructure, think about productivity, think about immigration settings, basically take your pick at any long term problem in this country.   We need longer terms.   Yes, it will suck if it's not the party that you like in at the time that it's introduced, but it needs to happen for the better of the country, d...

The number of families living in emergency housing has reduced by 57%, according to new figures from the Ministry of Social Development and Housing and Urban Development.   Community Housing Aotearoa Chief Executive Paul Gilberd tells Ryan Bridge getting children out of motels is fantastic.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The far right could be on the brink of it's first election victory in Germany. Brandenburg, close to Berlin, has been governed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) ever since German reunification. But two million voters are heading to the polls today for a tightly fought regional election that Alternativ für Deutschland (AfD) stands a chance of winning. Plus, UK Pr...

ZB Sports Andrew Alderson joins Ryan Bridge to wrap the weekend in sport.   Lando Norris eased to a Singapore F1 Grand Prix win despite twice hitting a wall.   The win lets Norris eat further into Max Verstappen’s lead in the overall championship.   Plus, the Black Caps chances of a test cricket win over Sri Lanka remain alive heading into the final day.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listene...