Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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...

Questions whether Megan and Harry's feud with British tabloids will be re-ignited once they're back in the UK.  The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be back in the next couple weeks, with their children due to start school next month.  The pair chose to step down as senior members of the royal family and leave for the US in 2020.  Newstalk ZB correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan...

There's a lot of noise around banks in this country, but results speak for themselves.   If I had a dollar for every time a politician said there's no competition in the banking sector, that they're price-gouging tyrants, I'd be richer than Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos put together.   But let's take a closer look, shall we?   Kiwibank reported annual profit was down 9% yesterday. ...

Queenstown Airport's turning its focus to managing the pressure of growth after another record year.  It’s declared a $20.4 million dividend for the year to June after making $9.1 million in profit and handling a record 2.82 million passengers.  Chief Executive Shane O'Hare told Ryan Bridge the community needs to work together to tackle congestion pressures to continue growing.  He...

Federated Farmers is feeling refreshed seeing the Government's changes for Freshwater Farm Plans.   An amendment paper to the Natural Environment Bill will do away with some mapping requirements and re-certification will be required every six years instead of five.  It'll also ensure certification will only be required on parts of farms where higher environmental risk activity occurs.&nb...

Tauranga's MP says a question mark's hanging over the head of council's CEO following the damning Mt Maunganui landslide review. The council commissioned report found the loss of six lives in the campsite at Mauao's base in January was preventable.  Tauranga City Council had been given expert warnings on the risk for decades. MP Sam Uffindell told Ryan Bridge council need to have a good look...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 20th of August 2026, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell responds to damning findings from the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide inquiry. Business is booming at Queenstown Airport with nearly three million passengers this financial year, Queenstown Airport CEO Shane O'Hare shares his thoughts.  The Government has revealed what its going...

You've probably noticed a few people now, there are loads out there, on the jab and looking skinny.   The weight-loss miracle drugs mean people eat less. Less food and less often.  Fewer cravings. That means demand for fatty, deep fried food and sugar is shrinking, quick as our waistlines.   They reckon 15% of Americans will be on the drugs within a decade. Calorie intake will drop...

The Gianni Infantino saga rolls on.  FIFA has dismissed chief operating officer Kevin Lamour after he criticised Infantino's plan to sell part of the World Cup to investors.  FIFA did not comment on the terms of Lamour departure.  It comes as Scotland withdraws its support, and the Union of European Football Associations, Asia, and Concacaf call for a review of Infantino’s conduct.&...

New Zealand's older residents will likely become a backstop if our population growth continues to fall, and workers aren't replaced.   Our estimated natural population increase —births minus deaths— is the lowest since the 1940s during World War II.  EMA Head of Advocacy & Strategy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge policies incentivising people to have children don't work, so the workfo...

I was reading a bit of news last night and a number jumped out. It shocked me, and it should shock all of us.   In the UK, they had a Government-commissioned review looking at young people and why they're not as active as the generations that went before them.  Where's the go-get 'em?  Where's the win the morning, win the day?  Where's the rattle your dogs and make-it-happen at...

I was reading a bit of news last night and a number jumped out. It shocked me. And should shock all of us.  In the UK, they had a government-commissioned review looking at young people and why they're not as active as generations that went before them. Where's the go-get 'em? Where's the win-the-morning-win the day? Where's the rattle your dogs and make-it-happen attitude?  Britain has t...

Is sending all every bailiff in the country out scanning parked cars number plates today a good idea? In July last year, the Government began trialling devices to scan and seize vehicles of people overdue on court fines and reparations.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says more than seven-thousand people overdue on payments have been identified, with more than $4.2 dollars recovered as of la...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 19th of August 2026, former Chair of FIFA'S Governance Committee Miguel Maduro shares his thoughts with Ryan on whether Gianni Infantino should get to continue on as FIFA's President.  New Zealand's birth rate statistics just keep getting worse, EMA Head of Advocacy and Strategy Alan McDonald tells Ryan what this means for...

It’s a race against the clock to fix our aged care system.   Recommendations from a Ministerial Advisory Group include increased in-home care, a workforce strategy, and national pathway for people in the system.   They're among 40 recommendations which Chair David Cunliffe says if implemented, will save the country money and improve healthcare outcomes.   He told Ryan Bridge there a...

Inflation is easing but further Official Cash Rate hikes are probably unavoidable.  Latest Stats NZ data shows the prices of diesel and petrol have been steadily falling for three consecutive months.  Diesel inflation's fallen to 34.8%, petrol inflation's fallen to 15.1%, electricity inflation's fallen to 9.5%, and food inflation is now just 1.9%.  But Westpac senior economist Satis...

An Auckland councillor's questioning why the Government needs another investigation to rule out the mayor's preferred crossing - again. Cabinet's agreed a Crown-led case into the pros and cons of a bridge or tunnel as another crossing of the Waitemata Harbour. The $1 million bill to investigate if Meola Reef in Point Chev is the right spot will be split between Auckland ratepayers and the country'...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 18th of August 2026, More delays for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing, Auckland Councillor Richard Hills shares his concerns with Ryan.  Stats NZ released their selected price index, it showed food inflation up 1.9% on last year, Westpac Senior Economist Satish Ranchhod provides some analysis. Aged Care Ministerial Advisor...

We've been waiting for decades for somebody to build a new bridge, or a tunnel, or anything across Auckland's harbour.  The consultant bill is now $100 million across the current National and former Labour Governments.  The most galling part of that was the $50m spent on consultants for Labour's plan to put an almost $1 billion cycling bridge over the harbour.  Can you imagine sitti...

New Zealand Fashion Week's back with a bang. It's making its return to Shed 10 on Auckland's waterfront this week - hosting an array of big names like Karen Walker, and Zambesi - alongside emerging talent. Last year's event debuted a new format - with an emphasis on public ticketing, panel talks, and interactive workshops. Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck tells Ryan what Aucklanders can expect in th...