Ryan Bridge: We all deserve a pay rise

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · Jan 25, 2026 · 2m · transcript

Question: Who wants a pay rise? Who deserves a pay rise? Simple question, easy answer.

Answer: Everybody and most kiwis. By and large we’re hard workers and deserve more.

Teacher, nurses and doctors. By and large, yes. Yes. Yes.

At the weekend, more reports of doctor shortage - Whakatāne this time. Last week it was a teacher shortage.

Union came out and said what unions say. Throw some cash at it. Higher salaries. More staff. Problem solved.

The problem is not what to do but how to pay for it.

Remember our government is borrowing money from overseas lenders to pay for everyday items like…