Shows / Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.
Episodes
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Rob Nichol: New Zealand Rugby Players' Association CEO on the changes coming to NPC and Super Rugby
New Zealand Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol has reflected on a needs-must moment for the sport. That follows the move for the five Super Rugby city…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Kelvin Davidson: Cotality Chief Property Economist on first home buyers making up 30% of purchases in the third quarter
First-home buyers are still dominating the market. The latest Cotality Westpac First Home Buyer Report finds they made up almost 30% of property purchases in…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Phil Goff: Former Labour Leader unpacks the election campaign to date
Possible overhangs, high voter turnout, lower enrolment, and the Opportunity Party all mean the outcome of the election is too close to call, former Labour…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Halloween is the new fireworks
Halloween is the new fireworks for kids in New Zealand, and it's a hell of a lot less controversial. New Zealand First wants to ban backyard fireworks. Winston…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 30 October 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 30 October. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Chris Fraser: Bluff Distillery Co-Founder on being one of the first NZ distilleries to be inducted into the Gin Guild
A gin distillery at the bottom of the country is earning top-shelf recognition. Bluff Distillery's been inducted into the prestigious Gin Guild – one of the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Linda Gradstein: CBS Middle East Correspondent on the latest from Israel's election
Political paralysis in Israel could leave behind a caretaker government with Benjamin Netanyahu at its helm. With most votes counted, the incumbent's just…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 29 October 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 29 October. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the Reserve Bank's decision to hold the OCR
National Party Finance Spokeswoman Nicola Willis said the Official Cash Rate not going up is "positive news for the economy". The Monetary Policy Committee…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Why are we falling in love with chatbots?
Wanna know something weird? 1 in 7 Australian adults could imagine falling in love with an AI chatbot. They might tease us about our relations with sheep, but…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Linda Gradstein: CBS Middle East Correspondent on the election in Israel
Israeli voter turnout's reached a record high in the election that could determine Benjamin Netanyahu's political future. CNN exit polls show Gadi Eisenkot's…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on the expectation the Reserve Bank will hike the Official Cash Rate
The election could factor into whether this afternoon brings the Reserve Bank's third OCR hike of the year. Most economists predict a 25 basis point lift to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Matt Ball: Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager on Labour's rent-to-own scheme
A property investor is questioning why Labour's rent-to-own scheme should stop at just state houses. The party is proposing allowing Kainga Ora to put aside…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 28 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 28th of October 2026, mortgage holders are bracing for another OCR hike, Westpac Chief…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Man buns are a sign of strength, not weakness
This morning I can't stay silent on this issue that's been raised in the campaign. This comment, made by New Zealand First candidate and former Defence…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Vicky Pryce: Business Correspondent on the upcoming UK Budget announcement, cost of living protests in Europe
The UK's new Chancellor is set to deliver his first Budget. John Healey will set out Labour's tax and spending plans on October 28th, with tax increases…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Erica Stanford and Ginny Andersen: National and Labour's Education Spokespeople on curriculums, fundamentals, learning support
There's potential for National and Labour to find common ground on education, despite disagreement over curriculum reforms. National's Erica Stanford told Ryan…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Oliver Hartwich: NZ Initiative Executive Director on ACT's policy manifesto
Most voters have not realised how difficult New Zealand's fiscal predicament is, says a think tank boss. New Zealand Initiative executive director Oliver…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Will the US midterms matter more to Kiwis than our own election?
Odds are on we'll get another hike to the OCR tomorrow. That'll take us to 3%. Markets are pricing the chance of that hike happening at about 85%. It's not…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 27 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Education Minister Erica Stanford and Labour's Education spokesperson Ginny Anderson join Ryan…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Bill Geradts: Armageddon Expo Organiser on this year's Auckland event
The country's biggest pop culture extravaganza Armageddon starts in Auckland today. Around 50 thousand sci-fi, anime, fantasy, and gaming fans are expected to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Francesca Rudkin: Why are charter schools vilified?
Education Minister Erica Stanford’s education overhaul has been impressive this government term. We’re seeing improvements in primary school student…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 23 October 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 23 October. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Barbara Edmonds: Labour's Finance Spokesperson on CPI falling to 3.7%
Inflation's eased up slightly - but it's also become more persistent and widespread. The official inflation rate has fallen in the past three months - from 4.1…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Alderson: Newstalk ZB Sports Reader ahead of the Indian cricket tour
The Indian cricket tour begins tonight with a T20 against New Zealand at a sold-out Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The sides last met in March's World Cup final…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on the Mood of the Boardroom weeks out from the election
Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says politically, the Mood of the Boardroom shows a "tactical draw" between National and Labour. The survey of…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Mike Jones: BNZ Chief Economist on the latest inflation figures being released today
A warning we could see some more nasty inflation spikes before the year is out. Stats NZ is releasing the inflation data for the three months to September just…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 22 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 22nd of October 2026, economists are expecting a mixed bag in today's inflation figures…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: My final election prediction, Qiulae's out
Nearly there. Voting's already happening for Kiwis overseas. Monday, we start in-country. Two weeks later it's all over and counting begins. The result looks…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Sarah Helm: NZ Drug Foundation Executive Director on the new report showing three people are dying a week from preventable overdoses
Opioids remain the biggest driver of overdose deaths, often with a cocktail of other substances. The latest NZ Drug Foundation report reveals the country's…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Sarah Dalton: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director on Labour's plan to cut down ED wait times
A health sector leader's praising Labour's plan to get our emergency departments into recovery mode but says there are still gaps. The party's released its…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 21 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 21st of October 2026, Police arrests for retail crime are through the roof, Retail NZ…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Carolyn Young: Retail NZ Chief Executive says retailers are celebrating a Police crackdown crime
There's a view retail crime's reduced as penalties have strengthened. The Ministry of Justice's latest data shows finalised charges for theft from a retail…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: A Government before Christmas is unlikely
The other day Christopher Luxon sent conniptions through the commentariat by saying we'll be lucky to have a Government by Christmas. I'm not surprised. So we…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the NZ Superannuation Fund posting a return of 14.17%
Our Superannuation fund is seeing great returns, but growth is still needed for the long term. The 25-year-old fund is now worth $94.35 billion dollars…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Danielle Adsett: New Zealand Apples and Pears CEO on the India Free Trade Agreement coming into effect
There's excitement in the apple sector over access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers being unlocked. Our new Free Trade Agreement with the world's most populous…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 20 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 20th of October 2026, Labour's pledging to ban social media for under-16s within its first…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Steve McCracken: Secondary Principals Association Chair and B416 Expert Advisory Panel member on Labour's social media policy
A school leader says it's fantastic both major parties are backing a crackdown on children's social media use. Labour says if elected, an under-16 social media…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: We need more dentists
There's an election promise to train more dentists in Otago – the first increase in training numbers in 10 years. And if it comes to pass, you'll have to ask…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 19 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday 19th of October 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Labour's health spokesperson Ayesha…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ruth Money: Chief Victims Advisor on National's promise to remove the right to remain silent
A suggestion National's promise to remove the right to remain silent could be expanded beyond cases involving children. If re-elected, the party wants to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: Split voting is undemocratic
The split voting thing. In the weekend papers were full of full-page ads paid for by RCR. This appears to be the vessel for Don Brash and Nick Mowbray to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB Rugby Commentator on the second Bledisloe Cup test
After a decisive victory over the Wallabies last week, it's time for round two. The All Blacks secured the Bledisloe Cup, but pride is still on the line as the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Mike Casey: Rewiring Aotearoa CEO on the political promises to make plug-in solar available in New Zealand
A solar advocate agrees National's six-month timeframe to get plug-in solar in shops is doable. New Zealand doesn't yet have regulations to permit the trade of…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Malcolm Mulholland: Patient Voice Aotearoa Chair on Starship cancer treatment delays
A patients advocate says the news of Starship treatment delays isn't about making anyone look bad, but keeping families informed. The Auckland children's…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 16 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Friday the 18th of October 2026, Cancer treatments for children at Starship hospital have been…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: Is the Greens' co-leadership a thing of the past?
Yesterday's talkback outrage was all about the MPs and the gangs. A meeting that was condemned by both the Chrises in the Leaders debate. But despite this…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Brigitte Morten: Political Commentator unpacks the second major leaders debate
Is there a clear winner in the wake of the second major leaders debate? Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins went head-to-head in the NZ Herald's Leaders Debate…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Casey Costello: Associate Police Minister on the near-record number of new police officers entering the force
This year is set to be one of the highest graduating years in the history of the New Zealand Police, despite wings often not being at capacity. Around 730…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Grant Webster: Tourism Holdings Chief Executive on tourism numbers nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels
New Zealand's looking to attract more tourists from Europe and the US to reduce our reliance on Australians. Stats NZ data shows almost 249 thousand overseas…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: We need more ambitious leaders in education
Story of the week this week goes to a Herald piece about Ngaire Ashmore, the principal of Auckland Girls' Grammar. Ten years ago, she took over and turned the…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 15 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 15th of October 2026, political commentator Brigitte Morten shares her thoughts on the New…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Glenn Dobson: Drug Detection Agency CEO on workplace testing revealing surging cocaine use
Employers are being warned cocaine use is surging in workplace drug testing. Drug Detection Agency data shows the drug made up 3.2% of positive tests in three…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Steve McCracken: Secondary Principals' Council Chair on Labour's plan to axe the mandatory hour of reading, writing, and maths despite parent approval
School leaders want more information from Labour on its plan to scrap a mandated hour of reading, writing, and maths in schools, while achievement results are…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Rachel Mackintosh: Etū National Secretary on the aluminium sector warning of job losses after govt declines request for safeguards
There are concerns a flood of cheaper aluminium imports from China could lead to local manufacturers shutting their doors. Commerce and Consumer Affairs…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 14 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 14th of October 2026, a new poll shows just how popular the hour of reading, writing…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: Why is Qiulae Wong polling so well when her policies are so radical?
So, if Qiulae Wong is generally considered to be the best thing in last night's debate, how did she do it and how is her fringe party keeping popular enough to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Lawrence Xu-Nan: Green Party MP on their proposal to regulate artificial intelligence
The Greens want to keep a tight rein on AI. The Party wants people held accountable for decisions made using Artificial Intelligence, and to have a public…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on the ASB research showing economic activity doesn't tend to slow down ahead of elections
ASB says elections aren't usually a handbrake for business or household decisions. Fresh analysis from the bank has found activity doesn't tend to slow down…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Geof Nightingale: Tax expert says National's tax relief seems a fair way off
A tax expert suggests National's trademark tax relief seems a fair way off, with little wiggle room in its fiscal plan. The Party says it can't offer tax cuts…