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
Kate Acland: Beef + Lamb NZ Chair on the research finding incentives could help farmers reduce emissions
Climate policies for farmers may be revealing a competitive gap. New research by Beef + Lamb suggests there should be a focus on incentives for farmers who…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: The AI takeover isn't coming, it's here
The AI and robot takeover isn't coming, it's here. Well, sort of. A bunch of data's come out on this over the past few days. Seek says job ads mentioning AI…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Alan McDonald: Employers and Manufacturers' Association Head of Advocacy and Strategy on the 13% increase in job ads
More encouraging signs in the job market despite global uncertainty and fuel concerns. Fresh Seek employment data shows job ads rose 0.8% in April, up 13%…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Mark Mitchell: Police Minister on the arrest of corrections staff for corruption, accepting bribes
Satisfaction the vast majority of the country's Corrections workers are good eggs, despite the arrest of 14 Auckland staff. A dozen have been charged with…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 21 May 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 21 May. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Carolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on card spend data dropping by 1.3% in April
Retailers are feeling the pinch, with card spending plunging across the board. Stats NZ data reveals retail electronic card purchases dropped 1.3% last month…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Camilla Belich: Labour's Public Services Spokesperson on the Government's proposed overhaul
The Labour Party is criticising the Government’s proposed public service overhaul, saying its “arbitrary” target will hurt Kiwi families. Willis announced…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Neil Quigley: Waikato University Vice-Chancellor on more than 92 thousand international students were enrolled last year
New Zealand is benefiting from other countries' visa crackdowns as international students look elsewhere. More than 92 thousand students were enrolled last…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: The public service cuts didn't come out of nowhere
We got the inevitable Grinch headlines from the media yesterday, powered by union panic. The public service knew this was coming. Or should have. Judith…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 20 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, the Government’s cutting jobs in the public sector, Labour Spokesperson for Public Services…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Hoggard: Associate Minister for Agriculture on Southland farmers receiving an extension for their freshwater plans
Farmers across Southland have been granted an 18-month extension to submit freshwater plans. The Government's pushed the deadline from the end of the month to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Luke Bradford: College of GPs President on the number of GP specialist referrals being declined
A lack of Government data is making it impossible to know the extent of specialist referral rejections. A new Association of Salaried Medical Specialists…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 19 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 19th of May 2026, Government’s pouring $131 million of the Budget into education, Dr Michael…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Michael Johnson: New Zealand Initiative Research Fellow on $131 million dollar education package
Calls for the Government to keep up the momentum, as educational reform doesn't follow political timelines. Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced a…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: A clean up of Cabinet is overdue
In February last year I wrote a piece for the Herald about government department and ministerial overload. It was partly informed by observation and partly by…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Vicky Price: Business Correspondent says UK's GDP is better than expected in Q1
The United Kingdom isn't facing as many financial troubles as predicted, after the latest data shows their GDP holding steady. The past few months in the UK…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 18 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 18th of May 2026, National's campaigning on scrapping good character assessments at sentencing…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andy England: Canterbury's Darfield School Principal on NCEA's revamp
Concern that NCEA's revamp could be a little old fashioned. The Education Minister has announced more detail on what's replacing NCEA. Year 11 students will…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Old school is the best school
In education, old school is the best kind of school. Secondary students will be forced to learn science, as well as maths and English, in the fifth form…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Anna Fifield: Former Washington Post Asia-Pacific Editor on the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping
Donald Trump is vowing to maintain a "friendship" with China, despite apparent tensions over Taiwan and Iran. The US President has met with his Chinese…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Simeon Brown: Energy Minister on New Zealand's natural gas reserves reaching a two-decade low
Natural gas reserves have plummeted to the lowest level in two decades. Latest MBIE annual petroleum reserves data shows a 23% decline in the country's natural…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Cath O'Brien: Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director on the state of Air New Zealand
Rising international tourism numbers are helping airlines weather the storm of rising jet fuel prices. Air New Zealand's revealed its looking at staff…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 15 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 15th of May 2026, the bilateral talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have been underway in…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: We need more positivity
It's Friday huddle, pep talk time. New Zealand, we're going to need our number-8 wire, positive, can-do, problem solver attitude now more than ever. Air New…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Chris Bullen: Health Coalition Aotearoa Spokesperson on the Talbot Mills survey into tobacco and nicotine regulation
Most New Zealanders think the tobacco industry is influencing government policy. A Talbot Mills survey —commissioned by public health group Health Coalition…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Eric Crampton: NZ Initiative Senior Economist on Luxon's pre-Budget speech about immigration
An economist says New Zealand is different from Europe and our views on immigration aren't the same. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has used a pre-Budget…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Malcom Nance: Foreign Policy Analyst and Former US Navy Senior Chief on Trump's meeting with President Xi Jinping
There's a belief China has the upper hand in the highly anticipated talks with the United States. Trump's in Beijing, meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 14 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 14th of May 2026, Trump’s touched down in Beijing ahead of his meeting with Xi Jinping, US…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Wellington's endless spending on pen-pushers and reviews
You can't escape bureaucrats in Wellington; it's an occupational hazard. Despite the bad press they get, they're not all useless. But it depends on how you use…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on Australia's new federal budget
The Australian Government has unveiled its Budget, with the Iran war continuing to loom large. Gross debt is expected to hit $1 trillion for the first time…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Richard Dawkins: Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair on the expected US investigation into lamb imports
Federated Farmers says New Zealand's sheep meat exports to the US are a win-win for both countries. Trade Minister Todd McClay has revealed he expects the US…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 13 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Jim Chalmers 4th Australian Federal Budget is out, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Matt Ball: Property Investor Federation Manager on Cotality housing data
A changing property market could start shifting landlord trends. Fresh March quarter data from property information firm Cotality shows almost nine in ten…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Jim Chalmers' Budget is hardly a recipe for affordable housing
Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. That's basically the message to anyone worried about a capital gains tax in New Zealand. In Canberra last night Jim…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Enda Brady: UK Correspondent on the calls for Sir Keir Starmer to resign
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer may survive in the job, for now. More than 60 Labour MPs are now publicly calling on the Labour leader to resign or set…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Luke Somervell: Renters United President on the renters struggling to save for deposits, first-home buyers seeking financial assistance from family
Many first-home buyers are still turning to family for financial assistance to get on the property ladder. A new survey —commissioned by insurance company…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Geddis: Otago University Law Professor on Mariameno Kapa Kingi's split from Te Pāti Māori
An election law expert says it could work in Labour's favour for it to not win many Māori electorate seats. Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 12 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 12th of May 2026, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi will run as an independent under the banner of Te Tai…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: The real message in the Government's updated fuel plan
The most interesting thing about the fuel ration plan has nothing to do with fuel rationing. Read the Q&A script the Minister's office provided and you quickly…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ginny Andersen: Labour's Police spokesperson on NZ Police leaving for Australia
Labour says a mix of push and pull factors are responsible for Australia poaching New Zealand cops. 1News reports 144 New Zealand police officers left for…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: NZ's isolation is a blessing and a curse
It'd be easy to draw comparisons and parallels between our upcoming election and the local and federal upsets in Australia and the UK at the weekend. But New…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 11 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 11th of May 2026, Police are admitting they just can’t compete with the money on offered across…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the OECD report on the NZ Superannuation scheme
An economist says a new OECD report says what most people already know about the pension age. Its latest Economic Survey warns if current policy settings…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Grant Webster: Tourism Holdings Limited CEO on the Government's planned changes to conservation law
Tourism operators are gearing up as the Government moves to overhaul conservation law. Its newly announced bill would speed up concessions and give more…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 08 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 8th of May 2026, a new OECD report's calling for the age of eligibility for NZ super to rise…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nick Leggett: Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive on the Government announcing review into the CRL
City Rail Link cost concerns have uncovered a reoccurring issue with New Zealand infrastructure projects. The project's former boss Sean Sweeney has claimed…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: The OECD's report needs to be taken with a grain of salt
It's somewhat ironic the latest lecture we're getting from an office of global boffins is headquartered in Paris. No offence to the French, but they're…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Laura McClure: ACT MP on the axing of the Broadcasting Standards Authority
ACT's welcoming the death of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, but wants the Government to move quickly. Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Aaron Martin: NZ Immigration Law Principal Lawyer on the Government's plan to introduce a citizenship test
The Government's plans to introduce a citizenship test is being labelled as a waste of taxpayer money. Applicants would have to answer 20 questions on our…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 07 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, unemployment’s slightly dipped to 5.3%, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts. The…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nick Tuffley: ASB chief economist on the unemployment rate
A major bank believes unemployment will remain fairly flat this year, rather than anything catastrophic. The national rate dipped slightly to 5.3 percent in…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: The Nats stand a chance this election
The Coalition is failing on two numbers that matter most to us voters. Inflation is up over 3% - not as bad as the Aussies but not helped by Trump. But wage…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ian Hutson: Salvation Army Mission Officer on the report finding secure housing is key to reducing reoffending
A Salvation Army report finds secure housing is a key to reducing reoffending. The first of six reports into prisoner reintegration into the community suggests…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Mahé Drysdale: Tauranga Mayor on the Government's local government amalgamation ultimatum
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale's accepted the Government's three-month challenge in order to control the region's local government destiny. Councils have been…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Mike Jones: BNZ Chief Economist on the unemployment numbers expected today
Finding a job's set to get tougher before it gets easier. Unemployment reached a near-decade high in the last three months of last year as job growth failed to…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 06 May 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 6 May. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Governments should control spending and stability
There are basically two big things governments control that affect the economy and therefore all of us: spending and stability. They're not to be taken for…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 05 May 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 6th of May 2026, Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale, shares his thoughts on Councils being given a…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Carl Findlay: Maritime Union Secretary on the potential delays and cost blowouts to the Cook Strait ferry replacement programme
A union says the taxpayer pays the price for any cost blowout to the Cook Strait ferry replacement programme. A Treasury review last year found “back-to-front”…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Jeremy Sutton: Family Lawyer on the divorce rate outpacing the marriage rate
The number of New Zealanders choosing to get divorced is outpacing those getting married. Stats NZ data shows a 3% drop in marriages and civil unions last year…