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 BridgeFull Show Podcast: 13 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 13th of October 2026, National’s dangled the carrot of tax cuts, but not until the books…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: We need to do something about the retirement age
With National finally releasing its fiscal policy, it’s easy to generalise the plan as more of the same. The only difference from Labour is that they are in…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Louise Upston and Willow-Jean Prime: National Social Development Minister and Labour social development and employment spokesperson on their new policies
The election season is well underway, and employment is a key issue for many voters. National has pledged more drug testing for beneficiaries, to ensure more…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Vicky Pryce: business correspondent on Europe's reaction to Trump easing Russian diesel import restrictions
Trump has made a new diesel deal with Russia, and it's sparked concerns in Europe. Under the agreement, 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel will be released to…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 12 October 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 12 October. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Jonathan Eriksen: Superannuation expert, National and Labour agree to cross party support on superannuation
A view it's clearly time our political parties come together to tackle the issue of superannuation. National and Labour have agreed they'll support a…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: Split voting and overhangs won't do us any good
There’s been a concerted campaign by Don Brash and Nick Mowbray to get National voters to split their vote and engineer an overhang. A move John Key has said…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ricardo Menéndez March: Green Party Social Development Spokesperson on National's plan to drug-test beneficiaries
The Greens are condemning National's plans to drug-test people on welfare and reduce payments. National's promising to randomly drug test ten thousand…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nick Sautner: Eden Park CEO on this weekend's Bledisloe Cup test between the All Blacks and Wallabies
Eden Park's CEO is looking forward to welcoming the All Blacks back to the Fortress. The stadium is hosting the first Bledisloe Cup clash this weekend, the All…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 09 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2026, the Green Party is not happy with National's benefit policy, Green Party Social Development…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
John Weekes: New Zealand Herald Aviation Journalist on Labour promising greater transparency on airline fees
Labour's making big promises in aviation if re-elected. The Party would require airlines to publish airfares including every fee upfront - making the full cost…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: These flip flops from the right and the left need to stop
I had to chuckle after yesterday's interview with Mr Abercrombie from the PPTA who grudgingly accepted that improvements to the education sector by the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nick Harper: US Correspondent on Christa Pike's lawyers asking for evidence from the botched execution to be preserved
The lawyers of US death row inmate Christa Pike have asked for evidence to be preserved from her botched execution. The 50-year-old survived two lethal…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Claire Matthews: Massey University Financial Professor on Labour's banking policy
A warning there are drawbacks to instant payments as Labour vows to make it possible 24/7 by 2030. The party wants to bring more competition to the sector…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Chris Abercrombie: PPTA President on the 40% jump in people training to be teachers since 2023
The country's teacher pipeline is showing signs of recovery. Education Minister Erica Stanford is crediting the School Onsite Training Programme for a 40% jump…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Phil Wicks: Small Business New Zealand Founder on National's small business plan
A tick of approval for National's small business plan. The party's released a 47 point plan to cut red tape around things like employment disputes and health…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: Highlights of the Future of New Zealand debate
I'm Andrew Dickens and I'm the fill in guy and I'm filling in for Ryan Bridge and I'm filling in all week and I'm doing three days next week and three days the…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 08 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 8th of October 2026, Labour is promising to shake up the banking sector if re-elected…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Brigitte Morten: Political Commentator unpacks the first leaders debate between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins
A political commentator believes a lot of weight still sits with the undecided voter. Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins went head-to-head in the first main…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on business confidence rising to 40% in the September quarter
Pressure's on the next government to keep the momentum going on business confidence. The NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows 40% of firms…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 07 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2026, political commentator Brigitte Morten tells Andrew who won the TVNZ leaders debate. Business…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Graeme Jarvis: Medicines NZ CEO on National pledging to boost medicine funding
There's potential for a positive ripple effect as National pledges to boost medicine funding. The party's announced it'll cut 10% of the foreign aid budget…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: National’s proposed foreign aid cut shows how far we've fallen
National’s trade-off between foreign aid and Pharmac is a sign of just how far we’ve fallen. Firstly, our spend on medicines through Pharmac has always been…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Dom Kalasih: Transporting New Zealand CEO on National's pledge to construct the Belfast-to-Pegasus Motorway
There are concerns National's $800 million promise for a major Canterbury road will be able to deliver enough bang for its buck. National is promising to start…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Arena Williams: Labour's Consumer Affairs Spokesperson on their pledge to introduce a right of repair law for car maintenance
Labour's vowing to make life easier for mechanics so more time can be spent training the next generation. If elected, the party would force car makers to share…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 06 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 6th of October 2026, National is pledging $800 million to fully fund the 11-kilometre…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Glenn Dobson: Drug Detection Agency CEO on an increasing number of Kiwis are using Cocaine
Cocaine seems to be appealing to New Zealanders right across the spectrum. The Drug Trends Survey shows respondents reporting cocaine use increased from 11% in…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: Why don't National and ACT face the same pressures as Labour?
Labour finally released their fiscal plan over the weekend It was much anticipated. In fact, commentator after commentator for weeks now have been demanding it…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Ann Widdecombe's alleged killer being charged with acts of terror
The suspect accused of murdering Reform UK's Ann Widdecombe has been charged with preparing acts of terror, including against party leader Nigel Farage…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Vicky Pryce: business correspondent on inflation figures going up across Europe
Inflation across Europe jumped to 3.8 percent in September - a higher rate than economists were predicting. This increase was largely down to energy costs, and…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
David Seymour: ACT Party leader on the party's plan to cut KiwiSaver taxes
ACT is confident its KiwiSaver plan would put more in people's kitty by retirement. The party wants to scrap the Government contribution to KiwiSaver, and the…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 05 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday the 5th of October 2026, the Act Party wants to scrap tax on Kiwisaver investment earnings…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Cameron Bagrie: Independent economist on Labour's fiscal plan
An economist says it will be tough to achieve the numbers set out in Labour's fiscal plan. The party says all its election commitments are fully costed - with…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Dickens: Cost of living's become an election issue and supermarkets are getting the blame
The cost of living is once again a key issue in the election But what seems strange to me is that somehow New Zealanders believe it’s a problem that only…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Brigitte Morten: Political Commentator on the first week of the election campaign
Election campaigning is well underway, with the first week complete. So how are all the parties faring? Political Commentator Brigitte Morten told Ryan Bridge…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Mat Woods: Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism CEO on National's passport-free trans-Tasman travel policy
Strong support from tourism operators for more domestic-like trans-Tasman travel. If re-elected, National will trial a fully digitised airport process for…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Alex Sims: Auckland University Professor on whether Labour's fees policy will make a difference
A commercial law expert's hesitant over whether Labour's proposed fee and subscription laws would actually do their job. The Party's promising to protect…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 02 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 2nd of October, week one of the campaign down, political commentator Brigitte Morten…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: We need to keep an eye on diesel
Trump's getting desperate to fix gas prices ahead of the midterms and usually when he's trying to do something for America, there will be losers and that could…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Sarah Dalton: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director on the report showing emergency departments are in crisis
A warning our Emergency Departments are in a state of crisis. A report from the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine finds admissions rose 21% over the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Irene Gardiner: Screen Production and Development Association President on the Film Commissioning cutting its annual Core Funding Programme
There are concerns funding cuts will have even wider impacts on the screen industry's future. The New Zealand Film Commission is cutting its annual Core…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 01 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026 EDs saw a record 1.4 million patients last year, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Kathryn McCallum: Canterbury University Associate Professor of Digital Education on teachers warn AI could replace human judgement in classrooms
The debate over AI marking in schools is back, with secondary teachers warning the tech could eventually replace human judgement. A paper presented to the PPTA…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: We're not addressing the core issues of our health system
Health is one of those areas where you can churn through cash. It's expensive to visit your GP, but also expensive to fund. The amount taxpayers spend on…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Oskar Howell: Technology Commentator on OpenAI scrapping its GPT-6.1 Astra model
The owner of ChatGPT has scrapped its latest AI model after safety concerns. OpenAI says its GPT-6.1 Astra model missed the bar, as it would've performed…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
David Seymour: ACT Leader on the state of the Government's books revealed in Treasury's Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update
ACT Party leader David Seymour says while the PREFU numbers are “hopeful”, they rely on there being further significant reduction in Government spending by the…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 30 September 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 30th of September 2026, Treasury’s now forecasting a $4 billion surplus in 2028/29, up…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Richard Hills: Auckland Councillor on Auckland Council ditching postal voting
The form of democracy used in the country's biggest city is about to change. Auckland Council members have voted to shift from postal voting to in-person booth…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: How much cash will we get back from tax cuts?
How much cash will we get back from tax cuts? Nicola Willis will soon make an announcement about their timing and potential value, if they get back to the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist previews today's Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update
The Government's books are being opened today, giving a financial read of the state of the economy. Treasury's Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update will…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andrew Eagles: Green Building Council CEO on MBIE delaying the review and regulation changes for overheating houses
There's disappointment from a building voice over MBIE's slow response to working on overheating new homes. The Ministry for Business, Innovation and…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 29 September 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Treasury is set to open the government's books for the pre-election economic and fiscal update…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Andy England: Darfield High School Principal on schools struggling to keep of track students with image restrictions
Schools appear to be finding it tough to keep track of students with image restrictions. New research by Christchurch tech company Hail has found 68% of…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: What strategic voting will do
There's an irony to this latest poll which won't be lost on Labour. It is, of course, one poll and should be read as such. The big parties are getting smaller…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on British police arresting five near RAF base on terror suspicions
Five men have been arrested near a US military base in the UK, with counter-terror police investigating further. Reports claim police were called after three…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Vicky Pryce: business correspondent on Andy Burnham's bid to fix the cost of living amid rising energy prices
Over in the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to bring 'stability' back to the UK's economy as Labour heads to Liverpool. However, economic concerns…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Randy Manner: Former US Army General on Trump rejecting Iran's latest proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz
The US President's throwing out another deal, as an Iranian official says negotiations are his only way out. Donald Trump's says Iran's proposal to reopen the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Shanan Halbert: Labour's Tertiary Education Spokesperson explains student loan policy
Labour is rolling out an election-year sweetener, this time aimed at Kiwis with student loans. The party is promising eligible borrowers will receive a 10…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 28 September 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday September 28th 2026, Labour's Tertiary Education Spokesperson Shanan Halbert explains to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Will Labour's election bribe work?
It's not quite Briscoes sale level, but 10% off your student loan is not to be scoffed at. Unless you're not a student, never had a student loan, and don't…