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
Willow-Jean Prime: Labour's Employment Spokesperson on the latest Jobseeker benefit stats
Labour's employment spokesperson believes rising benefit numbers comes down to a weak economy. Latest MSD data shows almost 414 thousand people were receiving…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nick Tuffley: ASB Chief Economist on Informetrics saying NZ is on the cusp of an economic recovery, fuel prices
There are hopes prices at the pump don't spike as fighting intensifies between the US and Iran. Strikes from both sides continue for the sixth day of renewed…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 17 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 17th of July 2026, Social Development Minister Louise Upston is celebrating 5,000 more…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: How much are political parties willing to borrow after a disaster?
Welcome to New Zealand... land of earthquakes, stormy weather, and absolute natural beauty. Another reminder overnight of how shaky these isles can be. Hope…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Felicity Roxburgh: International Business Forum Executive Director on the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership in Auckland
Hopes new pathways for global trade can be created as officials from small countries around the world meet in Auckland. Trade Minister Todd McClay's chairing…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Jemma Geoghegan: Otago University evolutionary virologist on the first case of H5N1 bird flu reaching New Zealand
No surprises bird flu has reached our shores, as New Zealanders are asked to keep an eye out for transmission escalation. A sub-Antarctic seabird found on…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Chris Wilkinson: First Retail Group Managing Director on sluggish retail spending
Belief sluggish retail spending is a reminder retailers need to stick to the basics. Stats NZ says core retail spending last month was only 0.4 percent higher…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 16 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 16th of July 2026, Bird flu has landed in New Zealand, University of Otago Professor…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Should we just ban kids' cell phones altogether?
Is banning smart phones for kids a dumb idea? That would leave them with dumb phones, sans apps and the internet, just texts and phone calls. Remember the old…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Mark Hooper: Federated Farmers Banking Spokesperson on agricultural lending falling by $1.4 billion and increased satisfaction with banks
This autumn's been positive for farmers, with less debt and an improved relationship with banks. Agricultural lending dropped $1.4 billion to $61.2 billion in…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Brigitte Morten: Political Commentator on Paul Henry standing for ACT in the 2026 election
Paul Henry's profile is expected to provide ACT with the exposure it may need going into the election. The former broadcaster's running as a party list…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 15 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 15th of July 2026, former broadcaster Paul Henry's the next big name making the jump to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Malcolm Fleming: Certified Builders Chief Executive on good signals in the construction sector
Good signals in the construction sector with costs much lower than the industry expected. The latest Cordell Construction Cost Index shows a 1.1% rise in the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Is swearing really that bad?
Swearing. Most of us do it. Unless you're a Bishop (or maybe they do it in private, too?). Especially in New Zealand. We all know what a GC is and it's nothing…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
John Howard: Retired Major General and NZ Initiative Senior Fellow on their warning about the state of New Zealand's warships
Cabinet's being warned its window for a decision around replacing our two ageing warships is rapidly closing. An NZ Initiative research note says the frigates…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Cameron Bagrie: Economist on the latest BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index, state of the economy
A sign the economy is getting back on track. The latest BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index shows the sector's grown in June – only the fifth month of…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on Sir Sam Neill's passing
Sir Sam Neill is being remembered as a gentle soul - who helped put New Zealand film on the map. The Northern Ireland-born actor, who moved here at the age of…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 14 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 14th of July 2026 the services sector is just barely creeping back into growth, founder of…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: We need to believe in our economy
We're cruising towards 2% growth off the back of these two bits of good news on the economy. 2% is not rocketing along, but it's not stuck in a ditch either…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 13 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 13th of July 2026, New Zealand and India have now agreed to a strategic partnership, India…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Edwin Paul: India Business Council Chair on Narendra Modi's visit to New Zealand
Narendra Modi's visit has added further impetus to the excitement surrounding the Indian market. India's Prime Minister attended a series of business…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: There's TMI from the TMO
TMI and TMO Dave Rennie had a bit of a crack at the TMO over the weekend. A FIFA ball hit a spidercam in the USA and Norway went nuts because the TMO didn't do…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nick Tuffley: ASB Senior Economist on the Reserve Bank raising the Official Cash Rate to 2.5%
The Reserve Bank says more OCR hikes are "likely", but it doesn't know how many more will be needed, or when they're likely to happen. The central bank's…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Malcolm Gillies: Hurricanes Chairman on Hnry Stadium selling out for the All Blacks v Italy clash
The Hurricanes' rampaging success in this year's Super Rugby championship may have helped the All Blacks sell out the Cake Tin. Around 34 thousand people are…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
John Harman: Director of solar company Lightforce suggests levelling playing field between gentailers and retailers before homes switch to solar
There's a suggestion a level playing field between gentailers and retailers is needed before homes switch to solar. Election policies of National and Labour…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: We can't bash the Reserve Bank
The problem with bashing the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in real time is that nobody really knows how badly they might have cocked something until well after…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 09 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 9th of July 2026, The Reserve Bank has finally pulled the trigger and hiked the OCR 25…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Shayne Currie: NZ Herald Media Insider author on Sky TV securing NRL broadcasting rights for next seven years
Sky TV is inking a deal with the NRL. They’ve locked in exclusive broadcast rights for the next seven years, the deal running from 2028 to 2034. It’ll…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ruth Michaelson: Guardian Journalist on the NATO alliance summit, Trump's comments around Greenland and selling fighter jets to Turkey
Donald Trump's floating the idea of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, despite a Congressional ban. The US President is in the country alongside other…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ting Huang: NZIER Senior Economist on economists spilt over whether OCR will rise or stay put
There's division over whether the Official Cash Rate will be hiked or hold steady at 2.25%. ANZ and BNZ are both picking it will be raised by 25 points. NZIER…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 08 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 8th of July 2026, Volodymyr Zelensky's urging allies to get more air defence systems to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: National needs Labour's support on its social media bill
Where is National's social media bill at? We know Seymour doesn't like it. Winston is apparently has reservations with the wording, though that's only…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Simon Cameron: Federated Farmers West Coast President on the Green Party's policy around rivers and oceans
Federated Farmers is challenging the Green Party's crack down on nitrate levels in fresh water. If elected, the party's promising stronger national standards…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Penny Simmonds: Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology on the push to bring more data centres to New Zealand
The Technology Minister says the global demand for more data centres is great, as the Government pushes to bring more here. Invest New Zealand is looking to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Edwin Paul: India Business Council Chair on the India FTA showing early signs of growth before coming into force
The India Business Council isn't surprised to see the Free Trade Agreement have an impact already, before coming into force. New export numbers show apples are…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 07 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 7th of July 2026, Invest NZ wants foreign companies to invest $30 billion investment in ai data…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Banning and taxing won't solve the problem
This week the Tony Blair Institute warned Andy Burnham that you can't tax your way to prosperity. Some of our politicians could use a similar lecture. We have…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Democracy is a privilege billions still don't have
It was a weekend of big events. A wedding, a funeral, and a milestone birthday. Congratulations, in that order, to America on its 250th anniversary, to Taylor…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nathan Guy: Independent Chair of Meat Industry Association and Special Agriculture Envoy reacts to National's trade promises
New Zealand's special agricultural envoy says the first steps have already been taken in securing new trade agreements. Chris Luxon's promising to attempt…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 06 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast, Monday, 6 July 2026, National outlines the trade deals it wants to strike in its second term. Meat…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Sonny Lam: Queen City Law Immigration Expert on the potential changes to the immigration settings in the India FTA
The Foreign Affairs Minister's claims around our trade deal with India have an immigration expert warning the settings could be more tough than usual. Winston…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 03 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 3rd of July 2026, seems like the Government is moving to put restrictions Indian immigration…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Kelly Seaburg: Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair on the ENRICH programme
There are hopes new progress in language learning will go beyond early childhood education. The Government's widening access to ENRICH for a further 450…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Only hungry children should be fed by the State
The Government's looking to "move on" from free school lunches for every kid in a poor school. David Seymour told me this week they're looking at making…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Rawdon Christie: Real estate agent on house prices continuing to fall in Cotality's latest Home Value Index
House prices still seem to be going in the wrong direction. Cotality’s latest Home Value Index shows the national median fell 0.2% in June. Average values are…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on the International Monetary Fund's report card, capital gains tax
An economist believes there could be merit to introducing a capital gains tax as the International Monetary Fund releases New Zealand's report card. The IMF's…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Casey Costello: Associate Health Minister on considering a review of the tobacco excise tax
An Associate Health Minister says cost is not longer a deterrent for smoking as she considers a review of the tobacco excise tax. Earlier this week authorities…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 02 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 2nd of July 2026, the IMF's given New Zealand a fairly positive report card, Kelly Eckhold…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Should we care what the IMF thinks?
Don't you find it annoying when some economist or think tank or some 'group' comes to our country and tells us what they think we need to do to make it better?…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nicola Waldren: Restaurant Association CEO on the launch of the New Zealand Michelin Guide
New Zealand restaurants are getting their sparkle back, thanks to some joining elite ranks. More than 100 venues have been recognised by the Michelin Guide…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Cameron Bagrie: Former Treasury economist on the independent review into the Treasury
A former Treasury economist believes the agency has lost its mojo. A new report's calling for Treasury to up its game, detailing a litany of blunders…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 01 July 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 1st of July 2026, a scathing external review of the Treasury has found it's losing the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Phil Palfrey: Kaitao Intermediate Principal on the school lunch programme
The head of a Rotorua intermediate school says more often than not school lunches are delivered looking unappetising. A report from the Auditor-General found…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Commerce will always find a way eventually
Good morning, and I really do mean, good morning. Four months ago, war kicked off in the Middle East. A year earlier the tariff war kicked off all over the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Nick Clark: New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow on the report looking at whether merging councils will solve the issues with local government
A thinktank suggests we need to move away from a 'bigger is better' mindset when reforming local government. A New Zealand Initiative report says the…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Rob Heyes: Infometrics Economist on employment numbers rising
Surprise over jobs in the public service rising, despite cuts planned by the Government. Seasonally-adjusted Stats NZ data shows filled jobs rose 0.3 percent…
Early Edition with Ryan BridgeFull Show Podcast: 30 June 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 30th of June 2026, the employment market's showing slight signs of life, Infometrics Consultant…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: MPs need to stop doing stuff for social media likes
There's a perception out there that some of the younger MPs either don't know what they're doing in Parliament or are just doing stuff to get likes on social…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Gavin Grey: UK correspondent says Prince Harry is reconsidering family trip to the UK
Prince Harry is reconsidering his decision to bring his family to the UK - after a security update. The Duke and Duchess have been planning their visit to…
- Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Linda Gradstein: Jerusalem correspondent on US and Iran trading strikes again
An expert believes a ceasefire breach between the US and Iran comes from a contradiction within the agreement. Hostilities between the two nations have flared…