Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The spotlight's on the Royal Family following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. 

This follows allegations the former Prince shared sensitive information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.  

The family of late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who also accused Mountbatten-Windsor of misconduct, told the BBC they celebrated after hearing of his arrest. 

Mountbatten Windsor's brother King Charles says the l...

There's optimism newly introduced visa-free travel for Chinese and Pacific tourists will prove successful long-term. 

The trial allows visitors to enter New Zealand for up to three months on a valid Australian visa. 

The Government says arrivals have almost tripled since December, reaching 36,800 visits. 

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Ryan Bridge the scheme will be reviewed around the 12-month mark to asse...

An Auckland City Counsellor says the Government's plans for the CBD won't be clear for a while. 

It's reducing the proposed homes allowed in the Supercity from 2 million to 1.6 million. 

The revision to new density rules will focus more on builds in the central city and around key transit hubs, than in suburban areas. 

Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker told Ryan Bridge he doesn't think it'll please everybody and is...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's been arrested and is in custody over alleged misconduct in public office, Royal Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams tells Ryan about the impact this will have on the Royal family's reputation. 

The Government's down a u-turn on housing intensification in Auckland, Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker shares his thoughts. 

Immigration Mi...

I was driving through a street just out of Auckland’s CBD yesterday and saw all these apartments for sale.

New buildings. Many looked empty. Loads of 'for sale' signs. 

Why don't people want to buy them? Is it the price? 

Some older 70s brick and tile types close the city are apparently selling in the $400 thousands. Newer ones seem to run more, depending on location. Wellington has a few steals at the moment.

But again, ...

An economist is pointing out a potential problem with the Reserve Bank’s economic forecast. 

The Monetary Policy Committee, chaired by Anna Breman, has decided to keep the OCR unchanged at 2.25% for now. 

It says while inflation is above the target band, the economy still needs some time to recover. 

Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge that the problem with the Reserve Bank’s forecast is the assumed uptick in productivit...

Two new blood cancer medications could soon be available to patients as pills, with one accessible through private clinics. 

Pharmac will consider funding treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which could be available from May 1st. 

They can be taken in pill form and take away the need for chemotherapy. 

Blood Cancer NZ CEO Tim Edmonds told Ryan Bridge the medications take a targeted approach to first-line tr...

Questions around why action wasn't taken sooner following a fatal dog attack in Northland. 

62-year-old Mihiata Te Rore was killed by three dogs on Tuesday as she visited a home in Kaihu, north of Dargaville.

Local MP Shane Jones says jail terms should be considered for owners of what he labels 'homicidal dogs'.

Animal behaviour expert Mark Vette told Ryan Bridge animal management were aware of the dogs, so it's a shame they d...

So the OCR decision was largely as expected yesterday, but what the Reserve Bank made very clear is where they think growth will come from.

As we’ve spoken about on the show lately, house prices aren’t running away here like in Australia, bar Queenstown.

In previous recoveries, the wealth effect kicks in and people go shopping when their house prices go up.

But this time the bank says prices will stay flat, then pick up again later...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 19th of Feburary 2025, RBNZ Governor Anna Breman held the OCR at 2.25%, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts. 

Pharmac is moving closer to backing two new drugs for people living with chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Blood Cancer NZ CEO Tim Edmonds tells Ryan why funding for the drugs is important.

Shane Jones has called for jail sentences fo...

Praise for the Infrastructure Commission's 30 year plan.  

It lays out 16 recommendations for the next three decades, including prioritising hospital investment and better managing assets through maintenance.  

Civil Contractors New Zealand says the plan recognises the role that infrastructure plays in people's quality of life.  

Chief Executive Allan Pollard told Ryan Bridge it’s a good, open, honest assessment of t...

Some reassurance a jump in bread prices isn't major as food price inflation rises sharply. 

Latest Stats NZ data shows the rate's risen from 4% a month ago to 4.6%. 

In the past year, the very cheapest loaf of white bread has gone up by almost 60%, and steak and chocolate more than 20%. 

Baking Industry Association President Bernie Sugrue told Ryan Bridge most loaves of bread haven't had price rises as much as this, ...

We'll learn today where the new Reserve Bank Governor sees the OCR heading.

The central bank's expected to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25%.

Governor Anna Breman will be releasing her first Monetary Policy Statement since taking charge 11 weeks ago.

It's likely to show when inflation should start easing, and when the economy should recover from last year's downturn.

Economists expect the OCR will rise again late ...

The answer depends on whether you can afford it. Congestion charging is coming and that'll add to the cost if you need to drive for work. 

This is only a proposal, based on the original toll, inflation-adjusted, almost 70 years ago. 

The suggestion, nothing's hard and fast, comes from an Infrastructure Commission report. 

We know there'll be a toll to cross the new bridge, or tunnel, whichever gets built - the Govern...

A bittersweet result for Contact Energy’s shareholders.  

The energy company released their half-year results yesterday, recording a 44% rise in net profit.  

But it's now in a trading halt while it starts raising capital for more renewable energy projects. 

Shareholders Association CEO Oliver Mander told Ryan Bridge Contact is unlikely to be the last to announce a capital raise – with more likely coming up later in ...

The business events sector's working to bump up our international multi-day conferences, which are currently lagging behind domestic bookings. 

A Business Events Industry Aotearoa report shows events contributed $925 million to the economy last year.  

Multi-day conferences generated approximately 1.5-million visitor nights for accommodation, nationwide. 

BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge ...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, The government’s ordered an independent review over what happened at Wellington Water’s Moa Point, Mayor Andrew Little tells Ryan what he hopes will come out of it.

A new report shows business conferences contributed nearly $1 billion to the kiwi economy last year, Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard shares her thoughts. 

Contact Energy posted a half year ...

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says everyone is now in the hands of central Government, as an inquiry is announced into the catastrophic failure at the Moa Point Water Treatment Plant.

A Crown Review team's being appointed to look into the failure of Wellington's wastewater facility.

Little was met with clear frustration from locals at a lack of clear answers at a public meeting on the issue in Kilbirnie last night.

He told Ryan Br...