Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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 expected at Hnry Stadium on Saturday as the All Blacks take on Italy. 

The game had initially struggled to sell out, with four thousand tickets still available at the end of last week. 

Hurricanes Chairman Malcolm Gillies told Ryan Bridge there are 11 Wellingto...

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 would both let homeowners pay back low interest loans for solar through their rates. 

Labour's plan would also let local line companies provide loans, repaid through power bills. 

Director of solar company Lightforce John Harman told Ryan Bridge fair prices are...

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 the cocking's happened. 

There weren't many —though not none— chiding Orr for low rates until it was bleedingly obvious in actual data, and what Prince Ha...

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 basis points, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts. 

Labour's released a similar solar policy to National, John Harman, Director of Lightforce Solar tells Ryan which policy is better. 

Wellington's Cake Tin is officially sold out ahead of the All Blacks...

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 broadcast on their Sky Sport paid platform, with free to air options rumoured to come. 

NZ Herald Media Insider’s Shayne Currie told Ryan Bridge that Sky has essentially claimed the top three sports for at least the next five years – NRL, rugb...

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 European leaders for a NATO summit – our Defence Minister Chris Penk is also heading there for the NATO Defence Industry Forum, and meeting counterparts from allied countries. 

Trump's suggested lifting US sanctions imposed on Turkey and a ban on F-35 sales for its...

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 is expecting the Reserve Bank's board to be split and for Governor Anna Breman to make the captain's call on it. 

NZIER Senior Economist Ting Huang told Ryan Bridge her own group had mixed views but one prevailed. 

She says the majority of members though...

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 Ukraine as Russian attacks escalate.

NZ Herald media insider Shayne Currie has the latest on Sky beating TVNZ to secure NRL rights for another seven years. 

NZIER Senior Economist Tina Huang takes her pick for what the Reserve Bank will do with the OCR. 

Plus, UK/Eur...

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 according to Stuff, rather than the man himself.

Labour might need to step in and save the day by supporting it from across the aisle. 

In Australia, half the kids who were on socials are still on socials. 

Here, there's no shortage of famous and big-money backers beh...

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 for fresh water, more robust rules for wastewater discharges, and the phasing out of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser.  

Federated Farmers West Coast President Simon Cameron told Ryan Bridge there have been issues in the past, but the industry has come a long way. &nb...

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 attract up to $30 billion in offshore investment in the centres over five years.  

It says it could generate $70 billion in broader economic activity and employ up to 3,500 people.  

Technology Minister Penny Simmonds told Ryan Bridge the digital economy needs i...

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 in high demand – volumes jumping 63% on the 2024 season when negotiations began. 

Last month, Matariki Forests sent its first shipment of logs from Bluff to India since 2020. 

Council Chair Edwin Paul told...

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 centres over 5 years, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Penny Simmonds shares her thoughts. 

The Government says exporters are already experiencing a 'halo effect' of the India FTA, India Business Council Chair Edwin Paul tells Ryan which sectors are alread...

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 parties wanting new taxes to fund what is basically a Universal Basic Income, even though AI hasn't yet stolen the number of jobs they claimed it would.

A Wall Street Journal piece this morning talks about exactly this point &nda...

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 Swift and Travis Kelce on their wedding, to those Iranians who suffered under the Ayatollah's rule, and to the All Blacks for beating France.

America's birthday is worth pausing on. If you take 1840 as the beginning of New Zealand's democracy, and many do, then the United Sta...

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 seven new deals in five years, if re-elected. 

These are Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association. 

Meat Industry Association Independent Chair Nathan Guy told Ryan Bridge Bangladesh is a very big dairy m...

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 Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy tells Ryan which country is at the top of his list.

Business correspondent Vicky Pryce, out of the UK, fills us in on the latest with Andy Burnham as his policy platform begins to take shape.

The All Blacks gave us a nail-biter on Saturday. ...

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 Peters let loose accusations last week National was covertly changing immigration settings in bad faith.  

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford now says initial decisions consistent with the FTA have been sent to ministers for feedback. 

Queen City Law's Sonny ...

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, Sonny Lam, Immigration expert at Queen City Law shares his thoughts. 

The All Blacks take on France in the first test of the season at the sold out One New Zealand stadium, Chief Executive Venues Otautahi, Caroline Harvie-Teare tells Ryan how big of a deal this will be for...