Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The All Blacks are facing a tough challenge this weekend. 

They’re facing Ireland at Eden Park, aiming to continue their 52 match strong unbeaten record at the stadium. 

Dave Rennie has made a few changes to the squad ahead of the match – adding more bulk to the backline with Tupou Vaa’i shifted to blindside.  

Newstalk ZB’s Voice of Rugby, Elliott Smith told Ryan Bridge that by and large, the...

Labour's employment spokesperson believes rising benefit numbers comes down to a weak economy.  

Latest MSD data shows almost 414 thousand people were receiving the main benefit at the end of June – up 1.9% year-on-year. 

12.8% of the working-age population is drawing on the main benefit – up from 12.6% a year ago. 

Willow-Jean Prime told Ryan Bridge the stats reflect a failed government promise to improv...

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 hostilities. 

The global oil price benchmark Brent Crude has been hovering around US$85 a barrel since the new fighting broke out – its highest point in a month. 

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge he's hopeful we don't see a return to the...

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 people than last year off the benefit and into work, Labour Social Development and Employment Spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime shares her thoughts.

The All Blacks face a mighty challenge to their unbeaten record at Eden Park against the Irish this weekend, Newstalk ZB Voice of Rugby...

Welcome to New Zealand... land of earthquakes, stormy weather, and absolute natural beauty. 

Another reminder overnight of how shaky these isles can be. 

Hope everyone's alright this morning. It's always a bit hard to get back to sleep after a decent jolt and it sounds like you had one. 

We've always had storms, and damage from storms, in this country. 

But of late we've had more, more often, doing more damage, ...

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 the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership meeting tomorrow – bringing together delegates from 21 countries. 

It includes Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Panama, Rwanda, and Singapore. 

International Business Forum Executive Director Felicity Roxburgh told R...

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 Wellington's Petone Beach last week has tested positive for the H5N1 strain.  

Officials say symptoms to look out for in birds include paralysis, shaking, respiratory issues, or diarrhoea.  

Otago University evolutionary virologist Jemma Geoghegan told Ryan Bridg...

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 year on year.

Spending on clothes fell most - at 4.2-percent - its fourth straight decrease.

First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson told Ryan Bridge retailers have to be hungry in the market, with strong retail disciplines - but he understands it's tough. 

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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, Evolutionary Virologist, Jemma Geoghegan tells Ryan how concerned we should be. 

Official Stats NZ Spending data shows a seasonally adjusted decrease of 1.4% card spending in June compared with May, First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson shares his thoughts. 

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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 Nokia? Or Alcatels? They came in that weird light orangey-peachy colour and a purpley-blue. 

David Seymour's talking about this after a blog post suggesting it'd be easier, and less restrictive for ev...

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 the year to April. 

A Federated Farmers survey also reveals record satisfaction with bank communication, with fewer farmers feeling undue pressure.  

Banking Spokesperson Mark Hooper told Ryan Bridge that banks are currently competing quite strongly for a sha...

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 candidate but is gunning for a ministerial role if elected.  

He's best known for hosting TVNZ's Breakfast in the early 2000s, where he famously mocked an Indian politician's name on air. 

Political commentator Brigitte Morten told Ryan Bridge people like Henry can ...

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 parliament, Political Commentator Brigitte Morten tells Ryan what this will mean for the Act Party. 

The Reserve Bank says farmer lending dropped nearly one and a half billion in the year to April, Federated Farmers Banking Spokesperson Mark Hooper shares his thoughts. 

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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 three months to June. 

Annual growth is at 3.5% - below the long-term average of around 4%. 

Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Ryan Bridge with the backdrop of the Iran war, they're surprised by the minimal rise. 

He says there is ent...