Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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...

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 to do with the white sandy beaches of Queensland. 

You don't say them in front of mum, and you shouldn't shout them in anger at people, unless they really deserve it. 

But have you noticed the media's obsession with calling out people for swearing, lately?&nb...

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 are set to retire within a decade and the complex geopolitical environment adds another layer of urgency. 

Retired Major General John Howard says we're seeing more volatility both in our region and at home.  

He told Ryan Bridge the country now has the option...

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 growth in the last two and a half years. 

The hospitality industry is continuing to contract, but it’s offset by the good results in transport and storage. 

Economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge the car is moving in the right direction –...

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 Bagrie Economics Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts. 

Retired Major General and New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow John G. Howard, tells Ryan why he's sounding the alarm about the state of the New Zealand's Navy fleet.

Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the lat...

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. 

And given the war, and diesel, and Trump, some (i.e. the Government) might even say it's fantastic. 

As you know, we follow the data quite closely on this show – many of you are businesspeople, farmer...