Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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...

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 Business Council Chair, Edwin Paul shares his thoughts. 

The Employers and Manufacturers Association wants more certainty for businesses ahead of the election, Employment Expert, Max Whitehead tells Ryan what the Government needs to do to improve this. 

Business Correspo...

Narendra Modi's visit has added further impetus to the excitement surrounding the Indian market. 

India's Prime Minister attended a series of business, political and community events in Auckland on Saturday.

He's agreed to a roadmap with Chris Luxon - aiming to double two-way trade by 2030. 

India Business Council Chair Edwin Paul told Ryan Bridge why he isn't concerned about the $20-billion-dollar investment question.&nb...

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 anything about it. Apparently it should be an automatic drop-ball.

Both of these these games, different sports, played half way round the world from each other, tell you all you need know about TMO's.

When you're up and winning, they're always butting in where th...

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 raised the cash rate to 2.5% – the first hike in more than three years. 

It wants to get the OCR back to a "neutral" level that doesn't contribute to inflation. 

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge they believe the bank will steadily lift intere...

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...