Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Labour says the new Regulatory Standards bill unfairly tilts the playing field. 

Act's controversial bill has passed its third reading at Parliament - despite overwhelming backlash. 

The bill provides principals for lawmaking - in an attempt to cut red tape and guide regulation. 

Labour's Regulation Spokesperson Duncan Webb told Ryan Bridge, while it isn't enforceable, it makes forming policy harder. 

He says it...

This prison escape story is fishy as hell.

And in the week of cover ups and ass-covering, this walks, talks and quacks like another one.

On Friday last week at 9am an inmate escapes Mt Eden prison. 

But the public isn’t told.

No media release.

No warning to the public.

Radio silence.

Then on Tuesday, a media report pops up. It looks like a journo has got wind of this story. 

Corrections then confirm a prisoner has escaped...

An employment expert says the Public Service Commission must undergo due process in its handling of Andrew Coster.  

A scathing IPCA report's found the former Police Commissioner was among those in senior police leadership who failed to properly address sex allegations against the then Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.  

McSkimming last week admitted to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality materi...

North Auckland oyster farmers believe a million dollar payout from Watercare isn't enough to cover their reputational loss. 

A power surge at the Warkworth pump station caused a massive sewage spill in the Mahurangi River, meaning an almost month-long halt to harvesting. 

Watercare's payout to Aquaculture New Zealand will be distributed across 10 impacted oyster farmers. 

Mahurangi Oyster Farmers' Association Chair L...

It's feared Fire and Emergency's proposed restructure will leave New Zealanders less safe. 

It's expected to impact about 700 roles, with a net loss of 140. 

No frontline firefighter positions will be affected but some supporting functions may change. 

PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons told Ryan Bridge the jobs under threat work on prevention, operational response, and wildfires. 

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The White House says released emails claiming Donald Trump spent hours with a victim of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein create a fake narrative.

The House Oversight Committee has released a tranche of emails and documents from Epstein's estate - another referencing the now US President as 'the dog that hasn't barked'.

The White House says the victim referenced in the emails is the late Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly said Trump ...

I've seen a lot of commentary in the past few days about our government debt position. 

We're up over 40% of GDP - that's doubled on pre-Covid.

There are those on the left who say that's too little. We should borrow more. Forget a debt ceiling, borrow more and throw it at the public service and create some jobs - any jobs.

This is what Carney is doing in Canada. His budget would double Ottawa's debt to $80-odd billion. 

T...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 13th of November 2025, Sir Brian Roche is investigating Andrew Coster over the IPCA report. 

Watercare is set to pay a $1 million settlement to 10 oyster farmers affected by a sewage spill.

FENZ is proposing to cut more than a hundred jobs, PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons explains how it will impact firefighters. 

Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann h...

AA believes it'll be difficult to conduct the new roadside drug tests at the same volume as alcohol tests. 

From December, Police across Wellington can do random roadside saliva tests – screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine.  

The rollout will begin throughout the rest of the country from April. 

Drivers testing positive will need to do a second test that checks for 25 substances.  

AA Road ...

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is "on leave" from the Social Investment Agency following a damning report into the handling of the Jevon McSkimming case. 

The former Deputy Police Commissioner is awaiting sentence after last week pleading guilty to having child sexual exploitation and bestiality material on his work devices. 

The IPCA's report reveals senior leadership ignored anonymous allegations McSkimming wa...

New firearms law reforms aren't expected to hit the mark for everyone.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee's rewritten the Arms Act, easing up on licensed owners, banning gang member ownership, and adding offences including 3D printing weapons.

It doesn't include McKee's bid to allow greater access to military-style semi-automatic weapons.

Fish and Game Chief Executive Corina Jordan told Ryan Bridge she understands there could ...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 12th of November 2025, sexual violence survivor advocate, Louise Nicholas shares her thoughts on the IPCA report into the handling of the Jevon McSkimming case.

Gun lobbyist-turned-firearms minister Nicole McKee has lifted the lid on her Arms Act rewrite plans, Fish & Game Chief Executive Corina Jordan shares her thoughts. 

AA Road Safety Spokesperson Dy...

Coster is a dead man walking at this point. 

Anyone not completely brainwashed during Covid could see there was something a bit off about him - this IPCA report is proof they were right.

He knew about this so-called ‘affair’ McSkimming had - the woman had worked for the Police.

He didn’t ask the questions he should have. He promoted McSkimming and didn’t tell the people he should have told about dodgy stuff. Which ma...

The Government's set to lay out what it plans to do about the gun laws. 

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is expected to announce her rewriting of the Arms Act this morning. 

Council of Licensed Firearms Owners Spokesperson Hugh Devereux-Mack says they want clearer definitions around when a firearm could be taken away for non-criminal reasons. 

He told Ryan Bridge the current Act says Police need to consider a...

Banks are under pressure to deliver customers more value. 

ANZ's announced a 21% rise in annual profit days after Westpac confirmed a 13% rise. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says with bank profits this high, customers should be seeing breakthrough innovation or new technology. 

Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub told Ryan Bridge we need our banks to be successful, but we also need them to compete for our bu...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 11th of November 2025, Te Pāti Māori's national council has voted to expel MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris, Ngati Toa Iwi Chief Executive, Helmut Modlik shares his thoughts. 

Firearms Minister Nicole McKee is set to lay out her rewriting of the Arms Act, Council of Licensed Firearm Owners Spokesperson, Hugh Devereux-Mack, tells Ryan what he's hoping for...

An iwi leader says fractures within Te Pāti Māori are unhelpful for Māori political goals. 

Te Pāti Māori's National Council has opted to expel Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Takuta Ferris from the party. 

Both have labelled the expulsion unconstitutional and will sit as Independent MPs for now. 

Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangatira Chief Executive Helmut Modlik told Ryan Bridge this is distracting for more important issues. 

A few years ago, we had a bunch of stories about Santa parades getting cancelled because of red tape and traffic management.

NZTA was the Grinch that stole Christmas.

And guess what, two years in, despite a change of Government, despite a Minister and Ministry of Regulation, despite the road cone tip line, the Grinch is back.

This time it’s Piopio. Population around 500. Rural. Between Hamilton and New Plymouth. SH3.

They want to c...