Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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...

Tongariro is a National Park for a reason. It's a stunning part of the country. 

The fact is currently on fire is worrying not just because it's a fire and you want fires to be put out, but also because of where it's happening. 

Ruapehu/central North island's been taking a hammering lately. 

 It's mills, factories, forestry and tourism. 

Hundreds of jobs gone in mill closures. We've had alpine lifts debacle...

The All Blacks’ Grand Slam tour continues this weekend. 

They’re up against Scotland at Murrayfield after a solid victory over Ireland in the first leg. 

Scotland will be looking to claim the victory for the first time against the All Blacks, particularly since they’re marking the 100 years at the stadium.  

Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told Ryan Bridge that while there is a lot of excitement, it has been tempered ...

The Government's looking to invest in more companies that can get the country more gas, fast. 

It's widening the scope for its $200 million gas co-investment fund. 

The fund —created to support new gas field developments— will now invest in a broader range of projects that will accelerate or increase the volume of gas to market. 

Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie told Ryan Bridge it's an encoura...

So we've had a fifth round of talks with India on a free trade agreement. A senior government minister's in town with 42 of his mates.

This is a sign of good progress, but dairy farmers were hoping for a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow and it isn't going to happen. 

McClay and Luxon promised a deal by the election and it sounds like they're on track to achieve that. But is a deal worth the paper it's written on if it do...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 7th of November 2025, The Government’s lowering the bar for gas companies to access the $200 million gas security fund, Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie shares his thoughts. 

The All Blacks continue their grand slam tour this weekend, against Scotland at Murrayfield, Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson tells Ryan how he thinks it will go.

Plus, UK/ Europe...

Concerns too many young people are finding it too hard to find a job. 

15.2% of young people in the labour force are now unemployed, while 13.8% of all young people aren't in any employment, education, or training. 

Youth Inspire works to get young people in Lower Hutt into jobs. 

Chief Executive Zainab Ali told Ryan Bridge many of the people they're working with are really struggling.  

She says there's a rheto...

New York City's new Mayor Elect says he will remain accessible and transparent. 

34-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has become the city's first Muslim mayor and the first mayor of South Asian heritage. 

He's achieved a landmark victory over Donald Trump-backed independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. 

US correspondent Jagruti Dave told Ryan Bridge this is a real shift for the Democratic Part...

The Police Minister says he has more pressing priorities than the enforcement of a law banning smoking or vaping in cars with children. 

Last year, Newstalk ZB revealed Police never updated systems so officers could issue fines and had no plans to.  

Police say the systems remain the same fourteen months on, and no fines have been issued. 

Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge this is an operational issue for Police, and he...

Assurance news of a rise in Kiwis calling in sick indicates a positive cultural shift. 

A Business NZ and Southern Cross report shows workers are taking an average of 6.7 sick days a year, up from 5.5 in 2022. 

Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge while it is a cost, most employers recognise it stops infections spreading. 

McDonald says the stats better reflect the u...

There’s a form of economic nimbyism that’s going on in this country.

And if we want to get ahead, everyone knows there must be trade-offs. No economic miracle, new business, or growth opportunity comes without a cost.

Whether its intensive agriculture on the environment or water to run the data centres that power your smart phones, every success costs you something.

The trick is to be reasonable and take risks then mitigate th...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 6th of November 2025, youth unemployment is continuing to rise, Zainab Ali, CEO of Youth Inspire tells Ryan why the situation is so bad. 

Kiwis are calling in sick more than ever and businesses are feeling it, the EMA's Alan McDonald shares his thoughts. 

Back in 2020 the Government passed the law to ban smoking and vaping in the car with kids, but the P...

Our red meat sector's continuing to see strong international demand. 

Latest data from the Meat Industry Association shows the value of our red meat exports in September was up 29% on September last year. 

Exports to the US were up 25%, despite the introduction of Donald Trump's tariffs. 

Association Chair Nathan Guy told Andrew Dickens that while they thought the tariffs would be problematic, in reality, demand has ...

A Fire and Emergency manager believes public fireworks sales should be banned as Guy Fawkes looms. 

It's currently restricted to just four days a year, this year from November 2nd until Guy Fawkes. 

It's one of the busiest periods of the year for firefighters, who had about 20 fireworks-related callouts in the 48 hours since sales began. 

Community Safety Manager Adrian Nacey told Andrew Dickens they get between 150 ...