Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

It's early days for new curriculum changes, as not all subject documents have been uploaded.

The Education Minister has unveiled proposed changes to content for Years 1-10,  on top of the English and Maths refresh announced earlier -  changing subjects like health and history. 

The Immediate Past President of the Auckland Primary Principals Association Kyle Brewerton told Ryan Bridge that only some documents are full...

A former Labour leader says there'll be a sense a relief among many to see a new capital gains tax policy.

Labour's announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes. 

The revenue would go into health, creating a Medicard scheme providing free GP visits.

Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge the OECD has been calling out New Zealand for being the only country in t...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 29th of October 2025, The Government’s finally unveiled its new school curriculum for years 1 to 10, Immediate past President of the Auckland Primary Principals Association, Kyle Brewerton shares his thoughts. 

A new report for the NZ Initiative believes our MMP system needs 50 more MPs, report author and senior fellow at the NZ Initiative, tells Ryan why. 

Did you catch the comments yesterday from Malaysia Deputy PM.

He was talking to a kiwi delegation off in KL for ASEAN.

"This will be your new market and we welcome any halal product from New Zealand."

I have always been pretty sceptical about these trade missions, whether they actually achieve something or are just a giant junket.

The truth is their a bit of both. 

On a trip to Vladivostok in Russia back in 2011, our PM got a ...

The Government's making moves on aged care reform - hoping to better meet New Zealanders' needs.

It's establishing a Ministerial Advisory Group to recommend changes to the aged care funding model - expected by mid-next year. 

The group will also look at the changes needed to support integration between aged care and health and disability services.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello told Ryan Bridge most people want to st...

The Prime Minister's met with various South East Asian leaders but missed out speaking with US President Donald Trump, as he attends talks in Malaysia.

Chris Luxon's attending the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur for bilateral talks with regional leaders. 

Donald Trump was at the talks briefly, before leaving for Japan to meet their new leader.

Senior Political Reporter Azaria Howell told Ryan Bridge the pair will have a chance to...

It's unclear how much the Labour government will raise, from its just announced new capital gains tax.

The targeted tax would apply to profit made from selling commercial or residential property, to raise funds for universal free doctors visitors.

The family home, farms, KiwiSaver, shares, business assets, inheritances, and personal items will be exempt.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge the announcement d...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 28th of October 2025, Labour's announced a capital gains tax, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen shares his thoughts. 

The Government’s finally making moves on aged care reform, Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello tells Ryan what changes they plan to make. 

Newstalk ZB Political reporter Azaria Howell has the latest on Luxon in Asia. 

And...

It was only a matter of time before Dame Noels was allowed back where she belongs.

You could almost hear the cheers from fans not just of netball but of sport in general.

The problem with this whole saga is that for the most part, we the public have been left guessing what was really going on behind the scenes.

The reason people became so invested, and it eventually became political, was the narrative around the story.

Speak to you...

The Deputy Prime Minister isn't buying the argument strikers have won the war on public sentiment.

Thousands downed tools across the education, health and public sector yesterday and took to the streets calling for better pay and working conditions. 

David Seymour - who's also the Associate Health Minister - told Ryan Bridge that it's important to talk about facts, rather than sentiment. 

He says the pay requests being ma...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 24th of October 2025, the mega strikes have been and gone, Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Health and Education Minister David Seymour tells Ryan what happens next. 

Nick Bewley has this scoop on this weekend's all-southern NPC final. 

A new ASB report out this morning says Fonterra’s plan to sell its retail brands could unlock $4.5 billion in extra spendi...

So 100,000 workers went on strike. Now what?

The cost to settle these claims will run into the billions. Easily. 

1979 was the last time we a strike this big. A general strike. 300-thousand people. It was Muldoon days. It was over a dispute with driver unions and transport. It went to arbitration and the unions won.

This time, senior doctors refused binding arbitration. 

Secondary teachers have a few more strikes before C...

Unions say the mega-strikes today - are not just about them. 

Tens of thousands of workers across health and education are stopping work in their fight for better pay and conditions. 

More than 100 members gathered in Auckland last night - discussing the importance of strong public education and health systems. 

PPTA President Chris Abercrombie says that the public service commission hasn't yet made contact, but the ...

Labour plans to expand rebate for game development industry.

Labour says that, if re-elected, they will expand the game development rebate, which gives Kiwi studios access to $40million a year to grow the industry.  

The subsidy currently covers 41 different game studios, and in the 2025 financial year $24million of the $40million was spent. 

Game Developers Association Executive Director Joy Keene told Ryan Bridge that, ...

More children are being harmed in Oranga Tamariki's care. 

The agency's annual report reveals 530 children in care experienced harm in the year ending in March - 23 more than the previous 12 months. 

There were more findings of emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect in this period - but an eight percent reduction in findings of physical harm.

Instances of harm in secure residences fell for the first time - something th...

Massey Uni releases these numbers each year. 

They tell you how much you might need to retirement. 

In the city... two people in a house... want to live comfortably... need $1 million. 

$450,000 in the provinces.

Now, you then start working backwards. In terms of you're net worth. 

Depending on your age, you may not be able to rely on the pension. 

Some government will eventually means test it or change the...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 23rd of October 2025, an estimated 100,000 teachers, nurses, dentists and medical staff are all walking off the job today, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie tells Ryan some rallies have been called off due to severe weather. 

Labour’s keeping the policy train rolling and this time it’s all about video games, New Zealand game developers Association Executive Direct...

A Māori rights lawyer is not buying the Government's explanation for a change to foreshore and seabed laws. 

It says amendments to the Marine and Coastal Areas Act restore the legislation to its original intent - an argument criticised by the Act's original author former Attorney General Chris Finlayson.  

It's expected to make getting Māori customary marine titles more difficult. 

Lawyer and former Waitangi Tribunal...