Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Opinion remains split on whether we have to renew our vehicles' Warrants of Fitness,  too often. 

Proposals up for consultation from today would further stretch out WOFs for light vehicles, to once every two years. 

The one-year rule would continue for vehicles older than 10 years. 

AA Principal Policy Adviser Terry Collins told Ryan Bridge that they've surveyed their members to get their thoughts.

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You know how we're a free trade country?

It’s our thing.

We export, we earn, we sell, we get richer.

And we want open supply chains and free movement of goods across borders, etc., etc.

Well, today Trump and Xi of China are finally signing that deal—or at least the framework of a deal—to bring an end to this war.

This should, in theory, benefit both of them. The region. And us. That's a good thing.

We're also likely to sell our dai...

Belief that both employers and the Government need to up their game to ensure Kiwis are being hired before migrants. 

The Immigration Minster's getting tougher on employers hiring more migrants than unemployed New Zealanders.

Erica Stanford says employers will be stripped of the chance to recruit migrants if they're not looking closer to home.

Business NZ Immigration Specialist Rachel Simpson told Ryan Bridge the Ministry need...

More MPs and longer parliamentary terms have been deemed key to modernising a decades old electoral system. 

Fresh New Zealand Initiative research found 30 years on from the introduction of MMP, our parliament is in the need of a four year term and 50 more members. 

That would take the Parliament to 170.

Report author and Senior Fellow Nick Clark says MMP has delivered fairer and more representative parliaments. 

But...

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 ...