Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

We need to be a bit practical about this business of importing coal. 

Yesterday, Genesis, Mercury, Meridian and Contact announced they're going to stockpile up to 600,000 tonnes of coal to keep the lights on at Huntly power station. 

The deal needs Commerce Commission's approval so it doesn't look like they're colluding on price, but the idea struck a deal, which still needs Commerce Commission approval, to keep the light...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Tuesday 5th of August, the government's announced an overhaul of NCEA, Rangitoto College Principal Patrick Gale shares his thoughts. 

Four big gentailers are importing 600,000 tonnes of coal and storing it at Huntly, Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey shares his thoughts. 

NZ on air's dropping nearly $3 million in taxpayer cash on new seasons of reality TV, Dame J...

Donald Trump's latest tariff announcement looks set to hit our meat industry in the back pocket.

Trade Minister Todd McClay is heading to Washington in the coming weeks to argue our case, following Trump's decision to raise tariffs on New Zealand goods.

We'll now face a 15-percent tariff, while Australia and the UK still face a 10-percent rate.

Beef & Lamb Chair Kate Acland says our exporters may have to absorb that five-percen...

A teachers union is hoping the Government keeps the bulk of NCEA. 

A major announcement on the future of the secondary qualification is expected to be imminent.

It's understood public consultation will be launched on proposed changes -- in which teachers and parents can give feedback.

PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge he wants improvements - not for it to be thrown out entirely. 

He says there are some iss...

It’s about that time of year when it feels like winter really starts to drag.... and it must be feeling that way for Christopher Luxon, too.

It‘a cold and dark and we just want to be at the beach like our poser friends in Bali or Europe. 

But we endure this gloomy season safe in the knowledge that one day, in a month or so, springtime will come, the days will get longer and everything about life will just feel easier. Easy, br...

Donald Trump's latest tariff deadline is rapidly approaching. 

The US President has reached 11 deals and agreed to pause tariff increases for Mexico, ahead of his deadline of 4pm today. 

He's indicated he'll raise the baseline tariff faced by most countries, including New Zealand. 

Federal Tax Economist Alex Durante told Ryan Bridge that overall, consumers and businesses should be bracing for higher tariffs and highe...

There’s a concern consumer choice is at risk with new rules changing the labelling requirements around gene editing. 

The change will see New Zealand mirror the genetic technology legislation in Australia. 

It'll mean food produced using new breeding techniques, including gene editing, will not need to be labelled as genetically modified unless it contains new DNA. 

GE Free New Zealand spokesperson Jon Carapiet told ...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 1st of August, as the final 24 hours of Trump's tariff deadline loom, federal tax economist Alex Durante joins Ryan to discuss what deals have been made so far, and the implications for countries who don't conclude negotiations in time. 

And changes to the labelling of genetically modified foods have been green lit as New Zealand adopts new rules around the def...

A banking expert believes new capital for Kiwibank will shift the dial but won't completely close the gap with its Australian competitors. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced the bank's parent company is being allowed to raise half a billion dollars from private investors to help it close in on the four major banks. 

Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Ryan Bridge Kiwibank is already making a d...

One of our largest power companies sees the great potential in the Government's push for geothermal energy. 

The Resources Minister Shane Jones' draft strategy lays out a goal of doubling its production by 2040. 

Mercury Energy Chief Executive Stewart Hamilton says 20% of New Zealand's power already comes from geothermal. 

He told Ryan Bridge it has great opportunities to decarbonise and grow the economy. 

Hamil...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 31st of July 2025, The Government's given Kiwibank the green light for a capital injection from the private sector, Associate Professor at Massey University Claire Matthews tells Ryan Bridge whether it will impact banking competition. 

The cost of flying to and from every airport in New Zealand is about to increase, Air Chathams CEO Duane Emeny shares his thought...

Airlines have had another challenge thrown at them as our sole air traffic control provider hikes prices.

Airways are upping fees for commercial airlines by an average of 17.7% over the next three years.

However, it's acknowledged airlines are doing it tough and still recovering from Covid-19.

Air Chathams Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge as a state-owned enterprise, the Government have some control over Airways' cost.

...

They haven't said it explicitly yet, but one day soon, our KiwiSaver contributions will rise to 12% and Kiwibank will be partially sold to foreign buyers. 

On the bank, Nicola Willis is flying a kite and talking about a potentially partial float of the stock exchange for the wee Kiwi battler. It needs capital to grow and take on the big banks.

They're getting access to an extra half a billion through changes already annou...

Israel's rejected the UK's moves to recognise Palestine as a state at a UN meeting in September. 

The UK and France will both do so, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire. 

New Zealand isn't among the 139 countries that recognise a Palestinian state, but last year Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated it's a question of when, not if. 

UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge Israel's rejected the move, ...

The short-term future of the ANZ Premiership is confirmed. 

Netball New Zealand has signed an exclusive broadcast deal with TVNZ for next year, with the competition to remain in its current two-round format. 

Governing body boss Jennie Wyllie's refused to confirm whether players will take a pay cut, but admits they'll likely use cash reserves to make ends meet. 

Netball Players Association Executive Manager Steph Bon...

Those with mortgages are bank-hopping at record rates, but not necessarily to get lower interest rates. 

More than 3,500 holders switched nearly two and a half billion dollars of debt between loan providers last month. 

It's the highest since records began in 2017. 

Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says it reflects a mix of factors including short term loans, minimal or no break fees, and cash-back i...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Wednesday the 30th of July, 36 thousand nurses go on strike today, former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell tells Ryan what he thinks needs to be done to reach an agreement with Health NZ.

The ANZ premiership will soon be free to air on TVNZ, NZ netball players association Executive Manager Steph Bond shares her thoughts. 

Cotality has done a report finding record numbers...

Belief a breakdown of trust between nurses and leadership is fuelling protests today. 

Tens of thousands of nurses are striking for 24 hours over chronic workforce shortages, withdrawing labour from all Health New Zealand services from 9am. 

Thousands of procedures and appointments have been postponed. 

Former Health New Zealand Chair, Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge people don't trust general assurances anymore and wa...