Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Students getting around a school phone ban could be chatting with family members. 

An Education Review Office report shows three-quarters of secondary school teachers believe the ban has improved student behaviour. 

But nearly half of students admit to using their phones in class, likely because family members were getting in touch. 

Whangaparāoa College Principal Steve McCracken told Ryan Bridge most schools have ot...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 20th of November 2025, New Cook Strait ferries are set to arrive in 2029, Ferry Holdings Limited Chair Chris Mackenzie tells Ryan how the government managed to save $2.3 billion dollars. 

A ERO report shows the cellphone ban is working but half of high school students aren't following the rules, Whangapaeroa College Principal and B416 expert advisory panel me...

One of the country's top youth health experts says puberty blockers have been safely used in New Zealand for 20 years. 

No child or young person experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence will be able to start taking gonadotropin-releasing hormones from December 19.

Health Minister Simeon Brown says Cabinet has agreed to new settings until the outcomes of a major clinical trial in the UK in 2031.  

Otago University's D...

We've got a bunch of new economic numbers this morning. 

The recovery is underway. Finally. 

We've had false dawns before, so I'm not overcooking this, but things are moving in the right direction. Investor confidence is up for Q3.

Most regions are getting a slice of the recovery action, according to Infometrics. 

What's most interesting is investor confidence, led by Auckland, is up quite a bit and they're not worry...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 19th of November 2025, a new report from Business NZ projects a shortfall of at least 250,000 workers by 2045, Chief Executive of Business Canterbury Leeann Watson shares her thoughts. 

Over half of our apprentice trainees in new zealand drop out before they complete their course, Te Pukenga CEO Gus Gilmore tells Andrew what needs to change. 

It's be...

A small business advocate says a Government grant must do more than throw money at a problem.  

The Taxpayers’ Union has revealed the business start up grant has dished out $38 million with little to show for it.  

Documents retrieved through the Official Information Act show hundreds of the recipients struggled and returned to a benefit within two years.  

Small Business New Zealand Founder Phil Wicks told Andrew Di...

A warning our major political parties need to display more bipartisan planning so we don't buckle to a dwindling population and economic growth. 

Business NZ's report warns a labour shortage of at least a quarter of a million is expected before 2050, and there's also a one in four chance the population doesn't grow.

Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens says major parties need to reach a certain...

There are concerns over the fact that more than half of trainees aren't completing their apprenticeships. 

Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is seeking extra funding so new industry bodies can investigate low apprenticeship completion rates. 

She says the government could help through policy settings and funding, but the nature of the problem was likely to vary between industries. 

Te Pūkenga Chief Executi...

There’s controversy in the Ockham Book Awards as two books by notable authors are withdrawn from competition because their covers were created using AI.

Stephanie Johnson’s collection of short stories 'Obligate Carnivore' and Elizabeth Smither’s collection of novellas 'Angel Train' are the two books cancelled.

Their covers were created using AI and the book awards are on high alert for anything that takes the place of human activit...

The struggling car industry is looking forward to some much needed relief.  

The Government's confirmed its slashing charges on importers who don't meet carbon targets by almost 80% and launching a full review.  

It's expected to save about $264 million in cost to consumers and will keep imported cars cheaper.  

Imported Vehicles Association Chief Executive Greig Epps told Andrew Dickens the target was difficult for ...

The police union is confident the health sector can pick up the remainder of mental health callouts.  

Now there's new guidance to determine if Police are needed when health workers request non-emergency assistance or when people go missing from health facilities. 

It will free up roughly half-a-million policing hours every year.  

Police Association President Steve Watt told Andrew Dickens the new approach has been ...

Uber drivers are rejoicing over their employment status being finalised with a legal win in the Supreme Court. 

Four drivers have won their battle against Uber to be treated as employees, rather than contractors. 

The Supreme Court rejected Uber’s bid for the court to overturn a 2024 Court of Appeal ruling. 

Wellington Uber driver —and city councillor— Nureddin Abdurahman told Andrew Dickens Uber's been exploiting th...

The recall of coloured play-sand products - potentially contaminated with asbestos - is continuing to cause disruption on both sides of the Tasman.

A recall notice was issued last week for EC Rainbow Sand 1.3 kilos and Creatistics Coloured Sand, 1 kilo.

More than 20 schools and early learning centres are temporarily closed.

Australia correspondent Lesley Yeomans told Andrew Dickens schools and centres across Australia are also impa...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 18th of November 2025, The Government’s having another go at the clean car standard, Imported Vehicle Association CEO Greig Epps shares his thoughts. 

Police and Health New Zealand are pressing ahead with phase three of their mental-health response changes, Police Association President Steve Watt tells Andrew what will change for the Police.

The court's recognised...

So the latest plan to fix central Wellington traffic has been released for consultation, and it’s a monster. 

There’s a couple of tunnels. A new one at the Terrace end of the motorway and another new tunnel through Mount Victoria. Land and houses will be taken out of the town belt at Mount Victoria and parkland at the Terrace 

There will be a major redesign of the Basin Reserve roundabout and a bridge near the airport.&nb...

The New Zealand beef sector's set to save some dosh, with the removal of the additional 15-percent tariff on our beef.

US President Donald Trump's reversed his tariffs on a wide range of US food imports, including New Zealand beef, offal and kiwifruit.

These products represent around 25 per cent of our exports to the United States, worth more than two billion dollars annually.

Beef & Lamb New Zealand Chair Kate Acland told Ryan...

Couple of things from this morning's poll on CGT. 

Basically, we're evenly split. 

As many of us are in favour of Labour's plan as are against it. 

The results are interesting, though. The details. 

So, more Aucklanders hate it more than the rest of the country. 

45% of Aucklanders oppose it. Only 32% support it. 

Now, Auckland holds the keys to the kingdom, electorally, as Labour found out in stunning...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Beef and Lamb Chair Kate Acland shares her thoughts on the US dropping tarrifs on more than $2 billion NZ exports. 

Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekends sport. 

The Opportunity Party has had a rebrand, starting with a new leader, Qiulae Wong tells Ryan she hopes to reach the 5% threshold. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest o...

The All Blacks have their captain back as they prepare to face England at Twickenham on Sunday morning. 

The English haven’t beaten the All Blacks at the stadium since 2012, and the All Blacks will be looking to continue that streak and keep their current winning streak alive. 

Scott Barrett has been cleared to start after a full week of training as his leg gash healed. 

Newstalk ZB’s Voice of Rugby, Elliott Smith, j...