Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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 ...

Unemployment has hopefully almost reached its peak.

Latest Stats NZ data is expected to show unemployment has reached 5.3% in the September quarter.

That's up from 5.2% in the June quarter.

BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Andrew Dickens they expect another rise in the December quarter, before the job market starts to recover next year.

He says there's still a bit of slog ahead of us, but there's encouraging signs, like job ads ...

Pensioners marched on Parliament yesterday, demanding that politicians remember them.  

And one of the biggest things on their mind is the rules around retirement villages.

Here’s an example:

A couple had been in their retirement village for 10 years. Needing more care, they decide to move out and find a more appropriate place to live.  

They’d bought their villa for $600,000, but under the current situation they’ll get j...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 5th of November 2025, the unemployment figures get released today with economists picking a nine-year high, BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones tells Andrew what today's figures mean for the Reserve Bank. 

Winston Peters has submitted a members bill which would ban the importing and sale of fireworks, Fire and Emergency NZ Regulatory Compliance Manager Adrian ...

There’s concern our cemeteries are running out of space, with some councils taking too long to secure new land. 

The Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective says many graveyards are already at or near capacity, forcing delays and limiting burial options. 

It warns too many councils are failing to plan far enough ahead, and many are excluding cemeteries from urban growth strategies that often focus narrowly on housing. 

...

Consumer confidence could be turning around as borrowing rises. 

Latest data from credit bureau service Centrix shows residential mortgage and household lending have both increased more than 20% year-on-year. 

Personal loan and Buy Now Pay Later applications and business borrowing are also up. 

Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold told Andrew Dickens we're heading in the right direction, but it's still early days.&n...

Rain's on the forecast for today's 165th running of the Melbourne Cup.

There are no New Zealand-trained runners this year, but Smokin Romans and Torranzino were both bred here.

Newstalk ZB's Melbourne Cup correspondent Donna Demaio says those heading to Flemington will need to pack their brollies and coats.

She told Andrew Dickens the weather is dominating much of the conversation.

Demaio says it's expected to rain all day and even...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 4th of November 2025, Centrix data shows more people are getting mortgages, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold tells Andrew what this means for the economy. 

A new NZ Initiative report’s calling on the government to tap into GP data, Chair of General Practice Owners Association Dr Angus Chambers shares his thoughts. 

NZ Cemeteries and Crematoria Collect...

The GP Owners' Association's backing calls for the Government to make better use of primary care data.

A New Zealand Initiative report says information from GP clinics isn’t being systematically collected, unlike hospital and prescription data.

It argues the information could help identify prescribing issues and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

Association Chair Angus Chambers told Andrew Dickens this has been an acknowledg...