Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The Government's unveiling new initiatives in hopes of doubling the international education sector. 

Education Minister Erica Stanford wants it to contribute 7.2 billion dollars to the economy by 2034. 

The Government's plan begins with expanding work rights to all tertiary students in approved exchange programmes. 

It's also allowing eligible students to work 25-hours per week - up from the current 20. 

It will...

I find it ironic that the government and the electorate are once a gain keen on getting rid of some of the layers of our council bureaucracy.

First NZ First’s Shane Jones publicly questioned the role of regional councils, pondering whether “there’s going to be a compelling case for regional government to continue to exist”.

Then Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking that the Government was looking at local government r...

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is determined to have more success in the air against France during Saturday's second test in Wellington. 

The French aerial assault often caught the ABs on the hop in the narrow first test win, an area Robertson says the All Blacks have been tidying up in practice. 

Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Andew Dickens that defusing their ariel game is essential, and Caleb Clarke, who is comin...

A belief all sectors will need to step up to deal with online scammers. 

The new Anti-Scam Alliance brings together government agencies, banks, telcos, digital platforms, and consumer groups. 

The task force will share data about scams to shut them down in real time. 

Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont says it will make a difference if all participants play their part. 

He says particularly socia...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Friday 11th of July 2025, the Government's going to address the country's scamming issues head on with a anti-scam alliance, NZ Banking Association Chief Executive Roger Beaumont, tells Andrew Dickens the difference it will make. 

The All Blacks are taking on France this weekend in Wellington, Newstalk ZB's Jason Pine shares his thoughts ahead of the game. 

Just u...

New migration numbers may be painting a bleak picture of our economy. 

New Zealand saw it's highest net migration loss to Australia in the year to December in more than a decade - with 30 thousand leaving.

Overall net migration for the May 2025 year levelled out at a gain of just under 15 thousand. 

But ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Andrew Dickens net migration is normally about a 30 thousand person inflow. 

H...

Another poll. Another rush of fevered opinion, and yet still so far away from an election. 

The poll business is booming. Once upon a time we had just the two TV networks in the game, but now they’ve been joined by others. 

Keeping the opinion writers in business and politics as the leading news driver in this country. 

So this one was paid for by the Taxpayers Union and it breathlessly reports that New Zealand First...

Mortgage-holders will be holding their breath in after yesterday's OCR announcement.

The Reserve Bank's opted to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 3.25% while signalling the possibility of further cuts. 

But new ASB research suggests interest rates remain volatile, with several opposing forces at play. 

Finance and Mortgage Association Country Manager Leigh Hodgetts told Andrew Dickens that they’re holding out hope...

A tax rebate scheme's helped boost the number of people employed in the video game sector by more than 20%. 

The four-year, $160 million Game Development Sector Rebate allows eligible studios to claim back 20% of their spend.  

Forty studios will receive a share of $22.4 million this year, for its second year. 

Game Development Association Executive Director Joy Keene told Andrew Dickens the sector's booming compared...

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Thursday 10th of July 2025, the Reserve Bank kept the OCR at 3.25%, Finance and Mortgages Association country Manager Leigh Hodgetts tells Andrew Dickens what this means for mortgages. 

Our video game sector is having a major boom due to a government tax rebate, NZ Game Developers Association Executive Director Joy Keene shares his thoughts. 

Some Jobseeker benefi...

The Rural Support Trust believes beneficiaries will make a difference to the flooding clean-up in the upper South Island.

The Government's activated a beneficiary task force in Tasman and Marlborough, to support those affected by severe weather.

Tasman has 600 work-ready beneficiaries.

Rural Support's Top of the South chair, Richard Kempthorne told Andrew Dickens the initiative's worked well before.

He doesn't know what happens if ...

For a while now I’ve been thinking that the Reserve bank and the Government are working at cross purposes for the country. 

Yesterday the Reserve Bank kept the OCR at the same rate it’s at. The reason: increasing inflation and little or no growth in GDP.

Now the Government has an agenda of growth, growth, growth. 

So reduced interest rates could help stimulate the economy that has some very flat spots in between primary p...

Chris Hipkins was on with Kerre Woodham yesterday, as well as with Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW, and he talked about the Covid inquiry – insinuating it was slanted against Labour because New Zealand First is now part of a National government and had drawn up the scope of the inquiry to benefit them.  

It also came out that he has drafted written responses to the questions the Commission might ask of him, but he is non-committal a...

Hopes a move to boost New Zealand's use of AI will get small businesses on board.  

Science Minister Shane Reti's announced the Government's first strategy for using Artificial Intelligence to reduce barriers to adoption and promote responsible use.  

He says it could lift our GDP $76 billion by 2038.  

BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Andrew Dickens AI use for Kiwi small businesses is currently well...

Hamilton's not losing sleep over the French rugby team's decision to snub the city. 

The Les Bleus are basing themselves in Auckland for as long as possible before the third test against the All Blacks in Waikato next week. 

A spokesperson says the team prefer the facilities in Auckland. 

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate told Andrew Dickens the city does sporting events very well, using its co-hosting of the 2023 FIFA ...

The Reserve Bank's expected to press pause on the Official Cash Rate this afternoon, but that's not it's only option.   

The OCR's sitting at 3.2% after six consecutive rates reductions since last August.  

Mortgage rates have followed it down over that time, falling to about 5%.  

ANZ Chief economist Sharon Zollner told Andrew Dickens a 25-basis-point cut wouldn't be a bad idea, given GDP may have gone backward...

The red carpet's been rolled out for French President Emmanuel Macron for his first visit to the UK since Brexit. 

The three-day visit marks his first time there since 2008. 

Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to hold meetings this week, expecting 'good progress' on issues like illegal migration. 

UK and Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens the UK wants to be more welcoming towards Europ...

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 9th of July, the OCR has been cut six times in a row... what will happen today? ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner joins Andrew Dickens to discuss why a cut should happen, but probably won't. 

Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard explains what the Government's new AI strategy means for business. 

And Mayor of Hamilton Paula Southgate reacts to ...