x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

news

All Episodes

1:34

Irene King: Aviation Industry Commentator on the...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/18

An aviation expert believes the chances of a Westport to Wellington route returning in the future are slim. Westport is on the brink of losing its only direct air link to the capital, with flights set to be axed by May unless financial support is secured. Regional carrier Originair stepped in to maintain the route after Sounds Air withdrew from the service in 2024. Aviation Industry commentator Irene King told Ryan Bridge people just aren't using the route much during the week. She says it might be

en-nz

34:25

Full Show Podcast: 19 March 2026

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/18

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 19th of March 2025, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares his forecast for GDP data out today. Westport’s losing its only air service, Aviation commentator Irene King shares her thoughts. The Government's cracking down on criminal migrants and refugees, Immigration lawyer and Chairman of the New Zealand Association of Migration and Investment, Simon Laurent shares his thoughts. Plus, US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest

en-nz

2:44

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on GDP data

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/18

Stats NZ is set to release GDP data for the December quarter. The economy rebounded 1.1 percent in the September quarter - but still ended September 0.5 percent smaller than it was a year prior. Economists reckon the growth's been continuing but has slowed right down. They're forecasting GDP growth of between 0.2 and 04 percent for the December quarter. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares his thoughts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-nz

2:22

Ryan Bridge: Why today’s GDP number is not irrelevant

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/18

Old, yes. Backward looking, by its nature, but not irrelevant. We’re tipped to grow around 0.3%-0.4% for Q4 2025. It would mark, barring any surprises, the second straight month of per capita growth on the trot. That means average income and standard of living was ticking up on a per persons basis, albeit from a low base. This is import at because it tells you we're on the move. We were fighting back against the recession. Some say the number is now irrelevant because of the war and oil supply. But

en-nz

3:32

Mike Jones: BNZ Chief Economist on food costs...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/17

BNZ’s chief economist Mike Jones says Treasury’s previous worst-case inflation forecast for this year of 3.7% is probably too conservative. Annual food costs climbed 4.5% in the year to February but Jones told Ryan Bridge BNZ's 2.9% consumer price index forecast for the first quarter hadn’t changed. “It's the second quarter that's really going to bear the brunt of the spike in petrol prices that we are seeing. So we've got a 3.8% forecast for Q2 and inflation stays above 3% now for the rest of the

en-nz

2:48

Alistair Crozier: NZ China Council Executive Director...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/17

China remains vital to our education sector, but the market is shifting. A new NZ China Council report shows Chinese students make up about a third of revenue, spending nearly $60 thousand a year. But it warns families are increasingly price-conscious and weighing up other countries. Executive Director Alistair Crozier told Ryan Bridge New Zealand must keep visa processing world-class and offer more flexible study options. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-nz

34:39

Full Show Podcast: 18 March 2026

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/17

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Wednesday the 18th of March, Beef mince and Steak are driving the latest spike in food prices, BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones shares his thoughts. Resource Minister Shane Jones is putting money into geothermal; Mercury Energy CEO Stew Hamilton tells Ryan how big of an impact this will have. We’re in a global scramble for Chinese students and the stakes are high, New Zealand China Council Executive Director Alastair Crozier shares why

en-nz

3:26

Stew Hamilton: Mercury Energy CEO on the Government's...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/17

Mercury Energy believes geothermal has a huge role to play in the future of the country's electricity industry. The Government's released a strategy on how to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040. It's also ring fenced $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the development of geothermal energy projects. Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton told Ryan Bridge the power just one of its geothermal sites produces is enough for around 150 thousand houses. He says it also produces

en-nz

2:13

Karl Dean: Federated Farmers Dairy Chair on Miles...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/16

Hopes that whoever takes the reins at Fonterra can continue the current CEO's good work. Miles Hurrell will leave the company in six months to ensure a smooth transition. Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean says the next CEO should continue Hurrell's approach to honest communication. He told Ryan Bridge farmers have been told that a spade’s a spade, and that’s what needs to continue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-nz

3:56

Sam MacKinnon: Hospitality NZ Head of Advocacy on the...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/16

A view the Government's proposed changes to alcohol laws is a needed re-balance for licence-holders. The Bill would only let people object to a premise's licence application, if they live or work in the same council area or live within one kilometre. It also gives applicants a right of reply to objections. Hospitality New Zealand Head of Advocacy told Ryan Bridge the current licensing process has led to some vexatious objections from those outside of the area. He says applications aren’t often

en-nz

3:19

Nick Tuffley: ASB Chief Economist on worst case...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/16

Treasury has released numbers on the potential fallout for the New Zealand economy from the Iran war. It estimates that under a worst‑case scenario — a conflict lasting until the end of the year with elevated oil prices — inflation would rise from 3.1 percent to 3.7 percent. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says that number is too high - but is lower than Australia's current inflation - which is sitting at 3.8 percent. ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge forecasting in this climate is

en-nz

34:17

Full Show Podcast: 17 March 2026

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/16

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 17th of March 2025, ASB's Chief Economist Nick Tuffley talks the "worst case scenario" for the New Zealand economy from the Iran war. And Ryan explains why he agrees with Nicola Willis' call to not splash the cash in response to the Iran crisis. Hospitality NZ want the government's liquor law changes to go further - they tell Ryan what exactly they want. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or

en-nz

1:49

Ryan Bridge: Nicola Willis is right not to splash the...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/16

A 1pm presser and Covid‑style alert levels. This fuel price spike is bringing back bad memories from those dark days of lockdown. But a few facts help put things in perspective. There are a lot of scenarios and best guesses floating around, but the reality is we’re not yet short on fuel. That’s at least weeks away, we’re told. The economy is in recovery, and even the worst‑case scenarios still have us growing at a little under 3% — about half a percent off pre‑war predictions. The other big

en-nz

3:41

David Smith: Guardian Washington Bureau Chief says...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/15

In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump called on the UK, China, France, Japan, South Korea and others to send ships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open - but his request has been met with little response. Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian, David Smith, told Ryan Bridge, "there's been some reporting suggesting that Donald Trump was warned this is a possibility by his military planners, and his response was it'll be okay." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-nz

34:04

Full Show Podcast: 16 March 2026

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/15

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 16th of March 2025, we get the latest on the Iran War as it enters its third week. Donald Trump has requested allies help open the Strait of Hormuz - UK Correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan whether Europe is likely to help. Ryan has some advice for the Labour Party - don't automatically agree with the unions. And Andrew Alderson celebrates Liam Lawson's brilliant weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix. Get the Early Edition Full Show

en-nz

2:29

Ryan Bridge: Labour shouldn't automatically back the...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/15

Last week ended with a bizarre situation where Labour effectively came out against a pay rise for teachers. They did this because that’s what the unions wanted. And what the unions want, the unions usually get. Union strategy 101 is getting everyone who’s not a member to become one. The tactic is peer pressure. If you can deprive non‑union members of a pay rise while dragging out pay negotiations, that’s leverage. Labour last week got rid of Willow‑Jean Prime, who scored an F in the portfolio. Ginny

en-nz

3:28

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on food...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/15

Concerns the Middle East conflict will make rising grocery prices worse. The Infometrics-Foodstuffs New Zealand Grocery Supplier Cost Index finds suppliers charged 2.3 percent more on average in February, compared to a year earlier. Annual average produce department costs rose 2.9 percent, the fastest in two years. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge this doesn't capture rising fuel prices. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-nz

3:06

Andrew Tuck: Homegrown CEO on the festival's return...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/12

Hamilton's welcoming the Homegrown Music Festival back to the city where it all began. Organisers announced last year the festival would leave Wellington after being held on the capital's waterfront for 18 years. Homegrown Chief Executive Andrew Tuck says Hamilton's Claudelands Oval will offer two-and-a-half times as much space, with acts like SIX60 and LAB set to take the stage. He says the lineup for this year’s festival is the strongest they’ve ever put together. LISTEN ABOVESee

en-nz

3:49

Mike Casey: Rewiring Aotearoa CEO says declining gas...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/12

An electrification advocate says the rising price and falling supply of gas may not be a bad thing in the long-term. PwC research —commissioned by Gas Industry Co— has found New Zealand's gas market will need to shrink sharply as domestic supply declines. It warns this could mean business closures, job losses, and higher energy costs. Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey told Ryan Bridge it's going to be a tough transition, but we need to move away from gas anyway. He says gas is an expensive and

en-nz

3:04

Terry Collins: AA Fuel Spokesperson weighs in on...

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge ·

2026/03/12

New Zealand is still a long way off from car-less days, AA fuel spokesman Terry Collins predicts. Government ministers yesterday were receiving advice on emergency fuel measures that could be taken if fuel stocks got too low as a knock-on effect of Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But Collins told Ryan Bridge Early Edition the Petroleum Demand Restraint Act, which allows for carless days and other options like fuel rationing, is very old fashioned. “In those days we didn't have things like

en-nz

3,949 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci