Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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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.

  1. 1 hr ago

    Tracey Martin: Aged Care Association Chief Executive on concerns Labour’s nurse policy could shift staff pressures to aged care

    Concerns Labour's graduate nurse policy could simply shift staffing pressures from hospitals to aged care. Labour's promising 525-million-dollars to give every graduate nurse a job offer after they pass their exams. But the Aged Care Association says while that could ease pressure on hospitals, it could leave aged care struggling to recruit. Chief Executive Tracey Martin told Ryan Bridge that's what's happened historically.  She says generally when the hospitals stop hiring, their workforce is stable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 1 hr ago

    Full Show Podcast: 01 September 2026

    On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 1st of September 2026, the Government has agreed not to raise the fuel excise tax next year, AA fuel spokesperson Terry Collins shares his thoughts.  Act says it wants permanent residents to actually reside in New Zealand, Act Party MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar explains. Labour’s promising every graduate nurse a job in the public health system if re-elected, Aged Care Association Chief Executive explains more of the nurses are needed in aged care to keep up with demand.  Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on massive fines and new rules for e-scooter riders in Queensland and a baby’s body found in a rubbish bin in Sydney. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Full Show Podcast: 01 September 2026

  3. 1 hr ago

    Ryan Bridge: We can't afford a credit downgrade

    You know how New Zealanders love it when foreign countries, or media or even tourists talk about us?  There always the most read stories on news sites. It's like a national past time.  Oh look! Brad Pitt says New Zealand is beautiful! Oh look... Jason Mamoa did a bungy and Queenstown is beautiful! Well. Have I got news for you, New Zealand.  S & P, the global ratings agency, has just done a bungee on our out-country's finances.  It's mostly good news. Low net debt. Growth of 2.5% a year. Good government. Safe. Sound. Stable outlook.  The equivalent of a 4-star Tripadvisor review.  BUT... there's one number that should be making headlines.  It's on page 4.  10%. Our country has been borrowing more money to fund stuff, including everyday spending and election promises. They issue bonds, or debt, to investors and pay them interest for the pleasure.  Those interest costs are going up because of the bond market sell-off we've been talking about on this show.  S & P says the amount we're paying interest will reach 9% of government revenue (i.e. tax) in 2029.  That means for every million bucks the government earns in tax, it pays almost $100k just on interest on its debt.  Interest is our 4th most expensive item on the government's books.  More than we spend schooling our kids through primary and secondary.  S & P says interest costs of more than 10% of revenue could result in 'weaker debt metrics'. That's not a good thing. It means we're stretching ourselves. We could get a credit downgrade.  People start looking at us sideways asking.... can those guys pay back what they owe us or they taking the Mickey?  That's not the sort of reputation this country can afford.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. 1 day ago

    Aidan Donoghue: Victoria University Student Association on National's student loan changes

    Students are underwhelmed by the loan changes National would make, if re-elected.  Graduates would be able to pay off their debt over a longer period - with compulsory repayments lowered from 12 to 10 percent.  But those living overseas would be charged an extra one percent in annual interest.  Victoria University Student Association president Aidan Donoghue told Ryan Bridge students have raised plenty of issues this year - that this policy doesn't touch on.  He says there's no talk about increasing the income threshold for when you start repayments, or any changes to repayments if you're still studying.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. 1 day ago

    Full Show Podcast: 31 August 2026

    On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 31st of August 2026, National's promising to cut student loan repayments if re-elected, VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue tells Ryan if this will make much of a difference for students. Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on a Jackson Hole meeting of Central bankers but while US fed and ECB now anticipated to raise rates in September, warnings this weekend if fertiliser shortages threatening food supplies in the UK and economies so far seem to be still able to grow both in the UK and Europe. The All Blacks winning streak in South Africa has ended with the Springboks winning 33-26 in Cape Town, former All Blacks Captain Sean Fitzpatrick shares his thoughts. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on a vessel that capsized off northern Cyprus and Andy Burnham saying two infamous police killers will remain behind bars. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Full Show Podcast: 31 August 2026

  6. 1 day ago

    Ryan Bridge: Have we found the next leaky building saga?

    Two questions for you this morning if you're buying or have bought a property recently. 1. Did you get a pre-purchase inspection done? 2. And did that person have a qualification?  Remember leaky buildings? Well, there are a builders and surveyors out there who reckon we're sitting on another leaky building saga.  There was a very good piece in the Herald at the weekend about this.  New builds, builds less than 10 years old, failing. Looks spick and span on the outside, underneath, the timber's damp. There's mould.  Water is getting inside the walls of houses that are pretty new. I don't know about you, but when somebody builds a house, or apartment, it should keep the water out.  I've spoken to some builders and tradies about this. They're worried too.  They tell me there are two problems. One is builders and developers who cut corners, using materials sourced from overseas that look the similar to products we use here, but aren't.  The other red flag they talk about is price. There are builders and developers undercutting them on jobs with prices that seem absurd.  How on earth can you build something for 75% of the cost of the rest of your competitors?  Now I know what you're thinking. Chill out, bro. I got a pre-purchase inspection.  And the Council signed it off.  Bad news. Anyone can call themselves a building surveyor or inspector.  I could. I could start a business tomorrow. Inspect your house. Write a report. Charge like a wounded bull. Take some photos on an iPhone. Email you a report. And bob's your uncle.  You don't need a licence. You don't a formal qualification. You don't even need insurance, according to the Herald piece.  The thing about these types of stories is that it's mostly anecdotal. How widespread is this problem? Is it 1% of new builds? Is it 20?  You don't know what you don't know.  And by the time you find out, your walls are wet and filled with mould.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. 3 days ago

    Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB rugby reporter on the second test against the Springboks

    The All Blacks are back in action this weekend for their second clash against the Springboks.  They're aiming to keep their momentum rolling after a clean sweep of the tour so far and a decisive victory in their first test against the South African side.   Newstalk ZB's voice of rugby Elliott Smith joined Ryan Bridge to discuss the changes to the team, and how he thinks things will play out this time around.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. 3 days ago

    Paul Quickenden: Swyftx New Zealand Country Manager on ACT's plan for tax-free profits on crypto

    Crypto investors are hoping a new policy will stop punishing them in the long term.  ACT's campaigning on modernising regulations, including allowing tax-free profits on crypto held for more than a year, and a 12 month brightline test.  Party Leader David Seymour believes our tax system currently treats crypto coins as an asset.  Swyftx New Zealand Country Manager Paul Quickenden told Ryan Bridge every time you buy or sell, there's effectively a capital gains tax.  He says there's a lot of work for a very small amount of tax.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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.

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