Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
- EEYesterday · 6 min
Christopher R Hill: Former US Ambassador on the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping
Taiwanese independence remains a sticking point in the US-China relationship despite Donald Trump describing a 'great meeting' with Xi Jinping. Washington has pulled out all the stops for the Chinese leader's three-day visit, but neither side is expecting any significant breakthroughs. Former US Ambassador Christopher R Hill told Ryan Bridge a multi-billion-dollar military package for Taiwan is awaiting Trump's signature. Hill suspects Trump will continue to hold off approving the arms sale as China's made clear it's a core issue. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EEYesterday · 3 min
Deon Swiggs: Local Government New Zealand Regional Chair on Government delaying amalgamation plans
Fears the Government has only increased uncertainty for councils with delays to amalgamation plans. The Government won't evaluate council's proposals until next year, despite giving them a tight timeline to put the plans forward. Local Government New Zealand Regional Chair, Deon Swiggs tells Ryan Bridge pushing back the date is disappointing because a lot of time and money has been put into the plans. He says there's just one silver lining. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EEYesterday · 1 min
Ryan Bridge: Can we trust the AI bosses?
The North Korean who tricked their way into a job with Kiwi company to make Kim Jong Un some cash was so yesterday's news. The nerds and cyber cops are now worried about yet another AI hack. The Aussies' Health NZ-equivalent was breached a few months back. The culprit? An OpenAI robot. Albanese announced the breach at the UN in NYC. In doing so, he revealed that OpenAI (Sam Altman) sat on this information for months without telling Canberra. Two red flags immediately leap out of this story. First: how did the Australians not know somebody had leapt over the castle gates to snoop around on public and non-public information? And if they didn't know this had happened, what hope is there for the rest of us? If our friends can do this and we only find out because they tell us, what about our enemies? Which brings us to the second point... Altman and Co. are supposed to be the good guys. They set up OpenAI as a non-profit to benefit humanity. They've since been commercialised. But if this is how the well-intentioned behave, what do we expect from the bad guys? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EE
Yesterday · 34 minFull Show Podcast: 25 September 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, the Government's decided to put council amalgamation on ice, Canterbury Regional Council Chair Dr Deon Swiggs tells Ryan councils aren't happy with the decision. Fonterra farmers are getting a pretty healthy payout, Dairy NZ CEO Campbell Parker tells Ryan if it's enough to keep farmers going through El Nino. The American diplomat who famously called New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance a 'relic' says it wouldn't rank in the top 10 problems for the US in the Pacific today, former US Ambassador and East Asia/pacific Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill shares his thoughts with Ryan. Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has his last international cross on Early Edition after a decade, sharing the latest on a fire at a Starlink satellite station in central Poland and German prosecutors investigating a man aged 105 over allegations that he was an accessory to multiple counts of murder at a Nazi prisoner of war camp in World War Two. 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.
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- EEWednesday · 3 min
Nick Bewley: Newstalk ZB Sports Reporter on the New Zealand Rugby summit
The future of professional rugby is on the agenda at today's New Zealand Rugby summit. The organisation is weighing up decisions regarding the future of Super Rugby and the NPC, with an aim to cut $20 million a year in costs. Newstalk ZB's Nick Bewley told Ryan Bridge today's summit will be more a "meeting of the minds" as opposed to having any kind of vote. He says they may decide to go down a very different path, or do nothing at all, but it feels like something needs to be done since NZR is losing money. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EEWednesday · 3 min
David Wills: Nurses' Society National Director on the reduced police ED handover time for mental health callouts
Nurses fear a shorter Police handover for mental health patients could compromise staff and patient safety at ED. The fourth stage of Police withdrawing from callouts involves cutting the handover time from an hour to 30 minutes after the initial 15 minute target was ruled unsafe. Nurses' Society National Director David Wills says Police stay in ED to offer support and restrain the patient when necessary. He told Ryan Bridge about 20% of the time, handovers exceed an hour. Wills says 30 minutes is potentially highly problematic as it puts a lot of extra pressure on health professionals and ED staff. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EEWednesday · 3 min
Andrew Eagles: Smart Energy Alliance spokesperson on the decision on the LNG import terminal delayed
Relief cooler heads are prevailing over a discussion around an LNG import terminal. Energy Minister Simeon Brown had intended to sign a contract with a supplier before the end of the year. But New Zealand First says there's time yet to decide the best approach, whilst ACT isn't sure a deal is possible before the election. Smart Energy Alliance spokesperson Andrew Eagles told Ryan Bridge the process has been rushed up to this point. Eagles says it would cost New Zealanders up to $2.7 billion over 15 years, and so it's right we slow down and consider this fully. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EEWednesday · 2 min
Ryan Bridge: Looks like the LNG deal's dead in the water, for now
Energy is everything, but you can't have your cake and eat it too. The LNG terminal is on ice 'till after the election. Shane Jones told Ryan Bridge Today as much last week. The Taranaki project hasn't been green lit by Cabinet and there's no way it will be pre-election. There's also no way a contract of that sort would be signed by what is basically a caretaker government. The Methanex closure buys time, but how much, we don't know. The thing they said we need, the terminal, is now at the whims of the election and coalition talks. Businesses and factories don't close just because of costs, they close because of uncertainty. Investment dries up. You need reassurance you've got inputs to produce outputs. How many more closures will we see before we have options, and back-up options, signed, sealed, and delivered? In Australia, they're just waking up to the fact data centres run 24/7 and therefore, when the sun don't shine and wind don't blow during a cold winter's evening, these beasts need a power source. There's an energy conference there this week and business leaders are telling Albanese they need coal and gas back-ups to operate his $200 billion promised pipeline of data centres. The problem with politicians is that we vote for them. To appeal to use, they do and say things that aren't necessarily in our long-term interests. Case in point, Trump's looking at a diesel export ban to lower prices in the US to try and lower gas prices ahead of the midterms. The only upshot, if we can call it that, of this year's squeeze on oil and 2022's electricity crunch is that voters are alive to the fact we actually need a plan to keep the country running, preferably one that actually gets delivered. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Wednesday · 34 minFull Show Podcast: 24 September 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 24th of September 2026, David Seymour may be the one hitting the brakes on LNG Terminal contracts, Smart Energy Alliance Spokesperson Andrew Eagles explains what this means for the future of the deal. The future of professional rugby will be on the agenda at today's NZR summit, Newstalk ZB Canterbury Sports Commentator Nick Bewley has the latest. Police and Health NZ are moving into the final stage of mental health callout changes; National Director Nurses Society David Willis tells Ryan how the transition has been going. Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on 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.
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- EETuesday · 2 min
Mark Smith: ASB Senior Economist on the findings of the review of the Reserve Bank's monetary policy during Covid
The Reserve Bank took too long to pull back on drastic Covid measures. An independent probe's found the Monetary Policy Committee made the right call by slashing the OCR early in the pandemic, reducing the risk of a severe downturn. But it didn't respond quickly enough to our recovery, leading to the spike in inflation. ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith joined Ryan Bridge to unpack the findings. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EETuesday · 3 min
Francois Barton: Business Leaders Health and Safety Forum CEO on the cost of workplace harm to New Zealand
Workplace harm's costing the country billions of dollars a year. A report from the Business Leaders Health and Safety Forum has found workplace harm cost the country $5.5 billion in 2025. Forum Chief Executive Francois Barton says that's made up of a mix of injuries, illness and deaths. He told Ryan Bridge the industries with the highest rate of harm are the primary industries – construction, farming, manufacturing, and areas in transport and logistics. Barton says the blueprint for safety isn't more helmets, hi-vis, and checklists, it's about how we can change the work itself to make it safer. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EETuesday · 3 min
Oliver Hartwich: NZ Initiative Executive Director on business leaders signing an open letter urging political parties to drop interventionist policies
Fifty-one business leaders have signed an open letter from business think tank the New Zealand Initiative urging political parties to drop interventionist policies. It responds to campaign proposals to structurally reform the grocery sector. National and New Zealand First propose splitting Foodstuffs. Labour wants grocery brands split into separate retail and wholesale arms, and the Greens want to establish a government owned grocery store. Initiative Executive Director Oliver Hartwich told Ryan Bridge parties shouldn't entertain policies that completely go against the economic constitution of the country. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Tuesday · 34 minFull Show Podcast: 23 September 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, the independent review into how the Reserve Bank under Adrian Orr handled the Covid and post Covid era has landed, ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith shares his thoughts. Prominent business leaders have signed an open letter calling on all parties to protect private property rights and freedom of contract, NZ Initiative Executive Director Oliver Hartwich shares concerns of businesses. Workplace harm is seemingly going down, but there's still a way to go, Business Leaders' Health and Safety Forum Chief Executive Francois Barton tells Ryan what we can do to improve safety. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK providing defensive air-to-air refuelling supporting for Saudi Arabia, in response to Houthis attacks in Yemen and UK PM meets Donald Trump at the pair's first face-to-face meeting later. 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.
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- EETuesday · 1 min
Ryan Bridge: Don't believe everything you read
The problem with writing books and not fact-checking them properly is that you get yourself tangled in knots. At best, forced to apologise. At worst, sued. I haven't read the one launched in Wellington yesterday. I watched the press conference and the stand-up afterwards. There was one allegation made of note that has been denied by the current and past board chairs of the Taxpayer's Union. But writing a book based on interviews with people, without proper factchecking or documentation, is fraught business. Due diligence goes a long way. Look no further than Earl Spencer – Princess Diana's brother who wrote a book writing off Charles as some sort of giddy widow. Well, also in his book he claimed Piers Morgan was in-part behind the taking of photographs of Diana attending gym in a leotard with a secret camera. The only problem for Spencer, had he bother to check, was that Piers was not in fact the editor of the Mirror newspaper the book assumed him to be until two years rafter the photos were taken. Piers was ropeable. Spencer has been forced to apologise. It should serve as fair warning that, whether it's penned in London or Wellington, you can't believe everything that's written down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EEMonday · 3 min
Robyn Walker: Deloitte Tax Partner on Labour deciding not to change the rules about landlord interest deductibility
A tax expert believes Labour's changed stance on interest deductibility makes complete sense. Labour's confirmed it won't change the current Government's rules allowing landlords to deduct 100% of interest in tax returns. It had previously criticised the policy as a tax cut for landlords, but Chris Hipkins believes their proposed Capital Gains Tax will address the issue. Deloitte Tax Partner Robin Walker told Ryan Bridge changing the rules would just be deferring when interest deductions get made. She says logically what would happen if deductions were denied is revenue from a capital gains tax would go much further down from what's forecast. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EEMonday · 2 min
Aidan Donoghue: Victoria University Student Association President on the Fees Free scheme and the impact of ending it
A student leader believes universities will hit a wall when it comes to funding without the Fees Free scheme. Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds says despite supporting more than 300,000 students from 2018-2025, covering more than $2 billion in fees, it didn't meaningfully lift participation or provide a good return. But Victoria University of Wellington Students Association president Aidan Donoghue told Ryan Bridge universities will have to change tack without the scheme. He says they will have to ask for more government funding or require more from students. Donoghue says fees have already increased 20% in three years. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EEMonday · 3 min
Cameron Bagrie: Independent economist on Kiwis relying more on credit cards
There's a suggestion consumer spending is recovering, but essential costs are leaving less for the fun stuff. Kiwibank research reveals more than 71% of card transactions in August was on credit cards – the highest share since records began in 2002. A decade ago, credit cards made up less than half of card spending. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge power bills and rates are eating into disposable income. He says there's a structural shift underway, with more money going towards essential costs and less into the retail sector. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EEMonday · 2 min
Ryan Bridge: It's obvious National and Labour are fighting for centre votes
Labour has finally seen the light on interest deductibility. That's where a landlord, like any other legitimate business in New Zealand, is able to deduct the expense of its capital borrowing, i.e. a mortgage, against taxable income. After expenses, what's left over is taxed. This is a genuine surprise to me. The word I'd been getting from some Labour MPs, and the industry, was that they would allow a 50% deduction rather than the current 100%. Of course, the deduction has always made sense and arguments against made little. "Housing shouldn't be a business because it's essential" has always been a bogus line. Food, electricity, and water are also essential. They're all free and able to deduct interest on their borrowing to own and build supermarkets, wind turbines, and treatment plants – whether publicly or privately owned. There are two reasons for this: Labour's capital gains tax revenue would have been hit by landlords claiming the deductions at point of sale, leaving a hole in their free GP budget. It's also a play for the centre. They're dropping in the polls – the nine new taxes adverts are, I think, largely to blame. Continuing landlord tax cuts (as they like to call them) is a play from the same political handbag as National's supermarket break-up. Neither party's MPs like the move. They're Captain's calls. They're centre plays. But they don't, in their hearts, these MPs, like backing them. On latest polling the legacy parties are scrapping for less than 60% of the vote, their lowest collective share on record. National's trying to out-Labour Labour, and Labour's trying to out-National National. The risk for both is that it only angers their base, who run screaming into the arms of Chlöe or David. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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- EE
Monday · 34 minFull Show Podcast: 22 September 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 22nd of September 2026, the Tertiary Education Minister says the taxpayer sent over $2 billion on the defunct fees free policy, VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue shares his thoughts. More Kiwis are relying on our credit cards to pay for stuff as cost-of-living pressures bite, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie explains. The Labour Party has announced it will not campaign on reintroducing a tax rule that would cost residential property investors, Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker shares her thoughts. Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on Anthony Albanese’s bid to get Australia onto the UN Security Council. 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.
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