Podcast
Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Hosted by Newstalk ZB · EN
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.
365episodes
Episodes
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Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on the migrants rescued from the boat that caught fire crossing the English Channel
Yesterday00:04:12Tap to summarizeMore than 170 migrants have been rescued after a boat crossing the English Channel caught fire. The vessel left France on Monday night before bursting into flames on Tuesday morning. Eleven people suffered minor injuries, while an Egyptian national has been arrested. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge the Government believes its measures are working, with crossings down on last year. But he says two thousand migrants have successfully crossed the channel in the last fortnight, which Reform UK says is too many. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Nick Beeby: Meat Industry Association CEO on the record red meat exports for June
Yesterday00:02:51Tap to summarizeThe red meat sector's celebrating its best June on record for exports. The Meat Industry Association's found $1.37 billion worth of red meat was exported over the month – twice that of June last year. Sheepmeat surged 40% in volume and more than doubled in value, while the value of beef climbed more than a fifth. Chief executive Nick Beeby told Ryan Bridge the increased demand is a result of the period of tight supply from many of our competing countries. He says prices have been really strong, but they have to keep a close eye on things like cost of living pressures, tariffs, and geopolitical uncertainty. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Mark Smith: ASB Senior Economist previews the latest unemployment figures
Yesterday00:02:17Tap to summarizeThe job market is expected to remain tight for quite some time. Many economists are picking today's unemployment rate will increase from 5.3% to 5.5% for the June quarter. ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Ryan Bridge the war in Iran and the surrounding uncertainty has probably spooked many employers. He says they may even hold off making any hiring decisions until next year. Smith says manufacturing and construction are likely to see bigger job losses, and workers under 25 are suffering the most, with their unemployment rate sitting around 15%. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Denise Garland: Retail NZ Advocacy Manager on Shoplifting rising to its highest level in 15 years
Yesterday00:03:29Tap to summarizeThere's scepticism from retailers that Police will turn up to a theft as shoplifting rises to a record high. Official Information Act data shows Police laid the highest number of shoplifting charges in 15 years across the 2024/25 year. This resulted in the highest number of convictions being dished out in the country’s courts. Retail NZ Advocacy Manager Denise Garland told Ryan Bridge Police are stretched and says it's the lower levels of retail crime they sometimes miss. She says they'll attend when there's harm and threatening behaviour. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Full Show Podcast: 05 August 2026
Yesterday00:34:28Tap to summarizeOn the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 5th of August 2026, unemployment's expected to edge up from 5.3 to around 5.5%, ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith shares his thoughts. June saw $1.37 billion worth of red meat exports, Meat Industry Association CEO Nick Beeby tells Ryan how significant this is for meat farmers. Shoplifting is at its highest rate in 15 years, Retail NZ Advocacy Manager Denise Garland tells Ryan why it's become such an issue. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on more than 150 migrants have been rescued after the boat they were using to cross the Channel caught fire and profits at BP have surged to the highest since 2022 after the war in the Middle East pushed up oil prices. 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.
Transcribe →Ryan Bridge: Where are all the wise owls at hardware stores?
Yesterday00:02:27Tap to summarizeI've been spending a bit of time in hardware stores lately. Which is great because most let you bring your dog along, and when it's raining you can basically walk the dog for half an hour indoors. Anyway, last week I was in the shop looking for a sealer for a limestone tile. Now, I have no idea about sealers and don’t know much about limestone tiles either. But this is why you go to Bunnings or to Mitre 10, right? There's be someone there who knows about this stuff. Well, fifteen minutes spent trying to track somebody down in a red t-shirt and overalls, and they had no idea. One young person suggested I use AI to find the product. Which is I did. And then they didn't know where the product lived in their store. Here we are, now 20 minutes in. So, I did what any reasonable person would do. I began discriminating against the staff – based on their age. Where have the wise older folks gone from hardware stores? Usually, you'll find some bloke, grey-haired, long-in-the tooth, gruff sort of disproportion, in the paint section or the part where they keep the power tools. They know their way around a screwdriver. Used to be a carpenter. Retired for an inside job. You know the sort. Same goes with the excellent plant ladies. I'm not saying young people don't know what they're doing, but if you've been round the block a few times, you're more likely to know a thing or two. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Carl Taylor: Combined Building Supplies Co-operative CEO on housing consent approvals rising 19%
2d ago00:02:18Tap to summarizeA building material supplier wants to see the consents given to new homes turn into actual work. Stats NZ figures show approvals rose 19% annually to June – topping 40 thousand for the first time since 2023. Infometrics says Auckland and Canterbury continue to dominate, making up 80% of residential growth. Combined Building Supplies Co-operative CEO Carl Taylor told Ryan Bridge it's a positive sign to see houses being snapped up. He says the real measure on recovery will be seeing projects turn into work on site, which is the biggest issue at the moment. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Cameron Bagrie: Independent Economist on consumer arrears falling to the lowest level since 2021
2d ago00:03:19Tap to summarizeSigns of life in the economy as overall debt improves. Centrix data for June shows consumers' credit performance is continuing to improve, with arrears plunging to the lowest level since 2021. However, the results still show 84 thousand people with payments 90 or more days overdue. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge there seems to be a bit less stress on our economy. He acknowledges there's still a lot of personal stress due to the high cost of living, but says this shows the economy itself isn't in too bad a shape. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Full Show Podcast: 04 August 2026
2d ago00:34:50Tap to summarizeOn the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, The Government's keeping the extra $50 fuel relief for now, Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham shares his thoughts on where we're at with fuel prices. Centrix's consumer credit shows arrears are at the lowest level since 2021, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie tells Ryan why we're seeing a shift. New home consents have topped 40,000 for the first time in three years; Combined Building Supplies Co-operative CEO Carl Taylor shares his thoughts. Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on One Nation leader Pauline Hanson banning certain media from her press conference unveiling the party's candidates for VICTORIAN election and a former professional rugby player gives evidence at the Federal inquiry into new gambling ad laws. 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.
Transcribe →Simon Parham: Waitomo Group CEO on the government extending fuel relief
2d ago00:02:31Tap to summarizeThere's support for continued fuel relief, with motorists still sensitive to price rises. The Government's extending the in-work tax credit, higher mileage rates for health workers and eligible patients, and reimbursements for relievers. That's despite average pump prices staying below $3 for four weeks. Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham told Ryan Bridge people change their behaviour once prices climb above that mark. He says people top up rather than fill their tank – likely a sign of them managing household budgets. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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