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.
274episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jason Pine: Weekend Sport Host on the FIFA World Cup kicking off for 2026
1w ago00:03:42Tap to summarizeThe 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun. Mexico claimed victory over South Africa in the opening match of the tournament – scoring a goal in each half to win the match 2-nil. Next up, South Korea and the Czech Republic are taking the centre stage at Guadalajara Stadium. The current favourites to win the Cup are Spain, France, Brazil, and England, with Argentina close behind. But Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Francesca Rudkin there are some underdogs worth keeping an eye on, such as Japan and Ecuador. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Jeffrey Price: Johns Hopkins Foreign Policy Analyst on the latest developments between the US and Iran
1w ago00:05:38Tap to summarizeJohns Hopkins foreign policy analyst Jeffrey Pryce is sceptical of US President Donald Trump’s claim that an agreement in the Middle East is approved and ready to be signed. Speaking to Francesca Rudkin, Pryce pointed to the extensive demands in a proposed Memorandum of Understanding from several weeks ago, which did not progress. That MoU had included a permanent ceasefire, likely including Lebanon; the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and removal of the US naval blockade; and the beginning of nuclear negotiations, possibly including progress on unfreezing Iranian assets or lifting sanctions on Iran. There was also a push for the Gulf states to sign the Abraham Accords – all of which was “a lot to put into an agreement”. Pryce did agree with Trump that the Iranian decision-making progress could be very extended. “Things have to be brought up to the Supreme Leader, who is by all accounts severely injured, and they have a sort of a long, painstaking process of decision making. So it's possible that we're getting closer to a deal.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Andrew Hoggard: ACT's Rural Spokesperson on their policy that would increase rural policing
1w ago00:04:49Tap to summarizeThe ACT Party isn't saying how it'll pay for a major rural policing policy, but says it'll be a better use of taxpayer money than current spending. It's boosting rural patrols and expanding 111 texting for farmers in poor mobile coverage. Rural spokesperson Andrew Hoggard told Francesca Rudkin the plan requires an additional 182 officers in rural areas. He says it would cost up to $45 million in the first year and about $30 million after that. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Vincent McAviney: UK Correspondent on John Healey's resignation as Defence Secretary
1w ago00:02:16Tap to summarizeAnother member of Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet has jumped ship, with Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey the latest to go. He's the sixth minister to resign in the past month. Healey's accusing the Prime Minister of putting the UK at risk, with a planned defence spending uplift of just 0.08% of GDP. UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin that Healey's suggesting it won't provide the military equipment needed in a dangerous world. He says Starmer's acknowledged Healey's comments but says he doesn't agree - but also hasn't found anyone to replace him yet. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Francesca Rudkin: Black market ciggies are in the news again
1w ago00:03:23Tap to summarizeCheap, illict, black market ciggies are in the news again. A new report claims more that than one third of tobacco consumed last year was bought on the black market. It estimates the Government lost $817 million in excise and GST revenue last year. It’s worth noting the report was commission by tobacco companies, who are obviously very keen to knock this behaviour on the head. Immediately, it raises questions about the excise tax placed on cigarettes and whether we should raise it, keep it steady, or drop it. Excise tax and GST in NZ means a packet of cigarettes is around $40 – but you can pick up a pack on the black market for around $13. It’s a difficult policy choice. On one hand, high cigarette taxes have helped reduce smoking rates over time. On the other hand, you can’t deny that rising prices have increased the incentive for black market tobacco smuggling and illicit sales. There is a reasonable argument for reducing or freezing excise taxes if policymakers believe the illegal market is growing faster than the legal market is shrinking. Australia provides a warning. After years of large tax increases, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates illicit products made up as much as 80% of nicotine consumption in 2025. Organised crime groups have become heavily involved, leading to violence, extortion, and firebombings. However, cutting taxes also has drawbacks. Cheaper cigarettes may encourage more smoking, undermining progress towards public health goals. I would also argue it’s unlikely the excise tax would be reduced enough to truly compete with a black market $13 pack of cigarettes. New Zealand has not yet reached Australia's level of criminal involvement. The Government has stated that while illicit tobacco is increasing, New Zealand is “not yet facing the same issues as Australia.” Authorities have responded with joint operations involving Customs, Police, and Health agencies. Last night, Customs Minister Casey Costello defended border controls on Newstalk ZB Drive, stating that Customs has had huge success in seizing illicit tobacco. And to be fair, they have demonstrated significant enforcement capability. In one recent case, officers intercepted 927,000 smuggled cigarettes concealed in shipments falsely declared as clothing, leading to arrests and the potential tax avoidance of $1.4 million. Other operations have seized more than 1.5 million cigarettes and over a tonne of loose tobacco. What we need to see though is better organisation between Police and Health agencies once the product is in New Zealand and on sale. In the year ending in March, Ministry of Health did not undertake any enforcement action against retailers under Smokefree legislation, and yet, dodgy retailers don’t seem to be very hard to find. From here they need to make it clear whose jurisdiction it is to focus on breaking up the domestic supply of illegal cigarettes, with serious fines and consequences on the table. Overall though, the strongest response may be a middle path: avoid large future excise increases while investing more resources in enforcement. This approach preserves the health benefits of high tobacco prices while reducing the risk of creating an Australian-style black market dominated by organised crime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Full Show Podcast: 12 June 2026
1w ago00:34:37Tap to summarizeOn the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast 2026, Jeffrey Pryce, Senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute, John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies shares his thoughts on Trump's latest strikes on Iran. The FIFA World Cup is about to be underway in Mexico City, Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine tells Francesca what we can expect. Act's taking a tougher stance on rural crime, Act Party Agriculture Spokesperson Andrew Hoggard shares the party's latest policy. Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Defence Secretary John Healey resigning from Keir Starmer's government and Trump saying the US will hit Iran 'very hard' and threatens to take Kharg Island. 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 →Bruce Weir: Independent Urban Planning Expert on Labour's public transport policy
1w ago00:05:26Tap to summarizeThere’s a belief a cap on public transport fares would be better bang for buck compared to other roading projects. Labour's campaigning on a $20 weekly maximum in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and $10 elsewhere. It would be funded by re-prioritising $65 million from the National Land Transport Fund. Independent urban planning expert Bruce Weir told Francesca Rudkin for some projects, $65 million doesn't go very far. He says when it's sunk into the roading network, it's chewed through pretty quickly and doesn't bring many long-term benefits. But the benefits of the policy, like increased use of trains and busses, could be slow to filter through. Weir thinks it'll take about three-to-five years to see any direct impacts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Phil Wicks: Small Business NZ Founder on the cost of businesses hiring the wrong staff
1w ago00:04:11Tap to summarizeThe cost of hiring the wrong person is racking up for employers, despite a large number of applicants. New Seek data estimates small and medium sized businesses lose more than $900 million a year from bad hires. Small Business NZ founder Phil Wicks told Francesca Rudkin the quality of applicants seems to be slowly declining. He says often in the trades, it's hard to find the right person, and yet the industry's under immense pressure to find people quickly. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Full Show Podcast: 11 June 2026
1w ago00:34:25Tap to summarizeOn the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Thursday the 11th of June 2026, Labour wants to cap public transport fares at $20 a week in the main centres, urban planner Bruce Weir tells Francesca Rudkin whether or not this is feasible or not. The wrong hire could come at a big price tag for small businesses, Director of BSP Advisory and Small Business NZ Founder Phil Wicks shares his thoughts. US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Trump's latest comments around the war restarting and NBA Basketball fever taking over New York City. Plus, Charter schools have released their first performance reports and the results are mixed, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie shares his thoughts. 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 →Chris Abercrombie: PPTA President on charter schools attendance rates
1w ago00:04:31Tap to summarizeA question of whether charter schools can achieve better results than what's already possible at state schools. New annual reports show three of the seven charter schools that opened last year failed to meet attendance or achievement targets. Some did make significant gains, with Māori-Pasifika boys' boarding school Tipene nearly doubling reading expectations. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Francesca Rudkin state schools can deliver just as well for disengaged students. He says they're more equipped to deal with specific issues, with established networks and resources. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →