Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
5am-6am Weekdays
EARLY EDITION WITH RYAN BRIDGE
5am–6am weekdays
A fresh and intelligent start to your day.
Covering the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business, Early Edition with Ryan Bridge is the only place to get your full pre-breakfast fix.
An esteemed and highly experienced broadcaster, Ryan Bridge brings his extensive knowledge of local and global issues to you every morning, with the latest news and analysis to begin your morning.
Latest
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Taxpayers' Union slams Government over $1bn in unrevealed budget spending
The Taxpayers' Union is accusing the Government of "political skulduggery" - over a billion dollars in undisclosed future spending. The Government's quietly set...
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Francesca Rudkin: Government's new health moves are long overdue
I like how the government’s recent moves are trying to create a more integrated and responsive health system. Last week they moved on pharmacists and during the...
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Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast: 08 June 2026
On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Monday 8th of June 2026, The Government's quietly pre-committed more than a billion dollars from next...
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How are the Super Rugby qualifiers likely to shake out?
The Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers have arrived. Four Kiwi teams will be fighting to stay in the game, battling for spots in the semi-final. The Hurricanes are...
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Commercial building activity drops as major projects come to an end
New data highlights ongoing struggles in the construction sector. An Infometrics report shows building activity fell 3.5% in the March quarter to its lowest level...
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"The tide is turning": US House votes to limit Trump's authority in Iran
Recent moves by Congress suggest some Republicans are acting more independently from the White House. The House has passed a measure to stop US President Trump...
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Francesca Rudkin: If you want trust, you must accept consequences
New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner is right to argue that the law should be changed to allow agencies to be fined when they fail to protect people’s sensitive personal...
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Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast: 05 June 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 5 June. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning...
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Trump confirms calling Netanyahu 'crazy' in tense call
US President Donald Trump has confirmed some frustrations were shared in his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Earlier this week, anonymous sources...
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"The one guaranteed thing": Christchurch mother calls to extend bereavement leave
A Christchurch mother says current bereavement leave rules don’t give families enough time to grieve. Sheena Hemens has launched a petition to increase the minimum...
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'Sport can transform lives': Govt injects $8m into youth crime early intervention programmes
The Government's hoping a youth programme funding boost will help keep kids on the straight and narrow. It's confirmed an $8 million cash injection to support...
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Francesca Rudkin: The story of Gen Z and their work ethic
In a podcast earlier this week, Former First Lady Michelle Obama had some wisdom for the Gen Z generation (aged between 14 and 29) when it comes to employment and...
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Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast: 04 June 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 4 June. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning...
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NZ's benefitting from 'global tailwinds' as luxury tourism spend rises
Our luxury tourism market is booming. Data from Grand View Research estimates our luxury travel market generated nearly $8 billion last year and that could more...
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"Intriguing prospect": Heartland–TSB likely to hold a 'lot of appeal' for famers
Federated Farmers is calling the potential Heartland–TSB merger an intriguing prospect. Heartland Bank has struck a deal to buy TSB for $620 million, pending consultation...
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Council voting change restores 'democratic accountability', councillor says
The Government's being praised for stepping in to save councils from themselves. It's amending a Bill before Parliament to stop unelected council committee members...
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Francesca Rudkin: What the call between Trump and Netanyahu suggests
I normally do not respond positively to the way President Trump speaks about and to people. But a little part of me understood the way the President allegedly spoke...
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Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast: 03 June 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 3 June. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning...
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Airlines take a hit as oil prices rise, Russia bans jet fuel exports
Airlines are taking another hit from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Oil prices jumped 7% after an Iranian news agency announced Tehran has suspended the...
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"Very widespread": Schools call for more support as restraint incidents rise
Growing calls for more learning support staff as teachers increasingly resort to physically restraining students with high needs. The Ministry of Education has...
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King's Birthday sees decade-high road toll despite improving road safety stats
The country's recorded its deadliest King's Birthday Weekend on the roads in a decade. Three people were killed in a two-car collision on the Desert Road early...
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Francesca Rudkin: The next step in expanding the role of pharmacists
So, some good news this morning. If in the weekend you noticed the kids have developed conjunctivitis, or you had an unexpectedly good time over the weekend and...
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Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast: 02 June 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 2 June. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning...
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Wide milk price range has farmers "fairly cautious" about potential payout
Farmers are wary of the opening milk price forecast. Fonterra's latest financial update puts the current season's midpoint payout forecast at $9.70. It's up...
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"Fantastic model": Principals 'excited' to see focus on trades in Budget 2026
Mixed feelings over the Government’s shift from university study toward trades training. The Budget doubles Trades Academy places to 20,000 over four years, giving...
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Former Finance Minister cautious of 'heroic assumptions' in Budget 2026
A former Finance Minister has praised the direction of the Budget, but says there are some “heroic assumptions” about getting back to surplus in 2028/29. It comes...
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Andrew Dickens: We're inching towards a healthier position
The Budget is out, and the Government’s done what it can with the pickle we’re in. Put simply, we don’t collect enough tax to pay for the services we run and the...
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Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast: 29 May 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 29 May. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning...
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Speed scrapped homeschooling law moved at felt 'undemocratic', ACT says
The ACT Party is defending voting in favour of homeschooling legislation before it was scrapped after pushback from families. The amendments announced last week...
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Window for low mortgage rates has closed with OCR hikes expected later this year
ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley says the window for low mortgage rates has closed, with multiple Official Cash Rate hikes expected later this year following the...
