Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Bill Geradts: Armageddon Expo Organiser on this year's Auckland event
The country's biggest pop culture extravaganza Armageddon starts in Auckland today. Around 50 thousand sci-fi, anime, fantasy, and gaming fans are expected to flock to Auckland Showgrounds this weekend. It's filled with more than 400 exhibitors, including a reunion of the Supernatural cast, a…
04:44
Francesca Rudkin: Why are charter schools vilified?
Education Minister Erica Stanford’s education overhaul has been impressive this government term. We’re seeing improvements in primary school student achievement, the NCEA qualification is not long for this world, and how good is it to have cellphones out of the classroom? But for all the changes, …
02:35
Full Show Podcast: 23 October 2026
Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 23 October. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
34:36
Barbara Edmonds: Labour's Finance Spokesperson on CPI falling to 3.7%
Inflation's eased up slightly - but it's also become more persistent and widespread. The official inflation rate has fallen in the past three months - from 4.1 percent to 3.7 percent - due to a brief fall in fuel prices. But underlying core inflation has been rising and more items are increasing …
05:02
Andrew Alderson: Newstalk ZB Sports Reader ahead of the Indian cricket tour
The Indian cricket tour begins tonight with a T20 against New Zealand at a sold-out Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The sides last met in March's World Cup final at Ahmedabad, won by the then-hosts. However, the start times for this tour seem to be an issue, as an 8pm start means the games won't b…
04:07
Simon Bridges: Auckland Business Chamber CEO on the Mood of the Boardroom weeks out from the election
Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says politically, the Mood of the Boardroom shows a "tactical draw" between National and Labour. The survey of business leaders shows dissatisfaction and a desire for more investment in infrastructure, reform, leadership and talk of productivity, Bridge…
04:06
Mike Jones: BNZ Chief Economist on the latest inflation figures being released today
A warning we could see some more nasty inflation spikes before the year is out. Stats NZ is releasing the inflation data for the three months to September just before 11 this morning. Economists expect it to show inflation’s sitting around 3.7%. BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Ryan Bridge…
03:30
Full Show Podcast: 22 October 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 22nd of October 2026, economists are expecting a mixed bag in today's inflation figures, BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones takes his pick. The Black Caps open their five-match t20 series against India in Christchurch tonight at 8pm…
34:37
Ryan Bridge: My final election prediction, Qiulae's out
Nearly there. Voting's already happening for Kiwis overseas. Monday, we start in-country. Two weeks later it's all over and counting begins. The result looks as tight as a fish's bum. Here's my predictions: Opportunity won't get 5% and the Coalition will be returned to power. I wan…
01:59
Sarah Helm: NZ Drug Foundation Executive Director on the new report showing three people are dying a week from preventable overdoses
Opioids remain the biggest driver of overdose deaths, often with a cocktail of other substances. The latest NZ Drug Foundation report reveals the country's losing around three people a week to preventable overdose. It also shows a rise in hospitalisations from stimulants like methamphetamine an…
03:50