Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Irene King: Aviation Industry Commentator on the Westport to Wellington flight link being unsustainable
An aviation expert believes the chances of a Westport to Wellington route returning in the future are slim. Westport is on the brink of losing its only direct air link to the capital, with flights set to be axed by May unless financial support is secured. Regional carrier Originair stepped in t…
01:33
Full Show Podcast: 19 March 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 19th of March 2025, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares his forecast for GDP data out today. Westport’s losing its only air service, Aviation commentator Irene King shares her thoughts. The Government's cracking down on cr…
34:24
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on GDP data
Westpac's chief economist is still holding out hope New Zealand will weather financial headwinds from the Iran war. Stats NZ's releasing data for the December quarter just before 11am. Westpac and ASB have forecast 0.4% quarterly growth, while BNZ and Kiwibank suggest 0.3% and ANZ 0.2%. Kelly E…
02:44
Ryan Bridge: Why today’s GDP number is not irrelevant
Old, yes. Backward looking, by its nature, but not irrelevant. We’re tipped to grow around 0.3%-0.4% for Q4 2025. It would mark, barring any surprises, the second straight month of per capita growth on the trot. That means average income and standard of living was ticking up on a per person basi…
02:21
Mike Jones: BNZ Chief Economist on food costs reaching 4.5%, Treasury's worst case scenario for inflation
BNZ’s chief economist Mike Jones says Treasury’s previous worst-case inflation forecast for this year of 3.7% is probably too conservative. Annual food costs climbed 4.5% in the year to February but Jones told Ryan Bridge BNZ's 2.9% consumer price index forecast for the first quarter hadn’t chang…
03:32
Alistair Crozier: NZ China Council Executive Director on the need to work to retain Chinese international students
China remains vital to our education sector, but the market is shifting. A new NZ China Council report shows Chinese students make up about a third of revenue, spending nearly $60 thousand a year. But it warns families are increasingly price-conscious and weighing up other countries. Executiv…
02:47
Full Show Podcast: 18 March 2026
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Wednesday the 18th of March, Beef mince and Steak are driving the latest spike in food prices, BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones shares his thoughts. Resource Minister Shane Jones is putting money into geothermal; Mercury Energy CEO Stew H…
34:39
Stew Hamilton: Mercury Energy CEO on the Government's plan to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040
Mercury Energy believes geothermal has a huge role to play in the future of the country's electricity industry. The Government's released a strategy on how to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040. It's also ring fenced $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the development …
03:25
Karl Dean: Federated Farmers Dairy Chair on Miles Hurrell resigning as Fonterra CEO
Hopes that whoever takes the reins at Fonterra can continue the current CEO's good work. Miles Hurrell will leave the company in six months to ensure a smooth transition. Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean says the next CEO should continue Hurrell's approach to honest communication. H…
02:13
Sam MacKinnon: Hospitality NZ Head of Advocacy on the proposed changes to alcohol laws
A view the Government's proposed changes to alcohol laws is a needed re-balance for licence-holders. The Bill would only let people object to a premise's licence application, if they live or work in the same council area or live within one kilometre. It also gives applicants a right of reply t…
03:56