Students are underwhelmed by the loan changes National would make, if re-elected. 

Graduates would be able to pay off their debt over a longer period - with compulsory repayments lowered from 12 to 10 percent. 

But those living overseas would be charged an extra one percent in annual interest. 

Victoria University Student Association president Aidan Donoghue told Ryan Bridge students have raised plenty of issues this year - that this policy doesn't touch on. 

He says there's no talk about increasing the income threshold for when you start repayments, or any changes to repayments if you're still studying. 

Students are underwhelmed by the loan changes National would make, if re-elected.&nbsp;
Graduates would be able to pay off their debt over a longer period - with compulsory repayments lowered from 12 to 10 percent.&nbsp;
But those living overseas would be charged an extra one percent in annual interest.&nbsp;
Victoria University Student Association president Aidan Donoghue told Ryan Bridge students have raised plenty of issues this year - that this policy doesn't touch on.&nbsp;
He says there's no talk about increasing the income threshold for when you start repayments, or any changes to repayments if you're still studying.&nbsp;

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.

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.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Aidan Donoghue: Victoria University Student Association on National's student loan changes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/463dd644-c88a-4e31-af33-b4b6012c51c6/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 31st of August 2026, National's promising to cut student loan repayments if re-elected, VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue tells Ryan if this will make much of a difference for students.

Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on a Jackson Hole meeting of Central bankers but while US fed and ECB now anticipated to raise rates in September, warnings this weekend if fertiliser shortages threatening food supplies in the UK and economies so far seem to be still able to grow both in the UK and Europe.

The All Blacks winning streak in South Africa has ended with the Springboks winning 33-26 in Cape Town, former All Blacks Captain Sean Fitzpatrick shares his thoughts.

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on a vessel that capsized off northern Cyprus and Andy Burnham saying two infamous police killers will remain behind bars.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 31st of August 2026, National's promising to cut student loan repayments if re-elected, VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue tells Ryan if this will make much of a difference for students.
Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on a Jackson Hole meeting of Central bankers but while US fed and ECB now anticipated to raise rates in September, warnings this weekend if fertiliser shortages threatening food supplies in the UK and economies so far seem to be still able to grow both in the UK and Europe.
The All Blacks winning streak in South Africa has ended with the Springboks winning 33-26 in Cape Town, former All Blacks Captain Sean Fitzpatrick shares his thoughts.
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on a vessel that capsized off northern Cyprus and Andy Burnham saying two infamous police killers will remain behind bars.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 31 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0bc99f9c-794f-4b8b-a16c-b4b6012ac0c0/transcript

Two questions for you this morning if you're buying or have bought a property recently.

1. Did you get a pre-purchase inspection done?

2. And did that person have a qualification? 

Remember leaky buildings? Well, there are a builders and surveyors out there who reckon we're sitting on another leaky building saga. 

There was a very good piece in the Herald at the weekend about this. 

New builds, builds less than 10 years old, failing. Looks spick and span on the outside, underneath, the timber's damp. There's mould. 

Water is getting inside the walls of houses that are pretty new.

I don't know about you, but when somebody builds a house, or apartment, it should keep the water out. 

I've spoken to some builders and tradies about this. They're worried too. 

They tell me there are two problems. One is builders and developers who cut corners, using materials sourced from overseas that look the similar to products we use here, but aren't. 

The other red flag they talk about is price. There are builders and developers undercutting them on jobs with prices that seem absurd. 

How on earth can you build something for 75% of the cost of the rest of your competitors? 

Now I know what you're thinking. Chill out, bro. I got a pre-purchase inspection. 

And the Council signed it off. 

Bad news. Anyone can call themselves a building surveyor or inspector. 

I could. I could start a business tomorrow. Inspect your house. Write a report. Charge like a wounded bull. Take some photos on an iPhone. Email you a report. And bob's your uncle. 

You don't need a licence. You don't a formal qualification. You don't even need insurance, according to the Herald piece. 

The thing about these types of stories is that it's mostly anecdotal.

How widespread is this problem? Is it 1% of new builds? Is it 20? 

You don't know what you don't know. 

And by the time you find out, your walls are wet and filled with mould. 

Two questions for you this morning if you're buying or have bought a property recently.
1. Did you get a pre-purchase inspection done?
2. And did that person have a qualification?&nbsp;
Remember leaky buildings? Well, there are a builders and surveyors out there who reckon we're sitting on another leaky building saga.&nbsp;
There was a very good piece in the Herald at the weekend about this.&nbsp;
New builds, builds less than 10 years old, failing. Looks spick and span on the outside, underneath, the timber's damp. There's mould.&nbsp;
Water is getting inside the walls of houses that are pretty new.
I don't know about you, but when somebody builds a house, or apartment, it should keep the water out.&nbsp;
I've spoken to some builders and tradies about this. They're worried too.&nbsp;
They tell me there are two problems. One is builders and developers who cut corners, using materials sourced from overseas that look the similar to products we use here, but aren't.&nbsp;
The other red flag they talk about is price. There are builders and developers undercutting them on jobs with prices that seem absurd.&nbsp;
How on earth can you build something for 75% of the cost of the rest of your competitors?&nbsp;
Now I know what you're thinking. Chill out, bro. I got a pre-purchase inspection.&nbsp;
And the Council signed it off.&nbsp;
Bad news. Anyone can call themselves a building surveyor or inspector.&nbsp;
I could. I could start a business tomorrow. Inspect your house. Write a report. Charge like a wounded bull. Take some photos on an iPhone. Email you a report. And bob's your uncle.&nbsp;
You don't need a licence. You don't a formal qualification. You don't even need insurance, according to the Herald piece.&nbsp;
The thing about these types of stories is that it's mostly anecdotal.
How widespread is this problem? Is it 1% of new builds? Is it 20?&nbsp;
You don't know what you don't know.&nbsp;
And by the time you find out, your walls are wet and filled with mould.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Have we found the next leaky building saga?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/43869bb8-21b7-4cf1-91e1-b4b6012b385a/transcript

The All Blacks are back in action this weekend for their second clash against the Springboks. 

They're aiming to keep their momentum rolling after a clean sweep of the tour so far and a decisive victory in their first test against the South African side.  

Newstalk ZB's voice of rugby Elliott Smith joined Ryan Bridge to discuss the changes to the team, and how he thinks things will play out this time around. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

The All Blacks are back in action this weekend for their second clash against the Springboks.&nbsp;
They're aiming to keep their momentum rolling after a clean sweep of the tour so far and a decisive victory in their first test against the South African side. &nbsp;
Newstalk ZB's voice of rugby Elliott Smith joined Ryan Bridge to discuss the changes to the team, and how he thinks things will play out this time around.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB rugby reporter on the second test against the Springboks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5df491b7-97d2-4388-8bc7-b4b4000522c4/transcript

Aidan Donoghue: Victoria University Student Association on National's student loan changes

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