New Zealand's older residents will likely become a backstop if our population growth continues to fall, and workers aren't replaced.  

Our estimated natural population increase —births minus deaths— is the lowest since the 1940s during World War II. 

EMA Head of Advocacy & Strategy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge policies incentivising people to have children don't work, so the workforce will end up relying on immigrants and older people.  

He says New Zealand's one of the highest aging populations in the world, so we may have to look at retraining older people to fill workforce gaps. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

New Zealand's older residents will likely become a backstop if our population growth continues to fall, and workers aren't replaced. &nbsp;
Our estimated natural population increase —births minus deaths— is the lowest since the 1940s during World War II.&nbsp;
EMA Head of Advocacy &amp; Strategy Alan McDonald told Ryan Bridge policies incentivising people to have children don't work, so the workforce will end up relying on immigrants and older people. &nbsp;
He says New Zealand's one of the highest aging populations in the world, so we may have to look at retraining older people to fill workforce gaps.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &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

Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy & Strategy on natural population growth hitting the lowest point since World War II

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/dcca3c66-20d3-4954-8df7-b4ab00045ab8/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 20th of August 2026, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell responds to damning findings from the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide inquiry.

Business is booming at Queenstown Airport with nearly three million passengers this financial year, Queenstown Airport CEO Shane O'Hare shares his thoughts. 

The Government has revealed what its going to do about the new freshwater farm plans, Federated Farmers President Colin Hurst gives his take. 

Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Iran considering targets in Europe and the trial brought by 29 states against Meta continuing in California.

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 Thursday the 20th of August 2026, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell responds to damning findings from the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide inquiry.
Business is booming at Queenstown Airport with nearly three million passengers this financial year, Queenstown Airport CEO Shane O'Hare shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
The Government has revealed what its going to do about the new freshwater farm plans, Federated Farmers President Colin Hurst gives his take.&nbsp;
Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Iran considering targets in Europe and the trial brought by 29 states against Meta continuing in California.
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: 20 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c9a08f72-227d-46a8-98fc-b4ab012ac43f/transcript

You've probably noticed a few people now, there are loads out there, on the jab and looking skinny. 

The weight-loss miracle drugs mean people eat less.

Less food and less often.

Fewer cravings. That mean demand for fatty, deep fried food and sugar is shrinking, quick as out waistlines. 

They reckon 15% of Americans will be on the drugs within a decade. Calorie intake will drop 20%. Crazy.

This is a problem is you're a company that makes fatty, high-sugar food.

These drugs are killing your demand. They're stealing your customer. 

Readymade and fast-food companies are now scheming ways to change their products to appeal to the Wegovy diet. 

There's a piece in the Wall Street Journal about them. 

They're basically going for high protein, lean meat options. 

The weight-loss drugs attack your muscle as well as your fat, so you need more protein, otherwise you fall over and break a leg. 

Which basically tells you that for a lot of humans, no control over diets. But there's also no longer a need for control.

What's the incentive to eat a healthy balanced diet when you can erase the downsides with a jab. 

And the jab will correct your cravings.

And then companies will give you what your body actually needed in the first place, which is lean meat, a bit of fat and some veggies. 

You've probably noticed a few people now, there are loads out there, on the jab and looking skinny.&nbsp;
The weight-loss miracle drugs mean people eat less.
Less food and less often.
Fewer cravings. That mean demand for fatty, deep fried food and sugar is shrinking, quick as out waistlines.&nbsp;
They reckon 15% of Americans will be on the drugs within a decade. Calorie intake will drop 20%. Crazy.
This is a problem is you're a company that makes fatty, high-sugar food.
These drugs are killing your demand. They're stealing your customer.&nbsp;
Readymade and fast-food companies are now scheming ways to change their products to appeal to the Wegovy diet.&nbsp;
There's a piece in the Wall Street Journal about them.&nbsp;
They're basically going for high protein, lean meat options.&nbsp;
The weight-loss drugs attack your muscle as well as your fat, so you need more protein, otherwise you fall over and break a leg.&nbsp;
Which basically tells you that for a lot of humans, no control over diets. But there's also no longer a need for control.
What's the incentive to eat a healthy balanced diet when you can erase the downsides with a jab.&nbsp;
And the jab will correct your cravings.
And then companies will give you what your body actually needed in the first place, which is lean meat, a bit of fat and some veggies.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: How fast-food companies are reacting to the weight loss jab craze

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/27727875-c58d-4e1d-9e8d-b4ab012a7da4/transcript

The Gianni Infantino saga rolls on. 

FIFA has dismissed chief operating officer Kevin Lamour after he criticised Infantino's plan to sell part of the World Cup to investors. 

FIFA did not comment on the terms of Lamour departure. 

It comes as Scotland withdraws its support, and the Union of European Football Associations, Asia, and Concacaf call for a review of Infantino’s conduct. 

Former Chair of FIFA’s Governance Committee Miguel Maduro joined Ryan Bridge to dig into some of the details.  

LISTEN ABOVE  

The Gianni Infantino saga rolls on.&nbsp;
FIFA has dismissed chief operating officer Kevin Lamour after he criticised Infantino's plan to sell part of the World Cup to investors.&nbsp;
FIFA did not comment on the terms of Lamour departure.&nbsp;
It comes as Scotland withdraws its support, and the Union of European Football Associations, Asia, and Concacaf call for a review of Infantino’s conduct.&nbsp;
Former Chair of FIFA’s Governance Committee Miguel Maduro joined Ryan Bridge to dig into some of the details. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Miguel Maduro: Former Chair of FIFA’s Governance Committee on the Gianni Infantino saga, Kevin Lamour dismissed as FIFA COO

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/33f6e5ee-ee63-4460-9843-b4ab0007610e/transcript

Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy & Strategy on natural population growth hitting the lowest point since World War II

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips