The GDP has grown as expected – rising 0.2% in the June quarter. 

Construction was the biggest boost, up 2.7%, driven by more residential building projects. 

It's the largest increase in construction activity since the June 2023 quarter.  

Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma told Ryan Bridge they've been seeing steady signs of improvements in both business and consumer confidence, so it's good to see that confidence turning into real growth. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The GDP has grown as expected – rising 0.2% in the June quarter.&nbsp;
Construction was the biggest boost, up 2.7%, driven by more residential building projects.&nbsp;
It's the largest increase in construction activity since the June 2023 quarter. &nbsp;
Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma told Ryan Bridge they've been seeing steady signs of improvements in both business and consumer confidence, so it's good to see that confidence turning into real growth.&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

Ankit Sharma: Master Builders CEO on the construction sector being a primary driver in GDP growth

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1f5e5e26-c563-40ea-a3eb-b4c8017bc188/transcript

A Canterbury principal likes the idea of taking politics out of curriculum decisions, but says it’ll be interesting to see whether that happens in practice.  

If elected, Labour's promising a pause the Government's school curriculum overhaul, including delaying the replacement of NCEA by a year. 

It also wants to establish an Independent Council for Curriculum and Assessment. 

Darfield High School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge the proof will be in the pudding. 

He says Labour is promising to make decisions guided by evidence rather than playing politics, but whether that does happen is up in the air. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A Canterbury principal likes the idea of taking politics out of curriculum decisions, but says it’ll be interesting to see whether that happens in practice. &nbsp;
If elected, Labour's promising a pause the Government's school curriculum overhaul, including delaying the replacement of NCEA by a year.&nbsp;
It also wants to establish an Independent Council for Curriculum and Assessment.&nbsp;
Darfield High School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge the proof will be in the pudding.&nbsp;
He says Labour is promising to make decisions guided by evidence rather than playing politics, but whether that does happen is up in the air.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Andy England: Darfield High School Principal on Labour's plan to pause educational reforms, set up independent council

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/320ca699-4cfe-4d32-9b7c-b4c801777edd/transcript

The Firefighters' Union says it's been warning the Government for years about problems at Fire and Emergency. 

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has lost confidence in the agency's CEO Kerry Gregory, accusing him of withholding information about a serious incident for a year. 

The agency has also been referred to the Serious Fraud Office. 

Professional Firefighters' Union National Secretary Wattie Watson told Ryan Bridge Gregory and the board need to go. 

She says the union has been trying to get the Government's attention over the “dire” state of Fire and Emergency for years. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

The Firefighters' Union says it's been warning the Government for years about problems at Fire and Emergency.&nbsp;
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has lost confidence in the agency's CEO Kerry Gregory, accusing him of withholding information about a serious incident for a year.&nbsp;
The agency has also been referred to the Serious Fraud Office.&nbsp;
Professional Firefighters' Union National Secretary Wattie Watson told Ryan Bridge Gregory and the board need to go.&nbsp;
She says the union has been trying to get the Government's attention over the “dire” state of Fire and Emergency for years.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Wattie Watson: Professional Firefighters' Union National Secretary calling for a clear-out of the FENZ board

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/034b9a10-539e-45ff-a4eb-b4c801733c40/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 18th of September 2026, construction was the biggest boost to GDP, Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma explains where the boom has come from. 

Labour’s hitting the brakes on the NCEA curriculum overhaul, Darfield High School Principal tells Ryan about what teachers and parents are looking for. 

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has expressed no confidence in FENZ chief executive Kerry Gregory, NZPFU National Secretary Wattie Watson shares her thoughts. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on King Charles is hosting an AI summit, warning of ‘existential danger’ in the wrong hands and the Palace have hit back strongly on comments Princess Diana’s brother claims he made shortly after her death. 

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 Friday the 18th of September 2026, construction was the biggest boost to GDP, Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma explains where the boom has come from.&nbsp;
Labour’s hitting the brakes on the NCEA curriculum overhaul, Darfield High School Principal tells Ryan about what teachers and parents are looking for.&nbsp;
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has expressed no confidence in FENZ chief executive Kerry Gregory, NZPFU National Secretary Wattie Watson shares her thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on King Charles is hosting an AI summit, warning of ‘existential danger’ in the wrong hands and the Palace have hit back strongly on comments Princess Diana’s brother claims he made shortly after her death.&nbsp;
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: 18 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c6262727-8c84-439f-9cb9-b4c8012abfdf/transcript

Ankit Sharma: Master Builders CEO on the construction sector being a primary driver in GDP growth

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