An economist says a new OECD report says what most people already know about the pension age.  

Its latest Economic Survey warns if current policy settings continue, we could be spending 5% more of our GDP on health, long-term care, and pensions by 2060. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen agrees the pension age should be adjusted to general life expectancy.  

He told Ryan Bridge that while there are many considerations, New Zealand needs to at least do something or else we'll hit a fiscal cliff.   

Olsen says the country keeps having the conversation, but no one seems to want to take the bull by the horns.  

LISTEN ABOVE  

An economist says a new OECD report says what most people already know about the pension age. &nbsp;
Its latest Economic Survey warns if current policy settings continue, we could be spending 5% more of our GDP on health, long-term care, and pensions by 2060.&nbsp;
Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen agrees the pension age should be adjusted to general life expectancy. &nbsp;
He told Ryan Bridge that while there are many considerations, New Zealand needs to at least do something or else we'll hit a fiscal cliff. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Olsen says the country keeps having the conversation, but no one seems to want to take the bull by the horns. &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

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the OECD report on the NZ Superannuation scheme

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b7ea1a99-b133-4d0c-ae70-b444000218d8/transcript

Tourism operators are gearing up as the Government moves to overhaul conservation law. 

Its newly announced bill would speed up concessions and give more clarity to those wanting to use conservation land for business, research, or charity. 

International tourists would also be charged to visit certain sites, with the funds to be re-invested into nature. 

Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive Grant Webster told Ryan Bridge this will hugely benefit operators like jet boat and caving businesses. 

He believes this will create year-round jobs and open up some regions. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Tourism operators are gearing up as the Government moves to overhaul conservation law.&nbsp;
Its newly announced bill would speed up concessions and give more clarity to those wanting to use conservation land for business, research, or charity.&nbsp;
International tourists would also be charged to visit certain sites, with the funds to be re-invested into nature.&nbsp;
Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive Grant Webster told Ryan Bridge this will hugely benefit operators like jet boat and caving businesses.&nbsp;
He believes this will create year-round jobs and open up some regions.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Grant Webster: Tourism Holdings Limited CEO on the Government's planned changes to conservation law

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5c751680-27e3-4843-8585-b443018b2169/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 8th of May 2026, a new OECD report's calling for the age of eligibility for NZ super to rise, Informetrics CEO, Brad Olsen shares his thoughts.

The Government's doing a review on why the CRL has cost so much, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett tells Ryan what we can do to prevent huge cost blow outs of future projects. 
 
It's about to get easier for tourism businesses to use conservation land, Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive Grant Webster tells Ryan how big of an impact this will have.

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on 

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 8th of May 2026, a new OECD report's calling for the age of eligibility for NZ super to rise, Informetrics CEO, Brad Olsen shares his thoughts.
The Government's doing a review on why the CRL has cost so much, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett tells Ryan what we can do to prevent huge cost blow outs of future projects.&nbsp; &nbsp; It's about to get easier for tourism businesses to use conservation land, Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive Grant Webster tells Ryan how big of an impact this will have.
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on&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: 08 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f0693722-a470-4672-b9b0-b443012b9f67/transcript

City Rail Link cost concerns have uncovered a reoccurring issue with New Zealand infrastructure projects. 

The project's former boss Sean Sweeney has claimed the project could've cost half of its estimated $5.5 billion price.  

This sparked Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to announce a full review of the project after its open date later this year.   

Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett told Ryan Bridge we're not approaching projects right, from the start. 

He says we don't have the proper controls and take too long to plan, so things drag on. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

City Rail Link cost concerns have uncovered a reoccurring issue with New Zealand infrastructure projects.&nbsp;
The project's former boss Sean Sweeney has claimed the project could've cost half of its estimated $5.5 billion price. &nbsp;
This sparked Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to announce a full review of the project after its open date later this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett told Ryan Bridge we're not approaching projects right, from the start.&nbsp;
He says we don't have the proper controls and take too long to plan, so things drag on.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Nick Leggett: Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive on the Government announcing review into the CRL

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/daff65f8-4c62-464b-b30e-b443012ad823/transcript

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the OECD report on the NZ Superannuation scheme

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