An Auckland manufacturer is feeling good about the current economic position. 

GDP figures are due to be revealed this morning.  

Economists and the Reserve Bank are expecting 0.7% growth for the first quarter of the year – slightly higher than the 0.4% predicted earlier this year. 

Dodson Group CEO Dave Sweas told Ryan Bridge things turned a corner around February and March. 

The precision manufacturers boss says there's been some trepidation about what's coming out of the US, but overall order books are holding up strong. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

An Auckland manufacturer is feeling good about the current economic position.&nbsp;
GDP figures are due to be revealed this morning. &nbsp;
Economists and the Reserve Bank are expecting 0.7% growth for the first quarter of the year – slightly higher than the 0.4% predicted earlier this year.&nbsp;
Dodson Group CEO Dave Sweas told Ryan Bridge things turned a corner around February and March.&nbsp;
The precision manufacturers boss says there's been some trepidation about what's coming out of the US, but overall order books are holding up strong.&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

Dave Sweas: Dodson Group CEO on the GDP figures set to be released

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cff8ae19-2510-43b7-b8c2-b300016ce9fa/transcript

Farmers across Southland have been granted an 18-month extension to submit freshwater plans.  

The Government's pushed the deadline from the end of the month to November next year.   

The plans are a key tool for managing risks to freshwater and quality in catchments. 

Associate Minister for Agriculture Andrew Hoggard told Ryan Bridge it's important all farmers in the region submit their plans. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Farmers across Southland have been granted an 18-month extension to submit freshwater plans. &nbsp;
The Government's pushed the deadline from the end of the month to November next year. &nbsp;&nbsp;
The plans are a key tool for managing risks to freshwater and quality in catchments.&nbsp;
Associate Minister for Agriculture Andrew Hoggard told Ryan Bridge it's important all farmers in the region submit their plans.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Andrew Hoggard: Associate Minister for Agriculture on Southland farmers receiving an extension for their freshwater plans

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bfeac597-0c26-4add-ab94-b44e018a906d/transcript

A lack of Government data is making it impossible to know the extent of specialist referral rejections. 

A new Association of Salaried Medical Specialists report —which looks at seven districts between 2023 and 2025— shows one in five GP referrals are being declined.  

College of GPs President Luke Bradford told Ryan Bridge they have no idea how many people with lower graded conditions are being rejected.  

He says Health New Zealand doesn't record the proper data, or make each service's threshold clear. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A lack of Government data is making it impossible to know the extent of specialist referral rejections.&nbsp;
A new Association of Salaried Medical Specialists report —which looks at seven districts between 2023 and 2025— shows one in five GP referrals are being declined. &nbsp;
College of GPs President Luke Bradford told Ryan Bridge they have no idea how many people with lower graded conditions are being rejected. &nbsp;
He says Health New Zealand doesn't record the proper data, or make each service's threshold clear.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Luke Bradford: College of GPs President on the number of GP specialist referrals being declined

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d3da5543-899e-468e-967c-b44e0184ede6/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 19th of May 2026, Government’s pouring $131 million of the Budget into education, Dr Michael Johnston, NZ Initiative Research Fellow and Chair of the Education Ministerial Advisory Group, shares his thoughts. 

Southland farmers have been given an extension to submit their freshwater plans, Associate Minister for the environment Andrew Hoggard tells Ryan what the next steps are for the Government.

New data shows one in five GP referrals are being turned down, Royal NZ College of GP's President, Luke Bradford tells Ryan what needs to change to improve the situation. 

Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on problems for the development of a massive wind farm in Western Victoria and constant heavy rain across the east coast causing some issues for millions of people. 

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 Tuesday 19th of May 2026, Government’s pouring $131 million of the Budget into education, Dr Michael Johnston, NZ Initiative Research Fellow and Chair of the Education Ministerial Advisory Group, shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Southland farmers have been given an extension to submit their freshwater plans, Associate Minister for the environment Andrew Hoggard tells Ryan what the next steps are for the Government.
New data shows one in five GP referrals are being turned down, Royal NZ College of GP's President, Luke Bradford tells Ryan what needs to change to improve the situation.&nbsp;
Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on problems for the development of a massive wind farm in Western Victoria and constant heavy rain across the east coast causing some issues for millions of people.&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: 19 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f0042983-8979-4490-ab32-b44e012aba6b/transcript

Dave Sweas: Dodson Group CEO on the GDP figures set to be released

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