The Israeli Prime Minister says bombing in Iran could continue for days. 

Coordinated strikes with the US have killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and multiple senior officials - resulting in Iran launching counter strikes across the Middle East. 

Three US service members have been killed in the military operations while nine people in Israel have been killed in Iran's retaliatory attacks. 

Iranian officials have formed a transitional council to lead the country. 

The Guardian Washington Bureau Chief David Smith told Ryan Bridge Benjamin Netanyahu wants the offensive to continue - but US Congress likely won't. 

He says they will want US President Donald Trump to leave Iran as soon as possible. 

The Israeli Prime Minister says bombing in Iran could continue for days.&nbsp;
Coordinated strikes with the US have killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and multiple senior officials - resulting in Iran launching counter strikes across the Middle East.&nbsp;
Three US service members have been killed in the military operations while nine people in Israel have been killed in Iran's retaliatory attacks.&nbsp;
Iranian officials have formed a transitional council to lead the country.&nbsp;
The Guardian Washington Bureau Chief David Smith told Ryan Bridge Benjamin Netanyahu wants the offensive to continue - but US Congress likely won't.&nbsp;
He says they will want US President Donald Trump to leave Iran as soon as possible.&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

David Smith: Guardian Washington Bureau Chief with the latest on US/Israel strikes on Iran

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a4331540-324c-491c-b8f3-b400011d70bc/transcript

A barrier stopping rural workers from using KiwiSaver is being lifted.

Farm workers, rural teachers, police and defence staff have been unable to make first-home withdrawals, because they’re required to live in employer housing.

The Government’s now allowing them to use their savings, including towards buying a farm.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge that these workers have been locked out of the KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal for too long.

She says if people are working hard to get ahead, where they live shouldn't exclude them from the property ladder.

LISTEN ABOVE

A barrier stopping rural workers from using KiwiSaver is being lifted.
Farm workers, rural teachers, police and defence staff have been unable to make first-home withdrawals, because they’re required to live in employer housing.
The Government’s now allowing them to use their savings, including towards buying a farm.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge that these workers have been locked out of the KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal for too long.
She says if people are working hard to get ahead, where they live shouldn't exclude them from the property ladder.
LISTEN ABOVE

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister discusses making KiwiSaver easier to access for rural workers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/83b9fd8a-dd94-46cc-9d04-b400012c53d6/transcript

We have a new issues poll out this morning. 

It's from IPSOS. 1000 people. Was taken after Waitangi weekend. 

The numbers are bad for National, because they should be winning on more issues. 

But Luxon won't hate the numbers because they're going in the right direction of a few key issues. 

A significant increase on Cost of Living - after a period of trending in the wrong direction. 

Another 'significant' increase on healthcare/hospitals- closing the gap from 19 to 12 points since October. 

After being overtaken on the economy, they've come back to draw with the reds. 

Interestingly, concern from voters about poverty and inequality is trending down - despite the big push in the media last week. 

The reality is that Labour is still ahead on three of the five issues. 

But no election is won or lost on a single issue, is it? Although Covid in 2020 and cost of living in 2023 were dominant. 

What the election will come down to, as I've always said, and everyone already knows, is Winston Peters. 

He has told me that he will not form a government with Labour if 1. Hipkins is in charge. And 2. it needs propping up by the Greens or TPM. 

He says they're nuts. 

So, as long as the polls, stay roughly where they are, the National party strategists will stick largely to the same script and wait for Winston at the alter. 

Barring, of course, nay campaign snaffus that might get any of the above into trouble and offside with us, the voters.

We have a new issues poll out this morning.&nbsp;
It's from IPSOS. 1000 people. Was taken after Waitangi weekend.&nbsp;
The numbers are bad for National, because they should be winning on more issues.&nbsp;
But Luxon won't hate the numbers because they're going in the right direction of a few key issues.&nbsp;
A significant increase on Cost of Living - after a period of trending in the wrong direction.&nbsp;
Another 'significant' increase on healthcare/hospitals- closing the gap from 19 to 12 points since October.&nbsp;
After being overtaken on the economy, they've come back to draw with the reds.&nbsp;
Interestingly, concern from voters about poverty and inequality is trending down - despite the big push in the media last week.&nbsp;
The reality is that Labour is still ahead on three of the five issues.&nbsp;
But no election is won or lost on a single issue, is it? Although Covid in 2020 and cost of living in 2023 were dominant.&nbsp;
What the election will come down to, as I've always said, and everyone already knows, is Winston Peters.&nbsp;
He has told me that he will not form a government with Labour if 1. Hipkins is in charge. And 2. it needs propping up by the Greens or TPM.&nbsp;
He says they're nuts.&nbsp;
So, as long as the polls, stay roughly where they are, the National party strategists will stick largely to the same script and wait for Winston at the alter.&nbsp;
Barring, of course, nay campaign snaffus that might get any of the above into trouble and offside with us, the voters.

Ryan Bridge: The issues we care about

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2f023850-8cd1-40ab-8c72-b400011c7a5b/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith, has the latest on US/Israel strikes on Iran. 

The Government will allow farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home or farm, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Ryan about the impact this will have. 

Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport. 

Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK troops at a base in Bahrain are narrowly missed by a rocket fired from Iran and tens of thousands face flight disruption as airlines are continuing to cancel and divert flights serving the Middle East.

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 2025, Washington Bureau Chief for the Guardian David Smith, has the latest on US/Israel strikes on Iran.&nbsp;
The Government will allow farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home or farm, Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Ryan about the impact this will have.&nbsp;
Andrew Alderson has the latest on the weekend's sport.&nbsp;
Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK troops at a base in Bahrain are narrowly missed by a rocket fired from Iran and tens of thousands face flight disruption as airlines are continuing to cancel and divert flights serving the Middle East.
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: 02 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8dfd652e-b110-4af2-8de5-b400011a8e24/transcript

David Smith: Guardian Washington Bureau Chief with the latest on US/Israel strikes on Iran

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