AA believes it'll be difficult to conduct the new roadside drug tests at the same volume as alcohol tests. 

From December, Police across Wellington can do random roadside saliva tests – screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine.  

The rollout will begin throughout the rest of the country from April. 

Drivers testing positive will need to do a second test that checks for 25 substances.  

AA Road Safety Spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told Ryan Bridge the test takes three to five minutes to complete. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

AA believes it'll be difficult to conduct the new roadside drug tests at the same volume as alcohol tests.&nbsp;
From December, Police across Wellington can do random roadside saliva tests – screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine. &nbsp;
The rollout will begin throughout the rest of the country from April.&nbsp;
Drivers testing positive will need to do a second test that checks for 25 substances. &nbsp;
AA Road Safety Spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told Ryan Bridge the test takes three to five minutes to complete.&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

Dylan Thomsen: AA Road Safety Spokesperson on the implementation of roadside drug tests

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c068e68d-c153-43a1-b9d1-b3920161fddb/transcript

A retired US politician believes the Iran war - has no end in sight.

The Wall Street Journal reports top advisers told President Trump privately, that his war would likely drag on through the rest of his term. 

It differs from his comments yesterday - telling supporters it'd end immediately after the November mid-terms. 

Former Defence Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta told Ryan Bridge that's unlikely. 

He says this is Trump claiming everything will be fine - but in reality, the war will go on.

A retired US politician believes the Iran war - has no end in sight.
The Wall Street Journal reports top advisers told President Trump privately, that his war would likely drag on through the rest of his term.&nbsp;
It differs from his comments yesterday - telling supporters it'd end immediately after the November mid-terms.&nbsp;
Former Defence Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta told Ryan Bridge that's unlikely.&nbsp;
He says this is Trump claiming everything will be fine - but in reality, the war will go on.

Leon Panetta: Former Defence Secretary and CIA Director on the US-Iran war

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bbfe16cd-4660-4d03-a649-b4c10135685c/transcript

A Ministry of Social Development apology - and a promise to do better.

A review has found more than 30-thousand cases, where benefits and payments were wrongly suspended.

They included Winter Energy Payments, with beneficiaries told - in error - to confirm their circumstances to stay eligible.

Paperwork and processing delays as a high number of people did what they were told to - also caused benefits to stop.

Constitutional law expert Graeme Edgeler shares his thoughts with Ryan Bridge. 

A Ministry of Social Development apology - and a promise to do better.
A review has found more than 30-thousand cases, where benefits and payments were wrongly suspended.
They included Winter Energy Payments, with beneficiaries told - in error - to confirm their circumstances to stay eligible.
Paperwork and processing delays as a high number of people did what they were told to - also caused benefits to stop.
Constitutional law expert Graeme Edgeler shares his thoughts with Ryan Bridge.&nbsp;

Graeme Edgeler: Constitutional law expert on an MSD review which found more than 30-thousand cases, where benefits and payments were wrongly suspended

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/894c9809-f8ee-456a-b8d2-b4c101341f90/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 11th of September 2026, the Ministry of Social Development has released its review into two issues that meant thousands of pensioners, veterans and beneficiaries had their benefits incorrectly cut, constitutional law expert Graeme Edgeler shares his thoughts.

Former US Secretary of Defence and former Director of the CIA Leon Panetta, joins Ryan to share his thoughts on the US/Iran war and when he thinks it will end. 

The All Blacks hoping to rally after back-to-back losses to the Springboks, former Springbok Kevin Putt tells Ryan how he thinks the game will go.

Plus, visitors to England will soon face paying a Tourist Tax for their accommodation, with Mayors to be given the power to set rates, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest. 

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 11th of September 2026, the Ministry of Social Development has released its review into two issues that meant thousands of pensioners, veterans and beneficiaries had their benefits incorrectly cut, constitutional law expert Graeme Edgeler shares his thoughts.
Former US Secretary of Defence and former Director of the CIA Leon Panetta, joins Ryan to share his thoughts on the US/Iran war and when he thinks it will end.&nbsp;
The All Blacks hoping to rally after back-to-back losses to the Springboks, former Springbok Kevin Putt tells Ryan how he thinks the game will go.
Plus, visitors to England will soon face paying a Tourist Tax for their accommodation, with Mayors to be given the power to set rates, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest.&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: 11 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b69bebc2-d068-46a8-8bf6-b4c1012ac74f/transcript

Dylan Thomsen: AA Road Safety Spokesperson on the implementation of roadside drug tests

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