Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga is a contender to be named as one of Dave Rennie’s assistant coaches, possibly on defence. 

The Moana Pasifika mentor would replace Tamati Ellison. 

Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby, Elliott Smith told Ryan Bridge it’s not really a surprise.  

He says he’s got a strong connection to Rennie, having played under him for Wellington and the NPC going back 25 years. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga is a contender to be named as one of Dave Rennie’s assistant coaches, possibly on defence.&nbsp;
The Moana Pasifika mentor would replace Tamati Ellison.&nbsp;
Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby, Elliott Smith told Ryan Bridge it’s not really a surprise. &nbsp;
He says he’s got a strong connection to Rennie, having played under him for Wellington and the NPC going back 25 years.&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

Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB Voice of Rugby on the potential of Tana Umaga joining the All Blacks coaching team

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bbcc9cf9-c54e-474b-b133-b40a016dd6b4/transcript

Labour's new education spokesperson says giving non-unionised educators pay increases will divide teachers further.

Boards can now make individual employment offers to non-NZEI primary teachers after the union rejected three recent deals.

Ginny Andersen told Ryan Bridge it undermines existing bargaining and teachers would get more under the collective if it kept being negotiated.

She says this is a short-cut that gives them less money and not as good conditions. 

Ginny Andersen took over the portfolio in Labour's shadow Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, replacing Willow-Jean Prime.

LISTEN ABOVE 

Labour's new education spokesperson says giving non-unionised educators pay increases will divide teachers further.
Boards can now make individual employment offers to non-NZEI primary teachers after the union rejected three recent deals.
Ginny Andersen told Ryan Bridge it undermines existing bargaining and teachers would get more under the collective if it kept being negotiated.
She says this is a short-cut that gives them less money and not as good conditions.&nbsp;
Ginny Andersen took over the portfolio in Labour's shadow Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, replacing Willow-Jean Prime.
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Ginny Andersen: Labour's Education Spokesperson on the Government offering non-union teachers a pay increase

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/dca34ff5-d5cd-4602-858d-b40a016c0d64/transcript

The impact of the Heinz Wattie's restructure won't be felt by growers straight away. 

The company plans to shut three manufacturing facilitates in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and packing operations in Hastings. 

It's because of a planned move away from selling frozen vegetables, Gregg's Coffee, and several dips, which means 350 jobs are on the line. 

Process Vegetables New Zealand Chair David Hadfield told Ryan Bridge the current year's contracts have been locked in. 
 
He says harvests are either finished, halfway through, or about to start, so it will only effect growers next season. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The impact of the Heinz Wattie's restructure won't be felt by growers straight away.&nbsp;
The company plans to shut three manufacturing facilitates in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and packing operations in Hastings.&nbsp;
It's because of a planned move away from selling frozen vegetables, Gregg's Coffee, and several dips, which means&nbsp;350 jobs are on the line.&nbsp;
Process Vegetables New Zealand Chair David Hadfield told Ryan Bridge the current year's contracts have been locked in.&nbsp; &nbsp; He says harvests are either finished, halfway through, or about to start, so it will only effect growers next season.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

David Hadfield: Process Vegetables New Zealand Chair on Wattie's plan to axe the production of frozen vegetables

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3caff6c3-2741-4b4f-b060-b40a011cb6b3/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Labour's new education spokesperson Ginny Anderson shares her thoughts on non-union teachers offered a pay rise from the Public Service Commission. 

Watties is looking to axe production of its frozen vegetables, Chair of Process Vegetables NZ David Hadfield explains how it will impact growers. 

All Blacks legend Tana Umaga has reportedly been picked by Dave Rennie to be an assistant coach, Newstalk ZB Rugby Editor Elliot Smith tells Ryan how significant this appointment could be.

Plus US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on US strikes on Iranian naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the International Energy Agency's decision to release 400 million barrels of stockpiled oil. 

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 Labour's new education spokesperson Ginny Anderson shares her thoughts on non-union teachers offered a pay rise from the Public Service Commission.&nbsp;
Watties is looking to axe production of its frozen vegetables, Chair of Process Vegetables NZ David Hadfield explains how it will impact growers.&nbsp;
All Blacks legend Tana Umaga has reportedly been picked by Dave Rennie to be an assistant coach, Newstalk ZB Rugby Editor Elliot Smith tells Ryan how significant this appointment could be.
Plus US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on US strikes on Iranian naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the International Energy Agency's decision to release 400 million barrels of stockpiled oil.&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: 12 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/36ee6144-5c43-45d6-a54d-b40a011a8f28/transcript

Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB Voice of Rugby on the potential of Tana Umaga joining the All Blacks coaching team

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