On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 5th of March 2025, Dave Rennie has been named the new All Blacks head coach, sports commentator Sam Ackerman shares his thoughts. 

Does the conflict in the Middle East risk knocking out our export gains? Trade Minister Todd McClay explains.
 
The Independent Children’s Monitor says abuse in state care is rising Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait tells Ryan what needs to happen to make change. 

Plus, US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on the Pentagon press briefing on Iran and the Senate set to vote on a war powers resolution. 

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 Thursday the 5th of March 2025, Dave Rennie has been named the new All Blacks head coach, sports commentator Sam Ackerman shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Does the conflict in the Middle East risk knocking out our export gains? Trade Minister Todd McClay explains. &nbsp; The Independent Children’s Monitor says abuse in state care is rising Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait tells Ryan what needs to happen to make change.&nbsp;
Plus, US Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the latest on the Pentagon press briefing on Iran and the Senate set to vote on a war powers resolution.&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;

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

Full Show Podcast: 05 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b6fef4bc-58cd-42dd-9085-b403011a9326/transcript

New Zealand’s export boom is accelerating.

New international trade figures show exports climbed to $29.2 billion in the December quarter - up $2.2 billion on a year earlier.

Two-way trade also jumped to just over $61 billion.

Trade Minister Todd McClay told Ryan Bridge dairy is performing strongly, with meat exports up a remarkable 21%.

He says growth has soared with countries we have free trade agreements with, like the EU, UK, and Australia.

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand’s export boom is accelerating.
New international trade figures show exports climbed to $29.2 billion in the December quarter - up $2.2 billion on a year earlier.
Two-way trade also jumped to just over $61 billion.
Trade Minister Todd McClay told Ryan Bridge dairy is performing strongly, with meat exports up a remarkable 21%.
He says growth has soared with countries we have free trade agreements with, like the EU, UK, and Australia.
LISTEN ABOVE

Todd McClay: Trade Minister on the acceleration of New Zealand’s export boom

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/221af1b7-4d60-49dd-a821-b403011afcdd/transcript

You know how they say cranes in the sky is a good sign of growth? 

Well, not in Auckland. Not at Seascape.

It’s meant to be this city, this country, tallest tower. 187 metres tall. Beautiful expansive views of the water. 52 stories. A statement building for a city on the move.

But for two years we’ve had this… construction stopped, half finished, beams and nuts and bolts exposed.

Then yesterday the Chinese outfit developing it folded completely. Gone-ski.

So what happens to this half-cooked tower down by the wharf? It’s kind of hard to miss, you know.

Imagine the Sky Tower with scaffolding on it for a year.

Whatever happens needs to happen fast. 

Auckland is getting its mojo back. We’ve been talking all over the city lately, the areas your tourists venture, it’s coming alive.

The ICC, the CRL stations, the shops, Ponsonby, viaduct and waterfront; absolutely humming and heaving. 

There’s a buzz in the air and it’s not just politicians talking it up. Go and see if for yourself. It’s happening. Even a lot of the road cones have disappeared. 

Someone out there will be eyeing a bargain, surely, and answer our prayers.

Get in there and finish the job.

Polish that turd and help make this city shine. 

You know how they say cranes in the sky is a good sign of growth?&nbsp;
Well, not in Auckland.&nbsp;Not at Seascape.
It’s meant to be this city, this country, tallest tower.&nbsp;187 metres tall.&nbsp;Beautiful expansive views of the water.&nbsp;52 stories.&nbsp;A statement building for a city on the move.
But for two years we’ve had this… construction stopped, half finished, beams and nuts and bolts exposed.
Then yesterday the Chinese outfit developing it folded completely. Gone-ski.
So what happens to this half-cooked tower down by the wharf? It’s kind of hard to miss, you know.
Imagine the Sky Tower with scaffolding on it for a year.
Whatever happens needs to happen fast.&nbsp;
Auckland is getting its mojo back. We’ve been talking all over the city lately, the areas your tourists venture, it’s coming alive.
The ICC, the CRL stations, the shops, Ponsonby, viaduct and waterfront; absolutely humming and heaving.&nbsp;
There’s a buzz in the air and it’s not just politicians talking it up. Go and see if for yourself. It’s happening. Even a lot of the road cones have disappeared.&nbsp;
Someone out there will be eyeing a bargain, surely, and answer our prayers.
Get in there and finish the job.
Polish that turd and help make this city shine.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Cranes in the sky, not always a good sign in Auckland

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e83b980d-57b9-4f18-b642-b403011a6ff3/transcript

The Utilities Dispute service is welcoming changes to power rules.  

The Electricity Authority's new rules, which kick in from October 30, will force power companies to simplify their bills and tell customers if they're on the best plan they provide.  

It will also mean power companies could only send backdated bills once every six months.  

Utilities Dispute Commissioner Neil Mallon told Ryan Bridge it won't just benefit customers.  

He says it will lead to fewer complaints and make it easier to resolve complaints.  

LISTEN ABOVE  

The Utilities Dispute service is welcoming changes to power rules. &nbsp;
The Electricity Authority's new rules, which kick in from October 30, will force power companies to simplify their bills and tell customers if they're on the best plan they provide. &nbsp;
It will also mean power companies could only send backdated bills once every six months. &nbsp;
Utilities Dispute Commissioner Neil Mallon told Ryan Bridge it won't just benefit customers. &nbsp;
He says it will lead to fewer complaints and make it easier to resolve complaints. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Neil Mallon: Utilities Dispute Commissioner on the updated transparency rules for power companies

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c8401d72-0651-4bcc-a35f-b402017b8063/transcript

Full Show Podcast: 05 March 2026

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