On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 17th of July 2026, Social Development Minister Louise Upston is celebrating 5,000 more people than last year off the benefit and into work, Labour Social Development and Employment Spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime shares her thoughts.

The All Blacks face a mighty challenge to their unbeaten record at Eden Park against the Irish this weekend, Newstalk ZB Voice of Rugby, Elliott Smith shares his thoughts. 

Informetrics says New Zealand is on the cusp of an economic recovery if fuel prices stay down, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley tells Ryan if we're on the right track. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer awarded Ukrainian honour the Order of Freedom during his final visit to Ukraine and the UK government has said "the World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are," after Argentina players celebrated their victory over England by waving a banner in support of their country's territorial claim.

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 the 17th of July 2026, Social Development Minister Louise Upston is celebrating 5,000 more people than last year off the benefit and into work, Labour Social Development and Employment Spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime shares her thoughts.
The All Blacks face a mighty challenge to their unbeaten record at Eden Park against the Irish this weekend, Newstalk ZB Voice of Rugby, Elliott Smith shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Informetrics says New Zealand is on the cusp of an economic recovery if fuel prices stay down, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley tells Ryan if we're on the right track.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer awarded Ukrainian honour the Order of Freedom during his final visit to Ukraine and the UK government has said "the World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are," after Argentina players celebrated their victory over England by waving a banner in support of their country's territorial claim.
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: 17 July 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/550a2237-1fd4-45b5-b16f-b489012aca95/transcript

The country's economic recovery may be coming.

New Infometrics forecasts show annual economic growth is set to reach a four-year high of 2.7-percent mid-next year.

They show the chances of yearly inflation continuing above 2-percent by then, have dropped.

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts. 

The country's economic recovery may be coming.
New Infometrics forecasts show annual economic growth is set to reach a four-year high of 2.7-percent mid-next year.
They show the chances of yearly inflation continuing above 2-percent by then, have dropped.
ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts.&nbsp;

Nick Tuffley: ASB Chief Economist on Informetrics saying NZ is on the cusp of an economic recovery

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/02bf1ac3-f039-4250-aa6f-b48901300348/transcript

Welcome to New Zealand... land of earthquakes, stormy weather and absolute natural beauty. 

Another reminder overnight of how shaky these isles can be. 

Hope everyone's alright this morning. It's always a bit hard to get back to sleep after a decent jolt and it sounds like you had one. 

We've always had storms, and damage from storms, in this country. 

But of late we've had more, more often, doing more damage, according to the insurance companies. 

We've got a bird with the flu in Petone, though it's not yet clear how that situation will play out poultry-wise. 

But it's, again, another reminder of threats to industry that we can't control. 

Like Foot and Mouth, which, if it took hold here, would be devastating. 

All of this is to say the here are a lot of things can go wrong in this country, and do go wrong, and often enough that it's actually quite predictable. We're top 10 countries for quakes. 

So, we need a buffer... need headroom for borrowing.

With the election just around the corner, it's about time we heard from political parties on their debt limits. How much is too much? When will you get us back to surplus? What's your track record on actually doing that? 

Treasury tells us debt servicing is now the fourth-largest line item on the Government’s books. 
Our annual interest bill? It was $3.6 billion in 2014. Now it's nearing $9 billion.

If you look on a per household basis, it's tipped to be more than $5000 every year. In interest alone. 

Last night's quake, and the next storm, are natures reminder of the need for fiscal discipline and plan to deal with them. 

Welcome to New Zealand... land of earthquakes, stormy weather and absolute natural beauty.&nbsp;
Another reminder overnight of how shaky these isles can be.&nbsp;
Hope everyone's alright this morning. It's always a bit hard to get back to sleep after a decent jolt and it sounds like you had one.&nbsp;
We've always had storms, and damage from storms, in this country.&nbsp;
But of late we've had more, more often, doing more damage, according to the insurance companies.&nbsp;
We've got a bird with the flu in Petone, though it's not yet clear how that situation will play out poultry-wise.&nbsp;
But it's, again, another reminder of threats to industry that we can't control.&nbsp;
Like Foot and Mouth, which, if it took hold here, would be devastating.&nbsp;
All of this is to say the here are a lot of things can go wrong in this country, and do go wrong, and often enough that it's actually quite predictable. We're top 10 countries for quakes.&nbsp;
So, we need a buffer... need headroom for borrowing.
With the election just around the corner, it's about time we heard from political parties on their debt limits. How much is too much? When will you get us back to surplus? What's your track record on actually doing that?&nbsp;
Treasury tells us debt servicing is now the fourth-largest line item on the Government’s books.&nbsp; Our annual interest bill? It was $3.6 billion in 2014. Now it's nearing $9 billion.
If you look on a per household basis, it's tipped to be more than $5000 every year. In interest alone.&nbsp;
Last night's quake, and the next storm, are natures reminder of the need for fiscal discipline and plan to deal with them.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: How much are political parties willing to borrow after a disaster?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cc51a7c6-ab82-4323-a50e-b489012999b1/transcript

Hopes new pathways for global trade can be created as officials from small countries around the world meet in Auckland. 

Trade Minister Todd McClay's chairing the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership meeting tomorrow – bringing together delegates from 21 countries. 

It includes Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Panama, Rwanda, and Singapore. 

International Business Forum Executive Director Felicity Roxburgh told Ryan Bridge this group can tackle issues together. 

She says they can navigate tariff barriers and help create common certification. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Hopes new pathways for global trade can be created as officials from small countries around the world meet in Auckland.&nbsp;
Trade Minister Todd McClay's chairing the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership meeting tomorrow – bringing together delegates from 21 countries.&nbsp;
It includes Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Panama, Rwanda, and Singapore.&nbsp;
International Business Forum Executive Director Felicity Roxburgh told Ryan Bridge this group can tackle issues together.&nbsp;
She says they can navigate tariff barriers and help create common certification.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Felicity Roxburgh: International Business Forum Executive Director on the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership in Auckland

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/39a810a3-d6fe-4db5-b538-b489000345cf/transcript

Full Show Podcast: 17 July 2026

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