Australia's starting to feel the economic effects of the energy squeeze stemming from conflict on the other side of the world.  

Annual headline inflation surged to 4.6% in March, up from 3.7% in February.  

It's the country's highest inflation rate since September 2023, when the economy was bouncing back after Covid. 

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that New Zealand’s inflation is unlikely to reach the same peaks. 

He says New Zealand economists are predicting a peak of around the mid-4s, whereas Australia’s are expecting it to go well over 5%. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Australia's starting to feel the economic effects of the energy squeeze stemming from conflict on the other side of the world. &nbsp;
Annual headline inflation surged to 4.6% in March, up from 3.7% in February. &nbsp;
It's the country's highest inflation rate since September 2023, when the economy was bouncing back after Covid.&nbsp;
Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that New Zealand’s inflation is unlikely to reach the same peaks.&nbsp;
He says New Zealand economists are predicting a peak of around the mid-4s, whereas Australia’s are expecting it to go well over 5%.&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

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on Australia's inflation surging to 4.6%

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c9b0ed6f-08a5-4f42-8572-b43c0009af92/transcript

LIV Golf’s financial backer is pulling its funding after the current season.  

Plays and staff will reportedly find out the decision today to axe the funding by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. 

It’s reportedly cost PIF over US$5 billion to operate the series so far. 

NZ Open Tournament Director Michael Glading told Ryan Bridge that the model was flawed from the get-go – you can’t just create teams out of nowhere. 

He says if something sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.  

LISTEN ABOVE  

LIV Golf’s financial backer is pulling its funding after the current season. &nbsp;
Plays and staff will reportedly find out the decision today to axe the funding by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.&nbsp;
It’s reportedly cost PIF over US$5 billion to operate the series so far.&nbsp;
NZ Open Tournament Director Michael Glading told Ryan Bridge that the model was flawed from the get-go – you can’t just create teams out of nowhere.&nbsp;
He says if something sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Michael Glading: NZ Open Tournament Director on Saudi Arabia's PIF pulling funding from the LIV Golf Tournament

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c9fa8dc8-552d-46ff-b558-b43c01891398/transcript

There's a suggestion better quality visa applications are coming through, with more than nine in ten applicants being approved. 

Data released to Newstalk ZB shows just over 65 thousand applications were declined in 2025 – down from over 83 thousand in 2024. 

Last year's rejection rate was about 6.3%, compared to 7.3% for the two years before. 

Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar told Ryan Bridge there've been several changes in visa settings in the last few years. 

She says people are also starting to understand how Immigration New Zealand's approaching decisions and are more prepared. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

There's a suggestion better quality visa applications are coming through, with more than nine in ten applicants being approved.&nbsp;
Data released to Newstalk ZB shows just over 65 thousand applications were declined in 2025 – down from over 83 thousand in 2024.&nbsp;
Last year's rejection rate was about 6.3%, compared to 7.3% for the two years before.&nbsp;
Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar told Ryan Bridge there've been several changes in visa settings in the last few years.&nbsp;
She says people are also starting to understand how Immigration New Zealand's approaching decisions and are more prepared.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Pooja Sundar: Immigration Lawyer on the number of visa rejections dropping to a post-Covid low

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d40b9835-fed1-456a-b9f4-b43c01860daa/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 1st of May 2026, still no answers for Mount Maunganui businesses following a council meeting on when the Mount will reopen, Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig tells Ryan what happened during the meeting. 

Saudi Arabia's pulling funding for the Liv Golf tour from next season, New Zealand open tournament Director Michael Glading shares his thoughts. 
 
New Zealand's rejecting fewer Visa applications with the number now at a post-covid low, immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar tells Ryan what impact this is having. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest King Charles and Camilla's state trip wrapping up and Keir Starmer's address following the Golders Green attack on the Jewish community. 

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 1st of May 2026, still no answers for Mount Maunganui businesses following a council meeting on when the Mount will reopen, Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig tells Ryan what happened during the meeting.&nbsp;
Saudi Arabia's pulling funding for the Liv Golf tour from next season, New Zealand open tournament Director Michael Glading shares his thoughts.&nbsp; &nbsp; New Zealand's rejecting fewer Visa applications with the number now at a post-covid low, immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar tells Ryan what impact this is having.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest King Charles and Camilla's state trip wrapping up and Keir Starmer's address following the Golders Green attack on the Jewish community.&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: 01 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c7ea0a79-6a1d-4884-8661-b43c012bac61/transcript

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on Australia's inflation surging to 4.6%

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips