Movement in housing affordability could spell good news for first home buyers. 

Cotality NZ's Housing Affordability report for Quarter 4 2025 shows the national value-to-income ratio fell to 7.2. 

This is the lowest level since a brief period in 2019 and before that 2016

The Property Investors Federation's Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge it is still higher than the long-term national average of 6.8. 

He says the decrease is great for young people, but it would be better for it to come down even more. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Movement in housing affordability could spell good news for first home buyers.&nbsp;
Cotality NZ's Housing Affordability report for Quarter 4 2025 shows the national value-to-income ratio fell to 7.2.&nbsp;
This is the lowest level since a brief period in 2019 and before that 2016
The Property Investors Federation's Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge it is still higher than the long-term national average of 6.8.&nbsp;
He says the decrease is great for young people, but it would be better for it to come down even more.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

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

Matt Ball: Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager on house prices the most affordable they've been in a decade, outside of Covid

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8a864fa9-5d2a-4cee-9f1b-b409011b4a29/transcript

The Government's under pressure to act to ensure airlines can continue operating. 

Air New Zealand's raised fares due to rising jet fuel costs, increasing domestic fares by $10, short-haul fares by $20, and long-haul fares by $90. 

Air Chathams has also raised its standard fare by $20. 

Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge the Government could be playing a role in helping the industry out. 

He says they could focus on aviation and start working on things to support airlines should the conflict continue. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Government's under pressure to act to ensure airlines can continue operating.&nbsp;
Air New Zealand's raised fares due to rising jet fuel costs, increasing domestic fares by $10, short-haul fares by $20, and long-haul fares by $90.&nbsp;
Air Chathams has also raised its standard fare by $20.&nbsp;
Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge the Government could be playing a role in helping the industry out.&nbsp;
He says they could focus on aviation and start working on things to support airlines should the conflict continue.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Duane Emeny: Air Chathams CEO calls for government support as jet fuel prices rise

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e81b661f-0fd2-4e39-8581-b409016a729c/transcript

A lawyer who represented opponents of vaccine mandates says the real test of the Covid inquiry is whether the country learns from its mistakes. 

The second phase of the inquiry has found New Zealand's overall response was effective. 

But it's found some mandates lasted too long, and the Government didn’t always communicate well with Kiwis. 

Lawyer Matthew Hague told Ryan Bridge people don’t expect perfection if another pandemic hits, but decisions need careful reflection. 

He says one of the report's recommendations is the introduction of legislation to better protect human rights, and he thinks that's a good idea. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A lawyer who represented opponents of vaccine mandates says the real test of the Covid inquiry is whether the country learns from its mistakes.&nbsp;
The second phase of the inquiry has found New Zealand's overall response was effective.&nbsp;
But it's found some mandates lasted too long, and the Government didn’t always communicate well with Kiwis.&nbsp;
Lawyer Matthew Hague told Ryan Bridge people don’t expect perfection if another pandemic hits, but decisions need careful reflection.&nbsp;
He says one of the report's recommendations is the introduction of legislation to better protect human rights, and he thinks that's a good idea.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Matthew Hague: Lawyer who represented vaccine mandate opponents on the outcome of the Covid Inquiry

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ff365059-2b19-44ea-bf1e-b4090166995a/transcript

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11 March.

Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11 March. 
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 11 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/aec4206c-ce7b-4a89-bfa8-b409011a8e6e/transcript

Matt Ball: Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager on house prices the most affordable they've been in a decade, outside of Covid

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