City Rail Link cost concerns have uncovered a reoccurring issue with New Zealand infrastructure projects. 

The project's former boss Sean Sweeney has claimed the project could've cost half of its estimated $5.5 billion price.  

This sparked Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to announce a full review of the project after its open date later this year.   

Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett told Ryan Bridge we're not approaching projects right, from the start. 

He says we don't have the proper controls and take too long to plan, so things drag on. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

City Rail Link cost concerns have uncovered a reoccurring issue with New Zealand infrastructure projects.&nbsp;
The project's former boss Sean Sweeney has claimed the project could've cost half of its estimated $5.5 billion price. &nbsp;
This sparked Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to announce a full review of the project after its open date later this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett told Ryan Bridge we're not approaching projects right, from the start.&nbsp;
He says we don't have the proper controls and take too long to plan, so things drag on.&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

Nick Leggett: Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive on the Government announcing review into the CRL

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/daff65f8-4c62-464b-b30e-b443012ad823/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 8th of May 2026, a new OECD report's calling for the age of eligibility for NZ super to rise, Informetrics CEO, Brad Olsen shares his thoughts.

The Government's doing a review on why the CRL has cost so much, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett tells Ryan what we can do to prevent huge cost blow outs of future projects. 
 
It's about to get easier for tourism businesses to use conservation land, Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive Grant Webster tells Ryan how big of an impact this will have.

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on 

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 8th of May 2026, a new OECD report's calling for the age of eligibility for NZ super to rise, Informetrics CEO, Brad Olsen shares his thoughts.
The Government's doing a review on why the CRL has cost so much, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett tells Ryan what we can do to prevent huge cost blow outs of future projects.&nbsp; &nbsp; It's about to get easier for tourism businesses to use conservation land, Tourism Holdings Limited Chief Executive Grant Webster tells Ryan how big of an impact this will have.
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on&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: 08 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f0693722-a470-4672-b9b0-b443012b9f67/transcript

It's somewhat ironic the latest lecture we're getting an office of global boffins is headquartered in Paris. 

No offence to the French, but they're screaming out for lesson in basic economics.

They're debt-to-GDP ratio is 118%. They're debt is 60% above the EU limit. 

You're used to hearing about the Italians and the Greeks, but the French are up there with them. In the top three most indebted nations in the bloc. 

The country nearly fell over trying to cut back pension spending. They spend billions on stuff we'd consider 'nice-to-haves'. 

The OECD is a multi-nation group; it just happens to be based in Paris. 

It's been round since 1961.

But they've come up with a bunch of stuff they think we need to do. 

Including linking pensions to life expectancy. 

This is the same group that wanted us, a few years back, to tax property and shares!

They're also saying we should have quotas for women on company boards, which even Helen Clark doesn't think is a good idea. 

So, a lot of this should be taken with a grain of salt and is probably better shouted out the window of their offices in Paris. 

It's somewhat ironic the latest lecture we're getting an office of global boffins is headquartered in Paris.&nbsp;
No offence to the French, but they're screaming out for lesson in basic economics.
They're debt-to-GDP ratio is 118%. They're debt is 60% above the EU limit.&nbsp;
You're used to hearing about the Italians and the Greeks, but the French are up there with them. In the top three most indebted nations in the bloc.&nbsp;
The country nearly fell over trying to cut back pension spending. They spend billions on stuff we'd consider 'nice-to-haves'.&nbsp;
The OECD is a multi-nation group; it just happens to be based in Paris.&nbsp;
It's been round since 1961.
But they've come up with a bunch of stuff they think we need to do.&nbsp;
Including linking pensions to life expectancy.&nbsp;
This is the same group that wanted us, a few years back, to tax property and shares!
They're also saying we should have quotas for women on company boards, which even Helen Clark doesn't think is a good idea.&nbsp;
So, a lot of this should be taken with a grain of salt and is probably better shouted out the window of their offices in Paris.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: The OECD's report needs to be taken with a grain of salt

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/50077a59-ab7a-4c29-b0e9-b4430129edec/transcript

ACT's welcoming the death of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, but wants the Government to move quickly.  

Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the regulator will be disestablished, as it’s unfit for a modern media environment. 

Laura McClure says the decision's long overdue, and the Government needs to pass legislation.  

She told Ryan Bridge that it’s a huge win for freedom of speech in New Zealand. 

McClure says the BSA was the regulating body for mainstream media, but it doesn’t cover anything else, and young people in particular are consuming media everywhere, whether it’s online or on social media.  

LISTEN ABOVE  

ACT's welcoming the death of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, but wants the Government to move quickly. &nbsp;
Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the regulator will be disestablished, as it’s unfit for a modern media environment.&nbsp;
Laura McClure says the decision's long overdue, and the Government needs to pass legislation. &nbsp;
She told Ryan Bridge that it’s a huge win for freedom of speech in New Zealand.&nbsp;
McClure says the BSA was the regulating body for mainstream media, but it doesn’t cover anything else, and young people in particular are consuming media everywhere, whether it’s online or on social media. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Laura McClure: ACT MP on the axing of the Broadcasting Standards Authority

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6b485e33-6567-453d-874a-b44201861abb/transcript

Nick Leggett: Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive on the Government announcing review into the CRL

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