A major bank believes unemployment will remain fairly flat this year, rather than anything catastrophic.

The national rate dipped slightly to 5.3 percent in the first three months of this year.

ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge says he's not overly pessimistic about the next couple of quarters.

But he cautions the next few months are really the danger zone as businesses hunker down and defer some decisions.

Youth unemployment is up from 13.3 to 14.4 percent.

A major bank believes unemployment will remain fairly flat this year, rather than anything catastrophic.
The national rate dipped slightly to 5.3 percent in the first three months of this year.
ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge says he's not overly pessimistic about the next couple of quarters.
But he cautions the next few months are really the danger zone as businesses hunker down and defer some decisions.
Youth unemployment is up from 13.3 to 14.4 percent.

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 Tuffley: ASB chief economist on the unemployment rate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/60c65a80-a609-466c-9218-b442012b14fc/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

The Government's plans to introduce a citizenship test is being labelled as a waste of taxpayer money. 

Applicants would have to answer 20 questions on our history, politics and laws, and get 15 correct to pass.  

The test will be imposed for people seeking New Zealand citizenship from late next year.   

New Zealand Immigration Law Principal Lawyer Aaron Martin told Ryan Bridge the Coalition's just trying to make itself look good ahead of the election. 

He says we've got bigger problems that need to be addressed, rather than a pop quiz in a citizenship test. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

The Government's plans to introduce a citizenship test is being labelled as a waste of taxpayer money.&nbsp;
Applicants would have to answer 20 questions on our history, politics and laws, and get 15 correct to pass. &nbsp;
The test will be imposed for people seeking New Zealand citizenship from late next year. &nbsp;&nbsp;
New Zealand Immigration Law Principal Lawyer Aaron Martin told Ryan Bridge the Coalition's just trying to make itself look good ahead of the election.&nbsp;
He says we've got bigger problems that need to be addressed, rather than a pop quiz in a citizenship test.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Aaron Martin: NZ Immigration Law Principal Lawyer on the Government's plan to introduce a citizenship test

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/adb4d447-5742-4f39-b6b1-b442017f8e20/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, unemployment’s slightly dipped to 5.3%, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts. 

The Government's introducing a new citizenship test for those looking to become Kiwis, Principal lawyer at NZ Immigration Law tells Ryan how big of a difference this will make. 

The Government’s pulling the pin on the Broadcasting Standards Authority, ACT MP Laura McClure tells Ryan why she thinks this is a good idea. 

Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the Iran war edging closer to an end, and a number of state primary elections were held in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio overnight.

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 2026, unemployment’s slightly dipped to 5.3%, ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
The Government's introducing a new citizenship test for those looking to become Kiwis, Principal lawyer at NZ Immigration Law tells Ryan how big of a difference this will make.&nbsp;
The Government’s pulling the pin on the Broadcasting Standards Authority, ACT MP Laura McClure tells Ryan why she thinks this is a good idea.&nbsp;
Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the Iran war edging closer to an end, and a number of state primary elections were held in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio overnight.
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: 07 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fbe12488-a2f4-41fc-b0fd-b442012ba217/transcript

Nick Tuffley: ASB chief economist on the unemployment rate

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