New Zealand's migration figures are above pre-pandemic levels. 

There was a net gain of 96,200 people in the year to July, with 135,000 non-citizens arriving, and 39,400 New Zealanders leaving. 

Demographer Paul Spoonley says the Productivity Commission says we need to align the number of immigrants with the infrastructure and services we can provide. 

He says we're back in high annual population growth rates but with the same problem we've had for 10 or 20 years: an inability to keep up.

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand's migration figures are above pre-pandemic levels.  
There was a net gain of 96,200 people in the year to July, with 135,000 non-citizens arriving, and 39,400 New Zealanders leaving.  
Demographer Paul Spoonley says the Productivity Commission says we need to align the number of immigrants with the infrastructure and services we can provide.  
He says we're back in high annual population growth rates but with the same problem we've had for 10 or 20 years: an inability to keep up. 
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

Paul Spoonley: Demographer on the record high net migration rates

It was a weekend of big events. A wedding, a funeral, and a milestone birthday.

Congratulations, in that order, to America on its 250th anniversary, to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on their wedding, to those Iranians who suffered under the Ayatollah's rule, and to the All Blacks for beating France.

America's birthday is worth pausing on. If you take 1840 as the beginning of New Zealand's democracy, and many do, then the United States isn't actually that much older than we are.

Donald Trump, in typical fashion, declared the Declaration of Independence the greatest achievement in human history. That's probably overstating it. But it doesn't mean the occasion itself should be dismissed.

For 250 years, despite civil war, political upheaval and countless crises, the United States has remained a democracy. It hasn't been perfect, no country is, but it has protected freedoms that much of the world still lacks.

The freedoms to vote, to protest, to assemble and to speak your mind are things many of us take for granted.

They're tested from time to time, but they endure. America remains one of the freest and most open societies in the world.

That's worth remembering because most people don't live that way. According to Freedom House, only about one in five people worldwide live in a genuinely free society. And that number has been falling for years as military coups, wars and authoritarian governments spread. Since 2019 alone, nine African nations have experienced successful military coups.

Freedom is easy to overlook when you've always had it. You only realise its value when it's threatened or taken away.

That's why 250 years of democratic government deserves recognition, even while acknowledging America's flaws.
The contrast was on display over the weekend.

In America, people celebrated a national milestone. Here in New Zealand, we celebrated an All Blacks win. And in Iran, crowds gathered to mourn the Ayatollah.

But perspective matters. For many Iranians, particularly those forced into exile or persecuted by the regime, his funeral wasn't a moment of grief. It was a moment of relief, even celebration.

Democracy gives us the freedom to see those differences clearly. It's a privilege billions of people still don't have.

LISTEN ABOVE

It was a weekend of big events. A wedding, a funeral, and a milestone birthday.
Congratulations, in that order, to America on its 250th anniversary, to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on their wedding, to those Iranians who suffered under the Ayatollah's rule, and to the All Blacks for beating France.
America's birthday is worth pausing on. If you take 1840 as the beginning of New Zealand's democracy, and many do, then the United States isn't actually that much older than we are.
Donald Trump, in typical fashion, declared the Declaration of Independence the greatest achievement in human history. That's probably overstating it. But it doesn't mean the occasion itself should be dismissed.
For 250 years, despite civil war, political upheaval and countless crises, the United States has remained a democracy. It hasn't been perfect, no country is, but it has protected freedoms that much of the world still lacks.
The freedoms to vote, to protest, to assemble and to speak your mind are things many of us take for granted.
They're tested from time to time, but they endure. America remains one of the freest and most open societies in the world.
That's worth remembering because most people don't live that way. According to Freedom House, only about one in five people worldwide live in a genuinely free society. And that number has been falling for years as military coups, wars and authoritarian governments spread. Since 2019 alone, nine African nations have experienced successful military coups.
Freedom is easy to overlook when you've always had it. You only realise its value when it's threatened or taken away.
That's why 250 years of democratic government deserves recognition, even while acknowledging America's flaws. The contrast was on display over the weekend.
In America, people celebrated a national milestone. Here in New Zealand, we celebrated an All Blacks win. And in Iran, crowds gathered to mourn the Ayatollah.
But perspective matters. For many Iranians, particularly those forced into exile or persecuted by the regime, his funeral wasn't a moment of grief. It was a moment of relief, even celebration.
Democracy gives us the freedom to see those differences clearly. It's a privilege billions of people still don't have.
LISTEN ABOVE

Ryan Bridge: Democracy is a privilege billions still don't have

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c2b27077-94a0-4b91-8fe3-b47e01415315/transcript

New Zealand's special agricultural envoy says the first steps have already been taken in securing new trade agreements. 

Chris Luxon's promising to attempt seven new deals in five years, if re-elected. 

These are Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association. 

Meat Industry Association Independent Chair Nathan Guy told Ryan Bridge Bangladesh is a very big dairy market - and he reckons it will be the first deal secured. 

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand's special agricultural envoy says the first steps have already been taken in securing new trade agreements.&nbsp;
Chris Luxon's promising to attempt seven new deals in five years, if re-elected.&nbsp;
These are Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association.&nbsp;
Meat Industry Association Independent Chair Nathan Guy told Ryan Bridge Bangladesh is a very big dairy market - and he reckons it will be the first deal secured.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Nathan Guy: Independent Chair of Meat Industry Association and Special Agriculture Envoy reacts to National's trade promises

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8c6185cd-adea-400b-91d1-b47e013f2bc8/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast, Monday, 6 July 2026, National outlines the trade deals it wants to strike in its second term. Meat Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy tells Ryan which country is at the top of his list.

Business correspondent Vicky Pryce, out of the UK, fills us in on the latest with Andy Burnham as his policy platform begins to take shape.

The All Blacks gave us a nail-biter on Saturday. Newstalk ZB sports reader Adam Cooper gives a post-match autopsy.

Plus, UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains why Prince Harry didn't invite his wife and kids on his UK visit.

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, Monday, 6 July 2026, National outlines the trade deals it wants to strike in its second term. Meat Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy tells Ryan which country is at the top of his list.
Business correspondent Vicky Pryce, out of the UK, fills us in on the latest with Andy Burnham as his policy platform begins to take shape.
The All Blacks gave us a nail-biter on Saturday. Newstalk ZB sports reader Adam Cooper gives a post-match autopsy.
Plus, UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains why Prince Harry didn't invite his wife and kids on his UK visit.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 06 July 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/56c0d6c0-639e-48bd-94e1-b47e012abdd8/transcript

Paul Spoonley: Demographer on the record high net migration rates

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