Vicky Pryce: Business Correspondent on the upcoming UK Budget announcement, cost of living protests in Europe

The UK's new Chancellor is set to deliver his first Budget.  John Healey will set out Labour's tax and spending plans on October 28th, with tax increases possible.  Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce told Ryan Bridge there have been some hints about what the Budget will include, such as some redi…

Erica Stanford and Ginny Andersen: National and Labour's Education Spokespeople on curriculums, fundamentals, learning support

There's potential for National and Labour to find common ground on education, despite disagreement over curriculum reforms.  National's Erica Stanford told Ryan Bridge she tried to engage Labour while NCEA changes were being drafted, but to no avail.  She says a recent meeting with Ginny Andersen…

Oliver Hartwich: NZ Initiative Executive Director on ACT's policy manifesto

Most voters have not realised how difficult New Zealand's fiscal predicament is, says a think tank boss.  New Zealand Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich said the ACT Party's manifesto shows it is the "most radical" about getting government spending to 2017 levels.  Released yesterday, …

Ryan Bridge: Will the US midterms matter more to Kiwis than our own election?

Odds are on we'll get another hike to the OCR tomorrow.  That'll take us to 3%.  Markets are pricing the chance of that hike happening at about 85%.  It's not great timing for a Coalition government trying to get elected when cost of living is the number one issue.  But that's obviously not som…

Full Show Podcast: 27 October 2026

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Education Minister Erica Stanford and Labour's Education spokesperson Ginny Anderson join Ryan for an election special discussing schools, children and education policy. Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the forthcomi…

Bill Geradts: Armageddon Expo Organiser on this year's Auckland event

The country's biggest pop culture extravaganza Armageddon starts in Auckland today.   Around 50 thousand sci-fi, anime, fantasy, and gaming fans are expected to flock to Auckland Showgrounds this weekend.   It's filled with more than 400 exhibitors, including a reunion of the Supernatural cast, a…

Francesca Rudkin: Why are charter schools vilified?

Education Minister Erica Stanford’s education overhaul has been impressive this government term. We’re seeing improvements in primary school student achievement, the NCEA qualification is not long for this world, and how good is it to have cellphones out of the classroom? But for all the changes, …

Full Show Podcast: 23 October 2026

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 23 October. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Barbara Edmonds: Labour's Finance Spokesperson on CPI falling to 3.7%

Inflation's eased up slightly - but it's also become more persistent and widespread. The official inflation rate has fallen in the past three months - from 4.1 percent to 3.7 percent - due to a brief fall in fuel prices. But underlying core inflation has been rising and more items are increasing …

Andrew Alderson: Newstalk ZB Sports Reader ahead of the Indian cricket tour

The Indian cricket tour begins tonight with a T20 against New Zealand at a sold-out Hagley Oval in Christchurch.  The sides last met in March's World Cup final at Ahmedabad, won by the then-hosts.  However, the start times for this tour seem to be an issue, as an 8pm start means the games won't b…