There's a suggestion better quality visa applications are coming through, with more than nine in ten applicants being approved. 

Data released to Newstalk ZB shows just over 65 thousand applications were declined in 2025 – down from over 83 thousand in 2024. 

Last year's rejection rate was about 6.3%, compared to 7.3% for the two years before. 

Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar told Ryan Bridge there've been several changes in visa settings in the last few years. 

She says people are also starting to understand how Immigration New Zealand's approaching decisions and are more prepared. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

There's a suggestion better quality visa applications are coming through, with more than nine in ten applicants being approved.&nbsp;
Data released to Newstalk ZB shows just over 65 thousand applications were declined in 2025 – down from over 83 thousand in 2024.&nbsp;
Last year's rejection rate was about 6.3%, compared to 7.3% for the two years before.&nbsp;
Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar told Ryan Bridge there've been several changes in visa settings in the last few years.&nbsp;
She says people are also starting to understand how Immigration New Zealand's approaching decisions and are more prepared.&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

Pooja Sundar: Immigration Lawyer on the number of visa rejections dropping to a post-Covid low

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d40b9835-fed1-456a-b9f4-b43c01860daa/transcript

LIV Golf’s financial backer is pulling its funding after the current season.  

Plays and staff will reportedly find out the decision today to axe the funding by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. 

It’s reportedly cost PIF over US$5 billion to operate the series so far. 

NZ Open Tournament Director Michael Glading told Ryan Bridge that the model was flawed from the get-go – you can’t just create teams out of nowhere. 

He says if something sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.  

LISTEN ABOVE  

LIV Golf’s financial backer is pulling its funding after the current season. &nbsp;
Plays and staff will reportedly find out the decision today to axe the funding by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.&nbsp;
It’s reportedly cost PIF over US$5 billion to operate the series so far.&nbsp;
NZ Open Tournament Director Michael Glading told Ryan Bridge that the model was flawed from the get-go – you can’t just create teams out of nowhere.&nbsp;
He says if something sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Michael Glading: NZ Open Tournament Director on Saudi Arabia's PIF pulling funding from the LIV Golf Tournament

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c9fa8dc8-552d-46ff-b558-b43c01891398/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 1st of May 2026, still no answers for Mount Maunganui businesses following a council meeting on when the Mount will reopen, Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig tells Ryan what happened during the meeting. 

Saudi Arabia's pulling funding for the Liv Golf tour from next season, New Zealand open tournament Director Michael Glading shares his thoughts. 
 
New Zealand's rejecting fewer Visa applications with the number now at a post-covid low, immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar tells Ryan what impact this is having. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest King Charles and Camilla's state trip wrapping up and Keir Starmer's address following the Golders Green attack on the Jewish community. 

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 1st of May 2026, still no answers for Mount Maunganui businesses following a council meeting on when the Mount will reopen, Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig tells Ryan what happened during the meeting.&nbsp;
Saudi Arabia's pulling funding for the Liv Golf tour from next season, New Zealand open tournament Director Michael Glading shares his thoughts.&nbsp; &nbsp; New Zealand's rejecting fewer Visa applications with the number now at a post-covid low, immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar tells Ryan what impact this is having.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest King Charles and Camilla's state trip wrapping up and Keir Starmer's address following the Golders Green attack on the Jewish community.&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: 01 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c7ea0a79-6a1d-4884-8661-b43c012bac61/transcript

Mount Maunganui businesses are frustrated at a perceived lack of progress in reopening the mount.  

Hundreds of residents went to a community meeting last night with council and local MPs.  

Mauao's been closed to the public since the landslide which killed six holiday makers nearly 100 days ago.  

Mount Maunganui Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig told Ryan Bridge reduced tourist numbers are really tough for businesses. 

She says many are worried they won't be able to survive the winter months. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Mount Maunganui businesses are frustrated at a perceived lack of progress in reopening the mount. &nbsp;
Hundreds of residents went to a community meeting last night with council and local MPs. &nbsp;
Mauao's been closed to the public since the landslide which killed six holiday makers nearly 100 days ago. &nbsp;
Mount Maunganui Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig told Ryan Bridge reduced tourist numbers are really tough for businesses.&nbsp;
She says many are worried they won't be able to survive the winter months.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Michelle Craig: Mount Maunganui Beach Hut Cafe owner on community council meeting

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/400f2267-cb95-465f-9c4d-b43c012b0836/transcript

Pooja Sundar: Immigration Lawyer on the number of visa rejections dropping to a post-Covid low

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