There's support for continued fuel relief, with motorists still sensitive to price rises.

The Government's extending the in-work tax credit, higher mileage rates for health workers and eligible patients, and reimbursements for relievers.

That's despite average pump prices staying below $3 for four weeks.

Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham told Ryan Bridge people change their behaviour once prices climb above that mark.

He says people top up rather than fill their tank – likely a sign of them managing household budgets.

LISTEN ABOVE

There's support for continued fuel relief, with motorists still sensitive to price rises.
The Government's extending the in-work tax credit, higher mileage rates for health workers and eligible patients, and reimbursements for relievers.
That's despite average pump prices staying below $3 for four weeks.
Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham told Ryan Bridge people change their behaviour once prices climb above that mark.
He says people top up rather than fill their tank – likely a sign of them managing household budgets.
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

Simon Parham: Waitomo Group CEO on the government extending fuel relief

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/70317e32-1259-45a3-a617-b49b012bcd1a/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, The Government's keeping the extra $50 fuel relief for now, Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham shares his thoughts on where we're at with fuel prices. 

Centrix's consumer credit shows arrears are at the lowest level since 2021, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie tells Ryan why we're seeing a shift.

New home consents have topped 40,000 for the first time in three years; Combined Building Supplies Co-operative CEO Carl Taylor shares his thoughts. 

Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on One Nation leader Pauline Hanson banning certain media from her press conference unveiling the party's candidates for VICTORIAN election and a former professional rugby player gives evidence at the Federal inquiry into new gambling ad laws.

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, The Government's keeping the extra $50 fuel relief for now, Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham shares his thoughts on where we're at with fuel prices.&nbsp;
Centrix's consumer credit shows arrears are at the lowest level since 2021, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie tells Ryan why we're seeing a shift.
New home consents have topped 40,000 for the first time in three years; Combined Building Supplies Co-operative CEO Carl Taylor shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on One Nation leader Pauline Hanson banning certain media from her press conference unveiling the party's candidates for VICTORIAN election and a former professional rugby player gives evidence at the Federal inquiry into new gambling ad laws.
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: 04 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/00cce8f8-3aad-44e3-99ee-b49b012abecd/transcript

The battle for the right and centre-right vote is the most interesting thing about the Election. 

Because it's the battle that will determine who wears the pants in the next Government. 

I'm still of the view that the Coalition will be re-elected. The make-up of the cabinet is what they're now fighting for. 

That's why over the past week we've seen the biggest dust ups between the three parties currently sitting on the Treasury benches. 

When was the last time you heard anything from or about the Māori Party? The left's been fascinated by TOP. 

In some ways this a function of the media oxygen. Fighting, albeit with gloves on, between coalition partners is newsworthy. 

Punch too hard and the thing could collapse before making through the next 90-odd days.

Punch too soft and you might not make it out the other side of November 7th. 

The right is battling for the same group of voters. 

Luxon ruling out TOP was an attempt to pull some formerly blue votes back to the mothership. But their polling is still at a point where they would lose some big names —Goldsmith, Bishop— if things don't turn around. 

The fundamentals, i.e. the economy and how people feel about it, won't change dramatically in the next few months, so this is now a battle of wills. 

Who has the stamina and discipline not to blow it and go of course on the campaign?

Will the Nats pull a Hail Mary-Jacinda move and roll Luxon, for fear his foot-in-mouth disease strikes again and they lose even more of the soft centre? 

The battle for the right and centre-right vote is the most interesting thing about the Election.&nbsp;
Because it's the battle that will determine who wears the pants in the next Government.&nbsp;
I'm still of the view that the Coalition will be re-elected. The make-up of the cabinet is what they're now fighting for.&nbsp;
That's why over the past week we've seen the biggest dust ups between the three parties currently sitting on the Treasury benches.&nbsp;
When was the last time you heard anything from or about the Māori Party? The left's been fascinated by TOP.&nbsp;
In some ways this a function of the media oxygen. Fighting, albeit with gloves on, between coalition partners is newsworthy.&nbsp;
Punch too hard and the thing could collapse before making through the next 90-odd days.
Punch too soft and you might not make it out the other side of November 7th.&nbsp;
The right is battling for the same group of voters.&nbsp;
Luxon ruling out TOP was an attempt to pull some formerly blue votes back to the mothership. But their polling is still at a point where they would lose some big names —Goldsmith, Bishop— if things don't turn around.&nbsp;
The fundamentals, i.e. the economy and how people feel about it, won't change dramatically in the next few months, so this is now a battle of wills.&nbsp;
Who has the stamina and discipline not to blow it and go of course on the campaign?
Will the Nats pull a Hail Mary-Jacinda move and roll Luxon, for fear his foot-in-mouth disease strikes again and they lose even more of the soft centre?&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Is it too late for the Nats to roll Luxon?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b84492d3-a46f-4bb1-a4ce-b49b012aedd3/transcript

Two people have died after their helicopters collided in mid-air, while fighting wildfires west of Athens in Greece. 

A British pilot and Greek fire service liaison officer survived the crash and have been taken to hospital. 

Greece is among many parts of Europe suffering devastating wildfires after a summer of extreme heat. 

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that so much of the continent is trying to help one another, with French and Romanian personnel also assisting their Greek counterparts.

LISTEN ABOVE

Two people have died after their helicopters collided in mid-air, while fighting wildfires west of Athens in Greece.&nbsp;
A British pilot and Greek fire service liaison officer survived the crash and have been taken to hospital.&nbsp;
Greece is among many parts of Europe suffering devastating wildfires after a summer of extreme heat.&nbsp;
UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge that so much of the continent is trying to help one another, with French and Romanian personnel also assisting their Greek counterparts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent gives updates on European wildfires

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/778d081f-d1a5-4558-9e18-b49a013df2c8/transcript

Simon Parham: Waitomo Group CEO on the government extending fuel relief

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