The US is bracing for protests, regardless of who wins today's election. The race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is expected to go down to the wire, with the final result being determined by key battleground states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Washington DC is installing reinforced fencing in the Capitol, over fears of protests if …

Trying to control kid criminals – you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. This week, a document from children's minister Karen Chhour on the subject was leaked. It says giving military-style boot camp providers the power to use force in extreme circumstances would be controversial. Well, of course it would. But what are you meant to do? L…

New data out this morning is expected to show the job market has caught up with the economy. Stats NZ is releasing the latest unemployment rate at 10.45. Economists believe it will rise from 4.6% in the June quarter to about 5% in the September quarter. ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge that until now, employment has been holding up…

Claims of voter fraud are already hanging over the US election as millions of Americans head to the polls. Almost a third of eligible voters have cast an early ballot. Experts say the result could go either way, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris still neck-and-neck in the key battleground states. FSN Correspondent Nick Harper told Ryan Bridge the…

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 6th of November, it's Election Day in the United States. We're live to New York with the Democrat's Former Treasurer Bill Derrough, to get his thoughts ahead of the polls closing tonight. Nick Harper joins us live from Washington D.C. where Kamala Harris will be holding her elect…

Principals are welcoming a new method for bringing students’ failing maths back up to standard. The Government's announced a trial programme over the first two terms of next year, for about 2000 Year 7 and 8 students behind in maths learning. It will use small-group tutoring and supervised online tuition for 30 minutes, up to four times a week. Auc…

Homeownership continues to be the dream for most Kiwis, but a growing number of us think we'll never achieve it. Kiwibank's latest State of Home Ownership Report has found 85% of people want to own a home, with most believing it's the key to getting ahead. But over two-thirds of non-homeowners doubt they'll ever own a home, with millennials particu…

Get out your fascinators and place your bets: it's Melbourne Cup Day. The 164th running of the Melbourne Cup begins about 5pm. Donna Demaio is Newstalk ZB's Melbourne Cup correspondent at Flemington. She told Ryan Bridge there are 24 horses in the final field for this year's big race. They include three trained in New Zealand: 'Trusting You', 'Posi…

America is heading to the polls as a nation deeply divided down partisan lines. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are making their final pitch to voters on the eve of election day, with latest polling showing the pair remain locked in a tight race. Harris has strong support from women voters, while Trump has been gaining ground with Hispanic voters, e…

The Youth Court is a good idea because it tries to steer kids away from adult prisons and a life of crime. But when it fails, it fails spectacularly, and we all pay the price for leniency. Take teenager Dontae Eden. When he was 16, he bashed a 78-year-old man nearly to death while the old guy slept in his bed. A Youth Court judge gave him a warning…

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 5th of November, it's Election Eve in the United States, so what's happening in the critical swing states, and has a new poll put Iowa back in play? Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan joined live from the swing state of North Carolina. New government maths tutoring is o…

Of course, Donald Trump is going to win the US election, of course he is. I've been saying that since July on this programme, not that anyone will listen to me. He would have also whipped Biden like a bottle of cream. Too many Americans are hurting with the cost of living, and that's all the motivation you need really to get out and vote, isn't it?…

From today, Police are dialling back the number of mental health callouts they will attend. Phase One of the reduced service will see Police complete faster handovers in the Emergency Department. Transport requests and attendance at mental health facilities will need to meet a higher threshold. Four phases are set to be implemented by September nex…

Angry crowds of people have confronted Spanish King Felipe VI in Valencia, a town that has been severely affected by flash floods. A hostile crowd threw mud at him and shouted “murderer”, in response to what they say has been a woeful response to the tragedy that has killed at least 210. UK & Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan Bridge many a…

The Black Caps took out an unprecedented clean sweep in India, Liam Lawson races in the Sao Paulo F1 and the All Blacks scraped by with a tight result in Twickenham. Newstalk ZB Sportsreader Andrew Alderson joins Ryan Bridge to recap the weekend’s packed sporting schedule. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

A new report shows the eye-watering social, economic and fiscal costs of the current approach to dental healthcare in New Zealand. Current dental policy settings cost $2.5 billion in lost productivity. Further costs are incurred through sick days, inpatient care, and cardiovascular disease, prompting calls for universal dental care. ActionStation c…

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 4th of November. Phase one of police reducing their presence at mental health callouts starts today - is the healthcare system ready? Associate Professor in Mental Health nursing Anthony O'Brien joins the show. A new report says our current dental system is costing us more than …

The All Blacks are switching it up this weekend as they face England. The squad named to play at Twickenham is largely different to the one that played Japan, with only three players keeping their role. Beauden Barrett will start at first five-eighth against England, taking over from Damian McKenzie who’s previously worn the number 10 jersey. Rugby…

Another treatment to help people to manage the symptoms of menopause is available from today. Estrogel will now be available for those requiring oestrogen to meet rising demand for hormone replacement therapy. The other funded patch option is in global short supply. Menopause specialist Dr Linda Dear says Estrogel will make a massive difference for…

Communities in Eastern Spain have been devastated by flooding that's killed at least 158 people. Rescuers are now searching for bodies. The Valencia region has been the hardest hit, with widespread destruction to roads and railways. Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge there were some warnings about strong rainfall. But, he says, …

A free trade deal with the Middle East countries belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council has come at the right time for exporters. The FTA's expected to provide a sizable boost to the annual $3 billion of two-way trade. If treated as one country, all six countries —including Saudi Arabia and the UAE— would be New Zealand's seventh-largest export …

You can't say you care about and want to hear from people with so-called 'lived experience' and then dismiss them when you don't like what they say. Everyone knows he doesn't have a PHD in mental health studies. Settle down, Sally. He looked to me to simply be riffing his opinion. So what? Props to the Mental Health Foundation and the Minister who'…

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 1st of November, a new trade deal has been struck between New Zealand and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council - what does it mean for our exporters, and how hard would negotiations have been? Former NZ trade negotiator Charles Finny speaks to Ryan. A new look All Blacks team are…

Another season of sport, another season of sideline abuse. Police are investigating a serious assault made on a female football coach in September. The Ellerslie FC volunteer was attacked by a male supporter of the opposing team following an under-10s game. Northern Region Football CEO Laura Menzies told Ryan Bridge a sideline attack is an absolute…

What could have been a win for the Democrats has become a bit of a storm in a teacup. The Trump campaign received a huge amount of backlash after a comedian suggested that Puerto Rico is a floating island of garbage. Joe Biden responded to the comments on a Zoom, saying that Puerto Ricans are good, decent, honourable people, and the only garbage he…

The latest estimate from the Social Development Ministry shows the average time people spend on a main benefit is around 13 years and four months. For people under the age of 25, that figure jumps to more than 20 years. Time spent on main benefits is 26% higher than in 2016, following a sustained period of increases under Labour. Labour's Social De…

A sustainable method of producing jet-fuel could be on the horizon for New Zealand air carriers. A study commissioned by Air New Zealand found it's possible to create jet fuel out of forestry industry waste like sawdust, slash, and offcuts. Through chemical processes, the waste is turned into ethanol and then kerosene. Air New Zealand's Kiri Hannif…

I'm getting really angry reading these stories about violence in New Zealand, and I don't think that harsher sentences are going to stop them. I don't think that the gang patch ban is going to stop them, I don't think that wraparound services are going to stop them either. I'm talking here about Palmerston North's emergency Department yesterday, da…

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 31st of October, a Ministry of Social Development report has highlighted how long young people spend on the benefit. It found people spend an average of 13 years on the benefit - 26% higher than estimates from eight years ago. Labour's Carmel Sepuloni joins the show to discuss. Co…

There's hopes rural communities will be considered before changes are made to NZ Post's services. Options include dropping to delivering two days a week in urban areas, instead of three, and going from five times a week in rural areas down to three. Additionally, postal outlets will be reduced from 880 to 500. Rural Women CEO Marie Fitzpatrick says…

The Education Review Office has found the system for addressing school absence is failing, with chronic absence doubling in the last decade. In Term 2 this year, one in ten students was chronically absent, with more than 80 thousand missing more than three weeks of the term. Since 2015, chronic absence has doubled in secondary schools and almost tr…

The UK teenager accused of killing three young girls at a children's dance event will appear in court tomorrow, now on a terrorism charge. England's Merseyside Police yesterday announced they'd discovered a bio-toxin and al Qaeda documents in the 18 year old's home following the July mass-stabbing. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge it's …

There’s assurance the Government's proposed building consents scheme, allowing tradespeople to self-certify, is safe. Businesses with a track record of delivering bigger projects will be able to access streamlined consenting. Qualified tradespeople will be able to forego inspections for low risk builds through the opt in 'self-certification scheme'…

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 30th October, there are more changes to our building and construction sector. The Government wants to allow builders and plumbers to self-certify their work to cut back on council inspections. Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace joins the show to discuss. The Education R…

Newstalk ZB Sports Reporter Andrew Alderson joined Ryan Bridge to wrap the weekend's sporting events. On today's agenda: The Black Caps claimed a history-making win over India, beating the hosts on their home turf. The Silver Ferns claimed the Constellation Cup, beating Australia 61-43 in the third test of the series. Liam Lawson's behaviour at the…

The iconic Kiwi corner dairy is believed to be becoming a rarer sight. The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment notes there are more than 1,700 businesses currently registered as dairies or superettes, less than Retail NZ's 2018 count of around 4,000. Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johnson told Ryan Bridge a number of dairies have clo…

An Australian woman's been found alive, after going missing in New South Wales' Snowy Mountains for nearly two weeks. A multi-agency search started for Lovisa Sjoberg when authorities discovered her hire car had not moved for six days. The 48-year-old was found injured and dehydrated by officials on Sunday. Australian Correspondent, Donna Demaio to…

The Government's received advice on how Kiwibank can better compete with the large Australian-owned banks. It's in response to the Commerce Commission market study on personal banking. Documents released under the Official Information Act show Treasury wants to look at exploring use of private capital, including an Initial Public Offering. Massey U…

The road toll is sitting at zero for the long weekend. Six people died last Labour Weekend, which is a tragedy. The road toll is the lowest Labour Weekend toll since 2013, when we had one death on the roads. Why do we think this has happened this particular weekend? Is it the Road to Zero that the previous government introduced? Is it the fact we'v…

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 29th of October, Treasury has put three options on the table to raise Kiwibank's capital and make it a stronger competitor against the big banks. Massey University Banking Expert David Tripe talks through the options with Ryan. They're a Kiwi staple, but the number of dairies acros…

Here we go again, everybody. They’re planning to build yet more houses on land that we know is partial to flooding. This time, it's the Coalition Government, with three housing projects on its fast-track list in Auckland and Canterbury. In 2022 it was Labour, they had 700 homes on their fast-track list that were prone to flooding. You might think, …

There's fresh information for prostate cancer patients and their doctors to consider when making treatment decisions. A UK study has found those treated with a highly targeted type of radiotherapy appear to have fewer problems with two major side effects, compared with those who have surgery. Auckland Radiation Oncologist Associate Professor Giusep…

The issue of the Manawanui sinking is hanging over the Prime Minister as he attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Christopher Luxon met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last night, and will meet with King Charles and other leaders today. He says it's too early to talk about whether Samoa will get any financial compensatio…

The Government's meeting with Police and transport officials today over Wednesday's fatal stabbing in Auckland. Police are expected to lay charges against a 37-year-old man who handed himself in to North Shore Police Station yesterday afternoon. It came after a woman was fatally stabbed on a bus in Onehunga on Wednesday in a seemingly random attack…

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 25th of October, there are concerns about safety on public transport following the fatal stabbing of a woman on a bus in Onehunga. Transport Minister Simeon Brown joins the show to discuss the situation. A new UK prostate cancer trial is looking good for patients - it aims to reduce…

Donald Trump is coming under fire for alleged comments he made about Adolf Hitler. In an interview with the New York Times, Trump's former Chief of Staff, John F. Kelly claims the former president said that Hitler did some good things. US correspondent Sally Patterson told Ryan Bridge the Republican presidential nominee allegedly praised Hitler on …

The primary teachers’ union says there are other matters which should come before improvements to the measuring of student performance. An Auditor-General report says there's a gap in the Ministry of Education's information on student performance before NCEA level. It recommends better collection of progress reports on primary and intermediate stud…

An ambulance union says the Government's made the right call in increasing funding by 6% for Hato Hone St John. It's putting an additional $21 million into the ambulance service, increasing the overall funding to nearly $357 million. Ambulance Association Secretary Mark Quin told Ryan Bridge that it hasn’t resolved the issues of pay parity, but it’…

A bit of life is coming back into the property market, but investors think the best is yet to come. The CoreLogic October Housing report has found almost a quarter of the properties bought were by people who own multiple properties. The Property Investors Federation says there should be a pickup mid next year as mortgage rates continue to fall. Adv…

Yesterday, a driver and fellow passengers all witnessed a stabbing take place, and the person died. This is 2:30 in the afternoon on a bus in suburban Auckland, and someone is allegedly stabbed to death. There's been beatings of passengers and drivers, I don't have to explain this, you've seen the headlines. The problem of driver safety seems to on…