Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

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  Robyn Walker: Deloitte Tax Partner on Labour deciding not to change the rules about landlord interest deductibility 21.09.2026 3นาที

  A tax expert believes Labour's changed stance on interest deductibility makes complete sense.  Labour's confirmed it won't change the current Government's rules allowing landlords to deduct 100% of interest in tax returns.   It had previously criticised the policy as a tax cut for landlords, but Chris Hipkins believes their proposed Capital Gains Tax will address the issue.  Deloitte Tax Partner Robin Walker told Ryan Bridge changing the rules would just be deferring when interest deductions get made.  She says logically what would happen if deductions were denied is revenue from a capital gains tax would go much further down from what's forecast.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Aidan Donoghue: Victoria University Student Association President on the Fees Free scheme and the impact of ending it 21.09.2026 2นาที

  A student leader believes universities will hit a wall when it comes to funding without the Fees Free scheme.   Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds says despite supporting more than 300,000 students from 2018-2025, covering more than $2 billion in fees, it didn't meaningfully lift participation or provide a good return.   But Victoria University of Wellington Students Association president Aidan Donoghue told Ryan Bridge universities will have to change tack without the scheme.  He says they will have to ask for more government funding or require more from students.  Donoghue says fees have already increased 20% in three years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Cameron Bagrie: Independent economist on Kiwis relying more on credit cards 21.09.2026 3นาที

  There's a suggestion consumer spending is recovering, but essential costs are leaving less for the fun stuff. Kiwibank research reveals more than 71% of card transactions in August was on credit cards – the highest share since records began in 2002. A decade ago, credit cards made up less than half of card spending. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge power bills and rates are eating into disposable income. He says there's a structural shift underway, with more money going towards essential costs and less into the retail sector. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Ryan Bridge: It's obvious National and Labour are fighting for centre votes 21.09.2026 2นาที

  Labour has finally seen the light on interest deductibility.  That's where a landlord, like any other legitimate business in New Zealand, is able to deduct the expense of its capital borrowing, i.e. a mortgage, against taxable income.  After expenses, what's left over is taxed.  This is a genuine surprise to me. The word I'd been getting from some Labour MPs, and the industry, was that they would allow a 50% deduction rather than the current 100%.  Of course, the deduction has always made sense and arguments against made little.  "Housing shouldn't be a business because it's essential" has always been a bogus line. Food, electricity, and water are also essential. They're all free and able to deduct interest on their borrowing to own and build supermarkets, wind turbines, and treatment plants – whether publicly or privately owned.  There are two reasons for this:  Labour's capital gains tax revenue would have been hit by landlords claiming the deductions at point of sale, leaving a hole in their free GP budget.  It's also a play for the centre. They're dropping in the polls – the nine new taxes adverts are, I think, largely to blame.  Continuing landlord tax cuts (as they like to call them) is a play from the same political handbag as National's supermarket break-up.  Neither party's MPs like the move. They're Captain's calls. They're centre plays. But they don't, in their hearts, these MPs, like backing them.  On latest polling the legacy parties are scrapping for less than 60% of the vote, their lowest collective share on record.  National's trying to out-Labour Labour, and Labour's trying to out-National National.  The risk for both is that it only angers their base, who run screaming into the arms of Chlöe or David. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Full Show Podcast: 22 September 2026 21.09.2026 34นาที

  On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 22nd of September 2026, the Tertiary Education Minister says the taxpayer sent over $2 billion on the defunct fees free policy, VUWSA President Aidan Donoghue shares his thoughts.  More Kiwis are relying on our credit cards to pay for stuff as cost-of-living pressures bite, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie explains.   The Labour Party has announced it will not campaign on reintroducing a tax rule that would cost residential property investors, Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker shares her thoughts. Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on Anthony Albanese’s bid to get Australia onto the UN Security Council. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Kelly Seaburg: Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair on National's pre-school check policy, screen time limits 20.09.2026 4นาที

  An expert believes National's proposed pre-school check carries merit and is definitely worth exploring. The party says its early childhood policy will set clearer expectations for what children are checked on before school. If re-elected, National wants to end screen and device use in ECE and introduce a School Start Check before children transition to primary school.  Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it's good to see if children can manage basic things like getting dressed and going to the bathroom. She says the checks may help show if additional teaching strategies are required. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Arena Williams: Commerce and Consumer Affairs Spokesperson on tackling the supermarket duopoly 20.09.2026 3นาที

  Labour says it will tackle the supermarket duopoly in its first 100 days, if it forms the next government.  The party will force Foodstuffs and Woolworths to break their wholesale and retail arms up into separate businesses.  It says it will also crack down on big companies ripping people off - by making price gouging illegal.  Commerce and Consumer Affairs Spokesperson Arena Williams told Ryan Bridge the idea for a wholesale-retail split comes from the Commerce Commission's work.  She says National could have done this in 2025 - when Woolworths brought a credible plan to transition the industry to separate wholesalers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Ryan Bridge: Why is the state parenting our kids? 20.09.2026 1นาที

  There's thing happening with parents, responsibility and the state. Kids are wither misbehaving or not learning, parents are putting their hands up, and the state is having to regulate, what kids can and can't do. I was watching the news last night and a researcher was telling the story of an early childhood teacher. Teacher said parents had turned up with their toddler to class, handed over an Ipad with the kid, and said that the child would not eat any meals without being plugged into an Ipad. You can't tell me parents haven't heard screen time is bad news. Remember ECE is for kids who are three months to 5 years old. So, perhaps to offset what the kid is being allowed to do at home, National wants to ban screens in class for toddlers. In the UK, the state is now going after parents whose kids are behaving badly and turning into crooks. If your kid commits crimes, you could lose your benefit or be sent to prison or fined. So, we have the state basically saying that parents are not controlling their kids - either on screens or on the streets - and so steps in to parent for them. Or use doll out punishment to force them to parent properly. Which begs the question, what's happened to parenting?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Full Show Podcast: 21 September 2026 20.09.2026 34นาที

  On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 21st of September 2026, Labour Commerce and Consumer Affairs Spokesperson Arena Williams tells Ryan about Labour's policy to split the retail and wholesale arms of Woolworths and Foodstuffs. National's promising to ban screens at early childhood centres and tighten limits for years 1 to 3 at Primary school, Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg tells Ryan if this would help the learning needs of young children.  Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the UK Bank of England not changing interest rates while US Fed and ECB and Japan did raise and Canada becoming a possible associate membership of the EU, and EU banks urged to become possibly stronger to compete with the US. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the US and Denmark announcing a deal on Greenland's security, resolving a diplomatic dispute sparked by President Donald Trump's threats to seize it by force and UK parents could lose their benefits or face prison sentences for their children's crimes under reforms to the youth justice system.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Ankit Sharma: Master Builders CEO on the construction sector being a primary driver in GDP growth 17.09.2026 2นาที

  The GDP has grown as expected – rising 0.2% in the June quarter.  Construction was the biggest boost, up 2.7%, driven by more residential building projects.  It's the largest increase in construction activity since the June 2023 quarter.   Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma told Ryan Bridge they've been seeing steady signs of improvements in both business and consumer confidence, so it's good to see that confidence turning into real growth.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Andy England: Darfield High School Principal on Labour's plan to pause educational reforms, set up independent council 17.09.2026 3นาที

  A Canterbury principal likes the idea of taking politics out of curriculum decisions, but says it’ll be interesting to see whether that happens in practice.   If elected, Labour's promising a pause the Government's school curriculum overhaul, including delaying the replacement of NCEA by a year.  It also wants to establish an Independent Council for Curriculum and Assessment.  Darfield High School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge the proof will be in the pudding.  He says Labour is promising to make decisions guided by evidence rather than playing politics, but whether that does happen is up in the air.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Wattie Watson: Professional Firefighters' Union National Secretary calling for a clear-out of the FENZ board 17.09.2026 3นาที

  The Firefighters' Union says it's been warning the Government for years about problems at Fire and Emergency.  Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has lost confidence in the agency's CEO Kerry Gregory, accusing him of withholding information about a serious incident for a year.  The agency has also been referred to the Serious Fraud Office.  Professional Firefighters' Union National Secretary Wattie Watson told Ryan Bridge Gregory and the board need to go.  She says the union has been trying to get the Government's attention over the “dire” state of Fire and Emergency for years.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Full Show Podcast: 18 September 2026 17.09.2026 34นาที

  On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 18th of September 2026, construction was the biggest boost to GDP, Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma explains where the boom has come from.  Labour’s hitting the brakes on the NCEA curriculum overhaul, Darfield High School Principal tells Ryan about what teachers and parents are looking for.  Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has expressed no confidence in FENZ chief executive Kerry Gregory, NZPFU National Secretary Wattie Watson shares her thoughts.  Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on King Charles is hosting an AI summit, warning of ‘existential danger’ in the wrong hands and the Palace have hit back strongly on comments Princess Diana’s brother claims he made shortly after her death.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Ryan Bridge: Important things happening in the world and our pollies are fussing over the C-word 17.09.2026 1นาที

  What a week.   AI's going to kill us all – unless Putin gets there first. More drones and flare-ups from him, allegedly, in the skies above Europe.   Trump's pushing Carney into the arms of another lover in Ursula von der Leyen. It was all hugs and kisses in Strasbourg.   The Aussies are making big moves to cut immigration. Central bankers are hiking off the back of war and oil.   And here in New Zealand, we're dropping the C-bomb in Parliament again.   This time it was Debbie from the Māori Party.   Things got a bit out of hand.   While the world was busy dealing with important matters, like preserving humanity, Willie Jackson was defending Debbie's C-bomb.   Parliament's bouncer, The Sergeant-at-Arms, was called on to help kick him out of the House!   Wild times in the debating chamber.  The Sergent is rarely called on to bounce politicians because politicians normally take their punishment and leave. But Willie was having none of that.   The Sergeant, whose frankly baller job title is up there with the Usher of the Black Rod, was thankfully saved from getting his hands dirty.   He didn't need to bust out the Mace and start prodding the pollies with it. Jackson eventually left the Chamber. Parliament carried on.   As did the rest of the world, which was a bit busy on more important issues of the day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Catherine Beard: BusinessNZ Director of Advocacy on National's plan to split up Foodstuffs to drive competition 16.09.2026 4นาที

  Blowback from a business advocate on National's plan to break up Foodstuffs.   If elected, and if the Commerce Commission agrees, the party would separate Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square to create more competition.  But Foodstuffs warns there'd be significant implications and would affect more than 500 locally owned and operated stores.  Business NZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge threatening to split up private property is hugely alarming.   She says it sends a terrible signal to overseas investors – that the government could essentially take away business.  Beard also says there's a lack of evidence to suggest our food is more expensive than other countries.  She told Bridge that while food prices have gone up, they're no higher than Australia and the UK.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Cameron Bagrie: Economist expects the economy to improve with GDP expected to rise in Q2 16.09.2026 3นาที

  The economy is expected to keep improving as the year goes on.   Stats NZ is releasing GDP data for April-to-June later this morning.  Economists are expecting economic growth will come in between 0.1% and 0.3% for the quarter and between 2.2% and 2.4% for the year.  Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge we could soon get back to the growth we were seeing last year.  We says we took a detour in the June quarter because fuel prices got so expensive, but quarter three is suggesting a number up around 0.8% to 0.9%.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Kathan Parikh: NZ Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s pretzels franchise owner on bringing new brands to NZ 16.09.2026 4นาที

  Two classic American food brands are landing in New Zealand, with Auntie Anne’s pretzels and Carvel soft serve opening in Auckland this month.  Auntie Anne’s sells pretzels, lemonades, dips, and “pretzel dogs”, with more than 1,200 stores across 600 international locations.  Carvel claims to have invented soft-serve ice cream.  NZ Cinnabon franchise owner Kathan Parikh told Ryan Bridge they'll use mostly New Zealand ingredients while sticking to the classic American recipes.  He says Kiwis travel a lot and this is a great opportunity for them to enjoy America on home soil.    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Full Show Podcast: 17 September 2026 16.09.2026 34นาที

  On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 17th of September 2026, the Business community not happy with National’s plan to bust up Foodstuffs, Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard explains.  Auntie Anne’s and Carvel Ice Cream are opening their first NZ stores in Auckland this month, Kathan Parikh NZ Cinnabon franchise owner, tells Ryan why he's bringing the new chains into the country.  The June quarter GDP number is out today, independent economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts. Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on the Federal Bank's rate decision and Trump choosing not to back Saudi Arabia in Houthi violence.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Ryan Bridge: Nicola's supermarket bust up isn't serious 16.09.2026 2นาที

  Nicola's supermarket smash-up is not serious.   She's playing a very risky political game and she knows it.   Cost of living is the only game in town this election – win on the cost-of-living battle and you win the war.   Nicola thinks by looking tough on supermarkets she'll earn the respect of the 'squeezed middle'.   But, as I've said many times before, even if you wipe out all the so-called 'super profits' the supermarkets are making, you benefit by a few extra dollars per week.   But there's a big "if" here.  Our supermarkets are run very efficiently. Yes, they are dominant, too dominant, but that allows economies of scale in a long, thin country of five million people.   Mess with that for political gain and you risk prices actually going up, not down.   That is not my view. That is the view of the very report which Nicola relied on to make her grand pronouncement yesterday.   In other words, this whole thing could end up costing us more than it saves us.   Nobody knows for sure. No governments in the world have gone in with an axe and split up a live supermarket chain in real time.  The very threat of it will put the willies up investors. Who's going to be investing in New Zealand's supermarket industry before the second half of 2027?  That's how long a second report will take to answer those questions.   And guess what, those risks, those 'scenarios', those best guesses on calculators by modellers will still be there in 12 months' time.   At which point, National will shelve this idea. It won't happen.   This isn't happening. It's not serious. It's politics. It's election year.   Some are saying this is Nicola's Jacinda nuclear-free, oil and gas moment.   But it's not. Jacinda actually did the ban. Nicola's not.   Jacinda fired the gun, Nicola's just waving it around the supermarket for a photo-op. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Bruce Weir: Independent urban planner and strategic development expert on the amendments to the fast-track system 15.09.2026 3นาที

  There's a view changes to the fast-track system shouldn't be made carelessly.   The amendments to the system working their way through Parliament will mean councils can claw back greater costs from developers.   Independent urban planner and strategic development expert Bruce Weir says there probably is some room for developers to pay more.   But he told Ryan Bridge the Government shouldn't be rash with changes.   Weir says we don't want to put developers off as it can actually be quite difficult to get projects through.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.