Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The overall economy seems to be holding together as it slowly gets back on track. 

Westpac's August overview forecasts 2% growth across this year – accelerating to 3% in 2027.  

It points to an uptick in activity after falling flat in the three months to June.   

Independent economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge the war in Iran has played into a lot of uncertainty in recent months, but the economy's bounced back well. 

He says import and export numbers have been phenomenal, and a lot of that's coming from regional growth. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meta's cut a landmark US trial over teen social media addiction short, agreeing to pay US$18 billion in a settlement deal.

29 US states brought the case against the Instagram and Facebook owner in a California federal court.

As part of the agreement the social media giant will include daily limits and night-time blocks for teenage users on its platforms.

New York correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge it's unclear if the changes will be rolled out internationally.

He says interestingly the deal means Meta doesn't have to admit any guilt at the cost of a lot of money. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much do you really want the value of your property to fall?  

Plenty of us say we want cheaper house prices, but do we really mean it? 

Once you own a house, you usually have mortgage on it. The less your house is worth, the less equity you have. 

Your net worth goes backwards. 

In New Zealand, half of the average household’s wealth is land and property. 

That is now worth 1.9% less today than it was a year ago. 

Overall household wealth in this country has basically been flat for four years. That means we’re not getting richer and it’s because house prices have been soft. 

Is this what you want more of?  

This election there are parties planning to tax those assets. From capital gains to land taxes. That is likely to mean even lower prices. 

When this happens, we get a bit worried about our situation in life and we get gun-shy with the debit card. 

We stop buying stuff. We’re less confident. The economy slows down as a result.  

Again, is this what we really want? 

Now I know what you’re thinking, that’s all fine unless you’re trying to buy a house. Which is fair. 

Except that house prices are now the cheapest they’ve been in a decade. 

Cotality says the national house value has dropped to 6.7 times your income. 

In 2021, it was nearly 10 times your income. 

In Auckland, you can’t sell an apartment or townhouse for love nor money. 

The question now is how low is too low? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Westpac have upgraded their GDP forecast, Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie tells Ryan what this means for our economy.

Act wants to abolish the Climate Change Commission, Adjunct Professor at the NZ Climate Change Research Institute Adrian Macey shares his thoughts. 

Dairy exports reached $28 billion in the year to December, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand Executive Director Kimberly Crewther shares hr thoughts. 

Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Meta’s agreeing to pay up to $18 billion US to settle the claims its platforms harmed children and tributes for the death of Dolly Parton.

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.

A number of wins for Auckland as the city heads into a new era.  

The fourth annual State of the City report, commissioned by the independent non-partisan Committee for Auckland, compares the super city to others globally.  

It scored well on innovation, international business events, and the number of people coming here, but did less well on things like productivity and keeping talent. 

Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck told Ryan Bridge Auckland now has the International Convention Centre and the City Rail Link's about to open. 

She says it can now leverage investments like this to drive density, growth, and vibrancy. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's Mayor says new rates cap could mean cutting back on important work. 

The Government's clarified key aspects of its plan to cap council rate hikes at 4%, which is expected to come into force in 2029.  

Councils would be expected to prepare for it from next July, although the scheme excludes water services. 

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little told Ryan Bridge they currently have a work programme underway to shore up the city against potential slips. 

He says not continuing with this goes against another government instruction to make sure they're climate resilient. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This past week is proof a four-year Parliamentary term is probably a good idea. 

Elections disrupt the housing market. People get scared off buying for fear of the unknown – who knows what government will get in and what they'll do to price of a house. 

Same goes for business decisions – should I buy that extra tractor if a pro-regulation party gets round the cabinet table? 

But the bigger problem, and we've seen it with this frankly farcical social media ban announcing this week, is legislation. 

The Nats called Labour's bluff and announced it. Then Labour called the Nats bluff and said they'd support a first reading before the election. 

Only for the Nats to turn around and say oh no, we actually don't have time this term. 

There's a 100-bill log jam of bills —potential new laws waiting to get debated — sitting in Parliament. 

It's like the Southern Motorway on, well, pretty much any day of the week and any time. She's backed up like a dump truck. 

RMA reform is a priority, but outside that, she's a pretty ropey agenda. 

Politics at election time actually gets in the way of what Parliament is supposed to do, which is pass laws. 

City deals get ripped up on the fly. Mayors across the country get butthurt. 

Of course, elections are not the enemy of democracy. They're the basis of it. 

But too many, too often, is probably doing more harm than good. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's determined to see the end of smoking in New Zealand if re-elected to government.

The party plans to reinstate the Smokefree Generation, introduce a licensing regime to stop illicit sales, and cancel tax breaks for tobacco companies.  

Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says smoking's our leading cause of preventable death. 

Action for Smokefree 2025 Director Ben Youdan told Ryan Bridge it's not necessarily a policy that would make a huge difference in reducing smoking. 

He says it would potentially sustain low smoking rates among young people, but it doesn't address the 250,000, largely older adults, who are still smoking.  

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 26th of August 2026, the Government’s pushing ahead with its 4% rates cap, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little shares his thoughts.

The Labour party says they'd bring back our Smokefree generation goals if they get back in government, Action for Smokefree 2025 Director Ben Youdan tells Ryan why this is important. 

A new report shows Auckland is quickly becoming a world-class city once again, Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck tells Ryan what work needs to be done to improve the city. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on an adviser to the Kremlin, saying there might be a "semi-military" response against UK drone factories and Police say five young men who died after their vehicle hit a police car on a dual carriageway may have had links to “serious and organised criminal activity”.

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.

Retail's been taking a hit since the Iran war began, with people staying home to save money and fuel. 

Stats NZ data shows the June quarter's inflation and seasonal-adjusted sales volumes fell 0.5% on the three months to March, but after accounting for surging fuel prices, petrol station sales actually plunged 13%. 

The only significant growth was in computer and appliance store sales, with sectors that rely on people driving around and using discretionary money —accommodation, hospo, car dealers— also seeing drops.  

ASB Senior Economist Jane Turner told Ryan Bridge they expect consumer spending will remain fairly modest throughout the rest of the year, with a more meaningful recovery coming next year. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.