• Vincent McAviney: UK Correspondent on the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
    Feb 19 2026

    A shocking morning for the UK, with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being held in custody.

    Police have been investigating allegations the former Prince shared confidential information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.

    The BBC understands Police gave advance warning of his arrest to the Home Office – the UK government's internal affairs department.

    It says his brother King Charles wasn't told of the arrest in advance, but he's released a statement saying the law must take its course.

    UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge this marks a huge day.

    He says you have to go back about 350 years since a member of the Royal Family was captured in any way.

    LISTEN ABOVE

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • Richard Fitzwilliams: Royal Commentator on the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
    Feb 19 2026

    The spotlight's on the Royal Family following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

    This follows allegations the former Prince shared sensitive information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.

    The family of late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who also accused Mountbatten-Windsor of misconduct, told the BBC they celebrated after hearing of his arrest.

    Mountbatten Windsor's brother King Charles says the law must take its course.

    Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Ryan Bridge with everything in the public eye, it'll be hard to keep calm and carry on.

    He says it seems Mountbatten-Windsor's in for a very tough ride, but so is the Royal Family.

    LISTEN ABOVE

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • Erica Stanford: Immigration Minister on the visa pathway for Pacific and Chinese travellers
    Feb 19 2026

    There's optimism newly introduced visa-free travel for Chinese and Pacific tourists will prove successful long-term.

    The trial allows visitors to enter New Zealand for up to three months on a valid Australian visa.

    The Government says arrivals have almost tripled since December, reaching 36,800 visits.

    Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Ryan Bridge the scheme will be reviewed around the 12-month mark to assess its success and any risks.

    She says there's little to no risk, as we're essentially piggybacking off Australia's robust system.

    LISTEN ABOVE

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • Andy Baker: Franklin Ward Councillor on Auckland housing intensification
    Feb 19 2026

    The Government's reducing Auckland's housing capacity number from just over two million homes, to 1.6 million.

    Before becoming legislation, Auckland Council will need to tell Cabinet how it plans to zone for the changes.

    Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker shares his thoughts with Ryan.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
  • Full Show Podcast: 20 February 2026
    Feb 19 2026

    On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's been arrested and is in custody over alleged misconduct in public office, Royal Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams tells Ryan about the impact this will have on the Royal family's reputation.

    The Government's down a u-turn on housing intensification in Auckland, Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker shares his thoughts.

    Immigration Minister Erica Standford tells Ryan the latest on the success of visa-free travel for chinese and pacific island tourists.

    Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest from Buckingham Palace on former Prince Andrew's arrest.

    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.

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Ryan Bridge: Why aren't people buying apartments?
    Feb 19 2026

    I was driving through a street just out of Auckland’s CBD yesterday and saw all these apartments for sale.

    New buildings. Many looked empty. Loads of for sale signs.

    Why don't people want to buy them? Is it the price?

    Some older 70s brick and tile types close the city are apparently selling in the 400s. Newer ones seem to run more, depending on location. Wellington has a few steals at the moment.

    But again, not many interested buyers.

    Is it the economy? Is it the annoying body corperate fees? Is it the leaky building memories? The fact you can’t swing a cat in most of the living rooms? Having to see your neighbours in the lift? Are they poorly designed and made? Perhaps they overheat in summer?

    Or is it just that we still want a stand-alone house with a backyard?

    We just hate apartments?

    The government yesterday just announced a 23% reduction in new homes for Auckland as part of changes - BUT - we are still getting 1.6m new homes. And many of them will be apartments.

    My question is, will any of them sell?

    There’s an entire block in Auckland, newly built by a developer, that had to be rented because they wouldn’t sell.

    A recent housing survey found 80% of people would consider living in a standalone house.

    69% a townhouse.

    An apartment? One third.

    I get it, ideally, we all want space and gardens and lawns to mow. But if we can’t get that and want somewhere to live, why aren’t we buying apartments.

    Especially young people, who apparently don’t mind high-rise living as much.

    We can’t be that dissimilar to the rest of the world, surely?

    I think what it comes down to is that people don’t want to invest in something that’s relatively expensive vs. income, doesn’t appreciate like land and may not sell quickly if you need to get rid of it.

    Which makes you wonder who’s going to buy and live in all these one and two-beddy’s going up all over town.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    2 mins
  • Cameron Bagrie: Independent Economist on the OCR being held at 2.25%
    Feb 18 2026

    An economist is pointing out a potential problem with the Reserve Bank’s economic forecast.

    The Monetary Policy Committee, chaired by Anna Breman, has decided to keep the OCR unchanged at 2.25% for now.

    It says while inflation is above the target band, the economy still needs some time to recover.

    Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge that the problem with the Reserve Bank’s forecast is the assumed uptick in productivity growth.

    He says they’re assuming the supply side capacity, via productivity growth, will improve, which will keep inflation lower, but if we can’t get supply side capacity up, inflation will prove to be a lot stickier.

    LISTEN ABOVE

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
  • Tim Edmonds: Blood Cancer NZ CEO on Pharmac considering funding two new blood cancer treatments
    Feb 18 2026

    Two new blood cancer medications could soon be available to patients as pills, with one accessible through private clinics.

    Pharmac will consider funding treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which could be available from May 1st.

    They can be taken in pill form and take away the need for chemotherapy.

    Blood Cancer NZ CEO Tim Edmonds told Ryan Bridge the medications take a targeted approach to first-line treatment, which means they’ll be able to access targeted therapy instead of chemotherapy once diagnosed.

    He says instead of visiting the hospital up to 20 times in six months, they can take an oral tablet every day from home and actually get better outcomes.

    LISTEN ABOVE

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    3 mins