Ryan Bridge to focus on successful news show Ryan Bridge TODAY; Lisette Reymer new host of Newstalk ZB's Early Edition

Following the outstanding success of Herald NOW and weekday morning news show Ryan Bridge TODAY, Ryan Bridge will put his full focus into the daily news show, moving on from his role as host of Newstalk ZB’s Early Edition.

Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Lisette Reymer will join NZME as the new host of Early Edition.

Sarah Bristow, NZME Managing Editor Multimedia Content, says: “Ryan has played a huge part in Herald NOW’s popularity, and his show Ryan Bridge TODAY continues to go from strength to strength. Ryan has built a loyal and growing audience who start their day with him across all our platforms and we are thrilled to have him focus on the show. It means we can build on that momentum, bring even more to our viewers every weekday morning and keep growing what has quickly become one of the country’s go-to morning news programmes.”

Will Maisey, Newstalk ZB Head of Talk, says: “Ryan has done a fantastic job on Early Edition, and we’re hugely grateful for the energy and passion he’s brought to ZB’s early mornings. Hosting Early Edition and then Ryan Bridge TODAY every weekday morning has been a big commitment.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Lisette to NZME and Newstalk ZB to replace Ryan. She’s one of the most accomplished journalists in the country, and having someone of her calibre join the team is a real coup for ZB and for our audiences.”

Ryan Bridge says: “I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Newstalk ZB team, and I’ll miss the Early Edition audience. Lisette is a terrific journalist, she’s a great friend of mine, and I know Early Edition listeners will be in good hands. For me, this is a chance to put my full focus into Ryan Bridge TODAY and to keep building on what we’ve created with the show. It’s something I’m immensely proud of.”

In 2021, Reymer was appointed Newshub’s Europe correspondent. During her three years based in London, she reported from the frontline in Ukraine and covered some of the biggest global stories of the decade, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the coronation of King Charles III, the Israel-Gaza conflict and the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.

She was named Reporter of the Year at the 2024 New Zealand Television Awards and won two Voyager Media Awards in 2023 for her coverage of the war in Ukraine. Since returning home in 2024, she has worked as a senior correspondent and weekend news presenter for ThreeNews.

“Lisette has reported from the heart of some of the world’s most important stories, and she has a real gift for explaining what’s happening and why it matters to everyday New Zealanders. That’s exactly what Early Edition is all about: giving listeners everything they need to know from home and abroad before their day gets going. She’s sharp, warm and curious, and I know our listeners are going to love starting their mornings with her,” says Maisey

Reymer will join NZME in mid-December and start as Early Edition host in January 2027.

ENDS